Jen Turano Quotes & Sayings

Good heavens," Gertrude yelled, sitting forward on the seat as she interrupted Everett and pointed at something in the distance. "Are those peacocks trying to run that boy down?" Swinging his attention to where Gertrude was pointing, Everett felt his mouth drop open at the sight that met his eyes. Peacocks were streaming over the lawn, the largest ones in the front, followed by what appeared to be babies, and . . . they were chasing after a small boy - who had to be Thaddeus, but . . . he was wearing pants - and . . . from all appearances, he seemed to be running for his very life. "Driver, — Jen Turano

See, I did finally practice that adoring look you demanded, and I'm now going to suggest you try your hand at looking adoringly back at me," she muttered out of the side of her mouth even as she kept her smile firmly in place. "The guests will get suspicious if I'm the only one doing the whole adoring business."
His lips curved into a returning smile. She was so beautiful and so different from anyone he'd ever known that he decided there and then that, although this was to be the last night they were together, he was going to make the most out of it. — Jen Turano

Honestly, he could be adorable, and at the moment she had the feeling he wasn't even trying. — Jen Turano

Tugging her arm free of his, she moved over to a stone bench flanked by some exotic-looking red flowers and took a seat. She was not amused when he took a seat right beside her, crowding her in the process. "When did you get so large?" she asked, scooting as casually as she could away from him, not allowing herself to dwell on why his nearness was bothering her. "When I began working in a steel mill." Wilhelmina — Jen Turano

Didn't you notice that entire gaggle of young ladies perusing you?" A flash of amusement flickered through Edgar's eyes. "Why, Willie, if I didn't know better, I'd say you sounded a touch jealous just now." "Don't be ridiculous, and stop calling me Willie." Instead of looking the least bit contrite, Edgar grinned and took hold of her arm. — Jen Turano

A young lady stood on the other side of the door, a young lady he'd seen a few times at the theater but had never been introduced to before. Her identity became clear, though, when Lucetta let out a shriek of pure delight and scrambled out of the cab. "Millie!" she yelled before she snatched the young lady into a hug. Even though Bram couldn't resist a smile at the sight of Lucetta being reunited with one of her best friends, he also couldn't resist a small sigh of regret, because with the arrival of Millie, and their arrival at Abigail's brownstone, further talk of courtships was certainly going to be set aside for the foreseeable future. — Jen Turano

Today you, my dear Felicia, look incredibly delightful, and I assure you, I'm not trying to humor you in the least. — Jen Turano

Pushing to his feet in an effort to avoid some of the water, Bram gave his wet and distinctly smelly dog a pat before he straightened, his breath becoming lodged in his throat when Miss Plum began walking toward him. Regret settled in as the thought struck him that there was really no way to avoid finally making her acquaintance even while smelling much like his dog. Summoning up a smile, he was about to offer her a greeting when a trace of smoke coming from one of the castle towers captured his attention. Knowing full well there was only one reasonable explanation for the smoke, he stepped toward Miss Plum just as a yell split the air. "Watch out below." As the roar of a cannon sounded, Bram did the only thing that sprang to mind. He yanked Miss Plum close to him, locked his arms around her slender body, and . . . jumped back into the moat. — Jen Turano

He really did posses the ability to be extremely annoying when he set his mind to it. — Jen Turano

Have you been having fun, Eliza?" Gloria asked. "She's danced every dance," Hamilton said before Eliza could respond. "How wonderful," Gloria exclaimed. "See, I told you there was no reason for your earlier distress." "You were distressed?" Mr. Murdock inquired as he leaned forward over Agatha. "It was only a little case of nerves," Eliza returned, her eyes widening when Hamilton absently traced a finger down her arm. The action was not lost on Mr. Murdock. He sat back in his seat and turned his head to address the guest on his left. "What are you doing?" Eliza hissed. "If you're not careful, everyone will believe there's soon to be an announcement." "That would bother you?" And just what did he mean by that? She took a deep breath and slowly released it. "You've obviously lost your mind." Hamilton sent her a wicked smile and refused to say another word, although he did remove his finger from her skin. — Jen Turano

Seeing absolutely no point in arguing further with the man, Harriet tried her hand at releasing a sniff, just like Mrs. Birmingham had done numerous times during their ridiculous exchange. To her acute embarrassment, though, it turned out that sniffing was not actually advisable when it was pouring down rain, because water tended to immediately be sucked up one's nose. She sneezed, snorted, sneezed again, and finally managed a halfhearted wave in his direction. Continue if you please. — Jen Turano

From what I've come to know about you, my dear, you're a lady who embraces every venture with enthusiasm. I would have been very disappointed if you'd gone out on that court and not played the way you're apparently capable of playing. — Jen Turano

Pulling his attention away from the bottom lip he still found fascinating, Oliver felt his lips twitch. "You really were in a circus?"
"With everything I've just disclosed to you, you're most interested in the idea I was once in a circus? — Jen Turano

Setting the flowers, roots and all, aside, Millie crossed her arms over her chest. Don't insult my intelligence, Everett. You wouldn't be bringing me flowers or children if something of a disastrous nature hadn't occurred. — Jen Turano

Ruby stood beside Iris - holding a leash, and on the end of that leash was . . . Buford, Harriet and Oliver's motley dog. "Why does Ruby have Buford?" Oliver asked no one in particular. "Abigail needed something borrowed, and Buford was what she chose, but I'm not certain that exactly counts since she's not holding the leash," Harriet said in a hushed voice before she put her finger to her lips and nodded back to Abigail. As — Jen Turano

You're a bit elderly, Abigail, I'll give you that, but I don't think you've ever been dotty in your life, and I'm certainly not finding you dear at the moment - more like diabolical."
Lucetta's lips curved ever so slightly. "I'll wear that frock just to appease you, but don't think I'm going to be happy about it." She turned and stomped out of the room.
"Don't forget the tiara I left beside the dress," Abigail called. "Or the sparkly shoes that are right on the floor, dear."
"I'm not wearing a tiara," Lucetta yelled back. Abigail grinned.
"She's such a dear, sweet girl. Possessed of such a quiet and delicate nature. — Jen Turano

He sent Eliza a small smile before turning to Lawrence. "What say you and I return to the hotel for a bit? I need to check on my daughter, and you need some time away from my sister." Not giving Lawrence an opportunity to reply, Grayson took him by the arm and hurried him out of the room.
It was lovely to have a big brother again. — Jen Turano

One would think that since Hamilton and Eliza only just got married, our mothers would be satisfied for a while, but instead they seem to have come to the conclusion that everyone needs to enter into the state of wedded bliss. Quite frankly, they've turned scary. — Jen Turano

Felicia (to Grayson) - To think Eliza truly does seem to be under the misimpression that you're capable of charm. — Jen Turano

That's why you're going directly back to the house. The last thing we need is for you to end up in jail again, and I'm quite certain disassembling another lady's hair falls under the category of assault. — Jen Turano

I'm fairly certain I've been defined by society as nothing more than a wallflower these days." Drawing her closer, he tipped her chin up and met her gaze. "You may be known as a wallflower to society, Wilhelmina, but I'll always think of you as the most extraordinary woman I've ever known." With that, and before she could do more than let out the tiniest of sighs, he leaned closer to her, his breath warm against her face right before he claimed her lips with his own. Just — Jen Turano

Felicia- Tell me, are my whiskers on straight?
Cora- I truly never thought I'd be having that question asked by my daughter, but yes, they're on straight. — Jen Turano

I was moving briskly. Well, until I realized I had a crazy lady chasing after me. Then I started to run. — Jen Turano

You think I'm shallow?" Millie patted his arm again. "You're a gentleman of society, Everett. You're bound to be a little . . . Well, I wouldn't say you're shallow, not exactly, but you are a bit of a snob, something I do think I've pointed out before. Having said that, Lucetta and I both know you're not used to being seen in public with ladies like . . . us." Tightening his grip on their arms, Everett prodded them forward. "There's nothing wrong with either one of you, and just so you know . . . I've recently come to the conclusion that I might very well be a snob, but I'm trying to work on that." Not giving the ladies an opportunity to balk, Everett increased his pace, practically dragging them beside him as he moved through the door and into the entranceway. — Jen Turano

Forgive me, Mr. Addleshaw, but I don't think Miss Peabody is exactly keen about going to Arnold Constable & Company."
"Why would you say that?"
"She's dashing away in the opposite direction."
Oliver turned, and sure enough, Harriet was quickly disappearing into the crowd, her huge hat once again bobbing in the breeze. — Jen Turano

You think I'm a snob."
"You are a snob. — Jen Turano

You don't really want to have to guard me forever, do you?'
'If it means keeping you alive, of course I do.'
'You really aren't a horrible man after all. — Jen Turano

I should not have called you a menace. I'm afraid I allowed my temper to get the best of me, and I spoke out of anger."
Arabella's eyes turned a little misty. "That's when the truth comes out the loudest. — Jen Turano

Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff was reluctantly coming to the unfortunate conclusion that there were absolutely no perks to be had when one obtained the unenviable title of wallflower. Taking — Jen Turano

Piper- I didn't like Mr. Wilder.
Eliza- He's not so bad, Piper, if you overlook his tendency to be condescending.
Agatha- And narrow-minded and chauvinistic.
Gloria- I think a nice cup of tea is in order before we continue our discussion of Mr. Wilder and his many faults. May I suggest we make ourselves comfortable in the parlor? — Jen Turano

You're a slightly peculiar lady, aren't you?' Agatha asked.
Drusilla waved Agatha's comment away. 'Normal is completely overrated. — Jen Turano

Everett realized what he was going to have to do.
He was, much against his better judgment, going to have to seek out Miss Longfellow and beg her
on bended knee and with flowers, no doubt
to come work for him. — Jen Turano

I don't have a desire to find myself in jail, but if I'm forced to continue spending time with you ... I fear I might be compelled to do something to you that will certainly land me there. — Jen Turano

I could not fill those expectations. I've never been presented to the queen," Hamilton said. "Because we live in America and don't have a queen. — Jen Turano

I was hoping Miss Lucy Webster," Mrs. Travers began, nodding to the young lady standing beside her, a young lady Wilhelmina realized must be Miss Griswold's stepsister, "was mistaken when she sought me out and whispered that she'd seen you disappear with Mr. Wanamaker, but . . . clearly that is not the case. So . . . explain yourself, Miss Radcliff." "Ah . . . well, you see . . ." "I'll take it from here, darling," Edgar said, moving a step away from the bench he'd risen from the moment Mrs. Travers had marched into the room. Presenting Mrs. Travers with a bow, he straightened. "Allow me to assure you, Mrs. Travers, that there is absolutely nothing untoward transpiring at the moment. In fact, it is my great pleasure to disclose to you that, right in the midst of your delightful ball, Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff has finally agreed to become . . . my wife. — Jen Turano

I don't think reading is a pleasure I'll ever be able to abandon. — Jen Turano

What could you have been thinking?" Iris demanded a mere moment later, advancing on Bram with her hands on her hips. "You have, in case you've forgotten, a castle filled with local Tarrytown folk, your grandmother in residence, no less, as is a young lady whose identity we were supposed to be protecting." She stopped right in front of him and actually poked him with her finger. "Why would you have chosen this particular time, and this" - she gestured to the storage room at large - "particular place to try to woo Miss Plum? A lady, if you'll recall, who we've told all those gathered is your cousin, which makes all this" - she gestured around the room again - "seem rather tawdry." "She's supposed to be a distant cousin," Bram reminded her. "And one with a wart and no teeth," Ruby added, her lips curving ever so slightly. "I don't believe you're helping my situation," Bram muttered. "Goodness, you're right. — Jen Turano

It was now Oliver's staunch belief that ladies - more specifically, Miss Harriet Peabody - had been put on the earth in order to create havoc with his well-organized life. — Jen Turano

Harriet smiled. "My name is Harriet."
"Do your friends call you Harry?"
"Not if they want to remain my friends."
"Harriet it is, then, and since we have to convince everyone we're ... attached, you must call me Oliver."
She tilted her head. "Do your friends call you Ollie?"
"Not if they want to remain my friends. — Jen Turano

Arabella- Why you felt it was imperative for me to leave my house in a traveling trunk is still beyond me. You did see Zayne and Hamilton drop it, didn't you?
Theodore- They told me to tell you they were very sorry about that.
Arabella- Yes, I could tell they were dreadfully sorry, especially with all the laughter I heard through the one air hole someone considerately remembered to provide. I think gentlemen in general are deranged. — Jen Turano

I would love nothing more than to marry you and live with you here in New York." "You will not miss England?" "There is nothing for me there," she said. "You have stolen my heart completely, Mr. Beckett, and I believe it is now yours forever. — Jen Turano

He'd been so convinced that Lucetta was a victim in the play called Life that he'd completely neglected to take the time to see past his misconceptions. She was not searching for a knight in shining armor, she was searching for a partner, someone she could share her experiences with - not someone who'd want to take over her life and make everything easy for her. Miss Lucetta Plum was certainly not a lady who would enjoy easy, at least not all of the time. She was too complicated, too accomplished, and too intelligent to live a life of mundane pleasantness. She was also a lady who deserved an equal partner, not a gentleman who wanted to set her up on a shelf, away from the messiness of living, something he'd been determined to do. "That's — Jen Turano

I have yet to be reunited with my fortune, and I'm now missing a chunk of hair from my spat with the nanny. — Jen Turano

My grandfather will adore you."
"Because ... ?"
"You're not normal."
"I see we're back to trading insults."
"I meant that as a compliment. — Jen Turano

I say, you look smashing this evening," Zayne strode over to her, took her arm, and began helping her up the walk, "That is a lovely gown, and what is the color of the hair you're currently sporting? — Jen Turano

You know full well that it was past time for you to come out in the open. And by admitting the truth, there are no more secrets, for either of us." She smiled. "That means we're able to discontinue playing the parts we've been playing for far too long and begin living our lives as they were meant to be lived - you as an author, and me as . . . well, I haven't figured that out exactly yet, but I have a few ideas in mind." Bram smiled. "I have to hope that I figure in somewhere with those few ideas, but . . ." He nodded to the shoreline. "We're almost to Ravenwood, so now is hardly the time to discuss such matters." Knowing he was right but finding herself unable to keep from smiling at the idea of having Bram Haverstein as part of her future plans - although what part he would play in her life it was certainly too soon to tell - Lucetta set her sights on the shore, anxious to see Ravenwood from the vantage point of the Hudson. "Do — Jen Turano

Agatha - You're somewhat odd. You know that, don't you?
Felicia - I'll take that as a compliment.
Agatha - It wasn't meant as such ... — Jen Turano

Why, there's just something downright delicious about a gentleman who can handle himself well in a dangerous situaion. — Jen Turano

I've always believed God has a certain purpose for all of us, and once we fulfill that purpose, He calls us home. — Jen Turano

He summoned up what he'd been told by numerous ladies was his most charming of smiles."But then we would never have met."
Harriet muttered something that sounded very much like, "Unbelievable" under her breath, and then began marching down the alley toward the main street, apparently not moved in the least by his charm. — Jen Turano

Miss Sumner, may I inquire as to why you're lounging on the floor?" Mrs. Watson asked.
Miss Sumner uttered something which sounded very much like "it should be obvious" before she lifted her head. "You really must compliment your staff, Mrs. Watson. This floor is remarkably clean. — Jen Turano

Arabella tilted her head, and Theodore couldn't help himself. Her lips were right in front of him, and he needed to claim them. He settled his lips over hers and the world melted away. — Jen Turano

Everett-- "The amount of money I'm currently paying you to nanny the children should hold any and all annoyance you may think you feel for me at bay."
Millie-- "Even if you paid me twice what you are, I'd still get annoyed with you on a frequent basis."
Everett-- "I'm not paying you additional funds to keep your annoyance in check. — Jen Turano

It's an unspoken requirement that women who choose to look after children for a living have a strong liking for all manner of creatures. ~Millie Longfellow — Jen Turano

Theodore- Hello, Grandmother. You're looking more beautiful than ever.
His grandma- You did have to inherit your looks from someone. — Jen Turano

Grayson had apparently taken it upon himself to give her a romantic adventure, once that seemingly had been planned with the help of her family and friends.
In that moment she realized once again that he was the perfect gentleman for her - a gentlman who understand she had a talent for trouble, but a gentleman who would save her from that trouble every time.
He understood her as no one else ever had or ever would. — Jen Turano

Iris released a sigh. 'Honestly, Ruby. we've been over this a hundred times in the past day. Bram and Miss Plum will not be getting married. Your brother was simply being chivalrous, something he tends to do on a far too frequent basis.'
'You say that as if chivalry is not a welcome trait for a gentleman to have,' Ruby said slowly 'Why, having been involved with a gentleman who turned out to have not a single chivalrous bone in his body, I can well attest to the allure that an old-fashioned gentleman with old-fashioned values has to a woman in these trying times.'
'Hear, hear. — Jen Turano

May I have a glass of water? For some reason, my throat suddenly feels incredibly parched."
Harriet nodded but before she could take so much as a single step toward the kitchen, Lucetta brushed past her.
"I'll get it." She grabbed Millie's hand and began tugging her out of the room. "You can help."
"But it doesn't take two people to fetch a ... ouch ... Did you just pinch me? Because that felt remarkably like a pinch, and ... " Millie's voice faded away as Lucetta hauled her into the hallway and toward the kitchen, shutting the door firmly behind them. — Jen Turano

I always forget to breathe when I get nervous."
"I suppose you should be thankful then that you don't appear to be the type to get nervous often. — Jen Turano

Eliza's laughter died abruptly when Hamilton dropped down by her side and, for some unknown reason, began to play with the fabric of her skirt that was billowed out around her even as he continued bantering with his brother. She shot a look to Gloria and groaned. Of course the woman would have noticed her son's actions. She scrambled to her feet, made a circle around the blanket, and dropped back down on the other side of Agatha, far from Hamilton's reach. "Didn't like where you were sitting?" Agatha muttered. "I thought I'd get closer to you so we could chat," Eliza said. — Jen Turano

She's remarkably refined." "You told me she slung Miss Birmingham over her shoulder and tossed her into a carriage. — Jen Turano

You're becoming obessed, Theodore muttered, pushing Arabella out of his thoughts as best he could as he reached for his paperwork.
She pushed her way right back in.
Honestly, the amount of time Arabella spent in his head was enough to drive him mad. It was also making him short-tempered. — Jen Turano

Miss Sumner, are you all right?" Hamilton asked, pulling her from her thoughts. "Perfectly fine." Hamilton sent a pointed look to the crushed dinner roll in Eliza's hand. "Oh," Eliza said, relaxing her fingers and dropping the roll to her plate before she realized Mrs. Amherst was speaking to her once again. — Jen Turano

The only explanation that came to her was that gentlemen were obviously odd beings, and she should not even attempt to understand them. — Jen Turano

I can cry at the drop of a hat."
"You find hat-dropping distressful?"
"If it's a nice hat, and it has dropped in the mud, certainly. I could cry about that for days. — Jen Turano

I must say, all these compliments you keep sending my way are bound to go to my head soon. Why, I don't recall the last time I was deemed peculiar and suspicious all in the same day. — Jen Turano

She stalked down the short hallway, reached the door, pushed aside the bolt that secured it, twisted the lock, and then wrenched it open, her temper steadily rising when she looked at Oliver and found him smiling back at her, although his eyes held a distinct trace of temper.
"What?"
"Is that anyway to greet your fiance? — Jen Turano

Jeffrey to Felicia - Given your peculiar fashions over the past four years, I'm afraid you've caused people to believe you're a little insane. — Jen Turano

Squaring her shoulders after Permilia disappeared into the crowd, Wilhelmina began skating in Edgar's direction. Coming to a stop a few feet away from him, she smiled when he looked up. That smile, unfortunately, turned to a wince a mere second later, when he tried to get to his feet and immediately took to flailing about. Before she could do more than blink, he was sprawled facedown on the ice. Skating up next to him, she bent over. "Are you all right?" "I'm fine - well, except for my bruised pride," he said, rolling over before he struggled to a sitting position. "One would think that since I'm testing skates with two blades, I'd have an easier time of staying upright. But . . . I'm afraid that has not been the case." He caught her eye again and smiled. — Jen Turano

I'm twenty-two."
"Are you really? I thought you were closer to my age, and I'm thirty-one, which goes ... "
The next thing Oliver knew, he was standing by himself, Harriet having shaken out of his hold and taken off down the sidewalk again. — Jen Turano

You were most entertaining," Zayne replied. "That was unintentional," Eliza muttered. — Jen Turano

It's Grandmother Dorothy," Elizabeth shrieked as she raced down the stairs, slid on the wooden floor, regained her balance and headed for the front door. "We saw from the window, and she's brought. . . . everybody." "She even brought the puppies!" Thaddeus yelled as he rushed past Millie. "I didn't see my peacocks." Rose charged after her siblings. "They're going to be mad at being left behind." Breaking — Jen Turano

She looked at him for a long moment. There really is more substance to you than you let on, isn't there?£ — Jen Turano

-Am I allowed to call you Grayson, or have you assumed a new identity as well?
-He's Frank. — Jen Turano

You're glowering again," Abigail whispered, stepping to his side and giving him a sharp rap with the fan she was clutching.
"Can you blame me?"
Abigail shot a look to Harriet who was having her hand accosted by an earnest young gentleman by the name of Mr. Richmond Sprout. "Not int he least, dear, but you really should try to control that temper of yours. The last thing we need this evening is for you to punch someone."
"That thought never entered my head."
"Of course it did, but I find it rather sweet. — Jen Turano

Realizing that Abigail - given that she'd had relatively no sleep the night before - was in no state to deal with an irate daughter, Lucetta did the only thing she could think of. She drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes, then summoned up every acting ability she had at her disposal, right before she released a moan and dropped to the ground. — Jen Turano

In hindsight, though, I might have overdone it by adding that flour, which means before I depart for Abigail's cottage I need to tidy up this room." "If you're moving out, I'm moving with you," Thaddeus said, slipping up beside Millie and taking hold of her hand. Elizabeth was the next to move. She reached out and put her arm around Millie's middle, leaning in to rest her head against Millie's side. "I'm coming too," she said as she snuggled closer right as Millie smiled and placed a quick kiss on top of Elizabeth's paste-covered head. Everett's heart immediately took to the unusual act of lurching, no doubt due to the sight of Millie's understated affection. Ladies of society always made a big production out of kissing their children when company was present, but Millie . . . Her kiss had been the real thing, a show of regard for a child who'd caused her no small amount of trouble. Expecting — Jen Turano

I do miss the days of living in our boardinghouse when I could practice my lines while experiencing the freedom of trousers without anyone thinking a thing about it." "The only time I saw you wearing trousers was when you were impersonating a coachman," Bram said slowly. "Have you seen her when her hair looks like a rat's nest because she's braided it at least a thousand times while she's distracted with her lines or . . . investments?" Millie asked. To Lucetta's surprise, instead of seeming taken aback by the idea she wasn't always very concerned about her appearance, Bram was watching her now with what looked like clear delight in his eyes. "I'll see what I can do to find you and Millie some trousers, if you really think that will help you mend fences with Geoffrey. — Jen Turano

He's very high-handed. Do you know that yesterday he had the audacity to ask me to practice adoring looks while peering into a mirror because he felt I was glaring at him too often? — Jen Turano

Hamilton found it difficult to concentrate on what Eliza was saying. Her lips were moving rapidly, but he couldn't actually decipher what the words coming out of her mouth were. It was such a lovely mouth, and he found it quite quirky, given the fact that it could assume different positions with alarming frequency. Like now, it was pursed in a most attractive manner, and now ... it was moving again as if the lady could not get the words out fast enough. His gaze traveled upward, past the eyes that were flashing and settled on her hair. He couldn't help but appreciate the efforts of Mabel. The curls she'd been able to produce on Eliza's head, well, they were tantalizing. He had the strangest urge to reach out and touch them, to feel with his own hand if they were as soft as they appeared, something he'd been contemplating ever since he got a good look at her in the dining room. He pulled abruptly back to reality when Eliza poked him in the chest. — Jen Turano

Harriet's mouth dropped open. In her world, urgent meant someone died, the rent was overdue, or dinner could not be served due to lack of funds. It never meant one was anxious for a delivery of hats. — Jen Turano

It's hardly Mr. Clay's fault that you're an idiot. — Jen Turano

Kind is my middle name."
"I don't think I'd go that far. — Jen Turano

I've always been of the belief that gentlemen need to earn respect. — Jen Turano

Where are you going?" Millie whispered, although why she was whispering was a bit of a mystery since the sound of yelling, along with a lot of cursing, was flowing into the house. "I'm not just going to sit here while everyone else is fighting my battle." She made it all the way to the door, crawling on her stomach, no less, before she was forced to stop when she encountered a pair of shoes. They were nice shoes, a little dusty, and unfortunately, they belonged to none other than Bram. "You weren't trying to sneak out to help, were you?" he asked, squatting down next to her. "I might have been." "There's no need. Silas has been secured." Lucetta frowned. "He came down here on his own?" Holding out a hand, Bram helped her to her feet before he smiled. "Apparently, yes. I imagine those women he hired weren't too keen to travel the country with him. Aiding and abetting men on the run usually results in a stint behind bars, and they must have decided he wasn't worth that." "I — Jen Turano

God had certainly not abandoned her."
(Finding Margo) — Jen Turano

She fascinated him.
She was annoying and opinionated and bossy at times, but she was also ... perfect for him.
He wanted to know everything about her, wanted to sit beside her at the opera and watch her cry. He wanted to grow old with this exasperating woman and argue with her as they sipped tea on the porch.
She would never bore him, and every day he spent in her company would be an adventure. — Jen Turano

A sharp ringing of a bell suddenly split the air, signaling that the quadrille was soon to begin. Realizing that the ladies shielding her from view were going to have to take their seats, Wilhelmina began backing as quickly as she could underneath the chair behind her, her only thought being to make an escape as quietly as possible. She'd gotten halfway underneath the chair before her bustle, dratted contraption that it was, snagged on the underside of the chair. Before she could get herself free, a loud clearing of a throat sent a sense of dread flowing through her veins. Lifting her head, she refused a sigh when her gaze was caught and held by none other than the gentleman she'd been hoping to avoid. Mr. Edgar Wanamaker. — Jen Turano

Is something the matter?" "I thought you'd prefer distancing yourself from Arabella. She just took to the floor with Mr. Sumner." Theodore narrowed his eyes as he searched the crowd. Sure enough, Arabella was in Grayson's arms, laughing at something the man was whispering in her ear. No one except him should be whispering in her ear. He took a breath and twirled Felicia around in circles, trying to get closer to Arabella. "What are you doing?" Felicia hissed. "I need to speak to Arabella." "From what I've heard, she doesn't want to speak to you. Eliza told me she's beyond annoyed with you." "Yes, well, I'm a bit annoyed with her at the moment, so we're fairly even. When we get closer to them, I'm going to hand you off to Grayson and take Arabella. — Jen Turano

I'm waiting with bated breath to hear what you'll say next." "Ah, sarcasm, how refreshing," he said pleasantly. — Jen Turano

The elderly gentleman somehow managed to look down his nose at her,even though they were of a similar height.
"From what I just witnessed, you were about to assault Mr. Addleshaw."
"Just because I was thinking about it, doesn't mean I was planning on seeing it through to fruition."
"A lady should never contemplate slapping a gentleman, especially not one of Mr. Addleshaw's social standing."
"I wasn't thinking about slapping him," Harriet muttered. "He deserved much more than a simple slap for being under the misguided belief that, simply because he has deep pockets, everyone should cater to his ridiculous whims. — Jen Turano

She reached the powder room and shut the door behind her, jumping in fright at the sight that met her gaze in the mirror, until she realized it was her reflection. She peered closer and grinned.
She looked deranged. — Jen Turano

It was fortunate she loved him because he really was an idiot. — Jen Turano

With that, Millie closed her eyes, kept them closed a good long moment, whispered an "Amen," then opened her eyes.
"Were you just ... praying?" Everett asked.
"I always pray before I proceed with a life-threatening situations."
"Does it help?"
"I'm still alive, aren't I? — Jen Turano

Francis blew out a breath. 'While I appreciate your concern, Mr. Murdock, Drucilla is not your average lady. She's a highly competent investigator who used to work for the government before she began working for Theodore. She's quite handy with a pistol, uses the fact she's a lady to lethal advantage, and I wouldn't dream of telling her I'm putting an end to anything, especially since I'm fairly certain she'd shoot me.'
Drucilla's eyes widened, and then she smiled a lovely smile. 'Why, that's the nicest thing you've ever said about me, Francis.'
'Don't let it go to your head. — Jen Turano

- You are exceedingly annoying.
- Thank you.
- It was not a compliment. — Jen Turano

I found unconventional and it exactly explains your upbringing." Millie's lips curved into a grin. "Unconstitutional doesn't explain you at all, unless you've been participating in something that goes against our country's constitution. — Jen Turano

Since I don't know what execrable means, I though I should look it up so I'll be better equipped to deal with whatever I'm about to see." Ignoring the ladies' tottering Millie continued perusing the pages until she found the word she was looking for. Lifting her head after she read the definition, she glanced around. "Begging your pardon Mrs. Cutling, but I don't see anything out here of a wretched or"- she returned her attention to the dictionary- "abominable nature. Although" -she flipped the pages to the A's -" I don't know what that means either. — Jen Turano