Wicked Laird: Brethren of Stone Book 2 Read online

  “No,” he said as he pulled her into the room. “But your knock was so firm, that I thought for sure it was him.”

  Elle’s cheeks heated. “Oh,” she whispered. The scent of savory lamb with a hint of cloves wafted into her nostrils. Not knowing what else to say, she took a deep breath. “Smells wonderful.”

  Helping her into a chair, he began lifting the lids. “Not bad. Though not as good as when someone else I know cooks.”

  They ate in a companionable silence. The food was delicious. Here and now, her troubles seemed far away and with a full stomach, Elle nearly forgot why she hadn’t wanted to attend.

  Sitting back in her chair, she looked across the table at his dark eyes. “Do ye think ye’ll marry someday?” The question had slipped out before she’d thought it through.

  One of his eyebrows quirked up. “Of course. You?”

  “I don’t know. At this point, I don’t have much to offer a husband.” She shook her head. It was absolute truth.

  “Elle, how can ye say that? Ye’re kind, smart, strong, and beautiful.” He stood then and walked around the table, reaching for her hand. “Any man would be lucky to call ye wife.”

  It was kind of him to say and perhaps he was right. Maybe she could make a match with a blacksmith or baker. She’d work hard to help him and provide a family. But a man like Blair…“I appreciate yer kindness, Blair. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t met—” But she couldn’t finish. His lips came down and captured hers.

  She was lost in the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. No thoughts. Not anymore. Not when the feel of him sent heat curling in her belly. Warm and delicious, the kiss was filled with excitement and a contentment that she hadn’t known she could still feel.

  The last kiss had been a light press and this one started much the same but as his lips moved against hers, the touch deepened and lengthened until he parted her lips with his and his tongue swept into her mouth.

  Ripples of pleasure moved through her at the touch and her core pulsed with need. He’d been holding her close against him but one of his hands traced the curve of her hip, trailing up to her waist and then sliding along her rib cage until he cupped her breast, his thumb brushing along her nipple.

  The flesh tightened and Elle gasped into his mouth. In her wild imaginings, a man’s touch had never felt like this and she wanted more.

  “Elle,” he groaned as he began to trail kisses down her neck. He followed the neckline of her dress and Elle twisted her head to the side to allow him better access. He tugged at the fabric, trying to reveal more of her skin and she reached for the buttons, wanting him to have access to it.

  That thought was the only thing that made her push at his chest to try and add some distance. Though she contemplated taking off her clothes.

  He didn’t back away but he did lift his head. “Elle?”

  “I should…I should go.” She wasn’t going to allow it to continue. She’d give Blair whatever he wanted. Except for one thing. Her heart. And somehow, she knew, if he continued to touch her like that, she’d be powerless to resist.

  Stepping out of his arms, she raced to the door. “Thank ye fer dinner.” Then she stepped out and fled down the hall.

  It wasn’t that she was a coward. He deserved someone better than her. Not that he’d offered her anything. But if he didn’t touch her then she could help him. She could work off her debt and do the right thing.

  If, however, she found herself falling in love… Well, it changed everything. How, she didn’t exactly know, but she did know that she wouldn’t be making rational decisions anymore. She’d be letting her emotions guide her and that was never good.

  At least not for her.

  No, she needed to keep her hands to herself at all costs. And, what was even more important, she needed to keep Blair’s off of her.

  Chapter Ten

  Blair let out a growl of frustration as he paced the room. He wanted her.

  Had he ever wanted a woman so much?

  Hell and damnation, he couldn’t even think of another woman. Even Cordelia was but a foggy memory. He’d thought she’d be etched in his mind forever.

  Elle was so much more a woman than Cordelia could ever be. And not just because of her beauty. Though Elle made him ache every time he looked at her, and he pulsed with it after touching her.

  But she was strong, kind, talented, independent, and so vulnerable. A man could get lost in a woman like that.

  He crossed to the door, wanting to chase after her. He’d haul her back here and make love to her. He’d…he stopped.

  What would he do? Propose marriage? Listen as another woman he’d rushed to save rejected him? Granted, Elle would be different. She didn’t want a husband. She’d been clear about it and he understood, but it was the same end result. He’d want a woman who didn’t want him in return.

  But another voice tempted him. Maybe if they were together, she’d change her mind. He could prove to her that she needed him as much as he was growing to want her.

  He banged his fist on the table. That was exactly what he’d done before. He’d once made fun of Stone for not indulging in the company of women. But Stone hadn’t been the one playing the fool.

  Tossing himself on his bed, he decided he should go to sleep. He’d put his energy into building his business, just as he’d always intended. If he got lucky, he’d have the opportunity to beat McKenzie’s face into pulp.

  But that thought didn’t make him feel better.

  In fact, he grew more restless as the night went on. Not even the rocking of the ship soothed him and he only managed a few hours of disjointed sleep.

  When the first ray of the sun peeked into his window, he knew they had nearly reached his land. He rose and headed out onto the deck. To his surprise, he found Elle there.

  Her hair was in a simple braid and wisps blew in the wind. The breeze made her cheeks even pinker and her eyes brighter. The soft pink of her lips was even more pronounced than usual and, it occurred to him, they were swollen from his kisses. While that tugged at his masculine need, he realized that her sudden departure had made him feel…rejected. He attempted to reason with himself. His attraction to Elle was liable to distract him from his fight with McKenzie. He needed to keep his wits about him, but her leaving still stung.

  She turned to him and reached out her hand. “Don’t be angry with me.”

  Something tugged in his chest. “I was never angry.”

  “Good,” she gave him a small smile as she slipped her hand into his. “Please understand,” she took a deep breath. “I’ve never let a man touch me like that and I—”

  His head snapped back. “Never let a man touch you?” Based on her story about McKenzie, Blair had assumed there was a physical component to her relationship with the other man. She had no guardian and they’d been engaged. Not that it mattered to him that she wasn’t a maid, in fact, he was relieved that she hadn’t been used that way but he was surprised.

  She shook her head.

  “Not even McKenzie? The two of you never…” He let his words trail off.

  Her mouth dropped open in an O. Then, she shook her head. “No, never. The only time there was anything physical was when he tried to kiss me and I refused to let him.” She shook her head. “It’s strange but he was far more concerned with my public behavior. How I appeared to the world than with our actual relationship. Every time he beat me, it was because I had made some social error or said something he didn’t like in front of others.”

  That made him pause, his gut clenching as nausea rose like bile into his throat. “Every time? You mean it wasn’t the one time?”

  Tears glistened in her eyes as swiped at them. “No, it wasn’t the one time.”

  “How many?” He didn’t know why it was important but he needed to know. He swallowed a lump in his throat and forced his breathing to remain even.

  “Five,” she answered as she nibbled at her lip. “Why?”

  “I am
going to take each of those out of his hide,” he rumbled.

  “No, that’s not yer fight.” She touched his chest. “I want ye to ken that I’m not afraid of ye. But I can’t kiss ye like that, Blair.”

  A feral noise of dissent made his chest vibrate and she pulled her hand away again. But he placed it over his heart, covering it with his own. “Why not?”

  “I need to keep my head.” Her brows scrunched in the middle. “Not just for myself, but for Ailean and for ye. I have to make decisions based on what is reasonable, not on emotional attachment.”

  Blair was silent for a moment. He understood. Some part of him knew she was right. He also had very sound reasons for not taking their relationship any further. But as she looked up at him, he wanted to take all those sound rationalizations and toss them into the waves. Then, he wanted to hold her close to him and kiss her for hours. “You don’t want an attachment.”

  “So you understand that I need to be your employee? That I must work off the debt and that this should be a business arrangement? That way I can protect us from—”

  “Love,” Blair let the single word slip out and Elle stopped talking, her mouth dropping open. “I could say that I took ye south to protect my investment. But that isn’t the truth. I care about yer safety. I am attached to ye whether I intended it or not.”

  She snapped her mouth closed but her large eyes glistened with wetness. “I don’t ken what tae say.”

  “Ye don’t have tae say anything. I’m not asking ye to give me anything other than what ye already have but I want ye to ken that I’ll keep ye safe no matter what.”

  “Thank ye,” she turned away from him. Staring at the land as they moved closer. “Ye’ve done more than I could ever have hoped for. Ye have my gratitude.”

  Somehow, her gratitude irritated him. Confusion over her feelings was fine. A need to protect her heart pulled at his own emotions. But just being grateful? Well, that made him angry. He wanted an emotional reaction from her not some platitude. He stepped back, straightening his shoulders. “Yer welcome.”

  She turned to him then, her brows drawing together. “I’ve upset you.”

  He didn’t answer. “We’ll be arriving soon. Do you have anything ye’d like to collect from the cottage?”

  “Yes please,” she answered.

  “Would ye like tae make a list or do ye think ye can make the journey?”

  He watched her tongue dart out to lick her lips. He didn’t want to find it alluring but somehow he couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth as she spoke. “I can make it. I’m nearly healed.”

  “Fine,” he turned and without a glance back, walked away.

  Elle watched him leave. What had she said? She ran through the conversation but could find nothing amiss in her words. The beach came into view and she welcomed the familiar sight.

  “Hello,” a man said behind her. She thought for a moment it was Blair, but there was something different in its tone and as she turned, she saw his brother standing behind her.

  “Hello.”

  “Pardon my intrusion but I couldn’t help noticing that my brother nearly stomped off.” Will stepped next to her.

  She quickly snapped her mouth closed, realizing it had fallen open. The Sinclairs were direct. “If you’re hoping for me to explain, I’m afraid I can’t. I was just trying to understand myself.”

  Will chuckled. “You’ll make a fine Sinclair.”

  “I beg your pardon?” She turned fully toward him. “Why would ye think that?”

  “That you’d make a fine Sinclair? Ye don’t seem flummoxed at all by our rather boisterous personalities.” He gave a wink as he rocked on the balls of his feet.

  “No, I mean, why would ye think I’d become a Sinclair?” Her heart raced in her chest as she waited for his answer.

  He quirked a brow. “I ken my brother is a good man, but ye don’t go through the trouble he is unless yer in love.”

  “I…” the words died on her lips. He had called her love. “I don’t belong with a man like yer brother. I’m just a common girl from the village.”

  “Say what ye want about the Sinclairs, we don’t give a pig’s fart about any of that. It’s the quality of character we’re concerned with.” He winked then. “Speaking of, Stone says that if my brother compromises ye and ye want to force the issue, I’m to defend yer honor. I’ll have to insist he weds ye and if he doesnae, challenge him to a duel. On the bright side, if he loses, I’ll get to keep his land.”

  Elle stared at him. “Yer not serious?”

  “About defending yer honor, most definitely. But yer right, I suppose. I’ll just wound him so he can still marry ye. I suppose killing him will defeat the purpose. And I’ll become a laird on my own. We Sinclairs will own the entire coast before we’re done.” Then he walked away whistling.

  Elle titled her head. Both Stone and Blair had a seriousness about them like a winter storm. Not that she minded. Will, however, was like a sunny summer day. How funny.

  Had he been joking about Blair’s feelings?

  While he didn’t seem to take much seriously, he also didn’t appear to be jesting.

  Tacking into the harbor, Elle had thought she might feel a sense of foreboding arriving here that wasn’t the case at all. Rather, a happiness made her light. This was her home.

  She knew that she wouldn’t move south. She’d stay here. Whatever that meant for the future, she’d face it. She was a Highlander.

  The ship anchored and a dingy was loaded up to head to the shore. Tomorrow, they’d begin recruiting.

  But tonight, they were just situating their living quarters.

  She honestly didn’t have much at Blair’s cottage. Only a few items she hadn’t packed to take south. A few trinkets and keepsakes that Ailean had brought form her uncles.

  But she’d like to have them. And while Blair could likely fetch them, she wanted to go with him. Elle wasn’t sure if she didn’t want to be alone or she just liked being in his company but she didn’t want to stay on the boat while he was gone.

  Blair waved her over once they were ready to depart. He easily lifted her in his arms and then climbed into the dinghy.

  It soothed her rattled nerves to feel his arms about her. He’d been angry about something but not enough that he wouldn’t still protect her, help her. “Thank ye, for lifting me,” she wrapped her arms about his neck.

  “I’d imagine ye donnae have yer sea legs yet.” He answered, though he didn’t look at her.

  “Blair,” she whispered. Two other sailors were in the dinghy with them. “What’s wrong?”

  His mouth turned down. “Nothing. At least nothing with ye. It’s me that has the problem.”

  She needed to ask what that meant but she couldn’t do it now as Will also stepped into the little boat.

  They didn’t talk any further as he set her down on the seat next to him. She couldn’t seem to help herself, despite her lecture about only being his employee, about her feelings being that of gratitude—she was lying to him and herself.

  In this moment, as they touched land and might see Malcolm McKenzie, she knew she wouldn’t stray from Blair’s side.

  They crested the last rise before the cottage and Elle sighed with relief when they found it still standing. Though she had only stayed there a few days, she loved this place.

  But as they approached down the path to the front door, it stood wide open. Sick dread made her clutch her stomach. “Oh no,” she breathed.

  Blair let out a low growling rumble as he charged through the door. “Hell and damnation,” he cursed as he stepped inside.

  Elle came in behind him and gasped. The place had been ransacked.

  “Back outside,” he barked as he pulled two pistols from his belt.

  Elle jumped a little but obeyed as she whirled about and exited the cottage.

  “We’ll be right back,” Will gave her a small pat on the shoulder as he followed his brother in, leaving her with the two sailors.

>   It only took a minute, though it felt like eternity, until Blair stepped back out. “No one’s in there, you can come back in.”

  With a nod, she followed behind him. Her throat ached with emotion as she looked about the cozy little house. Furniture had been turned over and ripped. Dishes lay broken on the floor and linens were strewn about everywhere. She was about to head to the bedroom when she noticed something on the table. Her letter opener from her father.

  With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch it. Under it was a note, written in a bold scrawl.

  * * *

  Return home or else.

  * * *

  A note from McKenzie, surely. Gripping its handle, she took a shaky breath to try and steady herself.

  Blair touched her shoulder. “Are ye all right?”

  Anger knotted her insides. “I…it was him,” she said, barely able to squeeze out the words.

  “I ken,” he turned her slowly. “Yer not going back to that cottage. Not now.” Then he pulled her into his arms.

  “I’m sorry about yer home,” she whispered.

  “Don’t be,” Blair’s muscles hardened against her. “He’ll pay for what he’s done.”

  Elle tipped her head back to look into his face. Much as she didn’t want to fight, she knew he was right. This is why they’d left Ailean behind. “He will, or if he doesn’t, I ken I tried.”

  Blair took a step back but held her hand. “Don’t ye worry. He will.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Blair had remained fairly level-headed up to this point. Perhaps it was Elle’s assertion that she was grateful to be his employee or that McKenzie kept landing blows that went unanswered but Blair was ready to knock that man into the dirt. He tightened his grip on his pistols. His patience was at an end.

  He left the cabin as it was—no use putting it back together—and returned to the ship. Once he had Elle safely back on deck, he retreated to his room.

  His plan was too passive. It wasn’t enough to slowly strip the other man’s power, he had to find a way to really strike back. But all of his ideas involved potentially hurting the people in the village. He let out a grunt of frustration. His position was a much more difficult one from which to play.