Kate had dressed for battle, donning her finest pink muslin morning dress. With lace at her wrists and mother-of-pearl buttons at her throat, instead of that itchy servant's cloak, she felt capable of matching wits with anyone.

“The marquess held the weapon out, as formally as if he were passing a sword.Sob…”

“It was a good thing she was wearing her mother's pearls. With those clasping he…”

“I'm not broken,' he repeated. 'Although at the moment . . . ' This was what cam…”

“This is why people are so hard to understand. I cannot even estimate their grav…”