“Has some married man asked you to be his mistress? If so, give me his name and I will see to it that he disappears.”

“How very interesting." Imogen gave a dainty sniff." I collect that you also poured some of the brandy down his lordship's throat. Was that part of the treatment?" “Absolutely critical," Matthias murmured.”

“When you are rich and powerful, no one will challenge you to your face or give you a chance to explain yourself. All the whispers are behind your back. You are left with no means of clearing your own name. And after a while you realize there is no point in even attempting to do so. No one wants the truth. All anyone wants is the chance to add more fuel to the fires of gossip. The whispers become so loud that sometimes you think you will drown in them.”

“Knowing that you love me is not a source of amusement.” Sebastian realized that his hands were shaking with the force of the emotion that was pouring through him. “It is my salvation”

“Idly he toyed with the notion of ripping Leybrook's head off his shoulders. It would be a very pleasant, extremely satisfying project, but Virginia would probably not approve.”

“You know, it would be very easy for Gilmore to break his neck on these stairs," Matt offered with a hopeful air. "Accidents do happen.""That won't be necessary, thank you," Virginia said."Just a leg perhaps?”

“Once Smith had you, he would most likely have tried to negotiate for the lamp."Everything inside her warmed gently. "You'd give up the lamp if you thought my life depended on it?""Without a second thought.""Oh, Griffin, I'm truly touched. I know how important the lamp is to you.""And then I'd slit the bastard's throat."She groaned and rested her forehead on her knees. "Two birds with one lamp. Who says a crime lord can't be a romantic at heart?”