“I can imagine no greater bliss than to lie about, reading novels all day.”

“I can't imagine a romance novel published today where the hero rapes the heroine and she falls in love with him.”

“I believe I told you I am utterly serious. I never lie.""Now that is a clanker if ever I heard one." she retorted."Well, then, I never lie about anything important."Her hands found their way to her hips and she let out a loud, "Harumph.”

“Blake looked around and gulped. He'd forgotten about the mess on the floor. Chamber pot shards, hisshaving kit, a towel or two..."I... ah..." It seemed to him that it was far easierto lie for the sake of national security than it was to hisolder sister."Is that a bar of soap stuck to the wall?" Penelope asked."Um... yes, it appears to be.”

“Have you anything that is ready to wear today? I'd like nothing better than to be rid of that thing she has on now. You can use her measurements to fashion a few more.""I have one or two I could quickly alter to her size. In fact there is one right there." She pointed to a pale yellow day dress draped over a dressmaker's model. Dunford was just about to say that it would do when he saw Henry's face.She was staring at the dress like a starving woman.”

“Just curious,she mouthed."What? I didn't catch that."Jjuussttccuurriioouuss.She drew it out this time, hoping he'd be able to read her lips."If you spoke out loud," he drawled, "I might understand what you're saying."Caroline stamped her foot in frustration, but when it landed, it landed on something considerablyless'flat than the floor."Owww!" he yelled.Oh! His foot!Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry , she mouthed.I didn't mean it."If you think I can understand that," he growled, "you're crazier than I'd originally thought.”

“I wonder where everyone is," she muttered."Sleeping, if they have any idea what's good for them," Dunford replied acerbically."I suppose we could get started on our own," she said doubtfully.For the first time all morning he smiled broadly and meant it. "I know less than nothing about stonemasonry, so I vote we wait.”