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“Beginning to feel that her brother was being rather too harsh on Lillian Bowman, Livia frowned. “She’s a very pretty girl, Marcus.â€�
“A pretty facade isn’t enough to make up for the flaws in her character.�
“Which are?�
Marcus made a faint scoffing sound, as if Miss Bowman’s faults were too obvious to require enumeration. “She’s manipulative.�
“So are you, dear,� Livia murmured.
He ignored that. “She’s domineering.�
“As are you.�
“She’s arrogant.�
“Also you,� Livia said brightly.
Marcus glowered at her. “I thought we were discussing Miss Bowman’s faults, not mine.�
“But you seem to have so much in common,â€� Livia protested, rather too innocently.”
― Lisa Kleypas, It Happened One Autumn

“Was she terribly ravishing in her underclothes?â€� Livia asked craftily.
“Yes,� Marcus said without thinking, and then scowled. “I mean, no. That is, I didn’t look at her long enough to make an assessment of her charms. If she has any.�
Livia bit the inside of her lower lip to keep from laughing. “Come, Marcus…you are a healthy man of thirty-five—and you didn’t take one tiny peep at Miss Bowman standing there in her drawers?�
“I don’t peep, Livia. I either take a good look at something, or I don’t. Peeping is for children or deviants.�
She gave him a deeply pitying glance. “Well, I’m dreadfully sorry that you had to endure such a trying experience. We can only hope that Miss Bowman will stay fully clothed in your presence during this visit, to avoid shocking your refined sensibilities once again.�
Marcus frowned in response to the mockery. “I doubt she will.�
“Do you mean that you doubt she will stay fully clothed, or you doubt she will shock you?�
â€�Enough, Livia,â€� he growled, and she giggled.”
― Lisa Kleypas, It Happened One Autumn

“I've spent nearly three years managing a shipping firm," she pointed out. "After all the time I've spent around longshoremen, nothing could shock me now."
"Maybe not," Luke conceded. "But Scotsmen have a special gift for cursing. I had a friend at Cambridge who knew at least a dozen different words for testicles."
Merritt grinned. One of the things she enjoyed most about Luke, the youngest of her three brothers, was that he never shielded her from vulgarity or treated her like a delicate flower. That, among other reasons, was why she'd asked him to take over the management of her late husband's shipping company, once she'd taught him the ropes.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Her parents and Seraphina were there to keep her company, as were Lord and Lady Westcliff, whom she and her siblings had always called "Uncle Marcus" and "Aunt Lillian."
Lord Westcliff's hunting estate, Stony Cross Park, was located in Hampshire, not far from Eversby Priory. The earl and his wife, who had originally been an American heiress from New York, had raised three sons and three daughters. Although Aunt Lillian had teasingly invited Phoebe to have her pick of any of her robust and handsome sons, Phoebe had answered- quite truthfully- that such a union would have felt positively incestuous. The Marsden and the Challons had spent too many family holidays together and had known each other for too long for any romantic sparks to fly between their offspring.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil's Daughter

“To Phoebe's relief, the gathering in the drawing room turned out to be far less intimidating than she'd expected. Her parents and Seraphina were there to keep her company, as were Lord and Lady Westcliff, whom she and her siblings had always called "Uncle Marcus" and "Aunt Lillian."
Lord Westcliff's hunting estate, Stony Cross Park, was located in Hampshire, not far from Eversby Priory. The earl and his wife, who had originally been an American heiress from New York, had raised three sons and three daughters. Although Aunt Lillian had teasingly invited Phoebe to have her pick of any of her robust and handsome sons, Phoebe had answered- quite truthfully- that such a union would have felt positively incestuous. The Marsdens and the Challons had spent too many family holidays together and had known each other for too long for any romantic sparks to fly between their offspring.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil's Daughter

“He was sooty, muddy, and clearly exhausted, and his clothes reeked of smoke. "Poor old Buster," she said with a frown of concern. Luke had earned the affectionate family nickname as an energetic toddler, mowing down everything in his path and leaving broken teacups and vases in his wake.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Let's not pretend this visit has anything to do with me. You came here hoping for a glimpse of a certain bearded Scotsman."
She lowered her voice as she asked, "Did he say anything to you?"
"About what?"
"About me."
"Why, yes, we stopped in the middle of work to gossip over tea. Then we made plans to visit the milliner and try on bonnets together-"
"Oh, hush," Merritt whispered sharply, both amused and annoyed.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Whatever happens, I'm here with you. Don't forget that."
Dazedly Merritt realized her younger brother, once a baby she'd help to dress and bathe, and later a toddler she'd taught how to eat pudding with a spoon, had become a man she could rely on.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Luke paused before asking hopefully, "Did you say something about sandwiches?"
Merritt smiled. "I'll bring a tray to the front parlor."
She went to the kitchen, fetched various items from the larder and pantry, and set the teakettle to boil. Although most ladies of her position rarely, if ever, set foot in the kitchen, Merritt had fallen into the habit of making small meals for herself on Cook's days off. It was faster and more convenient than waiting for things to be brought to her, and there was something soothing about puttering in her own kitchen. She made sandwiches with brown bread, ham, and mustard, and added hard-boiled eggs and pickles on the side.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Luke, who had picked up a sandwich and was in the process of wolfing it down, volunteered with his mouth half full, "Dr. Gibson said the memory loss may be temporary."
Nonplussed by her brother's oafish manners, Merritt said, "Dear, why don't you make yourself comfortable on the couch?"
Luke gave her an unrepentant glance. "Sis, I know you'd prefer me to sit and eat like a civilized person. But if you knew everything these trousers have been through tonight, you wouldn't want them on your furniture.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Tell me, Merritt, if someone you knew were carrying on like this over a stranger- one of our sisters, God forbid- what would you say to her?"
At the moment, Merritt didn't feel like justifying her actions to anyone, least of all a younger sibling. But during the past year, she and Luke had formed a working partnership and friendship that made their bond unique. She would tolerate more from him than from nearly anyone else in her life. "I would probably caution her that she was acting impulsively," she admitted, "and advise her to rely on the counsel of those who love her."
"All right, then. I'm counseling you to stay in London and let Ransom and Uncle Sebastian decide what to do with MacRae. Whatever it is you feel for him, it's not real. It happened too fast."
In her weariness and strain, Merritt's temper had a lower flashpoint than usual. She could feel it beginning to ignite, but she grimly tamped it back down and managed a calm reply. "You may be right," she said. "But someday, Luke... you'll meet someone. And from one breath to the next, everything will change. You won't care whether it makes sense. All you'll know is that a stranger owns your every heartbeat."
Luke's mouth twisted. "God, I hope not.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“After another forty-five minutes, the train reached the station at Heron's Point, a seaside town located in the sunniest region in England. Even now in autumn, the weather was mild and clear, the air humid with healthful sea breezes. Heron's Point was sheltered by a high cliff that jutted far out into the sea and helped to create the town's own small climate. It was an ideal refuge for convalescents and the elderly, with a local medical community and an assortment of clinics and therapeutic baths. It was also a fashionable resort, featuring shops, drives and promenades, a theatre, and recreations such as golf and boating.
The Marsdens had often come here to stay with the duke's family, the Challons, especially in summer. The children had splashed and swum in the private sandy cove, and sailed near the shore in little skiffs. On hot days they had gone to shop in town for ices and sweets. In the evenings, they had relaxed and played on the Challons' back veranda, while music from the town band floated up from the concert pavilion. Merritt was glad to bring Keir to a familiar place where so many happy memories had been created. The seaside house, airy and calm and gracious, would be a perfect place for him to convalesce.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“The revolver was chambered for .442 rounds, which meant there was only room for five. "These are large caliber bullets for such a short gun," Merritt remarked.
"It's designed to stop someone at close range," Ethan said, absently arching up to rub a spot on his chest. "Being hit by one of those bullets feels like a kick from a mule."
"Why is the hammer bobbed?"
"To keep it from catching on the holster or clothing, if I have to draw it fast."
Keeping the muzzle of the gun pointed away from him, Merritt reassembled the revolver, slid the extractor rod into place, and locked it deftly.
"Well done," Ethan commented, surprised by her assurance. "You're familiar with guns, then."
"Yes, my father taught me. May I shoot it?"
"What are you going to aim for?"
By this time, the others had come out from the parlor to watch.
"Uncle Sebastian," Merritt asked, "are those pottery rabbits on the stone wall valuable?"
Kingston smiled slightly and shook his head. "Have at it."
"Wait," Ethan said calmly. "That's a twenty-yard distance. You'll need a longer-range weapon." With meticulous care, he took the revolver from her and replaced it in his coat. "Try this one." Merritt's brows lifted slightly as he pulled a gun from a cross-draw holster concealed by his coat. This time, Ethan handed the revolver to her without bothering to disassemble it first. "It's loaded, save one chamber," he cautioned. "I put the hammer down to prevent accidental discharge."
"A Colt single-action," Merritt said, pleased, admiring the elegant piece, with its four-and-a-half-inch barrel and custom engraving. "Papa has one similar to this." She eased the hammer back and gently rotated the cylinder.
"It has a powerful recoil," Ethan warned.
"I would expect so." Merritt held the Colt in a practiced grip, the fingers of her support hand fit neatly underneath the trigger guard. "Cover your ears," she said, cocking the hammer and aligning the sights. She squeezed the trigger.
An earsplitting report, a flash of light from the muzzle, and one of the rabbit sculptures on the wall shattered.
In the silence that followed, Merritt heard her father say dryly, "Go on, Merritt. Put the other bunny out of its misery."
She cocked the hammer, aimed and fired again. The second rabbit sculpture exploded.
"Sweet Mother Mary," Ethan said in wonder. "I've never seen a woman shoot like that."
"My father taught all of us how to shoot and handle firearms safely," Merritt said, giving the revolver back to him grip-first.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise