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.”