Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone Book 1)

by Tammy Andresen

  A throat cleared. Dr. West stepped up next to Stone. “Your lordship, may I tend the cut?”

  Stone gave a terse nod and then rose. The doctor cleaned her gash and then, packing up his supplies, turned to Stone. “May I speak with you in my study?”

  “Of course.” Stone set Delia down next to Eliza. Reaching for her hand, he gave it a squeeze. Then he followed the doctor out of the room.

  Eliza frowned. What was going on?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Stone followed the doctor down the hall. Seeing Eliza bleeding on the doctor’s couch had been jarring to say the least. In fact, it had knocked a great deal of his anger and resentment away. She, like him, had had her own axe to grind. But she’d come to understand who he really was.

  Sitting across for the doctor, the other man cleared his throat. “Forgive my poor manner, but what I am about to tell you could be rather delicate.”

  “I beg yer pardon?” Stone sat up straighter. What the bloody hell was this man talking about?

  Taking a deep breath, the doctor rubbed his brow with his hand. “Yer bride-to-be is most likely with child.”

  Cold sweat broke out on Stone. He stared at the doctor but no words came out.

  “I can’t be certain, if she is, she’s only a few weeks along but—”

  A few weeks? His hands tightened on the arms of his chair. It was his child. Of course it was his child. But did a woman really become pregnant after just one night?

  “She is displaying many of the symptoms of early pregnancy.” The doctor cleared his throat again. “When is the wedding planned for?”

  Stone forced his hands to relax. “We’d planned on the fall, but obviously, we’ll have to be wed sooner…”

  The doctor visibly relaxed. “Indeed. A woman as slight as her will not hide a pregnancy for long.”

  Stone gave a terse nod. He was going to be a father?

  A wonder he hadn’t felt in years filled his chest. Eliza was going to give him a child. He stood shaking the man’s hand. “We were going to wait to wed to include the public but under the circumstances we’ll have tae do it sooner.” He ran his hand through his over-long hair. “I suppose my reputation can’t get any worse.”

  The doctor’s brow crinkled with amusement. “Why not couple the ceremony with Beltane’s Day? Then you can host the bonfires and the festival while holding the wedding.”

  It was a good idea.

  Leaving the office, he returned to the sitting room to find Eliza still partially lying down. “Is everything all right?” She sounded worried.

  “Just fine, love,” he murmured. Then he bent down and scooped her up into his arms. “But let’s get you back to the castle for a rest.”

  “Love?” she repeated softly. Her arms wrapped about his neck as Delia danced behind them. “Tell me the truth, am I dying?”

  Surprise made him stop but then, a laugh bubbled up in his chest. A joy he hadn’t felt in weeks. It burst from his lips and even Eliza jumped in his arms. “No, love. I’ll explain when we’re alone.”

  “Are you all right?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not acting like yerself.”

  “Damn good thing,” he said. “Because I’m often an egit.”

  Eliza narrowed her gaze. “Tell me what’s happening right now. I know something is going on.”

  He gave a soft chuckle as he touched her stomach with the hand he’d had wrapped about her chest. “Ye’re carrying my child, lass.”

  Understanding jolted through Eliza. How could that be? “We’ve only the one time…” her voice trailed off.

  “Aye,” he answered.

  “And the wedding isn’t for months,” she felt the blood drain from her face making her lightheaded again. “I’m ruined.”

  Stone pulled her tighter to his body. “You think I’d let a child of mine be a bastard?”

  Another realization ricocheted through her. Stone hadn’t forgiven her. He was being kind to her because she carried his child. Her eyes closed and a tear leaked down her cheek. The tiredness must be getting to her, she wasn’t normally so emotional. “I’m glad you’ll care so much for our child.” She meant the words. But it was on the tip of her tongue to ask if he’d care about her too.

  Stone climbed in the carriage and sat with her splayed across his lap. “We’ll tell yer father that ye fell,” he whispered. “Then I’ll tell him we’ve had a change of heart about the wedding. With any luck, no one will ken.”

  She gave a stiff nod as more tears leaked from her eyes. “I’m sorry, Stone.” She wasn’t even sure what she was sorry for. The baby, the lies they’d have to tell to her father. Perhaps calling him the devil, or maybe just the fact that there was no changing their course now.

  He held her tight against his chest. “Don’t be sorry, Eliza. It’s my fault more than yers. I came tae yer room and I had my way…” He glanced up at Delia who was rolling her pebbles between her palms. “And I am so glad tae be startin’ a family.”

  His words should have made her feel better and they would have if he’d said with you… I’m glad to be starting a family with you. But she took a deep breath and willed the tears away.

  The carriage rolled the short distance from the village to the castle and Stone swept her inside and up to her room. “Time fer ye to rest.” He brushed his lips against her temple even as he lay her in the bed. “I’ll be back tonight so that we can talk in private.”

  “All right,” she answered as she stretched out on her bed. Worried as she was, the soft mattress cushioned her body and her eyes were already heavy. Maybe if she slept, she’d wake with answers that she didn’t have now. “I’ll just sleep a little and then we’ll figure everything out.”

  “I’ll figure it out, love.” His thumb stroked down her cheek.

  Her lids grew so heavy that they fluttered closed. “Don’t be silly. You’ve too much to do already. I should be handling this. Be helping you.”

  “Yer helpin’ me plenty.” He had leaned over so his lips were next to her ear. “You just stay well and rest.”

  “Stone.” She tried to open her eyes. Now that she was relaxing in her bed, the exhaustion that had threatened all day was becoming too heavy to fight. But she had to say this. He had to know that he wasn’t trapped with her. She should have told him days ago. “Are you sure you want this? You’ve so much you have to take care of. A wife and a baby just mean more responsibility. I’m a burden for—”

  “Yer not,” he rasped. For the first time in days, his lips found hers and he kissed her with a passion that left her breathless. “Now get some sleep.”

  “After that?” she croaked her eyes opening wide.

  He gave her a grin. His hand skimmed over her belly. She knew he was feeling for the baby but it made her insides ache nonetheless. “Sleep well, love.”

  Then he was gone. Despite her assertion, her eyes closed. She was more tired than she could ever remember being in her life. Hopefully when she woke, she’d be able to puzzle out how to make Stone love her again.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The rest of the day moved with agonizing slowness. Stone had checked on Eliza multiple times, but she never woke.

  He’d spoken with her father, who had not questioned him at all in his decision to move up the wedding. In fact, he’d looked delighted.

  Finally at dinner, he’d made his excuses and taken a tray of food to Eliza’s room for both of them.

  As he pushed in the door, she finally cracked open her eyes. “Stone?”

  “Aye, it’s me.” He stepped in and let the door swing shut behind him. “I ken yer tired, but ye have to eat too.”

  She gave a tentative nod and slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. “How long was I asleep?”

  “Three hours at least,” he said as he crossed the room and set the tray across her lap. “I had the kitchen make ye some tea too. Thought it might be good fer ye.”

  “Thank you,” she answered as she picked up the cup and took a sip. Then another. “It’s
divine.”

  “The doctor said ye might be tired like this fer a while so ye should probably plan on sleeping most days, at least for a short while.”

  She sighed long and deep. “Naps every day? I’m useless enough.” Eliza lifted the tray and slid out of the bed.

  “Ye have to protect the baby and take care of yerself.” Stone’s chest contracted, almost painfully, as he watched her cross to the window, her arms about her body.

  Eliza spun back around to face him. “If ye only want the baby and not me, I—” she paused her eyes so big they filled her face. “I would understand. My father will care for me no matter what.” Angry as she had been at her father, she knew it was true.

  “Ye’ve lost yer mind.” Stone stood too. “Yer to be my wife.”

  Her chin snapped up. “I know you don’t feel the same about me. I understand. And I’ve been trying to be useful, to be a partner of sorts, but I failed at even that.” Her words caught in her throat. “I don’t deserve to be your wife.”

  For several seconds Stone just stared at her then. Crossing the room, he wrapped her in his hug. It was time to start telling her how he really felt. “Ye do.” Softly taking her lips, one of his hands cupped her cheek. “It’s my fault ye think I don’t care or that ye aren’t useful. The truth is, I need ye, Eliza. My whole family needs ye. I can’t be the earl without ye and I don’t want to try. We would have married even without the baby. I pushed the wedding to the fall because I felt betrayed, but I knew I couldn’t be without ye.”

  “Really?” Her arms slid around his neck. “You still care for me?”

  He opened his mouth to answer when another knock came at the door. “Lord Alban,” the butler called. “Delia hasn’t been down to dinner. No one can find her.”

  Stone’s chest tightened as he looked at Eliza. “Delia?” A buzzing in his mind made it hard to react.

  “We’re coming,” Eliza called as she pulled at his hand. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The wind whipped at Eliza’s skirts as she made her way atop the cliff. Stone was on the beach below, while Blair searched north. The twins had headed into the village and several others searched the barns, the farmer’s homes, and beyond.

  One thought repeated in her mind. Please let the child be all right. Eliza had grown to love Delia and her brothers could not suffer another loss.

  She called again, “Delia.” Her voice disappearing into the wind.

  A sob rose in her chest but she pushed it back down. Now was the time for action.

  “Eliza,” a small voice replied.

  “Delia,” she screamed.

  “Here. I’m over here.”

  Then Eliza saw it. Another of the cliff caves. The blasted things were a menace. Racing to the edge, she peeked down. There was just enough light from the darkening sky for her to see inside. This cave had a large opening toward the river but it was a sheer cliff down to the water below. At least the cave was dry because the tide was low.

  “Are you all right?” Eliza called to the girl.

  “I’m fine,” the little girl’s voice trembled.

  “What happened?” Eliza gauged the distance down; it was a ten-foot drop to the bottom of the cave from the ground above.

  “I lost my stone,” Delia began to cry. “It rolled out of my hand and into the hole. I wanted to retrieve it, but when I came down to get it, I couldn’t get back up.”

  Eliza closed her eyes. One of her stones had fallen and she’d gone after it. “Delia,” she tried not to yell. “You should have come for help.”

  The little girl only cried harder. Eliza closed her eyes, trying to decide what to do. Did she get help? Did she go down in the cave with the girl and lift her out? She hated to leave Delia alone.

  Gingerly lowering herself into the hole, she slowly dropped down until her feet were dangling as low as they’d go. Then she released the edge and slid down the wall until her feet hit the ground. She’d barely turned around when Delia launched herself into her arms.

  Hugging the girl, she held her tight. “Listen,” she murmured. “I’m going to lift you out but you have to go get help.”

  Delia nodded. “I can do that.”

  Eliza hesitated. She didn’t want to frighten Delia but she’d been in one of these caves before when the water had rushed in. “Tell your brother that I love him. That I could never love another.”

  “Which one?” Delia asked scrunching her face.

  A laugh burst from Eliza’s lips. “Stone. I love Stone.”

  Delia nodded. “That’s good. He loves you too, I’m sure of it. Blair says that’s why he’s been so grumpy because he loves you and he’s afraid you don’t love him back.”

  Dear lord. Eliza sat on the floor, Delia still in her arms. Had she told Stone that she loved him? If he knew, would it help him to forgive her? “I do love him back. With all my heart.”

  Delia gave her a glowing smile. “You can lift me out, but I could just stay with you. Stone will find us.”

  Eliza shook her head. To be a child again.

  “Your faith in your brother is so sweet but he might not.” She would have gone on but a voice from below interrupted.

  “Eliza.” There was no mistaking that voice. Her back slumped against the wall as relief made her limp. Every time she needed him, he came. It was Stone.

  He’d heard enough tonight to kick himself in his own privates. He’d been a fool.

  Eliza had been beating herself up for weeks. She’d said a careless word, but he’d intentionally been wounding her with his silence.

  And still her parting words were that she loved him.

  He’d heard it all, the sound of her voice echoing out of the cave and down to him. He didn’t want to waste time, retracing his steps to the path down the river that would take him up onto the cliff so he just began scaling the cliff wall.

  A few rocks were loose but he made it to the opening of the cave with relative ease. Pulling himself inside, he looked up to see both Eliza and Delia staring at him with wide eyes.

  Delia gave her a knowing look. “I told ye he’d come.”

  “You were right,” Eliza replied softly.

  Stone marched over to them, hauling them both in his embrace. “Let’s get out of here.” He lifted Delia out and then Eliza, pushing her until she got a knee on the ground and could crawl out of the hole. Finally he scrambled up the cave’s side and managed to crawl out himself. His body ached but he grabbed both Delia and Eliza up into a hug. “I’ve got tae do something about these caves.”

  Eliza gave him a grin. “We’ll build fences,” she said. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Ye will not.” He leaned down and claimed her lips with his. “I’ve been doing a poor job of caring fer ye but that’s about to change.”

  “What?” Eliza’s mouth dropped open.

  Stone pulled her tighter against him. “Ye said sorry to me earlier, but it’s me who should apologize. I nearly let a single word tear us apart.”

  “Stone,” her voice trembled. “I understand. You’ve stood accused your entire life for no other reason than people are fools.”

  “And ye lost yer mum without any of the help ye should have had. Ye weren’t judging my face, ye were judging the actions of so many lords in Scotland. But I won’t be that Eliza. I’ll do the right thing by you, my family, the people who depend on me.”

  “I know you will, Stone. I’ve known that for a while. It’s why I love you so much.”

  The words made Stone stop and he stared down at the woman next to him. “Ye love me?”

  “More than anything.” Eliza’s eyes shone with her words.

  He leaned down and kissed her lips, needing to be close with her now. “I love ye too.”

  “I love ye both too,” Delia chirped. “But I’m hungry. Can we go eat?”

  Stone refused to laugh at that little whelp, but he gave her a kiss on the top of the head too. “What were ye doing out here?”

 
; Delia shuffled her feet. “Eliza and I usually walk. I was worried about her and I thought it might make me feel better.”

  Stone’s heart constricted again. Delia might love Eliza as much as he did.

  They all had dinner in the kitchen together and then Eliza left to go to bed. She gave him a long look as she rose. Stone watched her leave as he forced himself to remain in his chair for propriety’s sake. Tonight, however, he had no intention of sleeping by himself.

  He waited a quarter hour and then sent Delia off to bed. Skulking down the halls, he arrived at Eliza’s room and pressed his ear to the door. He had to grin that he was behaving this way in own home. Though absurd, it was also rather fun.

  Silence filled the room and he grimaced with disappointment. Was she asleep already? Damnation, why hadn’t he come earlier? It didn’t even matter if they were intimate, he just wanted to be next to her. To tell her privately that he loved her and that he’d never doubt it again.

  Suddenly, the door opened, and he stumbled inside having been pressed against it. He nearly crashed to the floor, but caught himself, as Eliza’s surprised gasp filled the silence.

  Pivoting, he had her in his arms, even as he closed the door. She was already in a night rail and he could feel every soft curve of her body.

  He groaned and captured her lips with his own. “I pictured ye being in bed. I was just going to slip next tae ye so I could hold ye.”

  She wiggled against him then. “I’m already carrying your child. What’s to stop us from…”

  Stone pulled his head back. “Why ye little vixen,” he grinned as he said the words. But she couldn’t respond because he captured her lips in a kiss again.

  Their lovemaking was slow and tender. Partly because Stone didn’t want to hurt her, but also because he loved her and he wanted her to feel it with every touch. As they lay in each other’s arms, Eliza kissed his neck. “I want to say something to you.” Her hand trailed down his chest. “You’ve saved me. I was lost until I came here. You, Stone Alban, are an angel.”