Wicked Laird (Brethren of Stone 2)

He’d said he’d do his best to make her happy but he considered that a duty. Just like he rescued her out of obligation and cared for her because of an overactive sense of right and wrong.

But the words stayed with her long after Will had dropped her on the deck. She stood on the rail, despite the biting wind and waited for Will to return

with her husband.

Blair watched the ship grow larger. He had a great deal to do this evening but all he wanted was to sweep his wife in his arms and hold her close. As if he conjured her, he saw her standing on the deck, her gaze following their approach.

His insides tightened. She was waiting for him. Somehow, that mattered. It was important that she wanted to see him, missed him.

Will had barely come along side of the boat before he was scaling the ladder that brought him on deck. He hauled himself on the deck, to find her wide, unwavering eyes on him.

“I missed ye today,” she said by way of greeting.

He crossed over to her. “I missed ye too.”

“Ye did?” she asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair. She sounded as though she doubted his words. “Of course I did. I can only hope it was for a good cause. I hired a few more men and I had a good talk with the constable.”

Annoyance flickered over her features. “Watch out for that one. He’s McKenzie’s boyhood friend. There is a reason he’s the law.”

He sucked in his breath. Damn it all to hell. Had they been setting a trap for him after all? If not for Elle, he might have fallen directly into it. “Thank ye fer telling me, lass.” Then he leaned down and kissed her. “I have to speak with the foreman, my brother, and the Captain this evening. If the constable won’t help us, we have to figure out who will and how to keep from being under constant attack.”

“I understand.” She frowned.

He pulled her close. “I’ll be back to our room as soon as I can.”

A lovely shade of pink spread across her face. “See you tonight.”

Blair gave her one last quick kiss before he heard Will step up onto the deck. Then he let Elle go and turned back to his brother.

“Elle tells me that the constable and McKenzie are the best of friends.” His brother fell in step with him.

Will snapped his teeth together. “No wonder he’s been able to create such a monopoly in the town. The law is always on his side.”

“I should have known already.” Blair’s fingers fisted. “If McKenzie can’t be arrested what are we to do?”

Will gave his head a shake as he let out a long breath.

“Blair.”

Turning, he saw Elle behind him. He wanted to curse. He was trying to protect her from some of the worst of this but he hadn’t been successful at any of it.

“Elle, go below deck where ye’ll be warm and safe.” He took two steps toward her to stop her from following.

She waved her hand, dismissing his words. “The constable made a mistake today. He told me that the cannon had been stolen from the fort.”

“Aye?”

“So,” she said, raising her hands as though the answer were obvious. “That’s a military theft and out of the jurisdiction of the local constable. Report it to the fort, that the entire boat saw McKenzie not only with their property but actively using it.”

“Damnation woman,” Blair roared sweeping her up into a hug. “Ye’re brilliant.” He spun her around and then lightly set her back down. “I’m going tonight. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Chapter Seventeen

Elle’s momentary victory deflated as her husband climbed over the side once again. She needed to be in his arms. Tell him how she felt. Not that she blamed him for travelling to the fort tonight. Involving the army seemed the best way to rid themselves of that menace once and for all.

But the evening passed with agonizing slowness while Elle paced their room waiting for Blair’s return. Finally, she couldn’t stand her confinement any longer and headed out onto the deck.