“Don't you dare die. You have to live so I can curse you up and down for scaring me like this”

“I can't promise that I'll never be an ass, or that I'll never make you cry. I can't promise that I won't make you so angry you want to cosh me over the head with a brick. I can't promise you forever...I'd love to, but I can give you right now. I can give you me in all my defective glory.”

“Don't mistake me, Treasure. I can offer you many things, but friendship ain't one of them. Now, for once in your life, be a sensible girl and run away.”

“I thought you lot brought a buildin' down on 'is 'ead.""We did," Sam replied before she could. "I don't think it took.”

“Your face is burning so bright, I'm afraid for the draperies. Are you all right?"Fortunately, no one ever died of embarrassment. "Must be the sun. I always end up looking like a tomato.""Right," her friends drawled. "Because the sun is so very hot through those thick rain clouds.""Oh, shut up!" Emily laughed despite herself. "I'm blushing and I've not intention of explaining why.”

“What I have is hardly a talent,” she replied. A curse, perhaps. More than likely a demon. What she needed was a good exorcism.”

“You’re not going to take advantage of me, are you?” The cushions felt so nice behind her head. It was so nice to lie down. “Novels are always warning young women of the dangers of being taken advantage of by wealthy young men.”“You are perfectly safe. Emily is here to protect your virtue.”“That’s too bad.”