Jacqueline

“‎He often envied people who hadn't read his favourite books. They had such happiness before them.”
― Charles Finch, A Stranger in Mayfair

“Sheets of sleet hurtled themselves against the windows, clattering like the tapping of devilish fingers upon the glass.”
― Carole Lawrence, Edinburgh Twilight

“Are you going to give a speech?' she asked gaily.

He gave a choked laugh. 'Of course not,' he said. 'Not for ages.'

'My cousin Davey gave one on his very first day!' ...

'In the Lords, I remember. It was about how he didn't like strawberry jam.'

'Be nice, Charles! It was a speech about fruit importation, which I admit devolved into something of a tirade.' She couldn't help but laugh. 'Still, you could talk about something more important.'

'Than jam? Impossible. We mustn't set the bar too high, Jane.”
― Charles Finch, The Fleet Street Murders

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
― Mark Twain