Melanie Dickerson Quotes

“For us mortals, love is greater than justice.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“Let Valten go save his own damsel in distress. I'm sure there are other maidens he can fall in love with.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“You just cry if you want to." Eustacia's voice was kind but firm. "Women cry. Men don't understand it, but crying is what we do.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“She never imagined she would get her first true kiss in the secret tunnel, surrounded by strange men. At least it was memorable.”

— Melanie Dickerson

The world needs more people like you, Odette." She smiled to lighten the mood."And you, Jorgen Hortman.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Striding up to him, Wilhelm drew his fist back and landed a clean blow to Rupert's jaw. Rupert reeled, and after two wobbly backward steps, hit the floor on his backside. He raised a hand to his face. "Feel better?" "No. Get up so I can hit you again.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“What had his life meant? All his success, all the tournaments he'd won ... they were like dust and ashes. Meaningless. Without Gisela, his life was meaningless.”

— Melanie Dickerson

He had danced with fair maidens before, but Odette was different. She was graceful and beautiful, but there was something in her eyes and in the things she said, an intelligence and a boldness that belied her quiet demeanor.

— Melanie Dickerson

“If you die fighting, I want to die fighting with you.”

— Melanie Dickerson

Tell me, Rose. Who did this? On his knees a mere two feet from her, he had to restrain himself again from pulling her into his arms.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Wilhelm studied Christoff and Georg. With a fair maiden in their midst, he knew his men too well to doubt their thoughts. He suddenly agreed with the dog. He didn't want them staring at her.”

— Melanie Dickerson

Because he cared for her. If he were completely honest, he didn't want Rupert to marry her, because he wanted to marry her himself.

— Melanie Dickerson

Mistress Eustacia sent me to have my bandage changed. He looked disgruntled. She adjusted the pot so that it wasn't directly over the fire then wiped her hands on her apron. He sat down impatiently on the bench against the wall. Annabel rummaged through the shelves until she found a container of honey and some bandages, smiling to herself at his reluctant compliance. Then

— Melanie Dickerson

“Lord Hamlin's eyes darted in their direction, alighted on Rose, and held. His expression changed and his features softened as he looked at her.”

— Melanie Dickerson

She thought about all the things she would like to say to him. Thank you for wanting to defend me. Thank you for thinking Rupert is a rogue. Thank you for being a man of integrity. Oh, Lord Hamlin, if you were mine, I'd make you so happy. Rose stifled a laugh at the stupid, outrageous thought.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Who would marry her and take care of her? O God, let it be me. His chest ached with the fervor of his desire-and his impossible request.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“He closed his eyes. The melody wrapped around his chest, which ached with the beauty of it, even though he couldn't quite make out the words.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“He moved close to her. "Do you think I still have a fever?" He hoped she would press her soft hand to his forehead. "I'm sure your fever must be gone" - she gave him a saucy smirk, seeing right through him - "or Bartel never would have let you come downstairs." "Bartel doesn't know." He smirked right back, leaning dangerously close.”

— Melanie Dickerson

The fierce look on his face softened to the look he wore for no one but her.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Rose clasped her hands and stared into his eyes, loving him, drinking in his love for her, for the last time.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“For a man of action and few words, the ones he did say were quite lovely.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“She pulled away from him and he let her go, the ache intensifying in his chest.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“Ruexner chuckled and put away his knife. Gisela kept her eyes on Valten. Even though her bottom lip trembled, she still looked like the bravest woman he had ever seen.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“He rather liked it when she stood up to him.”

— Melanie Dickerson

She relaxed against him, her head tucked against his neck. He closed his eyes to better memorize the way she felt in his arms, since he must never hold her like this again.

— Melanie Dickerson

I shall write Lady Rose a letter, listing your virtues and skills." He reached down and drew up a piece of real paper-much crisper than parchment-and found a reed pen. "Let's see, what shall I say? You are hardheaded ... " "Don't you dare." But this brought a smile to her face that she was obviously trying to suppress. "And terrified of letting anyone see your hair ... " He found his ink and writing board. "You wouldn't say that!" She self-consciously twisted her long hair and then flung it over her shoulder.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Gisela. She was beautiful and easy to talk to. And unlike Rainhilda, she didn't prattle on and on about things Valten didn't care or know anything about. She talked about horses-a subject he was quite comfortable with. And he always thought a love of horses was sign of gentleness and good character.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“I will never leave you again," he said softly against her ear. "I will follow you around like a lost puppy if you let me. I love you, Sophie. God has given me back my little girl." Sophie”

— Melanie Dickerson

“Gisela couldn't be thinking as much about kissing him as he thought about kissing her or she wouldn't be able to fall asleep. With her in his arms, he was too restless to think about anything but her.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“Men were such strange creatures. Perhaps getting shot at and defending a woman against wild animals and evil archers truly was his idea of enjoyment.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“It seemed as if Gisela's screams were growing closer. The brutal kicking stopped. He heard a loud thud and several startled yells. He forced his eyes open. Gisela was on top of Ruexner on the ground, pummeling his head with her fists, while Ruexner held his arms up to protect his face.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“His two men pulled her off him, with Gisela kicking and fighting like a lioness.”

— Melanie Dickerson

She would think about how her breath had stuck in her throat when he had looked into her eyes. How fierce and protective he had been. How rugged and masculine he had looked with several days of stubble on his cheeks and chin.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Ranulf's heart did a strange stutter at the way she defended him. He longed to intervene, to stop the questioning.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“The urge to jump up and go to him was so strong that she grabbed the stool she was sitting on with both hands and clutched the rough wood with all her might.”

— Melanie Dickerson

Ach, but she was stubborn. He was only trying to protect her. But once again, in spite of his frustration, he admired her bravery and determination. And he surprised himself by realizing ... he even liked arguing with her.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Annabel slipped her trembling fingers into his large, warm hand, and he gently pulled her to her feet. "I forgive you," he said, "and I understand." Without thinking, she leaned against him, pressing her forehead against his shoulder. They stood like that, unmoving, while Annabel concentrated on calming her breathing and forcing away the tears that still threatened. She smelled the familiar lavender, which Mistress Eustacia placed inside his clean laundry, but also a warm, masculine smell that was distinctly Ranulf's. She felt soothed, safe, and she never wanted this moment to end.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“I don't need prestige or wealth," he said softly. "I need you, and I want you with me forever.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“She wished she had not shrunk back when he reached out to her. At this moment his strong arms could be holding, warming, comforting her.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“His heart swelled at her bravery. This was the lady he wanted by his side-and in his arms-for the rest of his life.”

— Melanie Dickerson

How he had wanted to forget who he was for one moment, forget his duty and everything else, to pull her into his arms and kiss her with every ounce of his passion.

— Melanie Dickerson

“Rapunzel's heart soared at the protective look on Sir Gerek's face. He had come for her!”

— Melanie Dickerson

“Margaretha suddenly plastered herself against his chest, burying her face in his shoulder and clinging to him with one hand, while she held the torch in her other hand away from them. He wrapped his arm around her, to protect her.”

— Melanie Dickerson

“His thumb brushed her chin. He leaned down and hovered, his breath on her temple. Then he pressed his lips to her cheek. Her heart stuttered and her breath froze in her chest. He kissed her other cheek. She lifted her face to look up at him. He cupped her face with one hand and pulled her closer with the other. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then gazed into her eyes. She slid her hand behind his head and closed her eyes. He kissed her full on the lips. Her knees went weak, and he lifted her feet off the ground, reminding her of their embrace when he had rescued her from the tower.”

— Melanie Dickerson

Wilhelm glanced up just in time to see Rose walk in. His jaw fell. Her hair, her dress, her face ... She made everyone else in the room look pale and lifeless. He'd better close his mouth before someone saw him staring.

— Melanie Dickerson

Even with dirt on her face and dress, she took his breath away.

— Melanie Dickerson

I didn't believe any woman could love me, as disfigured as I am, and especially anyone as beautiful as you are, inside and out. I still can hardly believe it.

— Melanie Dickerson

“He had probably made a mistake by requesting that Annabel read to them, but his intention was to behave as usual. Or, at least that was one intention. He also wanted to keep her as near to him as he could. He could see she was rattled, even more than he expected, and he hoped to be a calming influence on her.”

— Melanie Dickerson

But how could she explain that their crude idea of love didn't seem satisfying, and a good-looking husband wasn't all she wanted in life?

— Melanie Dickerson

“For a moment in time she had been a lady, someone who was wanted ...”

— Melanie Dickerson