Wicked Laird (Brethren of Stone 2)

Ailean nodded as he shoveled food in. “Aye, it was falling down.”

A vein in Blair’s neck throbbed. “Soon as yer done yer breakfast, why don’t ye finish feeding the hogs?”

Ailean wolfed down several more bites before he jumped up from the table. “Sure. I’ll be back in a little bit.” Then, grabbing his coat again, he headed out the door.

As soon as it closed, Blair turned to her. “I didn’t want him to hear the rest.”

Elle nodded but tears sprang to her eyes. Since her father’s death, Ailean had shouldered an immense burden for a boy so young. It was a relief to have Blair protect him. She’d tried, of course, but it had been difficult. “Thank ye, fer that.”

“No trouble at all.” He paused. “The fire wasn’t an accident, it was set. I’ll get the constable just to have the incident known to the authorities.”

“Malcolm,” she whispered, her throat tightening.

“We don’t know that for sure,” he said, even as the corners of his mouth turned down.

She dropped h

er head into her hands. “Who else would do such a thing?”

“To be safe, you and Ailean are coming south with me.”

Her head sprang back up. She wanted to hide. She really did. “But we’re supposed to be working in order to help ye.”

“That’s silly,” he fired back.

“It is nae. I take what ye’ve done fer us as seriously as the contract we’ve drawn up.” Her own anger was rising and she shot to her feet. She knew she was using that anger to help push through her worry but she didn’t know what else to do. “What’s more, the sooner you start employing people the less power he’ll have. My part in that is small but I intend to fulfill it.”

Blair stood too but far more slowly and gently. “Ye will, lass.” Then he searched her face, his eyes seeming to take in every detail. “But if yer going to pay me back, it would be better if ye were actually alive. I can’t have him setting the cottage on fire with ye in it.”

“Point made,” Elle said, sitting down again with a loud thump. She would once again be unprotected against Malcolm. Truly, she still wasn’t sure how she remained in her uncle’s cottage. Malcolm had set about starving her out. She was sure his pride demanded that she come crawling back rather than forcing her to marry. But he might change that plan with Blair’s intervention.

He stepped closer to her and held out his hand. Placing her hand in his warmth spread through her. “And we’ll figure out how to get the best of McKenzie, don’t ye worry.”

Elle wanted to believe him. But McKenzie had already bested her and she had little faith she could stand against him. And by little, she meant none at all.

Chapter Six

Blair stood at the helm of his boat, as the spring winds whipped at his clothes. He was honestly excited to be going home. He’d never thought he’d miss his family this much. But the weeks spent alone had given him a new appreciation for how much he liked the noise and commotion of a large family.

Having Elle and Ailean had been a welcome relief as well. They were easy to be with, kind hardworking people. Of course, his attraction to Elle made it a sweet torture to be close to her/around her but he could manage.

She’d been right, though, when she’d said she’d bring trouble. He thought back to his meeting with the constable. The man had more or less confirmed that McKenzie was to blame. He’d also made it clear that he’d do nothing about it. McKenzie paid his salary. He smacked his fist into his hand.

The situation grew more maddening with every passing day but it also made Blair more determined to save Elle. To help the rest of the people suffering under Malcolm’s tyranny. Not only did they seem to live in fear of him but, because Malcolm was the primary employer, their wages were deplorable.

Elle appeared in the hatch of the ship and he straightened. She was supposed to be resting below deck. He crossed over the deck, to help her and to tell her that she should not be on her feet when it occurred to him that, even for him, he was worrying her safety and recovery.

“Don’t yell at me,” she said by way of greeting.

He couldn’t help but allow one of his brows to quirk up. “How’d ye know?”

“We’ve only known each other three days and I already know you are insistent upon getting your way and equally set upon my recovery.” She held her hands up to him and easily lifted her out of the hatch then gently set her on her feet, wrapping one of his arms about her waist.

“I fear I am guilty on both accounts.” He curled his lip. “I have been trying not to tell ye how to live. I rushed in and saved a woman once before, and then set myself about fixing her problems. It didnae go very well.”

Elle’s mouth dropped open. “Was she drowning too?”

“I wish. That was an easy one.” He shook his head as the memories assaulted him. “She begged me to save her from an arranged marriage. She was beautiful and her laugh tinkled like a bell. In the end, she convinced me.”