“You're such a prude. It's pathetic."Eesh."What I am is too much of a lady to say what you are.”

“You could be a gambler. A thief, for all I know. Besides—” He captured her hand and stoppedher from walking on, holding her in place.“Besides what, you insufferable prude?”“Prude, eh? Do you need another kiss to remind you what a prude I am?”“Don’t you dare.”“Then don’t call me names.”“You started it.”

“I knew what I'd say to him: You're much too late. We went ahead with our lives without you.”

“How are you managing? And don't say you're fine."It's true. Whatever the opposite of fine is, that's what I am.”

“I suppose in the end it's almost too easy to look back and say what you should have done, how you might have changed things. What's harder - what's much, much harder - is to accept what you actually did do.”

“But just for the sake of argument, let's say I am cornered. Or perhaps I am in the middle of a crowded ballroom and do not want to make a scene. If you were flirting with a young lady who had just told you not to call her sweetheart, what would you do?""I would accede to her wishes and bid her good night," he said starchily."You would not!" Henry accused with a playful smile. "You're a terrible rake, Dunford. Belle told me.""Belle talks too much," he muttered.”