I know historians aren’t supposed to fall in love with their own theories, but I was head over heels about the notion of an entire band of female French agents, like a nineteenth-century Charlie’s Ang...
His mother made a noise that in anyone of lower rank than a countess would have been given the unmannerly name of snort. As a cowed member of the ton had once commented, ‘Nobody harrumphs quite like t...
Four pounds, demanded the fourteen-foot-high statue of Hercules.For such a big man, Hercules had a surprisingly high-pitched voice. It took me a moment to realize that it wasn't actually a piece of cl...
Don’t worry, said Lizzy brightly, dancing into the chamber in a peculiar costume that was part Robin Hood and part Paris frock. I have my crossbow.Nicolas regarded the costume appreciatively. That is...
After an initial startled gasp, his intended bride dissolved into his arms, returning his kiss with more fervor than she had ever shown before. They were on the verge of being married, after all. Amaz...
Myself in love with her,’ he repeated,
You, said Henrietta, regarding the Gardener with the sort of venom usually reserved for people who ignore the queue at lending libraries. What are you doing here?The Gardener doffed his hat. Lady Henr...
The room was so still that Mary could hear the ticking of the clock on the mantel and the gentle whisper of Vaughn’s breathing, in and out, in and out. Outside, there was the rustle of the leaves in t...
Some things worked far better in imagination than reality. In imagination, she was intrepid and resourceful; in reality she wished she were home, wrapped in a quilt.
Miles was frantically trying to rearrange his cravat and smooth down his hair. ‘Damn. No time to stop off at home and get my valet to tidy me up. Oh well. Give Hen a kiss for me.’Richard shot him a sh...
Jack’s throat worked as he looked out across the waves. How much of a chance do you think she has against the Gardener?Miss Gwen didn’t belittle or make light of his concerns. The man’s twisty; I’ll g...
Jack’s fingers closed around her shoulders. Jane could feel his labored breaths, the ragged movement of his chest. You show up looking like that—wearing his dress, his jewels, his perfumes. What in th...
It was lovely to see cynicism in one so young. It positively restored his faith in human nature.
It didn’t take peering at the brass plates at the bottom of the paintings to guess who they must have been: my very own Lord and Lady Uppington, presiding over Uppington Hall in paint as they once had...
From far across the sea I come,Through fire, frost,and blazing sun,That you might, with your own fair hand,Enjoy the bounties of my land- Emma Delagardie and Augustus WhittlesbyAmericanus, A masque in...
Crossing my arms over my chest, I said, a little too heartily, So this is the library. There certainly couldn’t be any doubt on that score; never had a room so resembled popular preconception. The wal...
Before Jack could say anything, he was bowled sideways by a small female moving with great velocity.Jack! Jack, Jack, Jack! His sister Lizzy flung herself at him, momentarily stunning him. Or maybe th...
Arrived. She settled herself on
Things turn up in strange places all the time. For example library books, which possess a disconcerting ability to move from place to place, seemingly of their own volition.
The woman in purple subjected Jack to a critical inspection. You must be Jack. Jane succeeded in part of her mission, at least. And then: You don’t look at all as I expected.Fewer horns? said Jack ter...