It Happened One Autumn (Wallflowers, #2)

by Lisa Kleypas

Like most men, Marcus didn’t seem to understand that nothing torched the flames of a woman’s curiosity more violently than a subject that one was not at liberty to discuss.

“She’s not a lunatic,” Daisy told her sister. “She’s a New Yorker.”

“I taught myself how to pick locks. I’ve been on the wrong side of many a locked door since early childhood.”

“Westcliff looks for any excuse to demonstrate his superiority, doesn’t he?” “Was that what he was doing? It looked rather like he was trying to find an excuse to put his arms around you.”

“In my opinion, my lord, an excessive preoccupation with manners and rituals is a strong indication that someone has too much time on his hands.”

We’re a danger to everyone but each other. Like a pair of ill-tempered hedgehogs.”

“I’ve changed my mind about negotiating. You can have whatever you want. Any conditions, anything that’s in my power to accomplish. Just put my mind at ease and say you’ll be my wife.”

“Are you in love, then?” “That word is not to be mentioned,” Lillian said swiftly. “Even if I were—and I am not admitting anything—I would never be the first to say it. It’s a matter of pride. And there’s every chance that he won’t say it back, but just respond with a polite ‘thank you,’ in which case I would have to murder him. Or myself.”

“Your descent from gentleman to savage brute has been accomplished so very quickly. I must offer Miss Bowman my compliments on her efficacy.”