Status Updates From The Dark Enquiry (Lady Juli...

"but when he took mine (hand), he crushed it so hard that I felt that marks of my rings for some days after".

Four pages later:

"from this moment on, you do not stir a foot outside our house but that I am with you".

With every book I hope the toxicity will get better, but it never does.

I understand that Brisbane is a man from the 19th century, but if you're going to have your character behave that way, don't sell their relationship as romance.

I keep reading this series because I find the plot entertaining and enjoy the side characters like Julia's siblings and others, but it's really difficult to excuse Brisbane's behavior. I'm only 20% in and he has already belittled Julia, threatened to beat, pretty much told her he gives her liberties instead of doing like other husbands would do. Despite what he says at other times, he has no respect for her.