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“The first moment I saw you, I knew you were my share of the world. Iʹve always loved you. If I could choose my fate, Iʹd never be parted from you. Acushla ... pulse of my heart, breath of my soul ... thereʹs nothing on this earth more fair and fine than you. Your shadow on the ground is sunlight to me.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Hello Stranger

“She was sunlight and steel, spun into a substance he’d never encountered before.
-Ethan Ransom”
― Lisa Kleypas, Hello Stranger

“You wanted to find out how much I could make you feel. You wanted to know what it was like to lose yourself in passion, and find yourself safe in my arms afterward. Now Iʹm here, and Iʹm going to love you with everything I have in me.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Hello Stranger

“Thank you for the improvements you made... the lock and hinges... and the lion's-head knocker. I like it very much."
Ethan's voice was soft. "Did you like the violets?"
She hesitated before shaking her head.
"No?" he asked, more softly still. "Why not?"
"They reminded me that I might never see you again."
"After tonight, you probably won't."
"You say that every time we meet. However, you keep popping up like a jack-in-the-box, which has made me increasingly skeptical." Garrett paused before adding in an abashed tone, "And hopeful."
His gaze caressed her face. "Garrett Gibson... as long as I'm on this earth, I'll want to be wherever you are."
She couldn't help smiling ruefully. "You're the only one who does. I've been in a foul mood for the past two weeks. I've offended nearly everyone I know, and frightened off one or two of my patients."
His voice was dark velvet. "You needed me there to sweeten your temper."
Garrett couldn't bring herself to look at him as she admitted huskily, "Yes.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Hello Stranger

“In case you weren't aware, my good fellow, you are in the company of one of the most skilled and accomplished women in England. In fact, I would say Dr. Gibson has a male brain in a woman's body."
Garrett grinned wryly at his last comment, which she knew had been intended as a compliment. "Thank you, Doctor."
"Despite my short acquaintance with Dr. Gibson," Ethan said, "her brain seems entirely female to me." The remark caused Garrett to stiffen slightly, as she expected a mocking comment to follow. Something about how a woman's mind was changeable, or shallow, the usual clichés. But as Ethan continued, there was no hint of teasing in his tone. "Keen, subtle, and quick, with an intellect strengthened by compassion- yes, she has a woman's mind."
Thrown off guard, Garrett stared at him with a touch of wonder.
In that brief, private moment, Ethan looked as if he really did prefer her to everything else in the world. As if he saw all of her, the good and the bad, and wouldn't change a thing about her.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Hello Stranger

“But you've been distracted for weeks, thinking of nothing but that green-eyed bitch. She's brought you to this."
Garrett.
She wouldn't know he'd been thinking of her at the last moment. She would never know what she'd meant to him. It would make dying so much easier if only he'd told her. But she would do well without him, just as she had before. She was a strong, resilient woman, a force of nature.
He only worried that no one would bring her flowers.
How strange that as his life was spinning down to its end, there was no anger or fear, only soul-scorching love. He was dissolving in it. There was nothing left but the way she'd made him feel.
"Was she worth it?" Gamble jeered.
Gripping the railing behind him, Ethan smiled faintly. "Aye.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Hello Stranger

“It’s about to rain forks and knives,â€� Winterborne reported, water drops glittering on his hair and the shoulders of his coat. He reached for a glass of champagne from a silver tray on the table, and raised it in Tom’s direction. “Good luck it is, for the wedding day.â€�
“Why is that, exactly?� Tom asked, disgruntled.
“A wet knot is harder to untie,� Winterborne said. “The marriage bond will be tight and long lasting.�
Ethan Ransom volunteered, “Mam always said rain on a wedding day washed away the sadness of the past.�
“Not only are superstitions irrational,� Tom said, “they’re inconvenient. If you believe in one, you have to believe them all, which necessitates a thousand pointless rituals.�
Not being allowed to see the bride before the ceremony, for example. He hadn’t had so much as a glimpse of Cassandra that morning, and he was chafing to find out how she was feeling, if she’d slept well, if there was something she needed.
West came into the room with his arms full of folded umbrellas. Justin, dressed in a little velveteen suit, was at his heels.
“Aren’t you supposed to be upstairs in the nursery with your little brother?� St. Vincent asked his five-year-old nephew.
“Dad needed my help,� Justin said self-importantly, bringing an umbrella to him.
“We’re about to have a soaker,� West said briskly. “We’ll have to take everyone out to the chapel as soon as possible, before the ground turns to mud. Don’t open one of these indoors: It’s bad luck.�
“I didn’t think you were superstitious,� Tom protested. “You believe in science.�
West grinned at him. “I’m a farmer, Severin. When it comes to superstitions, farmers lead the pack. Incidentally, the locals say rain on the wedding day means fertility.�
Devon commented dryly, “To a Hampshireman, nearly everything is a sign of fertility. It’s a preoccupation around here.�
“What’s fertility?� Justin asked.
In the sudden silence, all gazes went to West, who asked defensively, “Why is everyone looking at me?�
“As Justin’s new father,� St. Vincent replied, making no effort to hide his enjoyment, “that question is in your province.�
West looked down into Justin’s expectant face. “Let’s ask your mother later,� he suggested.
The child looked mildly concerned. “Don’t you know, Dad?”
― Lisa Kleypas, Chasing Cassandra

“He's following us at a distance," she said, annoyed.
"Like a guardian angel," Helen said.
Dr. Gibson snorted. "Did you see the way he felled that thing? His fists were as quick as thought. Like a professional fighter. One has to question how such a man appeared out of nowhere at just the right moment."
"I think he did far less damage to his opponent than you did to yours," Helen said admiringly. "The way you took that ruffian down with your cane- I've never seen anything like it."
"My aim was a bit off," Dr. Gibson said. "I didn't connect squarely with the ulnar nerve in his wrist. I shall have to consult with my fencing-master about my technique."
"It was still very impressive," Helen assured her. "I pity anyone who makes the mistake of underestimating you, Dr. Gibson."
"My lady, the sentiment is returned in full.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Marrying Winterborne

“He was a good-looking man with black hair and dark blue eyes, his handsomeness agreeably roughened by a scar or two, and a nose that had once been broken. He had the perpetually vigilant gaze of a man who was all too familiar with the more dangerous streets and rookeries of London. But when he was among family and friends, he had a quiet, relaxed charm that Merritt liked immensely.
As the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Trenear, Ethan was the most enigmatic member of the Ravenel family. Very little was known about his past, and he preferred to keep it that way. However, he was good friends with West Ravenel, who was married to Merritt's best friend, Phoebe, and Phoebe had told her a great deal about him.
"Ethan once worked as a government agent," Phoebe had said. "He was part of an intelligence force that was secretly funded by the Home Office. It had something to do with espionage and foreign intelligence, and one's better off not asking too many questions about it. But Ethan was a highly trained agent.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“Before Keir MacRae arrived, everything was normal. Now there's been stabbings, explosions, and debauchery, and my sensible older sister is engaged to a Scottish whisky distiller. What's happened to you? You're supposed to be level-headed!"
Merritt tried to sound dignified. "Just because one is usually level-headed doesn't mean one is always level-headed."
"You won't be comprised if no one knows about it," Luke said. "And God knows none of us are going to say anything."
The duke intervened, his voice so dry one could have struck a match off it. "My boy, you're missing the point. Your sister wants to be compromised."
Ethan Ransom, who had been inching toward the stairs, ventured, "I don't need to be part of this conversation. I'm going up to see my wife.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise

“When Ethan finally arrived at Heron's Point and was shown into the parlor, Merritt was concerned by his appearance. He was obviously exhausted, with sleepless shadows beneath his eyes, and uncharacteristic grooves of strain carved into his face. Ethan's iron constitution and Napoleonic ability to go without sleep had always been a source of ready humor among the Ravenels. But he was still a young man who shouldered a weight of worldly responsibilities that would have crushed nearly everyone else.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Disguise