“She tilted her head, considering the sensation. "It is strange."He gave a hiss of laughter at the words. "It only gets stranger, darling. But we shall try for something more.”

“You once accused me of never considering the consequences,” she said, willing him to understand. To see. “Of never thinking of what comes next.”“What comes next is, we marry.”She shook her head. “Now you are not considering the consequences. I shall always be your scandal, Simon. Never entirely worthy.”

“Also-and this is critical-you are not ugly." She blinked.Nick's eyes danced with amusement."Remember, Isabel. It was your brother who said it. I would not dare to take credit for such pretty words. I would have said something more pedestrian. It takes a great orator to come up with -""Not ugly." She gave a little shake of her head."What a lovely compliment.”

“What does Éloa mean?”He narrowed his gaze, answered her literally. “It’s the name of an angel.”Penelope tilted her head, thinking. “I’ve never heard of him.”“You wouldn’t have.”“Was he a fallen angel?”“She was, yes.” He hesitated, not wanting to tell her the story, but unable to stop himself. “Lucifer tricked her into falling from heaven.”“Tricked her how?”He met her gaze. “She fell in love with him.”Penelope’s eyes widened. “Did he love her?”Like an addict loves his addiction. “The only way he knew how.”She shook her head. “How could he trick her?”“He never told her his name.”

“I do hope we shall meet again. Perhaps we could have a reading club of some sorts. I 've read that one." She leaned in. "Have you reached the part where Mr. Darcy proposes?"Asriel narrowed his gaze on Cross. "She did that on purpose."Pippa shook her head. "Oh, I did not ruin it. Elizabeth refuses." She paused. "I suppose I did ruin that. Apologies.”

“To be honest, I thought it was similar to animal husbandry."Sally's tone turned dry. "Sometimes, my lady I'm afraid it isn't that different."Pippa paused, considering the ords. "Is that so?""Men are uncomplicated, generally," Sally said, all too sage. "They're beasts when they want to be.""Brute ones!""Ah, so you understand."Pippa tilted her head to one side. "I've read about them."Sally nodded. "Erotic texts?""The book of Common Prayer....”

“everyone who sees us -- especially Stanhope, who has been friends with us both for years -- knows we're just out for a ride. Not out for a ride."He looked at her, shaking his head in confusion. "Women truly are strange and unknowable creatures”