Chapter 14
Lawd, but he was handsome.
The ripple of his muscles beneath his shirt, the tight fit of his breeches, the jut of his hips, the smooth control of every movement, all mesmerized her. There was something magical about observing Lash dance. Quite simply, it was the stuff of dreams. Beautiful. Wild. Masterful. Passion poured out of every gesture. Freedom governed his rhythm.
It was unlike any dance she’d ever learned.
Of course, Scottish reels and jigs were lively too, but not as intimate as this one. The Flamenco. This Spanish dance felt seductive, flirtatious, and downright carnal. Honoria practically burned with heat as she watched Lash demonstrate his mastery. He reminded her of a peacock advertising his prime physical fitness by strutting back and forth and shaking his feathers to attract a mate.
“The most important thing to master when learning this dance is patience.”
Master.
He could be her master.
Honoria angled her head to the side, pinching her chin to stop from fanning her face with her hand as she studied the perfection of Lash’s thighs. How unfair for a man to be this handsome. She was starting to believe she’d grown fully and wholly smitten.
“But most of all,focus,” he was saying, the emphasis on the word drawing her attention back to the actual dance.
Honoria dragged her gaze up to his. His eyes seemed to laugh at her, but she couldn’t be sure. She was, however, certain they were glowing, all but alive with amusement. The beast.
Perspiration beaded down her breast as she fought to concentrate on his words and not on his anatomy, the memory of that hard body pressed up against her, his tongue dancing between her lips.
Merciful heavens.
“I am focused,” she muttered, clearing her throat, “and I am mastered.”
“Mastered?” Isla queried. “You mean you have mastered patience, which I’m not sure you have.”
“I am patient,” Honoria denied, having completely forgotten they were not alone. “The dance is a lot to take in.”
A lot of male.
Hugh snorted from where he reclined on the sofa. “I suppose it’s not your fault your ability to focus resembles an arrow shooting from a bow.”
“Why don’t you come and try, Hugh?” Honoria challenged. If she had her way, she’d not have included him and his pompous remarks in the first place, but the moment Hugh learned she’d been in the stables, he’d all but sewed the four of them together.
“Aye, I’d love to see that,” Isla said, laughing in turn.
“I’m perfectly happy from this vantage point,” Hugh responded.
“I’m sure you are,” Honoria remarked dryly.
“Stop distracting us then,” Isla added, attempting a stern look. “Your offhanded comments are the reason we cannot focus.”
“And I’ll have you know, I’ve just the right amount of attention to master this dance,” Honoria muttered. She could master just about anything she set her mind to—like convincing Isla to join her in learning this dance, for one.
Lash cleared his throat, drawing all their attention back to him. “I’m adding discipline to the list.”
“I have loads of that,” Hugh drawled.
Honoria rolled her eyes.
“Never trust females, Ruthven,” Hugh continued with the wave of his hand. “They are deceptive when it suits them.”
“Ignore him,” Isla told Lash. “Do we not require a partner for this dance?”
Lash shook his head. “For this dance you are without a partner.”
