Status Updates From Xeque-Mate, Cavalheiro!

“The duke kept his hands to himself, but his sharp gaze was riveted on Annabelle’s beaming face as though she were the only person in existence.”

You can’t make me hate The Duke of Montgomery, I’m sorry

“Marry me,” he said casually. “Marry me, and we could go anywhere, without problems.”

“You’re not misshapen. You are a beautiful creation.” She swallowed. “You flatter me.”“I haven’t yet begun to flatter you, habibti.”

Yeah

“The wedding is a formality, I look forward to what follows: calling you my wife. My viscountess. Seeing my ring on your finger, being officially entitled to give you everything, protect you with all that I have whenever you want it or need it . . . Sharing a home with you. Seeing you make use of the freedoms afforded to married women.”

I think Montgomery lost his first place spot

“It gets worse,” Lucie hissed. “He hums—he is humming the Bridal March. And then he pretends that he didn’t when I . . . What?”

“Woe is me,” she cried softly. “My terribly, terribly handsome, titled, and charming fiancé, whom I love, is greatly looking forward to marrying me.”

I love Lucie and Ballentine so much

“I’m wondering how misshapen I am. I wonder how bent out of shape I am from these attempts to exist around some fear, instead of just growing, straight and up, as I should have.”

Sort of disappointed by this last book in the series - I really loved the first three and this one isn't quite measuring up...