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b8abbe1
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Honoria to the twins, Amelia and Amanda : "If you seek love, don't expect it to be simple, don't expect it to be easy. If one thing is certain, it's that it'll neither. If you want love, then by all means seek it out --- search for it high and low. You know you'll always have us - all of us - here to help you, but when it comes down to it, love is a matter of each individual heart. No one can tell you, no one can warn you, no one can prepar..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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5ed1cf6
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Do you ride?" The question was out of his mouth before he'd thought. She glanced at him, surprised by the comment coming out of nowhere, but then she nodded and looked ahead. "I love to ride. I don't get as much opportunity as I'd like what with being in London so much, but whenever I can manage it, I'll get on a horse." Her lips twitched and she glanced up at him. "Preferably one of Demon's." He grinned. "His are the best." "Do you have an..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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46eeb54
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He collapsed half on top of her, too wrung out to move, his lungs working like bellows, his heart thundering, pounding. Gradually, it slowed. Sensation, muted awareness returned, enough to register the gentle stroking of her hand, the soothing touch calming, strangely claiming. He wanted to find his sophisticated armor and put it back on-before he faced her, before she saw... Before he could move, she did; turning her head to his, pushing b..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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fd37446
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Deciding that at the moment it behooved her to, as Wiry had put it, behave, Heather inclined her head, first to the woman alongside her, "Martha," then to the barrel-chested man, shorter than Wiry but of heavier build, who'd remained quietly seated in the far corner of the coach. "Cobbins." She turned her gaze on Wiry. "And you are?" He smiled. "You may call me Fletcher, Miss Wallace." Heather thought of a few other epithets she might call ..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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f496d04
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he knew beyond words, beyond thought, beyond understanding that this wonder, this joy, this aching togetherness would never end.
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Stephanie Laurens |
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07e2c76
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His first stop was the local branch of Child's Bank; once he replenished his supply of cash, he followed the bank manager's directions to the town's premier bootmaker, and was lucky enough to find an excellent pair of riding boots that fit him. His next stop was the best gentleman's outfitters, where he created a small furore by demanding they assemble for him outfits suitable for a groom and for a north country laborer. The head tailor gog..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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55bc6fe
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She woke to find dawn light, pearly silver tinged with pink, washing into the room. For a moment, she wondered what had woken her, then she glanced at Breckenridge-into his hazel eyes. "You're awake!" She only just managed not to squeal. The joy leaping through her was near impossible to contain. He smiled weakly. His lids drooped, fell. "I've been awake for some time, but didn't want to wake you." His voice was little more than a whisper. ..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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f2bb169
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I'd expected," Martha continued, "to have to deal with hysterics-bouts of weeping and pleading at the very least." "Yes,well..." Heather pulled an expressive face. Looking ahead, she went on, "I have to admit I did feel like panicking at first, but...I've been wondering if I shouldn't view this as an adventure." She had to deflect any suspicion, so offered the one explanation that might serve. She gestured dramatically. "A romantical advent..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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ff021d1
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They'd followed him up and had seen him open the door of a room not far from the head of the stairs. He hadn't so much as glanced their way but had gone in and shut the door. She'd walked on with Martha, past that door, down the corridor and around a corner to their chamber. Drawing in a tight-faintly excited-breath, she set out, quietly creeping back to the corner, her evening slippers allowing her to tiptoe along with barely a sound. Near..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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2001fd0
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And every mile we go further from London makes the notion of ransom even more unlikely. So we're still no closer to learning what's behind this-neither the who for the why of it." She waited until he swung around again and caught his eye. "I believe we need to consider the wider implications." His lips twitched-she was almost certain of it-but he didn't stop pacing. "Meanwhile you want to continue on with this"-he gestured-"quest of yours."..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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6ec8040
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Holding her breath, she stepped out, heading for the better-illuminated section of the room. Hard hands closed about her upper arms. She started-very nearly squeaked-then once again wilted with relief as Breckenridge drew her back, closer to his large, warm body; he'd been standing in the dense shadows by the wall. "Shssh." The order-despite the sibilant sound, she was quite sure it was an order-shivered across her ear. Irritated, she glanc..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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bb502a9
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I've been meaning to ask," Breckenridge said, "jus how you came to topple backward off that rail." He looked at her. "What with one thing and another, the point slipped my mind." Heather met his gaze. "Mine, too." he read her eyes, then, brows rising, looked in the direction in which the twins had gone. "Ah. Perhaps that's one of those questions that are better off left unasked." "It's certainly one of those better left unanswered." Sliding..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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3fa81ab
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And, of course, this time, there was no question of him not succeeding--he intended to get his ring on her finger no matter how long it took. This
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Stephanie Laurens |
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4ee5f77
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I am always late. If I arrived early, my hostess would faint.
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Stephanie Laurens |
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a0cd699
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If your middle name is Temptation, then mine is Persistence
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Stephanie Laurens |
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6f7239f
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Very well-why don't you make your case?" And perhaps if she listened and closely observed, she might get some hint of what, beneath the words, behind his so often impassive mask, was really going on inside him. "Your case beyond the obvious social imperatives, that is." "Difficult given my case is based on the obvious social imperatives." "Nevertheless, you might at least to find a broader foundation." From the corner of her eye, she saw ..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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01fa86b
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So what, then"-his voice deepened, softened, the suave tones sliding over her skin-"will it take to convince you that you should-indeed, ought to-marry me?" He let her look into his eyes, for once didn't keep his mask between them. Let her see he was in earnest, sincere in wanting to know. She drew in a long breath, then looked back at the river and let out a long, slow sigh. Wondered why she was bothering. If he truly didn't know... Perhap..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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67de039
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Perhaps..." Resuming his rake's persona, investing every movement with languid grace, he shifted forward, closer. Held her gaze. "You could teach me what it is you need." He let his gaze drift from her eyes to her lips. "I've always been considered a fast learner, and if I'm willing to learn, to devote myself to the study of what you truly want..." Her lips parted slightly. He raised his gaze once more to her eyes, to the stormy blue. Read ..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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e20c708
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It was not the first time she'd been kissed, yet it was.
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Stephanie Laurens |
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7e934d6
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With a curt nod, Vane strode in. And stopped dead. Patience was in the hall, waiting- the sight literally stole his breath. As his gaze, helplessly, slid over her, over the soft green merino pelisse, severely cut and snugly fitted, its upstanding collar framing her face, over the tan gloves and half boots, over the pale green skirts peeking beneath the pelisse's hem, Vane felt something inside him tighten, click, and lock. Breathing was sud..
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physical-beauty
patience-and-vane
patience-debbington
feminine-beauty
fashion
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Stephanie Laurens |
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2efe06f
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That woman who was her true self saw Lord Sebastian Cynster, Marquess of Earith, as, quite simply, hers.
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Stephanie Laurens |
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dad51cc
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Vane held the reins of his desire in a grip of iron and refused to let his demons loose. Deep, primal instincts urged him on; experience held him back. She'd never yielded her mouth to any man, never shared her lips willingly. He knew that absolutely, sensed the truth in her untutored response, read it in her lack of guile. But she was rising to him, her passion, her desire, answering his call, sweet as the dew on a crisp spring morning, vi..
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kissing
passion
first-time
patience-and-vane
patience-debbington
vane-cynster
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Stephanie Laurens |
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0d58ad3
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He'd drawn her as close as propriety allowed; her green skirts swished against his boots. She was all woman, soft and curvaceous, mere inches away; he grew harder simply at the thought. The breeze, wafting past, lifted her perfume to his face- honeysuckle, roses, and that indefinable scent that evoked every hunter's instinct he possessed. Abruptly, he cleared his throat. "Nothing happened last evening?" It was an effort to lift his voice fr..
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bonnet
flirtation
patience-and-vane
scent
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Stephanie Laurens |
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d1e1c07
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She should, of course, feel scandalized, or at the very least, shocked. Yet whenever she allowed herself to recall all that had happened, sweet pleasure washed through her, leaving her skin tingling and her breasts deliciously warm. Her "shock" was exciting, thrilling, an enticing reaction, not one of revulsion. She should feel guilty, yet whatever guilt she possessed was swamped beneath a compulsion to know, to experience, and an intense r..
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patience-and-vane
patience-debbington
sensations
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Stephanie Laurens |
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8d809e3
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With a silent mew, Myst stood, stretched, then padded forward to twine about his leg. Vane reached down and rubbed his fingers over the sleek head, then ran his nails down her spine. Myst arched, tail stiffening; the rumble of her purr reached Vane. It also reached Patience; she glanced down. "Myst!" she hissed. "Stop bothering Mr. Cynster." "She's not bothering me." Capturing Patience's gaze, Vane added: "I enjoy making females purr."
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myst
patience-and-vane
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Stephanie Laurens |
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28ec2dd
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His rake's smile returning, Vane stood and strolled toward her. "Speaking of performance, would you like me to carry you to lunch?" She wouldn't- narrowing her eyes at him, Patience would have given half her fortune to avoid the sensation of being scooped so easily into his arms, and carried away so effortlessly. His touch was unnerving, distracting; it made her think of things she really should not. And as for the sensation of being helple..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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0145e0c
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I assume 'elegant gentlemen,' such as you, learn such useful skills very early in life." "Actually, no." Straight-faced, Vane reached for her pins. "Us rakes-of-the-first-order..." Dropping pins left and right, he set her hair cascading down. With a satisfied smile, he caught her about the waist and drew her hard against him. "We," he said, looking into her eyes, "spend our time concentrating on rather different skills- like letting ladies'..
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rake
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Stephanie Laurens |
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feaeb31
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Patience looked at Vane and saw him dismount- by bringing his leg over the saddlebow and sliding to the ground, landing on his feet. She blinked, and he was by her side. His hands closed about her waist. She almost gasped when he lifted her from the saddle as if she weighed no more than a child. He didn't swing her down, but slowly lowered her to earth, setting her on her feet beside the mare. Less than a foot from him. He held her between ..
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vane-cynster
sensations
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Stephanie Laurens |
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d186382
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Are you planning to stay?" He looked down at her. "That," he stated, his voice very low, "depends largely on you." Patience looked into his grey eyes- and froze. Every muscle was paralyzed, all the way to her toes. The idea that he was amusing himself, without any real intent, died- slain by the look in his eyes. The intent in his eyes. It could've have been clearer had he put it into words."
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Stephanie Laurens |
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af51b08
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Her gaze on Vane, Patience wished she could see his eyes. His expression was unreadable. Shoulders propped against the stone arch, arms folded cross his chest, he watched her like a hawk. A brooding, potentially menacing hawk. Or a wolf anticipating a meal.
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vane-cynster
predator
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Stephanie Laurens |
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cbedb25
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She'd been expecting him to do so and had planned her revenge. She tipped forward as he lifted her; the shift in her weight had him taking a half step back, then he instinctively locked his legs and steadied...but by then she'd placed herself in the same space, so close that he had to ease her down his body, more or less breast to chest. She'd thought she'd been prepared for the jolt to her senses. She'd been wrong. It was searing, like a s..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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5c1a9ad
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I wanted you to kiss me, you know." Damned impertinent and overbold female. "I know."
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Stephanie Laurens |
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dd0ae30
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Je vous veux. Maintenant. Au cas ou il n'aurait pas encore compris son message, elle ajouta : -- Ce soir. Devil sentit le desir monter en fleche, triomphant, imperieux. Douloureusement conscient des mains d'Honoria glissant sur son torse gonfle, il s'obligea a demander : -- En etes-vous sure ? L'exasperation brilla dans les yeux d'Honoria ; il secoua la tete. -- Je parle de ce soir. Du reste, il ne doutait pas. Son exasperation ne disparut ..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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e4f90ba
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Hauling in a quick breath, she held it, stretched upward, shut her eyes, and fleetingly touched her lips to his. They were as hard as she'd imagined, very like sculpted marble. Sensation flared at the brief contact; her lips tingled, then throbbed. Patience blinked her eyes wide as she lowered her heels to earth. And refocused on his lips. She saw the ends curve upward, heard his low, wickedly teasing laugh. "Still not right. Here- let me s..
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patience-and-vane
patience-debbington
vane-cynster
sensations
passionate-kiss
lips
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Stephanie Laurens |
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2994235
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Distant voices reached him; inwardly, he sighed, and reluctantly brought the kiss to an end. He raised his head. Patience's eyes slowly opened, then she blinked, and stared straight at him. For one instant, the look on her face, in her eyes, had him puzzled- then he recognized it. Curious- she wasn't shocked, stunned, or thrown into a maidenly fluster. She was curious. Vane couldn't stop his rakish grin. Nor could he resist the temptation t..
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kiss-and-make-up
patience-and-vane
kisses
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Stephanie Laurens |
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28fa6fa
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Dazed, she glanced around; the dark shapes of huge leaves reared above the denser dark of heavy pots, grouped upon a tiled floor. Moonlight streamed through walls of long windows and panes in the ceiling, silvering paths wending between sends of palms and exotic blooms. The rich scents of earth and the warm humidity of growing things hung on the heavy air.
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plants
moonlight
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Stephanie Laurens |
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0050f8d
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Why did you stay?" He stilled; again, Patience felt the net draw tight, felt paralysis set in as his predator's senses focused on her. It was as if the world stopped spinning, as if some impenetrable shield closed about them, so that there was nothing but her and him- and whatever it was that held them. She searched his eyes, but couldn't read his thoughts beyond the fact that he was considering her, considering what to tell her. Then he li..
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vane-cynster
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Stephanie Laurens |
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fa6022d
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Vane met her wide gaze, and managed not to smile wolfishly- no need to frighten the prey. The view he now had- of delectable curves filling a gown of ivory sprigged muslin in a manner he fully approved- was every bit as enticing as the view that first held him- the gorgeous curves of her derriere clearly delineated beneath taut fabric. When she'd shifted, so had those curves. He couldn't remember when a sight had so transfixed him, had so t..
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patience-debbington
physical-attraction
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Stephanie Laurens |
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c0b899b
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For one moment, she stood stock-still, drinking in the simple beauty of the marble fountain, the base of its pedestal wreathed in delicate fronds, that stood, glowing lambently in the soft white light, in the center of a small, secluded, fern-shrouded clearing. Water poured steadily from the pitcher of the partially clad maiden frozen forever in her task of filling the wide, scroll-lipped basin. The area had clearly been designed to provide..
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pedestal
statue
patience-and-vane
fountain
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Stephanie Laurens |
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9b5ca41
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He'd finally found her alone and in the perfect location. The stillroom, tucked away on the ground floor of one wing, was private, and contained no daybed, chaise, or similar piece of furniture. In his present state, that was just as well. A gentleman should not, after all, go too far with the lady he intended making his wife before informing her of that fact. The absence of any of the customary aids to seduction should make coming to the p..
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vane-cynster
seduction
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Stephanie Laurens |
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90f5bfc
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These look rather exotic." Behind her, Vane studied the way her gown had pulled tight over the curves of her bottom- and didn't argue. Lips lifting in anticipation, he moved in- to spring his trap. Her heart racing, tripping in double time, Patience straightened, and went to slide around the fountain, to place it between herself and the wolf she was trapped in the conservatory with. Instead, she ran into an arm. She blinked at it. One fault..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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4a8ba3d
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So," he murmured, his tone deep, "nothing of any moment happened here." Her gaze transfixed by the long strip of linen, Patience tried to speak and couldn't- she shook her head. "Good." The word was a feral purr. With a negligent flick, Vane sent the cravat to join his coat. "So there's nothing to distract you." Patience dragged her gaze up to his face. "Distract me?" "From the subject we need to discuss." "You want to discuss something?" S..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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50651d3
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Indeed." The word, uttered softly, reached her as she halted before the side door; Patience felt a cool tingle slither down her spine. And felt the touch of his grey gaze on her cheek, on the sensitive skin of her throat. She stiffened, resisting the urge to wriggle. She looked down, determined not to turn and meet his eyes. Jaw firming, she reached for the door handle; he beat her to it. Patience froze. He'd stopped directly behind her, an..
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Stephanie Laurens |
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25b1e0b
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Just because fate had shown him the water, didn't mean he had to drink. Of course, before he shook the gravel of the Bellamy Hall drive from his boots, he'd deal with Patience Debbington, too. A salutary jolt or three should do it- just enough to let her know that he knew that her icy disapproval was, to him, a transparent facade. He was, of course, too wise to take things further. Glancing at his prey, Vane noted her clear complexion, soft..
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Stephanie Laurens |