QUOTE : Lysandra held her gaze for a long moment. “Benedict is a good man.” She couldn’t smile. It was too painful. “Indeed he is.” <br /><br />“Isn’t there any way to be with him?” Lysandra pressed. Vivien swallowed. She wasn’t even going to deny that was her heart’s desire. “No. Not with my reputation.” <br /><br />“But Lysandra and I each came from similar backgrounds and our husbands—” Mariah began. <br /><br />Vivien lifted a hand to stop her. “You did not come from anything like my background. Lysandra never had a lover beyond her husband and you married a rake with a terrible reputation who could be expected to do something so shocking. Neither of you were ever the most notorious woman in the city.