Wicked Laird (Brethren of Stone 2)

She thought she’d feel better after sleep but the truth was, the morning dawned grey and bleak, and her mood was equally dark. She dressed and opened her door, seriously considering again just leaving.

But as she slid the door open, Will fell into her room. “What the…” he yelled.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she murmured as she took in his face. His nose looked broken.

“What are ye doing?” he asked sitting up. He turned to her, giving her a scowl.

“I think I should be getting you a cold compress.” She bent down, to look at his nose. “I think it’s broken.”

“Not the first time,” he grunted. “But I’ll get Blair back. I just decided I wouldn’t mangle him right before his wedding.”

She winced. “Why does there have to be a wedding?”

Will’s eyes widened. “Ye don’t want to marry my brother?”

“Of course I do,” she answered, meaning every word. “But he shouldn’t have to be strapped with me just because I went into his room.”

Will shook his head. “Yes, h

e should. Besides, ye’re perfect for him.”

She caught her breath. Those words warmed her. “I’d rather he said those words.”

“He will,” Will stood. “If yer ready fer breakfast, I’ll take ye to the galley.”

She tried not to sigh. While she appreciated Wil’s words, she was less enamored with how much he’d stuck his nose into her affairs. “I don’t need ye to escort me.”

“I think ye do.” Then he gingerly pulled himself up to standing. “Yer gonna love havin’ a big family.”

She quirked a brow. He must be jesting. “Are ye always so involved with one another?”

“Oh yes,” he answered giving her a painful looking grin.

“Wonderful,” she answered without enthusiasm. Will really wasn’t giving her many choices here. It looked as though today would in fact be her wedding day.

Chapter Thirteen

The weather didn’t improve as the sailors assembled to bear witness to the nuptials.

Elle had taken some time after breakfast to dress her hair but everything she did didn’t feel like the way she’d pictured her wedding.

Not that she’d pictured it a great deal. But when she had, she’d at least been happy. Not that she’d ever anticipated a love match but she hadn’t considered that he wouldn’t at least be a willing party. Her groom was being forced by his family.

Shaking her head, she tried to clear these thoughts. He cared for her, Elle knew he did or he wouldn’t have kissed her like he had or protected her. She just wished he’d made the choice to marry her.

As she stood between the captain and Will, Blair approached. He looked handsome as ever but his face was pinched and serious. No smile touched his lips.

It was then a tear finally slipped down her cheek. She tried to brush it away before anyone noticed but Blair saw it anyway. His chin pulled back as his mouth tightened.

He stopped and reached out his thumb to brush it away but his jaw ticked as he did. “Let’s get this done with,” he rumbled.

Those words only made her want to cry the more.

The captain gave a terse nod and then began. “Do ye take this woman to be yer wife?”

“I do,” Blair answered. He’d dropped his hand so that they didn’t touch.

“And do ye take this man to be yer husband?” The captain turned to her.