A Chance Encounter Quotes

“But she knew she would not sleep until she had somehow sorted through her thoughts about the night before. She pulled a chair to the window, blew out the candle, and sat looking out onto the moonlit lawns and trees.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“I can't," she whispered. "I am so afraid, Robert. I am afraid to love again."

"I know," he said, "but I am afraid not to. Look ahead, Elizabeth. Ten years. Twenty years. Thirty. Can you bear to think of the emptiness? I cannot. I need you and I believe you need me just as much. Come back to me, love. Please.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“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.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“One thing at least was beginning to clarify itself in Elizabeth's mind. Their separation had not been brought about by his lack of love or by cruelty. Somehow there had been a massive misunderstanding. For six years each of them had believed the other at fault. Each had carried the pain and the bitterness all that time.”
― Mary Balogh

“He had suffered as much as she. She closed her eyes and laid her forehead in one shaking hand. What a revolutionary thought! She had accustomed herself for so long to the idea that he was a heartless wretch. Had he just been her own very dear Robert all the time?”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“They had told each other their stories, yet had failed to understand what had happened. And they had parted. It was all over.

But why should that be? They had loved each other passionately six years before, had defied their families in order to marry, and had grieved for each other ever since. They loved and wanted each other now. Why should they be apart forever? Had they not suffered enough?”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“But she had to try. Her own love for Robert was a strong pain that she would have to bear for the rest of her life if she must. But if there was a chance that he loved her too and that their separation had not been of their own making, then she felt compelled to try to make possible a reconciliation. She had to put every ounce of effort into the attempt.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“It is a long story, I'm afraid, sir."

"Yes," he agreed, "they usually are.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“Go back to sleep. There will be no more dreams.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“But it felt so good, so good to let someone else carry her burdens for just a little while.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“And at least then she would be certain. If rejection was to be her fate again, she could at least then begin the dreary task of piecing together a meaningless life. Anything was better than this endless waiting.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“Elizabeth slept for the rest of the night, somewhat comforted by her decision to do something.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“We know you are wretchedly unhappy and we cannot do much to ease the pain.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“This is your home, but it is mine no longer. I have to find my own place.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“What was the point of waiting for a more pleasant post? There was no such thing as pleasure in life for her anymore.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“She really did not care. Not anymore. It was safer not to care.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“What are you doing here?" she asked.

"It seems that you ask me that every time we meet," he said, "and I always have the same answer. I wish to talk to you.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“Do you not know me well enough," he asked, "to know that I would have come to you as fast as horse could gallop at any time I had received such a letter from you in the last six years?”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“It seems to me that the two of you have had your marriage blighted by misunderstandings and suspicions and missed opportunities.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“I am weary, Robert," she said, turning to face him, "so weary of the misunderstandings, the waitings, the confrontations. I have trained myself since losing you to avoid strong feelings and unpredictable circumstances. I have learned to value tranquility."

"And have you been happy?" he asked gently.

"Happy?" she repeated, eyes flashing. "Happy! Happiness is a much-overrated emotion, my lord. I was very happy once and I ended up more miserable than I knew it was possible to be. I am not interested in happiness. I wish to be left in peace.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“I cannot now believe that we allowed all those things to happen to us without blazing a trail back to each other. I cannot quite understand why I did not fight my way through hell, though God knows I believed I had done all I could. I was so damned young.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“This is the man who loves you, darling, who has loved you for six long and lonely years. Open your eyes and look at me, love.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“It is all over now, love," he said, a smile lifting one corner of his mouth. "We do not have to part ever again. I can take you home with me.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“No, it is too late, Robert," she said tonelessly. "There has been too much pain for you and me. I cannot face making myself vulnerable again.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“I wonder if I shall understand you even at the end of a lifetime," he mused, folding his arms across his chest.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“It had been surprisingly easy to begin a new life.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“I have excellent hopes," he said. "I have ached for you for six years, and you have suffered too, I know. I love you now as I have from the beginning, and you love me. I believe we have a chance for a good marriage.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“Will it be the same?" she asked. "Will the magic be gone, Robert? I am afraid to go back.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“Some things always remain the same. We are not the same people we were six years ago. We will have to get to know each other again. But our love has survived, has it not? Can we not give it a chance again, Elizabeth? You do love me, do you not?

"Yes," she admitted hesitantly against his coat, "I always have."

"Well," he said, chuckling against her hair. "You have sealed your doom now, love. You cannot expect me ever to let you go after you have admitted that, you know.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter

“Oh, Robert, please kiss me," she begged suddenly. "Make me forget all my fears.”
― Mary Balogh, A Chance Encounter