“Wait and see," Claire said excitedly. "Your husband will not be able to resist you."Grace hoped Claire was right.Since the night he had kissed her in the drawing room after their disastrous dinner party,he had done a magnificent job of exactly that.”

“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.”

“I didn't think you would be able to find me.I was so frightened..."He took hold of her hand, brought it to his lips. "I would have looked forever if I'd had to.”

“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.”

“The trail gets a might steep through here. I'd advise you to start paying attention instead of daydreaming about your beau." His tone annoyed her and she couldn't resist answering in kind. "What's the matter, Mr. Langley, afraid I'll fall off a cliff, and you won't be able to collect your reward? That is what your after,isn't it? The reward. Just like in the posters:Wanted dead or alive,Julia Ashton,for unspeakable crimes of the heart.”

“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.”

“As she stepped off the platform, the material parted and he got a gimpse of stockinged feet and slender calves, a single lacy blue garter.His body tightened.He'd been hard off and on for hours.Now his shaft filled again, lengthened and began to throb. Silently he cursed.If he didn't know this was often the way selections were made, he would have wondered if Grace might not be torturing him on purpose.She had seduced him on the ship, he recalled, instantly wishing he hadn't as the ache in his groin grew worse.”