““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 ... men too often mistook bravado for courage. Her courage was not wasted on display. But what a wealth of riches she offered to those who possessed her loyalties. She put her whole self into their defense and never accepted defeat. Even if her wits saw the weakness in a cause, she would sacrifice herself for the sake of honor.””
![“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)
