Georgette Heyer Quotes

You will allow that one's curiosity must be aroused when one learns that a lady is prepared to elope to escape from advances one had not the least intention of making!

~ Georgette Heyer

O God, I love you to the edge of madness, Venetia, but I'm not mad yet--not so mad that I don't know how disastrous it might be to you--to us both! You don't realize what an advantage I should be taking of your innocence!

~ Georgette Heyer

Do you recall Fred Merriville?”She stared at him. “Fred Merriville? Pray, what has he to say to anything?”“The poor fellow has nothing to say: he’s dead, alas!

~ Georgette Heyer

Eccentricity may be diverting, Mama, but it is out of place in a wife: certainly in my wife!

~ Georgette Heyer

Frederica tells the park-keepers that Lufra is a purebred Barcelona collie. Alverstoke catches on and says No, Frederica! I TOLD you--it is a HOUND, from Baluchistan! She: Oh, you might have mentioned it was from ASIA! Very remote; the dog had to be smuggled out because the natives were hostile.

~ Georgette Heyer

You have a genius for bringing trouble upon yourself

~ Georgette Heyer

The charm of your society, my Sparrow, lies in not knowing what you will say next – though one rapidly learns to expect the worst!

~ Georgette Heyer

Do you know, I think that of all your idiosyncrasies that choke you give, when you are determined not to laugh, is the one that most enchants me.

~ Georgette Heyer

The Reverend William Trent, whose mind was of a serious order, had several times warned his elder sister that too lively a sense of humour frequently led to laxity of principle. She now perceived how right he was; and wondered, in dismay, whether it was because he invariably made her laugh that instead of regarding the Nonesuch with revulsion she was obliged to struggle against the impulse to cast every scruple to the winds, and to give her life into his keeping.

~ Georgette Heyer

You don’t understand!” she exclaimed bitterly.“That,” said his lordship, with a touch of acidity, “is a foolish accusation which lacks even the saving grace of originality! Every generation, my child, has said, or thought, that the preceding one was devoid of understanding or experience.

~ Georgette Heyer

Well, sir, do you mean to remain there, commending my father’s taste in wine, or do you mean to accompany me to Ashtead?”“Set off for Ashtead at this hour, when I have been traveling for two days?” said Sir Horace. “Now, do, my boy, have a little common sense! Why should I?”“I imagine that your parental feeling, sir, must provide you with the answer! If it does not, so be it! I am leaving immediately!”“What do you mean to do when you reach Lacy Manor?” asked Sir Horace, regarding him in some amusement.“Wring Sophy’s neck!” said Mr. Rivenhall savagely.“Well, you don’t need my help for that, my dear boy!” said Sir Horace, settling himself more comfortably in his chair.

~ Georgette Heyer

As soon as one promises not to do something, it becomes the one thing above all others that one most wishes to do.

~ Georgette Heyer

Don't you dare call me arrogant!If ever I had any at all-which I deny!- how much could I possibly have left after having been ridden over rough-shod by you and Thomas, do you imagine?

~ Georgette Heyer

And that reminds me, Mama! I have just intercepted another of that puppy’s floral offerings to my sister. This billet was attached to it.” (Charles)

~ Georgette Heyer

But if Frederica was aware of my sentiments, and begged Cousin Alverstoke to intervene—!” She shuddered, and clasped her hands tensely together. “You see, he could, Harry! He could arrange for Endymion to be sent abroad, for instance, and then I think I should die. Oh, my dear brother, there’s no one to help us but you, and I count on your support!

~ Georgette Heyer

M'sieur, I am as a slave to my wife. He kissed the tips of his fingers. I am as the dirt beneath her feet. He clasped his hands. I must bestow on her all that she desires, or die!Pray make use of my sword, invited his Grace. It is in the corner behind you.

~ Georgette Heyer

That's what you think of me, is it, girl? said his lordship, a glint in his

~ Georgette Heyer

When fate's got it in for you there's no limit to what you may have to put up with.

~ Georgette Heyer

That drew a laugh from Jessamy, but he said, after a moment: “You had better flay me. It was my fault—all my fault!”“I was wondering how long it would be before you contrived to convince yourself that you were to blame,” said Alverstoke caustically. “I haven’t the slightest wish to know how you arrived at such an addlebrained conclusion, so don’t put yourself to the trouble of telling me!

~ Georgette Heyer

I'm really not quite as frippery a fellow as you seem to think! I own that in my grasstime I committed a great many follies and extravagances, but, believe me, I've long since out-grown them! I don't think they were any worse than what nine out of ten youngsters commit, but unfortunately I achieved, through certain circumstances, a notoriety which most young men escape. I was born with a natural aptitude for the sporting pursuits you regard with so much distrust, and I inherited, at far too early an age, a fortune which not only enabled me to indulge my tastes in the most expensive manner imaginable, but which made me an object of such interest that everything I did was noted, and talked of. That's heady stuff for greenhorns, you know! There was a time when I gave the gossips plenty to talk about. But do give me credit for having seen the error of my ways!

~ Georgette Heyer