I had never felt the allure of another human being this strongly, warmth and curiosity mixing to form an unspoken question in the air.

I never lie for the sake of kindness,” he murmured, smiling. “One of my many flaws.

And then another letter had come from Christopher, so devastating that Amelia wondered how mere scratches of ink on paper could rip someone's soul to shreds. She had wondered how she could feel so much pain and still survive.

I'm scared of making the biggest mistake of my life. I'm just trying to figure out what the mistake is.

A couple of times in your life, it happens like that. You meet a stranger, and all you know is that you need to know everything about him.

To Cam surprise, she was smiling up at him steadily, her eyes midnight. His expression turned quizzical. "What's so amus­ing?" Amelia toyed with a button on his coat. "I was just thinking . . . tonight those two old hens will probably go to their beds, cold and alone." An impish grin curved her lips. "Whereas I will be with a wicked, handsome Rom who will keep me warm all night.

- No, no... She shook her head for emphasis. No. His lips twitched. - One 'no' is enough, darling.