Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone Book 1)

by Tammy Andresen

  But by the time she’d checked in on her patients, Stone was off. He had other boats to check on, other business in Kirkaldy. Even that night, he was locked in the Captain’s quarters with the captains of the trapped ships and her father. She didn’t know what they were discussing but she was sure it involved the pirates.

  She tried to stay up. She assumed that if she heard her father arrive back at his cabin that Stone would be returning to his. She could go to him again. Sleep pressed against his side. But somehow that thought made her drift off before she could put her plan into action.

  By the time she woke the next morning, they’d set sail to return home. And it was home to her now.

  She’d missed Delia. She longed to walk along the cliffs. She wanted time alone with Stone. Once they’d arrived back, she’d find a way to tell Stone that she’d made a decision. He was the man she wanted. How did she tell him she’d been wrong to want time? Mostly, she’d been wrong to think him the devil.

  Stone watched Eliza on the deck of his ship as she stood at the rail. Her skirts fluttered in the wind, giving him the occasional view of her ankles. Part of him wanted to cross the deck and wrap his arm about her waist, pull her close.

  But she stared out at the water, lost in thought. Her face was unguarded as she assessed the waves and he didn’t want to interrupt. She’d change once he was next to her.

  Something stood between them. Perhaps she was just afraid of his gruff exterior. He knew it was off-putting. He was a man of few words. Mayhap, she’d dreamed of a poet or an artist for her future husband. She’d liked it when he’d helped the widows. Did she want a doctor for a husband? He’d ask, but he doubted she’d answer honestly.

  Stone rarely bent. He was who he was and always had been. But something about Eliza made him want to change. Determination bolted through him. To be the man she wanted him to be.

  Bloody bullocks. He ran his hand through his hair. That thought frightened him. Far more than pirates or disgruntled farmers. What if he did change himself and she still didn’t want him?

  He stood for several more minutes, just watching her at the rail. The boat made a wide swing into the wind and suddenly the cliffs of his home came into view. As they approached the mouth of the river, Stone stepped out to join Eliza.

  She turned back to him and gave him a wide grin. There was no hesitation whatsoever when she reached her hand back toward him. Lacing his fingers into hers, he wrapped the other hand about her waist. She melted into his side and the press of her near undid him.

  “It’s beautiful.” She sighed. “I can’t believe this will be my home.”

  His brow shot up. Did she mean for now or forever? “I’m glad ye think of it as yer home.”

  Her head rested on his shoulder. “Do you think we could return to Aberfeldy and collect a few items that were my mother’s?”

  “Of course,” his fingers lightly skimmed up her rib cage. “I think that’s a fine idea.”

  Her free hand came to his stomach, her fingers splayed out. It made every muscle in his body clench in need. “I wanted to discuss your proposal.”

  Satisfaction rippled through him. He doubted they’d be touching like this if she wanted to say no. “Now?”

  She shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Later, when we won’t be interrupted.”

  Giving a stiff nod, he glanced back. Several sailors were pulling at the sails. Navigating the river, with its large boulders, was serious business and all of the crew would be on deck shortly. “Meet me in the courtyard garden at midnight.”

  Her breath caught, and her wide brown eyes met his, her lips parted. He wanted to dip his head and capture those lips with his own but more voices filtered to them. He held back and eased away. Tucking her hand into his arm, they stayed at the bow of the boat and watched the river slip by.

  Docking several minutes later, Stone reluctantly handed her to her father. He had three ships to account for, goods to catalogue and send on their way.

  William and Blair joined him, but he was more distracted than he’d ever been before and both of his brothers knocked him in the arm more than once as his attention wavered.

  They finally finished. It was late and he needed food but he could hardly think of anything other than his meeting with Eliza.

  Sitting with his brothers in the kitchen, he shoveled down food. “What has gotten into you tonight?” William crinkled his brow as he gave him a long look.

  “I don’t know what yer talking about.” Stone took another large bite of his meat pie.

  “Well fer starters, ye haven’t said a word this entire meal.” William pointed down the table at him.

  Stone gave his brother his best glare. “That’s unusual?”

  Blair chuckled. “No, it’s not. But ye didn’t add yer columns correctly as we were tallying the shipments and that is damn strange.” Blair leaned over to William. “It’s a reminder to us all not to fall in love.”

  “Love?” Stone and William asked at the same moment.

  Blair sat back in his chair. “Yes, love. And it wouldn’t have happened if ye’d exercised yer need a bit. Now ye’ve gotten all confused wanting marriage.”

  Stone sat up straighter. He wasn’t in love. That was far too vulnerable an emotion. “Don’t be an ass. I need a countess and Delia needs a mother. There is nothing wrong with me finding a wife.”

  “I agree.” Blair shrugged. “And Eliza’s a good choice. Strong enough to put ye in yer place while still being kind. What I object to is yer emotional attachment. Like I said, if ye’d lain with a woman or two—”

  “Enough,” Stone banged his fist on the table. Which only made Blair’s grin broader. It was more of a smirk really. But Stone narrowed his eyes. “Ye just wait. Some woman is going to come along and lay ye low.”

  “I doubt it,” Blair shrugged.

  Stone swiped his hand across his forehead. “How long should I wait to marry Eliza…to be respectful to our parents?” He didn’t add that she had to say yes first. Blair would never let him hear the end of it. And he wouldn’t admit he was in love. He wouldn’t deny it either, but he wouldn’t give Blair the satisfaction of coming out and saying it.

  “Don’t wait,” Blair said. “They’d want ye to be happy, Stone. And Eliza is good for Delia and for helping you with the public. Make sure to take her to all public events.”

  William nodded. “I agree on both counts.”

  Stone sat back in his chair, his glare now gone. Nothing stood in the way of him making Eliza his own. Except of course, for Eliza herself.

  Chapter Eleven

  Eliza sat in the garden, her hands twisting together. How could she have been so wrong about Stone? And now that she made knew the truth, what would she tell him had been holding her back?

  She could say it was the loss of her mother. That was, at least, in part true. But it wasn’t the entire truth and it didn’t seem right to begin their life together based on a half-truths or lies.

  Perhaps he wouldn’t ask?

  A crunch along the path wiped her thoughts clean as her eyes searched the dark. Standing, she dropped her hands just as Stone appeared before her.

  “Oh, Stone,” was all she could say before she stepped into his open arms. They were supposed to be discussing their future. But no more words fell from her lips as they met his.

  His strong arms wrapped about her even as his lips opened hers. As his tongue danced across her upper lip, she moaned into his mouth while her insides tingled.

  Sliding her hands up the strong muscles of his chest, she tangled them into his hair as she pressed his mouth closer to her own.

  He deepened the kiss, their tongues tangling together until she was near breathless with want. With his arms around her waist, he picked her up. Dimly she aware they were moving deeper into the garden. As he swung her into his arms, he sat down. Finally breaking the kiss, she looked to see they were underneath two trees, sitting in the soft grass.

  But that was all she
could think before his lips descended again and then she was lost in his kiss.

  He’d been holding her pressed tightly to his chest, but one of his hands slid around her side to her stomach and then up her rib cage. As he gently cupped her breast, the flesh tightened in need and she arched into his touch.

  His responding moan told her that he liked her reaction. He explored her body with his hands as he trailed hot kisses down her neck.

  She lost track of where he touched, he seemed to be everywhere. Her body hummed with need as she clutched at his shoulders and his neck. When his hands travelled under her skirt, skimming up her pantaloons, she dug her nails into his scalp as she tried to twist closer to his touch.

  He gave a small chuckle. “Do ye need some relief, love?”

  “Yes,” she gasped out before she thought through what that might mean. But as his fingers trailed up her leg, they brushed the apex. A cry ripped from her lips at the sensation that rippled through her. He passed over her bare flesh again and again until she nearly wanted to beg him for relief. Finally, his fingers pressed more firmly against her and she bucked her hips.

  His mouth was kissing a trail down her bodice and she found herself pulling at his hair to speed his movements. Even through the cloth, she could feel his smile. “Impatient,” he murmured.

  But then her skirts were about her hips and his head dipped down, placing a soft kiss on her bare flesh. “Stone,” she inhaled sharply

  As he kissed her again and again, a tension unlike any she’d ever known built inside her. She could barely think a thought, but one managed to filter into her hazy mind. No man would ever make her feel the way Stone did. He was larger than life. A man who held both power and tenderness and she’d never find a better one as long as she lived.

  It was in that moment that her passion broke. Crying out again, her body shattered. She clung to him, her rock, as she slowly attempted to make sense of the world after what they’d done. What he’d done to her. Finally, she lifted her head. “Stone,” she sighed out. “I didn’t know.”

  He was kissing his way back up her body and he stopped at her words, nuzzling her stomach. “Me either. But I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

  “Me either?” she repeated, furrowing her brow. Her mind was so sluggish, she couldn’t make sense of the words. But he kissed her lips and his member pressed between the sensitive flesh between her legs. She let out a gasp and he groaned in response.

  “Eliza,” he grunted as he thrust his hips closer. It was almost painful, she’d become too sensitive and she reached her hand down between their bodies to touch him and lessen the pressure on herself. As she skimmed her fingers along the front of his kilt, she blinked in surprise at the sheer size of his member. Like the rest of him, it was massive.

  She would have asked but his head fell back at her touch. Then his fingers were there too, yanking at the fabric. She hooked her fingers in the waistband and pulled them down, enough to set his staff free and a little squeak emitted from her lips as she saw it. It was even bigger than she’d thought as she’d touched it through the heavy cloth. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

  “Stone,” she whispered. “How does it work with something that…large?”

  “I imagine it works just fine.” He kissed her again and, unable to resist exploring, she wrapped back around the thick length of him.

  Working her hand up his length, she’d wanted to test its full measure but at his groan of pleasure, she moved back down and then up him again.

  He slid to the side and then rolled on his back. She travelled with him, never losing contact. “What do you mean you imagine it works fine? Because I am a maiden, are you worried it might not?

  He covered her hand with his as he increased the tempo. “No love, that isn’t what I meant.” He paused, his eyes drifting closed as she reached the head and worked her way back down. “I’ve never actually been with a woman.”

  Eliza held her breath. She’d known he didn’t have much experience, but none? He was a handsome lord. How could he not have been with a single woman? “What?”

  He was moving her hand faster and she could feel the tension building in his body. He opened his eyes, at least partially, and looked over to her but his expression was dreamy and far away. “I—”

  But then a groan ripped from his chest and his body spasmed. It gave her more pleasure than she’d ever imagined to please him. As his body went limp, she snuggled into his side, laying her head on his shoulder. His strong arm wrapped about her body and, despite being on the ground, she’d never been warmer or more comfortable.

  She closed her eyes. But the rumbling of his chest made them open again. “Eliza,”

  “Mmmmh,” she murmured.

  He gave a small chuckle. “We came out here to talk.”

  A tiny giggle escaped her lips. “It was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had.”

  A laugh rumbled from deep inside of him, she felt it all through her body. “I know I told you I wouldn’t rush you, but after what we just did, I want to know if ye’ve decided on our marriage.”

  Pushing off his chest, she raised her head up to give him a soft smile. “Yes, Stone Alban, I’d be honored to be your wife.”

  His large hand cupped her cheek and he lifted up to softly kiss her lips. “Good, lass.” Then he lay back down. “And don’t worry about the physical part. We’ll figure it out together.”

  Her head came up again. In the midst of his their passion, she’d nearly forgotten. “Stone, did you say you’ve never…” Her eyes met his.

  The corners of his mouth turned down. “It does not make me less of a man.” He rose up on his elbow while still keeping her cradled against him. “The first woman I wanted to be with referred to me as the devil. I didn’t finish what we’d started and I haven’t trusted a woman since. I’ll not be with someone who thinks I am that person.”

  Deep, cold dread washed through her. “Oh, Stone,” she started.

  “I waited until I’d found a good woman.” He gave her a soft look. His eyes crinkled at the corners as his face relaxed. “One whom I could trust to see the real me. Not the rumors.” His face darkened. “So many take a single look at me and judge.”

  She gave a nod, but all the joy had washed from her body. If he ever found out that she’d thought that very thing, what would he do?

  Chapter Twelve

  Stone held Eliza close feeling more content than he could ever remember feeling. He’d worried, deep inside that he’d never heal after the loss of his parents. Eliza didn’t replace them, of course, but it was as though he could see a new family rising in the ashes of the old.

  It made him…hopeful.

  She shifted against him. Then back to her original spot. He assumed she was uncomfortable on the ground and started to pull her on top of him but Eliza began to wiggle away. “I should go.” She pushed off his chest.

  He held her tighter. “No one will find us here and no one knows yer gone. Why don’t ye stay?”

  Her mouth turned down, her eyes crinkled. “But if we’re caught…”

  He shook his head. “Ye just said ye’d marry me. What does it matter?”

  She pushed harder. “It isn’t official and my father—” she stopped, nibbling on her lip. Something had her spooked.

  “Do you regret what we just did?” He trailed his hand up and down her back.

  “No,” she answered quickly. “I’ve only just realized, you’re more than I deserve.”

  That caught him completely off guard. His stared at her as he tried to figure out what to say, what she meant by that. Bloody hell, it was easier to fight pirates than understand women. “Ye don’t’ mean that. Otherwise ye wouldn’t have waited so long to say yes.”

  She paused for a second and then gave a shake to her head. “I waited so long because I can’t always see what’s right in front of me.”

  “I am right in front of ye and ye want tae leave me here.” He sounded gruffer than he intended
but she was confusing him with her sudden need to bolt away.

  Slowly, she relaxed again. Vaguely he wondered what had been the matter but as she lay her head on his chest, he forgot to worry, content to have her against him. “Does it bother ye that I’ve never been with a woman?”

  She lifted her head again. “No. Not at all. I like that we’ll discover together.”

  He cupped her cheek, his hand giant compared with her delicate features. “Me too.”

  She lay back down on his chest. “I do wish that we’d met under different circumstances. Not after so much loss. It made it more difficult for me to understand who you really were.”

  He gave her a gentle squeeze. For him, the loss had only sharpened his understanding of what he needed but he understood her perspective. “We got there, lass. That’s all that matters.”

  She lifted her head and gave him a tremulous smile. “I’m glad you think so. I do too.”

  As she lay her cheek back down, she relaxed against him. With a sigh, she snuggled closer.

  Within minutes, she’d fallen asleep and Stone lay in the grass for the longest time just listening to her breathe. She was finally his. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had upset her tonight. He just had no idea what it was.

  Eliza woke in her own bed, not having a clue as to how she got there. Last she remembered, she’d been snuggled against Stone. Had he really been able to carry here up here without waking her?

  Lord have mercy, that man was strong.

  It was almost inhuman. But that thought made her wince. Not devilish…he was more like a great Roman god. And she’d managed to become engaged to such a man all the while doing her best to sabotage it. If he ever found out that she’d called him the devil…

  She could hear it in his voice. It was his Achilles heel. The thing that wounded him beyond repair. He’d gone years without a woman simply because one had used the word while they were intimately engaged.