More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Twisting stealthily in the chair, Tom peeked around the edge. His breath caught as he stared at her in wonder. For the first time in his life, Tom Severin was smitten. Smitten and slain. She was beautiful the way fire and sunlight were beautiful, warm and glowing and golden. The sight of her dealt him a famished, hollow feeling. She was everything he’d missed in his disadvantaged youth, every lost hope and opportunity.
we are on page 5 and tom is already smitten
“I’ll marry you,” Tom told her. “Any time. Any terms.”
omg he said no hesitation
Tom wasn’t sure what to say, only that he couldn’t let her leave thinking she was anything less than perfect, exactly as she was. “You’re not too plump,” he said gruffly. “The more of you there is in the world, the better.”
“Do you think it could be loneliness?” he suggested. “No, it’s not that.” Severin looked pensive. “What do you call it when everything seems boring and pointless, and even the people you know well are like strangers?” “Loneliness,” Devon said flatly.
“Damn it. That makes six.” “Six what?” Devon asked in bewilderment. “Feelings. I’ve never had more than five feelings, and they’re hard enough to manage as it is. I’ll be damned if I’ll add another.”
this man really has a list of five feelings
“No one ever calls me sharp. People always say Pandora’s the sharp one.” “What do they say about you?” She gave a self-deprecating little laugh. “Usually it’s something about my looks.” Mr. Severin was silent for a moment. “There’s much more to you than that,”
“The way I proposed to you earlier . . . I’m sorry. It was . . . disrespectful. Stupid. Since then I’ve discovered at least a dozen reasons for proposing to you, and beauty is the least of them.”
“Indulge me in a game of pretend,” Phoebe said. “Just for a moment.” She waited for Tom’s reluctant nod before continuing. “Recently a good friend of mine, Jane Austen, relayed to me that her neighbor Anne Elliot just wed a gentleman by the name of Captain Frederick Wentworth. They were betrothed seven years ago, but Anne was persuaded by her family to break it off.” “Why?” “The young man lacked fortune and connections.” “Weak-minded girl,”
not phoebe using the plot of persuasion 💀
“You’ll find someone else,” she finally said, her voice not quite her own. “Yes,” he said vehemently. “But it won’t be you.” It sounded like an accusation.
Unable to resolve the paradox on his own, Tom decided to consult the known authority on such matters: Jane Austen. He bought a copy of Persuasion as Phoebe had recommended, hoping to find an answer about how to deal with his personal dilemma.
Had Tom been capable of falling in love, he would have right there and then, as he watched Lady Cassandra Ravenel serenade a ragamuffin while cutting his hair. She was so capable and clever and adorable, it made his chest ache with a hot pressure that threatened to fracture something.
She had a way with everyone. Especially him. He’d never been besotted like this. It was intolerable.
“You . . .” “Yes?” Tom prompted softly as she hesitated. “You bought an entire newspaper business . . . for my sake?” Tom thought for a long moment before answering. Now his voice was different than she’d ever heard it, quiet and even a little shaken. “There are no limits to what I would do for you.”
“For as long as you want. I’ll do anything for you. Anything at all. I’m here, and I’ll take care of you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Your body isn’t an ornament designed for other people’s pleasure. It belongs to you alone. You’re magnificent just as you are. Whether you lose weight or gain more, you’ll still be magnificent. Have a cake if you want one.”
king tom
“Cassandra,” he whispered, “everything I have, everything I am, is at your service. All you have to do is tell me what you want.”
What if Tom’s heart wasn’t frozen after all? What if it were merely guarded . . . so guarded that it had become a prison?
tom said bark bark
All he knew was that the careful distance he’d put between himself and other people had finally been crossed by someone . . . and nothing would ever be the same.
she went toward Tom, who had lowered to his haunches as he talked with Bazzle. She was struck by the obvious affection between the two, which she was certain Tom wasn’t even aware of.
so cute ahhhh
“Bazzle no longer has to be a hall boy,” he said. “He can sleep in a room on this floor of the house, and eat at our table. We’ll educate him as you see fit. I’ll raise him as . . . as mine.”
i am so here for this
“Do you think I could succeed?” Cassandra whispered. “Lady Cassandra Severin,” Tom said quietly, “that you’ll succeed is not even a question.”
One of his hands touched her face reverently. “I love you, Cassandra,” came his shaken voice. “I love you, too,” she said, and her breath caught on a little sob. “I know the words aren’t easy for you.” “No,” Tom murmured, “but I intend to practice. Frequently.”
papa 🥹
