Vicki

“The only real difference between Anxiety and Excitement was my willingness to let go of Fear.”
― Barbara Brown Taylor, Learning to Walk in the Dark: Because Sometimes God Shows Up at Night

“Philip stood with the tip of a sword pressed into Mr. Beaufort’s throat. I saw another sword on the floor. Neither gentleman looked toward the door. Philip looked perfectly in control, his sword bending the skin of Mr. Beaufort’s neck without piercing it. When he spoke, though, his voice sounded so fierce I hardly recognized it. “Tell me what you did to her.”
“I made sure you wouldn’t want her anymore.”
“I will always want her,” Philip said in a quiet, furious voice. “Always! There is nothing you could do to change that.”
Mr. Beaufort sneered. “Then why do you want to know?”
“Because I would never make her say the words. And because I want to know how much I should enjoy running you through.”
― Julianne Donaldson, Edenbrooke

“I've told you once I would not force you to my will ... When we become lovers, it will be because you desire as much as I

-Richard”
― Susanna Kearsley, Mariana

“Dear Philip,

I don't imagine you will ever read this. If you do, it is bacause something dreadful has happened to me. I find myself in the hands of a dangerous man. I am determined to fight him but before I do, my heart demands that I write this note to tell you that I love you. I am sending my heart to you in this letter so it will be kept safe from whatever may happen to me tonight. I don't know if you want it or not, but it has always been yours.

With all my love,
Marianne”
― Julianne Donaldson, Edenbrooke