Julie Anne Long, How the Marquess Was Won

"I will die, however,” he said quite seriously, “if you leave me again. Just watch me."

"May I see your dance card?”“Don’t you believe me?” She presented it to him with a flourish. He ran his fingers down the list of names.“Hmm . . . Waterburn? Bastard. D’Andre. Definitely a worthless bastard. Lord Camber, a thoroughgoing bastard. Lord Michaelson? Bastard. Peter Cheswick? Bast—”She snatched it from him, laughing.“I wouldn’t dance a waltz with you, anyway, Lord Dryden.”“No?”“You might accidentally lock eyes with Lisbeth Redmond, stumble, and fling me across the room to avoid crushing my feet."

"Jules could have sworn there was a devilish glint in the shopkeepers eye. 'I find today I am in need of a bonnet.'Mr. Postlethwaite was silent. And then his eyes crept toward the marquess's hairline.'It will be a gift for a woman, Mr. Postlethwaite.''Of course, sir.' The marquess wished the 'of course' sounded a bit more sincere. He'd scarcely been in the shop for more than three minutes and already his dignity was fraying."

"The question remains... who takes care of you, Miss Vale" "I might ask the same question of you, Lord Dryden."

"Magnanimous of you.'His mouth twitched. 'Mmm. Use more words like that, please. Schoolmistress words. Long, impressive ones.' He'd made the last three words sound like an innuendo."

"I don't know,' he said irritably. 'Is it meant to improve you'She swiveled toward him, eyes wide with shock.'Because nothing could,' he added. Her mouth dropped in astonishment. Blotchy scarlet rushed her complexion. One would have thought he'd shot her. Oh dear God!He realized belatedly how wrong it had sounded.'No! God... that is to say.. nothing is necessary to improve you. Nothing could possibly make you better... than you already are."

"I love you so much i can hardly tell my own heart from yours anymore, and I've never said it to another woman in my life as it's never until now been true."

"He was still thoughtful. 'Do you think any of us ever really knows anyone' 'Philosophy, Lord Dryden? And yet it's daylight and everyone is still sober."