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| Link | Quote | Stars | Tags | Author |
| 72c719f | you savor the things we seek to avoid. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 9eb6924 | Jane?" She lifted her brows. "Yes?" "If you so much as hum one word, I shall stuff one of your gloves into your mouth." "Tsk,tsk."She assumed an exaggerated sad look."It's like that,is it?" | Karen Hawkins | ||
| d2c7d2b | I invited Miss MacFarlane because I could see that there was something between the two of you." "Something that I longed to avoid." Fiona eyed him a moment, obviously fascinated. "Would you explain what you mean?" "No." She pursed her lips. "What if I promise to name my next child after you?" Dougal lifted his brows. "Won't Jack dislike that?" A smile quivered on her lips. "Yes. Which is why I though it a wonderful inducement for you." "I d.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| dc35485 | Perhaps you met my mother-she and I look very similar. She and my father traveled quite a bit before I was born." "That's possible,I suppose," he said, as if not enitrely convinced. "Sir Reginald." Dougal broke in on their conversation, entirely against common etiquette. "Perhaps you mistake Miss MacFarlane with a dream." He let his gaze linger over her in a similar fashion. "I often do." Sophia's face burned. Fiona choked on her wine, and .. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 46f0f79 | I'm surprised a person with your experience in telling elaborate fables should have difficulty in thinking up such a simple tale, but I suppose it's a different issue when you have to think quickly rather than spend time thoroughly developing your story." "I'm sure that's it," she replied blithely, cutting her bacon into small bits."I'm also sure that my skills will grow over time. I just need to practice, practice, practice. Did I ever te.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 3704e0a | Jack! Pray tell Miss MacFarlane that the roads are impassable." "The roads are impassable," he replied immediately. "And that she should stay at least another day." "You should stay at least another day," he repeated, a twinkle in his eyes. Fiona nodded. "And that she is more then welcome here." "I am certain she knows that." "And how we'd love to have her for another week, at least,and-" Jack laughed and took his wife's hand. "Fiona, my lo.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| e608a0c | then tossed the coat into the water. "Hurst! That's a perfectly good coat!" "Yes, and I have a perfectly good life. One of those two things is not replaceable." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 3f2263b | Stop that! What were you doing, perched on the window ledge like a big chicken?" Despite his aches and irritations, he couldn't help but grin. "I prefer to think of myself as a more noble bird, like a hawk." "I'm sure you do. But you flew like a chicken than any hawk I've seen." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 7be24cc | No soft-skinned, lace-covered, dandified profligate would ever take this house and make it his. Ever. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 8bd60fb | Furthermore, there's marshland on the other side of these hills. No one can even live near it, because the mist produces ill humors." "Ill humors?" "Yes.The entire place is encircled in thick forest, too." She lowered her voice. "They say there are wolves there,the size of humans." "I like wolves," Dougal said mildly. "The larger, the better." She blinked. "They're great sport for hunting. And I am an hunter." He glanced across her, linge.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 8f73d72 | I'll stir up the fire in the stove in the tack room. If ye're committed to this folly, then ye'll be wanting somethin' to eat before ye return to the house." Where the delectable Sophia was probably in the kitchen at this very moment, ruining his dinner. Despite his throbbing eye, Dougal reluctantly grinned. "You're right, I shall want my dinner first. And a bath." "Which would be cold if ye got it in the houes, I suppose?" "And filled with.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| dc38c20 | Ye'll wish a bath this evening, and while I don't mind servin' as yer cook, I'm not washin' yer back." "I won't ask if of you, I promise." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| b4fe9cb | Every time they lost their tempers, storms would gather." "That could be a boon in dry weather." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 6cbdff8 | If'n I was ye,I'd do nothin' else but hunt." "I've no doubt you'd do just that, for a more lazy individual I've yet to meet-other than myself,of course." Shelton beamed. "Thank ye,me lord! 'Tis a rare day I can consider meself an equal with ye on any grounds." "You're welcome," Dougal returned gravely. "Aye,ye've made bein' lazy a form o' art that few-look!" The groom pointed eagerly at the soft shoulder of the road, where a fox print appea.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 61dbabd | Perhaps we should spice up our next wager." A wary look entered her blue eyes. "How?" "By wagering your mother's necklace against...your clothing." She froze, her arms over her head, her eyes wide. "My clothing?" "Yes. Your gown-against your mother's neckace." His body was already hard at the thought of her standing before him in nothing but her chemise and stockings. Sophia lowered her arms with a teasing smile. "I doubt it will fit you." .. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 6d659fd | I must admit that I never expected to find such beauty here." His gaze raked her again. "It quite takes my breath away." Sophia quirked a brow. He didn't look breathless. He looked calm and collected-a bit predatory, perhaps, but nothing to suggest that her appearance had been anything more than a pleasant surprise." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 7941fee | Had I known were waiting, Miss MacFarlane, I would not have lingered,I assure you." Flattery was something she knew how to deal with, and it was much better than this odd heat that simmered between them. "What a pretty compliment, Lord MacLean. I don't know what to say." He bowed. "I merely speak the truth. I daresay you've heard such before." "And I'm certain you've spoken such before." Amusement twitched his lips, though he said gravely.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| ebb9bb7 | What's the matter, MacLean? Are you afraid?" His brows snapped down, his eyes glinting dangerously. " did you say?" She lifted her chin. "I asked if you were afraid. If that is why you're sneaking out like a thief in the night?" "It's morning,and I'm no thief." "No,but you afraid,aren't you? Afraid of me." Dougal's expression darkened even more. "You don't know what you're saying." "Yes,I do." She leaned close to say dismissively, "You .. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 59d718c | Perhaps I should just leave after all." She whirled on him. "No! I'm just trying to find the right words,and I-oh,it's complicated!" "Lies usually are." She wetted her lips. "Lies?" He raised his brow. She sighed, her shoulders slumping, an expression almost of relief crossing her face. "You know." Dougal nodded. "Everything?" He nodded again. "How we tried to conceal the house's value? And disguised the beautiful paneling in the library? A.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 160c6b6 | You,my lord, are giving me goose bumps." "Every beautiful woman deserves to be clothed in no less." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| db5e7da | Lord MacLean, pray have a seat. That chair is safe." And half the size of a regular seat. She him to be comfortable in it. He eyed the chair and shook his head. "I believe I'll stand." "As you wish." She smoothed her skirts, the movement of her slender hands drawing Dougal's gaze. She had the most kissable mouth and the most intriguing-and challenging-blue eues he'd ever seen." | karen hawkins | ||
| 0ab4740 | Sophia stood staring blankly up the stairs for an entire minute before it dawned on her that he'd used the kiss to befuddle her. Blast it all! She fumed to herself as she walked to the front window and stationed herself there. Time went by. The clock ticked. A bee buzzed against the windowpane. Dust settled. After thirty minutes had passed, Sophia had had enough. She gave the empty lane one last glance, then went upstairs. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 74601ff | I daresay he is not happy that his daughter is now unchaperoned. A gentleman would bid his adieu." "You can't leave!" The words hung in the air.Sophia hid a wince and said again, in a more measured tone, "I'm sorry. I'm distraught over my father." MacLean gave her a devastatingly sexy half-smile. "You misunderstood me; I said, a would bid his adieu." His voice, low and soft, rolled over her senses like liguid silk. "Fortunately for us bot.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 71922a9 | On the platter sat the roast, half of it black, the other half bloody. A wilted sprig of parsley sat beside it, as if Mary couldn't quite allow the roast to leave her kitchen without trying to disguise it. Silence hung over the table. Dougal set the cover to one side and removed the covers from the other dishes: a bowl of something green that sat in an oily liquid; a thick slab of pork in the middle of a large, chipped platter; some turnips.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 8a160ce | The weather is certainly unpredictable here,isn't it?" "It's always unpredictable when the MacLeans are involved." She turned to look at him. "You've heard the rumors of the curse?" "I've heard them and believe them." He moved beside her. "Don't you?" The pocket she needed to reach was on his other side, blast it. "Do you think one of the MacLeans might be angry now?" He looked over her head to the gathering clouds, a frown settling between.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 9200040 | I find you too charming by half." "And I find you too annoying by far. If you do not release me, I cannot be held responsible for your well-being." He chuckled at that. "A fiery little bundle,aren't you? I'll wager you like-" She brought her foot down hard on his instep. He yelped and released her, his face contorted in pain. Sophia stepped past him, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back toward him. "You tease!" he gasped. She used her.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| a2e4f36 | Aye,Ware is your grandfather, though a more worthless arse I couldn't name. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 62b08c9 | Though he may dally with loose women, he's been raised a gentleman. He would never touch me unless I gave him permission." He might use incredibly powerful seduction tactics, but that was her problem, not Angus's. "Aye," Mary said. "Don't ye remember how the miss took care o' the squire's son when he tried to kiss her in the garden?" She beamed at Sophia. "That was well done." Sophia grinned. "He limped for a week" Angus grunted. "The squir.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| a4a06a5 | Ye said yerself that the man was bonny enough to sup with a spoon. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 71cddda | Red started preparing a short speech for Sophie about the importance of keeping a safe physical distance between herself and her guest. He was just working out a brilliant but poignant closing statement when Sophie walked into the room. Red's welcoming smile froze,fell, and shattered. "Bloody hell! Ye can't wear " | Karen Hawkins | ||
| d933413 | Does the curse affect your entire family in the same way?" "There are some slight variations. When my brother Gregor grows angry, it tends to hail and snow." "He has a cold disposition?" | Karen Hawkins | ||
| ab1dcbf | Sophia had been hard pressed not to laugh when MacLean had tripped over one of the floorboards she and Angus had pried loose. Better yet, MacLean had ripped his lace-edged sleeve on a broken nail in the doorframe of his bedchamber. She knew because she'd heard his loud curse from the hallway. Sophia had expected him to roar at the servants and demand things be repaired, but all he did was ask Angus for a hammer to protect himself from the l.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 186fdd6 | It near broke my heart to treat such a good piece of meat in such a way." "Aye," Red said with feeling. "I watched ye do it, and it near made me cry,too." Sophia laughed and hugged her father. "When this is over,Mary will cook you an entire leg of mutton, perfectly roasted and seasoned." His eyes brightened. "With mint sauce?" "Aye," Mary said, beaming." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 4345f79 | Yes,I was thinking about a nap,then..." He shrugged and glanced away. He didn't have to wait long. "Oh,dear! The mattress was too lumpy, wasn't it?" Her rich voice lowered with false compassion. "I'm so sorry about that. Red refuses to purchase new mattress ticking when-" "You misunderstood," Dougal said. "I didn't intend to take a nap, just to rest. However, the bed was so comfortable that I fell asleep anyway." Sophia opened her mouth,the.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 3ceb441 | Ye're playing fer the house? But ye won it just a month ago! Why,this land is worth more than yer estate near Stirling!" Now that he'd toured the land and knew the true condition of the house, Dougal was tempted to agree. The deed to MacFarlane House was worth far more than he'd originally thought. Shelton shook his head. "Ye're moonstruck, me lord. Moonstruck and fairy-pinched." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 8d2985c | You will be glad to know that Mary has made something special for dinner." "Something edible, I hope." Her lips twitched. "Absolutely." "Then it's doubly a pity that I don't want dinner this evening." The hunger that roared through him had nothing to do with food. "No dinner? But Mary-" "Are you hungry?" She gave an odd flicker of a smile. "I couldn't eat anything now if my life depended on it." Her admission relaxed his taut nerves. She wa.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 9e972fa | If you leave within the hour, you can make it by nightfall. With this rain, I wouldn't wait longer. The stream is close to covering the bridge already." Sophia had to smile. "Anxious to get rid of me?" "Aye.I'm tried of seeing your long face over the breakfast table." She laughed a little. "Red,I don't understand. Why are you so insistent about this?" "Because if anyone knows the cost of lost opportunities, it's me. Sometimes you have to gr.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 2fa582e | She watched beneath her lashes as his chair rocked with his weight. MacLean scowled and grabbed the edge of the table. Angus had cut varying lengths from each chair so that some rocked, while others were at a distinct forward slant so that you had to press back to keep from sliding into the floor. "Is something wrong, Lord MacLean?" "This chair." He scooted forward and slipped a little. With a scowl, he stood and pushed his chair to one sid.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 6d4c94e | Dougal lifted his spoon and slit it into his mouth. Immediately, a frozen look came over his face. Sophia tensed. He removed the spoon from his mouth. Sophia gripped her own spoon tighter. A slow red crept up his face, his eyes watering slightly. Ha! Mary's soup was working its magic. Pleased, Sophia pretended to eat some soup. Dougal slapped a hand on the table. The dishes and Sophia jumped. "What's wrong?" He pointed to his bowl with his .. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 8eecdcb | To make matters worse, he added in a deep voice that made her shiver, "I love turnips." It was indecent that the man could make a sentence as abhorrent as "I love turnips" sound like an improper proposition. But Dougal MacLean managed it." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 8d01f9f | Do you prefer burned or raw?" "I'll have the burned portion, thank you." "Excellent choice. The turnips will complement them perfectly." He winked at her and filled their plates with such amused spirits that Sophia found herself watching him through her lashes. What was wrong with this man? Surely he wasn't used to such horrid meals? Yet to watch him eat with such enthusiasm, you'd think he was starving." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 70b6723 | I've asked Sophia to stay for the night, and she has agreed." Stay? In the same house he was staying in? It had been pure hell trying to sleep before, but now, knowing she was there, under the same roof, her lush body-"No." The word was torn from him. Fiona's gaze narrowed. "Dougal, this is my house-" "And mine," Jack added flatly. Dougal sent him a cutting glare. Fiona sniffed. "If I wish Miss MacFarlane to stay,she'll stay." Sophia lifted.. | Karen Hawkins | ||
| 34d76b2 | How am I to get back to my room dressed like this?" He grinned at her, his teeth flashing whitely in the dim light from the fire. "You'll leave a trail of water." "Which the servants will report to your sister." | Karen Hawkins | ||
| b0de8d8 | You told me he was dead." Red said through his teeth, "There was no point,for there's no meaner, more petty man in all of God's England." "At least I'm not a wastrel," the old man snapped. Red started toward the old man, but Sophia stepped between them. "Red, don't." He looked as if he might burst into flames, then snapped, "I came to get you, Sophie.Have Mary bring your things, and let's go." | Karen Hawkins |