“Am I my brother's keeper? Yes. Interestingly, in my case, I share that honor with the Prospect Park Zoo.”

“I am the keeper of my husband's history.”

“I am Devlin, brother and advisor to the High Queen, assassin, and keeper of order.”

“I am neither foe nor friend to my brothers, but such as each of them shall deserve of me. And to earn my love, my brothers must do more than to have been born. I do not grant my love without reason, nor to any chance passer-by who may wish to claim it. I honor men with my love. But honor is a thing to be earned.”

“Keeper scum.”“That’s offensive coming from a wraith. I think I’m going to have to defend my honor.”

“Is there something you wish to tell me?” Violet askedgently.Hyacinth shook her head. How did one share somethingsuch as this with one’s mother?—Oh, yes, by the by and in case you’re interested, ithas recently come to my attention that my affianced husbandasked me to marry him because he wished to infuriatehis father.—Oh, and did I mention that I am no longer a virgin?No getting out of it now!No, that wasn’t going to work”