Rogue Scot (Brethren of Stone 4)

They talked for a minute, heads bent together. What would it be like to be part of a family like this? She could feel their bond from here, the way they stood nearly touching, their faces set in matching looks of concern.

Then, Matt looked back at her and the other two followed suit, all three of them, staring as heat infused her cheeks.

“Bridget,” Matt called, waving for her to join them.

She started to move but her progress was slow as they stared. What was being said about her? Matt had promised to take her to London himself. Why did he call her now? Had he changed his mind?

The tallest of the bunch, though not by much, gave her a gentle smile. “My brother plucked you out of the ocean did he?” He glanced at Matt. “You’re lucky to be given such a gift.”

Matt scowled. “Don’t start, Blair.”

The heat radiating from Bridget’s cheeks doubled. “Oh, it isn’t like that.” She held her hands up. “I’m to go to London to live with my aunt and—“ She stopped. Gads, was she about to tell these men her entire life story?

“Blair’s wife will get you and Mary some new clothes to wear,” Matt scowled at his brother as his hand came to her back.

“I’m Will,” the other man smiled, giving her a wink. He wore his hair in a longer style, pulled back from his face. It was quite handsome on a man with such a strong jaw. Much like Matt’s.

Bridget looked to the ground. “Pleased to meet you.”

Blair waved for them all to follow. “I’ll bring you up to my home and introduce you to my wife, Elle. She’ll have you as good as new in no time.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. Mary had come up behind them and she waved to the other woman to follow. “My companion is in need of clothing too. We’d appreciate any extras you had to offer.”

Blair gave her a nod, his face soft. “I’m sure we have more than enough and whatever we don’t, Will’s wife, Gemma, can supply. I can’t imagine losing all your belongings.” He gave her a light pat on the shoulder. It was brotherly and quite comforting. Matt’s hand tightened on her waist.

“We’re going to get them back,” Matt answered. “The boat went down in Heron’s Cove. It has a shallow beach and the boat should appear when it’s low.”

Blair looked back at him as he straightened, his features sharp. “The shipment is already late.” Then he looked at Bridget, his features relaxing. “My apologies. But our reputation for timelines is part of what makes our business successful.”

Matt stopped straightening too as he pulled her closer. Both his brothers watched the gesture. If he were trying to prove there was nothing between them, he was doing a poor job.

Matt gave a low rumble in his chest and it vibrated through her. “What happened to the family motto, Sinclairs help people?”

“I am helping people get barley for their animals to eat.” Blair fired back. “I was only going to suggest that Hennessey take the shipment to London and you take Bridget on one of the new vessels to the cove. If it sails well, continue on to London. If not, come back. We’ll get Bridget and her companion to London on our next run.”

Matt gave a tight nod. “Fine.”

“Fine?” Will quirked a brow crossing his arms. “I’m surprised yer willing to hand over control that easily. Matt doesn’t like to brag but he’s built our reputation, which keeps us in business.”

Matt gave a shrug and started pushing her forward, his hand still at her waist. “I was going to wait to tell you this but it seems like an opportune time. I’m retiring.”

“To get married?” Blair asked, slapping Will on the back.

Matt sto

pped again, jolting Bridget. “No, we just went over this. I’ve purchased a mine. It’s turning a nice profit so I intend to buy more. Be a land owner like all of my big, annoying brothers.”

“And find a wife,” Will added. “Like all of your big annoying brothers.” He slapped Matt’s other side, which happened to be the side Bridget was on, The force of it knocked Matt’s shoulder into her head. She attempted not to scowl. They didn’t mean any harm but gads, they were a rough bunch. No wonder Matt scowled all the time and seemed so tough. Anyone growing up with them would have to be. “Women like it better when you live in one place on land. Isn’t that right, Bridget?”

She glanced back at the man. Had she been jealous of family a few minutes before? They were meddlesome and brutish. “I suppose. I think my parents would have been happier if they’d been separated more.”

“That’s only because yer da isn’t worth the dirt he’ll be buried in,” Matt grumbled.

She looked up at him. His words were completely true. “I’m not even sure he is my father. You heard him.”

Matt winked at her, his smile soft. “All the better for ye, really.”

Blair knocked Matt’s shoulder again. “What’s all this? What are ye two on about?”