“We froze. Neither of us moving, simply staring at each other, wondering if the other was going to move first. "You are," he whispered, "uncommonly stirring." He closed his eyes then, as if he had to in order to break the bond between us, then lifted me to the saddle and stared at the ground as he guided my feet into the stirrups.”

“His eyes opened, and he stared at me. The morning light was streaming through the window,and my hair rolled in waves over either shoulder.“God has smiled upon me. I have the most beautiful wife in all the land.”

“He hesitated, as if wrestling with the desire to cross the space between us and kiss me until I admitted I was just a tiny bit in love with him too. But he didn't. He didn't.”

“They shall never believe that a young lord of Siena would march directly into their camp.""And if they do?"He gave me another small smile. "Then my beloved lady shall have to come and rescue me.""Us," Luca corrected him, slurring his words now. "Have to rescue us."He adjusted Luca across his shoulders. "Stay with me, Luca," he said sternly."Can't get much closer m'lord," Luca mumbled.”

“God," she said, her tone gently reproving, "brought Mr.Kensington to you, and with him, a world of potential. As I see it, each of our lives is a journey, Miss Cora. A path that takes us over the mountain or down through a dark valley. But He never abandons us. Never. That is how He cares for us - walking with us every step of the way.”

“Lia let out a low growl and moved her arrow to the base of his fat throat. "What do you think, Gabi? Would you like to see these nuptials through?""Not this day," I said"How about on the morrow?" Marcello asked, smiling and lifting my hand to his lips. "If I am your groom?""Hold that eHarmony thought," Lia whispered in English. "We gotta get out of here.”

“Lia aimed, shifted and waited, watching one man peek out time and time again. She let her arrow fly anticipating his next peek at us and it pierced his eye.“Okay that’s just going to make ’em mad ” I said.“Three hundred and ninety-two ” she said to Luca tossing her braid over her shoulder and taking aim again.“Saints in heaven ” he said to me rolling his eyes “how much deeper in love can I yet fall?”