She eyed him unflinchingly. “I am.”

He didn’t seem impressed by her confidence. If anything it appeared to anger him. His mouth tightened. “Keep meeting men in barns and I’m sure you’ll have the opportunity to find out.”

How dare he . . . ! The hot flush of anger flew onto her cheeks. She gripped the handle of the knife more purposefully, pointing it toward him in a manner that could only be construed as a challenge. “Does that include you, my lord?” she said with staccatoed sweetness.

He didn’t move a muscle, which in no way lessened the threat. Instead it only made it more ominous. The air was thick with the coiled tension of a snake ready to strike. He wanted to knock the blade from her hand and prove the truth of his words so badly she could practically taste it. And she was ready for him to try.

Whether he would be able to, she didn’t know, but she relished the challenge.

That was another mistake, which she realized when she saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes. She’d given too much away. She’d reacted like a warrior, not a lady with some basic training. Bold and challenging were not the same as mysterious, quiet, and unassuming.

With an inward curse, she lowered the blade. Hoping to curtail any more curiosity on his part, she said, “I am sure your advice is well intentioned, but as I’ve said before, I can meet whomever I want in barns or anywhere else for that matter—it is no concern of yours.”

The anger was back. His mouth hardened in a very formidable line, and the flare in his eyes . . . it burned with a strange light as he looked at her. “What if I wish to make it my concern?”

The declaration was so unexpected it took her a moment to realize that was what it was—and what he meant. And even then she didn’t quite believe it until their eyes met. She drew in her breath, seeing the truth. He wanted her and not just in a dishonorable manner. He was offering her more. Maybe a lot more. Maybe everything.

The pang of longing in her chest was as unexpected as it was deep. It took her breath away, making her lungs burn.