Johanna Lindsey Quotes & Sayings

Stupid people always ignored good advice — Johanna Lindsey

In response to his question, she warned, "There will not be any more kissing. You were an excellent teacher. I graduated from your class."
He laughed,though he was quick to rejoin, "How disappointing. You were supposed to claim ineptitude and ask for further guidance. — Johanna Lindsey

But you don't let true happiness slip out of your grasp without one helluva fight. — Johanna Lindsey

She was the kind of gal that if she set her sights on a man, he'd be running in the opposite direction real quick. — Johanna Lindsey

Id you're finished picking out my flaws,maybe you'd like to tell me what you want now.I have other customers
"
"You."
"What was that?"
"I Want You. — Johanna Lindsey

Attitudes change once the die is cast, — Johanna Lindsey

I'm sorry I stood there like a half-wit, Count Petroff," she told him matter-of-factly, "but I was a bit
surprised. After all, it's not everyday that I see a man who's prettier than I am."
(Alexandra) — Johanna Lindsey

Ignore you, sweetheart? I think it would be easier to stop breathing.
-Vasili — Johanna Lindsey

My mother helped me to get past that. She was always there for me, until she dies. I remember she told me once, about big hearts and small hearts, and that not everyone could be blessed with a big one that had room to care for a lot of people. She promised me that mine was big, and that I was the lucky one for it. — Johanna Lindsey

Villains are meant to be hated. — Johanna Lindsey

And as for her sister,he wished a strong wind would just blow her away. — Johanna Lindsey

You have exciting eyes,Becca. Too dark to read, which cloaks you in mystery. Pink would offset that, don't you think?"
How was she supposed to think a'tall?! Her pulse was racing out of control. She could even feel him pushing himself against her hips!
"If we really were alone right now, I think I'd have to lift your skirt."
Whispered in his low,masculine voice near her ear, the outrageous remark made her draw in her breath so sharply she almost choked. It completely saved her and brought her to her sense.He'd stepped back as she coughed. She swung around, glaring at him, and was met with a cheeky grin.
"Will you throw yarn at me if I kiss you again?" he asked with a twinkle in his pale blue eyes. — Johanna Lindsey

It didn't even help that I had a man watching the house.I suppose he can be forgiven for not thinking Mary Pearson could be a threat."
"I knew about him," Rebecca replied. "I found him hiding in the garden this morning. I took him some cookies."
Rupert laughed. "Did you? How embarrassing for him, but that was probably my mother's spy.Mine would have been better hidden! — Johanna Lindsey

What is Chad short for?" she found herself asking out of pure nervousness.
"Short for?"
"It's a nickname,isn't it?"
"No,darlin',it doesn't get any longer."
She heard the humor in his tone,which annoyed her.It had been a natural mistake. The name didn't usually stand on its own.And she should take him to task over that "darlin'," except she'd heard for herself how common the use of that word was out here,no different than the old-timers calling her "missy," or the train attendant calling her "ma'am." It meant nothing. There wasn't a speck of endearment in it.
"Thank you for clearing that up for me," she said a bit stiffly.
"My pleasure."
She had a feeling he would have tipped his hat if he'd been wearing it just then rather than holding it in his hand. She'd like to tip his rocker over. He could be so damn irritating-no,it probably wasn't even him, it was her reaction to him,her nervousness, her-wanting him when she knew she couldn't have him. — Johanna Lindsey

Don't make me have to chase after you again, because there's no way in hell you can get away from me, lady. — Johanna Lindsey

What is a friend if not someone you feel close to, someone you like being with, someone you can confide in and share pleasure with.
-Jeremy Malory- — Johanna Lindsey

Rebecca saw red.The urge she had to fly at Elizabeth with her nails bared was too compelling. She couldn't resist it. That Elizabeth immediately stomped off wasn't going to stop her. She was going to cause the worst scandal London had seen in decades,and she didn't care! — Johanna Lindsey

No one's opinion mattered to Amanda except her own, and she was never wrong. That she was frequently not right was beside the point. — Johanna Lindsey

Anthony grinned at her, knowing that would probably infuriate her all the more. My eyes have been a-wandering, as you put it, for the last nineteen years. Give them a rest, Roslynn. They settled on you and don't want to move on. — Johanna Lindsey

Twas hard to dislike a man she so enjoyed in bed. Twas harder still to dislike one who kept showing her a more gentle side to his nature — Johanna Lindsey

I'm not beautiful, Becca. Only women are."
"On the contrary." She gave him a most tender look. "Angels are,too."
He groaned and rolled her under him again. "I'm not an angel,either. Angels don't have carnal thoughts like these." He kissed her deeply. — Johanna Lindsey

If you think I'm going to tell my wife she came in second place, you're out of your gourd. I'll convey the apology and not another bloody word. — Johanna Lindsey

Who is he?"
"Rupert St. John."
"Isn't he-oh,my,that handsome boy of Julie's? Well, that explains a bit, I suppose. He always did dazzle you whenever you saw him,didn't he?"
"Yes,until I got to know him," Rebecca replied, then wished she'd kept that grumble to herself.
Up went Lilly's brow. "Something else is wrong aside from the fact that you had to get married?"
"I suppose that the bride and groom hate each other could be considered a little something else," Flora said.
This time Lilly sat down.She started to say something, but changed her mind. She opened her mouth to start again, but again snapped it shut. Finally she burst out, "This sort of thing was never supposed to happen to you!" Then after giving herself a brief shake, she said, "Very well, as briefly as you can, please,so I can get beyond this sudden urge to go find a pistol. — Johanna Lindsey

You don't look like a Rupert."
Startled,he raised a black brow at her. "Dare I ask what I look like to you?"
"A hungry wolf."
He didn't laugh at the description, but he did abruptly release her. "Wolf, perhaps," he said drily. "Hungry? Not at the moment."
She had enough sense to guess she'd just been insulted. Had she touched a nerve perhaps? Good,because he was certainly touching too many of hers.
Regaining her balance after stumbling back from him,she went to straighten her skirt in an indignant manner,but forgot she wasn't wearing one.How could she appear to be offended while she was wearing britches? She settled for grabbing the hat off the floor and shoving it back down on her head.
The very idea! Not hungry at the moment? As if she didn't know he was implying she wasn't to his taste. — Johanna Lindsey

The Vikings did not believe in leaving their futures to the fates, but in carving their own fates . It was believed the gods would reward those who went forth valiantly to conquer and to gain. Vikings gave no account to meekness, or suffering patience. They fought for what they wanted. Defeat held no honor. — Johanna Lindsey

I never thought I'd say I'm so very glad you're a rogue instead of an angel. But I suppose it's all right as long as you're my rogue
- Rebecca - — Johanna Lindsey

Another step had her backed up against the wall, and he braced his arms on both sides of her. "I'm beginning to look forward to this marriage, just so I can spend the rest of my life making you miserable."
Alexandra was too angry to be intimidated.
"Misery loves company, sweetheart," she shot back. "So don't think I'll be suffering mine alone." She slipped out from under his arm and marched out the door. — Johanna Lindsey

Lady, no man in his right mind would want to kill you. There's many things I could think of that a man would want to do to you, but killing isn't one of them. — Johanna Lindsey

The servant wasn't amused. He still looked stern and suspicious, but Rupert had given his improvised explanation while walking toward the man and was within reach by the last word. He tried a punch first, grabbing the servant's shirtfront as he did so the man wouldn't land out in the hall. If that didn't work,he wasn't sure what would. He certainly didn't want to seriously harm the fellow,just knock him out and dump him out the window for the time being.
Half of that plan worked. The man did drop immediately and Rupert's hold on him kept him from falling loudly to the floor. He even got him to the window with ease, but the plan ended there. Priceless. The window frame was nailed shut for the cold months to minimize drafts. Bloody hell,it wasn't that cold yet. There were no large pieces of furniture to stick the man behind either. As a last resort, he dragged him back to the hall wall and just laid him down alongside it, so he'd be less noticeable to anyone passing by the room — Johanna Lindsey

His eyes were cold steel, his mouth fixed in a hard line. "I like my face the way it is," he said icily. "You scar it with your nails as you did my chest and I swear I will give you equal scars. Think about that, Sam, before you use your claws again."
Tears sprang to her eyes. "You're cruel, Hank. You leave me nothing."
"And what did you leave me when you stole my heart?" he asked softly.
She stared back at him, searching his eyes, seeing only naked honesty. — Johanna Lindsey

What do you mean,who? You just saw me talking to her!"
"If anyone was with you when I arrived, I'm afraid I didn't notice. My eyes were only on you. — Johanna Lindsey

Who said love was reasonable? — Johanna Lindsey

I think you would prefer to be happy in your choice,to make your first marriage be your only marriage.
Maria was right,of course. Going from marriage to marriage was not much different than going from man to man. Anastasia,at least,didn't see much difference in the two.She saw love as lasting forever. Anything less could not really be love. — Johanna Lindsey

Now that's the sort of love Richard had always been looking for, enduring, defying obstacles, reciprocated. — Johanna Lindsey

May I speak with his mother?"
"Of course,follow me."
The butler didn't go far,stopping at the door to the dining room to announce loftily, "Lady St. John has arrived, madam."
Rebecca heard a testy tone, from inside the room. "Are you blind, Charles? I'm sitting right here."
"The new Lady St. John. — Johanna Lindsey

If you can't laugh at your own characters, or shed a tear for them, or even get angry at one of them, no one else will either. — Johanna Lindsey

I was honest with her."
"You gave her your version-or mine?"
She flushed with angry color. How short that truce was! He expected her to play the role of the happy bride when he couldn't keep his insults to himself?
"I gave her facts,not assumptions. And this isn't going to work if you're going to continue to deliberately provoke me at every turn!"
He raked an exasperated hand through his long hair. "I'm sorry,that was unintentional. I will make every effort to guard my tongue in mixed company."
She narrowed her eyes on him, guessing, "But not when we're alone?"
"The pretense is for others, not ourselves. Neither of us is delusional."
"Of course not,far be it for me to think there's any reality in this. But if you think I can portray genuine smiles and bubbly happiness while around others when I'm so furious that I'm plotting your demise,well, think again! — Johanna Lindsey

She had simply shed the mantle of slavery as easily as she had worn it, making him realize that she had never really worn it at all. — Johanna Lindsey

She found the page, cleared her throat and began to read, " 'There was nary a doubt that I had ever seen such big ones, round and ripe. My teeth ached to bite them' " God, what tripe! — Johanna Lindsey

A moment later,the gunshot startled them all, well, all of them except Chad Kinkaid, who fired it. The dogs that had followed him in had still been barking around his horse's feet. The shot hit the dirt near them and sent them hightailing it elsewhere.
Amanda had squealed in surprise,one hand had flown to her chest and was still there. "Was that really necessary?" she asked derisively.
Chad Kinkaid pulled his hat back down over his forehead,gathered his reins in preparation of riding off, and with a lazy smile,said, "No,ma'am. It was a pleasure though. — Johanna Lindsey

You know, you really don't have to kill anyone over this. I'll get an annulment. It will be like never happened"
His eyes came to her, briefly meeting her gaze before dropping to her mouth. "You'll have to make that a divorce instead"
"No you don't understand. An annulment will be much easier to obtain"
His gaze locked with hers now. Cassie became slightly breathless with the intensity of his stare.
"Not after tonight, it won't." He said in his mesmerizing drawl.
"Why?" She barely got the word out.
"Because i'm in the mood to play husband"
"You're what?"
He started toward her. She was too stunned to move, so he was there and reaching for her before she had time to think about running.
"We're having a wedding night," he said as he lifted her off her feet.
— Johanna Lindsey

He wondered if her spy had stumbled upon his last night. When did he start thinking like his mother? — Johanna Lindsey

With my life comes my heart, yours now to crush or cherish as you will. It is my hope you will have a care in keeping both. — Johanna Lindsey

What you can't do is leave me!"
He was thrown back. There were still six crewmen standing against him. That wasn't deterring him in the least, however, which only infuriated her the more. The fool man was going to get tossed in the river yet.
She might do it herself. She was, after all, fed up with being told what she could or couldn't do. "And why can't I leave you?"
"Because I love you!"
He hadn't even paused in throwing another punch to shout that. Georgina, however, went very still, and breathless, and nearly sat down on the deck, her knees had gone so weak with the incredible emotion that welled up inside her. — Johanna Lindsey

Defeat held no honor. — Johanna Lindsey

At least you didn't need to change your breeches."
He glanced up again instantly, pinning her eyes with his, his own suddenly gone lambent. "Now why didn't I think of that? Would it inspire you to ravish me? — Johanna Lindsey

Rupert yanked Rebecca off her seat to the floor! If that weren't bad enough, he dropped down on top of her, not with his full weight,, but enough to make it uncomfortable.
Rebecca had,of course, heard the gunfire that had prompted Rupert's actions. She wasn't deaf. Still, annoyed, she asked, "Do you really think a shot is going to get through the back panel of a coach this sturdily built? And fired from a moving vehicle? Anyone aiming isn't likely to hit us a'tall."
"They're on horseback," was all he said.
"Even worse.Have you ever hit what you aimed at while racing along on a horse?"
"Yes."
She snorted,but believing him at all. — Johanna Lindsey

Writing was my first occupation, begun at age 23. — Johanna Lindsey

Are you ready to discuss what you're doing here?"
"Certainly-with your daughter." He suddenly swept Rebecca into his arms and carried her out of the room.
"Now just a minute!" Lilly protested behind the,.
Rupert didn't stop,in fact, he as nearly running up the stairs to the second floor. Incredulous,Rebecca pointed out, "She might follow us."
"She won't," he replied with typical male confidencec. "I suppose I'll have to try each of these doors to find out which one is yours,just as you did at my house."
He was doing just that,but she said, "Or you could ask."
He glanced down at her. "And you'd tell me?"
"Why don't you try that one." She nodded toward the door he'd been about to open. — Johanna Lindsey

Fancy finding you here," he said jauntily.
Nothing about it was fanciful, and she suspected he might have followed her. Why else would he be there?
"You've taken up knitting, have you?" she countered as she walked to the yarn section of the shop.
"No,I've taken up finding you alone. Nice of you to accommodate me."
His answer pleased her more than she could say, but she warned him, "I'm not alone."
"For the moment you are. — Johanna Lindsey

By your father's word has your life been given to me to protect. Now do I give you my life in return, yours to keep until the day I die.
Falon to Shanelle — Johanna Lindsey

Biding time is easy -- and gets you nowhere. — Johanna Lindsey

Anytime,anywhere,ask,and I am yours. — Johanna Lindsey

No one is going to know about this, or should I be more explicit?"
"Yes," she replied sharply. "I am brilliantly cunning and stupidly dense at the same time.Do continue treating me like a child."
"Your sarcasm is uncalled-for."
"I disagree.Actually,I will probably disagree with you henceforth whether I agree with you or not! I can behave like a child if you insist on treating me like one. — Johanna Lindsey

She paused, frowning as she sifted through her memories. "I think it was my mother who said it, that Kathleen married Frank Dunn just so she could leave Haverhill. I remember thinking at the time that that must have been a powerful desire she had, to see more of the world."
Or a powerful desire to get away from her small of corner of it, Chad was thinking. — Johanna Lindsey

You are not my wife yet, to concern yourself in my affairs."
"And when I am your wife?"
His conscience pricked him, making him snap, "You will learn not to question me."
-Royce to Corliss- — Johanna Lindsey

Lilly Marshall's girl?" Julie cut in.
"Yes,and presently-your daughter-in-law."
The older woman should have been bowled over, but Julie St. John did no more than set down her fork to ask in a somewhat aggrieved tone, "Which one married you?"
"Your eldest. It was a brief ceremony performed at sea just last week."
A big smile formed on her mother-in-law's face, shocking Rebecca. "I must say, girl, you have succeeded where all others have failed.I commend you! — Johanna Lindsey

Is there a reason you are here?" he finally demanded.
With complete nonchalance she replied, "Well,I've brought my trunks. I do believe I'm moving in."
"The hell you are!"
"Nice of you to welcome me in your usual boorish manner" was all she said to that.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. It made not a jot of difference that he'd just gone to Norford and back this morning to bring her here himself. That had been his idea.Her coming here on her own was her idea,and it make him suspicious.
"Don't start your manipulations already," he warned her. "Answer my question."
"Why am I still here? Shall we start with the obvious reason? Because I really am pregnant and once my pregnancy starts to show,I do not want to be in a position to have people ask me who my husband is and not believe me when I tell them that it's you."
"And the not-so-obvious answer?"
"Because you make me so furious that I spite myself to spite you! — Johanna Lindsey

They hadn't expected to find quite such a large gathering, however, and Anthony couldn't resist remarking, "My, my, how, what would draw so many children to this room in the middle of the night, I wonder? Jack and Judy aren't hiding behind you, are they? D'you get the feeling these younguns think it's Christmas already, James?"
James had already deduced what was causing so many red faces, and said, "Good God,take a gander at that, Tony. Even the Yank is blushing, damn me if he ain't."
Warren sighed and glanced down at his wife. "You see what your silliness has caused, love? Those two will never let me live this down."
"Course we will," Anthony replied with a wicked grin. "In ten or twenty years perhaps. — Johanna Lindsey

Damn," he said. "Have you been stuffing yourself with desserts just to prolong the suspense?"
She failed to note the humor in his tone. All she gathered from his remark was that he still didn't believe she was pregnant.
"You've found me out at last," she snapped. "I'm merely giving birth to a pastry."
"That's not funny,Becca."
"Neither was your absurd remark. Do you really think I like that my body is going to be disfigured? I hate it, but not as much as I hate you! — Johanna Lindsey

Anthony: Now lower your dress a little-
Roslynn: Anthony!
Anthony: This is no time for offended modesty ... You're the distraction.
Roslynn: Och, well, in that case.
Anthony: That's quite low enough, my dear ...
Roslynn: I was only trying to help,
Anthony: Commendable, but we want the chap to ogle you, not bust his breeches. — Johanna Lindsey

A word, Sir Jamie. Quickly!"
You may speak freely, Alwyn," Jamie sighed. "You are always making too mcuh of minor incidents."
You're no' going to believe it, Sir Jamie," Alwyn gasped. "But I swear every male Fergusson alive is outside our gate. — Johanna Lindsey

Do you know what would happen to you if I had found you then? This - and a helluva lot more. — Johanna Lindsey

Stop looking so bloody fetching," he said.
He might as well have knocked her over, she was that surprised. He felt he'd been enticed into kissing her because of the way she looked?! What sort of nonsense was that?
Hurt,and more than a little frustrated to have such a pleasant kiss end that way, she snapped back, "Excuse me while I go smear mud on my face," she pushed him out of her way to stomp down the corridor.
"You'll find some in the backyard!" he called after her in what now sounded suspiciously like amusement.
"Thank you!" she shouted back, not the least bit amused herself. — Johanna Lindsey

I don't actually listen to much music since I need quiet to work. — Johanna Lindsey

I suppose I could walk back.The house isn't that far away."
He lifted a black brow at her. "You'd rather walk a mile than ask me to take you back?"
The answer was absolutely yes, but she wasn't going to embarrass them both by saying it. At least she had an excuse to avoid such close contact with him, which she really didn't think she could handle. Being this close to him was bad enough because it was reminding her about that kiss the other night ... — Johanna Lindsey

Do for yourself, for no one else will. — Johanna Lindsey

You know,I think I'd rather freeze than continue this conversation. You've been warned.Proceed at your own risk."
He smiled. "I always do,darlin'. — Johanna Lindsey

You aren't even angry with me anymore, Stefan, so let me up."
He didn't budge. "It would be a misconception on your part, little Tanya, if you are thinking I have to be angry to make love to you." His head bent, his lips grazing her cheek all the way to her ear. With his warm breath sending tingles all over her, he continued in a whisper, "I wanted you last night, today a dozen times, right now more than ever. Tell me to love you, Tanya. Demand it of me! — Johanna Lindsey

You better think real carefully before you say anything, cateyes, because if you give me your love, I'm not going to let you take it back. I can't keep worrying about whether or not I can make you happy. I'll try my best but there isn't going to be any changing your mind later. Do you understand what I'm saying? If you're going to be my woman, there's no way in hell I'll ever let you go. — Johanna Lindsey

You've already slept the entire day. Why not take over for Matthew now?"
"You really think I could sleep with your eyes devouring me all day?"
Her face turned red with rage and mortification. That faker! She had been staring at him at various times throughout the day. She probably had his face so memorized that she could sketch it without his being present. But he couldn't keep his knowledge of that to himself? He had to make sure she was embarrassed right down to her toes?
But he didn't rub it in further. At least,she thought he was done with the subject when he lay down on his seat and turned his back to her. "Get some sleep yourself," he ordered. "You'll need to be at your best tomorrow, too."
She was just lying down when he added, "And keep your eyes off my arse."
Waves of heat crept up to her cheeks. That pretty much guarenteed that she wasn't going to get any sleep until he was out of the coach. — Johanna Lindsey

It could have been called the scam of the century, their pretense of a happy marriage,yet as several weeks passed and it continued with such perfection, Rebecca had to pinch herself to keep from believing it herself. — Johanna Lindsey

They had a nice,if not private, reunion before Rupert joined them. He didn't exactly ruin it, but if he insisted on enacting their pretense tonight, even for her mother,it surely would. Unfortunately, he entered the room wearing a horribly bright lime-green dinner jacket that had his mother immediately scowling at him. So even after that kiss upstairs, he'd decided on an evening of humorously baiting his mother again. Bad timing, with her own mother there, or maybe not.At least it kept Rebecca's own mood light for the moment, since she knew why he did it.
Nor did Julie hold her tongue, remarking in disgust, "I see your taste is still beyond flamboyant. You're a bloody peacock, Rue."
He actually looked behind him as he replied, "I thought I had my feathers tucked away nicely. — Johanna Lindsey

And here I thought you were actually going to behave yourself," he said.
"It's going to get worse if they don't keep their hands off you."
"I suppose you're going to tell me now that only you have the right to touch me."
"I see we understand each other. — Johanna Lindsey

I was already planning to return home because it's getting harder and harder to hide my morning sickness.If there were another option,guess what? I'd take it just to spite you! But marriage to the most unfaithful skirt-chaser in London isn't an option, and you've already had my answer. It's not going to happen."
"It will," he insisted.
"Ha!"
"You don't think so? Then I guess you won't mind when your pregnancy is announced in the newspapers."
She sucked in her breath, livid with rage. "Why would you do that?"
"Because you've finally inserted some doubt in my mind,and as long as there's even a speck of it,let me assure you, I will be damned before I allow any child of mine to go to strangers."
"Why don't you just be damned! — Johanna Lindsey

Scream now, Duchess, while you've got the chance. You won't get another. — Johanna Lindsey

James stared at him for a moment, a brief moment, before his stonelike fist landed in Richard's gut. Wrong answer. Try again. — Johanna Lindsey