Melissa and the Vicar Quotes

“Oh, John!” his mother wailed before Magnus could answer. Everyone watched in shock as the Marchioness of Darlington flew across the room and launched herself into his Uncle John’s arms and commenced to sob. Magnus briefly closed his eyes and turned to Melissa, who was staring down at her hands, which were clasped in her lap, the knuckles so white they looked like snow. “Melissa?” She didn’t answer, nor would she look up. “Mel, is—” “You’ll have to excuse Lady Darlington,” his father’s cool voice cut through the sound of his mother’s crying. “She’s not seen her brother for quite some time.” Mel’s head whipped up. “Brother?” The word was barely a whisper. The marquess nodded, his eyes the color of crushed ice. “Yes, her elder brother—the Earl of Vanstone.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“I love you, Mrs. Stanwyck.” Her smile tightened.  “I dearly hope nothing happens to make you stop loving me, Magnus.” He kissed her hard. “Hush with your foolishness. Nothing can come between us and our love.” He would remember those words later.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“I come from a wealthy and influential family, Melissa.” His words were warm puffs of air on her temple, but they sent chills throughout her body. “I know aristocrats do not wield the power they did even a half a century ago. But I think you know the displeasure of a marquess—especially one who has the King’s ear—can be heavy, indeed. I think you know I am not the kind of man to issue idle threats. I told you that I loved you the night we were together and you answered in kind. I asked you to marry me that night and you accepted. Based on your words and my expectations we came together as man and wife.” He made a sound of frustration. “What could you expect would happen? I told you that you were my first and only lover; surely you must have guessed such an action meant a great deal to me.” He paused. “But you lied to me so that I would abandon my convictions and lie with you. You lied to get what you want, and now you will marry me.” He kissed her temple, the gesture less like a benediction and more like a seal. “And you will do so because you gave me your word.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“Magnus tried to think of the young ladies who’d made their interest in him abundantly clear since he’d come to the parish three years earlier. But the only face he could summon was Miss Griffin’s, Melissa’s. Yes, a curate owed his parishioners some consideration when it came to taking a wife. But what about his wants? Didn’t he deserve a say in his life’s companion?”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“the young and taken what he’d heard literally. The realization had been lightning-like, but it had taken years for Magnus to recognize that the sense of peace God sometimes granted in response to a prayer was his answer. Last night his answer had been a decision that he must declare himself to Miss Griffin. He would have no peace until he made his heart known to her. If she rejected him, he would go on. But if he didn’t speak—to spare his pride—he’d be doing himself a disservice and would also be less of a man. Pride, he knew, had no place in love. Magnus accepted the very real possibility that her regard for him had not progressed as rapidly as his for her. Oh, he knew she liked him, enjoyed his company, and found him physically attractive—this last because she had said as much. But those things were a far cry from love. Was it wise to approach her so soon?”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“Most women—young and old—would have blanched or flinched away, but she had met the issue head on. Magnus groaned. Rather than finding her reaction insensitive or brash, he’d found it indicative of intelligence and unflinching resolve to say what was right. He knew what was happening: he was falling in love with her. It was possible he’d already fallen. However, never having been in love before he couldn’t be sure. But if love meant wanting to be with one person more than anybody else or thinking about them when you weren’t with them or wanting to know everything about them . . . Well, if that was love, he’d definitely fallen into it.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“Her expression was suddenly serious. “I am trying to say that you have a rare character, Mr. Stanwyck, in that you bring joy with you and leave happiness in your wake.” Magnus was so stunned the plate slipped. They both fumbled to catch it, and it was Miss Griffin who caught it just before it struck the floor. She handed it to him without speaking.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar

“Tales of the earl’s wild younger sons were told in every taproom in West Riding. Lord how those four had teased Magnus when he’d turned sixteen and was still a virgin. It was a testament to his incredibly stubborn nature—which his doting mother claimed was his only sin—that he’d not allowed them to drag him to a brothel. But he’d stood firm. And he’d remained chaste even when other men at his seminary visited brothels or kept mistresses. Such activity wasn’t encouraged, but it was tolerated as long as it was kept discreet. After all, more than one of his fellows had observed, becoming a vicar was not like becoming a Catholic priest. No, they weren’t taking a vow of celibacy, but Magnus couldn’t conscience paying women to slake his physical needs. Instead, he managed his needs himself, no matter how unfulfilling that might be, and looked forward to discovering the joys of the matrimonial bed with his wife. Until that day arrived, he tried to avoid thinking too much about the sexual act if he could help it. Today, he was finding he couldn’t help it.”
― S.M. LaViolette, Melissa and the Vicar