No, my love, if we miss our opportunity to break into [his] residence tonight, the consequences will be grave, for I’m convinced you would never let me forget it was my fault. Then you won’t invite me to help the next time you break into a gentleman’s apartments and I will be forced to sneak up on you whilst you are hiding in a dark corner, and your shout of alarm will alert the butler, which will cause a great ruckus involving Runners and magistrates. And that must be avoided at all costs.

I would offer to share my knowledge of locks, which, despite your mockery, is actually quite considerable, in a private tutorial, but I fear your aunt would insist on joining that as well,” he said, taking her hand and raising it to his lips.

I shall tell you everything you need to know about Lavinia, and you will...teach me how to dance."His grin was wicked again. "Among other things.

Blindly, Grace pushed away from the velvet-lined wall...Right into the path of a giant as tall and as hard as an oak.A firm hand caught her about the waist as strong fingers captured her wrists. She blinked the sting of unshed tears from her eyes to find herself entangled not with an oak, but with a man possessed of dark brown hair and dangerous golden eyes. A wry smile curved his lips as the orchestra began the opening strains of a waltz.

What shall we say when people ask us how we met?”The corners of her mouth twitched. “We’ll say I was in my nightrail, brushing my hair in peaceful solitude, when you climbed up to my balcony and—”“Do you even have a balcony?”She pursed her lips. “You’re not invited upon it, regardless.”He gave her a slow, naughty smile. “No one’s ever *invited* to scale a balcony.

We should go,” he said gruffly, his face inscrutable.“Why?” Her heartbeat thundered. She gripped his arms tight to keep herself from twining her own about his neck. He lowered his mouth to her ear, brushing it with a feather-soft kiss. “It isn’t safe.”Her answering shiver had nothing to do with the cold. She had never stood so close to any man, had never fought the urge to press herself even closer.“What could happen?” she whispered.He cupped her face in his hands. “Anything.

That’s not a catalog!” Amelia's brother set aside his empty glass and plate to peer across the maplewood table. “Why the devil are you reading Debrett’s Peerage?”“It most certainly is a catalog," she replied, "and the most expedient one at my disposal. I’ve decided to take a husband. His name must be within these pages.

Who said the soirée needs to take place in the same old ballroom?" Amelia arched a brow. "All we need is a new venue.”“We?” Ravenwood reared back, horrified.“Not you, dear brother. Viscount Sheffield and I.”“Does the poor flat even know who you are?” Ravenwood burst out.Her smile turned calculating. “He’s about to.

The ladies, I daresay, will have already selected silk gowns and appropriate jewels," the countess droned on, "and are quite capable of comporting themselves in line with both propriety and fashion.”“I don’t care about fashion,” Lord Sheffield murmured into Amelia’s ear, “but I’m sorely disappointed whenever a lady I escort decides to comport herself with propriety.

There’s a Lady Amelia Pembroke here to see you, my lord. She was most insistent.”Benedict glanced up from his desk. “I trust you informed her that I was not receiving, and refused to let her in?”“Of course.” The butler hesitated before continuing, “She said she would simply wait until you are receiving.”Benedict put down his pen. “Wait where, pray?”“Upon the front step, my lord. I’m afraid the lady brought... the lady brought... a book. She cannot be budged.