“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“Moonseed Manor did not look like a place to live. Moonseed Manor looked like a place to die.” ― Erica Ridley, Too Sinful To Deny
“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
“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
“But why should ‘clever’ and ‘curious’ be synonymous with ‘overlooked’ and ‘left behind’?” ― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower
“Be careful. Disguises are useful when used strategically, but if you wear them for too long...you can lose who you really are.” ― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower
“That’s what a society is. A group of people with agreed-upon methods of social extortion.” ― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“Moonseed Manor did not look like a place to live. Moonseed Manor looked like a place to die.” ― Erica Ridley, Too Sinful To Deny
“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
“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
“But why should ‘clever’ and ‘curious’ be synonymous with ‘overlooked’ and ‘left behind’?” ― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower
“Be careful. Disguises are useful when used strategically, but if you wear them for too long...you can lose who you really are.” ― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower
“That’s what a society is. A group of people with agreed-upon methods of social extortion.” ― Erica Ridley, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower
