--- title: "14 Last night Quotes By Judith McNaught" description: "14 Last night quotes by Judith McNaught. Plus more from Judith McNaught and more Last night sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/judith-mcnaught-687_business_did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-c_992760.jpg" --- > [“Did you know that you're very relaxing company?" he asked softly. She was not particularly pleased to hear that while she found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-company-he-asked-softly-she/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/judith-mcnaught-687_business_did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-c_992760.jpg) > [“Unfortunately, the Hospital Fund Raising Committee, to which Elizabeth was assigned, spent most of its time mired down in petty trivialities and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/unfortunately-the-hospital-fund-raising-committee-to-which-elizabeth/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/judith-mcnaught-687_drinking-tea_unfortunately-the-hospital-fund-raising_1385515.jpg) > [“Oh, good. I was worried you’d taken ill.” “Why?” Elizabeth asked as she took a sip of the chocolate. It was cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/oh-good-i-was-worried-you-d-taken-ill-why-elizabeth-asked-as-she-took/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55b/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_oh-good-i-was-worried-you-d-taken-ill-wh_2050478.jpg) > [“Elizabeth was standing at the edge of the grassy plateau, a few yards beyond where they’d held their shooting match. Wind ruffled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/elizabeth-was-standing-at-the-edge-of-the-grassy-plateau-a-few-yards/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-standing-at-the-edge-of-th_2239211.png) > [“He’d promised she would be “safe,” which she now realized left a great deal of room for personal interpretation. “If I’m going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-d-promised-she-would-be-safe-which-she-now-realized-left-a-great/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/judith-mcnaught-687_believe-in-god_he-d-promised-she-would-be-safe-which-sh_1692384.jpg) > [“What does it take to make you stop?” Elizabeth flinched from the hatred in the voice she loved and drew a shaking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-does-it-take-to-make-you-stop-elizabeth-flinched-from-the-hatred/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/judith-mcnaught-687_continued_what-does-it-take-to-make-you-stop-eliza_2055399.jpg) > [“A-Actually, the flower that sprang up would have been the iris or larkspur, not the modern hyacinth, but that is how it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/a-actually-the-flower-that-sprang-up-would-have-been-the-iris-or/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/judith-mcnaught-687_hyacinths_a-actually-the-flower-that-sprang-up-wou_257515.png) > [“What are your terms?” he asked, and he made a final effort to tip the balance of power into her hands and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-are-your-terms-he-asked-and-he-made-a-final-effort-to-tip-the/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e55/judith-mcnaught-687_balance-of-power_what-are-your-terms-he-asked-and-he-made_2736862.jpg) > [“The truth is,” she said shakily, “that I am scared to death of being here.” “I know you are,” he said, sobering,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/the-truth-is-she-said-shakily-that-i-am-scared-to-death-of-being-here/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/judith-mcnaught-687_death_the-truth-is-she-said-shakily-that-i-am_3056899.jpg) > [“For the next twenty minutes Elizabeth asked for concessions, Ian conceded, Duncan wrote, and the dowager duchess and Lucinda listened with ill-concealed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/for-the-next-twenty-minutes-elizabeth-asked-for-concessions-ian/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d56/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_for-the-next-twenty-minutes-elizabeth-as_2139923.png) > [“Straightening reluctantly, she strolled about the room with forced nonchalance, her hands clasped behind her back, looking blindly at the cobwebs in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/straightening-reluctantly-she-strolled-about-the-room-with-forced/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_straightening-reluctantly-she-strolled-a_3054534.png) > [“Normally, Bentner would have beamed approvingly at the pretty portrait the girls made, but this morning, as he put out butter and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/normally-bentner-would-have-beamed-approvingly-at-the-pretty-portrait/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a9/judith-mcnaught-687_black-magic_normally-bentner-would-have-beamed-appro_2647320.png) > [“I can’t help thinking,” she confided when he finished answering her questions about women in India who covered their faces and hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/i-can-t-help-thinking-she-confided-when-he-finished-answering-her/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/judith-mcnaught-687_foreign-language_i-can-t-help-thinking-she-confided-when_447943.jpg) > [“Jake opened one eye and blinked confusedly at the sunlight pouring through the window high above. Disoriented, he rolled over on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/jake-opened-one-eye-and-blinked-confusedly-at-the-sunlight-pouring/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/judith-mcnaught-687_every-night_jake-opened-one-eye-and-blinked-confused_2031048.jpg) ## Other authors on Last night ## 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/last-night/judith-mcnaught/#itemlist", "name": "14 Last night Quotes By Judith McNaught", "numberOfItems": 14, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Did you know that you're very relaxing company?\" he asked softly. She was not particularly pleased to hear that while she found him electryfying, he found her relaxing. \"Thank you-I'll try not to put you to sleep before we get to Harbor Springs.\" \"You can put me to sleep after we get there,\" he said suggestively. Laruen's heart slammed into her rib cage. \"What I meant was, I hope I'm not boring you.\" \"Believe me, you haven't bored me.\" His voice deepened with sensuality. \"As a matter of fact, there's something I've wanted to do ever since last night, when I turned around with your glass of tonic in my hand and saw you standing there, trying very hard not to laugh at my shock.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-company-he-asked-softly-she/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/judith-mcnaught-687_business_did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-c_992760.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/judith-mcnaught-687_business_did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-c_992760.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/judith-mcnaught-687_business_did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-c_992760.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Did you know that you're very relaxing company?\" he asked softly. 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In a fit of bored frustration, Elizabeth finally asked Ian to step into their drawing room one day, while the committee was meeting there, and to give them the benefit of his expertise. “And,” she laughingly warned him in the privacy of his study when he agreed to join them, “no matter how they prose on about every tiny, meaningless expenditure-which they will-promise me you won’t point out to them that you could build six hospitals with less effort and time.” “Could I do that?” he asked, grinning. “Absolutely!” She sighed. “Between them, they must have half the money in Europe, yet they debate about every shilling to be spent as if it were coming out of their own reticules and likely to send them to debtors’ gaol.” “If they offend your thrifty sensibilities, they must be a rare group,” Ian teased. Elizabeth gave him a distracted smile, but when they neared the drawing room, where the committee was drinking tea in Ian’s priceless Sevres china cups, she turned to him and added hastily, “Oh, and don’t comment on Lady Wiltshire’s blue hat.” “Why not?” “Because it’s her hair.” “I wouldn’t do such a thing,” he protested, grinning at her. “Yes, you would!” she whispered, trying to frown and chuckling instead. “The dowager duchess told me that, last night, you complimented the furry dog Lady Shirley had draped over her arm.” “Madam, I was following your specific instructions to be nice to the eccentric old harridan. Why shouldn’t I have complimented her dog?” “Because it was a new fur muff of a rare sort, of which she was extravagantly proud.” “There is no fur on earth that mangy, Elizabeth,” he replied with an impenitent grin. “She’s hoaxing the lot of you,” he added seriously. Elizabeth swallowed a startled laugh and said with an imploring look, “Promise me you’ll be very nice, and very patient with the committee.” “I promise,” he said gravely, but when she reached for the door handle and opened the door-when it was too late to step back and yank it closed-he leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Did you know a camel is the only animal invented by a committee, which is why it turned out the way it has?” If the committee was surprised to see the formerly curt and irascible Marquess of Kensington stroll into their midst wearing a beatific smile worth of a choir boy, they were doubtlessly shocked to see his wife’s hands clamped over her face and her eyes tearing with mirth.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/unfortunately-the-hospital-fund-raising-committee-to-which-elizabeth/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/judith-mcnaught-687_drinking-tea_unfortunately-the-hospital-fund-raising_1385515.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/judith-mcnaught-687_drinking-tea_unfortunately-the-hospital-fund-raising_1385515.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/judith-mcnaught-687_drinking-tea_unfortunately-the-hospital-fund-raising_1385515.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Unfortunately, the Hospital Fund Raising Committee, to which Elizabeth was assigned, spent most of its time…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Oh, good. I was worried you’d taken ill.” “Why?” Elizabeth asked as she took a sip of the chocolate. It was cold as ice! “Because I couldn’t wake-“ “What time is it?” Elizabeth cried. “Nearly eleven.” “Eleven! But I told you to wake me at eight! How could you let me oversleep this way?” she said, her sleep-drugged mind already groping wildly for a solution. She could dress quickly and catch up with everyone. Or… “I did try,” Berta exclaimed, hurt by the uncharacteristic sharpness in Elizabeth’s tone, “but you didn’t want to wake up.” “I never want to awaken, Berta, you know that!” “But you were worse this morning than normal. You said your head ached.” “I always say things like that. I don’t know what I’m saying when I’m asleep. I’ll say anything to bargain for a few minutes’ more sleep. You’ve known that for years, and you always shake me awake anyway.” “But you said,” Berta persisted, tugging unhappily a her apron, “that since it rained so much last night you were sure the trip to the village wouldn’t take place, so you didn’t have to arise at all.” “Berta, for heaven’s sake!” Elizabeth cried, throwing off the covers and jumping out of bed with more energy than she’d ever shown after such a short period of wakefulness. “I’ve told you I’m dying of diphtheria to make you go away, and that didn’t succeed!” “Well,” Berta shot back, marching over to the bell pull and ringing for a bath to be brought up, “when you told me that , your face wasn’t pale and your head didn’t feel hot to my touch. And you hadn’t dragged yourself into bed as if you could hardly stand when it was half past one in the morning!” Contrite, Elizabeth slumped down in the bed. “It’s not your fault that I sleep like a hibernating bear. And besides, if they didn’t go to the village, it makes no difference at all that I overslept.” She was trying to resign herself to the notion of spending the day in the house with a man who could look at her across a roomful of diners and make her heart leap when Berta said, “They did go to the village. Last night’s storm was more noise and threat than rain.” Closing her eyes for a brief moment, Elizabeth emitted a long sigh. It was already eleven, which meant Ian had already begun his useless vigil at the cottage.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/oh-good-i-was-worried-you-d-taken-ill-why-elizabeth-asked-as-she-took/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55b/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_oh-good-i-was-worried-you-d-taken-ill-wh_2050478.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55b/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_oh-good-i-was-worried-you-d-taken-ill-wh_2050478.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55b/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_oh-good-i-was-worried-you-d-taken-ill-wh_2050478.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Oh, good. I was worried you’d taken ill.” “Why?” Elizabeth asked as she took a sip of the chocolate. It was…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Elizabeth was standing at the edge of the grassy plateau, a few yards beyond where they’d held their shooting match. Wind ruffled through the trees, blowing her magnificent hair about her shoulders like a shimmering veil. He stopped a few steps away from her, looking at her, but seeing her as she had looked long ago-a young goddess in royal blue, descending a staircase, aloof, untouchable; an angry angel defying a roomful of men in a card room; a beguiling temptress in a woodcutter’s cottage, lifting her wet hair in front of the fire-and at the end, a frightened girl thrusting flowerpots into his hands to keep him from kissing her. He drew in a deep breath and shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “It’s a magnificent view,” she commented, glancing at him. Instead of replying to her remark, Ian drew a long, harsh breath and said curtly, “I’d like you to tell me again what happened that last night. Why were you in the greenhouse?” Elizabeth suppressed her frustration. “You know why I was there. You sent me a note. I thought it was from Valerie-Charise’s sister-and I went to the greenhouse.” “Elizabeth, I did not send you a note, but I did receive one.” Sighing with irritation, Elizabeth leaned her shoulders against the tree behind her. “I don’t see why we have to go through this again. You won’t believe me, and I can’t believe you.” She expected an angry outburst; instead he said, “I do believe you. I saw the letter you left on the table in the cottage. You have a lovely handwriting.” Caught completely off balance by his solemn tone and his quiet compliment, she stared at him. “Thank you,” she said uncertainly. “The note you received,” he continued. “What was the handwriting like?” “Awful,” she replied, and she added with raised brows, “You misspelled ‘greenhouse.’” His lips quirked with a mirthless smile. “I assure you I can spell it, and while my handwriting may not be as attractive as yours, it’s hardly an illegible scrawl. If you doubt me, I’ll be happy to prove it inside.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/elizabeth-was-standing-at-the-edge-of-the-grassy-plateau-a-few-yards/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-standing-at-the-edge-of-th_2239211.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-standing-at-the-edge-of-th_2239211.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/593/judith-mcnaught-687_elizabeth_elizabeth-was-standing-at-the-edge-of-th_2239211.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Elizabeth was standing at the edge of the grassy plateau, a few yards beyond where they’d held their…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He’d promised she would be “safe,” which she now realized left a great deal of room for personal interpretation. “If I’m going to remain,” she said uneasily, “I think we ought to agree to observe all the proprieties and conventions.” “Such as?” “Well, for a beginning, you really shouldn’t be calling me by my given name.” “Considering the kiss we exchanged in the arbor last night, it seems a little absurd to call you Miss Cameron.” It was the time to tell him she was Lady Cameron, but Elizabeth was too unstrung by his reference to those unforgettable-and wholly forbidden-moments in his arms to bother with that. “That isn’t the point,” she said firmly. “The point is that although last night did happen, it must not influence our behavior today. Today we ought-ought to be twice as correct in our behavior,” she continued, a little desperately and illogically, “to atone for what happened last night!” “Is that how it’s done?” he asked, his eyes beginning to glint with amusement. “Somehow I didn’t quite imagine you allowed convention to dictate your every move.” To a gambler without ties or responsibility, the rules of social etiquette and convention must be tiresome in the extreme, and Elizabeth realized it was imperative to convince him he must yield to her viewpoint. “Oh, but I am,” she prevaricated. “The Camerons are the most conventional people in the world! As you know from last night, I believe in death before dishonor. We also believe in God and country, motherhood and the king, and…and all the proprieties. We’re quite intolerably boring on the subject, actually.” “I see,” he said, his lips twitching. “Tell me something,” he asked mildly, “why would such a conventional person as yourself have crossed swords with a roomful of men last night in order to protect a stranger’s reputation?” “Oh, that,” Elizabeth said. “That was just-well, my conventional notion of justice. Besides,” she said, her ire coming to the fore as she recalled the scene in the card room last night, “it made me excessively angry when I realized that the only reason none of them would try to dissuade Lord Everly from shooting you was because you were not their social equal, while Everly is.” “Social equality?” he teased with a lazy, devastating smile. “What an unusual notion to spring from such a conventional person as yourself.” Elizabeth was trapped, and she knew it. “The truth is,” she said shakily, “that I am scared to death of being here.” “I know you are,” he said, sobering, “but I am the last person in the world you’ll ever have to fear.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-d-promised-she-would-be-safe-which-she-now-realized-left-a-great/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/judith-mcnaught-687_believe-in-god_he-d-promised-she-would-be-safe-which-sh_1692384.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/judith-mcnaught-687_believe-in-god_he-d-promised-she-would-be-safe-which-sh_1692384.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/judith-mcnaught-687_believe-in-god_he-d-promised-she-would-be-safe-which-sh_1692384.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He’d promised she would be “safe,” which she now realized left a great deal of room for personal…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What does it take to make you stop?” Elizabeth flinched from the hatred in the voice she loved and drew a shaking breath, praying she could finish without starting to cry. “I’ve hurt you terribly, my love, and I’ll hurt you again during the next fifty years. And you are going to hurt me, Ian-never, I hope, as much as you are hurting me now. But if that’s the way it has to be, then I’ll endure it, because the only alternative is to live without you, and that is no life at all. The difference is that I know it, and you don’t-not yet.” “Are you finished now?” “Not quite,” she said, straightening at the sound of footsteps in the hall. “There’s one more thing,” she informed him, lifting her quivering chin. “ I am not a Labrador retriever! You cannot put me out of your life, because I won’t stay.” When she left, Ian stared at the empty room that had been alive with her presence but moments before, wondering what in hell she meant by her last comment. He glanced toward the door as Larimore walked in, then he nodded curtly toward the chairs in front of his desk, silently ordering the solicitor to sit down. “I gathered from your message,” Larimore said quietly, opening his legal case, “that you now wish to proceed with the divorce?” Ian hesitated a moment while Elizabeth’s heartbroken words whirled through his mind, juxtaposed with the lies and omissions that had begun on the night they met and continued right up to their last night together. He recalled the torment of the first weeks after she’d left him and compared it to the cold, blessed numbness that had now taken its place. He looked at the solicitor, who was waiting for his answer. And he nodded.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-does-it-take-to-make-you-stop-elizabeth-flinched-from-the-hatred/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/judith-mcnaught-687_continued_what-does-it-take-to-make-you-stop-eliza_2055399.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/judith-mcnaught-687_continued_what-does-it-take-to-make-you-stop-eliza_2055399.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/judith-mcnaught-687_continued_what-does-it-take-to-make-you-stop-eliza_2055399.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What does it take to make you stop?” Elizabeth flinched from the hatred in the voice she loved and drew a…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A-Actually, the flower that sprang up would have been the iris or larkspur, not the modern hyacinth, but that is how it earned its name.” “Fascinating.” His unfathomable eyes locked onto hers. Elizabeth knew he was referring to her and not the history of the hyacinth, and though she commanded herself to move out of his reach, her legs refused to budge. “Absolutely fascinating,” he murmured again, and in slow motion she watched his hands reach out and gently grasp her shoulders, rubbing lightly. “Last night you were ready to do battle with a roomful of men because they dared believe I’d cheated, yet now you’re afraid. Is it me you fear, sweetheart? Or something else?” The endearment spoken in his rich baritone voice had the same stirring effect on her as the touch of his lips. “I’m afraid of the things you make me feel,” she admitted desperately, trying to get control of herself and the situation. “I realize that this is merely a-a little weekend dalliance-“ “Liar,” he teased, and he took her lips in a sweet, swift kiss. Her mind reeled from the brief touch, but the moment he lifted his mouth from hers she rushed into frightened speech. “Thank you,” she blurted inanely. “H-Hyacinths are not the only flower with an interesting history. There are lilies, too, which are also part of the genus-“ A lazy, seductive grin swept across his handsome face, and, to Elizabeth’s helpless horror, her gaze fastened on his mouth. She couldn’t still the shiver of anticipation as he bent his head.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/a-actually-the-flower-that-sprang-up-would-have-been-the-iris-or/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/judith-mcnaught-687_hyacinths_a-actually-the-flower-that-sprang-up-wou_257515.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/judith-mcnaught-687_hyacinths_a-actually-the-flower-that-sprang-up-wou_257515.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/judith-mcnaught-687_hyacinths_a-actually-the-flower-that-sprang-up-wou_257515.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A-Actually, the flower that sprang up would have been the iris or larkspur, not the modern hyacinth, but…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What are your terms?” he asked, and he made a final effort to tip the balance of power into her hands and out of his by adding, “I’m scarcely in a position to argue.” Elizabeth hesitated and then slowly began stating her terms: “I want to be allowed to look after Havenhurst without interference or criticism.” “Done,” he agreed with alacrity while relief and delight built apace in him. “And I’d like a stipulated amount set aside for that and given to me once each year. In return, the estate, once I’ve arranged for irrigation, will repay your loan with interest.” “Agreed,” Ian said smoothly. Elizabeth hesitated, wondering if he could afford it, half-embarrassed that she’d mentioned it without knowing more about his circumstances. He’d said last night that he’d accepted the title but nothing else. “In return,” she amended fairly, “I will endeavor to keep costs at an absolute minimum.” He grinned. “Never vacillate when you’ve already stipulated your terms and won a concession-it gives your opponent a subtle advantage in the next round.” Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed suspiciously; he was agreeing to everything, and much too easily. “And I think,” she announced decisively, “I want all this written down, witnessed, and made part of the original agreement.” Ian’s eyes widened, a wry, admiring smile tugging at his lips as he nodded his consent. There was a roomful of witnesses in the next room, including her uncle, who’d signed the original agreement, and a vicar who could witness it. He decided it was wise to proceed now, when she was in the mood, rather than scruple over who knew about it. “With you as a partner a few years ago,” he joked as he guided her from the room, “God knows how far I might have gone.” Despite his tone and the fact that he’d been on her side during the negotiations, he was nevertheless impressed with the sheer daring of her requests.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-are-your-terms-he-asked-and-he-made-a-final-effort-to-tip-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e55/judith-mcnaught-687_balance-of-power_what-are-your-terms-he-asked-and-he-made_2736862.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e55/judith-mcnaught-687_balance-of-power_what-are-your-terms-he-asked-and-he-made_2736862.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e55/judith-mcnaught-687_balance-of-power_what-are-your-terms-he-asked-and-he-made_2736862.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What are your terms?” he asked, and he made a final effort to tip the balance of power into her hands and…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The truth is,” she said shakily, “that I am scared to death of being here.” “I know you are,” he said, sobering, “but I am the last person in the world you’ll ever have to fear.” His words and his tone made the quaking in her limbs, the hammering of her heart, begin again, and Elizabeth hastily drank a liberal amount of her wine, praying it would calm her rioting nerves. As if he saw her distress, he smoothly changed the topic. “Have you given any more thought to the injustice done Galileo?” She shook her head. “I must have sounded very silly last night, going on about how wrong it was to bring him up before the Inquisition. It was an absurd thing to discuss with anyone, especially a gentleman.” “I thought it was a refreshing alternative to the usual insipid trivialities.” “Did you really? ” Elizabeth asked, her eyes searching his with a mixture of disbelief and hope, unaware that she was being neatly distracted from her woes and drawn into a discussion she’d find easier. “I did.” “I wish society felt that way.” He grinned sympathetically. “How long have you been required to hide the fact that you have a mind?” “Four weeks,” she admitted, chuckling at his phrasing. “You cannot imagine how awful it is to mouth platitudes to people when you’re longing to ask them about things they’ve seen and things they know. If they’re male, they wouldn’t tell you, of course, even if you did ask.” “What would they say?” he teased. “They would say,” she said wryly, “that the answer would be beyond a female’s comprehension-or that they fear offending my tender sensibilities.” “What sorts of questions have you been asking?” Her eyes lit up with a mixture of laughter and frustration. “I asked Sir Elston Greeley, who had just returned from extensive travels, if he had happened to journey to the colonies, and he said that he had. But when I asked him to describe to me how the natives looked and how they lived, he coughed and sputtered and told me it wasn’t at all ‘the thing’ to discuss ‘savages’ with a female, and that I’d swoon if he did.” “Their appearance and living habits depend upon their tribe,” Ian told her, beginning to answer her questions. “Some of the tribes are ‘savage’ by our standards, not theirs, and some of the tribes are peaceful by any standards…” Two hours flew by as Elizabeth asked him questions and listened in fascination to stories of places he had seen, and not once in all that time did he refuse to answer or treat her comments lightly. He spoke to her like an equal and seemed to enjoy it whenever she debated an opinion with him. They’d eaten lunch and returned to the sofa; she knew it was past time for her to leave, and yet she was loath to end their stolen afternoon.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/the-truth-is-she-said-shakily-that-i-am-scared-to-death-of-being-here/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/judith-mcnaught-687_death_the-truth-is-she-said-shakily-that-i-am_3056899.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/judith-mcnaught-687_death_the-truth-is-she-said-shakily-that-i-am_3056899.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/judith-mcnaught-687_death_the-truth-is-she-said-shakily-that-i-am_3056899.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The truth is,” she said shakily, “that I am scared to death of being here.” “I know you are,” he said…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“For the next twenty minutes Elizabeth asked for concessions, Ian conceded, Duncan wrote, and the dowager duchess and Lucinda listened with ill-concealed glee.. In the entire time Ian made but one stipulation, and only after he was finally driven to it out of sheer perversity over the way everyone was enjoying his discomfort: He stipulated that none of Elizabeth’s freedoms could give rise to any gossip that she was cuckolding him. The duchess and Miss Throckmorton-Jones scowled at such a word being mentioned in front of them, but Elizabeth acquiesced with a regal nod of her golden head and politely said to Duncan, “I agree. You may write that down.” Ian grinned at her, and Elizabeth shyly returned his smile. Cuckolding, to the best of Elizabeth’s knowledge, was some sort of disgraceful conduct that required a lady to be discovered in the bedroom with a man who was not her husband. She had obtained that incomplete piece of information from Lucinda Throckmorton-Jones, who, unfortunately, actually believed it. “Is there anything more?” Duncan finally asked, and when Elizabeth shook her head, the dowager spoke up. “Indeed, though you may not need to write it down.” Turning to Ian, she said severely, “If you’ve any thought of announcing this betrothal tomorrow, you may put it out of your head.” Ian was tempted to invite her to get out, in a slightly less wrathful tone than that in which he’d ordered Julius from the house, but he realized that what she was saying was lamentably true. “Last night you went to a deal of trouble to make it seem there had been little but flirtation between the two of you two years ago. Unless you go through the appropriate courtship rituals, which Elizabeth has every right to expect, no one will ever believe it.” “What do you have in mind?” Ian demanded shortly. “One month,” she said without hesitation. “One month of calling on her properly, escorting her to the normal functions, and so on.” “Two weeks,” he countered with strained patience. “Very well,” she conceded, giving Ian the irritating certainty that two weeks was all she’d hoped for anyway. “Then you may announce your betrothal and be wed in-two months!” “Two weeks,” Ian said implacably, reaching for the drink the butler had just put in front of him. “As you wish,” said the dowager. Then two things happened simultaneously: Lucinda Throckmorton-Jones let out a snort that Ian realized was a laugh, and Elizabeth swept Ian’s drink from beneath his fingertips. “There’s-a speck of lint in it,” she explained nervously, handing the drink to Bentner with a severe shake of her head. Ian reached for the sandwich on his plate. Elizabeth watched the satisfied look on Bentner’s face and snatched that away, too. “A-a small insect seems to have gotten on it,” she explained to Ian. “I don’t see anything,” Ian remarked, his puzzled glance on his betrothed. Having been deprived of tea and sustenance, he reached for the glass of wine the butler had set before him, then realized how much stress Elizabeth had been under and offered it to her instead. “Thank you,” she said with a sigh, looking a little harassed. Bentner’s arm swopped down, scooping the wineglass out of her hand. “ Another insect,” he said. “ Bentner! ” Elizabeth cried in exasperation, but her voice was drowned out by a peal of laughter from Alexandra Townsende, who slumped down on the settee, her shoulders shaking with unexplainable mirth. Ian drew the only possible conclusion: They were all suffering from the strain of too much stress.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/for-the-next-twenty-minutes-elizabeth-asked-for-concessions-ian/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d56/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_for-the-next-twenty-minutes-elizabeth-as_2139923.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d56/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_for-the-next-twenty-minutes-elizabeth-as_2139923.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d56/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_for-the-next-twenty-minutes-elizabeth-as_2139923.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For the next twenty minutes Elizabeth asked for concessions, Ian conceded, Duncan wrote, and the dowager…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Straightening reluctantly, she strolled about the room with forced nonchalance, her hands clasped behind her back, looking blindly at the cobwebs in the corner of the ceiling, trying to think what to say. And then inspiration struck. The solution was demeaning but practical, and properly presented, it could appear she was graciously doing him a favor. She paused a moment to arrange her features into what she hoped was the right expression of enthusiasm and compassion, then she wheeled around abruptly. “Mr. Thornton!” Her voice seemed to explode in the room at the same time his startled amber gaze riveted on her face, then drifted down her bodice, roving boldly over her ripened curves. Unnerved but determined, Elizabeth forged shakily ahead: “It appears as if no one has occupied this house in quite some time.” “I commend you on that astute observation, lady Cameron,” Ian mocked lazily, watching the tension and emotion play across her expressive face. For the life of him he could not understand what she was doing here or why she seemed to be trying to ingratiate herself this morning. Last night the explanation he’d given Jake had made sense; now, looking at her, he couldn’t quite believe any of it. Then he remembered that Elizabeth Cameron had always robbed him of the ability to think rationally. “Houses do have a way of succumbing to dirt when no one looks after them,” she stated with a bright look. “Another creditable observation. You’ve certainly a quick mind.” “Must you make this so very difficult!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I apologize,” he said with mocking gravity. “Do go on. You were saying?” “Well, I was thinking, since we’re quite stranded here-Lucinda and I, I mean-with absolutely nothing but time on our hands, that this house could certainly use a woman’s touch.” “Capital idea!” burst out Jake, returning from his mission to locate the butter and casting a highly hopeful look at Lucinda. He was rewarded with a glare from her that could have pulverized rock. “It could use an army of servants carrying shovels and wearing masks on their faces,” the duenna countered ruthlessly. “You needn’t help, Lucinda,” Elizabeth explained, aghast. “I never meant to imply you should. But I could! I-“ She whirled around as Ian Thornton surged to his feet and took her elbow in a none-too-gentle grasp. “Lady Cameron,” he said. “I think you and I have something to discuss that may be better spoken in private. Shall we?” He gestured to the open door and then practically dragged her along in his wake. Outdoors in the sunlight he marched her forward several paces, then dropped her arm. “Let’s hear it,” he said. “Hear what?” Elizabeth said nervously. “An explanation-the truth, if you’re capable of it. Last night you drew a gun on me, and this morning you’re awash with excitement over the prospect over the prospect of cleaning my house. I want to know why.” “Well,” Elizabeth burst out in defense of her actions with the gun, “you were extremely disagreeable!” “I am still disagreeable,” he pointed out shortly, ignoring Elizabeth’s raised brows. “ I haven’t changed. I am not the one who’s suddenly oozing goodwill this morning.” Elizabeth turned her head to the lane, trying desperately to think of an explanation that wouldn’t reveal to him her humiliating circumstances. “The silence is deafening, Lady Cameron, and somewhat surprising. As I recall, the last time we met you could scarcely contain all the edifying information you were trying to impart to me.” Elizabeth knew he was referring to her monologue on the history of hyacinths in the greenhouse. “I just don’t know where to begin,” she admitted. “Let’s stick to the salient points. What are you doing here?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/straightening-reluctantly-she-strolled-about-the-room-with-forced/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_straightening-reluctantly-she-strolled-a_3054534.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_straightening-reluctantly-she-strolled-a_3054534.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f71/judith-mcnaught-687_last-night_straightening-reluctantly-she-strolled-a_3054534.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Straightening reluctantly, she strolled about the room with forced nonchalance, her hands clasped behind her…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Normally, Bentner would have beamed approvingly at the pretty portrait the girls made, but this morning, as he put out butter and jam, he had grim news to impart and a confession to make. As he swept the cover off the scones he gave his news and made his confession. “We had a guest last night,” he told Elizabeth. “I slammed the door on him.” “Who was it?” “A Mr. Ian Thornton.” Elizabeth stifled a horrified chuckle at the image that called to mind, but before she could comment Bentner said fiercely, “I regretted my actions afterward! I should have invited him inside, offered him refreshment, and slipped some of that purgative powder into his drink. He’d have had a bellyache that lasted a month!” “Bentner,” Alex sputtered, “you are a treasure!” “Do not encourage him in these fantasies,” Elizabeth warned wryly. “Bentner is so addicted to mystery novels that he occasionally forgets that what one does in a novel cannot always be done in real life. He actually did a similar thing to my uncle last year.” “Yes, and he didn’t return for six months,” Bentner told Alex proudly. “And when he does come,” Elizabeth reminded him with a frown to sound severe, “he refuses to eat or drink anything.” “Which is why he never stays long,” Bentner countered, undaunted. As was his habit whenever his mistress’s future was being discussed, as it was now, Bentner hung about to make suggestions as they occurred to him. Since Elizabeth had always seemed to appreciate his advice and assistance, he found nothing odd about a butler sitting down at the table and contributing to the conversation when the only guest was someone he’d known since she was a girl. “It’s that odious Belhaven we have to rid you of first,” Alexandra said, returning to their earlier conversation. “He hung about last night, glowering at anyone who might have approached you.” She shuddered. “And the way he ogles you. It’s revolting. It’s worse than that; he’s almost frightening.” Bentner heard that, and his elderly eyes grew thoughtful as he recalled something he’d read about in one of his novels. “As a solution it is a trifle extreme,” he said, “but as a last resort it could work.” Two pairs of eyes turned to him with interest, and he continued, “I read it in The Nefarious Gentleman. We would have Aaron abduct this Belhaven in our carriage and bring him straightaway to the docks, where we’ll sell him to the press gangs.” Shaking her head in amused affection, Elizabeth said, “I daresay he wouldn’t just meekly go along with Aaron.” “And I don’t think,” Alex added, her smiling gaze meeting Elizabeth’s, “a press gang would take him. They’re not that desperate.” “There’s always black magic,” Bentner continued. “In Deathly Endeavors there was a perpetrator of ancient rites who cast an evil spell. We would require some rats’ tails, as I recall, and tongues of-“ “No,” Elizabeth said with finality. “-lizards,” Bentner finished determinedly. “Absolutely not,” his mistress returned. “And fresh toad old, but procuring that might be tricky. The novel didn’t say how to tell fresh from-“ “Bentner!” Elizabeth exclaimed, laughing. “You’ll cast us all into a swoon if you don’t desist at once.” When Bentner had padded away to seek privacy for further contemplation of solutions, Elizabeth looked at Alex. “Rats’ tails and lizards’ tongues,” she said, chuckling. “No wonder Bentner insists on having a lighted candle in his room all night.” “He must be afraid to close his eyes after reading such things,” Alex agreed.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/normally-bentner-would-have-beamed-approvingly-at-the-pretty-portrait/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a9/judith-mcnaught-687_black-magic_normally-bentner-would-have-beamed-appro_2647320.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a9/judith-mcnaught-687_black-magic_normally-bentner-would-have-beamed-appro_2647320.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a9/judith-mcnaught-687_black-magic_normally-bentner-would-have-beamed-appro_2647320.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Normally, Bentner would have beamed approvingly at the pretty portrait the girls made, but this morning, as…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I can’t help thinking,” she confided when he finished answering her questions about women in India who covered their faces and hair in public, “that it is grossly unfair that I was born a female and so must never know such adventures, or see but a few of those places. Even if I were to journey there, I’d only be allowed to go where everything was as civilized as-as London!” “There does seem to be a case of extreme disparity between the privileges accorded the sexes,” Ian agreed. “Still, we each have our duty to perform,” she informed him with sham solemnity. “And there’s said to be great satisfaction in that.” “How do you view your-er-duty?” he countered, responding to her teasing tone with a lazy white smile. “That’s easy. It is a female’s duty to be a wife who is an asset to her husband in every way. It is a male’s duty to do whatever he wishes, whenever he wishes, so long as he is prepared to defend his country should the occasion demand it in his lifetime-which it very likely won’t. Men,” she informed him, “gain honor by sacrificing themselves on the field of battle while we sacrifice ourselves on the altar of matrimony.” He laughed aloud then, and Elizabeth smiled back at him, enjoying herself hugely. “Which, when one considers it, only proves that our sacrifice is by far the greater and more noble.” “How is that?” he asked, still chuckling. “It’s perfectly obvious-battles last mere days or weeks, months at the very most. While matrimony lasts a lifetime! Which brings to mind something else I’ve often wondered about,” she continued gaily, giving full rein to her innermost thoughts. “And that is?” he prompted, grinning, watching her as if he never wanted to stop. “Why do you suppose, after all that, they call us the weaker sex?” Their laughing gazes held, and then Elizabeth realized how outrageous he must be finding some of her remarks. “I don’t usually go off on such tangents,” she said ruefully. “You must think I’m dreadfully ill-bred.” “I think,” he softly said, “that you are magnificent.” The husky sincerity in his deep voice snatched her breath away. She opened her mouth, thinking frantically for some light reply that could restore the easy camaraderie of a minute before, but instead of speaking she could only draw a long, shaky breath. “And,” he continued quietly, “I think you know it.” This was not, not the sort of foolish, flirtatious repartee she was accustomed to from her London beaux, and it terrified her as much as the sensual look in those golden eyes. Pressing imperceptibly back against the arm of the sofa, she told herself she was only overacting to what was nothing more than empty flattery. “I think,” she managed with a light laugh that stuck in her throat, “that you must find whatever female you’re with ‘magnificent.’” “Why would you say a thing like that?” Elizabeth shrugged. “Last night at supper, for one thing.” When he frowned at her as if she were speaking in a foreign language, she prodded, “You remember Lady Charise Dumont, our hostess, the same lovely brunette on whose every word you were hanging at supper last night?” His frown became a grin. “Jealous?” Elizabeth lifted her elegant little chin and shook her head. “No more than you were of Lord Howard.” She felt a small bit of satisfaction as his amusement vanished. “The fellow who couldn’t seem to talk to you without touching your arm?” he inquired in a silky-soft voice. “That Lord Howard? As a matter of fact, my love, I spent most of my meal trying to decide whether I wanted to shove his nose under his right ear or his left.” Startled, musical laughter erupted from her before she could stop it. “You did nothing of the sort,” she chuckled. “Besides, if you wouldn’t duel with Lord Everly when he called you a cheat, you certainly wouldn’t harm poor Lord Howard merely for touching my arm.” “Wouldn’t I?” he asked softly. “Those are two very different issues.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/i-can-t-help-thinking-she-confided-when-he-finished-answering-her/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/judith-mcnaught-687_foreign-language_i-can-t-help-thinking-she-confided-when_447943.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/judith-mcnaught-687_foreign-language_i-can-t-help-thinking-she-confided-when_447943.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/judith-mcnaught-687_foreign-language_i-can-t-help-thinking-she-confided-when_447943.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I can’t help thinking,” she confided when he finished answering her questions about women in India who…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 14, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Jake opened one eye and blinked confusedly at the sunlight pouring through the window high above. Disoriented, he rolled over on a lumpy, unfamiliar bed and found himself staring up at an enormous black animal who flattened his ears, bared his teeth, and tried to bite him through the slats of his stall. “You damned cannibal!” he swore at the evil-tempered horse. “Spawn of Lucifer!” Jake added, and for good measure he aimed a hard kick at the wooden slats by way of retaliation for the attempted bite. “Ouch, dammit!” he swore as his bootless foot hit the board. Shoving himself to a sitting position, he raked his hands through his thick red hair and grimaced at the hay that stuck between his fingers. His foot hurt, and his head ached from the bottle of wine he’d drunk last night. Heaving himself to his feet, he pulled on his boots and brushed off his woolen shirt, shivering in the damp chill. Fifteen years ago, when he’d come to work on the little farm, he’d slept in this barn every night. Now, with Ian successfully investing the money Jake made when they sailed together, he’d learned to appreciate the comforts of feather mattresses and satin covers, and he missed them sorely. “From palaces to a damned cowshed,” he grumbled, walking out of the empty stall he’d slept in. As he passed Attila’s stall, a hoof punched out with deadly aim, narrowly missing Jake’s thigh. “That’ll cost you an early breakfast, you miserable piece of living glue,” he spat, and then he took considerable pleasure in feeding the other two horses while the black looked on. “You’ve put me in a sour mood,” he said cheerfully as the jealous horse shifted angrily while the other two steeds were fed. “Maybe if it improves later on, I’ll feed you.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/jake-opened-one-eye-and-blinked-confusedly-at-the-sunlight-pouring/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/judith-mcnaught-687_every-night_jake-opened-one-eye-and-blinked-confused_2031048.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/judith-mcnaught-687_every-night_jake-opened-one-eye-and-blinked-confused_2031048.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/judith-mcnaught-687_every-night_jake-opened-one-eye-and-blinked-confused_2031048.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Jake opened one eye and blinked confusedly at the sunlight pouring through the window high above…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/judith-mcnaught/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/judith-mcnaught/", "name": "Last night Quotes by Judith McNaught", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/judith-mcnaught/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/judith-mcnaught-687_business_did-you-know-that-you-re-very-relaxing-c_992760.jpg" }, "description": "14 Last night quotes by Judith McNaught. Plus more from Judith McNaught and more Last night sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/judith-mcnaught/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/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": "Last Night", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Judith McNaught", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-night/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 } } ] } ```