“Lord Carradice managed to look wicked, smug, and saintly, all at the same time.”

“What if I shave?" he said. "I look much better when I'm shaved. My cousin will vouch for that—do I not look almost handsome when I shave, Edward? " He didn't wait for the duke's reply but turned earnestly back to Prudence. "Do you think you could marry me if I shaved?”

“Even when no one loves you, there is always someone to love, someone who needs to be loved. Always. You just have to look outside yourself.”

“I would appreciate it if you would stop… stop… ogling me like that," she hissed, tugging her very modest neckline higher. "It is very embarrassing." She folded her arms across her breasts defensively. He tried to look contrite. "It wasn't me," he confessed. "It was my eyes. They are bold and easily led and have no sense of propriety.”

“There is no need to shove, his duchess said snippily.There is every need. Think of it not as shoving, but an affectionate nudge.”

“Did he know she could barely think, let alone speak, for awareness of proximity of his fingers?Of course he knew. He was a rake. This is what he did.”

“When a rake falls, he falls forever. <3”