42
" Pamela pulled off her cloak and Alexei gasped.
"You have on breeches!" He stared in disbelief. "Breeches!"
"I've never worn them before, and they are extremely comfortable. I quite like them." She smoothed the fabric over her hip. "Besides, you don't expect me to duel in a dress, do you?"
"I do not expect you to duel at all!"
Pamela ignored him. "That would be most unfair, dueling in a dress, unless, of course, you would be willing to wear a dress as well?"
"Don't be absurd." He snorted in disdain. "I have no intention of ever wearing women's clothing again."
"Again?" She raised a brow.
"It was an unavoidable disguise," he muttered. "
― Victoria Alexander , When We Meet Again (Effingtons, #10)
43
" It is time to end this."
He ducked under her sword, stepped around her with blinding speed until he was at her back. She turned at once. He thrust his sword with great precision to catch the grip just above her hand and flick the sword from her grasp. It was a move he had long ago perfected. Her eyes widened, she stepped back, stumbled, and fell to the ground. He stood over her, aiming his sword at her midsection.
"Have you had enough then?" He smiled smugly down at her.
"No." She rolled quickly, caught his ankle with her foot, and he tumbled to the ground. Before he could recover she scrambled to her knees, grabbed his sword, and held it against his chest. "You're right, it is time to end this."
He looked at the sword and winced. "Do be careful with that. You could inflict a great deal of harm. "
― Victoria Alexander , When We Meet Again (Effingtons, #10)
48
" You and I have found something few people ever do.Do you not understand, Matthew? I refuse to let your misguided nobility keep us apart.My life as a princess, or a peasant, is not worth living without you in it."
"And mine is without you? I'm willing to go to Avalonia and be your blasted lapdog, if that will keep you in my life. Damn it all, Tatiana, I love you. I have loved you from the moment you went up in my balloon. From the moment I saw the tilt of your smile and the spark in your green eyes. From the first lie to the last, I have loved you. And I love you now!"
"Then do stop screaming at me!"
"I am not screaming! I am..." He stopped abruptly and blew a long, frustrated breath.
Stark....raving...mad."
"I suspected as much." The corners of her lips twitched as if she were about to laugh.His heart leapt.
He stared at her for a long moment. "Can you forgive me?"
"Never." She shrugged. "Perhaps. Possibly. Someday.Years from now."
"After a great deal of groveling, I imagine?" He raised a brow. "Begging, beseeching, pleading and so forth as well, no doubt?"
"Without question."
"And how long do you expect the groveling, begging, beseeching and so forth would continue?" He started around the table toward her.
"A lifetime should do." She cast him the look, and any lingering doubt he had vanished.
"I see. Exactly where will I be doing this groveling, begging and beseeching?" He reached her and pulled her into his arms and back into his life.
"Do not forget the so forth." She stared defiantly up at him.
"I would never forget the so forth." He bent and kissd the hollow of her throat. "The so forth has always been my favorite part.Now,where? "
― Victoria Alexander , Her Highness, My Wife (Effingtons, #5)