Silent on the Moor Quotes

“Oh, yes. I mean to marry him. But not because I want him to give me a life. I want to marry him to share the life I already have. The difference, I think you will find, is a significant one.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“I stepped closer still. He closed his eyes again and covered my hand with his own. 'You smell of violets. You always smell of violets,' he said. 'You've no idea how many times I have walked these moors and smelled them and thought you were near. On and on I walked, following the scent of you, and you were never there. When I saw you in the hall tonight, I thought I had finally gone mad.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“What virtue is there in a man who demonstrates goodness because he has been bred to it? It is his habit from youth. But a man who has known unkindness and want, for him to be kind and charitable to those who have been the cause of his misfortunes, that is a virtuous man.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“After a moment, he turned sharply to me. 'Are you quite all right?'

'Yes, perfectly. Why do you ask?'

'Because I have just called you contrary and you did not bother to contradict me. I thought you might be ill.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“I will make arrangements for you and Portia to return to London the following day. I will be closing up the house. I am leaving England for a while."
"For how long?" I asked him, determined to keep my composure.
"Until I am quite recovered from you," he said evenly.
"When will you return?"
"Never.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“A tiny smile played over his lips as he glanced down at my hand. "Do you mean to win me over with feminine wiles? I must admit it is a more diverting notion than your usual method of screaming at me like a fishwife."

I did not rise to the bait. I simply looked at him. "Please."

He caught his breath, a slow smile warming his features. "My god, you are trying to seduce me."

"I am not." I said primly. "I am merely trying to get your attention."

He bent swiftly and kissed me hard, pulling back so suddenly I nearly toppled over. "I believe I have already made it quite clear you have my attention.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“I had a vision of you, the first time I stepped into Grey House, the night Edward died. That was why I kept staring at you while he lay on the bed, convulsing between us. I had seen you standing before me, your hand in mine. I could not hear what was said between us, but there was a sense of belonging to you, as if I had always known you somehow, and you had been waiting for me. It came as rather a nasty shock to realise you were already married.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“I think people are much the same wherever you go. Some of them good, some of them clever, and some of them with the devil in them.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“Have you not yet learned that it is easier to pull a star down from the heavens than to bend a woman to your will?”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“It seemed a very great folly to attempt to force a declaration from him, but it seemed a greater folly to let him go. If there was a single chance at happiness with him, I was determined to seize it.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“If one has a purpose, life is bearable enough, do you not think so?”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“Brisbane continued. “I have led a selfish life, and I have enjoyed it. I cannot imagine a life without my work, and I cannot imagine a life without you, and yet I cannot reconcile the two.” My heart, which had given a joyous leap in the middle of his speech, faltered now as I realised what he was trying to say. “I never thought to ask you to give up your work,” I began. “But how can I ask you to sit idly by and wait for me to return when every time I kiss you goodbye might be the last?” “Oh, don’t!” I told him, fully enraged. “How dare you blame your cowardice upon me?” His lips went white, as did the tiny crescent moon scar high upon his cheekbone. “I beg your pardon?” “Cowardice,” I said distinctly. “You hide behind this pretence of fine feeling because you will not declare yourself directly and this gives you a perfect excuse, does it not? Spare poor Julia the horror of being widowed a second time. Put her up on the shelf and keep her out of harm’s way whilst you amuse yourself with your dashing adventures.” He opened his mouth to speak, but I stepped forward, tipping my head up to rail at him. “I am quite disappointed that you have revealed yourself to be so thoroughly conventional in your philosophy. Have I not proven myself a capable partner?” I demanded. “Have I not stood, side by side, with you, facing peril with equal courage? If you thought for a moment that I would be the meek, quiet, obedient sort of woman who would sit quietly at home mending your socks while you get to venture out into the world on your daring escapades, you have sorely mistaken me.” I turned on my heel and left him then, gaping after me like a landed carp. It was a very small consolation.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“I may not read tea leaves or palms, my lady, but it is easy enough to read faces. Yours is a questioning face, always looking for answers, always seeking the truth, for yourself and for others.” I smiled at her. “I think that is a very polite way of saying I am curious as a cat. And we all know what happened to the cat—curiosity killed her.” Rosalie took the last slice of cake onto her plate. “Yes, but you forget the most important thing about the little cat,” she said, giving me a wise nod. “She had eight lives left to live.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“Debes prestarle atención a tu corazón, aunque no sepas adonde van a conducirte sus dictados. Hacer otra cosa sería abrirle la puerta a la tristeza.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“We topped a rise just then, and the moor stretched out ahead of us, silvery-white and rustling, like a wide ghostly sea. In the distance lay Grimsgrave Hall, black and hulking as a ship adrift on moonlit waves.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“Earnshaw is quite a famous name, thanks to Miss Brontë . I did not realise there were Earnshaws in this country."

Mrs. Earnshaw gave a sharp nod. "Aye. And Heathcliffs and Eyres, as well. Proper little thieves, those Brontë girls.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“God was seldom discussed in our family except in a very distant sort of way, rather like our cousins in Canada.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“Julia Grey, I would rather see you hanged than watch any sister of mine go haring off after a man who will not have her," my brother Bellmont raged.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“My father had once famously stated in Parliament that religion was as intimate as lovemaking and ought to be as private.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“Brisbane, if you wish to go about looking like Heathcliff that is your affair.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“They sold the furniture. There is nothing to sit upon and no table to set, so it is the kitchen for you, my girl. Pretend you are at Wuthering Heights. Everyone there ate in the kitchen.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor

“The days are very alike here, the hours of darkness long and bleak, and I am a stranger to myself.”
― Deanna Raybourn, Silent on the Moor