“I'm afraid I've got to leave for a while. Will you be all right while I'm gone.""I'm pregnant,Ethan,not dying of the plague.I'll be quite all right while you are away."He seemed to miss the humor. "Are you certain?""Actually,I could use a moment to myself.You've been hovering over me like a hen with a chick since the day you came home."His mouth faintly curved. "And I shall continue to do so until your babe has arrived.”

“I can't believe this." Temper still high, she planted her hands on her hips. "For weeks, I have imagined you making love to me.I even tried to seduce you." So he had been right about that. "Now-when we are in the middle of the Duke of Sheffield's ball-you decide you want me.""I've never stopped wanting you,Grace."She started to back away. "You made me look like a fool."Ethan stalked to her, matching her step for step. Now that his mind was made up,he intended to have her and soon. "You didn't look the least like a fool. You looked like a woman whose husband desired her."Her back came up against the door."You...you are still the pirate you were aboard your ship!""That's right.And I intend to plunder the treasure I acquired the day we were wed.”

“So you'll be keeping the Sea Devil," she said.His light eyes roamed over her, settled for a moment on her breasts. "I'm keeping her. The ship holds a number of interesting memories I wouldn't want to forget."His eyes said he was remembering their numerous encounters-and the final delicious outcome-and a faint smile tugged at his lips.”

“Ethan! What on earth are you doing?""Excuse us,please.It is very warm in here and my wife has begun to feel a little faint." With a smile fixed on his face,giving a series of the same brief explanation,he carried her through the crush,out the front door of the mansion,along the gravel drive to where his carriage was parked."Home,Jennings," he said to the coachman as a footman opened the door. "And don't spare the horses." Setting her swiftly on the carriage seat, he climbed in and took a place beside her."Are you insane?" Grace stared at him with disbelief as the matched pair of grays stepped into their traces and the coach jolted forward. "We can't just leave. We're the guests of honor! What will people think?""They will thank that I am ravenous for my wife's lovely body,and I am.""But-""Another word,Grace, and I swear I will take you right here."Her eyes widened for an instant, then she sat back on the seat of the carriage, careful to keep facing forward, casting him only an occasional sideways glance.If his body hadn't been throbbing with such urgent need,he might have smiled.”

“Ethan's gaze returned to the swell of her breast above the top of her gown. "Cord once mentioned a room here at Sheffield House on the second floor, rather out of the way,I understand, and rarely used.I don't think anyone would miss us if we disappeared for a while, do you?"Her pulse quickened. She couldn't look away from the smoky heat in his eyes or the sensual curve of his lips. They were equally matched, she thought, and perfectly mated,her mind slipping ahead to what would happen in that room. "No,I don't believe they would miss us in the least."His look burned hotter. He glanced at the crush of people surrounding them, spoke just loudly enough for them to hear. "Come,my love.It's a bit warm in here.Why don't we take a stroll in the garden?"Grace bit back a smile. "That is a very good notion,my lord.I believe the night is clear enough for us to see the stars.The Great Bear and the Little Lion should be visible tonight and I am ever so eager to see them."Ethan's smile held a trace of amusement that disappeared beneath a look of sensual heat.”

“I've met your cousin," he told her, and her veins turned to ice."Oh,really? When was that?""A little over two years ago.I'm afraid it wasn't a very pleasant encounter.""What a surprise," she said sarcastically. Then she couldn't resist asking, "What did you think of her?"Hawk watched her intently. "She seemed nice enough. She's no better at following orders than you are-and not nearly as pretty." He grinned broadly. It was the first real smile she'd seen."What would you like for dinner?" she asked, moving the subject to safer ground. Her cheeks burned from the compliment-or insult-she wasn't sure which.”

“James and I happened onto the scene and foiled the robber's plans. We're good at that-foiling plans,I mean. Don't you agree,Miss Ashton?""There seems to be very little on which we agree, Mr. Langley.”