Lily Maxton

“You have ink on your cheek,” he noted softly.

She glanced at his dirty hands. “That’s your fault. I hope it washes off.”

“It should.” He stared at her as though trying to puzzle her out. “When I was first introduced to you last Season, I thought you were the picture of the wilting wallflower. But you’re not, are you?”

“I thought I was,” she said, nearly as puzzled as he was.

“But not with me?”

“Not with you,” she agreed.

“Probably because I’m so unimpressive.”

“Most likely,” she said.

And after a heartbeat, they smiled at the same time.”
― Lily Maxton, The Love Match

“I thought I needed to be perfect because everyone’s eyes were watching me, and they were all comparing me to Charles. I dreaded making some misstep in front of them. So I tried to be perfect. But it hasn’t made me happy. And then I meet you, the only woman I’ve ever met who doesn’t give a fig about perfection or imperfection, who actually dares people to judge her. I think I was jealous of you.”
― Lily Maxton, The Wager