I hesitated for all the right reasons. And I accepted for all the wrong ones.

I stepped closer still. He closed his eyes again and covered my hand with his own. 'You smell of violets. You always smell of violets,' he said. 'You've no idea how many times I have walked these moors and smelled them and thought you were near. On and on I walked, following the scent of you, and you were never there. When I saw you in the hall tonight, I thought I had finally gone mad.

Now I was more certain than ever of my decision. I could not love a man who did not love Jane Austen.

They have different accents in America " Brisbane smiled. "Just as we do here." I waved a hand. "They all sound alike to me.

I see only a little, lady, but I know that your fortune is as twined with his as the ivy to the oak.

I would give up everything for you, Giulia" I smiled at him gently. "But you must understand. I should never want a man to give up anything for me. I should want him to feel in winning me he has won the whole world.

I adored history, not the dry dates and boring battles, but the stories and the people who populated them.