“It was a fine night for treachery - dark with a pale moon rising.”

“Wh-what doyou think you are doing?""I am getting some sleep, Governess. And so help me, if you keep me from it, yourlovely backside will be a latticework of switch marks."Summer held her breath as Wade yawned, shifted, and settled into a more comfortableposition.Surely he was not thinking she would remain with him like this for the rest of the night!"Captain Wade, I must insist--!""Blood”

“Ah, Maura, ye were right," he whispered. "All those years ago ye were right."Alexander leaned forward, and Lochiel waved his hand in a dismissing gesture. "'Tis naught but somethin' Maura said tae me on our weddin' night. She said we Highlanders possess the pride o' lions. Like lions, we nae fear tae temper our actions, only pride tae govern them.”

“The purpose behind your aggravating persistence eludes me, sirrah. What is it exactly that you wish to know? Lord Lucien is a fine, noble gentleman – ”“Who loves you to the point of distraction and cannot bear to think of a prolonged separation.”“A noble gentleman,” she reiterated furiously, “who – ”“Who wants something you have, and is willing to sacrifice his much prized freedom to get it.”She flushed hotly. “There may have been some consideration given to the dowry, but – ”“My lady,” the rogue laughed outright. “You are far too modest. With what you bring into the marriage you will turn Lincoln into his small, private domain. A kingdom, if you will, with a dragon on the throne and a nest of serpents writhing at his feet, eager to do his bidding.”

“Excuse me," she said tartly, "but this is my horse. It is, in effect, my clearing as well, so if you don't mind I would prefer that you leave here at once."Amused, he raised an eyebrow. "And if I said I preferred to stay?"She drew a slow breath. "I would say that you were a nuisance and a trespasser, as impudent and lacking in scruples as any man I have ever had the misfortune to meet. And one who no doubt has had thoughts of poaching, even if he has not done so already."He edged closer, and Catherine felt the heat of the midnight eyes rake her again."Indeed, I am beginning to have thoughts, Mistress Ashbrooke," he murmured. "But not of poaching.”

“Note savages, eh? They live in mountain caves and dress like wild men. They walk about in woolen petticoats, which they are not in the least modest about casting aside when they need their sword arms free. Dash me, can you even begin to imagine the sight of a horde of naked, hairy-legged creatures charging at you across a battlefield like bloody fiends out of hell—screaming and flailing those great bloody swords and axes of theirs like scythes? Not savages?”

“How can love be frightening?""When it consumes you. When it binds you to all other considerations. When you can no longer distinguish right from wrong, love becomes a terrible burden and it can destroy you as readily as it can save you."Catherine pondered the words carefully, then sighed. "I don't think I would ever want to be that much in love.”