“It's a shame you know," he called over his shoulder."What's a shame?" Duncan asked."That I didn't capture her first."Duncan smiled. "Nay, Edmond, it was a blessing. God's truth, I would have taken her from you.”

“I am not a poor child, Lady Eleanor," Madelyne announced, letting her anger sound in her voice."Duncan won't marry you. He won't sign the contracts. He'd have to give up his greatest treasure in order to marry you.""And what be that treasure?" Lady Eleanor inquired, her voice mild."Why, I'm Duncan's greatest treasure. He'd be a fool to give me up," she added. "And even you must know that Duncan is anything but a fool.”

“I've just vowed my love for you. Have you nothing to say in return?" Duncan asked."Thank you, husband.”

“He shrugged. "I was...thinking.""About what?""The fires of purgatory."She had to sit down. He wasn't making any sense now. "What does that mean?" she asked."Patrick told me he would walk through the fires of purgatory if he had to in order to please his wife."She went over to the bed and sat down on the side. "And?" she prodded when he didn't continue.He stripped out of his clothing and walked over to her. He pulled her to her feet and stared down to her."And I have only just realized I would do the same for you.”

“For though Duncan was a mere mortal, flawed as well, he'd accomplished a daring feat. Aye, he'd captured an angel. And she belonged to him.”

“You're bruised, as ugly as one of your Cyclops, and I can barely stand to look at you." - Duncan to Madelyne.”

“She wished she could understand her reaction to him. Why, her heart was pacing a wild beat again.Madelyne dared a quick look up and found Duncan was watching her intently. He looked so handsome.She wanted him to be ugly.”