So Fair a Lady Quotes

“He wanted to give Eliza the scolding she deserved, to tell her he hadn’t saved her life just to have her start acting rash and putting herself at risk again. But he couldn’t speak. All thoughts escaped him but the scent of the rose-perfumed soap that had circled him when he’d been only inches from her freshly washed hair and the thought of how feminine she felt in his arms. Her silken locks, all smooth and still wet from its wash, rested around her shoulders in a tight braid. The clean clothes she wore—his clothes—draped over her flawless curves. Her skin had more pink to it now, and if he wasn’t mistaken, that pink color was deepening. Was she blushing? Her chin was tucked and she focused a great deal of attention on her fingernails. He held back a smile, remembering Nathaniel’s words. Did she really have feelings for him?”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Nathaniel whistled in approval and widened his eyes. “Thomas, you look quite dashing. You know you really didn’t have to dress up like that for me.” He smiled at his own joke and slapped Thomas on the shoulder. “You don’t look too terrible, yourself,” Thomas said as they each took a seat in front of the hearth. “Well, I donned my best suit as you can see.” Thomas smirked. “I noticed.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Eliza.” He spoke quiet, still gripping her shoulders. “I don’t know why, but I believe God has led you into my life.” His throat swelled and tears trailed down his face and dripped from his chin. “If you live, I promise to make up for all the ways I’ve failed you.” Clenching”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“He pleaded with his eyes. “I know a soldier’s life isn’t always suitable for one’s spouse, but if you will have me, I promise to give you every possible happiness and fill every need.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Thomas’s heart drummed. Where was Eliza? And then he saw her. His breath stalled in his lungs as she moved toward him, floating over the ground like a pink angel from heaven. The dusty-rose gown she’d worn that infamous night hugged her luscious curves, giving him ample fuel for his imagination, but he pushed those thoughts away for the moment. They would be man and wife soon enough. Never had he seen such beauty, or known such grace. Lord, help me be the kind of man she deserves. He glanced to heaven. Robert, I shall do my best to make you proud and give your daughter the best of my days. A quiet voice brushed behind his ear, and Thomas stilled as Robert’s familiar tone made his heart swell. I know. In that moment Eliza’s dark eyes found his, and she smiled, lifting Thomas from the ground. Her cheeks darkened to the same rosy hue of her gown as she neared. Nathaniel chuckled deep and low. “You’re a lucky man, Thomas.” Nodding, Thomas couldn’t move his eyes away from his bride. “I know.” “Good”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“At that moment, Kitty entered the room, and all conversation ceased, bathing the room in silence. The emerald gown clung to her feminine figure and her countenance beamed as if she were the happy bride herself. How beautiful she looked. So much like her sister. Thomas snuck a glance at Nathaniel, whose round eyes were sweeping over her from head-to-toe and up again. Thomas couldn’t hold back and leaned toward Nathaniel’s ear. “No bliss in your future?” The glare that shot from his friend’s eyes seared Thomas’s mouth shut, but it didn’t stop his smile, or the mocking chuckle that rumbled in his chest. Thomas’s”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“I’ve been dreaming of this day you know,” Samuel said. “Eliza was mine long before you ever knew her.” Thomas”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Eliza.” She gasped and shot her eyes in the direction of the voice of the man she cherished. It couldn’t be . . . Her lungs heaved. “Thomas?” She blinked, not believing the sight before. The dark coat he wore accentuated his broad shoulders and matched the mid-night color of his hair. Pure love poured out of his dark-blue eyes and circled around her quivering heart. He rushed forward and knelt in front of her, cupping her cheeks in his strong hands. “Did you not believe I would come for you?” “Are you real?” she said, almost unbelieving. But the feel of his cold hands against her skin, and the way his eyes mapped her face made reality crash into her chest. “Oh, Thomas! I wanted you to come. I wanted to tell you—” Suddenly the blood drained and her heart flogged her ribs. Struggling, she rushed to get up. “You must leave. You can’t be here it’s too dangerous!” Bending”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“I love you too, my darling. Now, you will be mine forever.” It”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“She still loves, me. I know it. She has been brainwashed. Once we are married, and I have a chance to show her the full measure of my affection, when I can clear her mind of Thomas, then she will remember how she loved me. Samuel”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“When we are man and wife you will do as I say. You will never speak of this again!” Samuel came forward and loomed over her, his thick breath clouding the air in front of her face. “When you are mine, you will obey me.” “I will not be your wife. I refuse to marry a man who is dishonest.” “I have never been dishonest with you.” Fresh malice boiled in Eliza’s belly. “You said you would not harm Thomas if I promised to return here and marry you, did you not?” “I did.” “So why did you tell Donaldson to burn Thomas’s property after we were married? I refuse to be your wife, since you have rescinded on our agreement.” A monster unleashed before her. Samuel shoved Eliza against Father’s rows of books, their hard covers stabbing into her back just as Samuel’s eyes stabbed into her chest. “If you do not marry me, not only will his house burn, but Thomas will as well.” Eliza’s blood escaped her face and she braced herself as the room twisted around her. “You wouldn’t.” Samuel’s eyes narrowed into small black slits. “I would.” Her bones wanted to crack under the weight of his words and her voice refused to work, but somehow she found her ability to speak. “If I find that you have done anything to him after we are married I will do everything in my power to leave you, make no mistake.” Samuel relaxed his numbing grip, a wicked laugh rumbling in his chest. “You can’t leave me, Eliza. Not after everything I’ve done for you.” “I can, and I will!” Samuel roared and without warning slapped her across the face, causing her to tumble sideways. She hit Father’s chair and landed in a rough heap on the floor. He rushed to her, panic lighting his features, as if it had been someone else who had struck her. “Eliza, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Are you hurt?” A trickle of warm liquid ran down her cheek. He tried to touch her face, but she slapped his hand away. “Don’t you dare touch me.” His face drained of all color and he sputtered as he spoke, his voice quiet. “I’m so sorry, Eliza, I—” “Thomas would have never dreamed of hitting me, Samuel.” She straightened to her full height, breathing in deep heaves. “He lets me speak my mind and ask questions. He believes that what I think matters. He loves me!” Samuel lowered his brow and his tone rumbled in his chest as he shook her shoulders. “You will never speak of Thomas again. Today we will be married, and you will be mine forever and you will love me! As far as you are concerned, Thomas never existed.” The finality of his statement sluiced over her, causing her knees to buckle. She gripped the row of books behind her to steady her stance. “So be it, Samuel Martin,” she said, filling her voice with razors. “But know this, there is only one man that I will ever love—dead or alive. And it will never be you!”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“You’ll see in time, Eliza,” he said, taking her hand in his. “This is the right way. I love you and I’ll take care of you. You are simply in shock. You’ve gone through a horrifying ordeal. You need to rest. I promise, you’ll feel much better in a few days.” He pushed off his knees, then walked around the room as Donaldson went back outside, the fire now blazing. “I came here many times after I’d found you were gone. I arranged the furniture again, as you can see, and replaced the broken glass.” He ran his fingers over the back of Father’s favorite settee. “Coming here made me feel closer to you.” Eliza moved her eyes to where he paced in front of the now roaring flames. Samuel’s brow grew pensive. “I know I said we would marry at the end of this week, but I’ve decided on tomorrow instead. I have already asked a friend of mine, Reverend Edmonton, to officiate.” “What?” Eliza found her voice in an instant, and it resonated much stronger than she expected. “But you said seven days!” Samuel spun on his heel, a determined stare possessing his features. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Eliza, but we must not postpone. We can wed tonight if you’d rather.” He winked as if she would find his eagerness amusing. “I’ve arranged for our wedding to be here. I’m sure you won’t mind. We can have a special celebration sometime afterward, with our friends and family in attendance of course.” What friends and family? “Why are you doing this?” She choked on her words, her eyes burning. He tilted his head toward the ceiling and sighed. “Because we love each other, my darling. Your mind has been temporarily clouded. After we are man and wife you will be grateful for what I’ve done for you—for us.” Her”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Samuel pulled on the reins and slipped off the horse, then reached up to help Eliza down. She shuddered as his hands slithered around her waist. Bile inched up her throat again, as it had all day and she took a deep breath to keep it down. “Are you feeling well, my love?” he said, before kissing her forehead. “How do you imagine I’m feeling?” A satisfied grin laced his mouth. “I imagine you’re eager to wed, as I am.” “You can believe that, if it gives you pleasure.” She glared and walked toward her sister. Donaldson”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“A whispering breeze sliced through Thomas as his gaze followed their waning figures. His heart shrunk with every advancing step Eliza took. Thomas kept his eyes on her, knowing she would look back. Though she may not feel the same horrid loneliness that dominated him, they had shared so much. Surely she would acknowledge him before leaving his life forever. The three of them rounded the far corner that led into town. Thomas’s eyes burned and his throat seized. She never looked back.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Something’s happened to you, my love. That odious man has treated you wrongly, I have no doubt, and filled your mind with his vile rhetoric. I’m so sorry, Eliza. You must get away from here and back to your home where you can recover and begin to think properly again. I’m ready to take you away this instant.” Eliza shook her head and tried to answer but he stopped her with his finger on her lips. His eyes narrowed and his wounded tone carried fire. “I saw him kissing you.” The blood drained from her face and settled at her feet. The dark barn began to spin. “What?” she breathed. “I saw you at the rally. I saw you running from him.” Bile crept up her throat. Samuel continued. “I tried to get to you, but Watson was there first. I followed you . . . I saw everything.” A pitiful hurt knit his face. Oh, Dear Lord, what have I done. He came closer to her and stroked her arms. “I know you love me, Eliza. We’re meant for one another. I can only assume he’s forced himself upon you and that’s the reason you refuse me, but I don’t want you to worry. When you and I—” “You’re wrong Samuel! He’s done nothing but help and protect me.” He continued his gentleness, tracing her face with his eyes and stroking her arms. “I heard you’d been hurt—stabbed. Is that true? Did he do it because you tried to escape him?” Eliza’s nerves pricked. How much did he know? How long had he been watching them? “No . . . yes . . . no!” The words wouldn’t come quick enough. “I was hurt, very badly, but it wasn’t Thomas who did it. It was the sailors, we saw them . . .” She shook her head and waved her hands in front of her. “It’s too long to explain, but Thomas rescued me. Samuel, he saved my life!” Samuel’s eyes brimmed with emotion. “And for that, I will always be grateful.” His arms encircled her and he brushed his nose against her ear, his lips tracing along her jaw. An icy chill wriggled over her spine as she tried to push away. “Stop, Samuel! Don’t!” He stilled, then stepped away and dropped his lifeless hands at his sides. His features went slack and the muscles in his face ticked. “I care for you Samuel.” Eliza straightened, pulling the shawl back around her shoulders. “But I do not love you. I’m sorry. I don’t believe I ever really did. And how could I marry you now, knowing what you’ve done?” She lifted her chin and straightened her posture. “I love Thomas. We’re to be married.” His face twisted and flooded with red as he stepped forward. Eliza recoiled as his shoulders heaved from his heavy breathing “No. Never! You’re mine, Eliza!” His voice boomed as he spoke through his clenched teeth. He took a step closer reaching his hands toward her, a wicked desperation spinning in his gaze. “I know you are frightened to make such choices in your life. You could never come to a decision this easily. He’s forcing you to do these things. You don’t have to marry him, Eliza. You’re acting so different from the woman I know and love, and it pains me to see it. I will take you away and help you think clearly again.” “I am thinking clearly!” Eliza leaned into her words and clenched her fists, holding her arms rigid at her sides. “Samuel, I love Thomas and I am staying with him. I will be his wife! I’ll not go anywhere with you!” Samuel’s face turned to stone. “Yes. You. Will.” Eliza”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“I saw him kissing you.” The blood drained from her face and settled at her feet. The dark barn began to spin. “What?” she breathed. “I saw you at the rally. I saw you running from him.” Bile crept up her throat. Samuel continued. “I tried to get to you, but Watson was there first. I followed you . . . I saw everything.” A pitiful hurt knit his face. Oh, Dear Lord, what have I done. He came closer to her and stroked her arms. “I know you love me, Eliza. We’re meant for one another. I can only assume he’s forced himself upon you and that’s the reason you refuse me, but I don’t want you to worry. When you and I—” “You’re wrong Samuel! He’s done nothing but help and protect me.” He continued his gentleness, tracing her face with his eyes and stroking her arms. “I heard you’d been hurt—stabbed. Is that true? Did he do it because you tried to escape him?” Eliza’s nerves pricked. How much did he know? How long had he been watching them? “No . . . yes . . . no!” The words wouldn’t come quick enough. “I was hurt, very badly, but it wasn’t Thomas who did it. It was the sailors, we saw them . . .” She shook her head and waved her hands in front of her. “It’s too long to explain, but Thomas rescued me. Samuel, he saved my life!” Samuel’s eyes brimmed with emotion. “And for that, I will always be grateful.” His arms encircled her and he brushed his nose against her ear, his lips tracing along her jaw. An icy chill wriggled over her spine as she tried to push away. “Stop, Samuel! Don’t!” He stilled, then stepped away and dropped his lifeless hands at his sides. His features went slack and the muscles in his face ticked. “I care for you Samuel.” Eliza straightened, pulling the shawl back around her shoulders. “But I do not love you. I’m sorry. I don’t believe I ever really did. And how could I marry you now, knowing what you’ve done?” She lifted her chin and straightened her posture. “I love Thomas. We’re to be married.” His face twisted and flooded with red as he stepped forward. Eliza recoiled as his shoulders heaved from his heavy breathing “No. Never! You’re mine, Eliza!” His voice boomed as he spoke through his clenched teeth. He took a step closer reaching his hands toward her, a wicked desperation spinning in his gaze. “I know you are frightened to make such choices in your life. You could never come to a decision this easily. He’s forcing you to do these things. You don’t have to marry him, Eliza. You’re acting so different from the woman I know and love, and it pains me to see it. I will take you away and help you think clearly again.” “I am thinking clearly!” Eliza leaned into her words and clenched her fists, holding her arms rigid at her sides. “Samuel, I love Thomas and I am staying with him. I will be his wife! I’ll not go anywhere with you!” Samuel’s face turned to stone. “Yes. You. Will.” Eliza”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Eliza!” he said, pulling her to him with crushing strength. His voice was quiet and the words poured from him. “Eliza! What happened to you? You were gone. Then I thought you were dead. I nearly died myself with worry for you. Are you all right? Are you hurt?” He moved his hands along her back and kissed the top of her head. Overcome with his tenderness, Eliza hugged him back. Maybe there’s nothing to be afraid of. He was merely sick with worry. “I’m fine, Samuel. I’m fine,” she said, as he pressed her head against him. “There is much I need to say—” Before Eliza could stop him, he cut off her words as he pulled her chin upward and kissed her mouth, grunting and moving his arms around her back in a way that made her stomach sick. She squirmed, and tried to push away, but his mouth still covered hers and her words were mumbled. “Sa-uel—lease! Sto—!” He kissed her harder. Panic surged through her muscles as she fought against him, hitting her fists against his solid chest. Finally, he released her with an angry push. His clouded features hardened. “No, Eliza, I can’t stop!” His chest heaved and his knuckles turned white as he clenched his fingers. “I have done nothing but search for you all these many weeks. I’ve worried day and night over you. I love you. You’re to be my wife! Will you not kiss me back?” He shook her by the shoulders. “What’s happened to you? What has Thomas done to you?” His eyes searched her face then grew wide and flashed with venom. “Has he defiled you? I’ll kill him! Is that why you push me away? You think I won’t have you? It doesn’t make any difference to me, I’ll love you just the same—” “No! No, Samuel, please. It’s nothing like that.” Her fingers trembled as she held tight to his biceps hoping he could read the sincerity in her eyes. “He’s done nothing to me. He’s protected us from the beginning—” “He kidnapped you!” Samuel seized her arms with iron fingers. “He rescued us.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“If you truly love this woman, as you profess to, you will want the best for her. And from what I saw she didn’t look like she was under any kind of duress. I suggest you let it go—” Samuel launched from his place on the thin mattress and grabbed Donaldson around the neck. “Let it go?!” Samuel pushed him onto the bed and gripped harder as Donaldson choked for air. “Never! Eliza is mine!” After another shove, he let go. Donaldson gasped for air and rubbed at his throat, coughing. Samuel’s chest heaved as he stared at his subordinate. “We will find a way to get her back. She loves me. That man has forced himself upon her, I know it!” His vision darkened and his arms shook as his need for Eliza pulsed through him with the strength of the entire British Army. Donaldson”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“And I also know God led you to me, of that I have no doubt. I believe he meant for us to be together. For you to be my wife and love me forever the way I love you.” A”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“That errant devil must have some wicked hold upon her to make her act in such a way. Eliza loved him. They were to be married. All these years he’d dreamed about her as his wife. They’d talked of their future together, and at great length. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—throw all of that away. It”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Eliza, the man who proposed to you—” “Samuel?” “Yes.” She looked up at him, a teasing grin opening her lips. “Are you going to ask if he kissed me?” He hadn’t planned on it, though the thought had crossed his mind. Now that she mentioned it, he most definitely would ask. “Did he?” She moved her hands up to the cravat that peeked out from his greatcoat. “Would it make a difference if he did?” Yes, I’ll break his jaw. “I don’t know. Maybe.” Her eyes twinkled. She looked far too amused. “Well, if it does matter I might have to keep such information from your knowledge.” He took her by the shoulders and extended his arms to their full length. “Don’t toy with me, Eliza Campbell. Now you must tell me,” he said, trying to sound more playful than he felt. “Alright.” She moved close to him again. “Yes. He did.” Thomas’s muscles stiffened. He’d hoped she would say no, although he’d doubted it. Rotten scoundrel. “Often?” “No. Not often. Only when he proposed.” “Good, because from now on the only person you’ll be kissing is me.” And Samuel had better stay as far away as possible. “I’m pleased to hear it, Thomas Watson. I don’t want to kiss anyone else.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Why did you stop?” Her innocence humbled him, and despite the danger, he pulled her to him, resting her head against his chest. He remained quiet, unable to answer as he tried to force his surging emotions to settle. But such a task was impossible. “What do my actions tell you now?” he whispered. She made no sound, only looked up and stroked his face with her delicate fingers. Her endless eyes shimmering back with such love, his heart swelled until it nearly stopped his lungs. “Eliza?” “Yes?” she answered, a husky sound to her voice. “I want you to be my wife.” The words toppled out of his mouth and he bit his tongue. He hadn’t intended to ask her, but apparently his inner desires, no matter how suppressed, could no longer be ignored. She pushed away and looked up at him, disbelief painting her face. “Your wife?” He tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you say?” The muscles in his shoulders tensed. Maybe she did truly love Samuel. “Will you accept me?” She must have seen the emotions he attempted to disguise. Her slender fingers moved over his dipping eyebrows and the sweetest of smiles graced her enticing mouth. “There’s no need for your brow to furrow so. Of course I accept you.” Joy rose in his heart like a surging sea. Thomas moved his hands further around her waist, hoping such closeness would erase all other men from her mind. “You’re not wishing you would have accepted the man who asked before me?” An impish grin chased across her mouth. “Never. You’ve surprised me, that is all. I couldn’t be happier.” “So you do accept me?” he asked. A petite laugh escaped her. “Have I not already answered? What do my actions tell you, Thomas?”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“And tell me, when have you ever really noticed me, or where I am, or where I sit? You never look at me. You avoid me like I’m the pox!” Her volume reached new levels and she had to force herself not to yell up into his face. She spoke through her teeth to keep her voice low. “You’ve done your best to keep us safe and help me learn what I’ve needed to know about Father—and for that I will be forever grateful, but you can’t honestly pretend that you care!” Thomas captured her shoulders again and pulled her in front of him with a jerk, making her hat fall to the ground. The glowering look in his eyes simmered and Eliza turned her head away. Taking a hand from her shoulder he wrapped his strong, gentle fingers around her chin, compelling her to look at him. The low resonance in his rich voice was both imposing and tender. “I notice everything about you.” Eliza tried to pull away, her heart beating against her lungs. “I don’t believe you. You’re actions say otherwise.” Thomas huffed and glanced away before locking eyes with her again. “I’ve tried to keep away from you, to keep from developing feelings for you, Eliza. I know you have a life in Boston and I’ve only ever brought you trouble . . . but I can’t dictate my heart.” He brushed his calloused fingers against her cheek. Eliza closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his tenderness. It was too wonderful to be real. “I couldn’t bear to see you hurt again, Eliza. That’s what caused my anger. Not the fact that you went to the rally.” His honey voice softened. “If anything had happened to you, I would never have forgiven myself, and not because it’s my duty to care for you, as you think. Because I love you.” Eliza’s breath hitched, and her heart thumped at the sparkle of surprise in his eyes, as if he hadn’t meant to speak the tender words. But from the way his gaze roamed her face, it seemed he didn’t regret saying them. She looked up with parted lips, soaking in the sweet dew of his affections as he stepped closer. As if unwrapping precious china, he unwound the scarf that still circled her hair and let it drop to the ground near the hat. He smoothed his fingers around her ears, cupping her head, and directed her face toward his. All the world disappeared, the surrounding trees and shadows melting together and closing around them like a celestial dream. He stepped closer and her knees turned as weak as the wilted blades of snow-covered grass at her feet. “What are you doing?” she whispered, trembling under his touch. An unmistakable hunger swirled in his gaze, reaching out and expanding the longing of her own. The heat in his low voice stole her breath. “I’m doing what I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.” He leaned toward her, but she put a hand on his chest to stop him, her heart slamming against her ribs. His dark eyebrows crunched down. “What is it?” Eliza swallowed, trying to keep her voice even. “Last time you kissed me, you avoided me as if I were a poison. I don’t want that to happen again.” A quiet, rumbling laugh escaped him. “You are anything but a poison, Eliza.” He cradled her face in his hands, tilting it upward and nuzzled her cold nose with his. She closed her eyes and inhaled in a ragged breath as his warm lips moved across the corners of her eyes, her cheekbones, her ear. Delicious shivers sprayed down her skin and she clung to his chest to keep from falling. His hands brushed down her neck and shoulders—one resting behind her head, the other at her back, as if he wanted to keep her safely next to him forever. Dear”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“She would not stand here and be punished like a schoolgirl. She whirled away from him and walked in the direction of the house. “Eliza!” He called after her, his quiet tone loaded with anger. “Eliza!” She quickened her pace. Instantly, he was behind her again and yanked her around to face him. Her fury ignited. “Unhand me, Thomas!” she snapped, in the loudest whisper she could produce and wrenched from his strong fingers. “I’m going home.” “Not yet. I’m not done giving you the tongue lashing you deserve.” She straightened and pursed her lips. “Mr. Watson, I am going home and if you’d like to lash me there you may, but I’ll not stand another minute in this cold, my toes are becoming icicles! “ Eliza tromped through the muddy snow, trying hard not to stumble. She pumped her arms in the long heavy sleeves and puffed white clouds of air as she mumbled under her breath. All the while Thomas marched behind her.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“She stared at Thomas, her large eyes wide, her delicate mouth open in shock. Did she really think he wouldn’t come for her once he knew she was gone? What”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Nothing would bring peace to Samuel’s anguished soul. Nothing except finding Eliza. He would die without her, just as surely as she was dying without him—alone and frightened in some strange place. Donaldson”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“Thomas’s blood boiled. “That’s enough!” He bellowed, shooting out of his seat. The two actors jumped apart, their mouths agape. Kitty stared with round eyes. Jaw solid, he walked to Nathaniel and swiped the book from his hand. “Sit down, you’re terrible. I can’t stand to watch you. It’s my turn.” Nathaniel raised one eyebrow and dipped his chin. A bold, satisfied grin swept across his face as he took the seat where Thomas had been. “Continue, oh great one.” Thomas glared at his friend, calculating the different ways he could wipe the smirk off his face, then shuffled into Nathaniel’s previous position. His stomach turned weightless. Palms clammy, his breathing faltered. This was a mistake. Eliza’s face shone up at him, sparkling like the stars in the winter sky. The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slight. The orange glow of the fire kissed her supple cheek and made him want to do the same. He kicked away the dangerous thoughts, and carefully slipped his hand around her tiny waist, relishing the warm smoothness of her gown and spread his fingers across her back. Her dark eyes widened and she inhaled a sharp breath. In her gaze circled a mixture of nervousness and pleasure as the color in her cheeks deepened to scarlet. He smiled and pulled her body closer to his. Pure heaven! Perhaps this wasn’t a mistake after all. Thomas”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“That was quite a performance, old boy, I’m impressed. Bravo.” Thomas exhaled, hoping to drive his raging pulse into submission. “I wish I could say the same about you.” Nathaniel leaned his head back, laughing. “What, you weren’t impressed?” Thomas peered back at Eliza. She glanced up from her conversation with Kitty, then turned away again. The memory of her dainty form pressed against him was now burned into his mind forever. “You have impeccable taste, Thomas.” Nathaniel’s gaze flitted to both girls, landing on Kitty and lingering, before he quickly turned back to the conversation. “I can see how you have been entranced. How could you not be, when Eliza is so fair a lady. She may be a decoy wife, my friend,” Nathaniel spoke low through closed teeth, “but I’d venture to guess she’d be willing to be more.” Thomas rubbed his hand over his face, trying to scrub away his monopolizing thoughts. How could he spend any time with Eliza and not take her in his arms and kiss her with all the passion that swelled within him? At this moment he could easily see Eliza as his real wife—in fact wanted it to be so.”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“That was an inspiring service, Thomas, and I believe it should be followed by an inspiring bit of entertainment.” Kitty clapped her hands. “Oh yes! What a lovely idea.” “What shall we do then?” Nathaniel asked. “Why don’t we have Liza perform for us?” Kitty said. Eliza snapped her head toward her sister. “Me?” Kitty tilted her head. “Yes, like you used to do! I haven’t heard you perform Shakespeare in so long.” Nathaniel sat back down. “I have heard tales of your talents, Eliza. Shakespeare is one of my favorites. It would be a great honor if you’d perform for us.” Eliza turned to Thomas, shooting him a stern but playful glare. “Did you have anything to do with this?” Thomas attempted to smother a telling grin. “Nothing whatsoever.” She turned again toward her sister. Kitty bit her lip and tilted her head farther as if to say “pretty please?” Eliza looked around the room tapping her foot, searching for a reason to decline. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool out of herself. “I’d love to, Kitty, but it’s been such a long time and I don’t have any of my books with me. I really need to freshen my memory before I do anything like that and I’m out of practice on my recitations. I’m sorry, my dear.” “Not to worry.” Nathaniel popped out of his chair again and went to fetch a small bundle by the front door. “It so happens that I’ve brought such a book with me.” Eliza threw an accusatory glance at Thomas. He grinned wide as the horizon, and leaned back in his seat. She couldn’t get out of it now. She was trapped. She pinched her lips and laced her fingers in her lap. Nathaniel came to her chair and held the thick book in front of her. “Your reputation precedes you, Miss Campbell. You must indulge us, please.” Eliza”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady

“He looked so strong in his tailored suit, his muscular shoulders and arms filling out every inch of fabric. The color of it brought out the bewitching blue of his eyes and contrasted with the magnificent midnight color of his hair. His masculine face was freshly shaven, and looked so smooth it tempted her to reach out and test its softness. She tried not to be obvious as her eyes trailed over him, but he caught her and raised his eyebrows ever so slight as a grin tugged at his lips. She ducked her head, the blood rushing up her neck and into her face. Nathaniel”
― Amber Lynn Perry, So Fair a Lady