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3015b0b
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Would it make a difference if I were bothered? I have some other skills not usually seen in ladies: swimming, as I told you, and how to shoot a gun. I can bargain down a butcher to within an inch of his life. I know how to make soap and how to put a bill collector off. I can do mending but not embroidery, can drive a cart but not ride a horse, know how to grow cabbages and carrots and even make them into a nice soup, but I haven't the least..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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bcc85d0
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Last season Penelope was persuaded that a live bird would make an altogether unique accessory." Was she bamming him? "A bird." "A swan, in fact." She looked quite grave. If, in fact, she was playing some type of silly game with him, she hid it well. But then one such as she had innumerable occasions to learn to hide her thoughts and feelings. It was almost a requirement, in fact. "I never noticed Lady Penelope with a swan." She glanced swif..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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a6e0e6e
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She'd never find another man like him as long as she lived. He was ruining her for any other, and the pleasure of it was beyond bearing.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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bda50d2
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I want to make you weep. I want all your pleasure, Iris, all your pain, everything you are. Come for me." And she felt herself bow with the stark white bliss of her epiphany, the shattering realization of his words and his hands and his mouth. She was gasping for breath, shaking, lost, unseeing. The center of her being pulsing with pleasure."
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passionate-love
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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647493d
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Briefly, he tried to imagine any of his previous, male secretaries daring to comment on his appearance. It was impossible. In fact, he couldn't think of anyone, save his current female secretary, who made such impertinent comments to him. Oddly, he found her impertinence endearing. Not that he let it show.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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38c6e85
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You're burning," she gasped. "Then you ought not to touch me," he said seriously. "You'll be consumed." "Too late," she muttered, and pivoted, trying to drag him, he presumed, toward the bed. "You're awfully heavy--" "My soul is made of lead." "--and you're delirious," she ended decisively. "I need to get help."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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26c503e
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When he died, she took her hopes for a child and wrapped them carefully in a box and buried that box deep, deep in her heart. So deep, she thought never to face that dream again. Except, with one sentence, Edward had exhumed the box and ripped it open. And her hopes, her dreams, her need to bear a child were as fresh now as they had been when she was newly wed.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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6f1d3fb
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She stood, a little unsteadily, true, but on her own two feet. "It's not my blindness that cripples me, it's everyone else deciding I can't live because of my blindness. If I stumble, if I run into things and fall and hurt myself it's because I can and I'm free to do so, Maximus. Because without that freedom I'm just a dull, chained thing and I won't be that woman anymore. I simply won't, Maximus."
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freedom
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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fac66f8
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I don't want you hurt," he said gruffly. "I know." Her smile was winsome. "But falling isn't the end of the world. I may fall, it's true--in fact, I probably will fall--but really, one can't live without falling now and again."
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love
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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03dff86
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She wanted to ride him, wanted to hide him away in her bedroom, to use only for herself. She was jealous of every woman who had come before her. Had used this wonderful penis. Had heard his groan. She opened her eyes. But it was the women who would come after that she truly wanted to kill. He was hers. He should never share this part of himself with anyone else.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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11f175a
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He couldn't take it anymore. He wrapped his hand around the back of her head and pulled her up, pulled her across his chest, pulled her into a kiss so filthily explicit his tongue might as well have been fucking her mouth. They groaned in unison and he wrapped his hand over hers, forcing her fingers tight around his erection, showing her how to pull up, the loose skin sliding over his hot core--oh, sweet, sweet God--and down, fisting tight,..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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426b151
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She threw back her head, riding him hard, the sweat sliding down between her breasts. He lurched up, half sitting, his arm propping him up, and licked the sweat from her body. She cried out, gasping, holding his head to her even as he sucked one nipple into his mouth. She felt the pull, felt the answering gush, and knew she was falling apart, spreading outward, a star exploding. He gasped and let go of her breast, bowing his head to her che..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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f63df33
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Whatever else came tomorrow and for the rest of her life, she would have this moment: this one point in time when she was intimately linked to Maximus. Maximus the man.
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duke-of-midnight
elizabeth-hoyt
maximus
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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0802e80
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Diana," he murmured in her ear, licking. "Diana, you are everything I've ever wanted and shall never have." Tears pricked at her eyes and she opened her mouth to sob. "That's it," he said. "Weep for me. Bear my pain. Take my come. For I can give you nothing else."
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duke-of-midnight
elizabeth-hoyt
maximus
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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f5610f8
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He glanced up at her and somehow he'd come back to himself, contained all that terrible sorrow and anger and fear, enough to make ten strong men fall down like babes. Maximus held it all inside of him and straightened his shoulders, his chin level, and Artemis couldn't understand it--where he got the strength to hide that awful, bloody wound in his soul--but she admired him for it. Admired him and loved him. She felt an answering wound open..
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duke-of-midnight
elizabeth-hoyt
maximus
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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31eb8a9
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Lieutenant Cranston, sitting across the tavern table from him, looked startled. "Something amiss, Captain?" "It's as I feared--we've been called back to sea early. We set sail in less than a"
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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6707f87
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Percy romped up and dropped a sadly mangled, dead frog at her feet, then backed away and sat proudly by his prize, looking at Miss Greaves as if expecting praise. She absently ruffled the spaniel's ears.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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1703959
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They had taken away something very important from him when he'd been made helpless. It should've broken him, being forced into chains. Yet it hadn't. Even in her grief she was amazed. She framed his face with her hands, tilting it up so she could look in his eyes. "You survived. You endured and survived." His lips curved bitterly. "I had no choice." She shook her head. "There's always a choice. You could've given up, let them take your soul..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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64c09a6
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One's own family and situation are all one knows as a child. Therefore they are, by default, normal. I thought everyone had a papa who sometimes stayed awake all night writing philosophical papers, only to burn them all in a rage in the morning. It was only when I was old enough to notice that other fathers didn't act like my own that I realized the truth.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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33c3cf8
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When he'd worked in the garden, he'd awoken as the birds had heralded the rising sun. But here inside, in a soft bed with a softer, warm woman against his side, he found it harder to brush away the tendrils of sleep. "What?" Lily mumbled as he gently removed her arm from his belly. He'd like to linger longer. To kiss her awake and make love to her again, but it was only a matter of time before the servants descended on the room. Besides, th..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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03bdf53
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that Lady Herrick has a birthmark in the shape of a butterfly on her left buttock. Oh, and that said birthmark turns an interesting shade of lavender when slapped." Apollo stopped in the hallway outside the breakfast room and simply stared at his companion. "What?" Montgomery looked irritated. "I defy any man to not take the opportunity when presented to slap a lovely arse."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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2abde61
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You do have to save my brother," she said, "because if you do not I will tell everyone in England that you are the Ghost of St. Giles."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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e9276af
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He'd make sure to impress upon the wench his displeasure with her actions if only she weren't being so completely childish as to ignore him all morning.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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e0a6bbc
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She stood still a moment, watching him, and he had no idea at all what she was thinking. Finally she laughed quietly, gesturing with her free hand at the marble figure. "It's a minotaur. I suppose that's appropriate." He looked at the figure, all horns and massive shoulders. "The monster in the maze?" "Yes." She turned in the dark to face him, and all he could see was the limned starlight on her cheek, the glimmer of the reflected moon in h..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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720491d
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What the hell was that?" he hissed at Montgomery. "A question." The duke reached for another piece of toast. "Did you mean to alert him to our investigation on purpose?" Apollo growled. "Yes and no." Montgomery shrugged. "I'm bored. Nothing's happening. Sometimes it's best to send the fox into the chicken house to see if a snake slithers out."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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0b71859
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His hand stilled on her hair and he said, very carefully and calmly, "There is never any excuse for a man to hit a woman--any woman--let alone one he professes to love." She was quiet a moment, just basking in his gentle strength."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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200ee22
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And yet he was holding the hand of a little boy and trailing the boy's exasperating mother. Perhaps he was lonely. Or perhaps it was the look in her eyes when he'd emerged from the pond and found her watching him that urged his footsteps on. It had been a long time--a very, very long time--since a woman had last looked at him like that. As if she saw something she liked.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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c053fc6
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What," she barked, "is that?" "We have a guest for supper tonight," Miss Stump replied, and as she glanced back at him he thought he saw a mischievous glint in her eye. "Indio's monster, in fact--though Indio now calls him Caliban." "Caliban?" Maude narrowed her eyes, cocking her head as she examined him critically. "Aye, I can see that, but is he safe in the theater with us is what I'm wanting to know?" Apollo felt a tug on his hand. He lo..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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334ebe7
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THERE WERE THOSE who compared Bedlam to hell--a writhing purgatory of torture and insanity. But Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne, knew what Bedlam really was. It was limbo. A place of interminable waiting.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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5b62dd3
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Tall, dark fellow with a bit of a manner? Witty and knows it?" And a devil with the ladies, he thought but did not say aloud to his sister."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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90a491d
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This was not a man to be swayed by gentleness, beauty, or sweet words. He would bend--assuming he was even capable of bending--only for reasons of his own.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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046953e
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Then why in God's name did you grab for George's pistol when you knew help was coming?" Apollo asked. "They weren't here yet and he was going to shoot you," she said, placing her palms on his chest. "I couldn't let him." His throat closed and he couldn't reply. All he could do was pull her into his arms and hold her close."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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d524514
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So it was understandable that Lily didn't at first notice the very large man in her bed when she entered the room assigned to her. When she did, she stopped dead and hissed, "You can't be in here!" The covers were pulled to his waist, but he appeared to be quite naked underneath. "Why not?" Apollo asked, apparently having forgotten all the social niceties that someone must've taught him as a small child. "Because this is your sister's house..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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e3904bf
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I've never violated any woman." "Have you killed?" He paused at that, before reaching into the wardrobe to move aside her spare day gown. "Once or twice. The men deserved it, I assure you."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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ece7a4d
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Lily..." "I thought we were friends." He rose in one movement. "I thought we were more than friends." Her eyes widened and she backed up a step, seemingly without conscious thought, as he advanced on her, until her bottom hit the door. He should be gentler, should approach her with caution. Even now she might be afraid of what had been said about him. But he was weary--so very, very weary--of things being taken from him. He wasn't going to ..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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7f993e1
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Percy, who had been investigating the tall reeds by the edge of the pond, lifted his head at the sound of her voice and appeared to take it as invitation to run to her and attempt to hurl himself against her legs. Miss Greaves gave the dog a stern look before he'd even reached her, and said simply, "Off." Percy collapsed at her feet, his tongue hanging out the side of his jaws, ears back as he gazed up at her adoringly. Maximus shot the dog..
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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8d98bda
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She glanced at the man quickly. "Thank you." She meant to say more, but something was caught in her throat. Her eyes stung. "Weep not, proud Diana," Maximus murmured. "The moon will not allow it." "No." She agreed, swiping fiercely at her cheeks. "There's no need for tears yet." --
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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8241c7d
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Have you no care for your reputation?" She stepped toward him until she was so close he fancied he breathed the same air as she and when she tilted her face up to look at him he saw that she wasn't nearly as calm as he'd imagined. "No," she murmured, her voice a siren's song, "none at all." "Then I'll be damned if I will," he muttered and kissed her."
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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8eb84cc
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When at last they rose by some unspoken male accord, she noticed with a pang that Indio came only to Caliban's waist. The man towered over the boy, so much taller and broader that his gentleness was all the more moving as a result. They walked to the pond's bank and Indio launched his boat. Caliban restrained Daffodil from jumping in after. This man was not at all like Kitty's husband. Not at
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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88e0d4e
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At first she saw only the mess of roots. There wasn't space in there, surely, for a small dog, let alone a man and boy. But as she watched, a huge hand slapped down on the edge. She started for the hole even as Caliban emerged, head and broad shoulders blackened, clutching Indio to his chest like Hephaestus rising from his underworld forge. She'd never seen such a wonderful sight.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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954086a
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A big, powerful man chained, made helpless. She'd seen boys poke at a chained bear--a beast they'd run screaming from were it free to do as it would. Little boys--and weak men--fancied themselves brave in the face of such helplessness. It made them giddy with false power. And they were apt to wield that power in terrible and cruel ways. Had such a thing been done to her Caliban?
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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d60ad09
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Pay heed: the artichoke is a shy vegetable. She covers herself in spine-tipped leaves that must be carefully peeled away, and underneath shields her treasure with a barricade o' soft needles. They must be tenderly, but firmly, scraped aside. Ye must be bold, for if yer not, she'll never reveal her soft heart.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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75ca163
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She very much feared that if she stayed with Maximus, this awful taint - this terribly wrong act - would, day by day, year by year, wear at her until she was no more than a ghost of her former self. She saw need when she looked into his eyes, but was there any love as well? Had she discarded Penelope's friendship for a man who didn't, in the end, truly care for her? For she loved him, she realized now, in this brightly lit garden, of all pl..
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love
secret-lovers
duty
honor
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Elizabeth Hoyt |
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3c1f69d
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She knew about young boys--she'd spent the last year taking care of them. They were tough and reckless and yet at the same time so very sweet and vulnerable. Their cheeks were soft and their eyes apologized even as they fought to assert their independence with too smart mouths.
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Elizabeth Hoyt |