--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He moved a little, as if intending to…" description: "\"“He moved a little, as if intending to push away from her, and she reached out impulsively, her short arms catching his broad shoulders. She embraced h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/lisa-kleypas-111_amanda-and-jack_he-moved-a-little-as-if-intending-to-pus_1112168.png" --- # He moved a little, as if intending to push away from her… ![“He moved a little, as if intending to push away from her, and she reached out impulsively, her short arms catching his broad shoulders. She embraced him protectively, although it might seem ridiculous to shelter such a physically powerful creature. Devlin stiffened. To her surprise, and perhaps…” quote by Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/lisa-kleypas-111_amanda-and-jack_he-moved-a-little-as-if-intending-to-pus_1112168.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/lisa-kleypas-111_amanda-and-jack_he-moved-a-little-as-if-intending-to-pus_1112168.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/248/lisa-kleypas-111_amanda-and-jack_he-moved-a-little-as-if-intending-to-pus_1112168.png) > ““He moved a little, as if intending to push away from her, and she reached out impulsively, her short arms catching his broad shoulders. She embraced him protectively, although it might seem ridiculous to shelter such a physically powerful creature. Devlin stiffened. To her surprise, and perhaps his, he gradually accepted her hold, hunching over to accommodate her short stature. His black head lowered almost to her shoulder. Amanda put her hand on the nape of his neck, where the warm edge of skin met the crisp edge of his collar. "Jack..." She meant to sound sympathetic, but somehow her voice came out as briskly pragmatic as ever. "What you did was neither illegal nor immoral, and there is certainly no point in wasting your time with regrets. You needn't berate yourself for something you can't change. And as you say, you had no choice. If you wish for revenge against your father and siblings for their treatment of you, I suggest that you apply yourself to being happy." He gave a brief huff of laughter against her ear. "My practical princess," he muttered, his arms tightening around her.”” [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A protective embrace can soften a powerful, reluctant heart, urging acceptance and self‑compassion despite past grievances. **In simple terms:** Compassion can change even the toughest people. Key Takeaway Offer empathy before judgment. Themes compassion acceptance power dynamics healing self‑compassion Mood tender reflective hopeful Type dialogue fictional emotional When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal growth - supporting a loved one - overcoming resentment Key Concepts psychology emotional intelligence relationship dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you show compassion to someone who seems hostile? - What does “practical princess” reveal about gender expectations? A Different Perspective The other may resist change despite kindness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amanda-and-jack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amanda-and-jack/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) ## Related quotes > [“Come here, Amanda." His voice was a low scrape of sound. "Oh, I can't," she said unsteadily. "I-I think you should go now." Jack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/come-here-amanda-his-voice-was-a-low-scrape-of-sound-oh-i-can-t-she/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“She huddled against his bare chest, greedily absorbing the heat and scent of him. "Oh, this is dreadful." "Why dreadful?" he asked, smoothing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/she-huddled-against-his-bare-chest-greedily-absorbing-the-heat-and/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“For the first time, she enjoyed the freedom of being a thirty-year-old spinster. This was a distinctly compromising situation that no schoolroom virgin would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/for-the-first-time-she-enjoyed-the-freedom-of-being-a-thirty-year-old/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You've told a good story in a skillful manner. I like it that you haven't moralized about your heroine's mistakes. You've made it difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-ve-told-a-good-story-in-a-skillful-manner-i-like-it-that-you/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Do not mistake my compassion for injured creatures as any kind of personal interest, Mr. Devlin. I once bandaged the paw of a stray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/do-not-mistake-my-compassion-for-injured-creatures-as-any-kind-of/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“The relief of being clasped firmly, held close by his hands, was so great that Amanda couldn't hold back a sudden gasp. He nuzzled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/the-relief-of-being-clasped-firmly-held-close-by-his-hands-was-so/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“He had never talked to her this way before, his soft voice underlaid with with steel. Amanda had no choice but to believe him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/he-had-never-talked-to-her-this-way-before-his-soft-voice-underlaid/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“A poor man needs the escape far more than a wealthy man does." "Escape," Amanda repeated, having never heard a book described in such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/a-poor-man-needs-the-escape-far-more-than-a-wealthy-man-does-escape/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“It's damp outside, and I'm always cold. Most days I wear a cap and shawl indoors." "I could suggest other methods to keep yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-s-damp-outside-and-i-m-always-cold-most-days-i-wear-a-cap-and/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“He seemed to understand what she wanted, for he gave an unsteady laugh and caught one of her hands in his. "No, Amanda... tonight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/he-seemed-to-understand-what-she-wanted-for-he-gave-an-unsteady-laugh/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“He was standing so close to her that he detected the faint fragrance of lemons in her hair. He sensed rather than felt the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/he-was-standing-so-close-to-her-that-he-detected-the-faint-fragrance/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Why aren't you married?" "Why aren't you?" she parried. "I like my independence too well to relinquish any part of it." "That's my reason,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/why-aren-t-you-married-why-aren-t-you-she-parried-i-like-my/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You taste so sweet." The whispered words sent a shiver down her spine. Somehow, whenever she had imagined this intimacy with a man, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-taste-so-sweet-the-whispered-words-sent-a-shiver-down-her-spine/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Do you have a distaste for the Irish?" Jack asked, staring steadily into her eyes. "Oh, no," she said dazedly. "I was just thinking...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/do-you-have-a-distaste-for-the-irish-jack-asked-staring-steadily-into/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Part of you liked him," Jack said, giving her an intent stare. "I could see it in your writing." She smiled uncomfortably. "Well, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/part-of-you-liked-him-jack-said-giving-her-an-intent-stare-i-could/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) ## More by Lisa Kleypas > [“It was a popular belief in Victorian society that women, with their mercurial natures and lesser brains, could not have the same quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-was-a-popular-belief-in-victorian-society-that-women-with-their/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Just don't ask me to stand up with you at the wedding, as I have no desire to be a hypocrite." "No, just an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/just-don-t-ask-me-to-stand-up-with-you-at-the-wedding-as-i-have-no/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Why isn't it enough that I'm willing to submit to you?' Poppy asked, her own temper flaring. 'Why must I be eager to lie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/why-isn-t-it-enough-that-i-m-willing-to-submit-to-you-poppy-asked-her/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Then, as now, there were always girls who were overlooked and ignored by gentlemen who really should have known better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/then-as-now-there-were-always-girls-who-were-overlooked-and-ignored/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You've always been a know-it-all. Well, you're about to find out how much you don't know." "Believe me," I muttered, "I'm the first one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-ve-always-been-a-know-it-all-well-you-re-about-to-find-out-how/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [One glance and I knew exactly who and what he was. The classic alpha male, the kind who had spurred evolution forward about five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/one-glance-and-i-knew-exactly-who-and-what-he-was-the-classic-alpha/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I always counsel aspiring novelists that passion is the most important quality for a writer to possess - technique can be taught, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-always-counsel-aspiring-novelists-that-passion-is-the-most/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Sometimes you meet a really nice guy, but no matter how you try, you can’t seem to make yourself want him. But that’s not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/sometimes-you-meet-a-really-nice-guy-but-no-matter-how-you-try-you/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Risking a glance at the dignified young man beside her- what was his name?- Mr. Arthurson, Arterton?- Pandora decided to try her hand at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/risking-a-glance-at-the-dignified-young-man-beside-her-what-was-his/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You'll be my wife," he said inexorably. "You want to own me!" she accused, trying to crawl away from him. "Yes." He flung her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-ll-be-my-wife-he-said-inexorably-you-want-to-own-me-she-accused/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [And then another letter had come from Christopher, so devastating that Amelia wondered how mere scratches of ink on paper could rip someone's soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/and-then-another-letter-had-come-from-christopher-so-devastating-that/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You thought I was peculiar,” she said in a muffled voice. His mouth brushed the edge of her ear and settled against her neck.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-thought-i-was-peculiar-she-said-in-a-muffled-voice-his-mouth/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Friends are the support bras of life. We don't let each other down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/friends-are-the-support-bras-of-life-we-don-t-let-each-other-down/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [A slow smile began on Gideon's face, and his blue eyes sparkled. With a shake of his head, he put his hand on his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/a-slow-smile-began-on-gideon-s-face-and-his-blue-eyes-sparkled-with-a/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“She felt tears slip from beneath her lashes, no matter how she tried to blink them back. Her heart was ablaze. It seemed that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/she-felt-tears-slip-from-beneath-her-lashes-no-matter-how-she-tried/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) [Explore all 1,262 Lisa Kleypas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) ## More Amanda-and-jack quotes > [“Come here, Amanda." His voice was a low scrape of sound. "Oh, I can't," she said unsteadily. "I-I think you should go now." Jack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/come-here-amanda-his-voice-was-a-low-scrape-of-sound-oh-i-can-t-she/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Do you have a distaste for the Irish?" Jack asked, staring steadily into her eyes. "Oh, no," she said dazedly. "I was just thinking...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/do-you-have-a-distaste-for-the-irish-jack-asked-staring-steadily-into/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You taste so sweet." The whispered words sent a shiver down her spine. Somehow, whenever she had imagined this intimacy with a man, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-taste-so-sweet-the-whispered-words-sent-a-shiver-down-her-spine/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Why aren't you married?" "Why aren't you?" she parried. "I like my independence too well to relinquish any part of it." "That's my reason,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/why-aren-t-you-married-why-aren-t-you-she-parried-i-like-my/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“He was standing so close to her that he detected the faint fragrance of lemons in her hair. He sensed rather than felt the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/he-was-standing-so-close-to-her-that-he-detected-the-faint-fragrance/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“He seemed to understand what she wanted, for he gave an unsteady laugh and caught one of her hands in his. "No, Amanda... tonight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/he-seemed-to-understand-what-she-wanted-for-he-gave-an-unsteady-laugh/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“It's damp outside, and I'm always cold. Most days I wear a cap and shawl indoors." "I could suggest other methods to keep yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-s-damp-outside-and-i-m-always-cold-most-days-i-wear-a-cap-and/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“A poor man needs the escape far more than a wealthy man does." "Escape," Amanda repeated, having never heard a book described in such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/a-poor-man-needs-the-escape-far-more-than-a-wealthy-man-does-escape/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“He had never talked to her this way before, his soft voice underlaid with with steel. Amanda had no choice but to believe him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/he-had-never-talked-to-her-this-way-before-his-soft-voice-underlaid/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“The relief of being clasped firmly, held close by his hands, was so great that Amanda couldn't hold back a sudden gasp. He nuzzled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/the-relief-of-being-clasped-firmly-held-close-by-his-hands-was-so/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Do not mistake my compassion for injured creatures as any kind of personal interest, Mr. Devlin. I once bandaged the paw of a stray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/do-not-mistake-my-compassion-for-injured-creatures-as-any-kind-of/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You've told a good story in a skillful manner. I like it that you haven't moralized about your heroine's mistakes. You've made it difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-ve-told-a-good-story-in-a-skillful-manner-i-like-it-that-you/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“For the first time, she enjoyed the freedom of being a thirty-year-old spinster. This was a distinctly compromising situation that no schoolroom virgin would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/for-the-first-time-she-enjoyed-the-freedom-of-being-a-thirty-year-old/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“She huddled against his bare chest, greedily absorbing the heat and scent of him. "Oh, this is dreadful." "Why dreadful?" he asked, smoothing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/she-huddled-against-his-bare-chest-greedily-absorbing-the-heat-and/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Part of you liked him," Jack said, giving her an intent stare. "I could see it in your writing." She smiled uncomfortably. "Well, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/part-of-you-liked-him-jack-said-giving-her-an-intent-stare-i-could/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) [Browse all 21 Amanda-and-jack quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amanda-and-jack/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He moved a little, as if intending to push away from her, and she reached out impulsively, her short arms catching his broad shoulders. She embraced him protectively, although it might seem ridiculous to shelter such a physically powerful creature. Devlin stiffened. To her surprise, and perhaps his, he gradually accepted her hold, hunching over to accommodate her short stature. His black head lowered almost to her shoulder. Amanda put her hand on the nape of his neck, where the warm edge of skin met the crisp edge of his collar. \"Jack...\" She meant to sound sympathetic, but somehow her voice came out as briskly pragmatic as ever. \"What you did was neither illegal nor immoral, and there is certainly no point in wasting your time with regrets. You needn't berate yourself for something you can't change. And as you say, you had no choice. 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