More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“First tell me your name.” “Why? I would never give you leave to use it.”
“That leaves me with nothing to say, then.” “Thank God,” she said fervently, and he grinned.
The more she struggled, the more firmly he held her, until she was gathered against his chest in a nerveless bundle. Trying to swallow back the shuddering sounds that came from her throat only made them worse. “You’re safe,” she heard him say. “Easy . . . you’re safe. I won’t let go.”
‘Let her cover the mark as she will,’ ” he quoted sardonically, “ ‘the pang of it will always be in her heart.’ ” Recognizing the words from The Scarlet Letter, Kathleen glanced up at him
Straightening her spine, she added, “We will never speak of this.” “Very well.” “Also . . . we are still not friends.” His gaze held hers. “Are we enemies, then?” “That depends.”
“It isn’t the job that drives them mad,” West said. “It’s the mercury solution they use to smooth the felt. After repeated exposure, it addles the brain. Hence the term ‘mad as a hatter.’
“Who the hell do you think you are?” West called after him. Pausing at the threshold, Devon gave him a cold glance. “I’m the Earl of Trenear,” he said, and left the room.
They all exclaimed in admiration as a cashmere shawl was revealed.
But then Kathleen’s letter had arrived, and that had been enough to bolster his resolve. Anything was worth having her. Anything.
My brother secretly hopes to be attacked by ruffians someday, but so far, no luck.”
“Kindly explain what deranged mode of thinking caused you to bring a pig into the house!”
His reply was soft. “You always have my attention.”
“You are lecturing me about bloody propriety, you sodding hypocrite?” “I suppose you learned that filthy language at the stables.” “No, from your brother,” she shot back.
Brooding over the past wouldn’t change the fact that Kathleen had belonged to Theo first. But she would belong to Devon last.
Devon lunged at him in a blur of motion, seizing West by the lapels. “Touch her and I’ll kill you,” he snarled.
But even with that civilized distance between them, she was in an agony of nerves and anger . . . most of it directed at herself.
Kathleen was his fate, his. He would defy all the hells that ever were to stay with her.
“My life . . . didn’t pass before my eyes. All I saw was you.”
“The last moment, I thought . . . I would die wanting you.”
Lady Helen Winterborne.” Devon was wily enough to understand how the sound of that would affect him. Lady Helen Winterborne . . . yes, Rhys bloody-fucking-well loved that.
“And the lightskirts?” “None.” At her skeptical snort, Devon lifted his head. “None since I met you.” Kathleen drew back, her perplexed gaze lifting to his. “There haven’t been women since . . .” “No. How could I take someone else to bed? In the morning I would wake up still wanting you.”
“That he loves. That he’s searching. Like the rest of us poor devils, he has no way of knowing if he’ll ever have his heart’s desire.”
“Desire,” he said, “is always better motivation than fear. Remember that, Quincy.”
Half the time he wanted to do everything possible to fill her with happiness, while the rest of the time he was tempted to throttle her.
“And,” West said pointedly, “it will keep Kathleen in proximity with you.”
“You’re already too pretty and clever by half, darling. And it wouldn’t have mattered if you were a boy. That was never the problem. Your parents were a pair of selfish lackwits.” His thumb caressed her cheek. “And whatever flaws you might have, being unlovable is not one of them.”
“But where did it come from?” Kathleen asked. “It seems to have been delivered today,” Helen said, her voice oddly subdued. “For me. From . . . Mr. Winterborne.” Silence descended on the group.
Blushing, she replied, “Mr. Winterborne, there is no need—” “I’m still considering the piano.” “Flowers,” she said quickly. “A tin of sweets, or a paper fan. Small gestures.” His lips curved. “Unfortunately I’m known for making large gestures.”
Helen frowned and gestured with her palms up. “I wanted him to have something special.”
“There’s only one way for me to prove that I will love you and be faithful to you for the rest of my life. And that’s by loving you and being faithful to you for the rest of my life. Even if you don’t want me. Even if you choose not to be with me. I’m giving you all the time I have left. I vow to you that from this moment on, I will never touch another woman, or give my heart to anyone but you. If I have to wait sixty years, not a minute will have been wasted—because I’ll have spent all of them loving you.”
