“And if we do?” Lash demanded. “You brothers are on their way back here. Where will you go once you reach Edinburgh? The city is no place for a woman alone.”
“We have a townhouse. And you forget my brother is a duke. I have friends in the city.”
“Friends that will abandon you once it comes to light you traveled with a Rom.”
She swiped her hand through the air as if to wipe the comment aside. “It will not come to that.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know I will only have a precious few days in Edinburgh before my brothers catch up to me and rake me over the coals. But at least they will be forced to acknowledge that they can no longer sweep me aside.”
“So this is more about proving a point and less about your painting?” Lash demanded.
Guilt crossed her features, and he cursed.
“It’s both,” she admitted.
“Honoria . . .” He dragged a trembling hand through his hair.
“Please, we shall be overly cautious.”
“Even if my brother doesn’t find me—”
“Us.”
“—me,” he ground out. “There are still all sorts of dangers on the road, and if you are traveling with me, the biggest dangerisme.” He took a step closer, looming over her. “I am your biggest threat.”
“If you are worried that you will ravish me, Isla is joining us as well.”
“Have you both gone mad?” he demanded.“You think your sister will shield you from my advances once I set my mind on ravishing you?”
They faced each other, shoulders locked tight.
“If you think to scare me off it will not work.”
Lash gave a low and bitter laugh. “You should be terrified. My thoughts alone would leave you in ruin if ever voiced.”
“You are not such a scoundrel.”
“Then why is your dress askew, your hair falling from its pins and your lips swollen from my kisses?” Lash challenged. “I took your innocence in a tower against a wall; Iamthat much of a scoundrel.”
“You did nothing I did not want.” Her eyes flashed. “Do not make yourself out to be something you are not because you do not wish to escort us to the city.”
“I am stating a truth, that is all. You have given me a taste of you,monisha. I will ravish you over and over if given but a small chance.”
“What if I feel the same?”
“You don’t.” He took a step closer to her. “I will savor every drop of honey from your flesh, but I won’t give you what you desire, which—even if you don’t know this yet—is a husband. I can never give you that.”
“Because I’m not a Rom?”
“Because you are a lady.”
Her gaze narrowed on him. “You are still just a man, Lash, regardless of your heritage.”
“No.” He shortened the distance between them with another step. “I am the darkened night, and you are the rays of sun that chase me away.”
“What if I don’t want to be the sun?” she asked. “What if I want to belong to the night as well?”
