Wicked Laird (Brethren of Stone 2)

Gently she reached behind her and loosened his grasp so that she could step away. “I was afraid because he makes everyone afraid of him eventually. I didn’t respond to threats so he used other measures. She turned her back to him just as a tear slipped down her cheek. Slowly, she pulled up her night rail.

“Elle,” he started.

She turned to look at him over her shoulder. “You wanted to know.”

He winced and she turned away again. These scars were the reminder of what had happened the last time she’d put her life into another’s hands.

The fabric skimmed past her knees and she pulled higher, she heard him suck in his breath. “Bloody hell,” he growled.

The tears fell faster. “This was my punishment for pulling away. When I didn’t allow him to kiss me, he used a riding crop on the back of my legs.”

The scars had dulled, but they were still visible. Tiny pink lines that crossed one another. It had been the final straw for her.

“I’ll kill him with my own hands.” Blair’s voice was low, but it was also a deep menacing baritone.

She still couldn’t look at him. “It was only a few days before the wedding. We’d moved most of our belongings into his home already. After he left, Ailean went to get the doctor.”

Blair sucked in his breath. “Was it after that when he threatened Dr. Brown?”

“Yes, and when I refused to take the carriage to the wedding. He tried to force me but I used my father’s shotgun to convince him I wasn’t coming.” Elle straightened her shoulders then, remembering her own strength. It had been one of the most frightening moments of her life. Even worse than when he’d hit her. “When he realized he couldn’t strong arm me and not even the sheriff could be persuaded to force a woman to the altar, he set about blackmailing instead. You know the rest. I’d rather starve then return to a life with him.”

He still had most of her belongings. Her fists clenched around the fabric of her skirt. Not that they mattered but a few were keepsakes from her parents. She’d no opportunity to leave and no chance of making a life if she’d stayed.

She looked over her shoulder again. She’d had no chance until Blair. He’d kept them safe, he was giving her brother a future and her a way to earn a living if she wanted it. Despite all that had happened to her, how could she not trust him?

As their eyes met, he moved toward her. Holding his hands in her own, he gently loosened her fingers from the fabric so that it fell back around her ankles. “He’ll never hurt you again. I swear it.”

Her breath came in short gasps as she tried to control her emotions. “Blair. Don’t worry about me. You’ve done enough for me. Take care of yerself. I’m worried fer ye. It’s not that he’s stronger, it’s that’s he’s black to the soul and wearing righteousness like a cloak.”

Quicker than she could understand what was happening, Blair turned her and lifted her in his arms. “Ye’ve been so strong, Elle. I’m proud of ye. But it’s time to rely on others. I don’t like it either but I’m gonna follow my own advice and take some help from my brothers. McKenzie may be mean, but the Albans are carved of stone.”

Her heart swelled in her chest. “Okay,” she answered. “If ye can take help, I can.”

He carried her to the bed and a fluttering started deep in her belly as she wondered what he intended to do. To her surprise, she wasn’t frightened. In fact, she was excited. But as his lips grazed her forehead, he pulled back the covers, set her down, and then tucked her into the bed. “Good,” he said.

“I want ye to ken, that whatever you want of me, I’ll give to ye.” Elle reached up and touched his cheek, letting her fingers trail down the masculine stubble. “Not because it’s a debt but because…” Why? Because she cared about him. Anything he needed or wanted, she’d give.

“Thank ye, Elle.” He kissed her one last time, his lips lingering over hers before he was gone.

She stared at the balcony doors for a long time wishing he was back in the room. Whatever else she wished, she wanted Blair to know that no one else had ever given her so much hope. But it wasn’t for her to say, it would only strengthen whatever bond was growing between them at a time when she should let him go.

Chapter Nine

Blair left the following day with significantly more resources than he’d arrived with. As his family and Ailean waved goodbye, Blair winced inwardly. Hopefully the next time he saw them, he was triumphant and not defeated and running scared. It wasn’t that the man he faced frightened him, but his influence would be difficult to break.

Three ships followed. Not only would they be the beginning of his fleet but they held lumber and men. They’d also serve as housing because his had been burned to the ground.

It was problematic, of course. Without docks, they’d have to anchor in the harbor and the men would have to row in and out every day, but there were little other option other than erecting barracks, so it would have to do.

Elle stood next to him as they sailed north once again.

Her strawberry blonde hair fluttered in the wind and he captured a curl and let it slip through his fingers.

She turned and her eyes were tender as she placed a hand on his chest. Her touch made his insides thrum with desire. “What is it ye need from me?”

Where to start. He needed her pressed up against him. He knew that for certain. He wanted to know all that had happened between her and Malcolm. It wouldn’t change anything between them but it would help him to understand how best to help her. But more and more, he thought he might need her to marry him. Not just because she was a woman in need but because they needed each other. “What do ye mean?”

“With Malcolm. Ye said ye’d need my help.”