The Perfect Rake Quotes

“If you were mine, I'd never leave you, Prudence. I couldn't.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“What if I shave?" he said. "I look much better when I'm shaved. My cousin will vouch for that—do I not look almost handsome when I shave, Edward? " He didn't wait for the duke's reply but turned earnestly back to Prudence. "Do you think you could marry me if I shaved?”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“I would appreciate it if you would stop… stop… ogling me like that," she hissed, tugging her very modest neckline higher. "It is very embarrassing." She folded her arms across her breasts defensively. He tried to look contrite. "It wasn't me," he confessed. "It was my eyes. They are bold and easily led and have no sense of propriety.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“I shan't mind if you don't," he agreed. "But I'll not let you go, Prudence. Til not pester you, but know this: I will wait until you choose to listen to your heart."

"Pshaw." It was a feeble effort. She took a deep breath and tried again. "Humbug! How can you presume to know my heart?"

He smiled a slow, devastating smile. "You are my heart." He lifted her hand and kissed it. "And our hearts beat in tune. I know it—I, who used not to believe in such things. And you know it.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Yes. And when a rake finally falls, he falls forever.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Even when no one loves you, there is always someone to love, someone who needs to be loved. Always. You just have to look outside yourself.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Why didn't I know about this, Gideon?" Lady Augusta demanded, clearly aggrieved at not being first with the news. "And what Welsh aunt is this?"
"Auntie Angharad," Gideon informed her solemnly.
Lady Augusta thought for a moment and then declared, "You don't have an Auntie Angharad!"
"No," he agreed in a sorrowful voice. "She's dead.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“One word frees us all the weight and pain of life:
That word is Love.

-Sophocles”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Lord Carradice managed to look wicked, smug, and saintly, all at the same time.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“What the dev— er, deuce did you do that for? It hurt!”
“Good,” said the angel. “I was afraid these new shoes would not be sturdy enough.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Did he know she could barely think, let alone speak, for awareness of proximity of his fingers?
Of course he knew. He was a rake. This is what he did.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Gideon could not imagine any other young unmarried woman of his acquaintance passing up the opportunity to snare, if not himself, then the Carradice fortune. In any case, the number of women who’d rejected him in any way was gratifyingly small. Yet Miss Prudence Merridew had most unmistakably rejected him. Several times. Wielding that damned lethal reticule like a little Amazon, to emphasize her point.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Do you think ladies’ eyebrows can communicate as well?” she asked.
“No, they don’t have sufficient thicketry,” he said with authority.
“Thicketry?”
“Yes, that is the official term.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“I was shy,” said six-foot-one of bashful male. He grunted as a sharp, feminine elbow thudded inconspicuously into his side.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Imp. It’s short for ImPrudence—much more appropriate. Whoever named you Prudence was ill-advised. There is not a shred of prudence or caution in you!” He observed her indignant reaction with patent approval, then commented affably, “You know, huffing and puffing like that shows off your bosom very prettily.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“How did you ask a man, "Oh, by the way, did you ask me to marry you the other day or were you merely suggesting I become your mistress?" Formality was the key to surviving this, she hoped.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“The duke arched an eyebrow. “She is not one of your…er…”
Gideon laughed again. “Oh, good Lord, no, she is not one of my ers.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“When a rake falls, he falls forever. <3”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Love is the whole history of a woman’s life,
It is an episode in a man’s.” MADAME DE STAËL”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“And it was not helped by the damned seductive way she’d removed her gloves. He felt defensive yet aroused. It was not a felicitous combination.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“The waiter arrived with the drink Gideon had requested. Across Prudence’s head, Sir Oswald waggled his eyebrows at Gideon in a man-to-man fashion. Gideon, not knowing what else to do, waggled his back.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Grace tilted her head and eyed him with solemn consideration. “So, you think Prudence is pretty…“ Gideon gave her a severe look. “You’ll not distract me so easily, miss. When I have something to say I’ll say it to your sister, not to some brat who goes around kicking people.” She seemed to find this a satisfactory answer. “Grandpapa used to call me a limb of Satan,” she confided.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Er, yes, quite,” Lord Carradice responded. “Tremendously solid, er, workmanship, Miss Grace. I was much struck by it.” He paused then added, “Very much struck.” Prudence spluttered a little at his effrontery.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“Scoundrel,” offered Lord Carradice helpfully. “Shag bag. Unshaven lout. Cad. Smoky knave.” “This unmitigated reprobate,” continued Great-uncle Oswald, undeterred, “had the temerity to introduce himself to me—here in this very room!—by your own title.” The duke glanced at his cousin in inquiry. “Actually, I didn’t,” Lord Carradice said gently.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“You have heard of me,” murmured Lord Carradice, with every evidence of delight, and he bowed again. Prudence squashed an impulse to giggle at such disgraceful behavior. She glared at him again.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“She narrowed her eyes at him and her fists clenched as if she itched to box his ears. She was utterly delightful, thought Gideon, enjoying himself hugely.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“So, you will defend me from your great-uncle?” he asked softly. She turned back to him with wide, sincere eyes. “Of course I will.” It was more than refreshing; it was irresistible, and Gideon couldn’t help himself. Without thinking, he put down his glass, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“The butler hesitated a moment, looking doubtfully from the duke to Prudence. Prudence bridled at his expression. “Your master will be quite safe with me,” she snapped. “I mean him no harm!” The tall gentleman chuckled softly. “You heard the lady, Bartlett. I am quite safe with her. You may go.” The butler left.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake

“She tried to imagine Grandpapa in this room. He would have an apoplexy, she decided. The thought cheered her.”
― Anne Gracie, The Perfect Rake