Melanie Dickerson

“Do you think God has a different purpose for every person,' Gisela asked, 'or is his purpose the same for everyone?'...'God wants us all to strive to grow more like Jesus, to become holy as he is holy, but God has a specific purpose for each person. How could it not be so? Everyone in a village cannot be a baker, because who would then make the candles or shoe the horses or grow the food? God says we are like a body. 'The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you." And the head cannot say the feet, "I don't need you."''Does the Bible say that?''Oh, yes, and it says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it." Just as the villagers are part of a village and have different tasks, we all have tasks to do for the Lord God.”

“But in her heart she truly believed she was a better lady than Lady Dorothea ever was. Was it wrong to think she was nobler in her heart than the true nobleman's daughter?”

“Everyone will say I'm insane, but I don't care, Rose. Is it insane to marry the girl I love? A girl with golden brown hair, with gifts of beauty and goodness and storytelling?”

“He had danced with fair maidens before, but Odette was different. She was graceful and beautiful, but there was something in her eyes and in the things she said, an intelligence and a boldness that belied her quiet demeanor.”

“I will come back for you as soon as I can." He stared at her, running a hand over his short beard. "I was about to promise you that I will get back, but the truth is, I could get captured by my uncle and his men. Many other things could happen, and I don't want to leave you.”

“She had never been in love before. She'd tried to save herself the pain, but all her pretending and hiding the truth from herself had not saved her at all. And even though this love was painful, it was worth it to remember how the sight of him and the sound of his voice had made her heart beat faster, that feeling of wanting what was best for someone else, even if it broke her own heart.”

“He considered telling her that she could, and often, if she married him.”

“Only the most passionate love could ever induce me to marry.”

“You have every right to be free, Miss Langdon. No one is denying you that. But freedom is only valuable if you use your freedom wisely.”

“I should like the woman I choose to be very honest, generous, and to have a sincere faith in God, rather than mindlessly following the rules.”

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus1 Thessalonians 5:16-18”

“Magdalen's eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. She was so sweet and beautiful. She would make a wonderful margrave's wife. Avelina had already made up her mind that the margrave had not killed his brother. She simply could not believe anyone who was so particular about who he was going to marry, and who seemed so concerned about orphans, could have done such a despicable thing. At least, she hoped not.”

“Or as Gabe had done, to rescue your betrothed from some evil force. That appealed to him. But he'd yet to find a damsel in distress, oppressed by evil and in need of rescue.”

“Why could he not have chosen some other woman? Why Avelina? But he knew why. It was because she had seemed good and kind and had expressed her thoughts without any false pride or pretense. He had admired her forthrightness and her compassion. And although he had never thought of a wife with strong opinions was a good thing, he actually found he liked her opinions-or at least admired her for having them. He wanted to get to know her, to know everything that was in her heart. He wanted to marry her and, surprising even himself, to love her.”

“Her whole world was in the depth of his eyes.”

“His hands wrapped around her upper arms, holding her gently. "You are even more beautiful when you dance.”