Heyer Quotes

The Viscount stepped into the room. "Came to see if you was dead," he said. "Laid Pom odds you weren't."
Lethbridge passed his hand across his eyes. "I'm not," he replied in a faint voice.
"No. I'm sorry," said the Viscount simply. He wandered over to the table and sat down. "Horry said she killed you, Pom said So she might, I said No. Nonsense."
Lethbridge still holding a hand to his aching head tried to pull himself together. "Did you?" he said. His eyes ran over his self invited guest. "I see. Let me assure you once more that I am very much alive."
"Well I wish you'd put your wig on," complained the Viscount. "What I want to know is why did Horry hit you on the head with a poker?"
Lethbridge gingerly felt his bruised scalp. "With a poker was it? Pray ask her, though I doubt if she will tell you."
"You shouldn't keep the front door open," said the Viscount. "What's to stop people coming in and hitting you over the head? It's preposterous."
"I wish you'd go home," said Lethbridge wearily.
The Viscount surveyed the supper-table with a knowing eye.
"Card-party?" he inquired. ~ Georgette Heyer

The Marquis believed himself to be hardened against flattery. He thought that he had experienced every variety, but he discovered that he was mistaken: the blatantly worshipful look in the eyes of a twelve-year-old, anxiously raised to his, was new to him, and it pierced his defences. ~ Georgette Heyer

Pray, what's the nature of his trouble?" Prudence asked solicitously.
"Oh, cursed bad news, my boy. That old aunt of his from whom he has expectations has rallied, and they say she'll last another ten years. Poor old Devereux, y'know! Must try and raise his spirits. ~ Georgette Heyer

Miss Darracott, an intelligent girl, now perceived that in harboring for as much as an instant the notion of marrying a man who fell so lamentably short of the ideal lover she was an irreclaimable ninnyhammer. Ideal lovers might differ in certain respects, but in whatever mold they were cast, not one of them was so unhandsome as to make it extremely difficult for one not to giggle at their utterances. This hopelessly overgrown and unromantic idiot must be given a firm set-down. ~ Georgette Heyer

Gone Groupy, has she?' said Hugh. 'How rotten for Tom!' 'Well, it is rather, because Connie's started forgiving him for all sorts of things he never knew he'd done. We're hoping that she'll get over it quickly, because she's president of the Women's Conservative Association, besides running the Mothers, and the Village Club, and now that she's a God-guided citizen she simply hasn't a moment to attend to Good Works. I don't know why it is, but when people get Changed they never seem to be as nice as they were before. ~ Georgette Heyer

M'sieur, I am as a slave to my wife." He kissed the tips of his fingers. "I am as the dirt beneath her feet." He clasped his hands. "I must bestow on her all that she desires, or die!"
"Pray make use of my sword, " invited his Grace. "It is in the corner behind you. ~ Georgette Heyer

You are an atrocious person! Since the day I met you I have become steadily more depraved. ~ Georgette Heyer

No, no, Kit, don't cry!' begged Freddy, putting his arm round her. 'Can't bear you not to be happy! I won't say another word. Never thought there was any hope for me. Just wanted to tell you. ~ Georgette Heyer

He was silent. Well! Now she knew how right she had been. He was not in the least in love with her, and very happy she was to know it, All she wanted was a suitable retreat, such as a lumber-room, or a coal-cellar, in which to enjoy her happiness to the full. ~ Georgette Heyer

O God, I love you to the edge of madness, Venetia, but I'm not mad yet
not so mad that I don't know how disastrous it might be to you
to us both! You don't realize what an advantage I should be taking of your innocence! ~ Georgette Heyer

Martin,' interrupted Gervase, 'why were you stunned, kept in durance vile, and finally rolled into a sand-pit? ~ Georgette Heyer

She had every intention of maintaining her punctilious civility, and might have done so had he not said, as he took his seat beside her in the carriage he had hired for the evening: 'I wish I had ordered a hot brick to be provided.'
'Thank you, but there was not the least need to do so: I don't feel at all cold.'
'I daresay icebergs don't feel cold either, but I do! ~ Georgette Heyer

I cannot bear to go back alone - to the world I have lived in with you. ~ Georgette Heyer

You think I've got brains?' he said, awed. 'Not confusing me with Charlie?'

'Charlie?' uttered Miss Charing contemptuously. 'I daresay he has book-learning, but you have - you have address, Freddy!'

'Well, by Jove!' said Mr Standen, dazzled by this new vision of himself. ~ Georgette Heyer

But it is infamous that they have not told you!' declared Eustacie. 'Je n'en reviendrai jamais!'
'If it's all the same to you, miss, I'd just as soon you'd talk in a Christian language,' said Mr. Stubbs. ~ Georgette Heyer

If the worst comes to the worst I can always take Evelyn's place, can't I? ~ Georgette Heyer

Jake, the super-dog with paranormal psychic powers, has one goal in life, to catch the moon." Jake and the Moon Ball (a work in progress) ~ Teri Heyer

Barham you may be, but there is one thing you have been which is certain!' He paused to let this sink in.

My lord did not seem to be greatly impressed. 'Oh, a number of things!' he assured his guest. 'Of course, there are a number of things I have not been, too. ~ Georgette Heyer

Yes, darling, that is quite a nice frock, but the hankerchief is not only the wrong shade of grey, but quite damnably tied. Let me show you, my sweet. ~ Georgette Heyer

He will be company for you, you know. I wonder you do not have a dog already.'

'I do – in the country,' he replied.

'Oh, sporting dogs! They are not at all the same.' Mr Beaumaris, after another look at his prospective companion, found himself able to agree with this remark with heartfelt sincerity. ~ Georgette Heyer

My story testifies to the truth that we must never give up on people, no matter how many times they fail or how long recovery takes. We must never underestimate the healing power of prayer and love in the hands of the Lord. We must never give up hope. ~ Walt Heyer

Yes, but if you cannot clear your name, what then are we to do?" she demanded.
"Forget we ever met!" said Ludovic with a groan.
This Spartan resolve did not commend itself to Eustacie at all. Two large tears sparkled on the ends of her eyelashes, and she said in a very forlorn voice; "But me, I have a memory of the very longest! ~ Georgette Heyer

Not but what he deserves a sharp lesson! He very nearly made me drop these unfortunate kittens, mauling me about in that detestable way! There is *nothing* I dislike more!'

'I agree that he needs a lesson. I should rather suppose it to have been his first attempt. He ought, of course, to have got rid of the livestock,' said Damerel, taking the basket out of her hand, and setting it down, 'for while you were preoccupied with their safety what could he expect but a rebuff? ~ Georgette Heyer

He has probably gnawed his nails down to the quick, or murdered poor Mr. Orde. ~ Georgette Heyer

Upon Mrs Scorton's reappearance, she found herself confronted, not by the fool of his family, but by the Honourable Frederick Standen, a Pink of the Pinks, who knew to a nicety how to blend courtesy with hauteur, and who informed her, with exquisite politeness, that he rather fancied his cousin was tired, and would like to be taken home. One of the uninvited guests, entering the box in Eliza's wake, ventured on a warm sally, found himself being inspected from head to foot through a quizzing-glass, and stammered an apology. ~ Georgette Heyer

I didn't smuggle the dog into the country; I merely caused him to be smuggled out of Baluchistan. ~ Georgette Heyer

Who is he, the ill-disposed gentleman in pink?" inquire the Comte, when they were out of earshot.
"A creature of no importance," shrugged Philip.
"So I see. Yet he contrives to arouse your anger.?"
"Yes," admitted Philip. "I do not like the color of his coat. ~ Georgette Heyer

It might have been supposed that Freddy, whose intellect was not of the first order, would have found it impossible to grasp the gist of an extremely tangled and discursive story, but once more the possession of three volatile and excitable sisters stood him in good stead. ~ Georgette Heyer

You're Beau Wyndham! Well, I'll be damned!'
'The prospect,' said Sir Richard, bored, 'leaves me unmoved ~ Georgette Heyer

I'm dashed if I can see why you should be in such a quake!'
'It ain't that,' growled Endymion. 'I mean, I'm not afraid of Cousin Vernon! It's - it's his sisters, and my mother, and Frederica! I daresay you don't know.'
This inarticulate appeal for understanding touched chord of sympathy. Harry had had no personal experience of the trials which Endymion so obviously feared, but he had the instinctive male dread of feminine storms. He said, in an awed voice: 'Jupiter! I hadn't thought of that! Lord, what a dust they would kick up!'
Endymion cast him a look of gratitude. 'Ay, that's it. Not my mother,' he added scrupulously. 'Never kicks up a dust, precisely.'
Well, it *that's* so -'
'Takes to her bed,' said Endymion simply. 'Spasms! ~ Georgette Heyer

Taken thus by surprise, it was several moments before she was able to decide whether to make herself known to him, or to await a formal introduction. The strict propriety in which she had been reared urged her to adopt the latter course; then she remembered that she was not a young girl any longer, but a guardian-aunt ... To flinch before what would certainly be an extremely disagreeable interview would be the act, she told herself, of a pudding-heart. Bracing herself resolutely, she got up from the writing-table, and turned, saying, in a cool, pleasant tone: 'Mr Calverleigh?'
He had picked up a newspaper from the table in the centre of the room, and was glancing through it, but he lowered it, and looked enquiringly across at her. His eyes, which were deep-set and of a light grey made the more striking by the swarthiness of his complexion, held an expression of faint surprise; he said: 'Yes? ~ Georgette Heyer

Alas, it is too true. I visited him this morning and found him en deshabille, clasping his brown. He seized on me and demanded a rhyme to some word which I have forgot. So I left him."
"Can no one convince Philippe that he is not a poet?" asked De Bergeret plaintively.
De Vangrisse shook his head. ~ Georgette Heyer

Just because I cut a lark with that stiff-rumped Exciseman you seem to think I'm as good as rope-ripe! ~ Georgette Heyer

In this case," said Randall unpleasantly, "it affords me purer gratification to dwell upon the thought of my dear Aunt Gertrude duped and betrayed."
"Your aunt doesn't suffer throught it!"
"What a pity!" said Randall. ~ Georgette Heyer

Miss Taverner took the whip and reins in her hands, and mounted into the driving-seat, scorning assistance.
"Take your orders from Miss Taverner, Henry," said the Earl, getting up beside his ward.
"Me Lord, you are never going to let a female drive us?" said Henry almost tearfully. "What about my pride?"
"Swallow it, Henry," replied the Earl amicably. ~ Georgette Heyer

Lady Cinderford,' said the Dowager, referring to her widowed sister-in-law in accents of loathing, 'will act as hostess at Stanyon over my dead body!'
'That would be something quite out of the ordinary way,' murmured the Earl. ~ Georgette Heyer

No one could have called Mr. Standen quick-witted, but the possession of three sisters had considerably sharpened his instinct of self-preservation. ~ Georgette Heyer

Unfortunately, you, Sir Tristram, knowing nothing of me, and being possessed of a tyrannical disposition – I beg your pardon?'
'I did not speak,' replied Sir Tristram, eyeing her frostily.
Miss Thane met his look with one of liquid innocence. 'Oh, I quite thought you did!'
'I choked,' explained Sir Tristram. 'Pray continue! You had reached my tyrannical disposition. ~ Georgette Heyer

Only trust me! You have fallen into a fit of despondency and there is not the least need! In fact, nothing could be more fatal, in any predicament! It encourages one to suppose that there is nothing to be done, when a little resolution is all that is wanted to bring matters to a happy conclusion. ~ Georgette Heyer

Let me tell you, sir, that if you wish to be accepted into Bath society you will do well to mend your manners!' retorted Abby.
'I've none to mend, and not the smallest wish to be accepted into Bath, or any other, society. ~ Georgette Heyer

You absurd boy! Oh, Evelyn, I'm so thankful you've come, but what in the world has detained you? I've been sick with apprehension!"
There was a quizzical gleam in the gentleman's eyes, but he said in accents of deep reproach: "Come, come, Mama - !"
"It may be very well for you to say Come, come, Mama," she retorted, "but when you faithfully promised to return not a day later than -" She broke off, staring down at him in sudden doubt.
Abandoning the portmanteau, the gentleman shrugged the greatcoat from his shoulder, pulled off his hat, and mounted the remaining stairs two at a time, saying still more reproachfully: "No, really, Mama! How can you be so unnatural a parent?"
"Kit!" uttered his unnatural parent, in a smothered shriek. "Oh, my darling, my dearest son! ~ Georgette Heyer

She accepted the tea he had brought, with a word of thanks and a charming smile, but could not resist the impulse to ask him if he was not ravished by Neroli's voice.
He replied promptly: 'Not entirely. A little too much vibrato, don't you agree?'
'Ah, I perceive that you are an expert!' said Abby, controlling a quivering lip. 'You must enlighten my ignorance, sir! What does that mean, if you please?'
'Well, my Latin is pretty rusty, but I should think it means to tremble,' he said coolly. 'She does, too, like a blancmanger. And much the same shape as one,' he added thoughtfully.
'Oh, you dreadful creature!' protested Mrs Grayshott, bubbling over. 'I didn't mean that, when I said I thought she had rather too much vibrato! You know I didn't!'
'I thought she had too much of everything,' he said frankly. ~ Georgette Heyer

I could manage him,' she sighed. 'Oh, but I could! ~ Georgette Heyer

My heart aches for you! But don't despair! I am persuaded you will come about! Recollect what the poet says! I'm not sure which poet, but very likely it was Shakespeare, because it generally is, though why I can't imagine! ~ Georgette Heyer

Well, you have the right to make a sacrifice of yourself, but I'll be damned if I'll let you sacrifice me! ~ Georgette Heyer

A voice that to Dominica's fancy seemed to hold all the sunshine and the salt wind of fine days at sea smote her ears. ~ Georgette Heyer

Well, sir, do you mean to remain there, commending my father's taste in wine, or do you mean to accompany me to Ashtead?"
"Set off for Ashtead at this hour, when I have been traveling for two days?" said Sir Horace. "Now, do, my boy, have a little common sense! Why should I?"
"I imagine that your parental feeling, sir, must provide you with the answer! If it does not, so be it! I am leaving immediately!"
"What do you mean to do when you reach Lacy Manor?" asked Sir Horace, regarding him in some amusement.
"Wring Sophy's neck!" said Mr. Rivenhall savagely.
"Well, you don't need my help for that, my dear boy!" said Sir Horace, settling himself more comfortably in his chair. ~ Georgette Heyer

Why are Georgette Heyer's covers so naff? When you think of all the exciting things that happen - abductions, false identities, wild horseback chases - the front of the book nearly always shows a woman in a ballgown, simpering sweetly up at a man. ~ Elly Griffiths

The thought of his high and imposing father's regal progress to Harrowgate, and his very brief stay there, made Desford begin to chuckle again. He must remember, he told himself, to ask Poor Dear Papa, at a suitable moment, for his opinion of Harrowgate. ~ Georgette Heyer

She was generally considered to be a pretty woman; and, since she was as good-natured as she was foolish, she was almost universally liked. ~ Georgette Heyer

Morals and medicine warred within his breast, and medicine won the day- but I dare say morals may give him a sleepless night. ~ Georgette Heyer

Sophia, with real nobility of character, then asked Papa to explain something she had read in Sir John Malcolm's History of Persia, which the Vicar, whose only personal extravagance was his purchase of books, had lately added to his library. ~ Georgette Heyer

Probably every book I read influenced me in some small way. Authors like Jan Westcott, Kathleen Winsor, Catherine Cookson, Georgette Heyer, and even Barbara Cartland taught me to write character-driven stories. ~ Virginia Henley

She walked home', explained Sir Roland. 'We were walking home, weren't we? Very well, then. She walked home. Passed Lethbridge's house. Went in. Hit him on the head with the poker. Came out. Met us in the street. There you are. Plain as a pikestaff.'
'Well, I don't know,' said the Viscount. 'Seems queer to me. ~ Georgette Heyer

History was my favourite subject at school and in my spare time I read historical novels voraciously from Heidi to the Scarlet Pimpernel and from Georgette Heyer to Agatha Christie. ~ Sara Sheridan

Have you limitations, my lord?" asked Sir Anthony.
My lord looked at him seriously. "I do not know," he said, with a revealing simplicity. "I have never yet discovered them. ~ Georgette Heyer

I love you, you know,' he said conversationally. 'Will you marry me?'
The manner in which he made this abrupt proposal struck her as being so typical of him that a shaky laugh was dragged from her. 'Of all the graceless ways of making me an offer – ! No, no, you are not serious! you cannot be!'
'Of course I'm serious! A pretty hobble I should be in if I weren't, and you accepted my offer! The thing is that it is such a devil of a time since I proposed marriage to a girl that I've forgotten how to set about it. If I ever knew, but I daresay I didn't, for I was always a poor hand at making flowery speeches.' He smiled at her again, a little ruefully. 'That I should love a bright particular star! ~ Georgette Heyer

It is in the nature of 9 men out of 10 that what may be theirs for the picking up, they are much inclined to despise, and what seems to be out of reach, they instantly and fervently desire. ~ Georgette Heyer

I too have been badly deceived in myself," he said, shaking his head. "Would you believe it? - I had no notion that I was such a monster of inhumanity as I have proved myself to be ~ Georgette Heyer

You asked me for a rhyme," De Vangrisse reminded him.
"So I did! A rhyme for tout and fou, and you gave me chou!"
"Whereupon you threw your wig at me, and I fled. ~ Georgette Heyer

Charles' driving, skilful though it might be, kept his passengers in a constant state of breathlessness. ~ Georgette Heyer

Meg, as good-natured as her mother and brother, would have been amiable to anyone for whom her kindness had been solicited. Had she found herself confronted by a dazzling blonde she would not have spurned Kitty; but it could not be denied that the discovery that Miss Charing was a brunette immediately confirmed her in her conviction that she would like her prodigiously. ~ Georgette Heyer

the Reverend Felix Clowne, ~ Georgette Heyer

Nothing doing. I've no doubt you think I should look noble as a sacrifice. But I've never wanted to look noble, and I won't be made to.
Neville Fletcher ~ Georgette Heyer

But if Frederica was aware of my sentiments, and begged Cousin Alverstoke to intervene - !" She shuddered, and clasped her hands tensely together. "You see, he could, Harry! He could arrange for Endymion to be sent abroad, for instance, and then I think I should die. Oh, my dear brother, there's no one to help us but you, and I count on your support! ~ Georgette Heyer

They used to say of me that I'd as many lucky escapes as Harry Smith!'
'Shouldn't be at all surprised: I've seen one of 'em myself,' Brough said cryptically. ~ Georgette Heyer

Do you forget that I am your sister?"
"No; I've never been granted the opportunity to forget it. ~ Georgette Heyer

I see you will have it, Mr. Jettan. I will meet you when and where you will."
Philip patted his sword-hilt.
"I have noticed, Mr. Bancroft, that you habitually don your sword. So I took the precaution of wearing mine. 'When' is now, and 'where' is yonder!" He pointed above the hedge that encircled the garden to the copse beyond. It was a very fine theatrical effect, and he was pleased with it. ~ Georgette Heyer

Depend upon it, you are just the sort of girl a man would be glad to have for his sister! You don't even know how to swoon, and I daresay if you tried you would make wretched work of it, for all you have is common sense, and of what use is that, pray? ~ Georgette Heyer

I see now that there is a great deal in what Aunt Almeria says. She considers that there are terrible pitfalls in Society."
Sir Richard shook his head sadly. "Alas, too true!"
"And vice," said Pen awfully. "Profligacy, and extravagance, you know."
"I know."
She picked up her knife and fork again. "It must be very exciting," she said enviously. ~ Georgette Heyer

I believe I have several times requested you not to call Rupert 'imbecile', infant."
"But Monseigheur, he is an imbecile!" she protested. "You know he is!"
"Undoubtedly, ma fille, but I do not tell the whole world so."
"Then I do not know what I am to call him," said Leonie. ~ Georgette Heyer

Goodbye!" "Oh, not goodbye!" he protested. "I mean to know you better, Miss Lanyon of Undershaw!" "To be sure, it does seem a pity you should not, after such a promising start, but life, you know, is full of disappointments, and that, I must warn you, is likely to prove one of them. ~ Georgette Heyer

[ ... ]my memory is reasonably good - unlike yours, dear sir!"
"Mine is erratic," he said imperturbably. "I remember only what interests me. ~ Georgette Heyer

Damme, I've been waiting for you to come home these three hours, with nothing to do but read some dashed book or other!'
Hero found the thought of his spending an evening at home with a book so droll that she broke into a peal of laughter, which was so infectious that his lordship was obliged to join in. They went upstairs together in excellent accord, and when they parted outside Hero's door, Sherry did her the honor of informing her that she was a good little puss, and that he had always had a fondness for her. ~ Georgette Heyer

But perhaps I might feel strange, and unlike myself. It wouldn't be comfortable, not to be acquainted with myself. ~ Georgette Heyer

You have a genius for bringing trouble upon yourself ~ Georgette Heyer

Entertaining females with accounts of jug-bitten maunderings is one of my favourite pastimes.' He ~ Georgette Heyer

You do mean to remain, then?'
'If I get what I want.'
'The Dower House?'
'Nay, that's a small matter! I'll tell you what it is one of these days, but I'm not so very sure I can get it yet, so happen I'll do best to keep it to myself.'
'Well, I wouldn't tell anyone!' she exclaimed.
'The thing is you might say I'd no hope of getting it,' he explained. An odd little smile came into his eyes as he saw her puzzled frown. 'I'd be all dashed down in a minute,' he said, shaking his head. 'That would never do! ~ Georgette Heyer

There is nothing so mortifying as to fall in love with someone who does not share one's sentiments. ~ Georgette Heyer

Your fate is writ clear;you will be murdered. I cannot conceive how it comes about that you were not murdered long since!
How odd!Charles himself once said that to me, or something like it!
There is nothing odd in it; any sensible man must say it! ~ Georgette Heyer

Nevertheless, she did not weep, because, for one thing, it would have made her eyes red, and another, it would be of very little use. ~ Georgette Heyer

Friday. Proposed to Cicely. Refused. ~ Georgette Heyer

You will very soon be. Sit down. Why are you not at the ball?"
"I had no inclination for it, sir. I might ask, why are not you?"
"Not finding you there, I came here," he replied.
"I am indeed flattered," said Miss Challoner.
He laughed. "It's all I went for, my dear, I assure you. Why was that fellow holding your hands?"
"For comfort," said Miss Challoner desolately.
He held out his own. "Give them to me. ~ Georgette Heyer

odd in it: any sensible man must say it!' She laughed, but said: 'No, you are unjust! I have never yet done ~ Georgette Heyer

I'm really not quite as frippery a fellow as you seem to think! I own that in my grasstime I committed a great many follies and extravagances, but, believe me, I've long since out-grown them! I don't think they were any worse than what nine out of ten youngsters commit, but unfortunately I achieved, through certain circumstances, a notoriety which most young men escape. I was born with a natural aptitude for the sporting pursuits you regard with so much distrust, and I inherited, at far too early an age, a fortune which not only enabled me to indulge my tastes in the most expensive manner imaginable, but which made me an object of such interest that everything I did was noted, and talked of. That's heady stuff for greenhorns, you know! There was a time when I gave the gossips plenty to talk about. But do give me credit for having seen the error of my ways! ~ Georgette Heyer

Positively you overwhelm me!' my lord said. 'You oppress me with kindness, sir ~ Georgette Heyer

You look very well – at least, you would if you didn't make such a figure of yourself in that rig! When I was a girl, no gentleman would have dreamed of paying a social call without powder, let me tell you! Enough to make your grandfather turn in his grave to see what you've all come to, with your skimpy coats, and your starched collars, and not a bit of lace to your neckcloth, or your wristbands! If you can sit down in those skin-tight breeches, or pantaloons, or whatever you call 'em, do so! ~ Georgette Heyer

Upon her butler's announcing the arrival of Mr Ravenscar, Lady Mablethorpe, who had been dozing over a novel from the Circulating Library, sat up with a jerk, and raised a hand to her dishevelled cap. ~ Georgette Heyer

If people are only kind to me I'm sure I am the last person to quarrel with anyone.' His ~ Georgette Heyer

Léonie, you will do well to consider. You are not the first woman in my life."

She smiled through her tears. "Monseigneur, I would so much rather be the last woman than the first," she said. ~ Georgette Heyer

How the duece would you know the right way to go on if you was never taught anything but the wrong way? ~ Georgette Heyer

But it was very stupid of me not to see that of course the friend of Juliana must be this Mary Challoner. It was stupid of you too, Rupert. More stupid. ~ Georgette Heyer

No, but on the other hand you don't enact me Cheltenham tragedies when I've barely swallowed my breakfast. ~ Georgette Heyer

Do you like pets better than toys and books? I always did, so I thought very likely you would too. ~ Georgette Heyer

Randall laid his hand on Stella's, but only to remove it from his sleeve. "My precious, you really must have some regard for my clothes," he said with gentle reproach. "Much as I love you, I cannot permit you to maul this particular coat. ~ Georgette Heyer

Do you mean to tell me that Mr. Trevor read my letter?" demanded Lady Buxted indignantly. "Your secretary?"
"I employ him to read my letters," explained his lordship.(Alverstroke)
"Not those written by your nearest and dearest!"
"Oh, no, not them!" he agreed. ~ Georgette Heyer

She thought, in touching innocence, that in Miles Calverleigh she had found a friend, and a better one by far than any other, because his mind moved swiftly, because he could make her laugh even when she was out of charity with him, and because of a dozen other attributes which were quite frivolous – hardly attributes at all, in fact – but which added up to a charming total, outweighing the more important faults in his character. ~ Georgette Heyer

You have had Ravenscar murdered, and hidden his body in my cellar!" uttered her ladyship, sinking into a chair. "We shall all be ruined! I knew it!"
"My dear ma'am it is no such thing!" Deborah said amused. "He is not dead I assure you! ~ Georgette Heyer

Did you imagine that you would make me believe ill of Sophy with your foolish and spiteful letter!' he demanded. 'You have tried to set me against her from the outset, but you over-reached yourself today, my girl! How dared you write in such terms to me! How could you have been so crassly stupid as to suppose that Sophy could ever need your countenance to set her right in the eyes of the world, or that I would believe one word of slander against her? ~ Georgette Heyer

I am selfish, father? Because I will not become the thing I despise?"
"And narrow, Philips, to despise what you do not know."
"I am to be a painted popinjay! I tell you, sir, Cleone may take me as I am!"
"Or leave you as you are," said Sir Maurice gently. ~ Georgette Heyer