--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What was it about this woman? This plain…" description: "\"“What was it about this woman? This plain, unassuming woman whom he had never before noticed? 'There is nothing about her that is plain or unassuming n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/sarah-maclean-1164_callie-and-ralston_what-was-it-about-this-woman-this-plain_2885123.png" --- # What was it about this woman? This plain, unassuming woman… ![“What was it about this woman? This plain, unassuming woman whom he had never before noticed? 'There is nothing about her that is plain or unassuming now.' And he hated himself for describing her as such. No... Lady Calpurnia Hartwell was coming into her own in a spectacular way- entirely new and…” quote by Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/sarah-maclean-1164_callie-and-ralston_what-was-it-about-this-woman-this-plain_2885123.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/sarah-maclean-1164_callie-and-ralston_what-was-it-about-this-woman-this-plain_2885123.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d9/sarah-maclean-1164_callie-and-ralston_what-was-it-about-this-woman-this-plain_2885123.png) > ““What was it about this woman? This plain, unassuming woman whom he had never before noticed? 'There is nothing about her that is plain or unassuming now.' And he hated himself for describing her as such. No... Lady Calpurnia Hartwell was coming into her own in a spectacular way- entirely new and thoroughly different from every woman he had known before her. And it was her heady combination of innocent curiosity and feminine will that had lured him into behaving the way he did. He wanted her. Viscerally. In a way he'd never wanted any woman before her.”” [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) ## 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 becomes fascinated by a woman who defies his expectations, revealing his own hidden desires and insecurities. **In simple terms:** He is drawn to her unexpected depth. Key Takeaway Recognize and explore unexpected attraction. Themes desire self‑discovery gender roles Mood intense conflicted Type romantic psychological When to use this quote - first dates - self‑reflection - relationship development Key Concepts psychology identity emotional complexity Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you make about others? - How do hidden insecurities shape attraction? A Different Perspective His self‑judgment may blind him to genuine connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Callie-and-ralston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/callie-and-ralston/) [Calpurnia-hartwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calpurnia-hartwell-26824/) [Describing Lady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/describing-lady-4020337/) [Different Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-woman-960253/) [Every woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-woman/) [Lady Calpurnia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lady-calpurnia-2844738/) [Unassuming Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unassuming-woman-4020338/) [Wanted Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-woman-354519/) ## Related quotes > [“I hope you do not consider me so distasteful?" She allowed herself to meet his amused gaze. No. Ralston was not distasteful. Not by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-hope-you-do-not-consider-me-so-distasteful-she-allowed-herself-to/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“As I've said before," she scoffed, "you're different." "How am I different?" his exasperation was clear. "Well, it seems you are my partner in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/as-i-ve-said-before-she-scoffed-you-re-different-how-am-i-different-2/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“As I've said before," she scoffed, "you're different." "How am I different?" his exasperation was clear. "Well, it seems you are my partner in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/as-i-ve-said-before-she-scoffed-you-re-different-how-am-i-different/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“If only others knew that Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, proper, well-behaved spinster, entertained deep-seated and certainly unladylike thoughts about fictional heroes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/if-only-others-knew-that-lady-calpurnia-hartwell-proper-well-behaved-2/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“If only others knew that Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, proper, well-behaved spinster, entertained deep-seated and certainly unladylike thoughts about fictional heroes. She sighed again with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/if-only-others-knew-that-lady-calpurnia-hartwell-proper-well-behaved/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“There was something about her eagerness and her innocence- about the passion that flared in her eyeseven as she delivered such exquisite pleasure- that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/there-was-something-about-her-eagerness-and-her-innocence-about-the/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“I believe she is Selene, goddess of the moon." "She looks so content." "You sound surprised." "Well," Callie said tentatively, "Selene is not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-believe-she-is-selene-goddess-of-the-moon-she-looks-so-content-you/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“What do you think of this?" he asked, indicating the painting nearby. She gave him an odd look. "I think it's an enormous painting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/what-do-you-think-of-this-he-asked-indicating-the-painting-nearby-she-2/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Perhaps you should exhibit some of the character you are showing this evening in a more public forum," he said. "I'll admit you seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/perhaps-you-should-exhibit-some-of-the-character-you-are-showing-this/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Here?" She gasped, grasping his forearm with her hand. He growled low in his throat as he watched her attempt to understand the feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/here-she-gasped-grasping-his-forearm-with-her-hand-he-growled-low-in/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“I'm not going anywhere, Empress," he said with a wicked smile. "I merely want a better look." He had lifted her skirts even higher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-m-not-going-anywhere-empress-he-said-with-a-wicked-smile-i-merely/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Don't cry for me, Empress. I'm not worth it." "I'm not crying for you," she said, placing her hand against his cheek. "I'm crying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/don-t-cry-for-me-empress-i-m-not-worth-it-i-m-not-crying-for-you-she/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Oh, my. Empress." His words pulled her from her thoughts. His gaze was locked upon her, taking in the beautiful silk lingerie, the delicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/oh-my-empress-his-words-pulled-her-from-her-thoughts-his-gaze-was/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“I cannot stay, Empress. You are too much temptation, and I am nowhere near strong or good enough to resist you." He spoke the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-cannot-stay-empress-you-are-too-much-temptation-and-i-am-nowhere/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“She did not know how long he stood caressing her before he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed his mouth to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/she-did-not-know-how-long-he-stood-caressing-her-before-he-lifted-her/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) ## More by Sarah MacLean > [“You think my feelings toward you apathetic? You think you bore me?” “Don’t I?” He shook his head slowly, continuing toward her, stalking her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/you-think-my-feelings-toward-you-apathetic-you-think-you-bore-me-don/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [I never met Colleen McCullough; if I had, I probably would have cried and made a fool of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-never-met-colleen-mccullough-if-i-had-i-probably-would-have-cried/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [He raked his fingers through his hair. "She doesn't need me." Ralston smirked. "You are laboring under that mistaken impression that it is their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/he-raked-his-fingers-through-his-hair-she-doesn-t-need-me-ralston/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Do you love him?' Isabel paused at the question ... She caught a glimpse of herself in a long looking glass, noting her shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/do-you-love-him-isabel-paused-at-the-question-she-caught-a-glimpse-of/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [I practice loving-kindness meditation, which cultivates compassion and equanimity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-practice-loving-kindness-meditation-which-cultivates-compassion-and/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“She told herself that she was happy to meet her executioner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/she-told-herself-that-she-was-happy-to-meet-her-executioner/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“What do I win?” she whispered in his ear. He grinned. “What would you like?” “You.” So simple. So perfect. “I am yours,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/what-do-i-win-she-whispered-in-his-ear-he-grinned-what-would-you-like/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [By the time I was 10 or 12, I had discovered the lure of the romance genre - and the dusty copy of 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/by-the-time-i-was-10-or-12-i-had-discovered-the-lure-of-the-romance/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [You plan to be a challenge, do you?" Juliana smiled angelically. "I agreed to remain, my lord. Not to remain silent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/you-plan-to-be-a-challenge-do-you-juliana-smiled-angelically-i-agreed/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“She leveled Penelope with a look. “Penelope, you must think, darling! When your father dies! What then?” Lord Needham looked up from his pheasant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/she-leveled-penelope-with-a-look-penelope-you-must-think-darling-when/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [And... as long as they need me, it's easier to forget that I am alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/and-as-long-as-they-need-me-it-s-easier-to-forget-that-i-am-alone/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [In books by women and for women, it should come as no surprise that heroines are the heroes of the action, finding themselves, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/in-books-by-women-and-for-women-it-should-come-as-no-surprise-that/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“She did not know how long he stood caressing her before he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed his mouth to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/she-did-not-know-how-long-he-stood-caressing-her-before-he-lifted-her/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [As winter approaches - bringing cold weather and family drama - we crave page-turners, books made for long nights and tryptophan-induced sloth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/as-winter-approaches-bringing-cold-weather-and-family-drama-we-crave/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [No doubt, much of the joy of a great romance is the moment when these stoic heroes crack open and reveal themselves to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/no-doubt-much-of-the-joy-of-a-great-romance-is-the-moment-when-these/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) [Explore all 278 Sarah MacLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) ## More Callie-and-ralston quotes > [“She did not know how long he stood caressing her before he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed his mouth to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/she-did-not-know-how-long-he-stood-caressing-her-before-he-lifted-her/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“I cannot stay, Empress. You are too much temptation, and I am nowhere near strong or good enough to resist you." He spoke the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-cannot-stay-empress-you-are-too-much-temptation-and-i-am-nowhere/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Oh, my. Empress." His words pulled her from her thoughts. His gaze was locked upon her, taking in the beautiful silk lingerie, the delicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/oh-my-empress-his-words-pulled-her-from-her-thoughts-his-gaze-was/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“As I've said before," she scoffed, "you're different." "How am I different?" his exasperation was clear. "Well, it seems you are my partner in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/as-i-ve-said-before-she-scoffed-you-re-different-how-am-i-different/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Don't cry for me, Empress. I'm not worth it." "I'm not crying for you," she said, placing her hand against his cheek. "I'm crying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/don-t-cry-for-me-empress-i-m-not-worth-it-i-m-not-crying-for-you-she/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“I'm not going anywhere, Empress," he said with a wicked smile. "I merely want a better look." He had lifted her skirts even higher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-m-not-going-anywhere-empress-he-said-with-a-wicked-smile-i-merely/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Here?" She gasped, grasping his forearm with her hand. He growled low in his throat as he watched her attempt to understand the feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/here-she-gasped-grasping-his-forearm-with-her-hand-he-growled-low-in/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Perhaps you should exhibit some of the character you are showing this evening in a more public forum," he said. "I'll admit you seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/perhaps-you-should-exhibit-some-of-the-character-you-are-showing-this/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“What do you think of this?" he asked, indicating the painting nearby. She gave him an odd look. "I think it's an enormous painting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/what-do-you-think-of-this-he-asked-indicating-the-painting-nearby-she-2/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“I hope you do not consider me so distasteful?" She allowed herself to meet his amused gaze. No. Ralston was not distasteful. Not by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/i-hope-you-do-not-consider-me-so-distasteful-she-allowed-herself-to/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Lady Calpurnia." "I'd rather you call me Callie," she said hurriedly. "You don't like Calpurnia?" The words were lazily curious. She shook her head,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/lady-calpurnia-i-d-rather-you-call-me-callie-she-said-hurriedly-you/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“She was not expecting him to smile. And so, when he did- a wicked, wolfish grin that shook her to her toes- she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/she-was-not-expecting-him-to-smile-and-so-when-he-did-a-wicked/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“ He meant for her to sit on his lap? She shook her head. "I couldn't." "You wanted to try the role on for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/he-meant-for-her-to-sit-on-his-lap-she-shook-her-head-i-couldn-t-you/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“He broke off the kiss then, running his lips across her cheek and setting them to her ear, taking the soft lobe between his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/he-broke-off-the-kiss-then-running-his-lips-across-her-cheek-and/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [“Hear me well. I cannot begin to list all the things about you that are beautiful- a man could lose himself in your eyes;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/hear-me-well-i-cannot-begin-to-list-all-the-things-about-you-that-are/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) [Browse all 22 Callie-and-ralston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/callie-and-ralston/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What was it about this woman? This plain, unassuming woman whom he had never before noticed? 'There is nothing about her that is plain or unassuming now.' And he hated himself for describing her as such. No... Lady Calpurnia Hartwell was coming into her own in a spectacular way- entirely new and thoroughly different from every woman he had known before her. And it was her heady combination of innocent curiosity and feminine will that had lured him into behaving the way he did. He wanted her. Viscerally. 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