an offer from a gentleman
julia quinn
why don't you come with me? i could use a bit of company.
don't you ever, ever make the mistake of thinking you are as good as the rest of us.
do you have any questions?
do you think this color is becoming on me?
was the column very good this morning?
what are you chattering about?
cease your prattle immediately.
i find the sound of your voice particularly grating.
you look stunning tonight.
if you wish for things you can't possibly hope for, you're only going to be disappointed.
it would be ungentlemanly of me to allow this sorrowful state of affairs to continue.
why is it that you always seem to be laughing at me?
i'm just so happy to be here.
i like to watch you smile.
eligible young ladies, a pack of ravenous wolves, the lot of them.
how much have you had to drink?
it's nice to see two siblings who love each other so well.
we shall have to take a stroll together.
tonight i am transformed, tomorrow i shall disappear.
then we must pack a lifetime into this very night.
you're quite the detective.
are you fishing for compliments?
who are you? i have to know.
i want to see you tomorrow.
i want your future. i want every little piece of you.
you might as well tell me everything. you know i will figure it out on my own soon enough, and it will be far less embarrassing for you if i don't have to ask any questions.
it was all very innocent, i assure you.
it's so nice to see you in love.
oh, goodness, you gave me a fright.
i don't ever want to see your face again.
what was your name again?
it was a very brave thing you did.
i was very worried about you.
it was very kind of you to care for me.
i didn't do anything for which i ought to apologize, did i?
you wouldn't lie to me about this, would you?
do not stifle yourself on my account.
i find you rather... refreshing.
have you plans for the rest of the day?
whatever could you be thinking, to look so adorably ferocious?
are you this charming with everyone or only me?
you have already embarrassed me beyond repair. what more could you possibly wish to do to me?
i like when you say my name.
sometimes i think you couldn't possibly be real.
i think i have to kiss you. it's rather like breathing. one doesn't have much choice in the matter.
who are you, [name]? who are you, really?
something isn't quite right about you.
it is not my habit to remain in the company of people who insult me.
be mine. be mine right now. be mine forever. i'll give you anything you want. all i want in return is you.
i want you in my bed. i want you tomorrow. and i want you the next day.
do you understand what you're giving up?
i have been adrift all my life.
i'm only trying to save you from yourself.
you're making me hate you, you know.
i can live with you hating me. i just can't live without you.
what are you smiling about?
i'm plotting your demise.
you bring out the worst in me, [name].
has anyone ever told you that you are exceedingly nosy?
i can't bear it when you look so sad.
there's a sorrow deep in your eyes. it's rarely gone.
i wish you would share your secrets with me.
every night, i lie in bed, thinking of you, wondering why the hell you're with [name], of all people, and not with me.
tell me what happened. did someone bother you?
you're nothing like the rest of your family.
do you understand what it feels like to be pushed away?
how many times do you expect you can reject me before i stop trying?
oh, stop with that old excuse. it's grown tired. if you wanted to be with me, you would be with me.
i won't be your mistress. i won't be any man's mistress.
i don't regret what we did. i wish i could. i know i should. but i can't.
they say that a smart person learns from her mistakes. but a truly smart person learns from other people's mistakes.
what happens when one falls in love with someone unsuitable?
when i thought about what it was in life i really needed—not what i wanted, but what i needed—the only thing that kept coming up was you.
you're so beautiful. everything i ever dreamed of.
i love you. i have always loved you. i think i loved you before i even knew you.
you are the reason i exist, the very reason i was born.