Judith McNaught Quote

A long time ago Ian had told her he was half in love with her, yet now that they were betrothed he’d never spoken a word of it, had not even pretended. She wasn’t certain of his motives or his feelings; she wasn’t certain of her own, either. All she really knew was that the sight of his hard, handsome face with its chiseled features, and hold amber eyes never failed to make her entire being feel tense and alive. She knew he liked to kis her, and that she very much liked being kissed by him. Added to his other attractions was something else that drew her inexorably to him: From their very first meeting, Elizabeth had sensed that beneath his bland sophistication and rugged virility Ian Thornton had a depth that most people lacked. It’s so hard to know, she whispered, how I ought to feel or what I ought to think. And I have the worst feeling it’s not going to matter what I know or what I think, she added almost sadly, because I going to love him. She opened her eyes and looked at Alex. It’s happening, and I cannot stop it. It was happening two years ago, and I couldn’t stop it then, either. So you see, she added with a sad little smile, it would be so much nicer for me if you could love him just a little, too.Alex reached across the table and took Elizabeth’s hands in hers. If you love him, then he must be the very of men. I shall henceforth make it a point to see all his best qualities! Alex hesitated, and then she hazarded the question: Elizabeth, does he love you?Elizabeth shook her head. He me, he says, and he wants children.Alex swallowed embarrassed laughter. He what?He wants me, and he wants children.A funny, knowing smile tugged at Alexandra’s lips. You didn’t tell me he said the first part. I am much encouraged, she teased while a rosy blush stole over her cheeks.I think I am, too, Elizabeth admitted, drawing a swift, searching look from Alex.Elizabeth, this is scarcely the time to discuss this-in fact, Alex added, her flush deepening. I don’t think there a really good time to discuss it-but has Lucinda explained to you how children are conceived?Yes, of course, Elizabeth said without hesitation.Good, because I would have been the logical one otherwise, and I still remember reaction when found out. It was not a pretty sight, she laughed. On the other hand, you were always much the wiser girl than I.I don’t think so at all, Elizabeth said, but she couldn’t imagine what there was, really, to blush about. Children, Lucinda had told her when she’d asked, were conceived when a husband kissed his wife in be. And it hurt the first time. Ian’s kisses were sometimes almost bruising, but they never actually hurt, and she enjoyed them terribly.As if speaking her feelings aloud to Alexandra had somehow relieved her of the burden of trying to deal with them, Elizabeth was so joyously relaxed that she suspected Ian noticed it at once when the men joined them in the drawing room.Ian did notice it; in fact, as they sat down to play a game of cards in accordance with Elizabeth’s cheery suggestion, he noticed there was a subtle but distinct softening in the attitudes of ladies toward him.