She turned to glance at Hugh again. “He wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
“I’m sorry, lass,” Duncan murmured. “We felt it best if he left without a moment’s delay.”
Damn them and damn Lash for his betrayal! He left her, without a by your leave when he’d given every indication they would talk. How could he do that to her? After everything they’d been through?
The tears that lurked so close to the surface threatened to shatter her composure. She would not weep and bawl in front of these unjust beasts! She turned away from them, shutting her eyes tightly.
“He was dangerous, lass,” Boyd whispered in a low murmur.
“You don’t know him well enough to make such an assumption!” Honoria accused, whirling on them once more. “He was never a danger to me.”
“Ruthven is a good man,” Hugh agreed. “And Honoria is right; the lot of you are bloody close-minded.”
Honoria could have hugged her brother.
“That doesn’t excuse the fact that Ruthven put all of your lives in danger,” Duncan said. “We could have lost you.”
“What happened to Ruthven was no more his fault than it was ours,” Hugh growled, steely determination flashing in his eyes.
“Honoria almost got killed!” Callum snapped.
“And yet,” Hugh drawled, “she is still here, healthy as a mare’s ass.”
“Do not start with me, Hugh,” Callum growled. “I have little patience as it stands.”
“You cannot blame a man for what his brother has done,” Honoria exploded.
“Exactly, Honoria,” Kieran said. “Hisbrother. The apple never falls far from the tree.”
“The apple isn’t even from the same tree,” Honoria snapped. “They are only half-brothers. Do not pretend you understand anything of his family!”
“Then enlighten us,” Lachlan murmured.
“Would it make a difference if I did?” Honoria asked.
Silence greeted her.
“I thought as much.”
Honoria leveled them each with a reproachful glare before marching off, back straight, shoulders square. Never had she felt more trapped than at that moment. And inside, her heart shattered.
