“Id you're finished picking out my flaws,maybe you'd like to tell me what you want now.I have other customers--""You.""What was that?""I Want You.”

“And here I thought you were actually going to behave yourself," he said. "It's going to get worse if they don't keep their hands off you.""I suppose you're going to tell me now that only you have the right to touch me.""I see we understand each other.”

“Come home with me tonight,Gypsy," he said huskily. "You won't regret it.""You have a Gajo priest in residence,then,to give his blessing?"His hand dropped from her. Frustration filled his eyes. "You are saying you would me?""I am saying I want you,too,Lord Englishman, but without the prist's words, I can't have you.It does not get more simple than that.""Simple?" he all but snorted. "You must know that is impossible,that people from my social stature only marry within their class.""Yes,I know very well how nobles are goverened by the opinions of their peers, which does not leave them free to do as they please. A shame you aren't a common man, Lord Englishman. They have more freedom than you.""And how free are you,to do as you want?" he shot back in a frustrated tone. "Or did you not just tell me that you want me?""I can't deny that.Yet I am restricted by my own morals, rather than the opinions of others. If you must know,my own people would be scandalized if I were to marry you.Ironically, you would not be an acceptable mate for me, for you are not one of us. Would I let that influence me? No.Only one's heart should matter in these things.Yet mine will not let me go to a man who will not be mine to keep.I do not hold myself that cheaply.”

“Are you ready to discuss what you're doing here?""Certainly-with your daughter." He suddenly swept Rebecca into his arms and carried her out of the room."Now just a minute!" Lilly protested behind the,.Rupert didn't stop,in fact, he as nearly running up the stairs to the second floor. Incredulous,Rebecca pointed out, "She might follow us.""She won't," he replied with typical male confidencec. "I suppose I'll have to try each of these doors to find out which one is yours,just as you did at my house."He was doing just that,but she said, "Or you could ask."He glanced down at her. "And you'd tell me?""Why don't you try that one." She nodded toward the door he'd been about to open.”

“His eyes were cold steel, his mouth fixed in a hard line. "I like my face the way it is," he said icily. "You scar it with your nails as you did my chest and I swear I will give you equal scars. Think about that, Sam, before you use your claws again."Tears sprang to her eyes. "You're cruel, Hank. You leave me nothing.""And what did you leave me when you stole my heart?" he asked softly.She stared back at him, searching his eyes, seeing only naked honesty.”

“Fetch the other two bairns," she said as she scooped up the twins. "We're leaving James to get on with his murdering."Reggie tried to hide her grin as she plucked Jaime from Anthony and grabbed the other toddler's hand,then followed Roslynn out of the room.It was accomplished within moments, as efficient as the women were with children.James leaned back against the door after it closed, crossed his arms over his exceedingly wide chest, and said to his bemused brother, "How's it feel, old chap? Least she was still talking to you before she flounced out of here, whereas George ain't talked to me in a week.""Bloody hell," Anthony growled. "You can stop blaming me. You heard what I said. Wasn't as if I deliberately took the girls to Knighton's. Same thing could have happened to you,you know.""Beg to differ," James replied laconically. "I ain't that bloody stupid."Anthony flushed angrily, but it was a bit of guilt that had him retorting, "I like that.You want a piece of me, then? Won't be satisfied without it? Have at me,then.""Don't mind if I do.”

“If you think I'm going to tell my wife she came in second place, you're out of your gourd. I'll convey the apology and not another bloody word.”