欧宝娱乐

“It might do wonders for your marriage,鈥� Amelia continued. 鈥淚t鈥檚 lovely to talk to your husband after you鈥檝e been to bed together. They just lie there feeling grateful and say yes to everything.鈥� - Amelia to Poppy”
― Lisa Kleypas, Tempt Me at Twilight

“I, too, have felt that the war goes on and on. When my son, Ian, died at El Alamein-- side by side with... visitors offering their condolences, thinking to comfort me, said, "Life goes on." What nonsense, I thought, of course it doesn't. It's death that goes on; Ian is dead now and will be dead tomorrow and nexe year and forever. There's no end to that. But perhaps there will be an end to the sorrow of it. ”
― Mary Ann Shaffer, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“To Cam surprise, she was smiling up at him steadily, her eyes midnight.
His expression turned quizzical. "What's so amus颅ing?"
Amelia toyed with a button on his coat. "I was just thinking . . . tonight those two old hens will probably go to their beds, cold and alone." An impish grin curved her lips. "Whereas I will be with a wicked, handsome Rom who will keep me warm all night.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Seduce Me at Sunrise

“I don't think she realized how much she cared for him, or he for her, until the end. Hasn't someone said a woman may be known by the men who love her enough to die for her? (If they haven't, I claim the credit myself.)”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Ape Who Guards the Balance

“Her skin is pale as watermelon sucked free of its juices.”
― Jaclyn Moriarty, The Ghosts of Ashbury High

“He wrapped his hand around hers, pressed a kiss to the heart of her palm, and held her gaze. 鈥淚鈥檝e got a one-room cabin, a few horses, and a dream that鈥檚 so small it won鈥檛 even cover your palm. But it sure seems a lot bigger when you鈥檙e beside me.鈥�

The moonlight streaming through the window shimmered off the tears trailing along her cheeks. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted a dream that I could hold in the palm of my hand,鈥� she said quietly.

-Houston and Amelia”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“Forgive me for speaking frankly, but after the past quarter-hour's conversation, I am unconvinced that any of you possess the sense or sensitivity to impart the news in any respectful fashion”
― Tessa Dare, One Dance with a Duke

“We southerners worship our ancestors.”
― Amanda Stevens, The Restorer

“Amelia and Poppy both glanced at their younger sister quizzically. 鈥淒o you know what we鈥檙e talking about, Bea?鈥� Amelia asked.
鈥淵es, of course. Merripen鈥檚 in love with her. I knew it a long time ago, from the way he washed her window.鈥�
鈥淲ashed her window?鈥� both older sisters asked at the same time.
鈥淵es, when we lived in the cottage at Primrose Place. Win鈥檚 room had a casement window that looked out onto the big maple tree鈥� do you remember? After the scarlet fever, when Win couldn鈥檛 get out of bed for the longest time and she was too weak to hold a book, she would just lie there and watch a birds鈥� nest on one of the tree limbs. She saw the baby swallows hatch and learn to fly. One day she complained that the window was so dirty, she could barely see through it, and it made the sky look grayish. So from then on Merripen always kept the glass spotless. Sometimes he climbed a ladder to wash the outside, and you know how afraid of heights he is. You never saw him do that?鈥�
鈥淣o,鈥� Amelia said with difficulty, her eyes stinging. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know he did that.鈥�
鈥淢erripen said the sky should always be blue for her,鈥� Beatrix said. 鈥淎nd that was when I knew he 鈥� are you crying, Poppy?鈥�
Poppy used a napkin to dab at the corners of her eyes. 鈥淣o. I just inh-haled some pepper.鈥�
鈥淪o did I,鈥� Amelia said, blowing her nose.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“He pulled her mirror out of his other pocket. 鈥淵ou left your mirror on my table.鈥� He extended it toward her.

鈥淵ou can keep it,鈥� she said quietly. 鈥淲e have lots of mirrors here.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檒l keep it, then.鈥�

鈥淕ood. I鈥檓 glad.鈥�

He鈥檇 never rushed headlong into a battle, but he figured this time, it might be the best approach. 鈥淚 spent a lot of time studying it. The back is real pretty with all the gold carving. Took me about an hour to gather up the courage to turn it over and look at the other side.鈥�

鈥淎nd what did you see?鈥�

鈥� Aman who loves you more than life itself.鈥�

Closing her eyes, she dropped her chin to her chest.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 blame you if you hated me. I haven鈥檛 held your feelings as precious as I should have.鈥�

鈥淚 don鈥檛 hate you,鈥� she whispered hoarsely. 鈥淚 tried to, but I can鈥檛.鈥�

-Houston and Amelia”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“Mr. Rohan,鈥� she heard Beatrix ask, 鈥渁re you going to marry my sister?鈥�
Amelia choked on her tea and set the cup down. She sputtered and coughed into her napkin.
鈥淗ush, Beatrix,鈥� Win murmured.
鈥淏ut she鈥檚 wearing his ring鈥斺€�
Poppy clamped her hand over Beatrix鈥檚 mouth. 鈥�Hush!鈥�
鈥淚 might,鈥� Cam replied. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he continued. 鈥淚 find your sister a bit lacking in humor. And she doesn鈥檛 seem particularly obedient. On the other hand鈥斺€�
One set of French doors flew open, accompanied by the sound of breaking glass. Everyone on the back terrace looked up in startlement, the men rising from their chairs.
鈥�No,鈥� came Win鈥檚 soft cry.
Merripen stood there, having dragged himself from his sickbed. He was bandaged and disheveled, but he looked far from helpless. He looked like a maddened bull, his dark head lowered, his hands clenched into massive fists. And his stare, promising death, was firmly fixed on Cam.
There was no mistaking the bloodlust of a Roma whose kinswoman had been dishonored.
鈥淥h, God,鈥� Amelia muttered.
Cam, who stood beside her chair, glanced down at her questioningly. 鈥淒id you say something to him?鈥�
Amelia turned red as she recalled her blood-spotted nightgown and the maid鈥檚 expression. 鈥淚t must have been servants鈥� talk.鈥�
Cam stared at the enraged giant with resignation. 鈥淵ou may be in luck,鈥� he said to Amelia. 鈥淚t looks as if our betrothal is going to end prematurely.鈥�
She made to stand beside him, but he pressed her back into the chair. 鈥淪tay out of this. I don鈥檛 want you hurt in the fray.鈥�
鈥淗e won鈥檛 hurt me,鈥� Amelia said curtly. 鈥淚t鈥檚 you he wants to slaughter.鈥�
Holding Merripen鈥檚 gaze, Cam moved slowly away from the table. 鈥淚s there something you鈥檇 like to discuss, chal?鈥� he asked with admirable self-possession.
Merripen replied in Romany. Although no one save Cam understood what he said, it was clearly not encouraging.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to marry her,鈥� Cam said, as if to pacify him.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 even worse!鈥� Merripen moved forward, murder in his eyes.
Lord St. Vincent swiftly interceded, stepping between the pair. Like Cam, he鈥檇 had his share of putting down fights at the gambling club. He lifted his hands in a staying gesture and spoke smoothly. 鈥淓asy, large fellow. I鈥檓 sure you can find a way to resolve your differences in a reasonable fashion.鈥�
鈥淕et out of my way,鈥� Merripen growled, putting an end to the notion of civilized discourse.
St. Vincent鈥檚 pleasant expression didn鈥檛 change. 鈥淵ou have a point. There鈥檚 nothing so tiresome as being reasonable. I myself avoid it whenever possible. Still, I鈥檓 afraid you can鈥檛 brawl when there are ladies present. It might give them ideas.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Her delicate brows drew together. 鈥淎s a rancher, surely he knows how to ride a horse.鈥�

鈥淗e can ride just fine. He took it into his head that he could break this rangy mustang, and it broke him instead.鈥�

-Houston and Amelia”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“Boys,鈥� said Amelia as she and Patrick stepped forward with the last gift, 鈥淐an you never give anyone anything useful?鈥�
At the same time Danny and Mason broke out into grins and said, 鈥淏ut those are useful.鈥� Amelia shook her head, her blond curls cascading beautifully around her.”
― Micalea Smeltzer, Forbidden

“Poppy was busy with needlework, stitching a pair of men鈥檚 slippers with bright wool threads, while Beatrix played solitaire on the floor near the hearth. Noticing the way her youngest sister was riffling through the cards, Amelia laughed. 鈥淏eatrix,鈥� she said after Win had finished a chapter, 鈥渨hy in heaven鈥檚 name would you cheat at solitaire? You鈥檙e playing against yourself.鈥�
鈥淭hen there鈥檚 no one to object when I cheat.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 not whether you win but how you win that鈥檚 important,鈥� Amelia said.
鈥淚鈥檝e heard that before, and I don鈥檛 agree at all. It鈥檚 much nicer to win.鈥�
Poppy shook her head over her embroidery. 鈥淏eatrix, you are positively shameless.鈥�
鈥�And a winner,鈥� Beatrix said with satisfaction, laying down the exact card she wanted.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Pro medicina est dolor, dolorem qui necat.鈥�
鈥淭he pain that kills pain acts as medicine,鈥� Win translated.
鈥淭hat would make sense only to a Roma,鈥� Amelia said, and Cam grinned.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Walking around the ragged exterior of Ramsay House, Amelia talked animatedly with John Dashiell, asking about his past projects, his ambitions, and whether there were difficulties in working with one鈥檚 brother.
鈥淲e knock heads quite often, I鈥檓 afraid,鈥� Dashiell replied, squinting against the afternoon sun. A quick grin illuminated his face. 鈥淲e both hate to compromise. I accuse him of being set in his ways, and he accuses me of arrogance. The pity of it is, we鈥檙e both right.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Poppy wiped his sweating face with a dry cloth. 鈥淧oor Merripen.鈥� She brought a cup of water to his lips. When he tried to refuse, she slid an arm beneath his head and raised it insistently. 鈥淵es, you must. I should have known you鈥檇 be a terrible patient. Drink, dear, or I鈥檒l be forced to sing something.鈥�
Amelia stifled a grin as Merripen complied. 鈥淵our singing isn鈥檛 that terrible, Poppy. Father always said you sang like a bird.鈥�
鈥淗e meant a parrot,鈥� Merripen said hoarsely, leaning his head on Poppy鈥檚 arm.
鈥淛ust for that,鈥� Poppy informed him, 鈥淚鈥檓 going to send Beatrix in here to look after you today. She鈥檒l probably put one of her pets in bed with you, and spread her jacks all over the floor. And if you鈥檙e very lucky, she鈥檒l bring in her glue pots, and you can help make paper-doll clothes.鈥�
Merripen gave Amelia a glance rife with muted suffering, and she laughed.
鈥淚f that doesn鈥檛 inspire you to get well quickly, dear, nothing will.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“God help anyone who stands in your way. You do like to manage other people's lives, don't you?"
"Only when it's obvious I can do a better job of it than they can.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Ami sniffed, then cooed at the baby. 鈥淵ou are the mostest beautiful, aren鈥檛 you? So precious, my darling. Where鈥檚 Ash? Ash, I need to have another baby.鈥�
Ash, still wrestling Astar the bear cub while Stella clung to his back, her arms wrapped around his neck, throttling him as she chattered merrily, called back. 鈥淩ight this minute? Because I鈥檒l need to get undressed.”
― Jeffe Kennedy, The Fate of the Tala

“Their conversation was checked by the reappearance of Beatrix. 鈥淪pot鈥檚 gone,鈥� she reported. 鈥淗e seemed quite happy to take up residence at Stony Cross Park.鈥�
Seeming relieved by her sister鈥檚 return, Amelia went to her, brushed at the crumbs of soil on her sleeve, and straightened her hair bow. 鈥淕ood luck to Spot. Are you ready to go back in to supper, dear?鈥�
鈥淣辞.鈥�
鈥淥h, everything will be fine. Just remember to look chastened while I grimace in an authoritative manner, and I鈥檓 certain they鈥檒l allow us to stay through dessert.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“I don鈥檛 want to go back,鈥� Beatrix moaned. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so dreadfully dull, and I don鈥檛 like all that rich food, and I鈥檝e been sitting beside the vicar who only wants to talk about his own religious writings. It鈥檚 so redundant to quote oneself, don鈥檛 you think?鈥�
鈥淚t does bear a certain odor of immodesty,鈥� Amelia agreed with a grin, smoothing her sister鈥檚 dark hair. 鈥淧oor Bea. You don鈥檛 have to go back, if you don鈥檛 wish it. I鈥檓 sure one of the servants can recommend a nice place for you to wait until supper is done. The library, perhaps.鈥�
鈥淥h, thank you.鈥� Beatrix heaved a sigh of relief. 鈥淏ut who will create another distraction if Leo starts being disagreeable again?鈥�
鈥淚 will,鈥� Cam assured her gravely. 鈥淚 can be shocking at a moment鈥檚 notice.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 not surprised,鈥� Amelia said. 鈥淚n fact, I鈥檓 fairly certain you would enjoy it.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“I鈥檓 tired of sitting. I鈥檓 tired of watching everyone else work. I can set my own limits, Amelia. Let me do as I wish.鈥�
鈥淣辞.鈥� Incredulously Amelia watched as Win picked up a broom from the corner. 鈥淲in, put that down and stop being silly!鈥� Annoyance whipped through her. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not going to help anyone by expending all your reserves on menial tasks.鈥�
鈥淚 can do it.鈥� Win gripped the broom handle with both hands as if she sensed Amelia was on the verge of wrenching it away from her. 鈥淚 won鈥檛 overtax myself.鈥�
鈥淧ut down the broom.鈥�
鈥淟eave me alone,鈥� Win cried. 鈥淕o dust something!鈥�
鈥淲in, if you don鈥檛鈥斺€� Amelia鈥檚 attention was diverted as she saw her sister鈥檚 gaze fly to the kitchen threshold.
Merripen stood there, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. Although it was early morning, he was already dusty and perspiring, his shirt clinging to the powerful contours of his chest and waist. He wore an expression they knew well鈥攖he implacable one that meant you could move a mountain with a teaspoon sooner than change his mind about something.
Approaching Win, he extended a broad hand in a wordless demand. They were both motionless. But even in their stubborn opposition, Amelia saw a singular connection, as if they were locked in an eternal stalemate from which neither wanted to break free.
Win gave in with a helpless scowl. 鈥淚 have nothing to do.鈥� It was rare for her to sound so peevish. 鈥淚鈥檓 sick of sitting and reading and staring out the window. I want to be useful. I want鈥︹€� Her voice trailed away as she saw Merripen鈥檚 stern face. 鈥淔ine, then. Take it!鈥� She tossed the broom at him, and he caught it reflexively. 鈥淚鈥檒l just find a corner somewhere and quietly go mad. I鈥檒l鈥斺€�
鈥淐ome with me,鈥� Merripen interrupted calmly. Setting the broom aside, he left the room.
Win exchanged a perplexed glance with Amelia, her vehemence fading. 鈥淲hat is he doing?鈥�
鈥淚 have no idea.鈥�
The sisters followed him down a hallway to the dining room, which was spattered with rectangles of light from the tall multipaned windows that lined one wall. A scarred table ran down the center of the room, every available inch covered with dusty piles of china 鈥� towers of cups and saucers, plates of assorted sizes sandwiched together, bowls wrapped in tattered scraps of gray linen. There were at least three different patterns all jumbled together. 鈥淚t needs to be sorted,鈥� Merripen said, gently nudging Win toward the table. 鈥淢any pieces are chipped. They must be separated from the rest.鈥�
It was the perfect task for Win, enough to keep her busy but not so strenuous that it would exhaust her. Filled with gratitude, Amelia watched as her sister picked up a teacup and held it upside down. The husk of a tiny dead spider dropped to the floor.
鈥淲hat a mess,鈥� Win said, beaming. 鈥淚鈥檒l have to wash it, too, I suppose.鈥�
鈥淚f you鈥檇 like Poppy to help鈥斺€� Amelia began.
鈥淒on鈥檛 you dare send for Poppy,鈥� Win said. 鈥淭his is my project, and I won鈥檛 share it.鈥� Sitting at a chair that had been placed beside the table, she began to unwrap pieces of china.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“Uneasily Amelia drew her hand away and told her brother, 鈥淢r. Rohan saved my life twice today. First I nearly fell out the window, and then I found the bees.鈥�
鈥淭his house,鈥� Leo muttered, 鈥渟hould be torn down and used for matchsticks.鈥�
鈥淵ou should order a full structural inspection,鈥� Rohan said. 鈥淭he house has settled badly. Some of the chimneys are leaning, and the entrance hall ceiling is sagging. You鈥檝e got damaged joinery and beams.鈥�
鈥淚 know what the problems are.鈥� The calm appraisal had annoyed Leo. He鈥檇 retained enough of his past architectural training to assess the house鈥檚 condition accurately.
鈥淚t may not be safe for the family to stay here.鈥�
鈥淏ut that鈥檚 my concern,鈥� Leo said, adding with a sneer, 鈥渋sn鈥檛 it?鈥�
Sensitive to the brittle disquiet in the atmosphere, Amelia made a hasty attempt at diplomacy. 鈥淢r. Rohan, Lord Ramsay is convinced the house poses no immediate danger to the family.鈥�
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be so easily convinced,鈥� Rohan replied. 鈥淣ot with four sisters in my charge.鈥�
鈥淐are to take them off my hands?鈥� Leo asked. 鈥淵ou can have the lot of them.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“What happened?鈥� she asked, dropping to the damp ground beside Win. 鈥淗as Merripen been burned?鈥�
鈥淵es, on his back.鈥� Win ripped a makeshift bandage from the hem of her own gown. 鈥淏eatrix, would you take this, please, and soak it in water?鈥�
Without a word, Beatrix scampered to the trough at the handpump.
Win stroked Merripen鈥檚 thick black hair as he rested his head on his forearms. His breath hissed unevenly through his teeth.
鈥淒oes it hurt, or is it numb?鈥� Amelia asked.
鈥淗urts like the devil,鈥� he choked out.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a good sign. A burn is much more serious if it鈥檚 numb.鈥�
He turned his head to give her a speaking glance.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Mine Till Midnight

“You have all you need. A home, children, work that satisfies you. What do you need with a man?”
― Nora Roberts, Black Rose

“Love is the biggest lie. He will fuck you, and use you, and cheat and lie. He will give you pain until you are hollow and empty, until you are dried up and ugly. And dead.”
― Nora Roberts, Black Rose

“Love鈥檚 a lie, an illusion created by weak women and conniving men. An excuse for the middle class to breed and their betters to ignore so they can marry within their own station and build more wealth.”
― Nora Roberts

“The act of rebellion is seeded in doubt that SAFER-U is what it claims to be, and the search for some satisfaction outside of us. We can see what life without SAFER-U, lived in rebellion and fear, does to areas where people have not let SAFER-U gain control. The rebellious and non-conforming choose their poverty by rejecting the safety and riches of our U-City鈥檚.”
― J.S. Jacob

“SAFER-U only taught me fear and hate, but Amelia taught me love.”
― J.S.Jacob

“So, you would go down on your knees before me?

Whenever you want me to, and with pleasure,”
― Astrid Morino, Spellbound Embrace: A Witch's Dance with Darkness