“-"Nick?""I'm still here, Laurant."-"Did you tell Tommy we slept together?""No, but you just did. He's standing right here."She fell asleep. But this time she didn't have any dreams or nightmare.”

“Why? Why did you do this to me?" "He's going to come after me. He won't just kill me. He'll go after you, too." "That's right, He can't take the chance. I didn't tell you about it...why?" He repeated on a sob? "Why did you-"You wouldn't take me to New York"His mouth dropped open "NEW YORK?" he shouted. "You did all this because I wouldn't take, you to New York!”

“I didn't sleep with Brodick," she blurted out. "I have no need for a priest.""Yes, you did too.""Alec, it isn't polite to contradict your elders.""But, Mama...""Hush, sweetheart."Gillian glared at Brodick. He could easily correct this horrid misunderstanding if he would only offer a quick explanation. He wasn't inclined. He winked at her. "I didn't know a face could get that red," he remarked."Do explain," she demanded."Explain what?" he asked, feigning innocence.She turned to Judith. "We were camping...and it isn't what it sounds like...I did sleep, and when I awakened...they were all there...""They?" Iain asked."His soldiers.""You slept with his soldiers too?”

“Only after the words were spoken did she realize what she had said. "My sins are all your fault, Brodick, and if I have to go to purgatory, then by God, you're going with me. Ramsey, if you do not stop laughing,I swear I shall toss you over this cliff.""Do you love him, lass?" Father asked."I do not," she answered emphatically."It isn't a requirement," Laggan pointed out."I should hope not," she cried."But it would make your life easier," he countered."Gillian, you will tell the truth," Brodick demanded.He grabbed hold of her hand. She tried to pull back, but he wouldn't let go."I have told the truth. I don't love Ramsey, and if he doesn't stop laughing at me, the Sinclairs will soon be looking for a new laird.""Not Ramsey," Laggan shouted so he could be heard over Ramsey's laughter. "I'm asking you if you love Brodick.""Did you tell Father I love you? Who else did you tell?”

“Listen, you. Don't threaten me. I could make your life a nightmare. He put his hand in front of her face and unfolded three fingers as he said, I'm F-B-I. She smiled. It wasn't the reaction he expected. You want to talk nightmares? she said. She put her hand up to his face and unfolded her three fingers. I'm I-R-S.”

“She didn't have any intention of crying. The tears caught her by surprise. She knew she was behaving like a child, that she was being terribly foolish and emotional, but she didn't know how to stop herself."Judith?" His thumb brushed away one of the tears on her cheek. "Tell me why you're crying.""There weren't any flowers. Iain, there should have been flowers."Her voice had been so soft, he wasn't certain he understood her. "Flowers?" he asked."Where weren't there any flowers?"He waited for her to explain, but she stubbornly remained silent. He squeezed her."In the chapel.""What chapel?""The one you don't have," she answered.”

“What did you say to the messenger, mi'lady? Do you remember the exact words of your last proposal?"She recognized Quinlan's voice behind her.How in thunder could she possibly remember? Hadn't any of them been listening?She couldn't turn to face Quinlan because their leader still had hold of her, and he didn't seem to be theleast bit inclined to let go."I probably said, 'Will you marry me?'"Connor smiled. He pulled her toward him, lowered his head, and kissed her just long enough to stun her.He lifted his head then, looked into her eyes, and finally spoke to her."Yes, Brenna. I will marry you.”