Rogue Scot (Brethren of Stone 4)

“They already have little inside stories,” Will called from just behind them.

“Is your other brother like this?” she asked Matt quietly.

Matt shrugged. “He’s not so loud, but he’s hard as the rock he was carved from, I swear.”

* * *

Matt watched as his sisters-in-law pulled Bridget away, discussing the finer points of what color gown would suit her best and how they should style Bridget’s hair.

She was in good hands, he knew that, but something had unsettled him. Perhaps it was the meeting with her father. The man had been truly awful. He’d thought Bridget difficult when he’d first met her, but the woman had a right to be. She’d endured a lot of abuse, he was certain of that.

And honestly, he had to admit, he liked a strong woman. Bridget had held up remarkably well considering the challenges that she’d faced.

He looked back over at his brothers. Will, in particular, reminded him of Reginald. It was the shape of his eyes, dark and turned up at the corners like their mothers. When their sister, Delia, had fallen over one of the cliffs near their family home, she’d landed on a ledge. Reginald had attempted to rescue her only to fall himself and get swept away by the rushing spring current. One minute he’d been standing next to Matt and the next he was gone.

They’d put up a stone next to their parents’ grave, though they’d never found him. Perhaps that was what had him on edge. The memories.

Turning, he headed back to the dock. Hennessey could oversee the loading of the ship. He wanted to have a look at the newest boat his brother had bought. The one he’d be sailing back to Heron’s Cove.

He ran his hand through his hair as he walked. He’d expected Blair to be upset about the announcement he was leaving the business. He hadn’t been at all. In fact, Blair had seemed happy for him. He supposed Blair had been more excited about the possibility of Matt being interested in Bridget. Why was that? He’d never understood how his brothers could just move on. Go about their lives while Reginald didn’t get to have one at all. Weren’t they worried they’d just suffer for opening their hearts again?

He reached the beach and walked further down to where the new pier was being constructed. Tied to its frame was the new vessel. He liked the look of her, sleek with a double mast. Climbing aboard, he began to look at the particulars of its construction, running his hands along the fresh wood. Before he knew it, the sun was setting and the tide was rolling in.

He loved the boat already. Her name hadn’t come to him yet, but it would. Running his hand along the rail, he amended to buy the boat from his brother.

He climbed over the side and onto the dinghy, intent upon saying goodbye to Hennessey before he headed off to London. Then he’d go back to Blair’s house for dinner. In the morning, he’d assemble his crew for the voyage to Heron’s Cove.

Many of the rescued sailors were still with them, he’d guess they’d be willing to sign on. It would both give them a job and allow them to recover some of their own lost goods.

As he climbed the stairs in Blair’s newly built home, he heard feminine laughter coming from one of the sitting rooms.

He followed the sound until he found the source. There, surrounded by candlelight, stood Bridget. She wore a gown of cream silk, her hair loosely pulled back from her face as soft pieces fell about her shoulders.

A slight haze from the smoke of the fire and candles filled the air but it only seemed to add to the intimacy of the setting. As did the twinkling in her brown eyes as he stared at her. “Hello,” she said softly.

“There you are,” his sister-in-law, Elle, held out her arms to him. He started in surprise. How had he not noticed that other people were in the room?

He embraced Elle and then Gemma, his brothers coming to stand next to their wives. He hadn’t noticed them either. “Yer quiet,” Will said giving him yet another smack. “Even fer ye.”

Matt frowned, not answering, as he stepped over to Bridget. “Ye look lovely, lass.”

Her cheeks stained a delicate shade of pink as she turned her face toward the fire. “Thank you.”

He wanted to touch her. What was happening to him? “If ye wouldn’t mind waiting for a few more minutes, I really should change.”

Blair let out a grunt. “Yeah ye should. Ye smell like ye’ve been mucking with the fish.”

Matt gave his brother a glare. “I’ll be right back.” He nodded to Mary who sat off to one side. She looked uncomfortable in her formal gown.

He didn’t blame her. He preferred the more casual look and feel of his working clothes. But tonight he wanted to stand next to Bridget. He had the urge to dance with her. Hold in her in his arms. He’d likely regret this decision in the morning, but for once, he wanted to forget the past and the future.

Chapter Nine

Bridget looked about her. This could be a dream. Blair and Elle’s home was lovely. It smelled of fresh wood and sea air. Each piece of furniture glowed with a golden sheen of oil while the new silver shown in the candlelight.

Bridget held up her fork and watched the glow of the candle sparkle off its teeth. The brocade tablecloth was a rich red that offset the gold rims of the plates. “Your home is beautiful,” she murmured to Elle.

Elle gave her a smile. “Seven years ago, I was an orphan barely able to support myself and my brother. Blair rescued me from a boat accident as well and hired me to cook for him.”