--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Though I’m surprised that you read…" description: "\"“Though I’m surprised that you read novels.” “I do have other interests than shooting, you know.” “I never said otherwise.” “But you think me a complet..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/sabrina-jeffries-1064_books_though-i-m-surprised-that-you-read-novel_1327815.jpg" --- # Though I’m surprised that you read novels.” “I do have… ![“Though I’m surprised that you read novels.” “I do have other interests than shooting, you know.” “I never said otherwise.” “But you think me a complete tomboy. Admit it.” He measured his words. “I think you a woman with a few unusual interests that happen to be similar to those of some men. Those…” quote by Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/sabrina-jeffries-1064_books_though-i-m-surprised-that-you-read-novel_1327815.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/sabrina-jeffries-1064_books_though-i-m-surprised-that-you-read-novel_1327815.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/sabrina-jeffries-1064_books_though-i-m-surprised-that-you-read-novel_1327815.jpg) > ““Though I’m surprised that you read novels.” “I do have other interests than shooting, you know.” “I never said otherwise.” “But you think me a complete tomboy. Admit it.” He measured his words. “I think you a woman with a few unusual interests that happen to be similar to those of some men. Those interests don’t, however, make you a tomboy.” No tomboy would fire his blood the way she did right now in her elegant redingote, despite the black smudges of power along its sleeves and the mud caked along its hem. And no tomboy would have kept him up last night imagining what it would be like to raise her skirts so he could run his hands along the pale swaths of thigh that lay above her garters. “And yet,” she said hoarsely, “you kissed me as if I were some mannish chit beneath your notice. God forbid you should treat me as a desirable woman in front of my suitors. It might give them ideas.” He stared at her, thunderstruck. She was angry because he’d accorded her the respect she deserved? “Forgive me, my lady,” he said acidly. “I didn’t think you’d want me to toss you down in the grass and ravish you. I see I was mistaken.” Two spots of color appeared on her cheeks. “There is a vast space between ravishing me and treating me like a child. The gentlemen expected you to kiss me on the lips, as they would have. You won such a kiss, after all. When you didn’t take it, I’m sure they thought it was because I was somehow…unattractive to you. And that only hurts my cause.” Her cause , which was to be affianced to one of those arses. Anger boiled up in him. “Let me see if I understand you correctly. You wanted me to kiss you with some degree of passion so your suitors would be convinced if your desirability as a woman. Is that right?” She cast him a resentful look, then nodded. He strode up close, unable to contain his temper. “Isn’t it enough for you that they’re already barking at your heels like randy hounds? That they’re seizing your hand at the breakfast table and inviting you for tete-a-tete practice at their estates?” “What good does that do me when you seek to turn their affections away at every turn? You provoked me to accept that shooting challenge because you wanted me to frighten them off with my enthusiasm for guns. Admit it.” All right, so that was true. But he had good reason for it. “I wanted them to see you for who you really are and not the woman you keep pretending to be.” “ Pretending to be?” she said in a choked voice. “And who is that? A lady worthy of marriage? You wanted to expose me as some…adventuress or man in woman’s attire or…oh, I don’t know what.” “No!” he protested, suddenly all at sea in their argument. “You know what, Mr. Pinter? Ever since we made our agreement, you’ve only made matters worse, for some nefarious reason of your own.” She planted her hands on her hips and gave him a look of pure defiance. “So you’re dismissed from my employ. I no longer require your services.”” [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The dialogue explores gender expectations, desire, and the tension between being seen as a tomboy versus a desirable woman, highlighting miscommunication and power dynamics in romantic pursuit. **In simple terms:** A woman confronts a man about how he perceives and treats her, mixing frustration with desire. Key Takeaway Clarify expectations and respect agency in intimacy. Themes gender roles desire communication power dynamics identity Mood frustrated hopeful intense Type dialogue dramatic romantic When to use this quote - courtship - conflict resolution - personal boundaries - self‑assertion Key Concepts tomboy archetype romantic tension social expectations Questions to Reflect On - How do societal labels shape personal desire? - What boundaries are essential for mutual respect? A Different Perspective The man’s assumptions may overlook her true wishes, risking further misunderstanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Tomboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomboy/) ## Related quotes > [“Listen to me,” he said, his voice even and intense, “and listen well, because I’m only going to say this once. I desire you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/listen-to-me-he-said-his-voice-even-and-intense-and-listen-well/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [“Over the front altar wall, we see the spandrel of Esther and Haman. This story is found in both Hebrew and Christian Bibles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-blech/over-the-front-altar-wall-we-see-the-spandrel-of-esther-and-haman/) [Benjamin Blech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-blech/) > [“You were the most desirable woman I’ve ever seen, and I resented you for it. 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If I don't have to be on stage or doing anything that day, I'm always in band t-shirt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-strauss/i-m-a-total-tomboy-at-heart-if-i-don-t-have-to-be-on-stage-or-doing/) [Nita Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-strauss/) > [I loved all those Doris Day visuals of her being a tomboy and then changing into this gorgeous girl in a ballgown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/i-loved-all-those-doris-day-visuals-of-her-being-a-tomboy-and-then/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [I was always real tomboy when I was younger. I was the least girly girl ever!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-mcdermott/i-was-always-real-tomboy-when-i-was-younger-i-was-the-least-girly/) [Zara McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-mcdermott/) > [I was completely unconventional in everything, which my mother found very difficult. I was a huge tomboy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyah-willcox/i-was-completely-unconventional-in-everything-which-my-mother-found/) [Toyah Willcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyah-willcox/) > ['Gaana Bajana' gave me an opportunity to experiment with my looks. I played a tomboy in that film, a role that I hadn't essayed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-pandit/gaana-bajana-gave-me-an-opportunity-to-experiment-with-my-looks-i/) [Radhika Pandit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-pandit/) > [I'm not the sexy girl. I'm more youthful and innocent, the girl who wears jeans and T-shirts and sneakers. But fans have accepted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-m-not-the-sexy-girl-i-m-more-youthful-and-innocent-the-girl-who/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I'm a tomboy, and my style is punk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cl/i-m-a-tomboy-and-my-style-is-punk/) CL > [People see me as a tomboy. But I can be quite a lady if I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/people-see-me-as-a-tomboy-but-i-can-be-quite-a-lady-if-i-want-to-be/) [Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/) ## More by Sabrina Jeffries > [“Wait, were you eavesdropping on my conversation with the duke? That's very rude." "Is it? Half of the plays in the world contain eavesdropping.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/wait-were-you-eavesdropping-on-my-conversation-with-the-duke-that-s/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“I merely don't like drafts, or servants falling and breaking their ankles, making them incapable of serving me." "I understand completely." Her gaze held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/i-merely-don-t-like-drafts-or-servants-falling-and-breaking-their/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“So, Byrne, did you and Christabel get lost on the way down? Perhaps we should send you a floor plan for next time. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/so-byrne-did-you-and-christabel-get-lost-on-the-way-down-perhaps-we/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“I wish you'd tell the truth, but since I know that isn't preferable--" "The truth is always preferable, my dear. It's just not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/i-wish-you-d-tell-the-truth-but-since-i-know-that-isn-t-preferable/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [The man is always the last to know when Cupid has struck him -Anonymous, Memoirs of a Mistress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/the-man-is-always-the-last-to-know-when-cupid-has-struck-him/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Listen carefully, and don’t panic.” With his eyes still on that wretched spot behind her, he slid his right hand slowly to the hilt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/listen-carefully-and-don-t-panic-with-his-eyes-still-on-that-wretched/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“It’s wonderful,” he choked out. “Absolutely wonderful.” He smoothed his hand over her belly. “I can’t imagine anything better than having a child with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/it-s-wonderful-he-choked-out-absolutely-wonderful-he-smoothed-his/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [The best time to write is when your life is in the toilet. Writing offers an escape from your problems, so if you force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/the-best-time-to-write-is-when-your-life-is-in-the-toilet-writing/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“That’s all she cared about—protecting her brother, who was probably some fop with a lame sword hand and a fear of pistols!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/that-s-all-she-cared-about-protecting-her-brother-who-was-probably/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“You won’t try to kiss me again?” “Given your method for handling that problem? No. I don’t particularly like pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/you-won-t-try-to-kiss-me-again-given-your-method-for-handling-that/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Suddenly he spotted Gran deep in conversation with Kitty’s closest friend, and relief coursed through him. Gran would squelch the tale at once. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/suddenly-he-spotted-gran-deep-in-conversation-with-kitty-s-closest/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Then he happened to glance at the viscount, and his blood stilled. The viscount’s eyes followed Celia’s every move, and his finger kept stroking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/then-he-happened-to-glance-at-the-viscount-and-his-blood-stilled-the/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Mr. Pinter!" He turned to find Lady Celia approaching. "Yes, my lady?" To his surprise, she glanced nervously at the open door to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/mr-pinter-he-turned-to-find-lady-celia-approaching-yes-my-lady-to-his/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Good lack-a-daisy, Clara!" her aunt reproached her. "The man might dress improperly, but he's behaving like a perfect gentleman otherwise. And being wonderfully kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/good-lack-a-daisy-clara-her-aunt-reproached-her-the-man-might-dress/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [Watch it, minx," he warned with a lift of his brow. 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Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. 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Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Though I’m surprised that you read novels.” “I do have other interests than shooting, you know.” “I never said otherwise.” “But you think me a complete tomboy. Admit it.” He measured his words. “I think you a woman with a few unusual interests that happen to be similar to those of some men. Those interests don’t, however, make you a tomboy.” No tomboy would fire his blood the way she did right now in her elegant redingote, despite the black smudges of power along its sleeves and the mud caked along its hem. And no tomboy would have kept him up last night imagining what it would be like to raise her skirts so he could run his hands along the pale swaths of thigh that lay above her garters. “And yet,” she said hoarsely, “you kissed me as if I were some mannish chit beneath your notice. God forbid you should treat me as a desirable woman in front of my suitors. It might give them ideas.” He stared at her, thunderstruck. She was angry because he’d accorded her the respect she deserved? “Forgive me, my lady,” he said acidly. “I didn’t think you’d want me to toss you down in the grass and ravish you. I see I was mistaken.” Two spots of color appeared on her cheeks. “There is a vast space between ravishing me and treating me like a child. The gentlemen expected you to kiss me on the lips, as they would have. You won such a kiss, after all. When you didn’t take it, I’m sure they thought it was because I was somehow…unattractive to you. And that only hurts my cause.” Her cause , which was to be affianced to one of those arses. Anger boiled up in him. “Let me see if I understand you correctly. You wanted me to kiss you with some degree of passion so your suitors would be convinced if your desirability as a woman. Is that right?” She cast him a resentful look, then nodded. He strode up close, unable to contain his temper. “Isn’t it enough for you that they’re already barking at your heels like randy hounds? That they’re seizing your hand at the breakfast table and inviting you for tete-a-tete practice at their estates?” “What good does that do me when you seek to turn their affections away at every turn? You provoked me to accept that shooting challenge because you wanted me to frighten them off with my enthusiasm for guns. Admit it.” All right, so that was true. But he had good reason for it. “I wanted them to see you for who you really are and not the woman you keep pretending to be.” “ Pretending to be?” she said in a choked voice. “And who is that? A lady worthy of marriage? You wanted to expose me as some…adventuress or man in woman’s attire or…oh, I don’t know what.” “No!” he protested, suddenly all at sea in their argument. “You know what, Mr. Pinter? Ever since we made our agreement, you’ve only made matters worse, for some nefarious reason of your own.” She planted her hands on her hips and gave him a look of pure defiance. “So you’re dismissed from my employ. 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