Quotes from Mary Balogh

It is just that I have always been determined, you see, to marry someone I loved.

studied its architecture and intricate decoration

And what may I do for you?" Jane had intended to try to draw her away to the refreshment room, but it seemed they were

She could feel the old pain and despised herself for allowing it still to hurt. But how she had loved him!

She did not doubt that he would help her. But she would not be beholden to such a man. She would fight her own battles, as she always had.

At the age of fifteen she had begun to train herself to cultivate a friendship where she had longed to entice love. For fourteen years she had held that love only in the deepest, most secret recesses of her being and been his friend with the rest of herself. He had never known.

Had he really held her and kissed her, not in anger, but in real need? Had there been tears in his eyes when he first lifted her against him? Had he called her 'darling,' as he had done during those days in Devon? And he had been going to take her to bed. She could have made love with Robert last night. Her needle paused above her work as shivers sizzled up her arms and along her spine.

Oh, Robert, please kiss me, she begged suddenly. Make me forget all my fears.

And you must not be in a hurry to fall in love or to imagine that you should be in love with someone. You are very young, Cecily. Be sure that when you do marry, it is to someone you can trust completely.

She hoped he would come today. She dreaded the thought of having to go through all this again tomorrow.

Actually he was glad the moment had come at last. Soon now it would be in the past and he could forget about it.

Life is fraught with risks

Perhaps today was all that mattered. Perhaps today was all anyone could expect. Perhaps tomorrow was always an illusion that never came.

He was so very different, she thought. She might have passed him on a deserted street and not recognized him. And yet he was so very much the same. Her heart pounded its recognition. He might have been hidden at the opposite end of a crowded room and she would have felt his presence. Gerard.

And he had felt the need to see her again, to put a definite end to something that had never ended.

She did love him. She always had, even when she had hated him most.

By God, he thought, she was a fascinating person. She was going to take some knowing, some understanding. For the first time in a long while he began to doubt his artistic abilities. How would he ever get her right? And what would he do if he never could? Paint her anyway? ... if you do get to know me, please let me know what you discover. I have no idea who I am.

Wept for the death of an ardent and immature love that had been unable to bring any comfort or peace to the beloved. And wept for the woman he had taken to wife with such high ideals—the woman who had just killed herself rather than face a final illness with only his arms to comfort her. Wept for his own frailty and infidelity. For his own humanness. He

Was it only little more than an hour ago that she had left this room so full of hope and happiness? She had not dreamed that her newfound love would be so effectively shattered in such a short time.

He was fully aware that it was already too late for simple friendship between them.

I love you,' he whispered again, against the top of her head.

I do hope you have not made it an impassioned speech, the duke said doubtfully. That would not be my style at all, you know.

Oh, I say, someone said enthusiastically, do I smell a wager?

For there is no guilt in harboring a forbidden love.