Stone gave him his best glare, not that Blair noticed. “There is no need for any of you to be out here.”
Blair cocked an eyebrow. “The only time I saw Eliza today, her face was as splotchy red as a woman’s could be.” Blair turned toward him. “And you’ve disappeared.”
“It’s none of your business.” Stone turned to his brother so they now stood face to face.
“Which is it? There is no need or it isn’t my business? Because those are two different circumstances entirely.”
Anger bubbled up inside Stone. “It isn’t your business.”
“So something did happen. What?” Blair stepped closer.
Stone gave him a small push backward. “I just told ye, it’s not yer concern.”
“Everything you do now is my concern. And your marriage most certainly is. You’re the earl now. What you do matters.” Blair had leaned in so his face was only inches from Stone’s. “You’re not to ruin your marriage with Eliza. We need her and you made a promise. An oath to all of us.”
It was too much. All that had been bubbling inside him from the death of his parents, to the responsibility he’d taken on, to the thought of the women he loved thinking him nothing but a beast bubbled inside of him. He gave Blair a good hard shove.
Blair fell back a few steps but pivoted and came at Stone with all his body’s weight. They both went hurtling backward. His back hit the ground with a large thump as Blair’s shoulder heaved into his chest. All the air left his lungs.
But that didn’t stop him from swinging his fist up straight into Blair’s jaw.
He heard a crunch as Blair’s head snapped back and for a second he was afraid he’d done real damage, but before he could ask, Blair’s fist landed in the softer flesh of his eye.
Pain radiated from the spot even as he rolled Blair over and hit him again.
He wasn’t sure how long it went on but by the time they’d finished, he didn’t have an ounce of energy left. He was in agony and yet blissfully numb.
“Better,” Blair gasped, holding his side.
“Aye,” Stone rubbed his battered face.
“Good,” Blair gingerly rose to his feet and offered Stone his hand. “What happened?”
Stone grimaced. “She called me the devil.”
He heard Blair suck in his breath. “What the hell for?”
“I dunnae ken.” Stone shrugged. “I think it was a while back.”
“Before she ken ye?” Blair asked.
Well, Stone supposed that was a bloody good point. “I think, maybe.”
Blair stepped closer. “I heard Allister say that Eliza tried to find an infirmary for her mother. But there are none in their province. And ye ken the lord of their region, McKinney. He grows fat on the land but like so many, hasn’t done a damn thing for the people. Might be that Eliza thought all lords were like that.”
Stone took a deep breath, those words striking a chord deep inside. He hadn’t asked Eliza much about her mother. He’d been too caught up in his own grief, but now, that he thought on it, there was a great deal of information he was missing. “Why didn’t ye just say that instead of knocking me to the ground?”
“Ye don’t listen fer shit unless ye’ve been knocked around a bit.” Blair gave a chuckle. “Besides it’s been too long since we’ve brawled. Wish I’d been there to fight the pirates. Being trapped in this house might drive me mad.”
Stone shook his head. “Not to worry. The sailors need to be trained on how to fight. I can’t have more shipments being held up and I am too damn busy. I’m thinking that yer just the man fer the job.”
“Well that’s the smartest thing I’ve heard ye say in months.” Blair gave him another softer push. “Now go talk to Eliza and do some listening. Ye need to hear her and ye need to work this out.”
Stone grimaced. “Fine.” He wrapped his arm around his brother and they hobbled back to the castle together. But trying to picture what he would say, nothing came to mind. Would he tell her she’d wounded him deeply? Beg her to forgive him for storming off? He had no idea. Part of him was still angry while another part desperately wanted to hold her close to his body.
When they’d made it inside, Stone started down the hall toward his office, but Blair stopped him. “I thought ye were going to talk with Eliza.”
“I will,” Stone grumbled. “In the morning.”
“Now.” Blair stood straighter.
“Are ye going to make me?” Stone straightened too. “Ye’re a mess.”
“So are ye,” Blair replied. “And ye’ve got three more brothers to kick yer arse if need be.”
With a growl, Stone headed up the stairs.
When he reached Eliza’s door, he heard it. The distinct sound of her crying.
Eliza had no idea how long she’d been in her bed. Most of the day. She would have thought the tears would have run out, but every time she thought of Stone, they started again.
Just when she was sure she was putting her life back together, it had once again fallen apart.
A pounding at the door made her lift her head, though it felt twice as heavy as it normally did.
“Eliza,” Stone’s voice rang through her room. “Can we talk please?”
Dragging herself to the door, she opened it to let him in. For a brief second, she wondered how she might look, her face puffy from tears but all thoughts of herself flew from her head when she caught sight of him. He looked like he’d been dragged by horses. “Stone,” she winced.
He grimaced. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“What happened?” She opened the door wider to let him in.
“Blair decided I needed an education.” He limped his way into her room.
She nearly choked. “Blair did this?”
Stone gave a shrug. “He thought I was being hard-headed. You should thank him. It’s the reason I’m here.”
That made her stand straighter. If not for Blair, Stone wouldn’t be here? “Oh, I see.”
Stone dragged himself across the room and sat on her bed. “But he’s right. We need to talk.”
Eliza was still holding the knob of the door and she clutched it now. If she didn’t, she may very well sink to the floor. “About what?” Her words were barely a whisper.
Stone lay down. “Come here,” he rumbled.
For a moment, she thought her feet might not work, but as she closed the door, she was able to let go of the knob and cross the room. She sat on the mattress next to him and his hand reached for hers. It took the tiniest pull from him and she found herself laying down, pressed against his side. Her arm wrapped about his waist and she clutched him as a fresh wave of tears soaked his shirt.
“Tell me what happened to yer mother.” His voice was quiet.
Surprise rippled through her, stopping the flow of water from her eyes. “My mother,” she hiccupped, “needed a doctor. But with so many sick, I couldn’t get one to come to the house for days. By then, it was too late.”
“And ye were angry with the lord because like so many, he could, but has chosen not to put in infirmaries or hire more doctors.”
“And my father,” she gulped down her pain. “I love him, of course, but he kept insisting my mother was fine. That she would recover. It blinded him to the truth and I was so angry at him for it.”
She nodded against his side. “I know you’re not like that Stone. And I know he didn’t mean to be either. He loved her.” She lifted her head to look into his eyes. “But I was fed up with hard-headed men. My father, the men who run this country. Why don’t the lairds invest in the very people who make them rich?”
Stone’s hand came to her back. “I dunnae ken why the lords of Scotland can’t see that.”
“When I heard the rumors about you, I assumed they were true. It had always been my experience. I know differently, now.” She lifted her head again, pain making her chest tight. “Say that you’ll forgive me.”
He didn’t look at her as he held her. “We’ll marry, Eliza.
I’ve already made the promise and given you the ring.”
That should have been a relief. But she noted that he hadn’t actually said that he’d forgiven her.
Chapter Fifteen
Stone knew that he’d hurt her by not saying the words. But he couldn’t make them come out of his mouth. His entire life, people had misjudged him. It didn’t matter how many good deeds he did, how many people he helped. To think the one person who’d be closest to him had thought the same. Well, that wound pained him from the inside out. And he couldn’t make it heal in a day.
She fell asleep against his side. Only after her soft breath had evened out did he kiss the top of her head.
Her scent, like summer flowers, surrounded him and he closed his eyes allowing himself to slip into its sweet oblivion. He didn’t want silly, thoughtless words to affect him so but he couldn’t help it.
He’d wanted her to be different. To be more. He wished she had seen him for who he was not the rumors.
Despite his disappointment, he also couldn’t change the feelings that had grown or his family’s need for her. He’d just have to try and overcome it.
He finally fell asleep but woke after a few hours and slipped from the room.
He didn’t even bother to go to his own. He’d never sleep now. Instead, he headed for his office and began the never-ending work that waited for him.
He spent the morning with Allister. The man gave him several looks but didn’t ask about Eliza or the engagement. It was one of the reasons he liked Allister so much. Allister understood the power of silence. But when food was delivered at noon, Stone ripped off a hunk of bread and sat back in his chair.
“In terms of the wedding, I think it would be best to have it in the fall. I know it’s a ways away but considering the losses we’ve both suffered, I think it best.” Though it was a good enough reason, it wasn’t the actual one. The truth was he needed time. Marriage required intimacy and he wasn’t sure he was ready to go there with her again so soon after what had happened.
Allister nodded. “Sounds good.” Then the man leaned forward. “Eliza can be a bit hard-headed, but she has a good heart.”
Stone stopped chewing. “Ye needn’t give me a list of her virtues. We’re already engaged.”
Allister’s lip turned down on one side. “Except that you seemed upset yesterday and I would hate to think of the two of you not understanding each other—”
Stone did not want to hear any of it. “I understood perfectly.”
“Eliza didn’t do that to your face did she?”
Stone sat back in his chair. “Is Eliza prone to beating men?”
It was Allister’s turn to look surprised. “Of course not. I just noted some tension yesterday and today you look worse than when you fought the pirates.”
He chuckled. “This was from my brother, Blair. Letting off steam, but I’ve decided to have him train the sailors to better ward off pirate attacks. He has a knack fer it.”
Allister relaxed. “That he does.” Setting his food to the side, Allister leaned forward again. “I can’t tell you how glad I am you and Eliza will wed. I’ve been worried what might happen to her if I were gone. She’d have no one.”
Stone grimaced. The thought of Eliza being alone in the world unsettled him as well. “She’ll help me too. She’s good with the crowds. She’ll help stop some of the rumors and it would seem she’ll aid in the charity work.”
Allister nodded. “She’s especially interested in the building of schools and infirmaries. Perhaps, she could assist you with those now.”
Despite his anger with Eliza, that did sound like a blessing. Even if he didn’t want to forgive her yet, he could acknowledge that a partner would help share his burden. “I’d like that.”
“And I think a fall wedding is a marvelous idea. It will give us time to make a big public display. It will be good for the earldom.”
That sounded dreadful at best. “I’m not sure I like that as much.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing. Eliza and I will take care of all of all the details.” Allister was already standing. “I’ll tell her so.”
Then he nearly skipped out the door.
Stone watched him. There was no backing out now. Not that he’d had any intention. But he wondered what their marriage would be like? Because right now, he didn’t see how he might get past his hurt.
Eliza sat at the dining room table eating her lunch, wishing she were in the kitchen with the family. Two weeks had passed since she and Stone had had their falling out. She didn’t know what else to call it. Wedding plans had begun and she’d begun interviewing teachers for the schoolhouse that was nearly completed.
She also spent every afternoon with Delia. She’d hired a tutor as well. Not only did the child need the structure, but the lessons would serve her for the rest of her life.
And while Stone seemed grateful for all her work, that was the extent of his affection. He didn’t kiss her on walks or meet with her in the garden. And he most certainly did not sneak into her room.
She sighed as she took another bite of her soup. If only she could go back and erase ever saying that word. They’d probably be married already and she’d be tucked against his side at this very moment. At least he hadn’t called off the engagement.
She rubbed her head. She’d been a bit dizzy and wished she could lie down, but she still needed to visit the school to make sure all the tables and chairs had been delivered.
Getting up, she made her way to the front entry, where a carriage awaited her. Delia was waiting for her. “Can I come with you?”
Eliza gave the girl a slight frown. Not that she didn’t want her company. She loved the child. “Don’t you have lessons?”
“Not for another two hours. I’ve already had my morning tutor.” Delia made a face.
Eliza had also hired a woman to teach decorum. Delia was a lovely free spirit, but she’d have to learn to behave like a lady.
“All right then,” Eliza extended her hand for the girl to hold. “Nothing wrong with a little adventure between lessons.”
Grinning, Delia grabbed her gloved fingers and began to skip beside Eliza. “Will I go to the school too?”
“Your school is here,” Eliza gave her a small smile. “But we’ll visit.”
Delia hopped into the carriage and Eliza behind her, glad to be seated. The dizziness had grown worse.
The ride to the village was a short one and Eliza decided she simply had to lie down when they returned. She checked the schoolroom to find everything in shape. Betsy was getting ready to move back to her cottage and Eliza decided to check on a potential position for the girl. The doctor’s family was in need of a nanny. It would be ideal for Betsy to sustain herself.
With that in mind, they headed over to the doctor’s home.
Climbing down from the carriage, she held the rail as she moved up the steps. Delia chattered next to her but she found the words difficult to hear. Reaching the door, she grabbed the knocker but as she lifted it and allowed it to clank into place, the world spun in the most dizzying way. Her eyes lost focus and before she knew what was happening, darkness overtook her.
When she woke, she found herself on a strange sofa with smelling salts under her nose. “There she is.” Doctor West gave her a warm smile. “Didn’t expect you find you collapsed on my steps.”
Eliza blinked and looked to her right. Delia stood holding Mrs. West’s hand, her eyes wide as saucers. Poor child, she’d probably worried her sick. “I don’t know what came over me, but I’m sure that I’m fine.” She tried to sit up but the world began to spin again.
Dr. West gently pushed her back down. “You’ve got quite the cut on your head from the fall that I’d like to treat.” His eyes travelled down her, his brow slightly furrowed. “I’m going to give you a short examination. I’ve already notified his lordship that you’re here.”
She tried not to groan. Stone knew? She’d let him down again, she was sure of it.
She gave a tiny nod. “So I can return home then?”
His smile slipped for just a moment. “Let’s wait for his lordship.” He looked down at her hand. “What a beautiful ring. How are the wedding plans coming?”
“Good.” Her brow furrowed at the change in topic. What was going on?
He gave her a kind smile. “Good.” He patted her hand. “I’ll be right back with supplies to tend that cut.”
She gave a terse nod. As he rose, she closed her eyes. She’d been tired and dizzy. Being a countess would be more difficult than she’d thought. A new appreciation for Stone made her chest tighten. He worked from sun up until sundown.
How did he do it?
A sudden pounding on the door made her eyes snap back open. Her head lifted even as Mrs. West crossed the room holding Delia’s hand.
Eliza winced when she saw Delia clutching her two little pebbles in her free hand. Her fainting spell had worried the child.
Mrs. West opened the door and Stone charged in. In a second he had Delia in his arms, as he crossed the room to where she lay on the couch. “What happened?” he gritted out.
She winced. Not because of his tone. She was used to that. But because she’d taken him away from his duties and likely made his job more difficult rather than easier. “I’m sorry, Stone.” Slowly, this time, she pushed herself up a little straighter. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
He sat on the couch near her hip, his fingers grazing the skin next to her cut. “That’s quite the gash.”
“Do I look like I’ve been fighting pirates?” She gave him a small smile. “I’ve been trying to help, but I may have overdone it. Now I’ve ruined all my good intentions by dragging you here.”
His hand slid down to her collarbone. For once, his eyes did not look hard and cold as he assessed her. “Ye’ve been doing a fine job of helping and it’s no trouble to be here.”
Scottish Devil (Brethren of Stone Book 1) Page 10
