“How so?”
His brow lifted as he began to list off a number of observations.
“Well, for instance, you’ve made it clear that you don’t care for fairytales, but my sister tells me you accepted one of her good luck talismans. Why is that?”
“Because it was a gift. It would be rude not to accept.”
He shook his head.
“I don’t believe that. I did at first, but since becoming better acquainted with you, I think there’s a part of you that is very taken with the idea of magical realms and the like.”
She laughed, though not loudly.
“That’s preposterous.”
“Is it?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “I simply didn’t wish to be impolite.”
“That I don’t believe either. Since when have you been concerned with propriety? You’ve always made it a point to turn up your nose to everyone since arriving in Scotland.”
“That is false,” she argued. “On the contrary, I’ve acquired a healthy number of friends and acquaintances since coming here, including Arabella. I like her very much.” She paused, before adding, “Jeanne has also become a particularly trusted confidant.”
A strained look flashed in Logan’s eyes.
“Has she?”
“Yes.”
“I suppose I should not find that surprising. She is a fearsome sort.”
Faith laughed. “You say that as if it’s a bad quality to have. For my part, I’m quite taken with women who do not bat their eyelashes demurely, waiting for a man to tell them what they’re worth.”
He shook his head.
“No one would ever accuse you of that, to be sure, but then I cannot help but believe there is some other side of you.” Logan spun her away as the music reached a crescendo, only for her to come back into his arms. He leaned forward to speak softly into her ear. “The side that not even your closest friends or family knows about. How I wish to know more aboutthatFaith. Who is she really and what does she desire most?”
She swallowed hard before remembering that this man was in possession of the one thing that could ruin her entire life. She tried to pull away, but he held her close.
“Let me go,” she whispered quietly so no one around them could hear.
“I wish to talk to you first.”
“There’s nothing to discuss.”
“I beg to differ, but we shan’t discuss it here.”
“Will you destroy it?” she asked, her eyes not meeting his.
She had come to the conclusion that the painting needed to be destroyed. To have such an unmistakable likeness out in theworld was dangerous, and the only way she would be free from it was if it were no longer about. When he didn’t answer right away, she eventually lifted her gaze to find his unreadable face.
“Destroy it? You mean the painting?”
“Yes. Will you?”
His head tilted a fraction, his brow creased.
“The thought never crossed my mind.”
