132 Timeless Historical Romance Quotes

In the realm of storytelling, few genres capture the essence of love and adventure quite like historical romance. These tales transport us to bygone eras, where passion unfolds against a backdrop of castles, ballrooms, and distant lands. They invite us to experience the elegance, intrigue, and enduring emotions that transcend time. To celebrate this beloved genre, we've gathered a selection of 132 timeless quotes that encapsulate the heart and soul of historical romance. Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovering these enthralling stories, prepare to be swept off your feet by words that echo the enchantment and fervor of love stories written in the annals of time.

1. “A hedgehog? And just how does a hedgehog make love?" he demanded. No, I thought. I won't. I will not. But I did. "Very carefully," I replied, giggling helplessly. So now we know just how old that one is, I thought. ” - Diana Gabaldon

2. “Lying on the floor, with the carved panels of the ceiling flickering dimly above, I found myself thinking that I had always heretofore assumed that the tendency of eigh­teenth-century ladies to swoon was due to tight stays; now I rather thought it might be due to the idiocy of eighteenth-century men. ” - Diana Gabaldon

3. “Love will find a way against time itself.” - Sylvia Day

4. “Happy? Most of the time? Happiness is always a fleeting thing," he said, "It never rests upon anyone as a permanent state, though many of us persist in believing in the foolish idea that if this would just happen or that we would be happy for the rest of our lives. I know moments of happiness just as most other people do. Perhaps I have learned to find it in ways that would pass some people by. I feel the summer heat here at this moment and see the trees and the water and hear that invisible gull overhead. I feel the novelty of having company when I usually come here alone. And this moment brings me happiness.” - Mary Balogh

5. “Annabelle gave him a chiding smile. “If you’re implying that I’m spoiled, I assure you that I am not.”“You should be.” His warm gaze slid over her pink-tinted face and slender upper body, then sought hers again. There was a note in his voice that gently robbed her of breath. “You could do with a bit of spoiling.” - Lisa Kleypas

6. “I want to fill every part of you, breathe the air from your lungs and leave my handprints on your soul. I want to give you more pleasure than you can bear.” - Lisa Kleypas

7. “Yes, my boy, you are indeed much faster, bigger, and stronger than me and an altogether superior speciman of God's creation, but I have seen your like before. Only one of us can be master, and it won't be you.” - Emery Lee

8. “Miss Edmonton: I don't even know where to start. It's too horrifying to even speak of.Jenny: Nonsense. Let's start with the basics. What did your aunt tell you?Miss Edmonton: My aunt said that my husband will come into my room and pull my skirt up. And then he'll put himself inside of me. She said it hurts. She suggested I hold my tongue and pretend I am somewhere else until he is done.Jenny: Yes. I should think it would hurt if you did it that way. Good heavens.” - Courtney Milan

9. “Enjoy the ride!” - Emery Lee

10. “Where are we going?” Annabelle asked, resisting his hold on her wrist.“To the house. If they’re not willing to be witnesses, then it seems I’ll have to debauch you in front of someone else.” - Lisa Kleypas

11. “I’ve never heard of a man being so eager to confess to the parent of a girl he’s just ruined” - Lisa Kleypas

12. “He'd missed matching wits with her. "Shall we duel with our lips?" "You may find yourself eating grass for breakfast.” - Vicky Dreiling

13. “This man was different from all others; he was forbidden fruit, the outsider. Her mother had trained her well, but she had never told her what to do if a man set her heart to throbbing like the hooves of a runaway horse.” - Constance O'Banyon

14. “He kissed her. Without warning, without permission. Without even deciding to do it, but simply because he couldn't have done anything else. He needed that breath she was holding. It belonged to him, and he wanted it back.” - Tessa Dare

15. “They (mothers-in-law) never leave when they say they will. When my mother-in-law visits, the mice throw themselves at the cat, begging to be eaten.” - Lisa Kleypas

16. “You’re far too prickly tempered to be a mistress. You’re far better suited as a wife.” - Lisa Kleypas

17. “If I am ever in the position where I wish to seduce someone I will simply assure her it’s better than rats.” - Anne Stuart

18. “Her lips found his and a stab of exquisite desire shot through him. This is what he's been waiting for all this time. Not a stolen embrace. A gift, freely given. One that he would keep forever in some small part of his soul.” - Courtney Milan

19. “She did not want to know what charmhe had used to make her love him so deeply. She did not want to know it wasn’t real.” - Penelope Marzec

20. “Daniel, I did not knowwhat I wanted when I was agirl. And then I was a fool in every sense of the word. And now that I am a woman grown, I know that I love you and I want this son of yours, and our children who will come. I have seen a woman break her heart for love: my Queen Mary. I have seen another break her soul to avoid it: my Princess Elizabeth. I don't want to be Mary or Elizabeth, I want to be me: Hannah Verde Carpenter.""And we shall live somewhere that we can follow our belifs without danger," he insisted."Yes," I said, "in the England that Elizabeth will make.” - Philippa Gregory

21. “Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.” - Myrna Ericksen

22. “We can talk about our dreams all night, Lisette. We can talk forever, for the rest of our lives, living one adventure after another, I promise. But not now, my darling Lisette. For now, all I can think of is the brilliance of yet another ancient Greek, Sophocles. He said, 'One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life-that word is love.' I love you, Lisette. You bring my life joy I've never known. Please, marry me.” - Kasey Michaels

23. “I know the truth now. You've figured out I'm falling in love with you and you're trying to make me stop by hurting me this way. Well it won't work.One way or another, I'm going to make you care about me. Yes, I am, unless your cold attitude kills me first.It's only fair, Connor. If I'm going to be miserable, by God, so are you.I am not a common wench and I will not be treated like one.” - Julie Garwood

24. “I intend to marry Michael, and squander all his money and run his life, and make sure he never again consorts with wicked women or gambles with licentious men. I promise I will henpeck him until he has no life beyond what I allow him, and when we die, I will lie in his arms through all eternity.” - Christina Dodd

25. “I love you," she murmured. The words ... it was as though an entire sun had exploded in his chest.He'd been ridiculous. His thrashing thoughts, his grand confusion and torment and helplessness -- it was only love, had always been love, he supposed. It was no precipice he stood at, or rather precipices have little meaning when one finally acknowledges that one has wings. Connor stepped off."I love you, too."Such grave, inadequate words for what it was he felt.” - Julie Anne Long

26. “. . . if you can't see the good man he is, you need to unscrew them eyeballs of yours and try on a different pair.” - Karen Witemeyer

27. “For every woman, there is that one man who could get her to go anywhere he wanted her to go, do anything he wanted her to do—reach into her soul and turn her whole world on its ear—challenge everything she thought she believed. Highlighted by 24 Kindle users” - Lenore Wolfe

28. “What have I done to her?" Gabriel muttered to himself as he crossed the room to crank open a window. Cool air washed over his skin. "What the devil did she do to me?” - Olivia Parker

29. “You are absolutely beautiful," Anne said. "But if you see yourself, you'll want to pin your hair back like a shepherdess in a bad play."(Eleanor) "Are you saying that I normally look as if I'm tending sheep? With straw in my hair? As if I might yodel?” - Eloisa James

30. “Yes. She got into a right state when she realized no one could read them, though. She's setting up some sort of literacy curse. Some of the boys want to know--is that like gypsy magic? Can you curse someone to read?” - Anne Mallory

31. “Your breasts are alabaster orbs.' "What?" Rufus objected. "That's stupid. I'm not saying that." "Do you have some better suggestion?" "Why can't you just say she's got a fair set of titties?” - Tessa Dare

32. “We have to get out of here, Bram. Before they take our bollocks and use them for pincushions.” - Tessa Dare

33. “This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage."Withered appendage? What the devil was she talking about? He shook his head, trying to clear it. Colin's dire predictions of shriveled twigs and dried currants rattled in his skull. Wide awake now, he fought to sit up, wrestling the sheets."Listen, you. I don't know what sort of liberties you've taken while I was insensible, or just what your spinster imagination prepared you to see. But I'll have you know, that water was damned cold."She blinked at him. "I'm referring to your leg.""Oh." His leg. That withered appendage” - Tessa Dare

34. “I want to talk to you. I want to listen to you. I want to walk with you and, yes, I want you in my bed. That's what I want today. That's what I'll want in a hundred years. If you promise to be my wife forever, I will pledge myself to your happiness.” - Christina Dodd

35. “A witty vicar once said that a good marriage is like a pair of scissors with the couple inseparable joined, often moving in opposite directions, yet always destroying anyone who comes between them. The trick is for the blades to learn to work smoothly together, so as not to cut each other.” - Mary Jo Putney

36. “And if you ever - and I do mean ever - try to leave me, I’m goin’ with you.” - Catherine Anderson

37. “The man irritated her just like a rash.” - Julie Garwood

38. “Who does not tremble when he considers how to deal with his wife For not only is he bound to love her but so to live with her that he may return her to God pure and without stain when God who gave shall demand His own again.” - King Henry VIII

39. “All things in Fiji are paid for in blood.” - Lance Morcan & James Morcan

40. “I will find her.""And when you do?" Roger asked."I will make her mine," the warrior answered in a hard, determined voice. "She will be mine."The vow was made.” - Julie Garwood

41. “...Ethan, but I'm certainly not the type of woman to just go home with two men whether I know them or not. It would be highly inappropriate, not to mention stupid.""And you're not stupid.""Not as far as I can tell"...” - M.K. McClintock

42. “Do I perceive a softening in your heart for me, damoiselle?" He laughed at her scowl. "Beware maid. I will tell you true. After you will come another and then another. There are no strings that can tether me to any woman. So guard your heart.""My lord, you greatly exaggerate your appeal," she replied indignantly. "If I fell anything for you, 'tis hatred. You are the enemy and you are to be despised as such.""Indeed?" He smiled slowly into her eyes. "Then tell me, damoiselle, do you always kiss the enemy so warmly?” - Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

43. “The sun glanced off a long, wicked looking knife in the Comanche's grip. At least Cash wouldn't have long to mourn. The other Indians held similar weapons, but they hung back as their leader knelt next to Sullivan. He muttered something, low and guttural, a single syllable that sounded like an insult, then picked up a lock of Sullivan's hair. The knife descended toward his scalp. "No!" Reese shouted. "Me." The Comanche paused and stared at him with a spark of interest, almost admiration. But that couldn't be since the Indian had no idea what Reese was saying. He continued to try anyway. "Me first." He struggled, wishing he could use his hands to point at himself. "Shut the hell up, Reese," Sullivan said. "What possible difference does it make who they kill first?" "Who knows what might happen. While they're working on me, anyone could show up and save the rest of you." "In that case, me first," Cash drawled. "Me." "No. Yo primero!""Kid, I'm the only one without a wife and far too many children. No one would miss me." "I would." The words were punctuated by the distinct sound of a rifle being cocked. All eyes turned toward the man who had appeared at the edge of the clearing. Cash's sigh of relief was in direct contrast to the sneer in his voice. "About damn time, Rev. We've been waitin' on you.” - Lori Handeland

44. “If I could,” he went on, “I would remain like this indefinitely—clasped by you, held inside you, a part of you—without moving at all. When we make love, I fight climax with everything I have. I don’t want to come; I do not want it to end. No matter how long I make it last, it isn’t nearly long enough. I am furious when I cannot hold back any longer. Why, Jess? If all I seek is the physical relief of natural lust, just as I would seek sleep or food, why would I deny myself?”She turned her head and caught his mouth with hers, kissing him desperately.“Tell me you understand,” he demanded, his lips moving beneath hers. “Tell me you feel it, too.”“I feel you,” she breathed, as intoxicated by his ardency as she was by the finest claret. “You have become everything to me.” - Sylvia Day

45. “I have wanted you for so long now,” he said roughly, “I’ve no memory of how it feels to be devoid of the craving. But you must know what you do. I need you to think of who you are and where you are and who I am. Think of how things will be once we’ve crossed this threshold. Think of how you will leave this cabin—disheveled and well fucked.” - Sylvia Day

46. “This man was no servant. She looked up at him in acute agitation and knew: this man was now her master.” - V.S. Carnes

47. “Just say, dakhilak.”Without hesitation, “Dakhilak.”He nodded. Her accent was getting no better. “Now, you can never take it back.”“Well, what does it mean? Thank you?”She should have asked sooner. He didn’t turn to meet the gaze he felt on him, his voice full of sand, his stomach sick. “It gives me charge of your life.” - V.S. Carnes

48. “He didn’t deserve compassion. Sympathy. Not even understanding. He deserved worse, far worse than he had ever been given.” - V.S. Carnes

49. “With time, grief has a way of slipping down in the crevices of your heart. It never really leaves; it just makes room for more.” - Nancy B. Brewer

50. “You don't have to kiss a lot of frogs to recognize a prince when you find one."-Henrietta Barrett, (Minx, Splendid Trilogy book #3)” - Julia Quinn

51. “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

52. “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

53. “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

54. “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

55. “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

56. “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

57. “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

58. “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

59. “Someday, my love, you're going to understand just how much I care for you. You're my light, my warmth, my other half. I only feel alive when I'm with you. I love you." Caine” - Julie Garwood

60. “… Looking at her, I think I know better what romantic love is.”… she asked, “What is it?”“It is parental love,” he answered thoughtfully. “Wanting to protect and keep the other person safe. As well as the love of friendship - esteeming the other person, even desiring each other’s company beyond all others. And it is lust,” he said, meeting her eyes, and was rewarded with seeing them darken, her breath becoming slightly unsteady, one little word jerking her out of her clinical assessment. He smiled, a predatory, seductive grin. “The physical needing of the other person, the quickened pulse, the sweaty heat.” His hand, which still rested on hers, began slowly moving, his fingers dancing over her skin. “Combining them makes the result greater than its individual parts. Because it produces something else. It creates … a steadiness. A strength. I can’t explain it well - being only an outside observer - but I only know that out of my friends' relationships, my sister‘s marriage is the epitome of grace.” - Kate Noble

61. “The workings of the male mind are twisted indeed." Winnifred Crane” - Kate Noble

62. “Listen. Just because we got a mutual hankering, doesn't mean we have to act on it. Aside from the hankering, there isn't much about you that I like. So far, you've been a pain in the behind. And I might as well tell you, I've followed through on one hankering and getting shot was more of an enjoyable experience. I didn't like it.” - Maggie Osborne

63. “Never judge yourself by the narrowstandards of others. What we do together here is ourbusiness, nobody else's. Never, never doubt what we havejust done is anything but love. Never let yourself be restrictedby thoughts of what society would have you do, what it wouldaccept or condemn. Please promise me that.” - Lynne Connolly

64. “He stood at the foot of the grave, gloved hands clasped behind him, his dark clothes and hair blending into one black silhouette, as if he were not a presence but an absence, a hole cut out of the landscape.” - Amanda DeWees

65. “The sun had just slipped behind the trees and evening cast its dark, smoky shadow.” - Nancy B. Brewer

66. “Before I disappear behind the door, I stop and turn around to look at him.” - Nancy B. Brewer

67. “I can hear my steps echo as I follow him to the end of the hall. The door to the small closet under the steps is standing ajar. He closes the door and latches it.” - Nancy B. Brewer

68. “According to Robert, his friend Moses was a soldier in the first war, as he described it. He fought Indians and soldiers in red coats.” - Nancy B. Brewer

69. “It was not an unusual site to see Negro tenant farmers crossing the intersection of Spring and Barbrick on the way to the cotton warehouse” - Nancy B. Brewer

70. “He is dressed in a long, white robe and in his hand is a white cap. I draw up as he passes down the hall; he does not see me. Shortly I hear a horse leaving. There is much I do not know about him, but tonight I know one of his secrets. He is a midnight rider.” - Nancy B. Brewer

71. “The pages that follow will be our journey of the life we built together here in Concord, North Carolina. These pages will reveal fragments from the past and events that occurred along the way.” - Nancy B. Brewer

72. “Because I can only love you entirely. With everything I am, and everything I ever will be. Body, mind, heart, soul.” - Victor Bramwell, Earl of Rycliff.” - Tessa Dare

73. “I been running up a bill with the devil ever since, and now he's come to collect on the debt.” - Steven B. Weissman

74. “It was enough to drive me mad. I was no longer myself and yet I was so much more me than I had ever been before. ~Katherine Demure” - Gwenn Wright

75. “Moja je ljubav zaspala, da se ponovo probudi.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

76. “Sreća mora doći. Sunce na nebu skrivaju oblaci i javljaju olujama da i ljudi strepe, ali (...) sunce je tamo iza oblaka! Ono mora izaći na čistinu. Mora, samo čekaj i vjeruj da dolazi...” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

77. “Gdje se biju rođena braća, tamo nema više doma.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

78. “Gdje ima sloge, tu ima i slobode.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

79. “Pravda ne da svoje djece, a svaki pravednik krvno je čedo pravednosti.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

80. “Pravda nije uvijek brižna majka!” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

81. “Da nema kukolja, rodila bi čista pšenica.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

82. “Nema prokletstva. Ima samo zlih i dobrih, ali zli su uvijek jači, iako ih je manje. Od jedne kapi žuči zagorčiš vrč čiste vode!” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

83. “...ali ljubav u srcu - to je zvijezda gore na nebu. Skriva se u noći, ali utrnuti ne može...” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

84. “Strahovito je živjeti razumnom čovjeku u ovo doba kad je zloća podivljala, a dobrota poludjela.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

85. “Tko se odviše nada, mnogo gubi. Manje nade donosi više!” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

86. “Srcu se ne da zapovijedati.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

87. “Sve je iščezlo iz njegova osjećaja, samo je ostalo ono što ga veže s njome. Sav svijet nekud je nestao, samo je ona živa. Sve mu je mračno, samo njezine oči svijetle. Sve je crno, samo njezino lice je bijelo. Svi su zanijemjeli, samo njezin glas romoni oko njega, po dvorcu, kao žubor potočića niz brdo guste šume...” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

88. “Klonuo je pored njezinih nogu kao pas pred nogama gospodara...” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

89. “Polagano, tiho, prilazio je k njoj, kleknuo i položio glavu u njezino krilo kao žeđom obnemogli pred vrčem bistre vode...” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

90. “She squeezed her eyes shut. “No.”“Excuse me?”She sniffed, opened her eyes then looked up. “No. I don’t wish you to leave.”His eyes changed from lukewarm to hot.The iron of the seat met her back. Oh yes, definitely she was the keeper at the zoo and she’d just offered her own leg, medium-rare, to the lion.” - Cari Silverwood

91. “Najviše pozornosti treba posvetiti puku, a dosljedno tome njegovoj zemlji, iz koje sve proizlazi, u koju se sve vraća. Nazor manjine da je primila svoje privilegije po milosti Božjoj u svoju vlast jednako je apsurdan kao što bi bio apsurdan vladar koji bi sebi utvarao da zemlja kojom vlada pripada njemu, a ne državljanima; kad bi si vladar utvarao da su milijuni stvoreni za njega. Jer zapravo je vladar ovdje samo zato da milijunima služi! Vladar nije ništa drugo nego vrhovni činovnik države. Vladar, to nije čast, to je dužnost prema narodu.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

92. “Da sam ja car radio bih ovo: Nastupajući na prijestolje okrunio bih se svim krunama koje bi mi donijeli. Prisegao bih na sve ustave koje bi mi predložili. Potvrdio bih sve privilegije što ih ima povijest. Okupio bih na dvoru u blještavom sjaju sve velikaše, plemiće i sve popove. Zasuo bih te ljude častima, naslovima i ordenima. Iskitio bih njihova prsa, a onda bi radio mimo ustava, mimo privilegija. Kršio bih iz dana u dan sve što sam potvrdio. Radio bih po svojem i sa svim zanosom uvjeravao ih kako je sve to laž. U korist velikaša i plemića i popova! Kad bi prigovarali priredio bih bogate dinee, sjajne svečanosti; odlikovao ih ljubaznim prijateljstvom, obasipao ih novim titulama kao pokladnim prhuticama. Vozio bih se s njima u svečanim sjajnim povorkama u kojima bi imali prva mjesta. Gospoda bi uživala, a narod zadivljen dvorskim sjajem, klicao bi svima. Da, velčanstvo, masi treba blještavila, carskog sjaja, a ne jednostavnosti. Vjerujte, veličanstvo, masi svih staleža više imponira sjajan šesteropreg nego tucet plemenitih ideja; više imponira carska krunidba, za koju se potroše milijuni, i parada u kojoj se pregazi desetak majki s djecom, nego stotinu tisuća bijelih hljebova kojima biste nahranili sirote. Ja bih na sve pristao, sve prevario: neprijatelje bih vezao, progonio i uništio, prijatelje bih tovio, i tada bi pobjeda bila sigurna.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

93. “Čovjek može uvijek biti tvrd, uvijek je kao kamenita gora, samo u jednom jedinom je priroda s nama infamna: u ljubavi nas podmuklo izigrava, izruguje nam se. Zaustavi u tren oka svu volju i misao i ostavlja nas bespomoćne između neba i zemlje, makar samo na jedan trenutak. Jedna sekunda je dovoljna da te izbriše, pretvori u sretnika ili zločinca.” - Marija Jurić Zagorka

94. “Although most advice should be distrusted, particularly when it comes from myself . . . keep an open mind, Miss Hathaway. One should never look a rich husband in the mouth." - St. Vincent” - Lisa Kleypas

95. “As she reached back for the buckle, her fingers met Mr. Meisner’s. She jumped. “I can do this... Sir.”“Ah.” He brushed aside her fingers. “I see you’ve at least remembered the sir.”“One always calls gentlemen that, just as you--”With only a rustle of cloth to warn her, his teeth met in the lobe of her ear, sending a spark into her middle. Like the melt of winter snow, she felt heat pool in her lower body. Her fingers curled against her collarbone where her hands still rested either side of her neck.“I’m not a gentleman, Faith.” - Cari Silverwood

96. “He would die in this room, buried alive by the weight of his life.” - Christine Fonseca

97. “The heavy smell of incense gave me an uneasy feeling as if I had walked into a tomb” - Nancy B. Brewer

98. “Oh! my dearest love, why are our pleasures so short and so interrupted? How long is this to last?Know you, my best Mary, that I feel myself, in your absence, almost degraded to the level of the vulgar and impure. I feel their vacant, stiff eyeballs fixed upon me, until I seem to have been infected with their loathsome meaning--to inhale a sickness that subdues me to languor. Oh! those redeeming eyes of Mary, that they might beam upon me before I sleep! Praise my forbearance--oh! beloved one--that I do not rashly fly to you, and at least secure a moment's bliss. Wherefore should I delay; do you not long to meet me? All that is exalted and buoyant in my nature urges me towards you, reproaches me with the cold delay, laughs at all fear and spurns to dream of prudence. Why am I not with you?” - Michael Kelahan

99. “Though this marriage is a sham, what we share tonight will be real, my lady. I said I'd treat you wi' the same respect I'd show my own true bride, and I meant it. I'd no' be able to call myself a Scotsman if I let you walk across this threshold.” - Pamela Clare

100. “_I_ boil it." Joseph entered last, closing the door behind them. "Last time, you burnt it."Connor glared at Joseph. "We were attacked! What would you have me tell the Abenaki? 'I cannae fight just now. I'm makin' candy. Would you like a wee taste?” - Pamela Clare

101. “I do not know her as you do, but I have shared each step of this journey with her, watched her fight for her life, and held her each night while she slept. I cannot help but care for her."And suddenly Connor was glad Joseph had chosen to sleep in the loft.” - Pamela Clare

102. “I've bled for you. I've killed for you. I've held you in my arms and done my best to make love to you. I'd give my life to protect you. Now I sit beside you, askin' you to trust me.” - Pamela Clare

103. “Killy arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "Don't be thinkin' you can deceive this old man. I've been makin' a fool of myself over women since before you were born.” - Pamela Clare

104. “[Connor, prepared to sacrifice himself to save Sarah]God, I pray, give me the strength to live the next hour well.” - Pamela Clare

105. “[Iain, addressing the Rangers at the end of the French & Indian war]"Never has the world see a war as this one, but you turned the tide of it, spillin' your blood to keep frontier families safe. Years from now, people will remember the Rangers, the sacrifices you made, the battles you fought, the victories you won. I pray that peace will follow you all your days.” - Pamela Clare

106. “Making love with you is even more wonderful than making music."He drew her closer. "Och, Sarah, you _are_ my music.” - Pamela Clare

107. “He was, she realised, quite graceful. The very idea surprised her. Male grace was a quality she'd never thought of beyond the ballroom; either a man could dance a quadrille with skill and without stepping on her feet or he could not. But here was another kind of grace altogether--and untrained grace, an instinctive animal grace.” - Pamela Clare

108. “Annie is my wife, and she will remain wi' me as my wife, subject only to my rule. I will suffer no man to dishonor her or lay hand upon her so long as I live.” - Pamela Clare

109. “He didn't see the look his brothers shared or overhear the vow they made to one another--that if any one of the four of them were to make it back from Ticonderoga, it would be Iain.” - Pamela Clare

110. “You think to judge me, MacKinnon? I've littered the ground wi' the corpses of men like you."Iain raised his blade and smiled. "You've never met a man like me.” - Pamela Clare

111. “You think Diana would come to your bed?” Ned threw his head back and laughed. “You’re mad! First of all, she would never break her marriage vows. Secondly, she’s certainly deduced by now what a whoremonger you are. She wouldn’t touch you with gloves, my friend.” from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (DEVIL DEVERE book #3)” - Victoria Vane

112. “Nicholas broke the seal and scanned the contents. He looked up at Marcus with a chuckle. “Why, it appears you may get your wish for perpetual bachelorhood after all. She wants to end your engagement.”Marcus started from his chair. “The hell she does! What’s possessed her?”“Perhaps she realizes your extreme reluctance to tie the knot after waiting…what is it? Five years since your betrothal announcement?”“Six,” Marcus snapped. “But who’s counting.”“Perhaps Miss Trent?” Nick needled with a quirk of his lips.- A BREACH OF PROMISE” - Victoria Vane

113. “Marcus stood at the mantel mirror, fussing with his lace cuffs, adjusting his cravat and openly admiring his reflection. “I’ll beguile her with the full power of my persuasive charm.”“And should that fail?”Marcus turned to his secretary with a slow, devious grin. “Why, Nick, I’d have thought it obvious. I’ll just have to ruin her.”-A BREACH OF PROMISE” - Victoria Vane

114. “I never would have conceived that he would finally succumb to marriage. How did you ever convince him?”“I must actually credit Lady Russell. She explained to me that a man desires above all things to think himself his own master. Thus, I had only to convince Marcus that marrying me was entirely his own idea.”-A BREACH OF PROMISE” - Victoria Vane

115. “Hang you, DeVere! She's a close friend, nothing more." He furrowed his brow once again. "Though I do fear of late that she entertains some...expectations.""You think the young widow may aspire to quite another surrogate role? They all do, ol' chap. Expectations and demands—titles, money, time, attention. The female half of the species are little better than vampires, sucking away one's very lifeblood.” - Victoria Vane

116. “Ned seemed so different from any other man of her acquaintance, and, certainly, the antithesis of the rake she had set her sights on. She had chosen DeVere as her best prospect, yet after only this short time in Ned's company, she couldn't help fervently wishing that he was DeVere. She should feel triumphant that her goal was within easy reach... In truth, it was as if her appetite had been whetted for beefsteak...only to be served liver instead.-A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE” - Victoria Vane

117. “What is your name, my pet?""Kitty," she replied.DeVere threw back his head with a guffaw. "Kitty? How delightfully apropos!" His erstwhile companions forgotten, he patted a muscular thigh. "Come then, Kitty, my sweet, little puss. Sit on your master's lap, and I'll stroke you 'till you purr."-A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE” - Victoria Vane

118. “You intend to keep me confined in here with you for three days?" His voice was low and ominous."It doesn't have to take three days," she said, "It just depends how long it takes for you to come to your senses.""My senses?" he shook her so hard she thought her teeth would rattle. "It is you whose mind is disordered if you think you can tame me like some pet! Is that what you think, Vesta? That you can somehow turn a man like me into your little lap dog?""No," she said, as earnest as she had ever been in her life. "I could never imagine you as a lap dog. Ever. You are a Mastiff. Big, powerful, dignified, brave, and yet gentle." She nodded with a look of self satisfaction. "Yes. Most definitely a Mastiff." from THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS” - Victoria Vane

119. “Rebel Number Four" is waiting patiently by the door. I named him "Rebel Number Four," for he is the fourth of his kind I have given the name "Rebel." To many he may be just a hound dog, but to me he is a champion and a friend to the end.” - Nancy B. Brewer

120. “You don't have to say a thing except yes. You don't have to do anything, either, I'm quite willing to plan it all." "You?""Yes me.""You'd plan all of it? Even the wedding?""Why not?""You don't even like to plan your own breakfast."He grinned. "You mean more to me tban bacon.""More than [i]bacon?[/i] I'm honored.""You should be, my foolish pea brain.” - Karen Hawkins

121. “Women. You'll interpret anything as love. You see a man wearing an idiotic expression, and you assume he's been struck by Cupid's arrow when in reality, he's digesting a bad turnip.” - Lisa Kleypas

122. “Tell them I have the headache--no, the plague! I need something nice and contagious.” - Lauren Willig

123. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that one only comes up with clever, cutting remarks long after the other party is happily slumbering away.” - Lauren Willig

124. “Pleasure suffused her and she snuggled deeper into his arms, her heart clenching when he tightened his hold on her. After a while his breathing slowed and his hold relaxed. Convinced he slept, she whispered, "You should have been my first." A small ache pinched her heart.His chest vibrated beneath her hand, sending a thrilling shiver up her spine as his deep voice rumbled through the air, "I'll be your last.” - Sophie Jordan

125. “Para mí, el mundo era él.” - Lucila Gamero de Medina

126. “...¡Querer que yo no la vea!¡Querer que no me le acerque, es pedir al pájaro que no cante, al sol que no alumbre, a la mariposa que no busque la luz, a los ojos que no vean, al corazón que no ame, al alma que no sienta, a mí, que no sea humano!” - Lucila Gamero de Medina

127. “No temas, mi amor; primero dejaré de existir antes de amarte.” - Lucila Gamero de Medina

128. “Rule three? You mean there's more?” - Shehanne Moore

129. “What the dev— er, deuce did you do that for? It hurt!”“Good,” said the angel. “I was afraid these new shoes would not be sturdy enough.” - Anne Gracie

130. “Lord Carradice managed to look wicked, smug, and saintly, all at the same time.” - Anne Gracie

131. “Do you think ladies’ eyebrows can communicate as well?” she asked.“No, they don’t have sufficient thicketry,” he said with authority.“Thicketry?”“Yes, that is the official term.” - Anne Gracie

132. “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.” - Nancy B. Brewer