“She can't force us to go to the ball. We're grown men, for Lord's sake!"Will cocked an eyebrow at his younger brother. "You don't think she can force us? We are speaking of the same mother, correct? Small frame,enormous will?”

“You might consider letting us go and minding your own business...or else I shall be forced to stomp on your foot, sir.""My lord," he corrected, sounding amused at her threat. "Daniel, Lord Woodrow.”

“No, I mean with us. Do you think we would have made it?"It took a moment for her to answer. "I don't know, Noah. I really don't, and you don't either. We're not the same people we were then.We've changed. Both of us."She paused. He didn't respond, and in the silence she looked towards the creek. She went on. "But yes, Noah, I think we would have. At least, I'd like to think we would have.”

“We tend to think of the erotic as an easy, tantalizing sexual arousal. I speak of the erotic as the deepest life force, a force which moves us toward living in a fundamental way.”

“I really don't think anyone can blame us for wanting no part of the marriage mart if she is already the belle of the ball," Ella said. "My mother even hadthe audacity to ask me earlier if I didn't think I should have a gown made like hers! Lord deliver me from the London season”

“Give us what belongs to us in peace, and if you don't give it to us in peace, we will take it by force.”