“And in her underthings, no less!" Murder was less scandalous than my corset and pantalettes. She sniffed. "Like mother, like daughter.”

“I can't breathe. I'm joing the Rational Dress Society the very moment we are back in London,and I fully intend to leave their pamphlets under Mother's pillow and tucked into her corsets.”

“Finally, my mother's training will be put to good use. Never mind finding an eligible bachelor, I mean to find a murderer.”

“We had a short reprieve as Dad cupped Mom’s face and ranhis hands down her neck, over her shoulders. “Helena, are youhurt?”She waved that away. “I’m fine.” She smiled briefly, thenturned hard eyes on us. Each of us took a healthy stepbackward and not a single one of us felt any less manly for thewise retreat.”

“...and Lucy." She looked like she might cry.'What about her?'"Lucy smells like food." She nearly gagged saying it.'Sol, all that's normal. Lucy smelled good before I turned, and now she smells even better. But I haven't tried to eat her face and neither will you.'"She's not safe in this house."'Safer than out there,' I argued, even though I agreed with her. 'Look, you used to eat hamburgers.'She blinked, confused. "So?"'So, did you ever walk through one of the farms at a field party and suddenly try to eat a cow?'"Um, no." Her chuckle was watery but it was better than nothing. "And, ew."'Exactly. You can crave blood and not eat your best friend.”

“I blinked, pushing myself up into a sitting position. I felt less like a truck had run over me and then backed up to make sure the job was done properly. Now it felt as if the truck had hit me only once.”

“All right.” Lucy shouldered her way to my side and made a waving motion as if they were annoying flies. “Shoo!” She narrowed her eyes. “I said shoo.”They dispersed, mostly startled into moving. Only Logan remained, leaning casually against the wall.“Darling, I’m not some insect to be chased away.”“Darling?” She snorted amiably. “You’re not ninety years old, either.”He straightened. “I’m charming,” he informed her. “And women like endearments.”