“The past can teach us, nurture us, but it cannot sustain us. The essence of life is change, and we must move ever forward or the soul will wither and die.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“These are your beautiful days, Julia Beckett," he promised softly.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“It's too easy, you see, to get trapped in the past. The past is very seductive. People always talk about the mists of time, you know, but really it's the present that's in a mist, uncertain. The past is quite clear, and warm, and comforting. That's why people often get stuck there.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“Try looking with your soul, instead. The soul sees what truly matters.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“d'you think I'd let a little thing like the grave come between us?
-Richard”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“Better to find out certain things by living them, not by reading them in a book.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“I've told you once I would not force you to my will ... When we become lovers, it will be because you desire as much as I
-Richard”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“It’s still there, you see,” he pointed out. “Bulbs and roots, just waiting to grow. You have to learn to look with more than just your eyes, Julia.” He took a deep pull on the cigarette and exhaled, slowly. “Try looking with your soul, instead. The soul sees what truly matters.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“My pleasure," he assured me, propping one shoulder against the doorjamb and folding his arms across his chest. "Rather nice change from my normal daily routine. I don't often have comely young maidens throwing themselves at my feet."
"Yes, well," I said, coloring, "that won't happen again."
He smiled down at me, and after a final handshake I made my departure. I had almost reached the end of the neatly edged walk when he spoke.
"What a pity," he said, but I don't think I was meant to hear it.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“If it is true that men have souls that do survive them,” he went on, ignoring me, “and if those souls are born again to life, you need not worry that my ghost will haunt you. I’ll haunt you in the flesh, instead.” My eyes were gently skeptical. “And how would I know you, pray, in another body?” “’Tis simple.” He brought his hand up with an effort, turning his fingers round to show me the heavy crested ring he wore. “Look you here, and remember. ’Tis the hooded hawk of the de Mornays. The hood may blind it, and yet it sees more clearly than the sighted.” “You mean that I should trust my heart.” “More than your heart. Your soul.” His hand lifted higher, and clasped mine strongly. “Feel that, love. There’s nothing can break that. We are two parts of the one whole, you and I. The hawk mates for life, and our lives are but beginning. Faith,” he said, smiling, “d’you think I’d let a little thing like the grave come between us?”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“The sky was wide and inviting, and the grass was cool and sweetly refreshing under my bare feet as I walked across the undulating field towards the river. It was a short walk, only a mile or so, but I did not hurry it, letting my soul soak up the glorious sensation of freedom and lightness.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“The shelves covered all four walls of the square room, broken in three places by tall, narrow windows with stained-glass inserts above and upholstered seats below, liberally adorned with loose cushions – the sort of window seats that every book lover dreams of, visualises, yearns for… I stepped forward into the room, wonder-struck, inhaling the rich smell of oiled leather bindings and ancient paper and polished wood.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“Damn and blast!” “Curates can’t use language like that,” I reminded my brother, and he grinned involuntarily. “I’m getting it out of my system,” was his excuse.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“...seek me not with your eyes, but with your soul. The soul sees what truly matters.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“Is it your wish that I should leave you now?” “Why would you think that of me?” His eyebrows rose, the vulnerability gone. “You are not a servant, Mariana, to be thus ordered from my sight.” “No,” I admitted, looking down at my feet, “I am not a servant. I am a mistress. A minor difference, I’ll grant you.” His eyes were steady on my face. “You are my love,” he corrected me, softly, “and there is no shame in that. Do you wish this afternoon undone?” I raised my head. “No,” I told him honestly. “I will not force you to my bed,” he said. “I do not want a frightened woman, nor a coy one, but one who gives me love because she wills it so. If I make no promises, it is because the world is an uncertain place, and words matter little. But if you doubt the honor of my love, come,” he stretched his hand towards me, palm upward, “let me renew my pledge.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“Take you my ring,” he repeated, “and keep it with you.” His tone was stubborn, and so I obeyed, sliding the great ring from his outstretched finger. The ring was cold, as his hands were cold, and I held it tenderly in my palm, blinking back the rising wetness of my eyes. “Remember that hawk, Mariana Farr,” he told me gently, “and seek me not with your eyes, but with your soul. The soul sees what truly matters.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“A l’amour, aux plaisir, aux boccage,” he quoted softly, then turned the words to English: “In love, in pleasure, in the woods, spend your beautiful days…” I stared up at him, dumbly, my heart rising in my throat. I was not aware of the precise moment when we stopped dancing, when he turned those deep, forest-colored eyes on mine and traced the outline of my face with a delicate touch. “These are your beautiful days, Mariana Farr,” he said gently, and then his shoulders blocked the sunlight as he lowered his head to mine and kissed me.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“I couldn’t stop it from happening,” I told her. “I’ve been able to stop it before, but this time I just couldn’t stop it from happening.” “Well, now.” Her blue eyes were very wise. “You’ve learned a valuable lesson from this, then, haven’t you? You can’t cheat fate, Julia. If you don’t go looking for the lessons of the past, then the past will come looking for you.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“The markets of my memory were city markets, London markets, crammed into narrow streets or cobbled squares, with hoarse-voiced vendors hawking their wares and all around me the relentless press of people, people everywhere. It was a pleasant change to see the bright-striped awnings gaily ringing around the weathered market cross, and the sunlight beating cheerfully down upon the market square. There were crowds here too, to be sure, but these were friendly country folk, their voices clear and plain, with honest faces scrubbed red by the wind and weather.
"What do you think?" Rachel asked me.
I could only gape, wide-eyed, like an entranced child, and she laughed her lovely musical laugh, grabbing my hand to lead me down into the thick of the crowd. We were jostled and bumped, but I found I did not mind it, and to my amazement I heard myself laughing as the final shreds of oppression fell away from me. The breeze lifted my hair and the sun warmed my face, and I felt suddenly, gloriously alive.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“It’s too easy, you see, to get trapped in the past. The past is very seductive. People always talk about the mists of time, you know, but really it’s the present that’s in a mist, uncertain. The past is quite clear, and warm, and comforting. That’s why people often get stuck”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“It's the only thing I begrudge the rich," I said, as I followed him back down the damp-smelling staircase to the ground floor.
"What's that?"
"Their ability to buy books that the rest of us can never hope to own.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“He told me once that the devil dwells in you.” “No doubt he does believe it. And what do you think, Mariana Farr?” He did look faintly devilish, smiling down at me with his dark clothes and his dark hair and those glinting eyes the color of the forest that surrounded us, shutting us off together from the wider world. I studied him closely, and shrugged in my turn. “I am no simple chit in hanging sleeves, my lord. I have eyes of my own to judge with, and I see no horns.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“You want to watch him, Julia,” he told me. “He may look harmless enough, but appearances can be deceiving.” Geoff grinned. “That’s slander, that is. You know I always behave like a perfect gentleman.” “Right then, Sir Galahad,” Iain said dryly.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“He cast aside the mangled blade of grass and idly reached to capture both my hands in one of his, drawing them forward so that he could see my wrists. “You’re not wearing the bracelet,” he observed. I flushed crimson, pulling ineffectually against his grasp. “I cannot wear it,” I protested. “Faith, I cannot accept it, it would not be seemly. I meant to return it to you.” “I will not have it returned.” He looked seriously offended. “I bought it for you as a present, and I would have you wear it.” “My uncle would doubtless not approve, my lord,” I reminded him gently. Releasing my hands he rose to collect the grazing horse, gathering the trailing reins in his fist. “I care not,” he told me. “What business has your uncle in my affairs?” “None,” I had to admit, “but he takes a great interest in mine, and I would not wish to rouse his ire.” He turned at that, looming tall against the gray stallion, his expression serious. “If Jabez Howard dares to mark you in any way, I will hear of it.” I stood up, too, and faced him squarely. “I am flattered, my lord, but it is none of your concern. I am not your responsibility.” “You are wrong, mistress,” he informed me in a voice as smooth as honey. “You are very much my responsibility. I have made it so.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“He brought the horse closer, reining in sharply so his muscled thigh was scarcely a handsbreadth from my face, knowing that the heavy log at my heels prevented any retreat. “I’ve told you once I would not force you to my will,” he reminded me, drawing one finger along my upturned jawline. “When we become lovers, it will be because you desire it as much as I.” His finger brushed my lips, the fleeting phantom of a kiss, before he raised his hand to his hat and bid me a polite good day.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“And what was the second reason?” I asked him. “The what?” “Your second reason for dropping by to see me,” I prompted, and his face cleared. “Oh. I wanted to ask if you would make me a cup of coffee.” He smiled happily. “Iain’s Scotch is terribly strong, you know, and he’s generous in the pouring of it, and I was far too proud to tell him when I’d had enough. He has a habit of reminding me how Englishmen can’t hold their liquor. But I don’t think I’d be able to walk home right now,” he confessed, “without falling into a ditch along the way.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“My kingdom for a camera,” he said, his gray eyes crinkling in amusement. “You ought to see your face.” I closed my gaping mouth and shook my head, amazed. “How on earth did you know I was there?” I asked him. Iain braced both fists in the small of his back and stretched. “I’m no clairvoyant,” he assured me. “I saw you hopping the fence. Thought you were taking a devil of a time getting here. Besides,” he added, pointing at the clear outline of our shadows on the shed wall, “if you’ve a mind to sneak up on a Scotsman, you’d best do it when the sun’s not at your back.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“I will see you free of Jabez Howard before this week is out,” he told me, touching my cheek again with that disturbingly gentle touch. “Do not smile at me, so—I mean to do it, and I shall. Or do you find the prospect of marrying me so amusing?” The smile died on my lips. “You cannot marry me.” “Oh, can I not?” He grinned boldly. “I have a reputation, my love, for doing the impossible. In one week’s time I warrant you’ll not doubt my word.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“You couldn’t have picked a better time,” I assured him warmly. “It’ll do wonders for my image. By teatime it’ll be all over town that I’m related to a vicar.” “Or that you’re having an affair with one.” Tom grinned. “Village people have terribly suspicious minds, you know.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
“Who’s Richard?” he asked me calmly. “What?” “You called me Richard just now.” My smile was not quite natural. “Did I? I can’t imagine why. Sorry.” “Old flame, is he?” He clung to it, persistent. “Something like that.” I nodded, trying to turn it into a joke. “Why, are you jealous?” Instead of smiling back, as I had expected, he kept his eyes hard on my face for a long moment before answering. “I’m not sure,” he said slowly. After another moment the smile came, the one I had been waiting to see. “Come on,” he invited, turning his horse towards the tall chimneys of Crofton Hall, “I’ll race you back to the stables.”
― Susanna Kearsley, quote from Mariana
Susanna Kearsley
Born place: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
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