No Ordinary Duchess Quotes

“One can live without books. Birds live. Cats live. Even the best of dogs live. But only humans can soar on the words from a book. Stories fling us high into the clouds with imagination. Poems make hearts weep with emotion. Science stuns the mind with wonder." She let her hands fall to her lap. "Without the stimulation of literature, you can live, yes. But your soul will be earthbound. A clod without imagination."
"I..." He blinked as if taken aback for just an instant before assuming his usual haughty expression. "I assure you, my lady, I live perfectly well without books."
"No." She shook her head, pitying him, this severe man who thought he wanted for nothing. "No. You breathe and you move, but inside, in your mind, there is only gray. You don't know what it is to soar.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Private libraries were extraordinary, Lady Elspeth de Moray mused. To have an entire room filled with books--- in one's own house--- seemed quite fantastical. She'd eat, sleep, and daydream surrounded by stories and be completely happy.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“I suppose you'll be looking for a duchess now that you're a duke. An ordinary, proper lady."
His breath puffed against her lips. "If I wanted an ordinary duchess, I'd never have fallen in love with you.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“I think trust is something that has to be free. You can't harness it, or confine it, in the hope that you'll be able to hold trust forever. You can only let it go and believe in your heart that it will stay.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Julian felt a savage smile widening his lips. "I think you'll agree that a man's reputation is vital for business. If a gentleman were, for instance, to poison to death his sister-in-law, and the truth came out...?"
The duke choked, and for a glorious second, Julian thought he might have an attack of apoplexy. Then the old man got out, "What? What have you done?"
He wasn't even able to pretend disinterest.
Julian spread his hands wide. "I've spent the last week talking to your business partners. Showed them notes that my mother left, detailing how you killed her. I'm surprised you haven't heard that your secret is out as well."
Augustus stared wildly for a moment before spitting, "Mary. Your bitch of a mother was far too sly."
Julian rose. "My mother was never the word you called her, but she was a remarkably clever lady. Yes. She realized what you were doing and left me the evidence to find. Really, it's she who is the author of your downfall."
He turned to leave.
"Wait!" Augustus shouted.
Julian glanced back to see his uncle half-risen from his seat and leaning heavily on the desk, his face suffused with red rage. "Yes?"
"Whom have you told?" the duke demanded. "Who knows?"
"Everyone," Julian enunciated. "I've explained exactly what you did to all the gentlemen who ever did business with you. Even the ones you no longer do business with. After all, a man's reputation is the first currency in business. Without it?" Julian shrugged. "You might as well be penniless.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Do you remember those roses that Caitriona used to have in her garden? The great, puffy ones that have layers of petals that open when they bloom?"
Elspeth nodded.
Freya turned her glass thoughtfully. "Imagine that the outer petals of the rose are all of society--- everyone you don't know. And that the center where the pistil lies is you."
"I can never remember which part the pistil is," Elspeth confessed.
Freya gave her a look. "How many times did Caitriona explain this to you? The pistil is the part in the center that becomes the rose hip when it's pollinated." Her sister set aside her drink and cupped her hands together. "These are the outside of the rose, the petals that guard against the world that doesn't know you at all." She slowly opened her fingers. "Inside are more petals---they represent your acquaintances. The people whom you greet on the street or whom you might talk to at a ball. They know you, but they probably couldn't tell you that strawberry tart is your favorite pudding."
"Ohhh," Elspeth said, "I'm beginning to see." Though she still wasn't sure how the rose pertained to love.
"I hope so," Freya said. "But remember that there are even more petals beneath those." She let her hands drop as she smiled at Elspeth ruefully. "I can't demonstrate with my hands, so imagine that rose with all the petals curled each within each other. The third layer are your closest friends and family. The people you live with. The people you grew up with. They know you better than the outer two groups of petals, don't they?"
Elspeth nodded. Rings within rings, each smaller than the last, each closer to oneself.
"These people know you very well," Freya said. "They know what you like and dislike, they know the type of person you are. But there's a last ring." She wrinkled her nose. "No, not a ring. Perhaps the stamen sitting next to your pistil at the very center of the rose." For some reason, her cheeks pinked as she smiled privately. "That is the person who knows your mind and your soul and your heart.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He stalked to her, standing a full head or more taller than she. He was powerful, looming, looking barely restrained. But he was keeping himself in check. As if he were a high-tempered stallion, able to crush her, but bowing before her hands on his reins.
The thought made her feel liquid.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“The mare's ears flicked forward in interest.
"Aren't you lovely?" Elspeth crooned to her. "I'm sorry I didn't think to bring you a treat. That was quite remiss of me."
Plum had stopped by her feet, but now he ventured close to the horse. Elspeth watched. Octavia could hurt the dog should she wish.
The mare merely lowered her head, snuffling curiously at Plum.
Plum licked her nose.
Octavia jerked her head back but then lowered it to blow at the dog and then shake her head as if in horsey laughter.
Plum immediately went into a play bow--- the first that Elspeth had seen him make.
She laughed. "Silly. How do you expect Octavia to play with you? She'd run right over if let loose."
Julian sighed from the stall, and Elspeth glanced over to see him leaning on the pitchfork, watching her. "Octavia has never been as serious as her name," he said. "And she likes dogs."
"Does she?" Elspeth asked in delight.
Plum was now darting forward at the horse's legs, pretending to attack before retreating just as swiftly. Octavia watched bemusedly before stamping her hoof at the next attack, sending the dog into spins of excitement.
Elspeth knit her brow, concerned that the horse would accidentally stomp on the dog, but Julian reassured her. "You needn't worry. Octavia knows to be gentle.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Her hair was a nimbus, escaping her loose braid and curling about her face and ears. As she leaned over her meal, her breasts pushed dangerously against her bodice, swelling as if they might escape confinement entirely. Her skin was luminous in the firelight, the palest of pinks, shining like satin.
Julian could, if he tried, look at her without bias. See that she was plumper than was considered pretty. Shorter than was elegant. With a face that many would think ordinary. Someone who might be lost in a crowd.
But to him she was the sun in the sky, shining more brightly than anything else on earth.
He should be uneasy at such attraction. She was neither like the aristocratic ladies of London whom he encountered every day nor like the prostitutes he hired covertly on occasional nights.
Elspeth was a woman apart, unique unto herself.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“She turned almost all the way around then and smiled at him, her cheeks flushed in the warmth of the fire, her pink lips curved sensuously, her hair falling like a red-gold waterfall over her shoulder. She might've been painted by Botticelli, a Venus emerging from the sea.
"Yes, snails," she replied teasingly, oblivious to his thoughts. "Snails are delicious. One pokes them out of their shell with a little prick."
He felt a tightening in his loins at the innocent remark. How could she not know the other meaning to the word?
He muttered under his breath before he could censor himself, "I'd think a large prick would be preferred.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“She'd never spoken so boldly in her life.
Elspeth felt liquid warmth between her thighs as she watched Julian. It made her want to squirm. To press against herself.
He was like a statue, a grave, beautiful Apollo, a god of music and poetry, who also held his sybil at Delphi jealously to his heart.
Or so the myths said.
But what if it was the other way around? What if the sybil, a mere mortal, drew the helpless god's powers to her and made him writhe in ecstasy as she proclaimed the future?
Would that Apollo look like this just before he submitted to his oracle? Poised. Still. But almost quivering with strain?”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He could feel himself hardening. It was her certainty. Her calm acceptance that she was interested in such things.
In sex.
His cock jerked.
He licked his lips. "And then?"
"That depends." She smiled a secret smile. One that had been used by women ever since mankind had set foot on earth. "If I had a lover, I would tell him what I wanted."
"Just like that?" he asked, his voice lowered.
She nodded. "Just like that."
"What if he didn't want what you want?"
"Then he could say so, couldn't he?" She shrugged. "I suppose we wouldn't match. Wouldn't be compatible. In which case, I should have to find a man who was aroused by my needs."
Her gaze dropped from his face, trailing slowly over his chest and belly to pause at the falls to his breeches.
Where his cock strained to be released.
She stared, and he'd never felt anything so erotic. Just her, frankly observing him. She must be able to see the outline of his erection even as it pulsed with new blood. His libido laid bare to her for as long she pleased.
Every muscle in his body tensed, restrained, unable to move unless she said so.
She sighed softly. "I'd search for a man who yearned for me and what I want. Who craved my touch. A man who put my pleasure above his own." Her gaze rose until she met his eyes. "Perhaps a man like you.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“I don't remember you being this--- this contrary when we lived in the Wise Women's compound."
"That's because I was a child," Elspeth said gently. "Children take their opinions from their elders. Adult women make their own.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Except Lady Elspeth wasn't and never would be either discreet or reserved. She spun around his family and around London as if she were some fae queen, without worry or fear. As if she'd been reared far from everything he understood. As if she'd come from another, wilder world.
Lady Elspeth burst into his awareness like the sun rising, bringing warmth and light, making his world iridescent with color.
And what was worse, he couldn't find it in himself to condemn her brilliance. He liked her. She argued with him, made him question his own opinions, made him feel. He was anything but dead in her presence.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Are you this way with everyone you know? So abrupt and dismissive?"
"What do you care?" he sneered.
She exhaled forcefully, having lost all patience. "I care because I breathe and think and laugh and cry. I care because I'm alive. I suspect that you, Mr. Greycourt, have been dead for a very long time.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“In the full light of day, his short coat had a background of white with large splotches of reddish brown and black. His ears were overlarge and hung limply on the sides of his head. But his eyes were a liquid, soulful brown, the prettiest eyes she'd ever seen on a dog.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“You would do well to remember that you cannot physically stop a man from doing whatever he will with you. You need to be more careful."
"Actually, I could've stopped you had I wished." She took a tiny but lethal-looking pistol from somewhere on her person and brandished it before his eyes. "But I didn't wish to prevent you from kissing me."
Julian blinked and felt the foundations of his walls shake. She could have shot him. Could have intentionally wounded him or even killed him, and he would not have been able to prevent her.
He had thought he was in control of their embrace, but in reality, it was she who had held the control all along.
He closed his eyes--- for a second, only that--- and felt the thrill of the thought thrum through his body and harden his prick.
Her control.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He shook her. "Listen to me!"
She looked him in the eye and said very gently, "No."
And his fear and frustration and longing, and all that he'd kept so carefully tamped down deep inside himself, simply exploded.
He pulled her roughly into his arms and bent his head to devour her lips. She was sweet and soft, and her taste was like balm for his wounded soul. He opened her mouth with his tongue, thrusting inside almost desperately, as if her depths held all the secrets he needed to sustain life. She moaned low in her throat, so softly he felt more than heard it, a tremor against his lips, and he moved his hand to her jaw so that he might press his thumb against the pulse of her throat and understand the emotions that swept through her.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Lady Elspeth leaned forward to make her own selection from the tray of treats--- a confection of pink sugar roses atop a tiny cake. He watched, appalled, as Lady Elspeth ignored her fork and brought the cake to her lips with her fingers. Julian swallowed. What would the icing taste like licked from her fingers, sweet sugar and her? The thought was too sensual. Too tempting in every way.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“As Julian approached, a ridiculous Italian greyhound ran at him and attempted to shred his stockings by jumping at his legs.
Julian deftly caught the animal and continued his progress, stopping before his sister Messalina. "Yours, I presume?"
Messalina glanced up, the glass of her ebony hair reflecting the light. "Oh, Daisy!"
The puppy wriggled happily.
Daisy had taken an idiotic liking to Julian--- despite his best effort to dissuade the animal. For a moment he curled his fingers into her velvet-soft fur, wishing...
Then Julian dropped the puppy onto his sister's lap.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“Julian turned deliberately to examine the de Moray girl. She was plumper than was fashionable. Her generously round hips overflowed the seat of her chair, and her pillowed breasts pushed against her stays as if they wanted freeing. She had full cheeks, pink against her white skin, and her hair was a glorious blond red like the dawn of a new day.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“He wanted her.
He closed his eyes.
These... urges were loathsome, and yet they plagued him constantly. He'd been in London over a month now with no remedy. Perhaps that was why he'd found himself drawn to the girl.
She was pretty and bright and innocent, and she had smelled of wild roses.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“They squeezed together, the gentleman with his back against the window and Elspeth between his legs.
The door opened.
Candlelight suddenly brightened the room below as someone--- two someones--- walked into the library.
The gentleman tightened his hold about her middle. Her bottom was firmly wedged against the V of his thighs, his heat enfolding her. Elspeth had to pull her mind away from the sensation of his breath against the nape of her neck to listen to the men below.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess

“I am reading," she replied loftily to his question, and then glanced down at the book.
She blinked in surprise. A rude engraving covered the page.
The gentleman walked to her, his movements graceful. Sinuous. He reminded her of a viper gliding toward a particularly plump sparrow--- the sparrow in this case being she.
He stopped in front of her, so close Elspeth could see the small wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he narrowed them again.
"Are you?" His gaze flicked down to the illustration of... a couple? Possibly two couples? There were a confusing number of limbs. One ebony eyebrow rose censoriously as he looked back at her. "Reading, that is?"
Quite unfair that she was unable to raise her eyebrow in return. She felt heat invade her cheeks. "Yes.”
― Elizabeth Hoyt, No Ordinary Duchess