Wicked Laird: Brethren of Stone Book 2 Read online

  “Elle,” The doctor slowed his pace, scratching his chin. “Did she tell ye about her fiancé?” he asked, a pang of concern in his voice.

  “I was under the impression that they were no longer engaged.” Blair straightened.

  “That’s Elle’s impression. Mr. McKenzie made it clear that they will marry and that no man is to touch her in the meantime.” The doctor took off his spectacles and pulled a cloth from his coat to clean them. Clearing his throat, he looked over at Mr. McLaren, who sat with the boys at the table. “If you return Elle to her cottage tomorrow, no one will be the wiser. Everyone here will keep this all quiet.”

  He swallowed the rumble that threatened to break free from his throat. Drawing in a deep breath, Blair considered his options.

  Not what the doctor had said, of course. He’d met McKenzie. Few men intimidated him and McKenzie was not one of them. But he did want to protect the people who were now helping him.

  “Elle and Ailean will be staying here. But no one need know you ever came.” He gave a nod to the doctor as he drew out his coin purse to hand him his payment.

  “I’m not sure that’s wise,” the doctor mumbled.

  Blair raised his brows. “You think it’s wise for me to cower in front of him?”

  The doctor drew his brows together, looking pained. “I suppose it isn’t. But he’s a man who’s prone to violence.”

  Blair gave a single jerk of his chin. “Thank ye fer the warning.” Then he turned to Mr. McLaren. “I’ll have yer boat ready by week’s end, good as new. I’ve got a slab of pork that ye can take to feed yer family in the meantime.”

  Mr. McLaren also rose. “Fair enough, my lord.” Then he cleared his throat. “How will Elle make amends to ye fer fixin’ my boat? I don’t mean to pry but she’s a good lass. Works hard, values her family and friends.”

  Blair softened. The man was looking out for her. “She and Ailean will work for me until the debt is paid. Then it’s up to them if they stay on or go to my brother for employment.”

  Mr. McLaren gave him a warm smile. “I’m glad to hear it. Those two deserve a break.” Then he joined the doctor. “We’ll be taking our leave, my lord but I’m glad to have met ye.”

  “Same.” Blair walked them to the door and waved goodbye. As he closed it behind him, the doctor’s warnings rang in his ears.

  Elle was in and out of sleep for the next two days. She didn’t know if it was the recovery that made her so tired or the fact that for the first time in years she and Ailean were safe. She wasn’t worried about Malcolm coming after them while living in the cottage, or where their next meal might come from.

  But when she woke early in the morning, she rose from bed. Her foot was still tender but it felt much better and some light work seemed in order. Padding to the small kitchen, she began to cook breakfast.

  Mixing up a batch of tattie scones to go along with the eggs and bacon, Elle hummed to herself. Blair had spent the last two days repairing the boat while Ailean finished cutting the grass about the house. Today, Ailean would roll it for the sheep to graze on this winter while Blair would travel south.

  He needed lumber to begin work on the docks so that the ships might be delivered. He’d told her even with employing half the village, the first two piers would take most of the summer. He hoped to roll the workers he used for the building into his shipping business.

  If he truly could employ half the town, Malcolm would lose most of his influence.

  Ailean poked his head over the rail of the loft. “What are ye makin’?” he called.

  Before she could answer, Blair poked his head over too. “Why aren’t ye in bed?”

  “Scones and I’ll die of boredom if I lay there another minute.” She gave them both a grin. “I promise I’ll lay back down after breakfast.”

  Blair narrowed his eyes but one corner of him mouth quirked up. “Fine. While I’d prefer you stay in bed, my stomach would like to test yer scones.”

  A giggle bubbled out of her mouth. When was the last time she’d laughed? “Do ye like scones?”

  “One of my favorites,” he called as he came down the ladder from the loft.

  Elle didn’t say it out loud, but inside she vowed to make him scones every day. Blair had effortlessly brought joy back into their lives.

  He came to stand behind her as she worked. Though he didn’t touch her, she could feel him and her skin tingled with awareness.

  Ailean hopped down from the ladder and barreled past her. “I’ll feed the animals while ye cook so I’ll be ready to start work as soon as breakfast is done.” Then he was out the door.

  “He’s a good lad, Elle,” Blair rumbled behind her.

  She turned back to him then. Her breath caught. He was so close that his breath fanned her face. “Aye, I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

  He brought one of his hands to her waist. “I’m glad ye both came.”

  “So am I,” she murmured. They were drifting closer. Many men had tried to kiss her in her life, including Malcolm. She’d had an array or reactions from revulsion to curiosity. But here with Blair, she wanted this with an intensity that was frightening.

  That fear didn’t stop her, however, from moving closer still. How would he taste? She’d guess delicious.

  The door banged open again. “Blair,” Ailean yelled. “Smoke coming from the north.”

  Blair straightened. “Hell and damnation.” Then he crossed to the door and grabbed his coat. “Stay with yer sister.” He pointed at Ailean before he strode out the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Then, it snapped shut behind him.

  Elle stared at the closed door not sure what to think but uneasiness filled her belly. Not knowing what else to do, she began cooking again. Keeping her hands busy prevented her mind from running through all the terrible possibilities.

  It was near an hour before Blair came back but when he did, his face was set in grim lines. He sat at the table without a word and Elle, stopped for a moment, holding her breath. Did she ask?

  Instead, she fixed a plate, setting it in front of him.

  “Thank ye, lass.” His voice, unlike his features, was smooth and easy. It relaxed her as she prepared food for her and Ailean and they crowded about the table together.

  “What happened?” She tried to keep her tone as easy as his had been but she could hear the tightness in her own voice.

  He took several bites of his scone before he answered. “These are delicious.”

  “Thank ye,” she answered not asking again. She searched his face instead, hoping for a clue.

  He took a deep breath. “The big house is on fire. It’ll burn to the ground.”

  “Your house?” A lump formed in her throat. She covered it with her hand the fear she’d been trying to push down, rising up into her chest.

  He shrugged but the lines of his face were taut with tension. “It was a pile of rubble. The fire is doing me a favor.”

  Ailean nodded as he shoveled food in. “Aye, it was falling down.”

  A vein in Blair’s neck throbbed. “Soon as yer done yer breakfast, why don’t ye finish feeding the hogs?”

  Ailean wolfed down several more bites before he jumped up from the table. “Sure. I’ll be back in a little bit.” Then, grabbing his coat again, he headed out the door.

  As soon as it closed, Blair turned to her. “I didn’t want him to hear the rest.”

  Elle nodded but tears sprang to her eyes. Since her father’s death, Ailean had shouldered an immense burden for a boy so young. It was a relief to have Blair protect him. She’d tried, of course, but it had been difficult. “Thank ye, fer that.”

  “No trouble at all.” He paused. “The fire wasn’t an accident, it was set. I’ll get the constable just to have the incident known to the authorities.”

  “Malcolm,” she whispered, her throat tightening.

  “We don’t know that for sure,” he said, even as the corners of his mouth turned down.

  She dropped h
er head into her hands. “Who else would do such a thing?”

  “To be safe, you and Ailean are coming south with me.”

  Her head sprang back up. She wanted to hide. She really did. “But we’re supposed to be working in order to help ye.”

  “That’s silly,” he fired back.

  “It is nae. I take what ye’ve done fer us as seriously as the contract we’ve drawn up.” Her own anger was rising and she shot to her feet. She knew she was using that anger to help push through her worry but she didn’t know what else to do. “What’s more, the sooner you start employing people the less power he’ll have. My part in that is small but I intend to fulfill it.”

  Blair stood too but far more slowly and gently. “Ye will, lass.” Then he searched her face, his eyes seeming to take in every detail. “But if yer going to pay me back, it would be better if ye were actually alive. I can’t have him setting the cottage on fire with ye in it.”

  “Point made,” Elle said, sitting down again with a loud thump. She would once again be unprotected against Malcolm. Truly, she still wasn’t sure how she remained in her uncle’s cottage. Malcolm had set about starving her out. She was sure his pride demanded that she come crawling back rather than forcing her to marry. But he might change that plan with Blair’s intervention.

  He stepped closer to her and held out his hand. Placing her hand in his warmth spread through her. “And we’ll figure out how to get the best of McKenzie, don’t ye worry.”

  Elle wanted to believe him. But McKenzie had already bested her and she had little faith she could stand against him. And by little, she meant none at all.

  Chapter Six

  Blair stood at the helm of his boat, as the spring winds whipped at his clothes. He was honestly excited to be going home. He’d never thought he’d miss his family this much. But the weeks spent alone had given him a new appreciation for how much he liked the noise and commotion of a large family.

  Having Elle and Ailean had been a welcome relief as well. They were easy to be with, kind hardworking people. Of course, his attraction to Elle made it a sweet torture to be close to her/around her but he could manage.

  She’d been right, though, when she’d said she’d bring trouble. He thought back to his meeting with the constable. The man had more or less confirmed that McKenzie was to blame. He’d also made it clear that he’d do nothing about it. McKenzie paid his salary. He smacked his fist into his hand.

  The situation grew more maddening with every passing day but it also made Blair more determined to save Elle. To help the rest of the people suffering under Malcolm’s tyranny. Not only did they seem to live in fear of him but, because Malcolm was the primary employer, their wages were deplorable.

  Elle appeared in the hatch of the ship and he straightened. She was supposed to be resting below deck. He crossed over the deck, to help her and to tell her that she should not be on her feet when it occurred to him that, even for him, he was worrying her safety and recovery.

  “Don’t yell at me,” she said by way of greeting.

  He couldn’t help but allow one of his brows to quirk up. “How’d ye know?”

  “We’ve only known each other three days and I already know you are insistent upon getting your way and equally set upon my recovery.” She held her hands up to him and easily lifted her out of the hatch then gently set her on her feet, wrapping one of his arms about her waist.

  “I fear I am guilty on both accounts.” He curled his lip. “I have been trying not to tell ye how to live. I rushed in and saved a woman once before, and then set myself about fixing her problems. It didnae go very well.”

  Elle’s mouth dropped open. “Was she drowning too?”

  “I wish. That was an easy one.” He shook his head as the memories assaulted him. “She begged me to save her from an arranged marriage. She was beautiful and her laugh tinkled like a bell. In the end, she convinced me.”

  Elle’s hands had rested on his chest and she grabbed fistfuls of his shirt. “What happened?”

  “Once we’d left, I offered to marry her myself. She accepted. Then I promised her that I would build her the life she dreamed of. The life, I suppose, I’m building now. The problem was, when I laid out my plan, she realized that I was not the Earl of Alban, as she had assumed. She thought I was my older brother and when she learned the truth, she ran straight back home.” The rest of the story made his insides tighten with an ache that he could barely stand.

  “It must have broken your heart.” Elle’s voice caught on the last word. He appreciated her sympathy though her hands were now gripping so much of his shirt, it was twisting about his neck uncomfortably. “Do ye…do ye miss her?”

  A bitter laugh that sounded more like a bark, escaped his lips. “Cordelia told her father that I kidnapped her. He tried to kill me. Came at me with his pistol. And, to top off the whole messy affair, she married the man she’d left when she’d first asked me to intervene.”

  Elle’s fingers relaxed and instead of nearly choking him, they began smoothing the fabric that she’d wrinkled. “How awful.”

  He looked down into her eyes, so wide and expressive. Her cheeks had a flush that he wanted to stroke with his thumb. “I learned my lesson. Or I tried. Mind your own affairs. Don’t try to save beautiful women.”

  Elle cocked her head to one side. “But ye saved me. Not that I am beautiful. I only mean that—”

  “I ken what ye meant. And ye are a beauty, Elle. I’ll probably end up in the constable’s office at some point fer this good deed. Of that ye can be assured.” Smiling down at her, he gave a wink. “Not that I’d change what I’ve done. But when I try to help others, I’ve a way of landing into trouble.”

  A giggle bubbled up from her throat and escaped her lips. The sound was as beautiful as she was and it pulled a laugh from his chest too.

  She looked up at him, her eyes squinting. “I hope not. But if it makes ye feel any better, I made myself a promise too. Not to accept the help of a man, particularly a single man again. But here I am, on yer boat, staying at yer house. I’ll likely end up in a whole heap of trouble fer my transgression as well.”

  His mouth fell open as several pieces came together. Her desire to settle her debt and her constant wish to be useful. She didn’t want to take his help. She’d tried to rely on McKenzie and it had only hurt her. “Are ye gonna tell me what he did tae ye, lass?”

  All the laughter left her face as her chin dropped to her chest. “Maybe someday.”

  That made his heart constrict. How awful could it have been if she reacted like that? No longer able to resist, he reached up and trailed his fingertips down her cheek. “Anytime ye’re ready, love. I’ll listen.”

  Her eyes widened and he realized what he’d called her. No. He couldn’t have. Gently he backed up. With startling clarity, he understood, he could go around saving women all day. It was when he started to care for them that the trouble began. And the two seemed to go hand in hand. He’d save a lovely lady and then give her his heart.

  She let him move away, her hands dropping to her sides. “Thank ye fer offering to listen.”

  Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “Ye should go back down where yer safe.” It was absolutely true and yet, this time, he didn’t say it for her safety but his sanity. Looking at her now, he wanted to pull her back into his arms.

  Gingerly, she began to lower herself down the hatch. Blair tensed. He hated watching her struggle. But to help her was to touch her again.

  With a small growl of frustration, he reached out his hand to stop her. “Hang on, I’ll help ye.”

  He dropped down into the hatch, without bothering to use the ladder and then lifted his arms up to grasp her waist. In a moment, she was in his arms as her body came into contact with his. Every muscle tightened as her soft curves pressed against him. She rested her hands on his shoulders, her face inches from his. “Blair,” her breath whispered across his cheeks, warming him.

  “Aye,” he asked, tightening h
is arms about her waist. He should set her down, put distance between them.

  “After what happened, do ye think ye’ll ever trust a woman again?” She wound her arms about his neck.

  They were so close, he couldn’t be anything other than honest. “I told myself if I just didn’t jump to another woman’s rescue, I’d be fine.”

  “Oh,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

  He couldn’t help it, he gave a small laugh. “Sorry ye didn’t drown?”

  She clucked her tongue against her teeth. It only made his smile broaden. “I’m sorry that I made ye break yer promise tae yerself.”

  Her scent had enveloped him, filling his nostrils with the light floral musk only she had. He’d been trying to put distance between them but, like everything with her, he seemed unable to hold his ground. Instead, he brushed her lips softly with his own. It was a tiny touch, light and easy. So gentle, it could barely be felt. Except for the fact that tingling need travelled through him, making his loins swell with longing. Taking a deep breath, he tried to gain control. “I’m sorry I made ye break yer promise tae yerself too. Though, I suppose if the alternative is ye trying to battle on alone, I’m not that sorry.”

  To his amazement, she pressed her lips to his again. They were soft, supple and so sweet. “Thank ye fer everything.”

  Gently, he set her on her feet. He’d meant the words. He wasn’t sorry. But he needed to step away. If he allowed himself to continue to grow closer to her, then he opened himself up to being hurt. “Ye’re welcome.”

  Slipping out of his arms, she started down the hall. He watched her until she opened her door and went inside then he slowly climbed back out onto the deck. Standing at the rail he stared at the waves for a long time. What was he doing? Likely, he was barreling toward disaster.

  Elle looked out the tiny porthole window in her room and wondered what she had just done. The only reason she could reconcile taking Blair’s help at all was because she was treating it like a transaction. A trade like many she had made. She often cooked for families in exchange for goods or service. Blair was putting himself at risk, he’d spent much-needed time and funds helping her. She’d repay him while securing a future for her brother.