Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone 1)

“Considering you’ve already proposed, should I get caught, I am sure you’ll make an honest woman of me.” She allowed him to pull her in closer as she bandaged his arm.

“So ye’d marry me if we were caught, would ye?” Suddenly she was up against his chest. She should say no. Or ask him a few of her remaining questions. But after today she just wanted to be close to him.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I was so frightened today, Stone.” Her hands slid up his shoulders and onto his neck and then she threaded her fingers through his hair. “You were the only thing that made me feel…safe.”

He grumbled low and deep. “Eliza, ye’d better go back tae yer room. If ye don’t—” He stopped.

“I don’t want to be alone, Stone.” She hadn’t meant to say it out loud, she’d barely admitted it to herself. But with him, she was safe and happy. She was home.

He groaned low and deep. “Eliza. How can I have ye here and not—”

“I’ll sleep in the chair,” she said, the words rushing out. “Don’t make me go back to my room. Please?”

He didn’t say anything but he gave a long exhale. “Ye’ll sleep in the bed with me. Yer lucky I am a man of high principle.”

Relief flooded through her. “Thank you,” she breathed as she dropped her forehead to his.

“Eliza.” The A in her name dropped low, long, and deep. “Only tonight. After that, you’ll need to decide what ye want.”

“I know, Stone.” Her arms wrapped about his neck and his good arm lifted her at the waist. He crossed the small room to the bed and settled on it with her on top of him. In her wildest imagination, she’d never expected a man to feel so comfortable. But being pressed against him was better than anything she could have dreamed. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep.

Stone looked down at the woman fast asleep on his chest. The day had been worth it, if for no other reason than she was safe. He should have left her at home. He’d allowed his desire to woo her to override his good sense.

He didn’t do this. He didn’t twist himself into knots, making poor choices to win a woman’s affection. But here he was, taking her on trips where he battled pirates, allowing her to sleep in his room when she should be safely tucked in her own. Hell, he’d agreed to let her put off answering his proposal, afraid if he didn’t, she might just say no.

What was happening to him?

But he knew. He was falling in love. She was sassy and beautiful. She filled in his rough edges and made his life easier. She understood the ache he and his siblings were feeling and she’d been helping Delia to cope.

What he didn’t know, was why she was hesitating? She’d said it was because of her loss. Which made sense, mostly. Though he’d just suffered a loss, he still knew she was right for him. Not everyone was as decisive as he. But they’d have to have another conversation about what troubled her. He’d thought she might not want the responsibility but she’d shouldered a great deal of it today.

More thoughts swirled in his mind, but they grew foggy and disjointed as the warmth of the woman and the rocking of the ship soothed him to sleep.

He woke the next morning, just as the first rays of the sun peaked into the porthole of his cabin. The sound of the door clicking closed reverberated through him and his eyes snapped open. The little chit was leaving without saying goodbye.

Rising he crossed the room and yanked open the door. Stepping out, she froze a few feet away.

“Where are ye going?” he rumbled out.

She turned, her face a shade of bright pink. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

He quirked a brow. “Well, ye did. And ye left without saying goodbye.”

Her cheeks were still brightly shaded but a grin started to tug at her lips. “Are your feelings hurt?”

He blinked. “That’s ridiculous.”

She sauntered back over to him and standing on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Stone. For allowing me to stay. And for saving me.”

Then she turned and left.

Stone watched her retreat down the hall. He gripped the door handle to keep from chasing after her.

Chapter Ten

Eliza paced her room, anticipation and nerves flowing through her body. She needed to speak with her father but it was far too early. She’d been saying for days that she needed answers but if she was being honest with herself, she was a little afraid of them.

What if Stone was what they said? She wasn’t a fool, she’d seen his kindness. But her father could be hard beyond measure and she was worried that Stone was too, underneath all his acts of kindness. Why would her father be so loyal? What if Stone wasn’t? Was she ready to concede that her father had been right? Bend to his will and marry Stone?