The Secret Quotes
"They became friends before they were old enough to understand they were supposed to hate each other."
"Do you talk funny, like you've got something trapped in your throat. Do you?"
"Then how would you be knowing if he would smack you or not?"
"She's got the prettiest brown eyes I've ever seen. You surely do."
"Sometimes I wish they were my mama and papa. I do."
"She's English, Judith," her friend's papa patiently explained.
"Her name's Judith, Papa, and she's my friend. Can she have her supper with us?"
"You're a brave little lass to help my daughter."
"Everybody always asks me that," Frances Catherine said.
"In no time at all Judith had sainted her father in her mind."
"The stories were endless… and filled with fancy."
"Her papa was surely already in Heaven, pleasing his Maker now instead of the king he'd so valiantly pleased while on earth."
"She would say a prayer for his soul, though in truth she didn't believe her petition was necessary."
"Judith was eleven years old and on her way to the border festival when she found out the truth about her father."
"Her mind could only focus on all the lies she'd been told over the years."
"Judith would have to hold on to her patience."
"She was humbled by their united show of support."
"Judith hadn't realized until now that their loyalty belonged to her far more than to her uncle."
"She couldn't stop herself from rudely staring back."
"The intensity in the way he was staring at her made her want to blush."
"She's keeping her word to our Frances Catherine," he said. "And that's the only reason I'd ever warm to an Englishwoman."
"It will be a hard ride up the mountains, lass, and it would serve you better if you rode with one of us."
"You're angry with me," he said. "Tell me why."
"I'm not letting go until you tell me why you're upset," he told her.
"I'm not sorry either. What think you of that?"
"It's as warm now as it's ever going to be," he answered.
"We're going to have a grandchild," she whispered.
"She feels like a block of ice," Brodick remarked.
"In her heart she knew it would be all right."
"I'm too excited about tomorrow to sit still."
"You and I are going to have to come to some sort of understanding."
"Fairness isn't the issue. I'm simply trying to prepare you."
"You're a very kind man," she said, her voice husky with emotion.
"Talking to you is an extremely trying experience."
"I'm really going to try to get along with everyone."
"I believe it would be easier if we just ignored each other."
"You must promise to stay away from me. It's... impossible."
"Not impossible," he muttered. "Damned complicated, though."
"I've been considered inferior before. Nay, it won't bother me at all."
"I'm not usually so curious or so aggressive."
"I did ask you to please give me a private moment of your time, and you were most abrupt in your denial. Yes, you provoked me first."
"I'm most grateful for all you've done for me, Iain, and I apologize to you if you believe I was trying to rile your temper."
"I made a promise to Margaret, Iain, and I'm going to see it carried through."
"We aren't alone," he answered. "I would wager at least twenty of my clan are watching us."
"You place too much importance upon yourself if you believe I would feel anything other than duty to my brother when I watch out for you."
"Why doesn't a warrior conserve his strength before going into battle?"
"A warrior must always train for battle," Winslow answered. "He becomes weak and ineffective if he doesn't constantly train."
"Go inside now, Judith, while I still have enough discipline to let you."
"Aye, it seemed to me you two were liking each other a whole lot, Judith."
"Of course I would love a daughter as much as a son."
"Giving birth is a miracle, Isabelle, but it's also messy."
"Try not to worry about this," Judith instructed. "I shouldn't be gone too long. I'll tell you everything that happened, too."
"Then I'll go to Isabellas by myself. I don't need a man to speak up for me."
"It isn't," Judith said. "It's effective, though," she added with a smile.
"What a magnificent horse," Judith announced, hoping to turn the topic away from Iain.
"Iain actually allowed you to ride this mount?" he asked, his voice incredulous.
"Only Iain and Brodick have ever been able to ride this spirited horse," he said. "You'd best be prepared to catch hell when they hunt you down."
"You really should try to do something about your temper, lass."
"It isn't bad, it's just different. You're more aware than most women. You aren't as accepting."
"One whisper, Judith, added to a thousand others will become a roar of discontent even the Church can't ignore. Start with Father Laggan. Put your questions to him. He's a fair man. He'll listen to you."
"But Iain," she argued, "what difference could I make? I would be condemned if I openly criticize the teachings of the Church. How would that help?"
"As long as you believe that nonsense, you won't accomplish anything. You'll defeat yourself."
"I must consider this," she said. "I can't imagine how I could make anyone pay any attention to my opinions, especially here."
"You cannot correct this," she told him. "But I thank you for offering."
"I've only just realized how ignorant I am. Can you correct that?"
"You shouldn't be weeping, not today of all days."
"Yes, it is a beautiful day, and I shouldn't be crying."
"I'm sorry, Graham. I didn't mean to step on—He can't just keep me, can he?"
"Dreams are for little girls to whisper to each other. They don't really come true."
"You're forgetting who you're talking to, Judith. I know you better than anyone else in this whole world."
"You don't need to do anything," he explained.
"Nothing is impossible. Marry me, Judith. Let me protect you."
"Iain, I'm fully recovered now. I don't need—"
"Do I have duties?" she asked as she pulled the covers over her.
"I'm trying to make Graham listen to reason," she explained.
"Because there is a special… situation, and I want to make certain before I act that you trust me enough not to interfere."
"You will like being married to me, Judith. I command it."
"I just don't want to be a burden. I want to be able to share my problems with you, not hand them over."
"I want to belong, to be important enough to you that you would want to share your worries with me."
"Sunday is just like every other day for them."
"As fine warriors, you provide well for your wives. You cherish and protect them."
"We suggest, Graham, and encourage. Do you see the difference?"
"Now do you understand why he's laird? He gives us sound advice, Judith."
"I'm not a weakling, and I won't be made to act like one."
"I wouldn't walk through the fires of purgatory for him... I don't love him. I love you."
"She scooted herself and her chair into the buttery."
"I won't be turned into milk toast. You'd best understand that here and now."
"I'm a very possessive man, Judith. You might as well realize that."
"I see no reason why we cannot insist our women rest on Sundays."
"She wasn't about to let the enemy intimidate her. She wasn't going to let them know how worried she was, either."
"He was trying to protect her. She knew he would give his life to keep her safe."
"She turned to look at him. 'Who are they?' she whispered."
"Tell me who you are and I'll answer your questions," she commanded.
"All the English are weak," he told her. "'Tis yet another reason we despise them."
"I want you to stay here," he replied. "You're very beautiful," he added almost as an afterthought.
"She wanted to weep with shame over her mother's treachery."
"Judith's mind was so consumed by her fears, she didn't notice they'd ridden into the courtyard of the Maclean keep."
"Her bearing was every bit as regal as a queen's."
"Judith couldn't sit still. She paced back and forth in front of the long table."
"You've got the voice of an Englishwoman," Maclean remarked. "And you appear to be as ignorant as your husband."