Regency Historical Romance Quotes

“He wanted her. He wanted her body in his bed and her defiant spirit in his estates.”
― Sadie Bosque, A Deal with the Earl

“No, my dear. I think women are more intelligent. But we should be wise enough not to show it and definitely not to voice it. At least, until after marriage.”
― Sadie Bosque, A Deal with the Earl

“Life was a gamble. One never knew what tomorrow would bring. That shouldn't make her afraid to live though.”
― Sadie Bosque, A Deal with the Earl

“His lips burned as they touched her own. She gave a little gasp under his mouth before being completely smothered by his fire.
He wanted her, she understood in amazement. And it was not the fact that she was capable of attracting a man which surprised her—for she well knew her own value—but that it was this particular man, who had already filled her with a tempestuous rage, was now capable of making her feel quite another way. Of unlocking her with his lips, making her feel like a quivering flame within a frail woman's body, smoldering with a burning desire she had not even known she was capable of possessing.”
― Fenna Edgewood

“Do you mean an actual conversation, or one where I talk and you avoid my questions, concerns, and doubts? Because we've already had that.”
― Sadie Bosque

“She was no longer fearful for her future or that of her sister's. He was heaven-sent.”
― Sadie Bosque, A Deal with the Earl

“Love? Was that what it was? Willingly forgiving another? Accepting them as they were?
While also wanting to kiss them until you were both breathless?”
― Fenna Edgewood, Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake

“What fools men were to look only for diamonds when a precious pearl stood right before them.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake

“He was gleamingly, smolderingly beautiful, like a pure medieval knight or a young King Arthur stepping off the pages of a painting.
Though it was always Lancelot who was shown with fair hair like Linden's, those long strands of dark gold and amber softening the hard planes of his warrior-strong face. Did Lancelot have a mouth like Linden's? Full and strong and sensual? Suggesting unspeakable delights if one could only unlock the man who possessed it?
Was it a mouth like this which undid Guinevere?”
― Fenna Edgewood, Once Upon a Midwinter's Kiss

“He tasted like every wicked thought she’d ever had, only better.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Kiss Me, My Duke

“I'd rather a man prove his worth with deeds, not words.”
― Mimi Matthews

“She cleared her throat, let go of the rail, and stood up straighter.
“Because I have come here today to ask you to marry me.”
His lips twitched.
“It is not funny,” she cried. It was, of course, but she did not wish to be laughed at. Particularly when he had not answered.
“You must admit, it is a little funny. To an outside party, we must be exceedingly comical.”
“Yes, well, it is the worry of an outside party that is the reason we are here in the first place,” she muttered, looking down at her feet.
A finger was placed gently under her chin, lifting her head up.
“Pray, continue.” His dark eyes were serious, his lips playful. It was an irresistible combination. “It is the first time I have been proposed to and I must admit I find the experience intriguing.”
Her eyes flashed. “I have already asked. It is now your turn to answer.”
His amused expression deepened.
“Oh, no. You have not asked. You merely announced your intention to ask. There is a large difference between stating the purpose of your visit and posing the question. Wouldn’t you say?”
― Fenna Edgewood, Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake

“When a man prepared to duel, he would bring a second. When Claire met with the Mortons, she would bring a sister.
Heaven help Charles Morton if he tried to cross them both.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake

“What was it about this man and his presence?
When Thomas touched her, the dance took on a new quality it had not had with William.
While she had been nervous at the closeness between their bodies when his brother led the waltz, Thomas provoked other sensations entirely. William exuded a sense of safety. His presence was unfamiliar, but stolid. Even comforting.
But Thomas… Everything about Thomas screamed danger to Claire. Yet she was mesmerized.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Mistakes Not to Make When Avoiding a Rake

“The evidence was there before my eyes, but I could not believe it. I did not want to believe it. It was only when my sister forced the matter that I was compelled to accept the truth—that my wife had been seduced by my best friend, and was with child by him.”
― Fenna Edgewood, The Seafaring Lady's Guide to Love

“I am very disappointed, Philip,” she said, still stern.
“I know, Cherry,” he accepted. “But… she did claim she was my wife.”
“She did,” she acknowledged. “Knowing nothing of your history or who you were, she did say such a foolish thing.”
― Fenna Edgewood, The Seafaring Lady's Guide to Love

“Refusing to meet his eyes, she looked at his mouth instead. It was a beautiful mouth for a man, she had to admit. Full and sensual, yet masculine. A layer of dark stubble coated the bottom half of his face. Apparently, Mr. Calvert did not shave as frequently when he traveled. There was something rather erotic about the contrast between the alluring lips and the rough dark hair. Something which almost made her want to run a finger over his skin, to touch those lips, to feel that layer of stubble. Would it be rough to the touch or was it softer than it looked?”
― Fenna Edgewood, The Seafaring Lady's Guide to Love

“This man brought out something wicked in her. A boldness of spirit long dormant.”
― Fenna Edgewood, The Seafaring Lady's Guide to Love

“She was in bed, quite naked. A man’s mouth was roaming all over her, free as could be. Lips caressing her mouth, her neck, then covering her breasts.
Her arms were wrapped around him, her hands tangled in his thick dark hair.
She gave a little moan and rolled over.
A little too far over.
She landed on the floor with a thud.”
― Fenna Edgewood

“She felt herself leaning forward, and sucked in a breath to steady herself, then wished she had not, for immediately the fresh, sweaty, sun-soaked scent of him filled her nostrils, fueling the mad urge to reach out a fingertip and graze that triangle of skin, a desire of such intensity she could hardly breathe or move.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Once Upon a Midwinter's Kiss

“Gracie's first thought was that it was unfair a man should have such a sinfully beautiful mouth.
Her next was that it was made for seduction and unspeakable delights.
And her third was that it was made for despair—for despair was what she could not help but feel as she stared at this young man, who seemed a strange and uncanny reflection of herself. Not only a more perfect specimen of manhood than she could ever pretend to be in her feigned garb, but a man who reflected her very soul back to her without even seeming to realize it, more herself than she was, yet in the way that fire complimented frost, or the ocean reflected the stars.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Once Upon a Midwinter's Kiss

“You loved me for me, no matter who that was. You fought for me. You almost died for me. My heart was yours from the moment I met you. I gave it, freely, never expecting to receive yours in return. Now I ask you to be my husband, for I am desperate to be your beloved wife. With the two of us bound together as one, we will never lack for joy. We will take on any sorrow, any challenge, and face it together. I love you, Linden Chevalier. Have I said that already?”
― Fenna Edgewood, Once Upon a Midwinter's Kiss

“Are you mad?” Briar gasped. “I’m not going to marry either of you!” She shook her head frantically. “I have no plans to marry in the immediate future. I most certainly will not limit my prospects to… to… Well, I’m sorry Percy, but…”
“Me?” Percy retorted. He pointed across the carriage. “What about him? He’s a gardener! You can’t tell me you prefer him to me.”
“Neither of us are ideal suitors,” Wren said firmly. “I am sure on that Percy and I can agree.”
“Well, I certainly—” Percy began, only to be silenced by a glare from Wren. He pursed his lips.
“But yer prospects, I’m afraid, Lady Briar, are limited to the men in this carriage. Or I suppose ye could extend yer field of choice to the men riding with us. Though some are sure to be married already. Angus, for one.”
“Angus!” Briar exclaimed. “I have no wish to marry Mr. Macleod, thank you very much. Not that he isn’t a good man in his way, I’m sure,” she added hastily.
“Oh, yes,” Percy said dryly. “He has only kidnapped you and Mr. Spencer here, then gone back on his word to me. He’s sure to make you a wonderful husband.”
“Shut up, Percy,” Briar snapped. “I am not taking a husband.”
“Ye shall, and ye must,” Wren said tersely. “It’s no’ a matter of wanting or no’ wanting. Ye’ve been placed in a terrible position, Lady Briar. What would yer brother say?”
“He’d likely just shoot first and talk later,” Briar said sweetly. “And in this case, I might not blame him. I have reached the point in our journey where I should like nothing more than to be taken back home. Preferably immediately.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Lady Briar Weds the Scot

“Love was indeed pain. And to love so deeply meant to be susceptible to an equally deep agony.”
― Megan Walker, Lakeshire Park

“He ought to be ashamed of his boldness, but he could not find it in himself to be. He needed her. He wanted her. He had to touch her. Now.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Kiss Me, My Duke

“I was so lonely,” he heard her say, and he felt her body shaking. “There seemed no point in saying yes, no point in saying no. So, I simply did as he wanted.”
“Your father?” Henry said, with understanding, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her hair gently. He held her close, in the dark of the foyer, letting his hands and his arms speak for him.
She was safe, they said. She was loved, they said. He would never let her feel that way again.
He felt her nodding.
She lifted her head. “You did not let me finish before,” she said, her eyes widening with some unspoken news. “In the alcove. You distracted me.”
She hit him playfully on the chest as he grinned at the memory of how he had indeed distracted them both.
“But I had been trying to tell you…” She began.
“Wait,” Henry said, with a frown. “Did you hear that?”
“What?” She said, looking ever so slightly annoyed. “Let me finish this time, please, Henry.”
“A baby,” he said, looking around the foyer wildly. “I thought I heard a baby.”
He looked back and was shocked to see her looking unconcerned.”
― Fenna Edgewood, Masks of Desire

“Your Grace,” she said, quietly. “Did you have a good dinner?”
“What are you doing here?” He frowned, ignoring her question. “This is hardly proper, Miss Mackenzie. If you wished to speak with me, you should have waited until morning.”
The blatant deception fanned the flames of Maggie’s fury.
“I have no wish to speak with you at all,” she cried. “Nor to be near you in any way. Yet here I am. Commanded once again. Summoned once again.”
She felt herself begin to shake. “I tell you, it ends now. I will not stand it. No matter what you believe I am. I will not be that to you, Lance Carlisle.” She called him by the name she had known him by in her childhood. When she had believed him a prince. “Your uncle may have used me as he liked, but I will not be used again.”
She could hear herself, practically shouting now. Any footman passing by in the hall would hear.
Well, let them.
In the heat of her words, her arms had fallen to her sides. Her hands were clenched now, her fingernails biting sharply into her palms. She gasped, looking down, to see traces of blood from small half-moon indentations.
The duke was looking at her, his mouth partly open. The cravat he had been undoing, hung untied around his neck. Now he snatched it off with one hand, as he looked at her bloodied hands.
“Maggie,” he said, his voice low. “What are you talking about? What have you done? I did not ask you here. Will you not talk sense and tell me what has happened?”
She watched him take a deep breath. “I do not know how to convince you of this, but I only wish to help. That is the God’s honest truth of it, Maggie. I have no wish to harm you.”
“You called me here, to your room. You told her you wanted me,” Maggie whispered. There was a tinge of doubt in her voice now. Could he hear it?
She watched his face change, harden with anger. Against her?”
― Fenna Edgewood, A Duke for All Seasons

“He hurt you. If I had been here then… I would tear him apart with my bare hands if he were still here, Maggie. Believe that.”
She trembled, then nodded slowly. “I… do.”
The duke nodded. “Good.”
Abruptly his face changed. An expression of shock came over him. She looked around the room, confused, then realized he had glanced down at her gown. And in that moment, Maggie realized she had let go of the robe. It hung open, revealing the plane nightdress beneath. Which would not have been so terrible had it not been so thin, so pale white, so clinging. It clung to every curve.
She clutched the robe, pulling it closed quickly, but she knew it was too late.
“Good God, Maggie,” the duke said, hoarsely. “Tell me you are not…”
He met her eyes. “Tell me I am being foolish. I am a man. I know little of such things. I am sorry to have even dared to look at you in such a way. I must be mistaken. But…Tell me, truly, am I mistaken?”
Maggie’s throat was dry. She felt frozen in place. Unable to even shake her head, though she wished to.
Then he took a step forward, towards her, and she let out a little cry—her arms raising protectively, instinctively.”
― Fenna Edgewood, A Duke for All Seasons

“Annabella was like a light, a beam of pure joy. She radiated kindness and creativity. She helped him sort through his struggles, and she ignited something inside him no one else had.”
― Laura Rollins, A Pocket of Stars

“She didn’t need the tiny bell to be aware Captain Caulfield had entered. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it across the room.
He stood at the door in his great coat and topper like any other man, but he appeared more striking. He spoke with Mr. Miller. Every so often he glanced in her direction, dipped his head ever so slightly and sent her heart racing.
- The Lady and Her Quill”
― Ruth A. Casie, The Lady and Her Quill