Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone 1)

“Lord Alban,” she called as he was about to disappear into another room. She needed to ask him now before she lost her nerve or it was too late. “May I…may I come with you to the funeral?”

He stopped, his deep eyes assessing her before he gave a single jerk of his head. “If you wish.”

Then he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Had she really just asked to spend the afternoon with the devil?

Chapter Five

He’d gone daft. That was the only explanation for why he’d allowed her to come. Blair and William filled the seat across from him. The rest of his siblings had stayed home. Burying their parents was enough for one week.

Eliza sat next to him, her hands clasped in her lap. She was careful not to touch him, which was quite the accomplishment when one considered how much of a single seat he occupied with his sheer size.

But he’d become aware of her. Her every breath…every tiny twitch. He felt her as though she were touching him.

She was a prickly one. Not that it bothered him in the least. He wasn’t exactly known for warmth. Yesterday,

he’d thought perhaps she was like so many others. Afraid because he appeared menacing. But today, he’d gotten the impression she wasn’t the least bit frightened. But she was angry. Try as he might, he couldn’t figure out why she might be angry at him. The very thought baffled him.

If he were honest, puzzling over it was a far sight better than thinking about the funeral he was about to attend.

She shifted again and this time, her arm brushed his. The touch made every muscle tighten and he gripped the envelopes in his hand. He tried to remember when a woman had affected him so. Holding her against him today had been a sweet torture. And stripping her clothes off?

He’d done his very best not to see anything at all. But a few glimpses had left him aching. Not that he’d allowed her to see that. He prided himself on control.

They arrived at the Kirkyard outside of the village where the crowd assembled. His insides clenched for a different reason. He’d have to hear their whispers. Couldn’t they just allow him to grieve without having to stand against their onslaught?

Likely not.

“I’ll go first.” Blair leaned over and patted his shoulder. “They’ll come to see in time, just like they did with father.”

Stone wasn’t so sure.

“What will they see?” Eliza asked.

Blair gave her a slight frown but didn’t respond as he stepped out of the carriage, followed by William. He should have just gone because it was customary that he lead and even that would spark their tongues. He couldn’t change their reactions as he stepped out too. He kept his eyes above the crowd as he turned back to help Eliza out.

Her hand fit into his, as she lifted her skirt to step down. He tried not to think of what it had been like to have those delicate curves pressed against him. He’d like the comfort of them, this very moment, as he tucked her hand into his elbow.

As he turned back to the crowd, he braced himself for their whispers, looks of fear. But most stared silently back at him. Surprise made his eyes widen and then, as he caught the eye of one of the women close to him in the crowd, she smiled. What the feck was happening?

“What a lovely couple,” she said to the woman next to her.

Another responded. “Did ye see the way he let his brothers out first so that he might assist her? How dashing.”

Whispers began to filter through the crowd, but their tone had changed. Rather than fear, he heard approval. How had it not occurred to him that a woman next to him might soften his image? Not that he cared what they thought. But today, he reveled in not facing their taunts. And, honestly, he wished they would focus on his abilities as their laird and earl rather than his harsh features. If they wanted to judge him poorly for that then so be it.

The bells rang and the crowd parted to let them through.

“What the bloody blazes is happening?” Will whispered.

Blair replied, “I’m asking myself the same.”

“I’d ask ye to explain but I don’t think ye will,” Eliza huffed.

Both Blair and Will chuckled softly and even Stone found himself smiling a bit. They loved fiercely, but his family was as tough as the name implied. Eliza was fitting right in. Interesting.

Not that she’d want to. In fact, she’d made it perfectly clear she did not want to be anywhere near them. She wanted to return home. The question was, did he still wish for her to go? Yesterday it had unequivocally been yes but today, he wasn’t so sure.

Eliza intended to speak with her father about Lord Alban and the Sinclair clan. This time, she wouldn’t judge, she’d listen. Because something wasn’t fitting.