Every morning,” he said softly, his breath caressing her cheek. “You were my only thought.” He tilted closer. “Every night, you were my only thought.” His lips brushed her cheekbone. “Every moment of every day, you were my only thought.

The power of unconditional love came from the knowledge that one possessed it.

Masquerades are frivolous, scandalous – ” “Scandalous?” “People in costume lose their minds completely. The ‘ladies,’ if there are any, have been known to be free with their favors and dampen their gowns to make them more transparent – ” “I did bring a bowl of water, in case you wished to blend with the masses.

She would’ve made an excellent pirate.

I may be dead inside, but I’m more than alive enough for you.” He gripped her chin and covered her mouth with his.

Everybody carried their unique hopes, dreams, and passions in their hearts. The trick was finding someone who shared them. Or would at least listen.

His problem was the innocent, unmarried, unaccompanied maiden seated in the parlor of an infamous, immoral, cynical ex-soldier.

Who we are at any given moment is a combination of our past experiences, present situation, and potential future.

He couldn't walk away. Not when the wallflower needed rescuing. His dratted Achilles' heel, no matter how disastrous the outcome tended to be.

From the second Edmund burst into the ceremony, she'd no longer wanted to be a duchess. She just wanted Edmund. Seeing his face had been like being flooded with magic. He was sunshine and sultry nights. Laughter and sensuous kisses. The other half of her heart.