Wicked Laird (Brethren of Stone 2)

Blair raised his eyebrows. His brother cleared the room until only William, Stone, and Blair remained; Stone turned back to him. “What’s yer relationship with Elle?”

“I already told ye,” Blair narrowed his eyes.

“Have ye lied with her?” Stone sat forward, completely unintimidated.

Blair crossed his arms. “Why would ye even ask?”

“Ye’re free with touchin’ her.” Stone fired back.

Blair sighed. “I haven’t so much as kissed her. Her ankle is hurt, which is why—”

Stone interrupted. “Ye held her hand just now? Do ye have feelings for her?”

Blair sat back. Did he? “I don’t ken.” He did know. Thoughts of Elle caused his heart to beat wildly, his body to tense. Just the thought of her and he’d swear he smelled spring flowers. She’d filled his senses. What he was less certain about was what he intended to do about them.

“Yer making a habit of saving women.” Stone got up and crossed to the fireplace, leaning against the mantle.

“I couldn’t let her drown. How was I to ken she’d be so beautiful?” Blair raked his hands through his hair.

“Or honest.” Stone cleared his throat. “She seems like a hardworking, principled woman. Unlike that last tart ye got involved with.”

That took Blair by surprise and he sat back. “Tart? The two women have a few similarities. They both required to be saved.”

“Cordelia never required saving. She only wanted what she thought was the better match. Elle’s not going to go running back to this McKenzie fellow is she?” Stone gave him a sideways glance.

“I think Elle’d rather drown, as evidenced by the fact she was fishing on the ocean alone in an attempt to make a go of it free of McKenzie.”

“I thought as much,” Stone murmured. “She’s a beauty. And in a fair bit of trouble. Exactly how ye like ‘em.”

Blair straightened, rubbing the back of his neck. Stone wasn’t wrong but he also didn’t want him judging Elle. “Don’t blame Elle for what happened to the house. McKenzie would come after me no matter what. I’m a threat to his little empire he’s built.”

Stone looked back at him. “Oh, I agree. I meant she’s got her own problems. Though it just so happens, her trouble and yours are one and the same. Convenient really.” Stone gave him a sly grin.

“I don’t ken that’s the word I’d use,” he grumbled.

“What are ye gonna do about him? This McKenzie fellow.” Stone straightened, tensing.

“My plan is to build the docks immediately. Once I employ a large number of men, it’ll be more difficult for him to attack me or have any power over the town.” Blair knew he could only win when he held more sway than McKenzie.

Stone’s gaze darted around the room until it landed on him. His brother’s main vein pulsed on his neck. “It’s not enough. He’ll want to fight for what is his and you won’t have the loyalty from yer men yet to fend him off. Ye’ll need men who are loyal now and ye’ll need permanent jobs to bring more of the town’s people to yer side.”

Blair rubbed his temples. How did he get loyal men if he didn’t start employing them? Stone was right, of course. But it was impossible to build without reliable men and reliable men wouldn’t come if he didn’t start building. “What do ye suggest?”

“Take some of my crew. Maybe ten. They’ll fight wit’ ye if need be and they’ll get the docks up in a month.”

Blair stood too and crossed next to the fire. “I can’t pay fer the ships yet anyway. Ye ken this. It doesn’t matter if I get the docks done sooner.”

“Until yer a full-time employer, yer at Malcolm’s mercy. No one will contradict him as long as he holds all the money and power.” Stone grimaced.

“I ken,” Blair gritted out. This conversation was getting more frustrating by the second.

“So take the ships now and pay me back when yer able.” Stone reached out and punched him lightly on the arm. “I ken ye dunnae want yer brother’s help, but it’ll keep Elle and Ailean safe and force Malcolm out of the town far more quickly.”

Blair didn’t answer right away. His gut clenched. Damn it, he didn’t want his brother’s help. This was something he’d planned to do on his own.

Other people needed him to succeed. Elle and Ailean could be hurt and the people in the village were suffering. “Fine, but it’s a loan. I’ll pay ye back.” He sounded like Elle now.

Stone gave him a wide grin. “Good.” Then he punched him again. “Now, what are yer plans with Elle?”