“Christ, Honoria, do you want an entire gypsy tribe camping on our lawn?”
Lash shot the Highlander a look of irritation. The man was like a dog nipping at his heels. “I have a sister, but no one to contact.”
“Ah,” Hugh drawled. “So you are aware how troublesome lasses can be, at least.”
Lash grunted. Not a topic he wanted to get into, especially with Honoria’s eyes fixated on the both of them.
“If we are so troublesome, Hugh, it’s because you are stubborn mules!”
Hugh pushed his chair aside and stood. “I believe that tone of voice is my cue to leave.”
“That wasn’t much of an interrogation,” Lash noted after the Highlander strode from the room.
“Och, do not let his sudden departure fool you. Hugh probably has a set of secret papers hidden away with your name scrawled on it.”
Lash offered her a twisted grin. “He does seem the type, does he not?”
She flashed her teeth, and it felt like peering into the abyss and finding a pot of sunshine. Every part of him wanted to reach across the table and drag her into his arms. The desire startled him. This was no ordinary impulse. This was much more alarming—he wanted to stay near her. In the same vicinity. Never more than a few miles apart.
Thaturge was not one he felt comfortable feeling.
Nine bloody brothers. No doubt the Highlander had sent word to them or soon would. What would nine brawny Highlanders do if they discovered where his lips have been?
“My brothers are overly protective of us.”
“As they should be,” he murmured, shaking off the unwelcome desires. “Would you care for a stroll through the gardens?”
Surprise lit her gaze. “You are up for it?”
He was up to anything if it meant being in her presence, hearing her laughter, or staring into her eyes as he watched emotion play across her features. She was lovely when she smiled.
Lash did not deserve even one of those smiles. From what he’d seen, she was all that was good in this world: soft, innocent, pure. He was the opposite. Hard. Worldly. Polluted. But still, he wanted to stroll beside her through the gardens.
“The fresh air will do me good.”
