Erica Ridley > Quotes

“At this, the duke stopped mid-step and nearly choked with laughter. “Beg your pardon, Sheffield.” He cast a speaking glance at his sister then turned his merry gaze back to Benedict. “Did you try to get your way?”
Benedict lifted a shoulder with a self-deprecating smile.
The duke clapped him on the shoulder, unabashed. “You’ll learn soon enough.”
Benedict gazed down at Lady Amelia. “I believe I already have.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“There’s a Lady Amelia Pembroke here to see you, my lord. She was most insistent.”

Benedict glanced up from his desk. “I trust you informed her that I was not receiving, and refused to let her in?”

“Of course.” The butler hesitated before continuing, “She said she would simply wait until you are receiving.”

Benedict put down his pen. “Wait where, pray?”

“Upon the front step, my lord. I’m afraid the lady brought... the lady brought... a book. She cannot be budged.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“Ravenwood ran a hand through his wavy chestnut hair, upsetting the careful work of his valet.

Or not. Given the popularity of the “frightened owl” hairstyle today, Amelia couldn’t fathom much effort being involved at all.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“The ladies, I daresay, will have already selected silk gowns and appropriate jewels," the countess droned on, "and are quite capable of comporting themselves in line with both propriety and fashion.”

“I don’t care about fashion,” Lord Sheffield murmured into Amelia’s ear, “but I’m sorely disappointed whenever a lady I escort decides to comport herself with propriety.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“She would've made an excellent pirate.”
― Erica Ridley, Too Sinful To Deny

“That’s not a catalog!” Amelia's brother set aside his empty glass and plate to peer across the maplewood table. “Why the devil are you reading Debrett’s Peerage?”

“It most certainly is a catalog," she replied, "and the most expedient one at my disposal. I’ve decided to take a husband. His name must be within these pages.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“We should go,” he said gruffly, his face inscrutable.

“Why?” Her heartbeat thundered. She gripped his arms tight to keep herself from twining her own about his neck.

He lowered his mouth to her ear, brushing it with a feather-soft kiss. “It isn’t safe.”

Her answering shiver had nothing to do with the cold. She had never stood so close to any man, had never fought the urge to press herself even closer.

“What could happen?” she whispered.

He cupped her face in his hands. “Anything.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“Masquerades are frivolous, scandalous—” “Scandalous?” “People in costume lose their minds completely. The ‘ladies,’ if there are any, have been known to be free with their favors and dampen their gowns to make them more transparent—” “I did bring a bowl of water, in case you wished to blend with the masses.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“Who said the soirée needs to take place in the same old ballroom?" Amelia arched a brow. "All we need is a new venue.”

“We?” Ravenwood reared back, horrified.

“Not you, dear brother. Viscount Sheffield and I.”

“Does the poor flat even know who you are?” Ravenwood burst out.

Her smile turned calculating. “He’s about to.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“Moonseed Manor did not look like a place to live. Moonseed Manor looked like a place to die.”
― Erica Ridley, Too Sinful To Deny

“What shall we say when people ask us how we met?”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “We’ll say I was in my nightrail, brushing my hair in peaceful solitude, when you climbed up to my balcony and—”

“Do you even have a balcony?”

She pursed her lips. “You’re not invited upon it, regardless.”

He gave her a slow, naughty smile. “No one’s ever *invited* to scale a balcony.”
― Erica Ridley, The Earl's Defiant Wallflower

“My butler informs me you had a book on your person when you came to call.” She did not look up. “His vision is excellent, my lord.” “Was it your journal?” he pressed. He wondered if she kept a diary as well . . . and what she might write about him. He hoped something scandalous. He’d love to make it come true.”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“Most often, when the subject of money arose, the government’s aim was to put coin in their pockets, rather than give aid to those who had none.”
― Erica Ridley, The Governess Gambit

“He tasted like Edmund, smelled like Edmund, felt like second chances. He kissed her as if she were as indispensable as air. As though his every heartbeat belonged as much to her as it did to him.”
― Erica Ridley, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride

“Who we are at any given moment is a combination of our past experiences, present situation, and potential future.”
― Erica Ridley, The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress

“Everybody carried their unique hopes, dreams, and passions in their hearts. The trick was finding someone who shared them. Or would at least listen.”
― Erica Ridley, The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress

“I am yours. It's both as dramatic and as simple as that.”
― Erica Ridley, Midwinter Magic

“He leaned back. “What, may I ask, is the nature of our business?” She inclined her head. “Just so. It came to my attention earlier today that you had canceled the seventy-fifth annual Christmas Eve ball. I would have called upon you immediately, but I’m afraid a prior engagement tied my hands until this very moment.” He tried to make sense of her words. She was apologizing for not descending upon him more promptly for a meeting he’d never in his wildest dreams anticipated?”
― Erica Ridley, The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

“Despite the constant stream of visitors to her door, being a courtesan was as lonely as being a wallflower. The men didn’t want her. They wanted a quick release with someone who, by definition, they needn’t bother caring about.”
― Erica Ridley, Taming the Rake

“She knew scotch from whiskey, had no trouble counting markers, and almost certainly dealt her cards from the bottom of the deck.  She was absolutely shameless.  He hadn’t had this much fun in years.”
― Erica Ridley, The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress

“He stole her first kiss. And then he stole her heart.”
― Erica Ridley, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride

“Enough about me. Tell me about Princess Marigold. Ever been on a pirate ship?”
― Erica Ridley, Let it Snow

“The power of unconditional love came from the knowledge that one possessed it.”
― Erica Ridley, The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress

“His problem was the innocent, unmarried, unaccompanied maiden seated in the parlor of an infamous, immoral, cynical ex-soldier.”
― Erica Ridley, The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress

“She turned to him with wide, shocked eyes. "Why did he..."
His lips twitched. No coarse language in front of the infants limited the ability to discuss the fountain of baby piss that had just arced halfway across the room.
"Twasn't you, darling. It's one of their favorite bath-time games.
"Something about the cool air on their naked...berries," he substituted at the last second....
"Do I have piddle in my hair?" she whispered, her eyes sparkling with laughter above her flushed cheeks.
"Not much," he assured her with a straight face. "You look almost becoming."...
"Decades from now, when our children ask how I fell in love with their mother, I'll say 'twas her sweet, gentle compliments during bath-time, and her fleetness of foot whilst dodging a flow of ---”
― Erica Ridley, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride

“But why should ‘clever’ and ‘curious’ be synonymous with ‘overlooked’ and ‘left behind’?”
― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

“Every morning," he said softly, his breath caressing her cheek. "You were my only thought." He tilted closer. "Every night, you were my only thought." His lips brushed her cheekbone. "Every moment of every day, you were my only thought.”
― Erica Ridley, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride

“Feelings are never immaterial,’ said Elizabeth. ‘The more you try to hide them, the more volatile they become.”
― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

“I may be dead inside, but I'm more than alive enough for you." He gripped her chin and covered her mouth with his.”
― Erica Ridley, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride

“From the second Edmund burst into the ceremony, she'd no longer wanted to be a duchess.
She just wanted Edmund.
Seeing his face had been like being flooded with magic. He was sunshine and sultry nights.
Laughter and sensuous kisses. The other half of her heart.”
― Erica Ridley, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride