ŷ������

“Westcliff thinks that St. Vincent is in love with you.��

Evie choked a little and didn’t dare look up from her tea. “Wh-why does he think that?��

“He’s known St. Vincent from childhood, and can read him fairly well. And Westcliff sees an odd sort of logic in why you would finally be the one to win St. Vincent’s heart. He says a girl like you would appeal to…hmm, how did he put it?…I can’t remember the exact words, but it was something like�� you would appeal to St. Vincent’s deepest, most secret fantasy.��

Evie felt her cheeks flushing while a skirmish of pain and hope took place in the tired confines of her chest. She tried to respond sardonically. “I should think his fantasy is to consort with as many women as possible.��

A grin crossed Lillian’s lips. “Dear, that is not St. Vincent’s fantasy, it’s his reality. And you’re probably the first sweet, decent girl he’s ever had anything to do with.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter

“Who should I send for now?��

Using the last of his strength, Sebastian managed to drag her hand up to his mouth. “You,�� he whispered, holding her fingers to his lips. “Just you.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter

“As Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, stared at the young woman who had just barged her way into his London residence, it occurred to him that he might have tried to abduct the wrong heiress last week at Stony Cross Park.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter

“After watching—with a twinge of satisfaction—the letters burn to ashes in the fireplace, Evie felt sleepy. She went to the master bedroom for a nap. In spite of her weariness, it was difficult to relax while she was worried about Sebastian. Her thoughts chased round and round, until her tired brain put an end to the useless fretting and she dropped off to sleep.
When she awakened an hour or so later, Sebastian was sitting on the bed beside her, a lock of her bright hair clasped loosely between a thumb and forefinger. He was watching her closely, his eyes the color of heaven at daybreak. She sat up and smiled self-consciously.
Gently Sebastian stroked back her tumbled hair. “You look like a little girl when you sleep,�� he murmured. “It makes me want to guard you every minute.��
“Did you find Mr. Bullard?��
“Yes, and no. First tell me what you did while I was gone.��
“I helped Cam to arrange things in the office. And I burned all your letters from lovelorn ladies. The blaze was so large, I’m surprised no one sent for a fire brigade.��
His lips curved in a smile, but his gaze probed hers carefully. “Did you read any of them?��
Evie lifted a shoulder in a nonchalant half shrug. “A few. There were inquiries as to whether or not you’ve yet tired of your wife.��
“No.�� Sebastian drew his palm along the line of her thigh. “I’m tired of countless evenings of repetitive gossip and tepid flirtation. I’m tired of meaningless encounters with women who bore me senseless. They’re all the same to me, you know. I’ve never given a damn about anyone but you.��
“I don’t blame them for wanting you,�� Evie said, looping her arms around his neck. “But I’m not willing to share.��
“You won’t have to.�� He cupped her face in his hands and pressed a swift kiss to her lips.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter

“For some reason Miss Jenner had seen fit to come uninvited to Sebastian’s home at a scandalously late hour. To make the situation even more compromising, she was unaccompanied—and spending more than a half minute alone with Sebastian was sufficient to ruin any girl. He was debauched, amoral, and perversely proud of it. He excelled at his chosen occupation—that of degenerate seducer—and he had set a standard few rakes could aspire to.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter

“It’s decided, then,�� he murmured. “I accept your proposition. There’s much more to discuss, of course, but we’ll have two days until we reach Gretna Green.�� He rose from the chair and stretched, his smile lingering as he noticed the way her gaze slid quickly over his body. “I’ll have the carriage readied and have the valet pack my clothes. We’ll leave within the hour. Incidentally, if you decide to back out of our agreement at any time during our journey, I will strangle you.��
She shot him a sardonic glance. “You w-wouldn’t be so nervous about that if you hadn’t tried this with an unwilling victim l-last week.��
“Touché. Then we may describe you as a willing victim?��
“A�� eager one,�� Evangeline said shortly, looking as though she wanted to be off at once.
“My favorite kind,�� he remarked, and bowed politely before he strode from the library.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter