Sarah Mac’s Reviews > Secrets at Court > Status Update

‘The taste of foreign lands was on his tongue, the scent so deep in his skin that to be in his arms was a journey, to be held by him was like taking wing. As if all the distant lands she had ever wanted to see were in his arms.’

—“I cannot wait to have my bride back in my bed.”
—A bold statement about a future queen, Nicholas thought, tho he suspected she shared the sentiment. Weak fools, both of them, to be driven by such want. An unwelcome reminder of his own weakness. What had Anne called it? Bliss. But what man, even a Prince, was given heaven on earth?

‘Only in the circle of her lady’s protection could she live safely. In lucid, waking moments, she could not conceive of leaving Lady Joan’s side. Yet here she was, on a lovely summer day, so far away that she could not hear or see or even be summoned by the Countess. And instead of fear, exhilaration pulsed through her.’

‘All the strength she had amassed to fight the pain was useless against the pleasure that bloomed from the very whisper of his lips. Now she must act as if nothing had happened, so that she could pretend it had not.’

‘If she were so fortunate as to wed, it would be because some man had taken pity on her & agreed to carry the burden of her in exchange for beautiful stitching & a steady head. And if he did, she would, of course, have no choice but to be abjectly grateful. Her eyes sought him out again. No, she needed no encouragement to avoid Sir Nicholas. She wanted no reminders of things that would never be hers.’

‘An honor, of course, the life she lived. Many would envy a position at the court, surrounded by luxury. And yet, some days, it felt more like a dungeon, for she would never be allowed to leave her lady’s side. She knew too much.’