“She wanted that lifetime. She would never leave him,and even better, he would never let her go.”

“I thought he would calm down from whatever made him mad and see reason by now, but I actually think he is going to marry your nit-wit sister and she is going to let him!""She only agreed because that's what she thought everyone wanted her to do!""Well,Lily picked a perfect time to start thinking of others.”

“Didn't she know that she would always be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen,for she was the first to truly see him?”

“Know this,I won't let you leave.""Oh,my lord," Bronwyn hissed back as she continued to fake a smile to those around her, "if I want to leave...I will.""And then I will follow you and be most unhappy at the effort."Bronwyn dropped her sham expression of bliss to glare at him directly. "I wonder if you would truly care or even notice.""You are mine, Bronwyn.Now and forever. And I would notice.""Why should I care?""Because you would be destroying everyone's Christmas.For if you try to depart from Hunswick without my approval, I will find you and use every able mad to do so."Bronwyn openly gaped at him,realizing he was completely serious.Father Morrell, in hearing distance of the conversation, made another one of his blaring coughs. He then gave them both a slicing look she hadn't thought possible out of the cherublike face and held up a bowl of spiced and scented water. "It is a time for quiet. A day for being with loved ones, and sharing love together..." The man had started his sermon, making further conversation just like everything else around her...impossible.”

“So if it wasn't fear or embarrassment,then it had to have been pride spurring her abrupt departure...and her parting words. At least,it better have been,because whether Bronwyn knew it or not, he was the last man she would ever know or touch.”

“This morning, he had been doomed for a dismal eternity,but instead, standing before him was a woman giving him everything he had dreamed of but never thought he would possess.”

“Bronwyn is very much like myself, in both looks and temperament.""Then she likes to command and manipulate those around he," Ranulf interjected to prove he was listening.Laon sent him a slicing glance before answering. "Aye,and if you think me stubborn and relentless, you will rediscover the meaning if you and my eldest daughter ever disagree upon something.And prepare to lose,for even if you are right,she will wear you down until you find yourself acquiescing on the one point you swore never to concede," Laon cackled,obviously recalling one or two times in which she had bested him.Then his voice changed. "But I thank the Lord for her steadfastness and prudence. With my absence,I suspect all have been looking to her for guidance,and they were right to do so," he breathed softly. "Though no man would want her,she is strong in spirit and in mind and the only person I would trust to ensure her sisters are safe and well.""Which one is Eydthe?""My middle child.She is small, but don't let that deceive you when you meet her.She inherited her Scottish grandmother's temper as well as her dark red hair.Of all of my daughters, her mind is the sharpest,but so is her tongue.It is my youngest,Lily,that I worry about the most when it comes to your men," Laon sighed. "She is the spitting image of her mother.Tall and slender with long dark raven hair and gray eyes,she snatches the soul of every man who looks upon her."And as if he could read Ranulf's mind,he added, "And her disposition is just as sweet.She sees only the good things in life and,as a consequence, brings joy wherever she goes."Ranulf conscientiously fought to refrain from showing his true reaction-nausea.”