Lydia Drake > Quotes

“We’re all products of the people who’ve loved us, ma’am. At least, that’s my opinion on the matter. We’re also formed by the people who didn’t love us. Sometimes it makes us hard, or heedless, but I don’t believe anyone’s ever finished becoming themselves. If that makes any sense.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“I used to think I was a gambling man,” the duke said. “But you are the one thing I won’t risk.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“Someone with your…evident charms,” he growled, “should be married. You’re the kind of woman that men yearn to satisfy. Though I doubt the lucky bastard who could match you exists.” Susannah gasped. Gentlemen did not curse in front of ladies. Julia had always hated that custom. Most men treated women as if they were children. This duke was no gentleman, but in his own odd way he’d shown her respect. He didn’t find her merely desirable. He found her capable.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“Mrs. Woodhouse, do you have any brothers?” “Sadly no. Three younger sisters.” Julia’s heart slowed with her relief, but only for a moment. “I do have a cousin, though, who might as well be a brother. We grew up together in Northumberland. He’s staying with us for the Season, as it happens.” Julia could not stop herself from speaking the name. “Mr. Lucas Campbell?” “Oh! Have you met before?” Elizabeth appeared delighted by the thought. Julia felt as if the ground was cracking open beneath her feet. She needed to behave well; she couldn’t afford for anyone to gossip. “We met years ago.” Thankfully, she kept her voice light. “Now I know where I thought I’d seen you before. The two of you bear such a strong resemblance.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“Not because Julia herself was a wretched woman; no, she was and remained a damned goddess. But Gregory’s great curse remained, his inability to be enough. He could give her pleasure, he could lavish her with gifts, but he couldn’t inspire her with eternal fidelity. He just didn’t have it in him to be loved so completely.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“Julia probably thought he was off for an erotic escapade, but he could disabuse her of those notions. Honesty, why, it could be just the thing to change her opinion of him. To have her see him with clearer eyes… “I don’t understand.” His mother put down her quill, leaving the letter she’d been writing unattended as she gazed at Gregory in befuddlement. “What’s this doing here?” “This,” said his nurse calmly, “has finished his tea and would like to spend an hour with you in the parlor.” The memory made him flinch. Gregory had been all of five years old at the time, but he hadn’t dared to approach his mamma for a hug. He didn’t think he could recall ever receiving one, in fact. “Take him to the park if he’s got nothing to do. Honestly.” His mother returned to her letter. She didn’t even notice when Gregory left the room. He looked out the window, giving himself a moment to calm down. Though his parents had been absolute beasts, even beasts loved their children. Gregory himself had been deficient, that was the only explanation.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“Then again, when he’d told her of Felicity, he’d seen the most extraordinary change come over her. She’d always looked at him with interest and amusement. This had been different. She’d looked at him as if she might respect him. If she does, she’s a bloody fool. He’d taken in Felicity, but only out of spite for the type of parents who’d raised him. Gregory hated seeing a child tossed aside as not being good enough. He knew that pain himself only too well. Still, raising a child out of spite for people who were long dead wasn’t the act of a good man. Goodness had been incidental.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“She had grown somehow more beautiful in the days since they’d last met. Maybe it was the dress she wore, one of the concoctions Gregory had paid Mrs. Maxwell to create. Julia glittered like a diamond in a gown of cream silk with crushed blue velvet accents. And there was something about the way she came alive when surrounded by books that excited him further. It was one thing to desire a beautiful woman, but a beautiful woman with a keen mind only fed the ache in his loins and the fire in his blood. Because ladies were discouraged from anything too mentally taxing, Gregory adored a woman who devoured knowledge for its own sake.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“Gregory?” Julia’s voice gentled. She had noticed the sudden change in him. “Please talk to me.” Talk was the last thing he wanted from her now. He didn’t want to talk or to think. He didn’t want to continue to hate himself in front of the one person he was beginning to adore. Gregory didn’t speak the truth. Instead, he lashed out with a lie. “Very well, if you must know. I’m tired of waiting for our bargain to be completed.” He practically growled the words as he turned to her, and Julia shrank back in surprise. “If you’re not interested in your duties as a wife, then say so and I’ll be on my way. But your indecision has interfered with my plans, so either return to the house and find your way into my bed, Your Grace, or bid me farewell.” Julia never spoke, only watched calmly as Gregory finished and rose, tromping off to collect his ward. Felicity was still hopping near the creek, gleefully squealing whenever Miss Winslow attempted to get her under control. “Felicity!” he shouted. That got the child’s attention. “Put your shoes on and return to the house at once—” “Your Grace?” Miss Winslow kept one hand to her bonnet, trying to stop the wind from snatching it away, and pointed at something behind him. “The duchess is leaving.” Gregory whirled around in shock and saw that the governess was right. Julia had taken her horse and was currently riding it in the exact opposite direction of the house. She cantered farther ahead, into the heart of the storm as the clouds burst open and rain began to pound the countryside. Dear God, she’d be soaked and catch her death, or else thrown from her horse in the storm and break her neck. “Damn everything to hell,” Gregory snapped. He raced for his own horse, saddled up, and rode hard after his errant wife.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke

“You and I,” she said, “make quite a pair of rogues.” “A charming rogue on my part.” “Neither of us has met society’s expectations. We have that in common.” “What are you saying, Miss Beaumont?” “A normal gentleman would’ve proposed marriage, but you’re no ordinary gentleman and I’m certainly no ordinary lady.” Julia waved her retrieved slipper. A warped fairy tale, indeed. “Therefore, I will propose to you. My dear Ashworth, we should marry as soon as possible.”
― Lydia Drake, Cinderella and the Duke