--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ethan! What on earth are you doing?\"…" description: "\"“Ethan! What on earth are you doing?\" \"Excuse us,please.It is very warm in here and my wife has begun to feel a little faint.\" With a smile fixed on hi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/kat-martin-21364_front-door_ethan-what-on-earth-are-you-doing-excuse_14778.jpg" --- # Ethan! What on earth are you doing?" "Excuse us,please.It… ![“Ethan! What on earth are you doing?" "Excuse us,please.It is very warm in here and my wife has begun to feel a little faint." With a smile fixed on his face,giving a series of the same brief explanation,he carried her through the crush,out the front door of the mansion,along the gravel drive to…” quote by Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/kat-martin-21364_front-door_ethan-what-on-earth-are-you-doing-excuse_14778.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/kat-martin-21364_front-door_ethan-what-on-earth-are-you-doing-excuse_14778.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/kat-martin-21364_front-door_ethan-what-on-earth-are-you-doing-excuse_14778.jpg) > ““Ethan! What on earth are you doing?" "Excuse us,please.It is very warm in here and my wife has begun to feel a little faint." With a smile fixed on his face,giving a series of the same brief explanation,he carried her through the crush,out the front door of the mansion,along the gravel drive to where his carriage was parked. "Home,Jennings," he said to the coachman as a footman opened the door. "And don't spare the horses." Setting her swiftly on the carriage seat, he climbed in and took a place beside her. "Are you insane?" Grace stared at him with disbelief as the matched pair of grays stepped into their traces and the coach jolted forward. "We can't just leave. We're the guests of honor! What will people think?" "They will thank that I am ravenous for my wife's lovely body,and I am." "But-" "Another word,Grace, and I swear I will take you right here." Her eyes widened for an instant, then she sat back on the seat of the carriage, careful to keep facing forward, casting him only an occasional sideways glance. If his body hadn't been throbbing with such urgent need,he might have smiled.”” [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man prioritizes his car desire over social propriety, showing how passion can override duty and reputation. **In simple terms:** Passion eclipses duty. Key Takeaway Desire can dominate social expectations. Themes desire social pressure impulsivity power dynamics reputation morality Mood tense urgent defiant Type dialogue narrative excerpt dramatic monologue When to use this quote - private intimate moments - public events - high‑society gatherings - conflict between personal urge and public image Key Concepts personal desire social expectations authority self-control Practical Applications - dramatic storytelling - character development Questions to Reflect On - What does this reveal about the character’s values? - How might the setting amplify the tension? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [“Settled on the carriage seat, Olivia drew in a deep breath, the first in what felt like five years. she knew it was wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamera-alexander/settled-on-the-carriage-seat-olivia-drew-in-a-deep-breath-the-first/) [Tamera Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamera-alexander/) > [Sometimes, a novel is like a train: the first chapter is a comfortable seat in an attractive carriage, and the narrative speeds up. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-smiley/sometimes-a-novel-is-like-a-train-the-first-chapter-is-a-comfortable/) [Jane Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-smiley/) > [You can knock down kingdoms on a whim. 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I think quiet L.A. suited him better, but he loved to see shows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/i-remember-going-on-carriage-rides-with-dad-when-we-d-visit-i-think/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [Whether we think of Disney's blonde beauty and her pumpkin carriage or Marissa Meyer's recent recasting of 'Cinderella' as a cyborg in the young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/whether-we-think-of-disney-s-blonde-beauty-and-her-pumpkin-carriage/) [Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/) > [The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/the-true-christian-is-called-to-be-a-soldier-and-must-behave-as-such/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [I see that I have, as part of my stock in trade, a very regal personality and carriage. I see that I have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-fishburne/i-see-that-i-have-as-part-of-my-stock-in-trade-a-very-regal/) [Laurence Fishburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-fishburne/) > [A third-class carriage is a community, while a first-class carriage is a place of wild hermits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/a-third-class-carriage-is-a-community-while-a-first-class-carriage-is/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [A pleasant traveling companion on a journey is as good as a carriage. Each day is the scholar of yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/a-pleasant-traveling-companion-on-a-journey-is-as-good-as-a-carriage/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [“Nobody sees any one as he is, let alone an elderly lady sitting opposite a strange young man in a railway carriage. They see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/nobody-sees-any-one-as-he-is-let-alone-an-elderly-lady-sitting/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [When I am travelling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/when-i-am-travelling-in-a-carriage-or-walking-after-a-good-meal-or/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [“The carriage lurches back and forth as the vehicle – the bastard child of a spider, a H. G. Wells war machine and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannu-rajaniemi/the-carriage-lurches-back-and-forth-as-the-vehicle-the-bastard-child/) [Hannu Rajaniemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannu-rajaniemi/) ## More by Kat Martin > [“I didn't think you would be able to find me.I was so frightened..." He took hold of her hand, brought it to his lips.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/i-didn-t-think-you-would-be-able-to-find-me-i-was-so-frightened-he/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“I love anything old. I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/i-love-anything-old-i-love-to-travel-and-especially-like-to-visit-the/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“I can't believe this." Temper still high, she planted her hands on her hips. "For weeks, I have imagined you making love to me.I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/i-can-t-believe-this-temper-still-high-she-planted-her-hands-on-her/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“Wait and see," Claire said excitedly. "Your husband will not be able to resist you." 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She couldn't keep a trace of sarcasm out of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/your-taste-in-furnishings-is-quite-splendid-captain-sharpe-one-might/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“day in her father’s study. Relief mingled with guilt as he”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/day-in-her-father-s-study-relief-mingled-with-guilt-as-he/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“I've met your cousin," he told her, and her veins turned to ice. "Oh,really? When was that?" "A little over two years ago.I'm afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/i-ve-met-your-cousin-he-told-her-and-her-veins-turned-to-ice-oh/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“You're beginning to make a habit of trying to drown yourself, Grace. I hope from now on you will try to restrain yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/you-re-beginning-to-make-a-habit-of-trying-to-drown-yourself-grace-i/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“The trail gets a might steep through here. I'd advise you to start paying attention instead of daydreaming about your beau." His tone annoyed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/the-trail-gets-a-might-steep-through-here-i-d-advise-you-to-start/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“James might have enjoyed the day, but Hawk's mood was black and the girl's even blacker. The camp was like a battle line.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/james-might-have-enjoyed-the-day-but-hawk-s-mood-was-black-and-the/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“Ethan's gaze returned to the swell of her breast above the top of her gown. 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"Would you like to tell me about it?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/another-hour-of-strained-silence-passed-hawk-left-to-speak-with-an/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) [Explore all 28 Kat Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) ## More Carriage quotes > [Whether we think of Disney's blonde beauty and her pumpkin carriage or Marissa Meyer's recent recasting of 'Cinderella' as a cyborg in the young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/whether-we-think-of-disney-s-blonde-beauty-and-her-pumpkin-carriage/) [Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/) > [When I am travelling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/when-i-am-travelling-in-a-carriage-or-walking-after-a-good-meal-or/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [“Nobody sees any one as he is, let alone an elderly lady sitting opposite a strange young man in a railway carriage. 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I see that I have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-fishburne/i-see-that-i-have-as-part-of-my-stock-in-trade-a-very-regal/) [Laurence Fishburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-fishburne/) > [The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/the-true-christian-is-called-to-be-a-soldier-and-must-behave-as-such/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [I remember going on carriage rides with Dad when we'd visit. I think quiet L.A. suited him better, but he loved to see shows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/i-remember-going-on-carriage-rides-with-dad-when-we-d-visit-i-think/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [“They continued on to London, and she's there, safe and sound, waiting for you.' 'You can't know for sure.' Piers swung up into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloisa-james/they-continued-on-to-london-and-she-s-there-safe-and-sound-waiting/) [Eloisa James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eloisa-james/) > [“Yes, my lord, and riding on sleek steel rails in a well-sprung carriage would be the height of comfort. So smooth!” said Moist. “Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/yes-my-lord-and-riding-on-sleek-steel-rails-in-a-well-sprung-carriage/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Yakima Canutt was famously John Wayne's stunt double, and in the Western movie 'Stagecoach,' there is a fantastic scene where there are some horses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-truglia/yakima-canutt-was-famously-john-wayne-s-stunt-double-and-in-the/) [Steve Truglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-truglia/) > [You can knock down kingdoms on a whim. What you need is someone to make sure you don't get hit by a carriage when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/you-can-knock-down-kingdoms-on-a-whim-what-you-need-is-someone-to/) [Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/) > [Sometimes, a novel is like a train: the first chapter is a comfortable seat in an attractive carriage, and the narrative speeds up. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-smiley/sometimes-a-novel-is-like-a-train-the-first-chapter-is-a-comfortable/) [Jane Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-smiley/) > [“The carriage lurches back and forth as the vehicle – the bastard child of a spider, a H. G. Wells war machine and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannu-rajaniemi/the-carriage-lurches-back-and-forth-as-the-vehicle-the-bastard-child/) [Hannu Rajaniemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannu-rajaniemi/) > [“I always knew our first time would be in a carriage." - Sebastian”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-gleason/i-always-knew-our-first-time-would-be-in-a-carriage-sebastian/) [Colleen Gleason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-gleason/) Browse all 48 Carriage quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Ethan! What on earth are you doing?\" \"Excuse us,please.It is very warm in here and my wife has begun to feel a little faint.\" With a smile fixed on his face,giving a series of the same brief explanation,he carried her through the crush,out the front door of the mansion,along the gravel drive to where his carriage was parked. \"Home,Jennings,\" he said to the coachman as a footman opened the door. \"And don't spare the horses.\" Setting her swiftly on the carriage seat, he climbed in and took a place beside her. \"Are you insane?\" Grace stared at him with disbelief as the matched pair of grays stepped into their traces and the coach jolted forward. \"We can't just leave. We're the guests of honor! What will people think?\" \"They will thank that I am ravenous for my wife's lovely body,and I am.\" \"But-\" \"Another word,Grace, and I swear I will take you right here.\" Her eyes widened for an instant, then she sat back on the seat of the carriage, careful to keep facing forward, casting him only an occasional sideways glance. 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