“If they catch him, they deport him, right?” Reba looked up from sharpening her knives. “Yes.” “He’d be chained up, dumped in the dankest hold of some cargo ship and dumped on the docks of Ettala like the trash he is.” Byron sounded delighted at the prospect. Reba shook her head. “He’s of the Ettalan …
I'm lucky the farmers' market rotates through the towns and villages near me, so when I find myself suddenly, inexplicably out of flour - I'm sure there'd been another sack last time I checked the store room - I can make the trip, rather than try some unappetising alternatives for the next week. I'm also …
Sarah sighed as she looked at the mess drowning the sitting room. She just could not be bothered. That was the problem with long projects and unchanging days, apathy came to visit and refused to leave. She nudged a discarded jumper out of her way with one foot. Ennui would be so much more satisfying. …
It wasn’t fair. Not only did Piety have a name that fooled everyone into thinking she was as angelic as she looked, she also moved across the ballroom floor like a willow in the breeze. Anya had heard her own dancing described as ‘efficient’ and ‘technically correct but…’ a few too many times to want …
Sarah looked between the two of them, mouth agape. “Your wife? When? How long have you been courting? Why didn’t you say anything?” She paused for breath, then laughed. “Well, and you probably didn’t say anything because you knew I’d put you through every question known, and then some.” Cadan’s returning smile was shy and …
All the guests had arrived, at least all the guests Anya’s parents deemed worthy of a personal greeting, and conversation bubbled across the ballroom, accented by the chink and ting of porcelain and crystal. The Fortescue family were known for the quality of both their chef and their cellar, and the visitors were making the …
I hadn't planned on going anywhere today. And then I went out to the vegetable patch to pull some carrots for dinner. Gone, every last one, along with my sugar peas, normal peas and half the tomatoes. I have my suspicions on the culprit (yes, singular), I've seen evidence of a pixie in the area …
Anya stomped across the manor’s lawn to the woodland beyond. Whose stupid idea had it been to invite Lord Bernard to visit? He was a chauvinist of the worst kind, and she was two insults and a superior smirk away from smacking him over the head with the dining room’s carriage clock. Even her father …
Anya lay on her back in the dirt and contemplated moving. She didn’t think anything was broken or otherwise damaged but sitting up felt a little bit beyond her. She gazed up at the slope she’d just tumbled down. Steep, long, more rocks than was comfortable for a flailing human, and just enough undergrowth to …
They may have been more personal, but they were no kinder. Eva was torn between amusement and a growing dread. Her various cousins and second cousins each received gifts that were useful, but also pointed out a key character flaw or failure. Humphrey, for example, had been boasting to Eva over dinner about his plan …
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