The Highlander had a point.
Lash had never dined at the table of agadjobefore. But dine with Honoria and her family? The thought left a peculiar taste in his mouth. Not bitter, and yet not sweet.
Lash really,reallyneeded to leave.
The soft breeze of the outdoors beckoned. He needed to think. Breathe. Plan. But mostly, he needed to escape Honoria MacCallan.
Honoria’s head was still spinning the next time she entered the chamber where Lash rested. She had spent a good portion of three hours wearing the plush wool carpet in the library thin. But no matter how angry she’d been with Hugh for sending word to Adair, how desperately she wanted to cling to that anger, in the end, her thoughts had circled back to the kiss.
Lash Ruthven had kissed her. Pressed his lips right over hers. And the taste of him still tingled on her lips.
Her brothers would spiral into their graves.
Her mouth twitched.
Granted, the man had crumbled at her feet. All the same, as short-lived as the kiss was, the impact had slammed the breath from her lungs.
An action repeated when she walked into Callum’s room only to find Lash perched upright in bed, his head resting against the wall. His ebony hair brushed against his shoulders in a loose, disheveled way that only added to his wild attractiveness.He had removed the shirt she’d offered earlier, and once again her heart fluttered at the sight.
This man . . . Even relaxed, the strength of him was evident, his presence awe-inspiring. The tingling on her lips increased and Honoria found they burned for a taste of that splendid golden skin.
Why must she find him so appealing?
His taste?
Aye, definitely the raw, masculine flavor of him. It made Honoria want to kiss him again until she became tipsy.
Lawd, this was not part of the plan. The plan was to convince Lash to escort her and Isla to Edinburgh, to gain her freedom, not to . . . to feelthis. Something needed to be done. She squared her shoulders and exorcized every inappropriate fantasy that did not suit her purpose from her mind.
His eyes lifted to collide with hers.
All the fantasies came rushing back.
There was a wild, untamed look about him that reminded her of an ancient warrior. His eyes blazed as they tracked her every movement. They looked downright predatory.
Awareness prickled down her spine. He suddenly looked mountainous on the bed. Lethal in the way he was staring at her.
Her throat went dry.
Hugh was right—Lashwasdangerous. But not for the reasons Hugh might imagine. Dragging breath into her lungs, she lifted the tray in her hands. “I come bearing stew.”
His gaze watchful, he said nothing as she set the tray on the table beside the bed and handed him a bowl, settling in a chair with her own.
“It’s beef if you were wondering,” she offered, lifting her spoon to taste a mouthful.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
Honoria smiled, watching him savor the dish.
“Your brother paid me a visit,” he said after swallowing a spoonful. “He is worried for you.”
She blinked and drew in a breath. “He is worried for his own hide.”
“You didn’t tell me you have nine brothers.” He searched her face. “Why?”
Honoria felt the impact of those green crystals down to her bones. How to answer that?I did not want you to be intimidated and leave before I could recruit you for my escort? Honestly, there was no other reason.
“You thought I’d be intimidated and did not wish to add to my worries?” he guessed.
