Valley of Dragons (The Secrets of Ormdale, #5)

by Christina Baehr

They had shown me that love was both the most free and the most costly thing in the world.

It’s simply that when you can choose to love someone freely, without needing something from them—then you begin to understand a little about the love God bears towards His children.”

All around me were people—people who had changed me. But each of them had made me more myself, not less.

It would probably do most of the Englishmen I knew a world of good to have a decent blub now and then.

So I won’t lie abed and mourn for those that canna be helped while she sickens. Mend what falls to tha hand, lass, and leave all to God.”

But love isn’t like that at all, Mrs Drake. It’s not a plate of buns without enough buns on it for everyone who came to tea. It’s a teashop, stocked with all the things to bake buns forever and ever.” She made a broken little sound. “Oh, Edith. Why is it always food with you?”

“Indeed, ma’am,” I said firmly, “you will never convince me it is ever too late for salvation.”

I had determined to forgive Arthur for the good of my immortal soul, but the indignation that filled me on seeing him on my doorstep made me doubt its eternal welfare.

Young ladies are not supposed to feel hungry when they are receiving a young man’s declaration. Alas, I am but an earthly creature,