Devil in Winter (Wallflowers, #3)

by Lisa Kleypas

As Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, stared at the young woman who had just barged her way into his London residence, it occurred to him that he might have tried to abduct the wrong heiress last week at Stony Cross Park.

BYE we're really starting off like this huh????

Evangeline might have made a decent enough match if not for her crippling shyness, which resulted in a torturous stammer.

my man you are in NO PLACE to be picky rn and slander my girl!!!!

He was debauched, amoral, and perversely proud of it.

don't make me like him!!!!!!!!!!

Sebastian watched her in the gamboling firelight, and realized with some surprise that she was attractive.

AJKHADKJAK

“I believe they mean to k-kill me after they’ve gotten my father’s money.” Sebastian’s gaze did not move from her face, though he kept his tone light. “How inconsiderate of them. Why should I care?”

LMAO BYE I would die on the spot

For some reason this awkward, stammering girl was one of them. He wanted to bed her.

truly, anything with a pulse is fair game to this man--

Incidentally, if you decide to back out of our agreement at any time during our journey, I will strangle you.”

and they say chivalry is dead !

“My dear…” he said almost tenderly, “you haven’t begun to learn the worst of me.”

the way this would work on me is CONCERNING

Evie could scarcely conceive how hell could have turned so abruptly into heaven.

She had never experienced this physical closeness with a man before. It seemed terribly wrong to enjoy it. On the other hand, she would have to be unconscious not to.

Lmao the writing is too good

“It’s not a love match. It’s a marriage of convenience, and there’s not enough warmth between us to light a birthday candle.

I WILL BE DEVOURING THIS

“She doesn’t need—” St. Vincent stopped with a scowl as Evie raised her gaze to his. He let out a taut sigh. “All right. Choose something quickly.”

LMAO this is so cute

“Here, sweetheart. Take my hand.”

I should not be blushing rn 😩🤭

St. Vincent was combing the snarls from her damp hair.

Not him brushing her hair for her 😭🤧

“Lie still. You don’t have to do anything, my love. Let me take care of you.

I am so mf soft for this help

“Especially in bed. How beautiful you are. Open your legs, my love. I’m going to touch inside you. No, don’t be afraid. Will it help if I kiss you here? Be still for me…”

taking a lap fr

“I want to be inside you,” he whispered, kissing the side of her neck. “I want to go deep into your body…I’ll be so gentle, love…let me turn you over, and…God, you’re so lovely…”

the woman was too stunned to speak

“You’re beautiful, Evie,” came his soft comment.

“Don’t remove a single freckle, sweet. I found some in the most enchanting places. I already have my favorites…shall I tell you where they are?”

I AM FLATLINING

Although he possessed a large measure of charm, she found little in him that was worthy of respect.

lol

“Rest, my love. I’m watching over you.”

he is literal scum but i'm weak

Noticing the way Evie had averted her gaze from the sight of his naked body, Sebastian felt a sneer twist his lips.

LMAO I can't wait to see her continue to put him in his place and have him groveling

a nearly overwhelming urge to go over to her, shove her back on the bed, and take her without preliminaries. To dominate her, and force her to admit his ownership.

i'm broken...

“Do I look bored to you?” he demanded, the towel doing little to conceal the outline of a roaring erection.

byyyyyyye

“If your concern is that I may be overcome with manly ardor and ravish you in a moment of weakness…I may. If you ask nicely.”

the way i'm blushing and kicking my feet rn

Although his posture was loose and easy, Evie still had a feeling of being subtly dominated.

🤤🤤

her. “Did you think I was about to…Christ. Someone hit you. Someone hit you in the past—who the hell was it?”

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“You are safe,” he said in a low voice.

“Evie,” he murmured. “I swear on my life, you will never feel pain from my hands. I may prove a devil of a husband in every other regard…but I wouldn’t hurt you that way. You must believe that.”

suddenly his wrongs have been forgiven

“No,” he whispered raggedly. “No, wait…love…I didn’t mean to start this. I just…hell.”

UGH WHEN HE WANTS HER SO BADLY 😭😭😭

“Good Lord, what a display. All that tempestuous defiance…it makes me want to bed you.”

i could fix him

Was she so unworthy of love, that she’d had so little of it in her life? Did she lack some essential gift for drawing others to herself?

🥺

“If my wife finds comfort in trite Romany homilies, I have no objection to your offering them. However, if you ever kiss her again, no matter how platonic the fashion, I’ll make a eunuch of you.”

ugh he's so toxic 😍😍😍😍

No one could fail to observe that whenever Evie entered the room, St.Vincent practically vibrated like a tuning fork.

AHHAAAAA HE'S ALREADY DONE FOR

he was demanding frequent reports from the housemaids about how much she had slept, and whether she had eaten, and her activities in general. Upon learning that Evie had gone without breakfast or lunch, Sebastian had a supper tray sent upstairs, accompanied by a terse note. My lady, This tray will be returned for my inspection within the hour. If everything on it is not eaten, I will personally force-feed it to you. Bon appetit, S.

he's so obsessed with her 😩😩😋

“You don’t need respect. You need comfort, and holding, and possibly a good long tumble in bed with me. But since you won’t allow that, you’ll get a shoulder rub and a few words of advice.”

need him, your honor

“You belong on some country estate, sitting on a blanket spread over green lawn, eating a dish of strawberries and cream. Going for carriage drives. Calling on your friends. Someday you should probably let me give you a baby.

i do need this he's so right

“There’s very little you can’t have…so long as you dare to reach for it.”

It was Sebastian as she had never seen him before, no longer detached and self-possessed, but in the grip of bone-shaking rage.

YEEEEEEESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Are you hurt, Evie? Look up at me, love. Yes. Sweetheart…did they do you any injury?”

WEAK I AM SO WEAK

“She’s mine,” Sebastian snapped. “Surely you can’t be so dim-witted as to think I would simply let her go without a protest.”

AKDJADKGKAGD 911

“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything on this earth.” Sebastian took a shivering breath. “Tell me what I have to do to get you. Tell me what it will take for you to let me into your bed.”

Forgive me, Lord--

“All right,” Sebastian said huskily. “I agree to your terms. I’ll be…monogamous.” He seemed to have a bit of difficulty with the last word, as if he were trying to speak a foreign language.

LMAOOOOOO BYE

“I want you. Only you. The devil knows why.”

ugh romance is alive and well !

“Three months of celibacy,” she said. “And if you succeed, I-I will go to bed with you willingly, as often as you wish.”

this is going to be a DISAAAAASTER *grabs popcorn and icks feet up*

“Your price is too damn high. I never apologize.”

can't wait for him to eat his words

It was expected that Evie would not attend the funeral, as ladies’ natures were considered too delicate to tolerate such harsh reality.

HELLO?!?!!? This is craaaaazyy

“I want to torture you a little.”

my mother and father would be so disappointed in me

“I don’t give a damn if anyone sees us. You’re my wife.” A smile chased across his lips. “My better half, to be certain.” Leaning over her, he nuzzled into the fine tendrils that strayed over her forehead. His breath was hot and soft on her skin. “My prize…my pleasure and pain…my endless desire. I’ve never known anyone like you, Evie.”

oh MAN 😩😩😩😩😩

“You dare to make demands of me that no other woman would think of asking. And for now I’ll pay your price, love. But later you’ll pay mine…over and over…” He caught her trembling lips with his, his hands cupping the back of her head.

sedate me !