Cindy Anstey > Quotes

“Please, I do not wish to be rescued by a gentleman. Could you find a farmer or a shopkeep - anyone not of the gentry - and then do me a great favor of forgetting you saw me?”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“I shall be considered completely beyond the pale if I am dashed upon the rocks. Aunt will be so uncomfortable. Most inconsiderate of me.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“Juliana was momentarily at a loss for words, a strange condition for her. It didn’t last long.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“Spencer’s brows furrowed and his gaze went from her hand to her mouth. The singular way in which he was staring made Juliana feel rather heady, as if she were about to float away.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“Bobbington seemed to be lost in thought. A lion dressed in a lavender bonnet would likely not have drawn his attention.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“To know that you thought nothing of meeting someone you supposed to be me on a deserted lane is very telling.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. You trust me.”

“Of course. You have proved time and time again that you have my best interests at heart. A lady will always trust her knight in shining armor.”

“Is that what I am?”

“Yes. Oh most definitely.”

“I quite like that. Knight in shining armor. Yes. Chivalry and all that.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“The wonderful aspect of books is that they wait for you … and are not in the least insulted if you deviate for a bit.”
― Cindy Anstey, Suitors and Sabotage

“Next time she flew off a cliff, she would try to remember to wear her worsted skirts. Perhaps then, ouch, she would not have to suffer additional bruising.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“I will grab your other arm, you will close your eyes, and up you will come. Back on terra firma."

"This is terra firma. " Juliana pointed with her nose to the rugged cliff wall.

"Yes, but I doubt very much that you want to stay there."

"I like the idea of dangling in the air so much less.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“She was now overburdened with thoughts of tardiness and broken wheels while her solicitor's emissary thought nothing of being mysterious.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Robert?”
“Yes.”
“Can you think of any reason why two persons who care deeply for each other … who love each other … should not make a match of it?”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“I have come to a conclusion.” Lydia tried to stifle a yawn.
“Have you, indeed?”
“Yes. I have decided that I do not like adventures or surprises. Highly overrated.”
Robert’s soft chuckle drifted through the dark.
“More of a misadventure, my dear Lydia, and certainly not a surprise, which are generally thought of as pleasant things. No, best label today a shocking misadventure and not rule out surprises altogether.”
“My father thought them overrated, too.”
“What? Surprises? No, no. Surprises are unexpected guests, a beautiful flower among the rocks, or a woodland trail that opens up to an astonishing vista.”
“Lovely when you put it that way, but there are some surprises that are not pleasant in the least.” Lydia’s thoughts remained fixed on her father. “Hence my lack of appreciation.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Robert gestured Lydia ahead of him across the threshold of number nineteen. Once inside, the atmosphere was entirely different from his previous visits. Silent calm had been replaced by chatter, laughter, and scolding that bounced into the three-story entrance from various regions of the house. There was a smell of newly lit fires, and the accompanying puffs of smoke, as well as the enticing aroma of cooking wafting up from the kitchens. It was a bustling, busy household.
Shodster stepped into the hall and rushed toward Robert, hands outstretched ready to take Robert’s hat and cane.
“Thank you, no. Miss Whitfield and I are going for a walk.” Robert took a half step back. “We will be leaving shortly.”
Looking to Lydia for confirmation, Shodster nodded. “I do beg your pardon, Miss Whitfield. I was not here for the door. It will not happen again.”
“Worry not, Shodster.” Lydia shrugged. “I learned how to open a door some time ago. The trick is to turn the handle.”
The butler blinked at Lydia’s lightheartedness. “Yes. That would, indeed, be the trick.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Juliana shut her eyes again. She squeezed them so tightly that colors danced inside her head. Or was that because she wasn’t breathing? It could be either one.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“In which a sensible young lady must choose between the peril of a careening carriage and mud … deep mud”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“This whole state of affairs was nothing short of a disaster.
"Frowning, Lydia plopped--very unladylike--onto the firm morning room settee.
Disaster. Her father would not appreciate the word's use--too much emotion, smacked of an indecent amount of sensibility.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Might as well take the bull by the horns. Tomorrow it is."
Lydia watched Lord Aldershot wend his way out of the garden, taking the west gate to the stables. She wasn't too sure that she liked that analogy. A bull? Was she the bull or its horns? Neither sounded flattering.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Prudent and practical, rational and restrained - all excellent sentiments. Though discreet and careful could be another approach.”
― Cindy Anstey, Carols and Chaos

“I’m quite certain that Mr. Drury will no longer be a problem.”
She laughed again, though Robert could tell it was through tears. “Yes, he will be out from under my roof before you can say guilt by association.”
“What about your uncle?”
“No, he is being paid by the estate until I’m one and twenty. He’ll probably stay, more’s the pity.” She sighed deeply. “If I had been the son my father wanted, it would not matter—”
“I am glad you are not a man, Lydia. I quite enjoy your company just as it is.”
“Thank you, Robert.”
He could hear a smile in her tone.
“You will come to visit me, won’t you? Even if the world forsakes me.”
“Of course. Though I refuse to talk of ribbons and gewgaws to make up for your lack of womanly society.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Don’t you agree?”
“Indeed,” Robert answered without thought, and then sharply shook his head. “I beg your pardon. You were saying?”
“That Mr. Warner is a thorough investigator, and despite his doubts, I believe he will succeed in ferreting out our master criminal.” She stared up at him from the settee, looking quite at ease.
“Master criminal?”
“Yes, Les and Morley could hardly be accused of the cleverness needed for such a planned endeavor.”
“Yes … no…” With a frown, Robert scanned the room. “Indeed, a master … Where is Mr. Warner?”
Lydia laughed, a delightful carillon. “Robert, my dear friend, you were woolgathering. I thought as much; your expression was rather blank.”
“Was it?” Robert was very glad to know that he did not look the lovesick calf he felt.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“You have your own category in entomology you are so beetle-brained.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“The Kembles had arrived.
Robert’s grin faded, and he pursed his lips in great disappointment. This was not a good time to pay a social call. He looked up at the entrance, hoping Shodster would somehow be aware of his presence and throw the door open, welcoming him in at this most inconvenient time. He willed it for some moments to no avail. The door remained closed, and Robert stood on the step staring at it stupidly.
Well, the good butler could hardly be blamed. The man would have only just arrived as well and was not likely yet up to snuff. His uncanny awareness and ability to see through doors might take a few more days to perfect.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“... her gaze was focused on Mrs. Lundy, who stood nearby with a tray of oil, salt and wine. They would be used to anoint the chosen log before it was unhitched and the farmhands carried it into the manor. While coal was used to heat the rest of the Park, the large hearth in the grand hall entrance had been built for this express purpose. Mrs. Beeswanger said that sentiment and prudence insisted on a place suitable for the luck-bearing Yule log. An instrument that consumed mistakes and bad choices could not be overlooked.”
― Cindy Anstey, Carols and Chaos

“She quite enjoyed the intensity of the stranger's gaze whenever their eyes met, and her sudden shortness of breath was not in the least alarming.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“Still, most fathers would want to see their child happily settled.”

“Yes, indeed. He would be one of the first to wish me well … but…”

“But?”

“Change is not his ally. Father doesn’t realize it, of course, but he falls into a decline whenever there is the slightest deviation of his routine. He leans on it most heavily and would tumble if the prop disappeared. Even my summer away will be detrimental to his well-being.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes, indeed, most heartily. I have reports that he has not been eating as he should. Needs my cajoling, I suspect.”

“Still, your papa would not want to see you sacrifice your happiness for his.”

“No more than I would want to sacrifice his happiness for mine.”

“Dear me, that is quite the quandary.”

“Yes, quite.”

“He might be more adaptable than you think.”

Juliana held up her hand to stop his continuing protest. “Do not believe it is in any way a hardship on my part. I have other interests that keep me well occupied.” She could safely allude to her research without actually tipping her hand.

“Such as watercolor and arranging flowers.”

“Not to mention walking around with a tome on my head.”

“Yes, I can see how that would keep you busy.” He paused and glanced at her bonnet, as if the imaginary book were sitting on it. “Would you read said tome?”

“Of course, especially if were something truly fascinating like Latin verbs.”

“Or how to grow grass.”

“Exactly.” Juliana laughed, quite enjoying herself.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“Cora’s weak smile disappeared entirely, and she eyed Lydia in such a way that Lydia began to regret her approach. But the die was cast—the deed was done, in for a penny, in for a pound. Might as well take the bull by the horns. Lydia was fully aware that in her anxiety she had overused her metaphors.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“How did you learn to be a dullard in so many different ways?”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“She would create such a to-do that Mr. Pyebald would be required to explain, or slink off to hide in a deep dark hole, infested with snakes and rats … maybe a spider or two … knee deep in sheep and pig slop … cold and miserable.”
― Cindy Anstey, Love, Lies and Spies

“Robert.” It was a sigh and a call at the same time. She ignored the lump in her throat and called again.

In an instant, her view was obscured. “Lydia!”
They were eye-to-eye, and neither said anything for a moment or two.
Finally, after an audible gulp, Robert spoke in a whisper. “Are you all right?”
“I’ve had better days,” she said in seriousness, and then realized the absurdity of her words and chuckled. “I’m covered in dirt, cuts, and bruises and sporting a lovely goose egg above my ear. One of my favorite gowns is nothing but a ruin, but other than that, I am fine. And now that you are here, I am better.”
“Thank the Lord. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear you say so. I have been imagining all sorts … well, let’s talk about this later.”
“Yes, when we don’t have to whisper through a wall.”
“Indeed.”
“So what is the plan?”
“Hmm … well, plans are a little lacking at this moment. I had expected to rush in and simply grab you, but there are three guards by the door. I procured a thick stick, but three to one … well, not good odds. My second idea was to loosen some of these boards and pull you out. I have also acquired a horse. So once out, we can sneak or run, whichever is the most prudent.”
“Yes, but the getting-out part seems to be the problem. For, if I am not mistaken, none of the boards on this side of the barn are loose, and the other sides are too close to the villains.”
“There does seem to be a decided lack of cooperation on the part of the building. I have, however, noticed something that might offer another possibility. It would require a great deal of trust on your part.”
“Oh?” Lydia was almost certain she was not going to like this new possibility.
“Yes. There is a hay door above me. Is there a loft inside?”
“Are you thinking that I should climb a rickety ladder to the loft and then try to escape through the hay door?”
“Just a thought.”
“How would I get down?”
“That would be the trust part.”
“Ahh. I would jump, and you would catch me.” Lydia visualized her descent, skirts every which way, and a very hard landing that might produce a broken body part.
“Yes. Not a brilliant plan. Do you have another?” Robert sounded hopeful.
“Not really. But might I suggest a variation to yours?”
“By all means.”
“I will return to my cell and get the rope that the thugs used to tie me up.”
“They tied you up?”
“Yes. But don’t let it bother you.…”
“No?”
“No. Because if they hadn’t, then I wouldn’t have a rope to lower myself from the hay door. I can use the one they used on my feet; it’s thick and long.”
“I like that so much better than watching you fling yourself from a high perch.”
“Me too. It might take a few minutes as I must return to my original cell—I escaped, you know.”
“I didn’t. That is quite impressive.”
“Thank you. Anyway, I must return to my cell for the rope, climb the ladder, cross the loft to the door … et cetera, et cetera. All in silence, of course.”
“Of course.”
“It might take as much as twenty minutes.”
“I promise to wait. Won’t wander off … pick flowers or party with the thugs.”
“Good to know.”
“Just warn me before you jump.”
“Oh, yes. I will most certainly let you know.” With a deep sigh, Lydia headed back to her cell, slowly and quietly.”
― Cindy Anstey, Duels & Deception

“There was no doubting the intensity between them; it was ever present, heat smoldering under the surface. Had it not been for a voice from within the manor berating them for leaving the door open, reckless and rash might very well have been their option - their only option.”
― Cindy Anstey, Carols and Chaos