I’m nearly done drafting the current WIP, whose working title I may reveal at some point, but not today. I have about ten scenes left to write before I go back and do the big edit pass. Right now, as I’ve just about wrapped up the beginning sequence, I thought it would be fun to pull one sentence out of each chapter/scene and put them up here as teasers.

1

She took over all conversations with her father’s creditors, gaining them time by the delicate combination of bullying and charm that she had mastered long ago.

2

They told of men entering and never emerging, or coming out but losing all reason, or coming out changed.

3

Her father’s fingers pressed her arm briefly, so she said only, “When I am in want of your matrimonial advice, Aunt Brooke, you may be sure I will ask you.”

4

She had never dreamed of this; she had imagined herself coming to them as a peacock among pigeons, and all her dread had been of the dullness she would encounter.

5

The barmaid looked around and lowered her voice. “I have seen a woman, young and fair as yourself, miss, fleeing those very woods.”

6

With deep trepidation, Fairing followed his daughter across the threshhold.