Brecon Stradling > Recent Status Updates

—Animorum Impulsu et coeca magnaque cupidine ducti.
JUV. SAT. X. 350.
By blind impulse of eager passion driven.

“Now, if you had written that in your diary of five years ago, I would know,” I replied.
His sideways glance was unsettling. “Wisdom would make as little reference to that whole affair as possible, Miss Lion.”

Were I a woman, I would say Islington has my heart. As I am not, what I will say is he is the most respectable male in the series.
Besides Tybalt.
And maybe Roland.
And Nigel Hawkes, of course.

“He sounds like an avenging angel.”

-Arabella, on the topic of Niall Pierce.

“Agnes wanted to tell me a joke. A joke!
I stood patiently as she prepared herself and asked the question.
‘What do you call a woman without a hat?’
After some attempt, I said, ‘I’ve no idea. What?’ Then, as she was about to respond, her face went blank.
‘Miss Lion!’ She clapped her hands over her mouth. ‘I’ve forgotten!’“

Agnes has my entire heart; I love her to bits

“I accompanied Mary on her task and selected these red gloves myself. They are to keep you from developing the habit of thievery.”

Jack “Scoundrel” Hollingstell

“When one dances with a fiend, one finds toes are stepped on.”

I BEGIN AGAIN, TO READ THE JOURNALS, and what better thana moment between Emma and Pierce when making the Salon into a Studio?

“when I was about to propose we each take an end and go slowly, he bent down, raised the door enough to slip his left hand beneath and, standing, lifted it with far more ease than I had been capable.

‘Lead on, Miss Lion.’
So I did.”

Despite mild dislike of him he is a masculine man

“I have had many rabbits in my Rabbit Room, Miss Lion. Alas, you have not been one of them.”

Okay, so Islington got introduced and she’s already foreshadowed Stonecrop twice???? This is some of the finest writing I’ve ever read

To Roland:
“I made him swear he would waltz with me at every ball for the rest of our lives.”

Okay, maybe a reread was a terrible idea, because Emma’s just driving me nuts

“I do not think interference was the word she meant, but as it was apt, I let it stand.”

. . .

Is Emma changing what people say in her journal? She may be stating that she considered correcting Aunt Eugenia (rather impressive), but I had not considered the idea of her being an Unreliable Narrator.

If only I had paper copies to scribble in. I think Emma would think scribblings in her journals would be fitting.

From Roland, to Agnes for Emma

“he said to tell you that you may go to heaven, but it will be boring without him.”

Waiting for Emma to realize Roland is madly in love with her
. . .
If these books turn into Long-Term Far From The Madding Crowd, I’m going to be content but rioting

Was reading the entry for June 2nd just now (internal screaming at the reading of it) and realized that I am reading her entires for June DURING June. Not as remarkable when one considers that the journals span a year, but I found it quite silly

From Roland.

“Dear Emma, sweet nemesis of mine,”

“There was no mistaking his identity. Although I had not seen him in such close proximity before, I was clearly staring at the Duke of Islington, a fellow St. Crispian. Unfortunately, it was in the midst of my unabashed stare that he noticed me.”

I only have one word to say to this. In the single, rapturous tone of the Reprobates ten: “ISLINGTON!!!!”

“So swift a move it was almost unnoticeable, he handed me his handkerchief—in case the unsteady voice led to less desirable things.”

Say what I will about Pierce; he’s somewhat of a gentleman. Willing to give up his handkerchief to a weeping, or, soon to be weeping, woman.

The only real reason I carry one myself.

In the Reed and Rite.

Pierce: “Someone’s pistol is up here. Diamond and pearl handle.”
Emma: “Oh, that probably belongs to one of the gentlemen on Traitors Road. Ornate dueling pistols are still amusing to that set.”

Excuse me? I knew they dueled, but a DIAMOND and PEARL handle????
My respect for the Reprobates Ten only grows.

“If you were any of the other girls I know, I would warn you to be on your guard.”
“Oh?” I asked, stopping. “But as I am not?” Then came Roland’s smile. “St. George is not the only one who can slay a dragon, Emma Lion. I’ve seen you wield a sword.”
It was, perhaps, the most wonderful compliment I’ve ever been paid.
I intend to keep Roland.

Roland and Emma speaking of Pierce.

Emma has met Tybalt. And Pierce, through the wall, via calling card.

How does it describe his card? “It was a cold white with black letters. No embellishment. No warmth.”

I state again, cleansing the typo, “They’ve caught each other, in a manner of speaking, to both of their detriment.”

I rest my case.