Status Updates From In the Duke's Arms

Well THAT escalated quickly

For the love of GOD someone make out with someone

they are SMOOCHING thank GOD

nobody has even KISSED yet.

I'm fine! I'm fine! I'm doing g r e a t

"He remounted. “I will ride with you.” With some effort, he gentled his voice. “If that would be agreeable to you.” “How kind of you. Thank you.”"

These chapters have HORRIBLY abrupt endings!!

"He fell quiet, but she understood this was his way. He was not a talkative man. Once, she’d imagined him sitting alone in his house, a monster ready to devour anyone who came near. What she imagined now was a man who had both his rank and his natural reticence working against him. She smiled at him. If he continued in his gruff ways the rest of his life, she would defend him to anyone. Anyone."

"Dread that she would meet some other man and see in him all the joy of life that he lacked. “I will see you home.” The words came out all wrong, with gruff emphasis on the word will. One look at her, and he lost all chance at serenity. Because he had never in his life cared whether anyone liked him. He’d never thought about it. Until her."

"“Have you a favorite color, Miss Clay?” “They’re all so lovely, I could not possibly choose.” “That is not an answer.” No man could have more thorns than he. Either he was silent as a block of ice or on the verge, she was certain, of telling her how deeply he disliked her and wished she would stay away. “Pink.”"

"He did not want to go to his grave knowing he had risked nothing for the woman he wanted. He wasn’t an ass, though. Or if he was, he did not wish to give her incontrovertible evidence of the fact. What to say to her, then, when he knew he was likely to speak too gruffly?"

Is feeling so forced now. And rushed. I know, it's a novella, but still ...

And now salivating over his body? After he seemingly super insulted her 30 minutes ago? Say what??

I don't really get her yet. And why is she being so informal with him so quickly?? Totally at odds with first interaction we saw, which was supposed to be representative of all past interactions too. So ...??

"The furnishings she’d chosen reminded him of the woman who lived here. Nothing to admire, and yet he wished to be here. To stay here and be surrounded by rooms that settled him. He was at ease, and the longer he stayed, the more he found to like."

"She cocked her head, wondering what he meant by the odd inflection of his question. “Me?” She waved a hand. “I am the least memorable woman you’ll ever meet.” “I disagree.” His eyes bored into her. “I have never forgotten you.”"

Omg he's so awkward it's FANTASTIC!! Lolol

"She had a good, strong voice. She smiled with her voice, too. This, he thought, was the magic that had drawn him to her."

"Her smile hollowed out his chest. She’d changed since last he saw her. She was brighter. More vibrant. Happiness suited her."

"Miss Edith Clay brightened the room with her presence. Just from walking through the door, she’d made the room a happier place. This was true despite his having spent the last several months assuring himself his recollection of her had to be incorrect. His recollection was not incorrect. It was appallingly accurate."