Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone 1)

“Love?” she repeated softly. Her arms wrapped about his neck as Delia danced behind them. “Tell me the truth, am I dying?”

Surprise made him stop but then, a laugh bubbled up in his chest. A joy he hadn’t felt in weeks. It burst from his lips and even Eliza jumped in his arms. “No, love. I’ll explain when we’re alone.”

“Are you all right?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not acting like yerself.”

“Damn good thing,” he said. “Because I’m often an egit.”

Eliza narrowed her gaze. “Tell me what’s happening right now. I know something is going on.”

He gave a soft chuckle as he touched her stomach with the hand he’d had wrapped about her chest. “Ye’re carrying my child, lass.”

Understanding jolted through Eliza. How could that be? “We’ve only the one time…” her voice trailed off.

“Aye,” he answered.

“And the wedding isn’t for months,” she felt the blood drain from her face making her lightheaded again. “I’m ruined.”

Stone pulled her tighter to his body. “You think I’d let a child of mine be a bastard?”

Another realization ricocheted through her. Stone hadn’t forgiven her. He was being kind to her because she carried his child. Her eyes closed and a tear leaked down her cheek. The tiredness must be getting to her, she wasn’t normally so emotional. “I’m glad you’ll care so much for our child.” She meant the words. But it was on the tip of her tongue to ask if he’d care about her too.

Stone climbed in the carriage and sat with her splayed across his lap. “We’ll tell yer father that ye fell,” he whispered. “Then I’ll tell him we’ve had a change of heart about the wedding. With any luck, no one will ken.”

She gave a stiff nod as more tears leaked from her eyes. “I’m sorry, Stone.” She wasn’t even sure what she was sorry for. The baby, the lies they’d have to tell to her father. Perhaps calling him the devil, or maybe just the fact that there was no changing their course now.

He held her tight against his chest. “Don’t be sorry, Eliza. It’s my fault more than yers. I came tae yer room and I had my way…” He glanced up at Delia who was rolling her pebbles between her palms. “And I am so glad tae be startin’ a family.”

His words should have made her feel better and they would have if he’d said with you… I’m glad to be starting a family with you. But she took a deep breath and willed the tears away.

The carriage rolled the short distance from the village to the castle and Stone swept her inside and up to her room. “Time fer ye to rest.” He brushed his lips against her temple even as he lay her in the bed. “I’ll be back tonight so that we can talk in private.”

“All right,” she answered as she stretched out on her bed. Worried as she was, the soft mattress cushioned her body and her eyes were already heavy. Maybe if she slept, she’d wake with answers that she didn’t have now. “I’ll just sleep a little and then we’ll figure everything out.”

“I’ll figure it out, love.” His thumb stroked down her cheek.

Her lids grew so heavy that they fluttered closed. “Don’t be silly. You’ve too much to do already. I should be handling this. Be helping you.”

“Yer helpin’ me plenty.” He had leaned over so his lips were next to her ear. “You just stay well and rest.”

“Stone.” She tried to open her eyes. Now that she was relaxing in her bed, the exhaustion that had threatened all day was becoming too heavy to fight. But she had to say this. He had to know that he wasn’t trapped with her. She should have told him days ago. “Are you sure you want this? You’ve so much you have to take care of. A wife and a baby just mean more responsibility. I’m a burden for—”

“Yer not,” he rasped. For the first time in days, his lips found hers and he kissed her with a passion that left her breathless. “Now get some sleep.”

“After that?” she croaked her eyes opening wide.

He gave her a grin. His hand skimmed over her belly. She knew he was feeling for the baby but it made her insides ache nonetheless. “Sleep well, love.”

Then he was gone. Despite her assertion, her eyes closed. She was more tired than she could ever remember being in her life. Hopefully when she woke, she’d be able to puzzle out how to make Stone love her again.

Chapter Seventeen

The rest of the day moved with agonizing slowness. Stone had checked on Eliza multiple times, but she never woke.

He’d spoken with her father, who had not questioned him at all in his decision to move up the wedding. In fact, he’d looked delighted.

Finally at dinner, he’d made his excuses and taken a tray of food to Eliza’s room for both of them.

As he pushed in the door, she finally cracked open her eyes. “Stone?”