“It means that you are my freedom, love.""Yes," she whispered. That was it exactly. "And you are mine.”

“Canada is lovely," she breathed against his lips. "And you are lovely."His laughter ghosted into her mouth. "That's my line, Lyd. You are supposed to think me handsome”

“and I said, 'That is why you don't climb mountains, Gwen.' But now I wonder. You aren't afraid of heights.""No", she said. "Not particularly.""Only missteps."She paused midstroke. Did he mean to imply this had been a misstep? "I was afraid," she said carefully. "For a very long time. But no longer." "So was I," he said, and lifted her chin and kissed her.”

“After a long moment, the Countess sat back down. "So," she said. "You … do love her. I must say, you look peculiarly resigned to it."He shrugged. "It is not fresh news for me.""And for Emma?""Neither welcomed nor openly acknowledged.""But acknowledged all the same, you believe.""Perhaps," he said. "I cannot know. Not anymore."-Delphinia, Lady Chad and Julian”

“You are...beyond my imagination. It's a wonder you can be touched at all.”

“You came for me,” she whispered.His hand wound through her hair, cradling her. “I will always come for you,” he said.”

“She had always loved him, after all. And perhaps he knew it. Perhaps he saw more than she had suspected. And despite it, he did not look away.”