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Up then, fair phoenix bride, frustrate the sun; Thyself from thine affection Takest warmth enough, and from thine eye All lesser birds will take their jollity. Up, up, fair bride, and call Thy stars from out their several boxes, take Thy rubies, pearls, and diamonds forth, and make Thyself a constellation of them all; And by their blazing signify That a great princess falls, but doth not die. Be thou a new star, that to us portends Ends of much wonder; and be thou those ends.John Donne
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Every bride is beautiful. It’s like newborn babies or puppies. They can’t help it.Emme Rollins
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He wants a fifteen thousand pound settlement."" Fifteen thousand! "" He says you're a great deal of trouble." She hesitated for one startled moment before choking back a laugh." I am."" I thought so." He leveled Drew a look. "If I pay you the fifteen thousand, do you swear to keep her?" Drew reared back his head. "Forever?"Her father scowled. "Forever.""Oh, I suppose." He gave a long-suffering sigh. "If I must." She bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing outright.Deeanne Gist
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That first scream, my lord, was indeed your daughter, my wife, and if you kill me, your grandchild will be quite without a father. Won't you come in?Deeanne Gist
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You next, " he said. "Out of those clothes and into bed." She nodded but didn't move from Sally's side. The thought of undressing exhausted her. Where would she find the strength such a task would require?" I'm filthy. I'll ruin the new bed."" I'll bring you some fresh water."" I've no clothes to change into." His grin was downright wicked. "I know." A short laugh escaped her.Deeanne Gist
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You were kidnapped not?"" I was kidnapped."" You were forced not into marriage?"" I was forced into marriage."" You want not an annulment?"" I want not an annulment.Deeanne Gist
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Lord Randall barreled inside, brandishing his cane in Drew's face." You beggarly knave, I was told this marriage was in name only! Who gave you permission to consummate the vows?"" Theodore Hopkin, governor of this colony, representative of the kind, and it's going to cost you plenty, for that daughter of yours is nothing but trouble. What in the blazes were you thinking to allow her an education?" Drew bit back his smile at the man's shocked expression. Nothing like landing the first punch. Lord Randall furrowed his bushy gray brows." I knew not about her education until it was too late." Drew straightened the cuffs of his shirt. "Well, be prepared to pay dearly for it. No man should have to suffer through what I do with the constant spouting of the most addlepated word puzzles you could imagine."-----------------------------------------" I require fifteen thousand pounds." Lord Randall spewed ale across the floor. "What! Surely drink has tickled your poor brain. You're a FARMER, you impudent rascal. I'll give you five thousand." Drew plopped his drink onto the table at his side, its contents sloshing over the rim. A satisfied smile broke across his face." Excellent." He stood." When will you take her back to England with you? Today? Tomorrow?"The old man's red-rimmed eyes widened. "I cannot take her back. Why, she's already birthed a child! " Drew shrugged. "Fifteen thousand or I send her AND the babe back, with or without you. .Deeanne Gist
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Their daughter scrunched up her hands and legs, waving them wildly in the air. He opened his palm, allowing the babe to kick his hand." Is she like a puppy?" Constance choked. "What! "He looked up. "Will she get her spots later?" Laughter bubbled up from within her as she playfully whacked him on the shoulder. "Yes. Yes, I'm afraid she will. As soon as the sun touches her skin, the freckles will appear." A delicious two-dimple grin spread across his face. "Good. I find I'm rather partial to freckled redheads.Deeanne Gist
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Thought you didn't like red hair." One of Drew's dimples kicked in as he draped an arm about Grandma's shoulder. "Must have me confused with someone else, but I'm not surprised. Seems to happen to most of the older set at some point or other.Deeanne Gist
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You could have arrived atop a wildcat and no one would have said a word. They will adore you.Deeanne Gist
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Look. Isn't he beautiful?" Drew's expression softened. "Ah, Nellie. He's bald, pink, and has no teeth. What's so beautiful about that?" Nellie's laugh tinkled out like musical chimes while she covered the babe back up.Deeanne Gist
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Bitter disappointment pushed tears from her eyes." Now what's wrong? I said you could wear it." She drew in a shaky breath." I w-wanted you to l-like my dreeessssss." He moved his gaze over her." The gown makes my mouth water, love.Deeanne Gist
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Sneezeweed, Drew?"He grinned. "Jealous?""Surprised.""Remind me, and I'll have a talk with Gerald. Give him a few tips."" Promise?"" Absolutely.Deeanne Gist
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Oh, they'll never believe a woman could solve such puzzles. They'll just assume I'm humoring you by editing it myself and allowing you to put your name to it." She raised her eyebrows. "But you wouldn't be." He humphed. "They'll never hear me admit it."" I will, " she said, a smile curving her lips. He shrugged. "They'll believe me, not you.Deeanne Gist
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Ho! Wise men say, 'He who hath not a good and ready memory should never meddle in telling lies.'" Drew smiled. "I have a good and ready memory.Deeanne Gist
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Dear newlywed wife, somebody out there is determined to shape your view of intimacy and marriage. You get to choose who will shape your opinion; the Author of marriage or offended humans?Ngina Otiende
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The lot of the brideto be wed before beddesired until rotten. The lot of the authorto be read before bedadmired then forgotten.Roman Payne
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Perfection isn't necessarily found only in publicly accepted trends. Perfection is found in self.Nike Thaddeus
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My clue is that you're supposed to keep going once you've found me." His eyes narrowed. Thoughtfully, as though he were looking for the words she wanted to say instead. "Keep going in the maze?" he said slowly. "Or keep going somewhere else?" The man had an evil streak. "The maze, " she said firmly. Helpfully. Like a dutiful daughter of Bliss."Because there are a few places I'd like to go with you. .Jamie Farrell