Cobalt

“and Bea’s humiliation was merely an unfortunate secondary effect. But that was the problem in a nutshell, was it not? Anything could discompose her. One vaguely unkind word—or in this case a kind one—untethered her from sense and she wound up stammering nonsense in reply.”
― Lynn Messina, A Pernicious Fabrication

“how to cough with so much urgency you sound as though you are on the verge of expelling a lung. It is a very useful skill. I launch into one of my fits whenever a man decides to lecture me on a topic of which I know more than he.” Bea laughed and said, “Ah, so once a week?” “At least,” Mrs. Palmer”
― Lynn Messina, A Pernicious Fabrication

“her relative was able to exceed the limitations of her character, then the possibility existed for everyone. Temperaments were not fixed like buildings but mutable like trees.”
― Lynn Messina, A Pernicious Fabrication

“You cannot befoul the Matlock honor by becoming a merchant who deals in steam carriages. The very thought is an abomination. To make the Duke of Kesgrave no better than a cit!”
― Lynn Messina, An Extravagant Duplicity