Suzanne Enoch

“He sighed. “You’ve chosen poorly, you know. When we return to England you’ll be celebrated, just as I will be. If you’ve decided to abandon me, you might have netted someone titled, someone with enough wealth to see you esteemed and me able to continue my botanical studies. That would have been the aim of a dutiful daughter.”“I’m not abandoning you, and I chose Shaw. You’re the one who declined to attend your daughter’s wedding.”“You never used to speak to me like this. A dutiful child would never have accepted a proposal from the first man who asked, simply because he did ask.”“He didn’t propose to me. I proposed to him.”Finally he looked more surprised than angry and frustrated. “You proposed to him?”“Yes, because I didn’t think he believed me when I said that I loved him. I can hardly blame him, since I had to think about it for an entire day after he said it to me, but I do love him. More than I can articulate to you.”

“Come below for a moment. Please.”“Zephyr, I don’t have time t—”“Bradshaw, do me the courtesy of at least looking at me when I’m talking to you, or I shall punch you in the nose.”His lean jaw twitched, but he folded his arms across his chest and faced her. “What is it, then?”She took a deep breath. This would have been so much easier in a more intimate setting and if he wasn’t glaring at her. “Shaw, I just wanted to say—that is, I mean—I . . . I love you.”Something crossed his expression so swiftly that she couldn’t decipher it. But then he very obviously scowled. At her. “You’re only saying that now because I bullied you into it.”Oh, that was enough of that. “Idiot. You have no idea how much considering I’ve been doing. And you have never bullied me into anything. I said I love you because I love you.”He hesitated again. “Very well. Thank you. Now you won’t have to worry that you drove me to my death if I don’t return.”Zephyr narrowed her eyes. “All you did was say you loved me and then run away. I’m standing here saying it back to you, and all you can do is try to make me into a liar. It’s your fault, for surprising me. I don’t keep a response to that sort of thing in my pocket, ready for use.”“I know that. And I said thank you.”

“I’m going to say a word, just for your general opinion and consideration,” he said, his light blue gaze touching hers.“I’m listening.”“Marriage.”Zephyr blinked. Had he actually just suggested a proposal? A marriage? With her? A thousand thoughts all flitted through her mind, none of them making any sense, but several of them centering on whether she was reading too much or too little into one blasted word. “I think”—she stumbled, backing away from him and toward the village—“that if you mean to ask a question, you should ask it. And you shouldn’t make it so stupidly ambiguous just on the chance that a negative response might embarrass you or wound your feelings.”“Is that so?” He stalked after her.“It is so. And another thing. Before you ask such a question, consider giving me—or whoever you intend on asking—a reason to say yes.”

“Until the battle with the Revanche he hadn’t thought he would ever tire of gazing at the horizon. Only since then had he noticed that the view was . . . empty.”

“Wouldn’t you be pleased if I decided I’m becoming too old for adventuring?”Viscount Dare frowned. “You’re not too old for it. But I’d like to think you’re becoming too wise for it.”

“You've gone mad. What's driven you to this nonsense?""You have," he snarled. "You, with your pretty gray eyes and your smile and the way you speak your mind. The sound of your laugh, your tears when something makes you sad." He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to imagine anyone else who had ever made him feel the way he did when he was with her. Emptiness looked back at him. There wasn't anyone else. "You're the only woman I've ever… liked.”

“Shaw grinned again, wishing mightily that he and she were alone by the fire. “I never claimed to be much of a gentleman. But whether you tote about a parasol or not, you are every inch a lady. Quite possibly the finest I’ve ever met.”“Goodness. If you continue saying such things, I’ll begin to think you’re smitten with me.” “I’d describe it more as being clubbed into submission,” he murmured, aware both that her palm had come to rest just over his heart, and that his men and the Mayfair mob across the fire pit could see it. “But yes, I am rather smitten with you.”

“Even the way he was the only man she’d ever met who both could and dared to hold up his side of a conversation with her.”

“Blue eyes held hers. “I have the oddest desire to learn what you want from life,” he continued.”

“Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was. —The Monster, Frankenstein”

“Someone was absolutely going to get punched in the head today.”

“I'm glad you decided to come.""It doesn't mean anything." He grinned. "Everything means something.”

“To his surprise and suspicion, she smiled.”

“I haven’t heard a woman say my name in a long time, Theresa. Say myname.”She pulled in a hard breath, pretending to be annoyed rather than unsettled and excited by the intimacy.“Very well. Tolly. Better?”“Infinitely.” Slowly he ran his fingertips along her cheek, making her shiver. “So many handsomegentlemen courting you, Tess,” he whispered, “and yet here you are.”

“You're a damn dog," Adam finally snapped."If you're good enough to fuck someone, be a man enough to take responsibility for the result”

“Sin was a powerful temptation, indeed”

“There's quite a difference between skirting the rules and putting musket balls through them.”

“...He had no breath, no being, but in hers, she was his voice; he did not speak to her. But trembled on her words; She was his sight, For his eye followed hers, and saw hers, Which colored all his objects-he had crease to live within himself; She was his life, The ocean to the river of his thoughts...”

“Does that mean there’ll be no engagement ball?”“There will be,” he said, “once I convince Josefina to say yes.”“She turned you down?” Zachary asked skeptically.“She kicked me, actually. My timing did leave something to be desired.”“Josefina kicked you,” Eleanor repeated. At his nod, she pursed her lips.“Perhaps I do like her after all.”

“If you ask me to leave now, I will.” Slowly his mouthcurved into that heart-stopping smile. “And then you’ll miss what comes next.”She shut her eyes for a heartbeat, trying to regain some control over herthoughts and her spread, wanton body. “What comes next?”“You do.” He lowered his head again.”

“Valentine lifted Rose to look her in the eye. “You are staying away from men, mysugar cake. Men are evil, wicked, and devious. I know this, because I am one.”

“He lowered his head toward her, so she could feel his breath warm againsther skin, their mouths only inches apart. “You’re panting for it, aren’t you,Princess?” he murmured.”

“Phillipa, my heart, my blood, my everything,will you for God’s and my sake marry me?”

“Don’t cry,nyonda,” he murmured.Phillipa took a deep breath. “What does that mean, anyway? Nyonda?”His green gaze held hers. “It’s Swahili. It means ‘beloved.’” A small smile touched his mouth, and he brushed her cheek again. “You do know I love you, Phillipa. To an alarming degree.”

“I told you I didn't have a heart. I do have one. I just didn't know it until I met you. You are my light. My soul craves you, and I love you with every ounce of the heart you've awakened in me. I...I could live without you but I wouldn't want to. Will you marry me, Evelyn Marie?”

“Don't assume, when a lady wants to take up a task or a cause, that is just a hobby.”

“Gentlemanly behavior isn't just opening doors: to make an impression, you have to be concerned over a lady's needs at least as much as your own.”

“If you ask for an opinion, expect to receive one, and don't make fun of it.”

“Never interrupt a lady when she is speaking to you, as if what you have to say is more important.”

“There are rules,” he interrupted, scowling. Before she could move, he had both her hands in his, theirfaces inches apart. “Don’t put me off, Phillipa. I’ve given you my one warning; I am after you. If you wishme to proceed your way, I will. To a point. But if you continue throwing up that damned—blasted—‘youcan’t do that’ protest and still look at me with that same…passion in your eyes, I will put you back in thatphaeton and not stop driving until we reach Gretna Green. Is that clear?”

“Yes, it is.” Bennett blew out his breath. “You can’t expect me to…sit in the morning room and chatabout the weather with her mother, and hold her yarn while she knits, and…wait five weeks before Iattempt to hold her hand.”

“The animal is making quite a mess,” the butler droned.“Are you referring to the monkey, or to my nephew?” Fennington drawled, strolling into the room.“Hm. How long did you lurk outside the room waiting forthat opportunity?” Bennett asked”

“So you intend to spend the remainder of your life whoring, drinking, wagering, and being as outrageous as you can manage?"Bram shook himself. He made it a point to be serious as little as possible, and neither did he want to argue with two newly married men about the meruts of being leg-shackled."Please Phin," he said aloud. "I would never think so small. You know my ultimate goal is to lower the standards of morality enough that everything I do becomes acceptable.”

“I don't want a well-ordered life.... I would die from boredom in a fortnight.”

“Perhaps his next task should be to concoct an eighth deadly sin. Or he could work toward finding even a dozen. The devil knew he'd worn out the original seven.”

“How many of us have gazed at a man and thought, ‘yes, him,’ only to have him pay his attentions to someone else? And how many of us have sighed and waited for some other gentleman to come forward? All I wish to ask is, why? Why not strike up a conversation? Why not determine for ourselves whether ‘he’ is the one? Why leave it to fate?”A LADY’S GUIDE TO PROPER BEHAVIOR, 2ND EDITION”

“I wish you'd tell me when we're having friends over for luncheon.""I would, if they would tell me.”

“I'll be back at sea by then," Bradshaw put in, "so I'll comfort myself with the knowledge that you'll namethe infant after me.""I don't think 'Half-wit' will pass muster with Georgie, but I'll let her know that's your suggestion.”

“I had a thought," Bradshaw said into the silence."Amazing," Tristan returned dryly.”

“And even though he enjoyed being around her, he resisted her,because he was supremely aware that he wasn't the old Robert any longer; he was Bit, a piece of whathe'd once been.”

“Roses," Georgiana repeated, her thoughtful gaze touching his. "It's about time one of the Carroway mendecided to cultivate something other than their poor reputations.”

“Talking to yourself?" Her father turned the corner of the house to join her amid the rows of roses. Sneaking was evil, she decided. "No. I was… just conversing with the new rosebush," she stammered, feeling her cheeks warm. "Ah. And did it answer?" "I believe it to be shy." "If it everdoesanswer, you will inform me, won't you ?" "Very amusing.”

“On nights like this, when he rode out from the dark, silent house to the dark, deserted park, he couldforget.He could be nothing but a solitary rider on a fast horse, wind in his face and the world open around him.No walls, no bars, no quiet weeping or screams or death. None of that could catch him. On a night likethis, none of it could find him.”

“For a long moment the butler sat in silence, his jaw hanging open. “I . . . my lord, I simply don't feel qualified to advise you about such matters.”“Don't tell me that,” Saint protested. “Tell me whether you can imagine me as a married man or not.”To his surprise, the butler set aside his brandy snifter and sat forward. “My lord, I do not wish to overstep my bounds, but I have noticed a change in your demeanor of late. The question of whether anyone can imagine you married or not, however, is one I believe must be answered by you. And the lady, of course.”Saint frowned. “Coward.”“There is that, as well.”

“I don't think there'll be a next time, my lady.” Saint smiled. “But thank you for the offer.”Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You're welcome. My, my, manners. Where have you been—church?”

“Saint took a seat at the main faro table at the Society club. “What the devil is a ladies' political tea?”Tristan Carroway, Viscount Dare, finished placing his wager, then sat back, reaching for his glass ofport. “Do I look like a dictionary?”“You're domesticated.” Saint motioned for a glass of his own, despite unfriendly looks from the tables'other players. “What is it?”“I'm not domesticated; I'm in love. You should try it. Does wonders for your outlook on life.”“I'll take your word for it, thank you.”

“Did you hear that?” the duke asked with a wide grin, turning to Dare. “She said 'papa.'“The viscount returned the candy dish and tea tray to the relocated end table. “I distinctly heard'baboon.'““Hm, well, you're distinctly deaf.”

“It amazes me, Saint, that you can own so few redeemable qualities and still be so likable.”

“That explained a great many things he'd observed about Lilith Benton. No wonder she came near to throwing a blue fit every time he approached. He threatened to collapse the carefully respectablility she'd worked nonstop for six years to build. On the oter hand, he couldn't forget the way she'd responded to his kiss,, or the way she'd shivered at his light caresses. She liked being touched. She liked his touch. Jack gave a slight smile. Perhaps the angel secretly wondered what it would be like to be in the devil's embrace. The devil certainly wondered.”

“One can only hope." He took a step toward her, so only a few scant inches separated them. A white cascade of glittering light lit the night above his head and made his eyes sparkle. "Do you mean there is no charity in your heart for a poor, misguided soul such as myself?"You've guided yourself astray," she informed him, backing up, "and my poor brother, as well." Her thoughts and her wits seemed to have scattered, and she fought to keep an affronted expression on her face."Then he is safe," the marquis murmured, "for my path leads straight back to you.”