She narrowed her eyes. “If I do come across this man, I shall wa—” The words died on her lips at her name being called out.
She whipped around, eyes locking on Hugh barreling down on her, his brisk strides betraying the casual charm on his face. To anyone else he appeared the concerned gentleman, not the bristling Highlander Honoria knew him to be.
Was it too much to hope that her brother would not learn of this?
His gaze firmly fixed on the man and horse looming over her, he spoke in a voice laced with deceptive friendliness, “Care to introduce me to our guests?”
“Och, hardly,” Honoria answered, sweetness dripping from her tone like honey. “They have not seen fit to introduce themselves.”
Hugh clenched his jaw, what little good-humor remained, gone. “I see.”
“We are humble travelers searching for our kin,” the brute said. “We suspect he may have been injured in a fight and are anxious to find him.”
Anxious her bottom.
These men were responsible for hurting, nearly killing, Lash. She was sure of it. And Honoria prayed to God that Hugh did not betray Lash. She would never forgive him.
“We don’t condone fighting for sport,” Hugh growled, purposely misunderstanding the man. He crossed his arms over his chest. “And anyone foolish enough to fight in these parts knows not to search for aid here.”
Honoria let out of breath of relief. She had never been so grateful Hugh had judged this man’s character on the mark.
These men were bad news.
They both sensed it.
And there was no way to miss the resemblance between this man and Lash either. Though Hugh hadn’t lied. Fighting, or rather bare-knuckle boxing, was common, but not in these parts, not anymore. Not since Ewan’s death.
The man shifted on his horse, his features hardening. Honoria felt her brother stiffen beside her.
“If you’d like,” Hugh said with a false stretch of lips, “you are welcome to search our property. Of course, first I will introduce you to my brother, the Duke of Roxburgh. I’m sure between him and my brothers, there are nine of us, you know, we can offer you the assistance you require.”
The two men flanking the brute shifted uncomfortably, and the man inclined his head. “No need to trouble your kin. We will take your word to heart.”
“I bid you luck in your search.”
The man gave Hugh a curt nod and with the cluck of his tongue circled his horse, sweeping his gaze over the gardens before trotting away, his men following suit.
Honoria remained rooted to the spot, stunned, and a bit shaken by the unexpected discovery.
“Lass.”
A wealth of meaning punched into that simple word.
She turned to her brother with a sigh. “I can explain.”
Lash’s heart wouldn’t stop hammering for fear gripping his chest in a tight vise. What an idiotic, foolish, and unconscionable thing to do. Damn that meddlesome woman!
He couldn’t believe that she’d gone to greet the riders before he could stop her. Not even to bring thought to the fact that it went against every grain to remain silent and not intervene.
Lash did not care if it was unwise to confront his brother in his weakened state—he would not hide behind shrubberies like a coward. Not while Honoria’s life was in danger.
Other than the fact that Danior was a cruel bastard, his brother was no fool. He would see straight through whatever wild tale Honoria spun. His brother was the kind of man that gave voice to the very reasongadjodistrusted Rom. Danior had no respect for life, killed without remorse, and had even attempted to killhim. His brother was one of the worst.
But once Lash revealed his presence, his brother would finish what he had set out to do and that would leave Honoria unprotected.
Mierda!
He would put her in further danger by revealing his presence. There was no other option. He’d like to believe there were lines not even his brother would cross, but fairy tales were for children.
