“What does this mean?”
“Men are pigheaded.”
“I assure you, nothing about me resembles a pig.”
“Captain,” she said firmly. “Once again ye mistake what I mean. I wouldna compare ye to a pig, I know that is the most grievous of offenses to ye. Tis another way to say ye are stubborn.”
He thought about it, then said, “Tha thu breagha.”
“Calling me beautiful willna help us now.”
“I speak truthfully. When you are angry, your eyes burn with passion, and your skin glows.” He reached for her face, but she batted his hand away.
“Make peace with me, Miran. Accept our fate, a wedding is in our future.”
She felt cornered, but knew he was right—she loved him, damn her for being so weak—weak in the flesh to be exact. And was sure it was a sin. “If ye were a woman…”
“I am not.”
“Please stop interrupting me, Kai.”
He crossed his arms over his chest.
“If ye were me, would ye celebrate knowing yer life was going to change forever?”
“Are you afraid of how I am going to treat you?”
All the arguing made her head hurt—but, aye, he seemed to understand. “Aye! Ye may be a Highlander now, but I have heard stories, disturbing ones, about how little women are regarded in yer homeland.”
This time, she let him caress her cheek. “We are here.” He raised his arms, as if offering her the Highlands. “Not there.”
She had always considered him a devil in a tartan. Dark and frightening—exotic and untouchable. But he’d touched her, and she let him, over and over again, until she screamed his name. If that dinna give him a right to her…
“Is it true?”
“What?”
“That ye clothe yer women in drab colors, masking their faces so no one can see them?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Veils are used to cover their faces.”
“So, it is true!”
He nodded. “In traditional households.”
“What do ye mean?”
“Constantinople is a crossroad to many cultures and civilizations. Not everyone lives the same.”
“Did ye come from a traditional household?”
“Aye.”
Silence fell between them.
“I couldna, wouldna ever agree to hide myself, to cover my face and hair.”
“Nay.” His hand slipped from her face to the length of her hair. “If ever I try and make you cover this crown of golden glory, strike me dead with your dirk.”
