Wicked Laird (Brethren of Stone 2)

Elle’s hands had rested on his chest and she grabbed fistfuls of his shirt. “What happened?”

“Once we’d left, I offered to marry her myself. She accepted. Then I promised her that I would build her the life she dreamed of. The life, I suppose, I’m building now. The problem was, when I laid out my plan, she realized that I was not the Earl of Alban, as she had assumed. She thought I was my older brother and when she learned the truth, she ran straight back home.” The rest of the story made his insides tighten with an ache that he could barely stand.

“It must have broken your heart.” Elle’s voice caught on the last word. He appreciated her sympathy though her hands were now gripping so much of his shirt, it was twisting about his neck uncomfortably. “Do ye…do ye miss her?”

A bitter laugh that sounded more like a bark, escaped his lips. “Cordelia told her father that I kidnapped her. He tried to kill me. Came at me with his pistol. And, to top off the whole messy affair, she married the man she’d left when she’d first asked me to intervene.”

Elle’s fingers relaxed and instead of nearly choking him, they began smoothing the fabric that she’d wrinkled. “How awful.”

He looked down into her eyes, so wide and expressive. Her cheeks had a flush that he wanted to stroke with his thumb. “I learned my lesson. Or I tried. Mind your own affairs. Don’t try to save beautiful women.”

Elle cocked her head to one side. “But ye saved me. Not that I am beautiful. I only mean that—”

“I ken what ye meant. And ye are a beauty, Elle. I’ll probably end up in the constable’s office at some point fer this good deed. Of that ye can be assured.” Smiling down at her, he gave a wink. “Not that I’d change what I’ve done. But when I try to help others, I’ve a way of landing into trouble.”

A giggle bubbled up from her throat and escaped her lips. The sound was as beautiful as she was and it pulled a laugh from his chest too.

She looked up at him, her eyes squinting. “I hope not. But if it makes ye feel any better, I made myself a promise too. Not to accept the help of a man, particularly a single man again. But here I am, on yer boat, staying at yer house. I’ll likely end up in a whole heap of trouble fer my transgression as well.”

His mouth fell open as several pieces came together. Her desire to settle her debt and her constant wish to be useful. She didn’t want to take his help. She’d tried to rely on McKenzie and it had only hurt her. “Are ye gonna tell me what he did tae ye, lass?”

All the laughter left her face as her chin dropped to her chest. “Maybe someday.”

That made his heart constrict. How awful could it have been if she reacted like that? No longer able to resist, he reached up and trailed his fingertips down her cheek. “Anytime ye’re ready, love. I’ll listen.”

Her eyes widened and he realized what he’d called her. No. He couldn’t have. Gently he backed up. With startling clarity, he understood, he could go around saving women all day. It was when he started to care for them that the trouble began. And the two seemed to go hand in hand. He’d save a lovely lady and then give her his heart.

She let him move away, her hands dropping to her sides. “Thank ye fer offering to listen.”

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “Ye should go back down where yer safe.” It was absolutely true and yet, this time, he didn’t say it for her safety but his sanity. Looking at her now, he wanted to pull her back into his arms.

Gingerly, she began to lower herself down the hatch. Blair tensed. He hated watching her struggle. But to help her was to touch her again.

With a small growl of frustration, he reached out his hand to stop her. “Hang on, I’ll help ye.”

He dropped down into the hatch, without bothering to use the ladder and then lifted his arms up to grasp her waist. In a moment, she was in his arms as her body came into contact with his. Every muscle tightened as her soft curves pressed against him. She rested her hands on his shoulders, her face inches from his. “Blair,” her breath whispered across his cheeks, warming him.

“Aye,” he asked, tightening h

is arms about her waist. He should set her down, put distance between them.

“After what happened, do ye think ye’ll ever trust a woman again?” She wound her arms about his neck.

They were so close, he couldn’t be anything other than honest. “I told myself if I just didn’t jump to another woman’s rescue, I’d be fine.”

“Oh,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

He couldn’t help it, he gave a small laugh. “Sorry ye didn’t drown?”

She clucked her tongue against her teeth. It only made his smile broaden. “I’m sorry that I made ye break yer promise tae yerself.”

Her scent had enveloped him, filling his nostrils with the light floral musk only she had. He’d been trying to put distance between them but, like everything with her, he seemed unable to hold his ground. Instead, he brushed her lips softly with his own. It was a tiny touch, light and easy. So gentle, it could barely be felt. Except for the fact that tingling need travelled through him, making his loins swell with longing. Taking a deep breath, he tried to gain control. “I’m sorry I made ye break yer promise tae yerself too. Though, I suppose if the alternative is ye trying to battle on alone, I’m not that sorry.”

To his amazement, she pressed her lips to his again. They were soft, supple and so sweet. “Thank ye fer everything.”

Gently, he set her on her feet. He’d meant the words. He wasn’t sorry. But he needed to step away. If he allowed himself to continue to grow closer to her, then he opened himself up to being hurt. “Ye’re welcome.”

Slipping out of his arms, she started down the hall. He watched her until she opened her door and went inside then he slowly climbed back out onto the deck. Standing at the rail he stared at the waves for a long time. What was he doing? Likely, he was barreling toward disaster.