The Day of the Duchess (Scandal & Scoundrel, #3)

by Sarah MacLean

“Because this is what we do,” he said. “We follow each other into darkness.”

“You loved to sing,” he said, simply, as though it was enough. “And I loved to listen to you.”

“If I promised you sun, moon, stars? If I vowed to always hunt you, would you take flight? Or would you choose to be caught?”

You think I do not see you? I have always seen you. You have always been in vivid color for me. Glittering sapphire on the first night you found me. Emeralds and golds and silvers and red—Christ, that red. I am obsessed with that red. The red of the afternoon you came here. The red at Liverpool’s garden party, when you stood like a goddamn queen and watched me ruin us like a goddamn fool.” He stopped, cursing into the wind as he tilted his head back with the memory.

And it would be enough. It would have to be. Something in her life had to be enough.

“I love you, you know.” Tears came, instant and unwelcome, and Sera looked away, which was best because they spilled over when Sophie added, softly, “I only wish you could find a way to love yourself in the balance.”