“Apparently a small spinster had broken through his well-constructed defenses. He wanted to pursue her, equally as much as he wished to abandon her, and neither seemed possible. Worst of all, Amanda was a respectable lady, one who would not be content with a mere affair or a light dalliance. She would want to own the heart of any man she became involved with-she was too proud and strong-willed to desire anything less. And his calcified heart was not available to her, or to anyone.”