Gathering around the large rock that marked his parent’s resting place, they made a semi-circle. Stone felt the grief well in his chest as hot pokers jabbed at his eyes, though he wouldn’t let them out. He watched some of his brother’s swipe at tears.
Though each was silent, Stone knew they were saying goodbye, just as he was. In his heart, he shared his hopes for the future and his regrets from the past. When his siblings began shifting, signaling they were finishing with their private goodbyes, he placed his hand on t
he stone. “I want to make a promise to all of ye. I’ll do my best to be head of this family. To care fer ye and provide fer yer futures.” He took a deep breath. “In fact, I swear on our parents’ stone that I will always put ye first. My blood is yer blood. I’ll bleed fer ye if I have tae.”
Delia put her small hand next to his. “I swear it too.” Her little voice carried in the wind. “I’ll love ye no matter what. We’re a family.”
Each of his brothers placed their hands by his and Delia’s so that six hands lined the top of the stone. He wished they could leave an indentation of each of their hands in remembrance of this oath.
“We’ll protect one another,” Will said.
Matt added, “Never let anyone get between us.”
“Forgive each other,” Blair added.
For the first time since he’d learned his parents were lost, hope filled Stone’s chest. He and his siblings could survive this. Together.
Picking up Delia, he started back down the path that led to the house. It was then that he noticed Allister making his way toward them.
“Stone,” Allister called. The man’s shoulders were hunched, his face creased with worry.
“What’s wrong?” Stone moved faster, still holding Delia.
“It’s Eliza. She was angry and she stormed off. I went after her but she was so quick. I can’t find her and I’m worried. She doesn’t know this land. Not really. What if she gets hurt?”
“Do you know which way she went?” Stone asked.
“I think toward the cottage, but I can’t be certain.” Allister scrubbed his hands over his face.
Stone looked at his brothers. Roderick and Matt were only fourteen. “The twins will go with Blair and check along the upper cliffs. Will and I will head toward the cottage.” He set his sister down. “Delia, you help Allister check the village.”
Everyone gave a nod of understanding and in moments the search began. Will was nineteen and a strapping young man, but Stone moved much faster. In minutes he’d left Will behind as he made his way toward the sea cottage, along the cliffs of the river. What frightened him was that there were several holes in the ground where the earth had eroded away.
He knew each one and as he approached, looked for signs of someone slipping. Some dropped into caves while others simply opened a slide into the water below. That frightened him more; the water was deep and this close to the ocean, the current was strong. Even the best swimmers would struggle in the water. If Eliza had fallen, he feared for her life.
Just up ahead he saw a lone figure walking. Her black skirts billowed behind her as she made her way along the cliff.
Stone breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging. It was her. “Eliza,” he called out.
She didn’t hear him or ignored him as she continued on. He doubled his efforts. “Eliza,” he called again. Miss McLaren would have likely been more appropriate but he couldn’t think about that now. At this moment, he just wanted to return her to the manor.
He tried one more time as he moved closer. “Eliza,” his voice boomed across the landscape and she finally turned, her eyes meeting his for a moment before, with sudden and startling speed, she disappeared from view.
Chapter Four
Eliza found walking eased whatever ache she held in her heart. The fresh air, the call of the birds, the time with her own thoughts provided her with the frame of mind she needed to think through most problems in life.
She walked often and as a result, found she outstripped most. The river was beautiful if not a little menacing and she could see open sea just ahead. It was the very water she’d seen glimpses of from the manor.
Her walk had confirmed what she’d known in her heart. She didn’t want to be here. She wanted to go home. And she didn’t want to marry Stone Alban. It wasn’t that he’d done anything yet. But her past experience and the rumors that swirled about him warned her not to trust him. She didn’t know how she’d avoid the match, however, if her father was truly intent upon it. There was little she could do.
The helplessness of it made her fists curl in anger. Why didn’t she even have a say in her own future?
A faint voice caught the wind and she slowed for a moment. It was deep and full. Had she imagined it? But as she turned, she heard it again.
Stone was moving toward her with a speed that was almost shocking. His massive body hurtled toward her and she took a tiny step back. It was an instinctual reaction to such a large man charging toward her. But her foot, which should have met solid land, met nothing but air. For a moment her arms flailed and then she was falling.
Icy cold water hit her skin. It was so dark and her eyes flew open to see but the darkness did not recede. Looking around she was met by black, ominous walls. Only when she looked above her could she see any light.