Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone 1)

Blair stepped closer. “I heard Allister say that Eliza tried to find an infirmary for her mother. But there are none in their province. And ye ken the lord of their region, McKinney. He grows fat on the land but like so many, hasn’t done a damn thing for the people. Might be that Eliza thought all lords were like that.”

Stone took a deep breath, those words striking a chord deep inside. He hadn’t asked Eliza much about her mother. He’d been too caught up in his own grief, but now, that he thought on it, there was a great deal of information he was missing. “Why didn’t ye just say that instead of knocking me to the ground?”

“Ye don’t listen fer shit unless ye’ve been knocked around a bit.” Blair gave a chuckle. “Besides it’s been too long since we’ve brawled. Wish I’d been there to fight the pirates. Being trapped in this house might drive me mad.”

Stone shook his head. “Not to worry. The sailors need to be trained on how to fight. I can’t have more shipments being held up and I am too damn busy. I’m thinking that yer just the man fer the job.”

“Well that’s the smartest thing I’ve heard ye say in months.” Blair gave him another softer push. “Now go talk to Eliza and do some listening. Ye need to hear her and ye need to work this out.”

Stone grimaced. “Fine.” He wrapped his arm around his brother and they hobbled back to the castle together. But trying to picture what he would say, nothing came to mind. Would he tell her she’d wounded him deeply? Beg her to forgive him for storming off? He had no idea. Part of him was still angry while another part desperately wanted to hold her close to his body.

When they’d made it inside, Stone started down the hall toward his office, but Blair stopped him. “I thought ye were going to talk with Eliza.”

“I will,” Stone grumbled. “In the morning.”

“Now.” Blair stood straighter.

“Are ye going to make me?” Stone straightened too. “Ye’re a mess.”

“So are ye,” Blair replied. “And ye’ve got three more brothers to kick yer arse if need be.”

With a growl, Stone headed up the stairs.

When he reached Eliza’s door, he heard it. The distinct sound of her crying.

Eliza had no idea how long she’d been in her bed. Most of the day. She would have thought the tears would have run out, but every time she thought of Stone, they started again.

Just when she was sure she was putting her life back together, it had once again fallen apart.

A pounding at the door made her lift her head, though it felt twice as heavy as it normally did.

“Eliza,” Stone’s voice rang through her room. “Can we talk please?”

Dragging herself to the door, she opened it to let him in. For a brief second, she wondered how she might look, her face puffy from tears but all thoughts of herself flew from her head when she caught sight of him. He looked like he’d been dragged by horses. “Stone,” she winced.

He grimaced. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“What happened?” She opened the door wider to let him in.

“Blair decided I needed an education.” He limped his way into her room.

She nearly choked. “Blair did this?”

Stone gave a shrug. “He thought I was being hard-headed. You should thank him. It’s the reason I’m here.”

That made her stand straighter. If not for Blair, Stone wouldn’t be here? “Oh, I see.”

Stone dragged himself across the room and sat on her bed. “But he’s right. We need to talk.”

Eliza was still holding the knob of the door and she clutched it now. If she didn’t, she may very well sink to the floor. “About what?” Her words were barely a whisper.

Stone lay down. “Come here,” he rumbled.

For a moment, she thought her feet might not work, but as she closed the door, she was able to let go of the knob and cross the room. She sat on the mattress next to him and his hand reached for hers. It took the tiniest pull from him and she found herself laying down, pressed against his side. Her arm wrapped about his waist and she clutched him as a fresh wave of tears soaked his shirt.

“Tell me what happened to yer mother.” His voice was quiet.

Surprise rippled through her, stopping the flow of water from her eyes. “My mother,” she hiccupped, “needed a doctor. But with so many sick, I couldn’t get one to come to the house for days. By then, it was too late.”