Julianne Donaldson Quotes & Sayings

What have I done to deserve that look? He asked in a low voice so that nobody else could hear. — Julianne Donaldson

We both stood there, as if on the brink of a cliff, and I didn't know if I moved if I would fall to hell or soar to heaven. — Julianne Donaldson

Isn't that what a gentleman does? Rescues a damsel in distress? — Julianne Donaldson

Don't think because I like to tease you that I don't take you seriously," he said in a quiet voice. "It is an honor to know what's in your heart, Marianne. — Julianne Donaldson

His arms surrounded me, pulling me close, holding me as if I was infinitely precious. I burned and trembled in his embrace. — Julianne Donaldson

I promise, Marianne Daventry," he began.
"I promise that I do not love you for your money — Julianne Donaldson

There's something solid and constant about trees." I said quietly. "They may change through the seasons, but they're always there. They're dependable. — Julianne Donaldson

I was jostled, and I pushed back harder, desperate to escape the tumult, when a hand snatched at mine. It was Philip's, and looking over my shoulder I saw his lips move - he said something - but I couldn't hear what. Everything was too loud and too whirling and too hot. I tripped over dancing feet, and then an arm was around my waist, and Philip pulled me out of the dance, where his mother waited with a worried expression. I sat in a chair by a window. Philip leaned over me, looking very worried, and Lady Caroline was there, too, fanning me and asking what had happened. — Julianne Donaldson

There are some favors that can't be bought, and some kindnesses that should only be given freely. — Julianne Donaldson

You are brave and loyal and true. You have such a good heart." He held my hand close to his chest and covered it with his other hand. "It is only afraid. But I would take such good care of it, love, if you would give it to me. — Julianne Donaldson

I'm gratified to know that I provide you with so much entertainment," I said, my voice sharp with sarcasm. His eyes lit up, just as they had at the inn when I had started my game. "Are you really?" he asked. He leaned closer. "In that case, I will tell my mother that you plan to entertain us all with a song later." I gasped. "You'd never." He smiled broadly, then turned to his mother and said, "Mother, I have discovered that Miss Daventry is an accomplished singer. You must persuade her to perform for us later. — Julianne Donaldson

I think of marriage differently. A Companionship of like minds. A tie that binds, yes, but in the binding comes strength. A lifetime with your dearest friend as your truest and best companion. That is what it can be. I believe that. — Julianne Donaldson

I can never look at a bird without thinking of you," he said. "I wonder what you will do with your wings once you have found them. I wonder how far away they will take you. And I fear them, for my sake, at the same time that I hope for them, for yours. — Julianne Donaldson

Philip: "You are even more beautiful when you're angry"
Marianne: "Don't be absurd"
Philip: "I'm not"
Philip: "You should see yourself, with that flash of fire in your eyes. And when you press your lips together like that, a dimple appears in your left cheek, right next to your mouth. I find it ... maddening — Julianne Donaldson

You don't want to be loved for your misfortune; I don't want to be loved for my possessions. Are we not similar in that way? — Julianne Donaldson

The sensation I
had experienced vanished like smoke from a snuffed candle, leaving behind wisps of nameless
longing. — Julianne Donaldson

He held my gaze for a long moment. I realized that the fire was very warm, and that I was standing very close to a very handsome gentleman who held my hand in his. Philip looked down. "You brave girl," he murmured, running a light finger along my palm. It was so soft a touch that it did not hurt at all. But it did send a wave of feeling through my hand, up my arm, all the way to my heart. I had never experienced such a sensation before, and I found it completely unnerving. — Julianne Donaldson

Words alone were ambiguous, unreliable. But what could be reliable, if not words — Julianne Donaldson

Philip Wyndham! That is the most inappropriate thing I have ever heard, and if your mother were here she would give you the scolding of your life! In fact, I have half a mind to go tell her what an atrocious, incorrigible, scandalous tease she has raised." He didn't look the least bit chagrined. He just smiled and said, "If my mother were here I wouldn't have said it. That was for your ears only." And then he winked. I stared at him in disbelief. There was no stopping him. He had no limits to how far he would go with his outrageous flirting. — Julianne Donaldson

It is so refreshing to be treated with contempt. — Julianne Donaldson

I looked at the titles on the bookshelf and found a book on Greek mythology next to a book of poetry, which was flanked by a book on German philosophy. "How are these organized?"
"They're not."
I turned to him. "How do you find anything? There must be thousands of books here."
"I like the search. It's like visiting old friends. — Julianne Donaldson

It was wild and dark and grand and tall and fierce and haunting all at once. And it thrilled me to the core. It thrilled me and it frightened me, for it whipped at my carefully closeted heart, much as the wind had whipped at my hair and skirts and sent my bonnet tumbling. — Julianne Donaldson

I don't think I have ever met a lady like you, Miss Marianne Daventry, and I would feel very sorry to forget anything about this evening — Julianne Donaldson

My heart would obey me, I was certain. I simply needed to be strict with it. — Julianne Donaldson

I reread my grandmother's letter and realized with a deep sense of contentment that I had not had to change at all in order to have every hope for happiness in life. I had not had to learn to sing for company or to behave like Cecily or to stop twirling. I could be myself and be loved deeply. I was, in fact, a lot like Meg, who had always been a racehorse, I just hadn't known it. — Julianne Donaldson

I am not going to pretend to write a love letter to another man. — Julianne Donaldson

He looked heavenward with a sigh. "Are you always this stubborn?" I thought about it for a moment. "Yes, I think I am." Philip's expression wavered between exasperation and amusement. Amusement won with a reluctant laugh. — Julianne Donaldson

I have never been told that I snore. I am sure you're mistaken." He grinned.
"You snore like a big, fat man."
A laugh burst from me. I was sure he was lying. "Stop it," I said, swatting at his shoulder. "You are so inappropriate. What gentleman tells a lady she snores? — Julianne Donaldson

Dear Philip,
I don't imagine you will ever read this. If you do, it is bacause something dreadful has happened to me. I find myself in the hands of a dangerous man. I am determined to fight him but before I do, my heart demands that I write this note to tell you that I love you. I am sending my heart to you in this letter so it will be kept safe from whatever may happen to me tonight. I don't know if you want it or not, but it has always been yours.
With all my love,
Marianne — Julianne Donaldson

The decision is not mine to make," Philip said. "I promised Meg to Miss Marianne for the duration of her visit. You will have to ask her. — Julianne Donaldson

If I leaned toward him, something would happen. I was sure of it. But if I leaned away, nothing would happen. So I stayed perfectly still, balanced between something and nothing, not knowing which way I wanted to fall. — Julianne Donaldson

When I look into your eyes, I lose all sense of time and place. Reason robbed, clear thought erased, I am lost in the paradise I find within your gaze. — Julianne Donaldson

You are not The Giver of My Heart's Desire." I took a deep breath and smiled. "You are my heart's desire. — Julianne Donaldson

Are you ready for your lesson in romance? Philip asked with a teasing gleam in his eye. — Julianne Donaldson

I have discovered happiness in being true to who I am. I hope you will give that idea some consideration. — Julianne Donaldson

Mr. Beaufort: "Then why do you want to know?"
Philip: "Because I would never make her say the words. — Julianne Donaldson

You are bright and fun and delightfully unexpected. You are brave and compassionate and selfless. And you are lovely beyond measure. I want you, all of you, just the way you are." He drew in a breath. "If you will have me. — Julianne Donaldson

Kate," he whispered, stepping closer to me, "you are not like your mother. You are a different creature from your sisters. The depths of your soul are fathomless. You are brave and loyal and true. You have such a good heart." he held my hand close to his chest and covered it with his other hand. "It is only afraid. But I would take such good care of it, love, if you would give it to me." He bent his head and pressed his lips to my fingers. — Julianne Donaldson

We'll have a duel in the morning on the moors. Plenty of fog. It will be quite dramatic, I daresay. — Julianne Donaldson

I thought you said he didn't hurt you. His voice was harsh. When he looked into my eyes, my heart turned over. He looked angry and rather dangerous, and all the more handsome for it. — Julianne Donaldson

I will always want her," Philip said in a quiet, furious voice. "Always! There is nothing you could do to change that. — Julianne Donaldson

But this was one contest he would not win. For I had painted my heart into that picture, and I would not let him have it. — Julianne Donaldson

I did not want Philip - that handsome, incorrigible, charming tease who stole hearts he had no intention of keeping. — Julianne Donaldson

I stood up, suddenly very upset, and took a step away from him. Philip grabbed the hem of my gown. "Wait," he said, laughing. I looked down at him, my hands clenched into fists. "Please don't leave," he said, a cajoling smile turning his lips up charmingly. "I won't do it again." Well, at least he knew why I was upset. But the idea of him not doing it again? Hah! I raised an eyebrow in deep skepticism. "In the next five minutes," he added with a chuckle. — Julianne Donaldson

My heart swelled until I felt as if it might take over my entire being. I had landed in heaven. This was heaven. — Julianne Donaldson

You stole my heart the night we met, when you sang that ridiculous song and dared me not to laugh. and every moment I have spent with you since then, you have stolen more and more of me until when you're not with me ... " He drew in a breath. "When you are not with me, I am left with nothing but longing for you. — Julianne Donaldson

Do not let anyone else's expectations direct the course of your life. I have discovered happiness in being true to who I am. — Julianne Donaldson

Philip stood with the tip of a sword pressed into Mr. Beaufort's throat. I saw another sword on the floor. Neither gentleman looked toward the door. Philip looked perfectly in control, his sword bending the skin of Mr. Beaufort's neck without piercing it. When he spoke, though, his voice sounded so fierce I hardly recognized it. "Tell me what you did to her."
"I made sure you wouldn't want her anymore."
"I will always want her," Philip said in a quiet, furious voice. "Always! There is nothing you could do to change that."
Mr. Beaufort sneered. "Then why do you want to know?"
"Because I would never make her say the words. And because I want to know how much I should enjoy running you through. — Julianne Donaldson

I promise not to love you for your misfortunes — Julianne Donaldson

Very well." In a voice as cool and detached as if he were critiquing a work of art, he said, "Starting at the top: your brow is marked with intelligence, your gaze is direct, your features are delicate, your skin is fair, your voice is refined, your speech reflects education ... " He paused. "Even the way you hold your head is elegant." I was suddenly, excruciatingly self-conscious. I dropped my gaze, my face on fire. "Ah, yes," he said softly. "And then there is your modesty. No milkmaid could have blushed like that." To my mortification, I felt my blush deepen until the tips of my ears were tingling with the heat. "Shall I continue?" he asked with a hint of a laugh in his voice. "No, that is quite enough, thank you. — Julianne Donaldson

I feel caged. Always. I feel like I am this bird, trapped and stifled and caged, and I keep looking for a way to escape, but I am barred at every turn. — Julianne Donaldson

Did you need something?' I asked.
'Yes,' he said, reaching out and taking my hand. My heart thumped hard at his touch. I told myself I should pull my hand away, but I couldn't make myself do it.
'What did you need?' My voice was little more than a whisper.
'Your smile. I haven't seen it all day. — Julianne Donaldson

Big cows,"
thump
"lumps of meat"
thump
. His eyes widened. "Give me milk"
thump
"warm and sweet"
thump. — Julianne Donaldson

A man does not need encouragement to lose his heart. — Julianne Donaldson

It was difficult to not compare the two men as they stood together. Mr. Beaufort was certainly dashing, with his stylish golden hair and the flair of his dress. But seeing him next to Philip, his appeal faded greatly in my mind. For it was obvious, comparing them side by side, that Mr. Beaufort was like a set of paste jewels - flashy on the outside but really an imposter, with nothing of great value within. Philip, on the other hand, shone like a real gem - without even trying. His clothes were just as well-made as Mr. Beaufort's, but he wore them with a natural, athletic grace, and he didn't employ any extreme fashions to create an impression. He was purely elegant, naturally, without thought or planning, and upon looking at them, I found that I would infinitely prefer the real gem to the imposter. — Julianne Donaldson

Don't think because I tease you that I don't take you seriously. — Julianne Donaldson

I think the most profound beauty is found in what our hearts love. — Julianne Donaldson

How could you not know that there is nothing in the world I want as much as I want you? — Julianne Donaldson

Of course, one must always take into consideration the modestly of the lady. Too subtle and she may miss your meaning all together. Too strong, and she may never look you in the face again. — Julianne Donaldson

A strong hand suddenly grasped my arm above the elbow. My eyes flew open in surprise. It was that hateful, arrogant man from earlier, standing a few steps below me. He looked at me with a strange expression on his face. It almost looked like ... concern. What did he want? I tried to ask him, but the walls were falling in on me again. I closed my eyes tightly. "I think you're about to faint," a low voice said. Whose voice was it? It was too nice to belong to that man. I shook my head and said weakly, "I don't faint." And then darkness rushed up while I swooped down. We met in the middle and it swallowed me whole. — Julianne Donaldson

-Hardly knowing what i was doing, i began to hit the table with one hand as i sang in a low voice. Big cows" -thump- "lumps of meat" -thump. His widened. "Give me milk" -thump- "warm and sweet."
I stopped abruptly, pressing my lips together as I realized what I had just sung. The ridiculousness of it struck me forcibly and I knew I could not goon without laughing. We stared at each other,locked in a stalemate, his eyes brimming with laughter, his lips trembling. My chin quivered. Against my will, a sound burst from me. It was a very unladylike snort.- — Julianne Donaldson

Did he hurt you? The emotion I was trying to suppress clawed at my throat, unleashed by the gentleness in Philip's voice. Without warning, a tear slipped down my cheek. I swiped it away. — Julianne Donaldson

There was no escape from being unwanted. And that was the truth that struck at me the most deeply. — Julianne Donaldson

How do you like her?" Philip asked, nodding toward Meg.
"She's perfect." And she really was. "Just spirited enough to keep it interesting without being difficult to manage. And so beautiful." I patted her neck and flashed him a smile. "A gentle mare would have never been able to keep up with you."
He smiled, too, but as if at a private thought. "You are absolutely right. — Julianne Donaldson

Philip. I have never been outside of England. I've never even been to London. Do you know what I would give for your experiences? How could you possibly think you would bore me?"
He didn't answer, but there was such a look of delight in his eyes that I had to ask, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You called me Philip. For the first time. — Julianne Donaldson

Henry lifted his head and looked directly at me. I froze where I stood, feeling as if he had just told me a secret with that look. It was new . It was a question and a statement and a quick, hidden secret all at once.. — Julianne Donaldson

Now you also know what it is to be wanted and loved. — Julianne Donaldson

To my unsuspecting love.
When I look into your eyes, I lose all sense of time and place. Reason robbed, clear thought erased, I am lost in the paradise I find within your gaze.
I long to touch your blushing cheek, to whisper in your ear how I adore you, how I have lost my heart to you, how I cannot bear the thought of living without you.
To be so near to you without touching you is agony. Your blindness to my feelings is a daily torment, and I feel driven to the edge of madness by my love for you.
Where is your compassion when I need it most? Open your eyes , Love, and see what is right before you: that I am not merely a friend, but a man deeply, desperately , in love with you.
Longing for you. — Julianne Donaldson

I had to be different ... so I would not be inferior. We could not occupy the same space together. Like horses in a race, I was tired of jostling for position and losing. I chose a different course so that losing would not be an option. — Julianne Donaldson

A trap closed around my heart, and in that moment, I was helpless. Whether she loved me for my money or myself, whether she loved me at all, whether her heart was even available for the winning ... none of it mattered. I was smitten to the core. — Julianne Donaldson

What do you think, Philip? Won't she be all the rage?" I couldn't look at Philip. He would undoubtedly say something polite, which everyone would know was a lie. But then, when he didn't immediately answer, I had to look at him. I was so surprised by what I saw that I looked twice. Philip held his mother's gaze with a hard look in his eyes. A muscle jumped in his jaw. He almost looked angry, but I couldn't fathom why her words would spark such a reaction in him. Lady Caroline's smile turned hard - almost mocking - from across the table. After a tense silence, he finally said, "Undoubtedly. — Julianne Donaldson

I hope you do not let anyone else's expectations direct the course of your life. — Julianne Donaldson

Dear Marianne, I have engaged the services of a respectable nurse to care for your coachman during his recovery. A carriage will arrive at noon to convey you and your maid to your destination. The carriage you arrived in will be transported back to Bath. I have also taken the liberty of sending a message to Edenbrooke to inform them of your impending arrival. I trust I have left nothing undone. Your obedient servant, Philip — Julianne Donaldson

I know my heart. It has always been yours, Kate. Always. — Julianne Donaldson

I felt like I did the first time I had been thrown from a horse, with the reins yanked from my hands and the ground rushing up at me. Then, as now, there was nothing I could do to prevent the pain that was coming. — Julianne Donaldson

I felt a crack in my defenses - a weak place where truth knifed and twisted and pried for an opening — Julianne Donaldson

Where is your compassion when i need it most? Open your eyes, love, and see what is right before you: that I am not merely a friend, but a man deeply, desperately, in love with you. — Julianne Donaldson

I was, er, twirling," I said. His lips twitched. "I cannot imagine it. You must demonstrate for me." I glared at him. "I certainly will not. It was not meant for an audience. It was just something I did because ... " I waved my hand around, at a complete loss for words. — Julianne Donaldson

To be so near you without touching you is agony. Your blindness to my feelings is a daily torment, and I feel driven to the edge of madness by my love for you. — Julianne Donaldson

He crossed the room to me and grabbed me by the shoulders. In three steps, he had me backed up against the bookcase. Before I could do more than catch my breath, he took my face in his hands and kissed me. — Julianne Donaldson

You needn't believe in something for it to be real, miss — Julianne Donaldson

I could be myself and be loved deeply. — Julianne Donaldson