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He Was So Far From The Gallant Knights In Her Romantic Fantasies ... He Was Tarnished, Scarred, Imperfect. Deliberately He Had Destroyed Any Illusions She Might Have Had About Him, Exposing His Mysterious Past For The Ugly Horror That It Was. His Purpose Had Been To Drive Her Away. But Instead She Felt Closer To Him, As If The Truth Had Bonded Them In A New Intimacy.

-Lisa Kleypas

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He Was So Far

Lisa Kleypas

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He Was So Far From The Gallant Knights In Her Romantic Fantasies ... He Was Tarnished, Scarred, Imperfect. Deliberately He Had Destroyed Any Illusions She Might Have Had About Him, Exposing His Mysterious Past For The Ugly Horror That It Was. His Purpose Had Been To Drive Her Away. But Instead She Felt Closer To Him, As If The Truth Had Bonded Them In A New Intimacy.

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It Was A Train Wreck Happening Right In Front Of Me And I Couldn't Do Anything About It, Except That Not Only Was I Watching, I Was Also The Train.

Neither Of Us Seemed Able To Be Close To Anyone. Not Even Each Other. Closeness Meant The One You Loved The Most Would Cause You The Most Damage. How Did You Unlearn That? It Was Woven Deep Between Every Fiber And Vessel. You Couldn't Cut It Out.

I Knew I Would Replay The Scene Countless Times In The Years Before Me, Each Time Thinking Of Different Things I Should Have Said And Done. But All I Did Was Walk Away Without Looking Back.

Leo Smiled And Stroked Her Hair. 'we'll Both Be Fine, Marks. We've Just Begun Our Journey...and There's So Much We Have Yet To Do.' He Spoke More Softly As He Heard Her Breathing Turn Even And Steady. 'rest Against My Heart. Let Me Watch Over Your Dreams. And Know That Tomorrow Morning, And Every Morning After That, You'll Awaken Next To Someone Who Loves You.' 'dodger?' She Mumbled Against His Chest, And He Grinned. 'no, Your Confounded Ferret Will Have To Stay In His Basket. I Was Referring To Myself.' 'yes, I Know.' Catherine Slid Her Hand Up To His Cheek. 'only You,' She Said. 'always You.

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Do You Know What A Balance Wheel Is?” She Shook Her Head Slightly. “there’s One In Every Clock Or Watch. It Rotates Back And Forth Without Stopping. It’s What Makes The Ticking Sound...what Makes The Hands Move Forward To Mark The Minutes. Without It, The Watch Wouldn’t Work. You’re My Balance Wheel, Poppy.” -harry Rutledge

One Could Pick Apart Love, Examine Every Filament Of Attraction, And Still It Would Never Be Fully Explained. It Simply Was.

I Didn't Think There Was Any Way To Convince Jack That He Wanted More Than I Had To Give, That To People Who'd Been Damaged The Way I Had Been, Fear And The Will To Survive Would Always Be More Powerful Than Attachment. I Could Only Love In A Limited Way

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It Was Often In Small Moments That Significant Things Were Revealed.

Significant Things

Significant Moments

Do You Think I Should Stay Away From Him?" I Asked In A Scratchy Voice. Todd Took A Long Time To Answer. "my Advice Is, If You're Inclined In That Direction, Go With Your Eyes Open. It's Okay To Let Someone Play You, Haven, As Long As You Know What's Going On.

I Have So Much Love For You, I Could Fill Rooms With It. Buildings. You’re Surrounded By It Wherever You Go, You Walk Through It, Breathe It...it’s In Your Lungs, And Under Your Tongue, And Between Your Fingers And Toes...” His Mouth Moved Passionately Over Hers, Urging Her Lips Apart. It Was A Kiss To Level Mountains And Shake Stars From The Sky. It Was A Kiss To Make Angels Faint And Demons Weep...a Passionate, Demanding, Soul-searing Kiss That Nearly Knocked The Earth Off Its Axis. Or At Least That Was How Poppy Felt About It.

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I Stand By My Opinions When I Know I'm Right, Captain Phelan. Whereas You Stand By Yours Merely Because You're Stubborn.

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Dear Lord,” She Said In A Strangled Whisper. “i Can Bear It For A While...but Please Don't Let It Hurt Forever.

To Be Honest," I Halfwhispered, "i Don't Feel As Safe With Him As I Do With You." "i Know." A Ghost Of A Smile Touched My Lips. "how Do You Know?" "think About What Safety Is, Ella." "trust?" "yes, Partly. But Also An Absence Of Risk." He Unstuck A Strand Of Hair From My Damp Cheek And Tucked It Back. "maybe You Need To Take A Risk. Maybe You Need To Be With Someone Who Rattles You A Little.

I've Never Known Anyone More Ill Equipped For Happiness. He Wouldn't Know What To Do With It.

Bad Divorce?" Hardy Asked, His Gaze Falling To My Hands. I Realized I Was Clutching My Purse In A Death Grip. “no, The Divorce Was Great,” I Said. “it Was The Marriage That Sucked.

Make Your Choice And Accept The Consequences.

I Didn't Know How To Stop Wanting Him. It Wasn't That I Had Any Hope—i Knew I'd Never See Him Again. But That Didn't Stop Me From Comparing Every Other Man To Hardy And Finding Them All Lacking. I Had Exhausted Myself Loving Him.

It Was A Kiss To Level Mountains And Shake Stars From The Sky. It Was A Kiss To Make Angels Faint And Demons Weep...a Passionate, Demanding, Soul-searing Kiss That Nearly Knocked The Earth Off Its Axis.

Sleep, My Love," He Whispered, Smoothing Her Long Hair, Lifting The Damp Locks Away From The Back Of Her Neck. "i'll Be Here To Watch Over You." "you Sleep Too," She Said Groggily, Her Hand Creeping To The Center Of His Chest. "no." Mckenna Smiled And Pressed A Soft Kiss Against Her Temple. His Voice Was Husky With Wonder. "not When Staying Awake Is Better Than Anything I Could Find In A Dream.

If My Love Can Hold You, I'll Keep You With Me.

... No Matter Where You Go Or What You Do, I'll Love Every Day For The Rest Of My Life.

The Question, Love, Is Whether You Want Me Enough To Take The Risk.

I Think You'll Have To Marry Me, Miss Fielding." "to Save Your Reputation?" Derek Grinned, Bending To Kiss The Flash Of Pale Throat Revealed By The Robe. "someone Has To Make A Respectable Man Of Me.

My Parents Never Said It. They Thought You Shouldn't Wear Out The Words

There Are Some Experiences In Life They Haven't Invented The Right Words For.

A Lang, Lang Time Ago…” Macphee Began, Ignoring St.vincent’s Low Groan, “there Was A Bonnie Maid Called Malvina. She Was The Betrothed Of Oscar, The Braw Warrior Who Won Her Heart. Oscar Bade His Beloved Tae Wait For Him While He Went Tae Seek His Fortune. But One Black Day Malvina Received Word That Her Lover Had Been Killed In Battle. He Would Lie Forever In Eternal Rest In The Faraway Hills…lost In Endless Slumber…” “god, I Envy Him,” St. Vincent Said Feelingly, Rubbing His Own Dark-circled Eyes.

Because Letting Someone In Close Meant They Could Hurt You. I Knew All About That Kind Of Fear. I Lived With It.

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I Scowled Defensively. "my Conversations Don't Usually Include The Subject Of Erections." "too Bad," He Said. "all The Best Conversations Do.

Once He Had Taken Hold, He Did Not Let Go. It Was Not A Handshake, It Was A Possession.

He Was My Confidant, The Person Who Was Always On My Side Even When He Wasn't Taking My Side.

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Good God. I Don’t Believe St. Vincent And The Word ‘celibacy’ Have Ever Been Mentioned In The Same Sentence Before.

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... I Discovered Life Sometimes Has A Way Of Giving You What You Need, But Not In The Form You Expect.

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I Can't Get It Out," She Said. "just Pull At It." "it Hurts. It's Throbbing." "pull Harder." "i Can't! It's Truly Stuck. I Need Something To Make It Slippery. Do You Have Some Sort Of Lubricant Nearby?" "no." "not Anything?" "much As It May Surprise You, We've Never Needed Lubricant In The Library Before Now.

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Well, You Missed Out On Some Important Protocol, Ella. You Can't Stand Between A Texan And His Power Tools. We Like Them. Big Ones That Drain The National Grid. We Also Like Truck-stop Breakfasts, Large Moving Objects, Monday Night Football, And The Missionary Position. We Don't Drink Light Beer, Drive Smart Cars, Or Admit To Knowing The Names Of More Than About Five Or Six Colors. And We Don't Wax Our Chests, Ever.

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You Deserve Someone Better Than Me. Someone Young And Idealistic…someone Who Can Experience Things For The First Time Along With You. I'm Not Always Kind, And I Have More Faults Than I'd Care To Name. All I Can Promise Is That I'll Want You Until My Last Breath.

I Had To Admit The Man Looked Amazing In Jeans. The Ancient Denim Clung Lightly To His Hips And Followed The Long Lines Of Some Remarkable Thigh Muscles. And Although I Made A Point Of Not Checking Out His Rear View, My Peripheral Vision Was Having A Very Good Day.” ~ Haven Travis On Hardy Cates

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We’ll Continue Our Discussion Later. Right Now I Intend To Escort Miss Peyton To Her Room.” “that Is Not A Wise Idea, In My Opinion,” The Earl Said. “i’m Glad I Didn’t Ask For It, Then,” Simon Returned Pleasantly

Anyone Who Had Ever Read A Novel Knew That Governesses Were Supposed To Be Meek And Downtrodden.

Don't Ever Trust Men With Good Intentions. They'll Always Disappoint You." Leo

Good Intentions

You Know," I Told Him On Our Wedding Night, "i'm Just As Much Me When I'm With You, As I Am Without You." And Because Hardy Understood What I Meant, He Pulled Me Into His Arms, Against His Heart.

Hunt Looked Like A Man Who Had Visited Many Woman's Beds And Knew Exactly What To Do In Them.

I Was A New Person In The Same World, Which Was A Lot More Difficult Than Being The Same Person In A New World.

No One Can Tell You What Your Path Is . . . But Someday You'll Discover It. . . And It Won't Be At All What You Expected.

For Thousands Of Nights I Dreamed Of Making Love To You. No Man On Earth Has Ever Hated Sunrise As I Do.

I Reflected That For All The People You Lost Touch With Or Couldn't Hold On To, Life Occasionally Made Up For It By Giving You The Right Person At The Right Time.

Annabelle Gave Him A Chiding Smile. “if You’re Implying That I’m Spoiled, I Assure You That I Am Not.” “you Should Be.” His Warm Gaze Slid Over Her Pink-tinted Face And Slender Upper Body, Then Sought Hers Again. There Was A Note In His Voice That Gently Robbed Her Of Breath. “you Could Do With A Bit Of Spoiling.

Shock Is A Merciful Condition. It Allows You To Get Through Disaster With A Necessary Distance Between You And Your Feelings.

The Travises Who Had Survived Were The Most Purely Stubborn People On Earth, The Kind Who Relied On Their Backbones When Their Wishbones Were Broken.

What You Should Really Be Sorry For," He Continued, "is That For The Rest Of My Life, I'll Have To Avoid Wine Cellars To Keep From Thinking About You." "why? Was Kissing Me That Bad?" A Devil-solf Whisper. "no Sweetheart. It Was That Good.

Thinking About You

I Think In A Moment Of Weakness, You Might Surprise Yourself.

For God's Sake, Marks, Do You Think Anyone Really Wants A Glance At Those Dried-up Matchsticks You Call Legs?

At First I Wasn’t All That Tempted By Him, But Then He Killed The Spider. Which Was A Huge Point In His Favor.” “absolutely. I Love Men Who Kill Bugs.” “and Then When I Was Freaking Out And Couldn’t Breathe, He Was So…gentle.” Zoe Sighed And Colored, Remembering. “he Was Holding Me, And Talking To Me In That Voice…you Know, Sort Of Low And Rough Around The Edges…” “all The Nolans Sound Like That,” Justine Said Reflectively. “like They’ve Got A Mild Case Of Bronchitis. Totally Hot.

You Can Keep A Bunch Of Crabs In A Shallow Container, And None Of Them Will Escape. Because As Soon As One Of 'em Tries To Climb Out, The Others Pull Him Back In." -hardy

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You're Always Looking For Some New Way To Tell The Same Story, But It's How They Get To The Happy End That Is The Challenge And The Fun For A Writer.

In This Life And The Next, You're My Only Hope At Happiness.

Slowly His Resistance Ebbed. She Felt The Change In His Body, The Relaxing Of Tension, His Shoulders Curving Around Her As If He Could Draw Her Into Himself. Murmuring Her Name, He Brought Her Hand To His Face And Nuzzled Ardently Into Her Palm, His Lips Brushing The Warm Circlet Of Her Gold Wedding Band. “my Love Is Upon You,” He Whispered…and She Knew Then That She Had Won.

Fate Is The Malevolent Little Jester Sitting Up In The Heavens And Pondering Over How Ridiculous We Humans Are And He Does His Best To Make Fools Out Of All Of Us. And Sooner Or Later He Succeeds.

Perhaps Only Those Who Had Loved And Lost Could Appreciate This Magic.

It Was Unfair That People Who Longed For Love The Most, Searched The Hardest For It, Found It So Elusive.

Fear You?" She Said Without Thinking. "good God, I Would Never Do That." Easing Her Head Back, Westcliff Looked At Her While A Slow Smile Spread Across His Face. "no, You Wouldn't," He Agreed. "you'd Spit In The Devil's Eye If It Suited You.

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Some Questions Change Everything.

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Was This Some New Level Of Depravity? Had He Developed A Spinster Fetish?

The Smarter You Are, The More Reasons You Have To Be Miserable.

I Didn't Want To Give You The One Last Part Of Myself That I Couldn't Take Back. And Then You Were Gone... And I Realized It Was Already Yours. It Had Been Since The Beginning. Except That I Hadn't Told You. It Drove Me Mad, The Thought That You Would Never Know.

Fencing Isn't Really Fighting. It's More Like Chess With The Risk Of Puncture Wounds

Ah, Evie,” She Heard Him Say Softly, “i Must Have A Heart, After All…because Right Now It Aches Like The Devil.” “only Your Heart?” She Asked Ingenuously, Making Him Laugh. He Lowered Her To The Bed, His Eyes Sparkling Wickedly. “also A Few Other Things,” He Conceded. “and As My Wife, It’s Your Duty To Ease All My Aches.

One Of The Women At The Clinic Had Remarked Dryly That Harrow's Personal Magnetism Not Only Affected Men, Women And Children But Also Extended To Armoires, Assorted Chairs And The Nearby Goldfish In A Bowl.

But Sometimes Normal Just Isn't Happening. Sometimes Crazy Feels Too Good To Resist.

One Of The Servants Had Reported That Daisy Had Been Sneaking Around The House At Night, Deliberately Tripping All The Traps To Keep The Mice From Being Killed. “is This True, Daughter?” Thomas Bowman Had Rumbled, His Gaze Filled With Ire As He Stared At Daisy. “it Could Be,” She Had Allowed. “but There Is Another Explanation.” “and What Is That?” Bowman Had Asked Sourly. Her Tone Turned Congratulatory. “i Think We Are Hosting The Most Intelligent Mice In New York!

The Situation Was Extraordinary. How Someone Like Evangeline Jenner Could Have Wrought Such A Change In St. Vincent, The Most Worldly Of Men, Was Difficult To Understand. However, Westcliff Had Learned That The Mysteries Of Attraction Could Not Always Be Explained Through Logic. Sometimes The Fractures In Two Separate Souls Became The Very Hinges That Held Them Together.

Those Blue Eyes Glinted With Uncivilized Suggestion. A Faint Smile Was Tucked In The Corner Of His Wide Mouth. Definitely Wouldn't Want To Be Alone In A Room With That Guy, I Thought. His Gaze Moved Downward In Lazy Inspection, Returned To My Face, And He Gave Me One Of Those Respectful Nods That Texan Men Had Raised To An Art Form.

No Miles Of Level Desert, No Jagged Mountain Heights, No Sea Of Endless Blue Neither Words Nor Tears, Nor Silent Fears Will Keep Me From Coming Back To You.

Bending His Head Over Hers, Leo Murmured, "when I Give You Away At The Altar, Bea, I Want You To Remember Something. I'm Not Really Giving You Away. I'm Merely Allowing Him The Chance To Love You As Much As The Rest Of Us Do.

Remember Something

He Stared At Me With Bitter Understanding. We Both Knew There Was No Room In This For Friendship. Nothing Left But Childhood History.

Baptists Don’t Spend Their Time Thinking About Reality.

A Lack Of Desire Is Something I've Never Experienced. I'd Have To Be On My Deathbed Before I Stopped Wanting-- No, Never Mind, I Was On My Deathbed In The Not-too-distant Past, And Even Then I Had The Devil's Own Itch For My Wife." -sebastian, Lord St. Vincent

A Long Time Ago I Learned Not To Explain Things To People. It Misleads Them Into Thinking They're Entitled To Know Everything I Do. -sara

I Know I'm A Bad Bargain. But I'm Begging You To Have Me Anyway. Because I Want A Chance To Make You As Happy As You Make Me. I Want To Build A Life With You." He Fought To Steady His Voice. "please Come To Me, Cat, Because There's No Surviving You. You Don't Have To Love Me Back. You Don't Have To Be Mine. Just Let Me Be Yours.

I’ve Lost Someone, Too. And There Were No Rules For How To Deal With The Death Of Someone You Loved. You Had To Accept That The Loss Would Always Stay With You, Like A Reminder Note Pinned To The Inside Of Your Jacket. But There Were Still Opportunities For Happiness. Even Joy.

I Had Learned This Lesson So Many Times Before. It Was The Great Inner Truth That Didn't Require The Support Of Logic. Every Time I Loved, I Lost, And I Was Diminished. I Wondered How Much Of Me Would Be Left After Tomorrow.

Oh, Daisy, It's Revolting The Way I Want To Fawn All Over Him. I'm Afraid I'm Going To Do Something Dreadfully Silly Today. Burst Into Song Or Something. For God's Sake, Don't Let Me.

Roy Received My Comments With A Forced Smile. "hardy, Didn't I Warn You Not To Date A Woman Who Reads?" Hardy Seemed Amused By My Outspokenness. "keeps The Arguing To A Minimum," He Replied. "no Point In Trying When I Know She's Going To Win.

It Didn't Help Matters That I Was Shy And Wore Glasses. I Was Never One To Stand Out In The Crowd. I Liked To Stay In Corners. And I Was Happiest When I Was Alone Reading. That And The Good Grades I Got In School Had Doomed Any Chance Of Being Popular With My Peers. So It Was A Foregone Conclusion That Boys Like Hardy Were Never Going To Take Notice Of Me.

If I Never Have Anything From Him Except This One Moment I Am Going To Take It. Take It Now, Or Drown In Regret Later.

You Wouldn't Have Taken Rose To Such A Place, Would You?" "of Course Not, But She Is A Little Girl, And I'm-" "my Life", He Interrupted Quietly. "you're My Entire Life. If Anything Ever Happens To You, Holly, There Is Nothing Left For Me.

And I Wonder How Gage Knew This Is What My Soul Has Craved. He Turns Me To Face Him, His Eyes Searching. It Occurs To Me That No One In My Life Has Ever Concerned Himself So Thoroughly With My Happiness.

I Like Pessimists. They’re Always The Ones Who Bring Life Jackets For The Boat.

A Lifetime With Such A Woman Was Not Nearly Enough.

Where Are We Going?” Annabelle Asked, Resisting His Hold On Her Wrist. “to The House. If They’re Not Willing To Be Witnesses, Then It Seems I’ll Have To Debauch You In Front Of Someone Else.

You Think I'd Cheat On You?" I Demanded With All The Innocent Outrage I Could Muster. "with Another Guy, No. With A Cheeseburger . . . In A Heartbeat.

Hunt Seemed Similarly Indifferent To The Show, His Head Inclined Toward Hers, His Gaze Locked On Her Face. Though His Breathing Remained Soft And Disciplined, It Seemed To Her That Its Rhythm Had Changed Ever So Slightly. Annabelle Moistened Her Dry Lips. “you …you Mustn’t Stare At Me Like That.” Soft As The Murmur Was, He Caught It. “with You Here, Nothing Else Is Worth Looking At.

If I Were An Opera Singer, I"d Have Sung You An Aria. If I Were An Artist, I Would Have Painted Your Portrait. But Cooking Is What I'm Best At.

Thunderstorms And Rainbows Wrapped Together In A Convenient Pocket-sized Parcel.

Ghost?” St. Vincent Shot Him An Incredulous Glance. “christ. You’re Not Serious, Are You?” "i’m A Gypsy,” Cam Replied Matter-of-factly. “of Course I Believe In Ghosts.” “only Half Gypsy. Which Led Me To Assume That The Rest Of You Was At Least Marginally Sane And Rational.” “the Other Half Is Irish,” Cam Said A Touch Apologetically. “christ,” St. Vincent Said Again, Shaking His Head As He Strode Away.

Scorpions Are Quite Ruthless, You Know. That Is Why Artemis Bid One Of Them To Kill Her Foe Orion. And As A Reward She Set The Scorpion On Up In The Sky. I'm Not Ruthless. I Merely Do Whatever It Takes To Achive My Goals That's Not Ruthless?

And There’s One More Thing To Be Aware Of ” Cam Said With A Wintry Softness That Disguised All Hint Of Feeling. “if You Succeed In Marrying Her We’re Not Losing A Sister. You’re Gaining An Entire Family—who Will Protect Her At Any Cost.

I'm One Of Those People Who Was Meant To Have A Very Ordinary Life. I Have No Special Talent, No Great Beauty, Nothing That Distinguishes Me From A Hundred, Thousand Other Girls. But I Can't Go Through An Entire Lifetime Without At Least One Night Of Magic.

He Was Unbelievably Hard. Everywhere. He Was In Control, Infinitely Stronger, And He Wanted Me To Know It. -ella

The Feeling Of Relinquishing Responsibility To Someone Else, Letting Him Take Control, Was A Relief Beyond Words.

A Sixty - Eight, He Wants You To Go Down On Him But He Won't Return The Favor. It Would Be Sixty-nine But He Owes You One.

I'm Scared Of Making The Biggest Mistake Of My Life. I'm Just Trying To Figure Out What The Mistake Is.

Where's Your Instruction Manual?" I Asked Him. "what's The Baby Customer-service Number?

Of All The Things He Wants," Liberty Said, "money's The Easiest To Get.

His Kisses Tapped Into Deep Mines Of Memory, And The Years That Had Separated Us Fell Away As If They Were Nothing.

Hardy's Either Done The Wrong Thing For The Wrong Reason . . . " Another Big Swallow. "or The Wrong Thing For The Right Reason.

It Would Only Lead To Disappointment, Even Heartbreak, And Her Heart Was Too Precious For Me To Let That Happen.

Beatrix, Do You Know What Happens To Girls Who Ask Such Naughty Questions?” “they’re Ravished In Haylofts?” She Inquired Hopefully.

And Poppy, Remember That Someday You Will Meet A Frog Who Will Turn Into A Handsome Prince." "good," Beatrix Said. "because All She's Met So Far Are Princes Who Turn Into Frogs." "mr. Bayning Is Not A Frog," Poppy Protested. "you're Right," Beatrix Said. "that Was Very Unfair To Frogs, Who Are Lovely Creatures.

Dad," I Said Hesitantly, "i Wish You Could Be There For Me Even When I'm Doing The Wrong Thing. I Wish You Could Love Me Even When I'm Screwing Up.

Now The Line Was Drawn. Lucy Had Never Thought That One Of The Fiercest Battles Of Her Life Would Be Fought Over A Breakfast Table, With Quiet Words Carefully Chosen.

I Spent Most Of My Youth Hauling Sides Of Beef And Pork To My Father's Shop. Carrying You Is Far More Enjoyable." "how Sweet," Annabelle Mumbled Sickly, Her Eyes Closed. "every Woman Dreams Of Being Told That She's Preferable To A Dead Cow.

Evie," Lillian Interupted Impatiently, "men Expect To Be Deceived In These Matters. They're Happiest That Way. If One Were Straightforward With Them The Whole Prospect Of Marriage Would Be Too Alarming, And None Of Them Would Ever Do It.

It Seemed As If Some Subtle Current Of Recognition Had Passed Between Them... Not As If They Had Met Before... But As If They Had Come Close Several Times Until Finally An Impatient Fate Had Forced Their Paths To Intersect.

But When You Started Dating Someone, You Could Never Be Sure What You Were Getting Into. You Had To Give Someone A Chance To Show You Who He Really Was . . . And Believe Him When He Did.

I Have Always Been An Obsessive Reader - I Remember Going Back And Forth To The Local Library With Stacks Of Books Taller Than I Was.

...it Was Better To Answer, No Matter How Ineptly, Thank To Withhold A Reply. Because Sometimes Silence Could Wound Someone Nearly As Badly As A Bullet.

Recently Mr. Mawdsley’s Donkey Escaped From His Stall, Raced Down The Road, And Somehow Found His Way Into An Enclosed Pasture. Mr. Caird’s Prized Mare Was Innocently Grazing When The Ill-bred Seducer Had His Way With Her. Now It Appears The Mare Has Conceived, And A Feud Is Raging Between Caird, Who Demands Financial Compensation, And Mawdsley, Who Insists That Had The Pasture Fencing Been In Better Repair, The Clandestine Meeting Would Never Have Occurred. Worse Still, It Has Been Suggested That The Mare Is A Shameless Lightskirt And Did Not Try Nearly Hard Enough To Preserve Her Virtue.

There Were Times In Life When You Had To Take A Risk That Might End In Failure. Because Otherwise You Would Be Haunted By What You Hadn’t Done... The Paths You Hadn’t Taken, The Things You Hadn’t Experienced.

Only Someone Who Had Experienced Such Bitter Despair Would Be Able To Recognize It In Another.

You Have To Rely On Whatever Sparks You Have Inside.

Darlin'...i Know What You Look Like When You've Been Kissed.

Of All The Hathaway Sisters,” Cam Said Equably, “beatrix Is The One Most Suited To Choose Her Own Husband. I Trust Her Judgment.” Beatrix Gave Him A Brilliant Smile. “thank You, Cam.” “what Are You Thinking?” Leo Demanded Of His Brother-in-law. “you Can’t Trust Beatrix’s Judgment.” “why Not?” “she’s Too Young,” Leo Said. “i’m Twenty-three,” Beatrix Protested. “in Dog Years I’d Be Dead.

My Peer Would Have To Be Dark-haired And Handsome, A Wonderful Dancer... And He Would Never Ask Permission Before He Kissed Me." -lillian Bowman

A Weak But Steady Throb Lay Beneath Kev's Searching Fingertips. Win's Heartbeat...the Pulse That Sustained His Universe.

Does He Behave In Rude Or Improper Ways?" "he's A Bowman. We Don't Know Any Better.

What Kind Of Wedding Would You Like?" He Asked, And Stole Another Kiss Before She Could Reply. "the Kind That Turns You Into My Husband." She Touched The Firm Line Of His Mouth With Her Fingers. "what Kind Would You Like?" He Smiled Ruefully. "a Fast One.

I Always Counsel Aspiring Novelists That Passion Is The Most Important Quality For A Writer To Possess - Technique Can Be Taught, But That Relentless Desire To Write Has To Come From Within.

The Firefly Is An Unassuming Insect In The Daytime. If You Didn't Know What It Was, You'd Think It Was Nothing Special. But At Night, The Firefly Glows With Its Own Light Source. The Darkness Brings Out Its Most Beautiful Gift. That's An Extraordinary Talent For An Ordinary-looking Creature, Isn't It?

Set The World Afire. Just Let Me Hand You The Matches.

I Will Admit, I Once Launched Myself At Julie Garwood For A Hug, Hoping Some Of Her Magic Would Rub Off On Me... And I Have Fangirl Crushes On Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard, And Kresley Cole, Among Many Others.

Sometimes A Simple Question Could Have A Complicated Answer.

I Figured If I Told It To Myself Often Enough, I Would Start Believing It.

I No Longer Believed In The Idea Of Soul Mates, Or Love At First Sight. But I Was Beginning To Believe That A Very Few Times In Your Life, If You Were Lucky, You Might Meet Someone Who Was Exactly Right For You. Not Because He Was Perfect, Or Because You Were, But Because Your Combined Flaws Were Arranged In A Way That Allowed Two Separate Beings To Hinge Together.

...whether He Stayed Or Left, Whether They Walked The Same Path Or Not. They Could Live On Opposite Sides Of The World, And She Would Still Be His.

I Have Always Hated Flying. The Idea Of It Is An Affront To Nature. People Are Meant To Stay On The Ground.

Sometimes You Meet A Really Nice Guy, But No Matter How You Try, You Can’t Seem To Make Yourself Want Him. But That’s Not Nearly As Bad As When You Meet The Wrong Guy, And You Can’t Make Yourself Not Want Him.

She Heard The Trace Of Fear In His Voice. The Fear That A Small Boy Must Have Felt When Every Woman He Loved Had Disappeared From His Life, Swept Away By A Merciless Fever. She Didn’t Know How To Reassure Him, Or How To Console His Long-ago Grief.

The Bargain…” She Mumbled. “you Said I Could Kiss You,” Came His Gentle, Wicked Whisper Near Her Ear. “but, My Love…you Didn’t Specify Where.

...she Could Only Wait For Someone, Something, To Free Her From The Invisible Chains That Bound Her.

Men Are Like Dogs," Stacy Was Fond Of Saying. And She Usually Went On To Add That, Like Dogs, They All Took Up Too Much Space On The Bed, And They Always Went For The Crotch.

These Impossible Women! How They Do Get Around Us!

Captain Phelan,” Cam Asked, Choosing His Words With Care. “have You Come To Ask For Our Consent To Marry Beatrix?” Christopher Shook His Head. “if I Decide To Marry Beatrix, I’ll Do It With Or Without Your Consent.” Leo Looked At Cam. “good God,” He Said In Disgust. “this One’s Worse Than Harry.

I Grasp Reality, But Sometimes I Like To Choke It Into Submission.

It Was Likely That No One Had Been Surprised, However, As It Was Clear That Aline And Mckenna Belonged Together. There Was Something Invisible And Yet Irrefutable That Made Them A Couple. Perhaps It Was The Way Both Of Them Stole Quick Glances At Each Other When One Though The Other Wasn't Looking... Glances Of Wonder And Hunger.

I Want You Any Way I Can Get You. Not Because You’re Beautiful Or Clever Or Kind Or Adorable, Although Devil Knows You’re All Those Things. I Want You Because There’s No One Else Like You, And I Don’t Ever Want To Start A Day Without Seeing You.

I Figured I Couldn't Love You As Much As I Do, Without You Feeling Something For Me Too.

A Slow Smile Had Curved St. Vincent's Lips. 'wives Are A Different Case Altogether. They Require A Great Deal Of Effort But The Rewards Are Substantial. I Highly Recommend Wives. Especially One's Own.

My Theory About Meeting People,' He Said,'is That It's Better Not To Make A Really Good First Impression. Because It's All Downhill From There. You're Always Having To Live Up To That First Impression, Which Was Just An Illusion.

First Impression

Be Careful Dear That You Don’t End Up As The Queen Of A Lonely Kingdom

Only You Could Love Such A Vile, Selfish Peacock, Evie.

... He Didn't Know How To Say Good-bye. His Throat Ached From The Strain Of Holding Back His Emotions. “i Don't Want To Leave You,” He Said Humbly, Reaching For Her Cold, Stiff Hands. Emma Lowered Her Head, Her Tears Falling Freely. “i'll Never See You Again, Will I?” He Shook His Head. “not In This Lifetime,” He Said Hoarsely. She Pulled Her Hands Away And Wrapped Her Arms Around His Neck. He Felt Her Wet Lashes Brush His Cheek. “then I'll Wait A Hundred Years,” She Whispered. “or A Thousand, If I Must. Remember That, Nikki. I'll Be Waiting For You To Come To Me.

Some Folks Are Happier Not Being Saved.

I Swear On St. Francis, The Patron Saint Of All Animals.” Seeing Poppy’s Hesitation, Beatrix Added Enthusiastically, “if A Band Of Pirates Kidnapped Me And Took Me To Their Ship And Threatened To Make Me Walk The Plank Over A Shiver Of Starving Sharks Unless I Told Them Your Secret, I Still Wouldn’t Tell It. If I Were Tied By A Villain And Thrown Before A Herd Of Stampeding Horses All Shod In Iron, And The Only Way To Keep From Being Trampled Was To Tell The Villain Your Secret, I—

Sometimes People Don't Have To Make You Love Them...you Just Do, And There's No Help For It.

I'm Not The Marrying Kind -" St. Vincent Snorted. "no Man Is. Marriage Is A Female Invention.

If You Pretend Everything's Fine Long Enough, Everything Eventually Becomes Fine.

I'm Not That Complicated, Haven. The Truth Is, I've Wanted You Ever Since I Met You In That Damned Wine Cellar. Because I Got A Bigger Charge Out Of That Five Minutes Than I Have With Any Woman Before Or Since.

I Love You Dammit.""she Brushed Her Lips Teasingly Against His."how Much?" He Made A Slight Sound, As If The Soft Kiss Had Affected Him Intensely."without Limit.beyond Forever.

The Rom Believe You Should Take The Road That Calls To You, And Never Turn Back. Because You Never Know What Adventures Await." ... "so We're Going To Take This Road," He Murmured, "and See Where It Leads.

When You Are In Love' Hypocrisy Won Over Principle.

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