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“One can live without books. Birds live. Cats live. Even the best of dogs live. But only humans can soar on the words from a book. Stories fling us high into the clouds with imagination. Poems make hearts weep with emotion. Science stuns the mind with wonder." She let her hands fall to her lap. "Without the stimulation of literature, you can live, yes. But your soul will be earthbound. A clod without imagination."
"I..." He blinked as if taken aback for just an instant before assuming his usual haughty expression. "I assure you, my lady, I live perfectly well without books."
"No." She shook her head, pitying him, this severe man who thought he wanted for nothing. "No. You breathe and you move, but inside, in your mind, there is only gray. You don't know what it is to soar.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“I am reading," she replied loftily to his question, and then glanced down at the book.
She blinked in surprise. A rude engraving covered the page.
The gentleman walked to her, his movements graceful. Sinuous. He reminded her of a viper gliding toward a particularly plump sparrow--- the sparrow in this case being she.
He stopped in front of her, so close Elspeth could see the small wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he narrowed them again.
"Are you?" His gaze flicked down to the illustration of... a couple? Possibly two couples? There were a confusing number of limbs. One ebony eyebrow rose censoriously as he looked back at her. "Reading, that is?"
Quite unfair that she was unable to raise her eyebrow in return. She felt heat invade her cheeks. "Yes.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“They squeezed together, the gentleman with his back against the window and Elspeth between his legs.
The door opened.
Candlelight suddenly brightened the room below as someone--- two someones--- walked into the library.
The gentleman tightened his hold about her middle. Her bottom was firmly wedged against the V of his thighs, his heat enfolding her. Elspeth had to pull her mind away from the sensation of his breath against the nape of her neck to listen to the men below.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He shook her. "Listen to me!"
She looked him in the eye and said very gently, "No."
And his fear and frustration and longing, and all that he'd kept so carefully tamped down deep inside himself, simply exploded.
He pulled her roughly into his arms and bent his head to devour her lips. She was sweet and soft, and her taste was like balm for his wounded soul. He opened her mouth with his tongue, thrusting inside almost desperately, as if her depths held all the secrets he needed to sustain life. She moaned low in her throat, so softly he felt more than heard it, a tremor against his lips, and he moved his hand to her jaw so that he might press his thumb against the pulse of her throat and understand the emotions that swept through her.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Are you this way with everyone you know? So abrupt and dismissive?"
"What do you care?" he sneered.
She exhaled forcefully, having lost all patience. "I care because I breathe and think and laugh and cry. I care because I'm alive. I suspect that you, Mr. Greycourt, have been dead for a very long time.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He could feel himself hardening. It was her certainty. Her calm acceptance that she was interested in such things.
In sex.
His cock jerked.
He licked his lips. "And then?"
"That depends." She smiled a secret smile. One that had been used by women ever since mankind had set foot on earth. "If I had a lover, I would tell him what I wanted."
"Just like that?" he asked, his voice lowered.
She nodded. "Just like that."
"What if he didn't want what you want?"
"Then he could say so, couldn't he?" She shrugged. "I suppose we wouldn't match. Wouldn't be compatible. In which case, I should have to find a man who was aroused by my needs."
Her gaze dropped from his face, trailing slowly over his chest and belly to pause at the falls to his breeches.
Where his cock strained to be released.
She stared, and he'd never felt anything so erotic. Just her, frankly observing him. She must be able to see the outline of his erection even as it pulsed with new blood. His libido laid bare to her for as long she pleased.
Every muscle in his body tensed, restrained, unable to move unless she said so.
She sighed softly. "I'd search for a man who yearned for me and what I want. Who craved my touch. A man who put my pleasure above his own." Her gaze rose until she met his eyes. "Perhaps a man like you.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“The mare's ears flicked forward in interest.
"Aren't you lovely?" Elspeth crooned to her. "I'm sorry I didn't think to bring you a treat. That was quite remiss of me."
Plum had stopped by her feet, but now he ventured close to the horse. Elspeth watched. Octavia could hurt the dog should she wish.
The mare merely lowered her head, snuffling curiously at Plum.
Plum licked her nose.
Octavia jerked her head back but then lowered it to blow at the dog and then shake her head as if in horsey laughter.
Plum immediately went into a play bow--- the first that Elspeth had seen him make.
She laughed. "Silly. How do you expect Octavia to play with you? She'd run right over if let loose."
Julian sighed from the stall, and Elspeth glanced over to see him leaning on the pitchfork, watching her. "Octavia has never been as serious as her name," he said. "And she likes dogs."
"Does she?" Elspeth asked in delight.
Plum was now darting forward at the horse's legs, pretending to attack before retreating just as swiftly. Octavia watched bemusedly before stamping her hoof at the next attack, sending the dog into spins of excitement.
Elspeth knit her brow, concerned that the horse would accidentally stomp on the dog, but Julian reassured her. "You needn't worry. Octavia knows to be gentle.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He stalked to her, standing a full head or more taller than she. He was powerful, looming, looking barely restrained. But he was keeping himself in check. As if he were a high-tempered stallion, able to crush her, but bowing before her hands on his reins.
The thought made her feel liquid.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“I suppose you'll be looking for a duchess now that you're a duke. An ordinary, proper lady."
His breath puffed against her lips. "If I wanted an ordinary duchess, I'd never have fallen in love with you.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess