--- title: "8 Front door Quotes By Judith McNaught" description: "8 Front door quotes by Judith McNaught. Plus more from Judith McNaught and more Front door sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e1/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-cli_519465.jpg" --- > [“Elizabeth was not entirely right. The climb was steep enough, but the trunk, which originally felt quite light, seemed to gain a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-climb-was-steep-enough-but-the/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e1/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-cli_519465.jpg) > [“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!” she said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that-she-was-there-she-was-still/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg) > [“At the moment, my reputation for honesty and integrity has been destroyed. If your friends would rather withdraw from the venture, I’ll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/at-the-moment-my-reputation-for-honesty-and-integrity-has-been/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/judith-mcnaught-687_betrayed_at-the-moment-my-reputation-for-honesty_1185162.png) > [“He in­ter­rupted her with a boy­ish grin. "I promise I'll never wear your clothes, and I won't steal your al­lowances or your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-in-ter-rupted-her-with-a-boy-ish-grin-i-promise-i-ll-never-wear/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/judith-mcnaught-687_bite_he-in-ter-rupted-her-with-a-boy-ish-grin_1237554.jpg) > [“I have come, my lovely,” Roddy said with his usual sardonic grin as he swept her a deep bow, “in answer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/i-have-come-my-lovely-roddy-said-with-his-usual-sardonic-grin-as-he/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/judith-mcnaught-687_brown-hair_i-have-come-my-lovely-roddy-said-with-hi_1513824.jpg) > [“It was dusk when Ian returned, and the house seemed unnaturally quiet. His uncle was sitting near the fire, watching him with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-was-dusk-when-ian-returned-and-the-house-seemed-unnaturally-quiet/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/judith-mcnaught-687_financial-support_it-was-dusk-when-ian-returned-and-the-ho_1597901.jpg) > [“What the-“ he began, already heading toward the house, with Elizabeth walking quickly behind him. Ian opened the front door just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-the-he-began-already-heading-toward-the-house-with-elizabeth/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/469/judith-mcnaught-687_front-door_what-the-he-began-already-heading-toward_1690799.jpg) > [“Goodbye,Nick," she said, starting to close the door. "And thank you for stopping by." He accepted her decision with a slight inclination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/goodbye-nick-she-said-starting-to-close-the-door-and-thank-you-for/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/judith-mcnaught-687_closed-door_goodbye-nick-she-said-starting-to-close_2403333.jpg) ## Other authors on Front door ## More by Judith McNaught > [“What, may I ask, does your one truck contain if not gowns?” Inspiration struck, and Elizabeth smiled radiantly. “Something of great value. Priceless value,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-may-i-ask-does-your-one-truck-contain-if-not-gowns-inspiration/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“When she was turning the bacon, he came up behind her, his hands settling on her waist as he peered over her shoulder. “That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-she-was-turning-the-bacon-he-came-up-behind-her-his-hands/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“At five minutes to five,Jim walked into Mary's office, wearing his gray sweater and balancing four pieces of birthday cake on two plates. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/at-five-minutes-to-five-jim-walked-into-mary-s-office-wearing-his/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“To have him look at her as if she was a piece of office equipment whose presence offended him but whom he was obliged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/to-have-him-look-at-her-as-if-she-was-a-piece-of-office-equipment/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Am I to assume the Valerie I was introduced to earlier was the Valerie of our greenhouse notes?” He realized his mistake the instant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/am-i-to-assume-the-valerie-i-was-introduced-to-earlier-was-the/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“How ‘bout some coffee?” Jake said as he hurried over to the coffee pot on the stove and filled a mug with the remainder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/how-bout-some-coffee-jake-said-as-he-hurried-over-to-the-coffee-pot/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“He bowed politely to Hortense, who tipped her head toward the elderly gray-haired lady beside her, who seemed to be dozing, her head drooping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-bowed-politely-to-hortense-who-tipped-her-head-toward-the-elderly/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“He finished his meeting a few minutes later and almost rudely ejected his business acquaintances from his library, then he went in search of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-finished-his-meeting-a-few-minutes-later-and-almost-rudely-ejected/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“When I’m under stress,” he emphasized, sliding the magnificent emerald onto her finger, “I buy everything in sight. It took my last ounce of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-i-m-under-stress-he-emphasized-sliding-the-magnificent-emerald/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [Some people feel love in their hearts, Julie. Some of us feel it all way into our souls. We're the ones who can't forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/some-people-feel-love-in-their-hearts-julie-some-of-us-feel-it-all/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Lady Thornton, how very good of you to find the time to pay us a social call! Would it be too pushing of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/lady-thornton-how-very-good-of-you-to-find-the-time-to-pay-us-a/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“The truth is that I want you. I have always wanted you, and you know that.” “I hate that word,” she burst out, trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/the-truth-is-that-i-want-you-i-have-always-wanted-you-and-you-know/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“In some ways it seemed wrong that he lived here now, in this solitary place. At least part of the time he ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/in-some-ways-it-seemed-wrong-that-he-lived-here-now-in-this-solitary/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“We need to straighten out some personal matters between us. Why don't we do it over dinner tonight?" he suggested. Lauren courteously refused with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/we-need-to-straighten-out-some-personal-matters-between-us-why-don-t/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [she kissed him with all the aching longing that being this close to him evoked; she kissed him in all the ways he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-kissed-him-with-all-the-aching-longing-that-being-this-close-to/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/#itemlist", "name": "8 Front door Quotes By Judith McNaught", "numberOfItems": 8, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Elizabeth was not entirely right. The climb was steep enough, but the trunk, which originally felt quite light, seemed to gain a pound of weight with every step they took. A few yards from the house both ladies paused to rest again, then Elizabeth resolutely grabbed the handle on her end. “You go to the door, Lucy,” she said breathlessly, worried for the older woman’s health if she had to lug the trunk any further. “I’ll just drag this along.” Miss Throckmorton-Jones took one look at her poor, bedraggled charge, and rage exploded in her breast that they’d been brought so low as this. Like an angry general she gave her gloves an irate yank, turned on her heel, marched up to the front door, and lifted her umbrella. Using its handle like a club, she rapped hard upon the door. Behind her Elizabeth doggedly dragged the trunk. “You don’t suppose there’s no one home?” She panted, hauling the trunk the last few feet. “If they’re in there, they must be deaf!” said Lucinda. She brought up her umbrella again and began swinging at the door in a way that sent rhythmic thunder through the house. “Open up, I say!” she shouted, and on the third downswing the door suddenly lurched open to reveal a startled middle-aged man who was struck on the head by the handle of the descending umbrella. “God’s teeth!” Jake swore, grabbing his head and glowering a little dizzily at the homely woman who was glowering right back at him, her black bonnet crazily askew atop her wiry gray hair. “It’s God’s ears you need, not his teeth!” the sour-faced woman informed him as she caught Elizabeth’s sleeve and pulled her one step into the house. “We are expected,” she informed Jake. In his understandably dazed state, Jake took another look at the bedraggled, dusty ladies and erroneously assumed they were the women from the village come to clean and cook for Ian and him. His entire countenance changed, and a broad grin swept across his ruddy face. The growing lump on his head forgiven and forgotten, he stepped back. “Welcome, welcome,” he said expansively, and he made a broad, sweeping gesture with his hand that encompassed the entire dusty room. “Where do you want to begin?” “With a hot bath,” said Lucinda, “followed by some tea and refreshments.” From the corner of her eye Elizabeth glimpsed a tall man who was stalking in from a room behind the one where they stood, and an uncontrollable tremor of dread shot through her. “Don’t know as I want a bath just now,” Jake said. “Not for you, you dolt, for Lady Cameron.” Elizabeth could have sworn Ian Thornton stiffened with shock. His head jerked toward her as if trying to see past the rim of her bonnet, but Elizabeth was absolutely besieged with cowardice and kept her head averted. “ You want a bath?” Jake repeated dumbly, staring at Lucinda. “Indeed, but Lady Cameron’s must come first. Don’t just stand there,” she snapped, threatening his midsection with her umbrella. “Send servants down to the road to fetch our trunks at once.” The point of the umbrella swung meaningfully toward the door, then returned to jab Jake’s middle. “But before you do that, inform your master that we have arrived.” “His master,” said a biting voice from a rear doorway, “is aware of that.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-climb-was-steep-enough-but-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e1/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-cli_519465.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e1/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-cli_519465.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e1/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-cli_519465.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Elizabeth was not entirely right. The climb was steep enough, but the trunk, which originally felt quite…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!” she said forcefully as the front door of the great, rambling house was swung open. The butler stepped aside, and footmen hurried forward. “Aunt Berta!” she said urgently, and in desperation Elizabeth reached for the maid’s tightly clenched eyelid. She pried it open and looked straight into a frightened brown orb. “Please do not do this to me, Berta. I’m counting on you to act like an aunt, not a timid mouse. They’re almost upon us.” Berta nodded, swallowed, and straightened in her seat, then she smoothed her black bombazine skirts. “How do I look?” Elizabeth whispered urgently. “Dreadful,” said Berta, eyeing the severe, high-necked black linen gown Elizabeth had carefully chosen to wear at this, her first meeting with the prospective husband whom Alexandra had described as a lecherous old roué. To add to her nunlike appearance, Elizabeth’s hair was scraped back off her face, pinned into a bun a la Lucida, and covered with a short veil. Around her neck she wore the only piece of “jewelry” she intended to wear for as long as she was here-a large, ugly iron crucifix she’d borrowed from the family chapel. “Completely dreadful, milady,” Berta added with more strength to her voice. Ever since Robert’s disappearance, Berta had elected to address Elizabeth as her mistress instead of in the more familiar ways she’d used before. “Excellent,” Elizabeth said with an encouraging smile. “So do you.” The footman opened the door and let down the steps, and Elizabeth went first, following by her “aunt.” She let Berta step forward, then she turned and looked up at Aaron, who was atop the coach. Her uncle had permitted her to take six servants from Havenhurst, and Elizabeth had chosen them with care. “Don’t forget,” she warned Aaron needlessly. “Gossip freely about me with any servant who’ll listen to you. You know what to say.” “Aye,” he said with a devilish grin. “We’ll tell them all what a skinny ogress you are-prim ‘n proper enough to scare the devil himself into leading a holy life.” Elizabeth nodded and reluctantly turned toward the house. Fate had dealt her this hand, and she had no choice but to play it out as best she could. With head held high and knees shaking violently she walked forward until she drew even with Berta. The butler stood in the doorway, studying Elizabeth with bold interest, giving her the incredible impression that he was actually trying to locate her breasts beneath the shapeless black gown she wore.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that-she-was-there-she-was-still/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!”…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At the moment, my reputation for honesty and integrity has been destroyed. If your friends would rather withdraw from the venture, I’ll understand.” “They’ve already withdrawn,” Jordan admitted reluctantly. “I’m staying with you.” “It’s just as well they have,” Ian replied, reaching for the contracts and beginning to scratch out the names of the other parties. “In the end, there’ll be greater profit for us both.” “Ian,” Jordan said in a low, deliberate voice, “you are tempting me to take a swing at you, just to see if you’ll wince when I hit you. I’ve taken about all I can of your indifference to everything that’s happening.” Ian glanced up from his documents, and Jordan saw it then-the muscle clamping in Ian’s jaw, the merest automatic reaction to fury or torment, and he felt a mixture of relief and embarrassment. “I regret that remark more than I can say,” he apologized quietly. “And if it’s any consolation, I know firsthand how it feels to believe your wife has betrayed you.” “I don’t need consolation,” Ian clipped. “I need time.” “To get over it,” Jordan agreed. “Time,” Ian drawled coolly, “to go over these documents.” As Jordan walked down the hall toward the front door he wasn’t certain if he’d only imagined that miniscule sign of emotion.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/at-the-moment-my-reputation-for-honesty-and-integrity-has-been/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/judith-mcnaught-687_betrayed_at-the-moment-my-reputation-for-honesty_1185162.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/judith-mcnaught-687_betrayed_at-the-moment-my-reputation-for-honesty_1185162.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/judith-mcnaught-687_betrayed_at-the-moment-my-reputation-for-honesty_1185162.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At the moment, my reputation for honesty and integrity has been destroyed. If your friends would rather…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He in­ter­rupted her with a boy­ish grin. \"I promise I'll never wear your clothes, and I won't steal your al­lowances or your boyfriends ei­ther.\" Lau­ren couldn't help start­ing to smile as he fin­ished, \"And if you swear never to call me Nicky again, I won't bite you.\" She stepped aside and let him in, then took his jacket and hung it in the closet. When she turned, Nick was lean­ing against the closed front door, his arms crossed over his chest. \"On sec­ond thought,\" he grinned, \"I take part of that back. I'd love to bite you.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-in-ter-rupted-her-with-a-boy-ish-grin-i-promise-i-ll-never-wear/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/judith-mcnaught-687_bite_he-in-ter-rupted-her-with-a-boy-ish-grin_1237554.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/judith-mcnaught-687_bite_he-in-ter-rupted-her-with-a-boy-ish-grin_1237554.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/judith-mcnaught-687_bite_he-in-ter-rupted-her-with-a-boy-ish-grin_1237554.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He in­ter­rupted her with a boy­ish grin. \"I promise I'll never wear your clothes, and I won't steal your…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I have come, my lovely,” Roddy said with his usual sardonic grin as he swept her a deep bow, “in answer to your urgent summons-and, I might add,-“ he continued, “ before I presented myself at the Willingtons’, exactly as your message instructed.” At 5’10”, Roddy Carstairs was a slender man of athletic build with thinning brown hair and light blue eyes. In fact, his only distinguishing characteristics were his fastidiously tailored clothes, a much-envied ability to tie a neckcloth into magnificently intricate folds that never drooped, and an acid wit that accepted no boundaries when he chose a human target. “Did you hear about Kensington?” “Who?” Alex said absently, trying to think of the best means to persuade him to do what she needed done. “The new Marquess of Kensington, once known as Mr. Ian Thornton, persona non grata. Amazing, is it not, what wealth and title will do?” he continued, studying Alex’s tense face as he continued, “Two years ago we wouldn’t have let him past the front door. Six months ago word got out that he’s worth a fortune, and we started inviting him to our parties. Tonight he’s the heir to a dukedom, and we’ll be coveting invitations to his parties. We are”-Roddy grinned-“when you consider matters from this point of view, a rather sickening and fickle lot.” In spite of herself, Alexandra laughed. “Oh, Roddy,” she said, pressing a kiss on his cheek. “You always make me laugh, even when I’m in the most dreadful coil, which I am now. You could make things so very much better-if you would.” Roddy helped himself to a pinch of snuff, lifted his arrogant brows, and waited, his look both suspicious and intrigued. “I am, of course, your most obedient servant,” he drawled with a little mocking bow. Despite that claim, Alexandra knew better. While other men might be feared for their tempers or their skill with rapier and pistol, Roddy Carstairs was feared for his cutting barbs and razor tongue. And, while one could not carry a rapier or a pistol into a ball, Roddy could do his damage there unimpeded. Even sophisticated matrons lived in fear of being on the wrong side of him. Alex knew exactly how deadly he could be-and how helpful, for he had made her life a living hell when she came to London the first time. Later he had done a complete turnabout, and it had been Roddy who had forced the ton to accept her. He had done it not out of friendship or guilt; he had done it because he’d decided it would be amusing to test his power by building a reputation for a change, instead of shredding it. “There is a young woman whose name I’ll reveal in a moment,” Alex began cautiously, “to whom you could be of great service. You could, in fact, rescue her as you did me long ago, Roddy, if only you would.” “Once was enough,” he mocked. “I could hardly hold my head up for shame when I thought of my unprecedented gallantry.” “She’s incredibly beautiful,” Alex said. A mild spark of interest showed in Roddy’s eyes, but nothing stronger. While other men might be affected by feminine beauty, Roddy generally took pleasure in pointing out one’s faults for the glee of it. He enjoyed flustering women and never hesitated to do it. But when he decided to be kind he was the most loyal of friends.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/i-have-come-my-lovely-roddy-said-with-his-usual-sardonic-grin-as-he/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/judith-mcnaught-687_brown-hair_i-have-come-my-lovely-roddy-said-with-hi_1513824.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/judith-mcnaught-687_brown-hair_i-have-come-my-lovely-roddy-said-with-hi_1513824.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/judith-mcnaught-687_brown-hair_i-have-come-my-lovely-roddy-said-with-hi_1513824.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have come, my lovely,” Roddy said with his usual sardonic grin as he swept her a deep bow, “in answer to…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It was dusk when Ian returned, and the house seemed unnaturally quiet. His uncle was sitting near the fire, watching him with an odd expression on his face that was half anger, half speculation. Against his will Ian glanced about the room, expecting to see Elizabeth’s shiny golden hair and entrancing face. When he didn’t, he put his gun back on the rack above the fireplace and casually asked, “Where is everyone?” “If you mean Jake,” the vicar said, angered yet more by the way Ian deliberately avoided asking about Elizabeth, “he took a bottle of ale with him to the stable and said he was planning to drink it until the last two days were washed from his memory.” “They’re back, then?” “Jake is back,” the vicar corrected as Ian walked over to the table and poured some Madeira into a glass. “The servingwomen will arrive in the morn. Elizabeth and Miss Throckmorton-Jones are gone, however.” Thinking Duncan meant they’d gone for a walk, Ian flicked a glance toward the front door. “Where have they gone at this hour?” “Back to England.” The glass in Ian’s hand froze halfway to his lips. “Why?” he snapped. “Because Miss Cameron’s uncle has accepted an offer for her hand.” The vicar watched in angry satisfaction as Ian tossed down half the contents of his glass as if he wanted to wash away the bitterness of the news. When he spoke his voice was laced with cold sarcasm. “Who’s the lucky bridegroom?” “Sir Francis Belhaven, I believe.” Ian’s lips twisted with excruciating distaste. “You don’t admire him, I gather?” Ian shrugged. “Belhaven is an old lecher whose sexual tastes reportedly run to the bizarre. He’s also three times her age.” “That’s a pity,” the vicar said, trying unsuccessfully to keep his voice blank as he leaned back in his chair and propped his long legs upon the footstool in front of him. “Because that beautiful, innocent child will have no choice but to wed that old…lecher. If she doesn’t, her uncle will withdraw his financial support, and she’ll lose that home she loves so much. He’s perfectly satisfied with Belhaven, since he possesses the prerequisites of title and wealth, which I gather are his only prerequisites. That lovely girl will have to wed that old man; she has no way to avoid it.” “That’s absurd,” Ian snapped, draining his glass. “Elizabeth Cameron was considered the biggest success of her season two years ago. It was pubic knowledge she’d had more than a dozen offers. If that’s all he cares about, he can choose from dozens of others.” Duncan’s voice was laced with uncharacteristic sarcasm. “That was before she encountered you at some party or other. Since then it’s been public knowledge that she’s used goods.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “You tell me, Ian,” the vicar bit out. “I only have the story in two parts from Miss Throckmorton-Jones. The first time she spoke she was under the influence of laudanum. Today she was under the influence of what I can only describe as the most formidable temper I’ve ever seen. However, while I may not have the complete story, I certainly have the gist of it, and if half what I’ve heard is true, then it’s obvious that you are completely without either a heart or a conscience! My own heart breaks when I imagine Elizabeth enduring what she has for nearly two years. When I think of how forgiving of you she has been-“ “What did the woman tell you?” Ian interrupted shortly, turning and walking over to the window.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-was-dusk-when-ian-returned-and-the-house-seemed-unnaturally-quiet/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/judith-mcnaught-687_financial-support_it-was-dusk-when-ian-returned-and-the-ho_1597901.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/judith-mcnaught-687_financial-support_it-was-dusk-when-ian-returned-and-the-ho_1597901.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/judith-mcnaught-687_financial-support_it-was-dusk-when-ian-returned-and-the-ho_1597901.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was dusk when Ian returned, and the house seemed unnaturally quiet. His uncle was sitting near the fire…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What the-“ he began, already heading toward the house, with Elizabeth walking quickly behind him. Ian opened the front door just as Jake came hurrying in from the back of the cottage. “I got some milk-“ Jake began, then he stopped abruptly as the stench hit him. His gaze snapped from Ian and Elizabeth, who were just rushing inside, to Lucinda, who was sitting exactly where she had been, serenely indifferent to the smell of burning bacon and incinerated eggs as she fanned herself with a black silk fan. “I took the liberty of removing the utensil from the stove,” she informed them. “However, I was not in time to save its contents, which I sincerely doubt were worth saving in any case.” “Couldn’t you have moved ‘em before they burned?” Jake burst out. “I cannot cook, sir.” “Can you smell? ” Ian demanded. “Ian, there’s nothing for it-I’ll have to ride to the village and hire a pair o’ wenches to come up here and get this place in order for us or we’ll starve.” “My thoughts exactly!” Lucinda seconded promptly, already standing up. “I shall accompany you.” “ Whaat? ” Elizabeth burst out. “What? Why?” Jake echoed, looking balky. “Because selecting good female servants is best done by a woman. How far must we go?” If Elizabeth weren’t so appalled, she’d have laughed at Jake Wiley’s expression. “We can be back late this afternoon, assumin’ there’s anyone in the village to do the work. But I-“ “Then we’d best be about it.” Lucinda paused and turned to Ian, passing a look of calculating consideration over hum; then she glanced at Elizabeth. Giving her a look that clearly said “Trust me and do not argue,” she said, “Elizabeth, if you would be so good as to excuse us, I’d like a word alone with Mr. Thornton.” With no choice but to do as bidden, Elizabeth went out the front door and stared in utter confusion at the trees, wondering what bizarre scheme Lucinda might have hatched to solve their problems. In the cottage Ian watched through narrowed eyes as the gray-haired harpy fixed him with her basilisk stare. “Mr. Thornton,” she said finally, “ I have decided you are a gentleman.” She made that pronouncement as if she were a queen bestowing knighthood on a lowly, possibly undeserving serf. Fascinated and irritated at the same time, Ian leaned his hip against the table, waiting to discover what game she was playing by leaving Elizabeth alone here, unchaperoned. “Don’t keep me in suspense,” he said coolly. “What have I done to earn your good opinion?” “Absolutely nothing,” she said without hesitation. “I’m basing my decision on my own excellent intuitive powers and on the fact that you were born a gentleman.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-the-he-began-already-heading-toward-the-house-with-elizabeth/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/469/judith-mcnaught-687_front-door_what-the-he-began-already-heading-toward_1690799.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/469/judith-mcnaught-687_front-door_what-the-he-began-already-heading-toward_1690799.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/469/judith-mcnaught-687_front-door_what-the-he-began-already-heading-toward_1690799.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What the-“ he began, already heading toward the house, with Elizabeth walking quickly behind him. Ian opened…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Goodbye,Nick,\" she said, starting to close the door. \"And thank you for stopping by.\" He accepted her decision with a slight inclination of his head, and Lauren made herself finish closing the door. She forced herself to walk away on legs that felt like lead, reminding herself at the same time how insane it would be to let him near her. But halfway across the living room she lost the internal battle. Pivoting on her heel, she raced for the door, yanked it open and hurtled straight into Nick's chest. He was lounging with one hand braced high against the doorframe, gazing down at her flushed face with a knowing, satisfied grin. \"Hello,Lauren.I happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to drop by.\" \"What do you want,Nick?\" she sighed, her blue eyes searching his. \"You.\" Resolutely she started to close the door again, but his hand shot out to stop her. \"Do you really want me to go?\" \"I told you on Wednesday that what I want has nothing to do with it. What matters is what's best for me, and-\" He interrupted her with a boyish grin. \"I promise I'll never wear your clothes,and I won't steal your allowances or your boyfriends either.\" Lauren couldn't help starting to smile as he finished, \"And if you swear never to call me Nicky again, I won't bite you.\" She stepped aside and let him in, then took his jacket and hung it in the closet. When she turned, Nick was leaning against the closed front door, his arms crossed over his chest. \"On second thought,\" he grinned, \"I take part of that back.I'd love to bite you.\" \"Pervert!\" she returned teasingly, her heart thumping so much with excitement that she hardly knew what she was saying. \"Come here and I'll show you just how perverted I can be,\" he invited smoothly. Lauren took a cautious step backward. \"Absolutely not.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/goodbye-nick-she-said-starting-to-close-the-door-and-thank-you-for/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/judith-mcnaught-687_closed-door_goodbye-nick-she-said-starting-to-close_2403333.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/judith-mcnaught-687_closed-door_goodbye-nick-she-said-starting-to-close_2403333.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/judith-mcnaught-687_closed-door_goodbye-nick-she-said-starting-to-close_2403333.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Goodbye,Nick,\" she said, starting to close the door. \"And thank you for stopping by.\" He accepted her…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/", "name": "Front door Quotes by Judith McNaught", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e1/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-not-entirely-right-the-cli_519465.jpg" }, "description": "8 Front door quotes by Judith McNaught. Plus more from Judith McNaught and more Front door sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Front Door", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Judith McNaught", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/front-door/judith-mcnaught/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```