“This is my social face,” he said lightly. “Don’t confuse it with the animal beneath.”

“But he place a gentle palm under her chin and turned her face back to him. “I'm privileged to see you like this,” he said, his eyes fierce. “Wear you social mask at your balls and parties and when you visit your friends out there, but when we are alone, just the two of us in here, promise me this: that you'll show me only your real face, no matter how ugly you might think it. That's our true intimacy, not sex, but the ability to be ourselves when we are together. (Winter Makepeace)”

“My darling Lucy.” He panted against her ear, and then his teeth scraped her earlobe. “I love you,” he whispered. “Don’t ever leave me.”

“He pulled back, staring at her in the dim carriage, his brows still knit. "Megs?"Oh, right. She still hadn't told him. Well, it was his own fault; his mouth was simply delicious."I love you," she said, speaking clearly so that there might be no confusion.”

“Shhh,” he murmured against her mouth. “Don’t talk. Don’t think. Just feel.”

“Who are you?” Her eyes snapped open, and her voice held a hysterical edge. “Do I even know who you are?”He stepped over Walker’s battered corpse and grabbed her by the shoulders, leaned downso that his no-doubt foul breath washed over her face. “I am your husband, my lady.”She turned her face away from him.He shook her. “The one you promised to obey always.”“Simon—”“The one you said you’d cleave to, forsaking all others.”“I—”“The one you make love to at night.”“I don’t know if I can live with you anymore.” The words were a whisper, but they rang in his head like a death knell.”

“His face had gone still and for a moment her heart sank and she had to fortify herself for a battle. But then his mouth quirked like that (...) and she knew even before he said anything else that it was all going to be fine--more than fine. It was going to be wonderful.”