" Lady Cassandra is never going to marry you, Severin,” West said in exasperation.
“But she’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“How do you know? So far all you’ve seen is a pretty young woman with blond hair and blue eyes. Does it occur to you to wonder what’s on the inside?”
“No. I don’t care. She can be whatever she wants on the inside, as long as she lets me have the outside.” As Tom saw West’s expression, he said with a touch of defensiveness, “You know I’ve never been one of those sentimental fellows.”
“You mean the ones with actual human emotions?” West asked acidly.
“I have emotions.” Tom paused. “When I want to.”
“I’m having an emotion right now. And before it obliges me to wedge my boot up your arse, I’m going to put some distance between us.” West skewered him with a lethal glance. “Stay away from her, Tom. Find some other innocent girl to corrupt. I already have enough excuses to murder you as it is. "
― Lisa Kleypas , Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels, #6)