“Congratulations?" Martin's expression was like boiling milk. "Congratulations? I will not permit my sister to marry such a rogue.""Martin, darling." Juliana said, putting a gentle hand on her husband's arm, "I completely understand your misgivings but I do think we should consider the matter calmly.""Calmly!" Martin spun around. "I am not calm!""I think we all realize that, dearest," Juliana said.”

“Sebastian stretched. Clara stared. She could not help it. He was still in his breeches and shirt and she was riveted by the deliciously tight fit of the buckskins over his thighs."You could avert your eyes," Sebastian said mildly. "I could," Clara agreed, "but I am not going to."He smiled. "Hussy.""I know. But I have waited a long time--”

“He'll admit to his feelings when he's in his cups."The valet nodded. "That's true, ma'am. If we could get him drunk."Clara stifled a laugh. "I am not certain I would want a man who has to be drunk to admit his love for me.”

“In a letter to Sebastian..."My brother is preoccupied with affairs of state and all the more suitable of his friends are unavailable at present, which only leaves you..."Seb winced. The minx. She knew how to deliver a neat insult.”

“So Lizzy,' said he one day, 'your sister is crossed in love I find. I congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.”

“I was in the kitchen drinking coffee when I heard Coretta cry, "Martin, Martin, come quickly!" I put down my cup and ran toward the living room. As I approached the front window Coretta pointed joyfully to a slowly moving bus: "Darling, it's empty!”

“I think right about now we have to beware of marketed Malcolms and Martins. Real people do real things.”