The Duke's Scottish Lass (Brethren of Stone 0.50)

There was a flicker for just a moment before he answered. What did it mean? But then it was gone. “Always,” he soothed in a hushed voice and his lips came down on hers in a soft kiss. “Besides, I have made a commitment to your brother to honor you. It is t

he third reason on my list that you will be my wife.”

“That list,” she breathed, but then rising up on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his again. Longing to press closer, her arms tightened around him.

“Not here.” He smiled down at her but his body straightened away. “I will have to leave soon. Stone and I have much to discuss.”

She nodded. If only Reginald could be here to see her marry his best friend. But, she would honor her brother’s memory by acceding to his wish. There was nothing to be done for it, she was losing her heart to Roderick in the process.

Chapter Seven

Roderick walked out the door, closed his eyes, and leaned his forehead against the wall. She had all but agreed to be his wife. He hadn’t rested against a wall like this since his father had passed. Then, he had been burdened by the responsibility of taking on the title and the debt. Now, he was weakened by the attraction that was consuming him for the beautiful and outspoken Delia. And he’d sworn upon Reginald’s death that he’d be a perfect gentleman. The man she deserved. Though, that wasn’t his most pressing problem. All his gains could be lost still.

What stood between him and his promise to Reginald, and to himself, was the knowledge that he had rescued her. That should be a simple admission but with Delia’s guilt over the loss of her brother, he knew why Stone hadn’t told her. Her brother worried that she would take her own guilt and transfer it to him. She may think that Roderick had rescued her when he should, in fact, have rescued Reginald.

It made him physically ill to think she may slip through his fingers because he had saved her to begin with, but he couldn’t change it, and wouldn’t if given the choice.

He tried to remember a time that he had been more nervous and couldn’t. He would rather battle a hundred pirates on the open sea than tell Delia he’d rescued her, but Delia deserved the truth.

He pushed off the wall. He would request a private audience with Delia. Stone would grant it, considering what he needed to say. He’d decide what to do about his physical response to her after he’d secured her hand.

Stone’s study came into view. The door was open and Roderick could hear voices filtering from the doorway. Sunderland’s nasally whine could be easily distinguished from outside the door.

“I was not made aware that there would be other suitors.”

“Sunderland, it is one of the few times a lady has a choice. Frankly, Manchester was her intended, but Delia has resisted the match. You have the opportunity to be the usurper, if you choose to take it.”

“Woo her? I was under the impression that I would simply provide a match for a woman who was not getting a season. I was doing a service simply by travelling here.” His indignation was evident.

Roderick’s hand clenched into a fist while he fought the urge to bloody the man’s nose. Delia was the finest women in all of England and Scotland combined and this bounder expected to do no work whatsoever. She was a woman who deserved a man who would fight for her and for her affection. He unclenched his hand. Sunderland was a man who wanted to work for nothing and have everything handed to him. If Stone allowed Delia to marry that man, he might challenge Stone to a dual, or Sunderland, or both of them and win her hand by force. His own thoughts made him start with surprise.

Shaking his head, he tried to calm himself. It was unlike him to be so emotional. Sunderland stepped out and as he eyed the man with open hostility he heard himself growl. Low and deep. Sunderland started and then, cutting him a wide path, he moved down the hall.

“You sound like me.” Stone chuckled from the doorway.

“Tell me you will not let her marry him.”

“I would run myself through with a sword first.” Stone glared in the direction Sunderland had walked.

“I’ll run him through.” Roderick jabbed his hand the same way.

Stone slapped him on the back. “How’d it go with Delia?”

“Very well, but I grow more fearful of revealing my role in her rescue.”

“I do not envy your job there, but clearly you are far better suited than I,” Stone grumbled as he moved back into his office. “You have made far more progress with her in a short time than I have over the last several years. Truly, Reginald understood her better than any of us. He knew you would make a good match.”

“He knew me better than I knew myself.” Roderick tossed himself in a chair and rested his head on his hand. “I must do this correctly, I can not lose her now.”

“Eliza thinks that you love her.” Stone was quiet.

Roderick didn’t answer at first. It was strange to share his innermost feelings with these men, especially ones he hadn’t sorted out. He supposed he would have to get used to this type of intimacy. It was part of being a family. Reginald had been like a brother to him, and somehow it was natural that Reginald’s brothers would now fill the role of providing brotherly advice. “What I feel for Delia is unexpected and I’m not yet certain how to define it or...” He paused, pained to reveal the next part. “How welcome it is. I promised Reginald I would remain a gentleman.”

Stone slapped him on the back. “We’re men, there’s no need. Unless of course the women need you to. Then I would recommend labeling it posthaste. Women can get rather mulish if they think you’re withholding your feelings.”

Roderick shook his head. There had been more than one woman in his past who had considered herself in love with him and had been rather sore when he didn’t return the sentiment. “Understood.”

Stone gave him a grin. “Sunderland performed his role nicely.”