01c. 2009 AD..he wanted her.And at another time, as another man, he would have her. Without hesitation. As lover. . . as more.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
02c. 2009 ADYou realize that is you allow me to court you, all your opposition to marriage is going to have to be reconsidered."She smiled, feigning innocence."What opposition to marriage?""Excellent.""But I'm thinking we should have a long courtship.""Why?" He looked surprised."Because i find I've developed a taste for adventure.""That sounds dangerous. Not at all in character for a delicate flower."She laughed." We know I've never been good at being a delicate flower. Besides, it shan't be too dangerous.""How can you be so sure?"She smiled brilliantly at him, taking his breath away."Because, on my next adventure, I'll have you by my side.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
03c. 2009 ADRalston looked down his long, elegant nose at the vile creature at his feet, and said, “You just impugned the honor of my future marchioness. Choose your seconds. I will see you at dawn.”Leaving Oxford sputtering on the ground, Ralston spun on one elegant heel to face Benedick. “When I am done with him, I am coming for your sister. And, if you intend to keep me from her, you had better have an army at your side.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
04c. 2009 ADShe had wanted more than she could have.She had wanted him, and more... she had wanted him to want her.In the name of something bigger than tradition, bolder than reputation, more important than a silly title.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
05c. 2009 ADI've loved him for a decade. And I had him for one day before I made a complete and utter mess of things. Or he did. I'm still not sure about that.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
06c. 2009 ADNo matter how troubled a character's history, romance novels tell us, love can be built upon it, and happily-ever-after can result. What's more, the darker the past, the brighter the future - and the better the read.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
07c. 2009 AD{Calpurnia)"My mother…she’s desperate for a daughter she can dress like a porcelain doll. Sadly, I shall never be such a child. How I long for my sister to come out and distract the countess from my person."He joined her on the bench, asking, "How old is your sister?""Eight," she said, mournfully."Ah. Not ideal.""An understatement." She looked up at the star-filled sky. "No, I shall be long on the shelf by the time she makes her debut.""What makes you so certain you’re shelf-bound?"She cast him a sidelong glance. "While I appreciate your chivalry, my lord, your feigned ignorance insults us both." When he failed to reply, she stared down at her hands, and replied, "My choices are rather limited.""How so?""I seem able to have my pick of the impoverished, the aged, and the deadly dull.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
08c. 2009 ADYes, she was a scandal.Her brother simply didn’t know it.“I fell in the Serpentine today.”“Yes, well, that doesn’t usually happen to women in London. But it’s not so much of a scandal as it is a challenge.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
09c. 2009 ADWe are a motley bunch. But we more than make up for it with tenacity." ~ Ralston to SimonSarah MacLean / quote ↗
10c. 2009 ADTemptation turns you. It makes you into something you never dreamed, it presses you to give up everything you ever loved, it calls you to sell your soul for one, fleeting moment.[..] It makes you ache...you'll make any promise,swear any oath. For one...perfect...unsoiled tasteSarah MacLean / quote ↗
11c. 2009 ADIt should all feel splendid. You tell me if it doesn't, and I shall rectify the situation.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
12c. 2009 ADI think there’s a ton of fear in the perception of romance in part because there’s something very realistic in great romance — namely, that women have the right to demand relationships that are based on equality and honesty and trust and, yes, a great sex life.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
14c. 2009 ADYou want me.”“Want does not begin to describe the way I feel about you,” his low voice promised. “Want is nothing compared with the level of desire I have. With the desperation I feel. With the way I long for you.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
15c. 2009 ADThat brow arched once more. "Does it? You think people will believe it when the truth is that I ruined you on an abandoned estate before your father stormed the house with a rifle?"She hesitated. "I would not call it storming.""He fired several rounds at my house. If that isn't storming, I don't know what is.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
16c. 2009 ADBut stay away from him, Juliana. When we said we wanted to make you a good match, Leighton was not who we imagSarah MacLean / quote ↗
19c. 2009 ADThey had lied, those who had extolled the virtues of love—its pleasures, its sublimity—those who had told her that it was beautiful and worthwhile.There was nothing beautiful aboSarah MacLean / quote ↗
23c. 2009 ADMy whole life, you have made decisions for me.""Your whole life," Georgiana pointed out, "totals nine years.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
24c. 2009 ADWell, to be fair, he’s in a situation where intelligence does rather go out the window,” Cross said. “I have a theory that women actually siphon off our cleverness during the courting phase, and keep it for themselves. Which is why they always seem to see the endgame before we do.Sarah MacLean / quote ↗
