“Uh oh, maybe I’m hysterical. No, the look on his face had been so funny. Did he really think to kiss me into submission? That shit might work in romance novels, but not on me. If he wants to kiss me he’ll have to earn that privilege again.”

“How is it that I am completely naked while you haven’t shed even one stitch of clothing?”“Because you were dinner, Rebecca.”A snort escaped, mixing with her laughter. “Remind me to have dinner with you more often. I have been missing out.” “You? What about me?”

“It is possible to compromise in certain areas when choosing a partner for life, but never on a cravat.”

“I’ve given up men. It’s true. At first, I was just going to give up attorneys, but that seemed immature – and far too exclusive, so I’m playing it safe and giving up all the penis-carrying humans.”

“Nicholas: I know you, brother. You’ve been threatened with matrimonial pursuits before. Why are you really here?William: I received an invitation.Nicholas: Not from me you didn’t.William: Of course not from you, brother. Parliament would go up in flames before I receive a social invitation from you. ”

“Miss Masters was not content with threatening to hire away his staff, oh no. First, she had to perfume it.”

“Reg: Speaking of blunt, dinner is on my bill tonight, mes amis.Alex: What’s the occasion?Augustus: Lady Caroline’s agreed to venture out on a picnic with out intrepid hero. Kit: I don’t know why you keep insisting she’s smitten with me. I’ve barely spoken five sentences to her.Augustus: It’s very simple. Reg has thrown his entire being into pleasing Caroline. She knows every nuance of his thought and character. You, however, are a mystery to be explored, solved, and resolved.”

“That’s what got her, of course. That everyone thought it so unbelievable that she could possibly attract a man like him. It shouldn’t upset her because it was true. She couldn’t. Not in this world, in this lifetime. Yet she didn’t appreciated everyone else acting as if they were the most improbable twosome since Quasimodo hit on Esmeralda.”

“I’m not too heavy?” she asked. He had just come off crutches, after all.Sophie, you’re practically a midget,” he reminded her.”

“Everton” (Francis)Alex turned his head to view a rainbow peacock mask bobbing toward him. “Good Lord, Francis, you are replendent,” he said admiringly.The peacock stopped beside him. “Dash it, Everton, how’d you know it was me?”You’re still wearing your faux ruby ring.”

“Reg: Furth’s in London. And yes, I know, it’s my fault. But as long as I’ver roused the lion, I was going to ask you to speak to him on my behalf.Alex: You wish me to speak to Furth.Reg: Well, yes. He’s always like you. Just tell him what a noble, upright fellow I am, and how I have always upheld my position with dignity and respect.Alex: Lie, you mean.REg: Whatever it takes.”

“You’re supposed to pinch yourself – not the one you’re dreaming about.”

“I swallowed hard, a hot flush blazing a trail across my skin. Reminded me of that old television show, Bonanza. You know, the one with the burning map and the lively western tune? Yeah, my skin was that map, but the song blaring in my head leaned more toward a “bow-chick-a-wow-wow” sound than anything else. Hormone overload!”

“Has she glanced you way yet?”Twice,” Nick said on a note of satisfaction.Meaning?”Nick glanced at him. “She’s not completely disinterested.”I see Moreland. That makes it an even half dozen hanging out for a rich wife. Four looking for their second. Rossman, the old satyr, certainly isn’t likely to be much competition. What in the hell does he think he’s doing anyway? He must be sixty.”Basking, I should think. She hasn’t given him the cold shoulder yet,” Nick responded coolly.”

“Let’s not get started on their uniforms. Superman’s stretchy spandex has nothing on Batman’s sculpted pecs.”He glared at her. “You cannot bring fashion sense into a superhero discussion!”“If they wear it, it’s fair game.” She folded her arms on the table.”