Brecon Stradling > Recent Status Updates

“Pierce shrugged.
Islington waited.
It was Hawkes who gave voice. ‘Alchemy.’
I shivered.
That mythical pursuit that turns disparate elements to gold.”

“In few words, Emma M. Lion was coming apart at the seams.”

“What are the legal and moral ramifications of engaging in Piracy?
DO YOU HAVE A SHIP?
I do not.
DOESN’T THAT MAKE YOUR QUERY IRRELEVANT?”

Okay, maybe The Storm Himself has *ahem* “a few” redeeming qualities

(On Islington’s, Pierce’s, Hawkes and Emma’s first group hangout)
“And at some in-between moment, a key fit a lock, a door opened.
As if the four of us created a room not having previously been in existence before.
Which sounds mad.
How can I say what I mean?”
Alchemy, Emma. Alchemy.

I’ve just realized I somehow managed to not on my goodreads that I’m rereading this blasted book again

—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,”