““He could not admire her destructive loyalty to her brother. But it was born of the steel at her core. As a girl, she had not disguised that steel, speaking boldly, daring the world to cross her. But now that she carried it concealed, it took on a new element of power, like the hidden stiletto that could save a man’s life when all else was stripped from him. Adrian had never glimpsed such ferocity of will in another woman—or man, for that matter””
![“Speak plainly, sir.' '*Sir*? I say, Lyd. Are you always so formal with men you've made love with?' The whip of her head caused the bird [on her hat] to saw wildly, like a famished woodpecker in range of a tree.” quote by Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d6/meredith-duran-2968_quote_speak-plainly-sir-sir-i-say-lyd-are-you_184237.jpg)
