“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?”

“Obviously no one has ever cautioned you against pricking the vanity of proud men or wild animals; neither is completely predictable.""And which of those categories do you fit into?""I'll leave the choice solely to your discretion," he mused and bowed solicitously.”

“He laughed softly. "My dearest Mistress Ashbrooke, while I will admit to a certain misguided attraction to your more earthly charms, I would not now, or ever, consider them worth relinquishing my freedom. I would not relinquish that for you or, indeed, any other woman."The candor heightened the flush in her cheeks. "You have an aversion to marriage, sir?""Distinct and everlasting, madam. But aside from that, do I honestly strike you as the type of man who would take an unwilling wife to hearth and home?""I suppose ... if I thought about it ..."He laughed again. "If women thought about a tenth of the things they should think about, I warrant the world would be a far less complicated place to live in.”

“Indeed, sir, I would be more than willing to do whatever I can to speed my mistress and myself away from this accursed country and away from the likes of you." She looked Alex directly in the eye. "You, sir, ride with death on your shoulder, and it does not make for pleasant company.”

“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.”

“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”

“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.”