Gaze Quote by Sabrina Jeffries
““I suppose you mean to scandalize society by announcing your betrothal to Miss Butterfield tonight.” “Of course,” Oliver said, without a trace of irritation. “Unless you’d rather do it yourself. I’m more than happy to hand the office over to you, Gran. Maria and I will just nod and smile while you get all the glory for making the match.” Mercy. Talk about throwing down the gauntlet. Mrs. Plumtree’s mouth fell open. Then snapped shut. When she spoke again, her voice sounded strained, though Maria could have sworn she caught a gleam in the elderly lady’s eye. “Perhaps I will. God knows you won’t do it properly.” “Go ahead.” His eyes said, I dare you. There was a trace of smugness on his face now, as if he knew he was on the verge of winning. A tense quiet fell over the carriage. Clearly Mrs. Plumtree and Oliver were each waiting for the other to back down.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Marriage Bet, by Sabrina Jeffries, 2015
A tense negotiation where two parties challenge each other, testing pride and resolve before a pivotal decision.
In simple terms: A showdown of wills before a marriage proposal.
Key Takeaway
Stand firm, but be ready to compromise.
Themes
pride
negotiation
marriage
power dynamics
Mood
tense
anticipatory
Type
dramatic
dialogue
When to use this quote
- courtship
- family pressure
- business deals
- political alliances
Key Concepts
social expectations
psychology of conflict
assertiveness
Questions to Reflect On
- What does each character truly want?
- How can they resolve without escalation?
A Different Perspective
Both may lose if neither yields, risking unnecessary conflict.
