“You're a damn dog," Adam finally snapped."If you're good enough to fuck someone, be a man enough to take responsibility for the result”

“Everton" (Francis)Alex turned his head to view a rainbow peacock mask bobbing toward him. "Good Lord, Francis, you are replendent," he said admiringly.The peacock stopped beside him. "Dash it, Everton, how'd you know it was me?"You're still wearing your faux ruby ring.”

“He sighed. “You’ve chosen poorly, you know. When we return to England you’ll be celebrated, just as I will be. If you’ve decided to abandon me, you might have netted someone titled, someone with enough wealth to see you esteemed and me able to continue my botanical studies. That would have been the aim of a dutiful daughter.”“I’m not abandoning you, and I chose Shaw. You’re the one who declined to attend your daughter’s wedding.”“You never used to speak to me like this. A dutiful child would never have accepted a proposal from the first man who asked, simply because he did ask.”“He didn’t propose to me. I proposed to him.”Finally he looked more surprised than angry and frustrated. “You proposed to him?”“Yes, because I didn’t think he believed me when I said that I loved him. I can hardly blame him, since I had to think about it for an entire day after he said it to me, but I do love him. More than I can articulate to you.”

“I don't think there'll be a next time, my lady.” Saint smiled. “But thank you for the offer.”Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You're welcome. My, my, manners. Where have you been—church?”

“Did you hear that?” the duke asked with a wide grin, turning to Dare. “She said 'papa.'“The viscount returned the candy dish and tea tray to the relocated end table. “I distinctly heard'baboon.'““Hm, well, you're distinctly deaf.”

“Saint took a seat at the main faro table at the Society club. “What the devil is a ladies' political tea?”Tristan Carroway, Viscount Dare, finished placing his wager, then sat back, reaching for his glass ofport. “Do I look like a dictionary?”“You're domesticated.” Saint motioned for a glass of his own, despite unfriendly looks from the tables'other players. “What is it?”“I'm not domesticated; I'm in love. You should try it. Does wonders for your outlook on life.”“I'll take your word for it, thank you.”

“So you intend to spend the remainder of your life whoring, drinking, wagering, and being as outrageous as you can manage?"Bram shook himself. He made it a point to be serious as little as possible, and neither did he want to argue with two newly married men about the meruts of being leg-shackled."Please Phin," he said aloud. "I would never think so small. You know my ultimate goal is to lower the standards of morality enough that everything I do becomes acceptable.”