She could not bear the thought. She simply could not bear the thought that she might somehow prove to her grandfather that her mother had indeed been a fool and her father had been a damned fool and that she was the damnedest fool of them all.

I knew nothing but love and devotion when I was growing up. Trust me, it makes everything easier.

A duel, a duel, a duel. Is there anything more exciting, more romantic ... or more utterly moronic?

the unexpected moment [is] always sweeter.

I don't like your tone," was Violet's standard answer when one of her children was winning an argument.

Until you've lived through all that," he said, "don't you ever complain about what we have. Because to me... to me..." He choked on the words, but he barely paused before he continued. "This - us - is heaven. I can't bear to hear you say otherwise.

It was the one dream he'd never permitted himself to consider.