“It wasn't one of my favorite boots," Marcus said, trying to cheer Miss Royle up. She looked as if someone had decapitated a puppy.”

“Don’t look so upset,” Hyacinth said, once it was justthe two of them again. “You’re quite a catch.”He looked at her assessingly. “Is one meant to say suchthings quite so directly?”She shrugged. “Not to men one is trying to impress.”“Touché, Miss Bridgerton.”She sighed happily. “My three favorite words.”Of that, he had no doubt.”

“Marcus looked down. “Ah, man! This was my favorite shirt. Who tore it?” he asked, trying to pull the ragged edges together.”

“She needs to wake up," said Boots. "Hazard is crying. When does she wake up?" Gregor could not find it within him to give his standard reply. To pretend that in a short time Thalia would be back with them, laughing and happy. And somehow it seemed wrong to try. Boots was getting older. Very soon, she would begin to realize the truth on her own, anyway. "She's not going wake up," he told her. "She's dead.""She doesn't wake up?" said Boots."No, not this time," said Gregor. "This time, she had to go away."Boots looked around at all their faces, at Hazard crying. "Where did she go?" No one had an answer. "Where is Thalia when she doesn't wake up?"The question hung in the air for an eternity. Finally, it was Howard who spoke up. "Why, she's in your heart, Boots.""My heart?" said Boots, putting both hands on her chest."Yes. That's where she lives now," said Howard."She can fly away?" asked Boots, pressing her palms tightly against her heart as if to keep Thalia from escaping."Oh, no, she will stay there forever," said Howard.”

“If anything happens, Marcus will save you. Won't you, Marcus? Hale asked, looking up at the man, who nodded.It would be an honor, Miss.”

“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.”