"THE A.B.C. MURDERS" (1992) Review

"THE A.B.C. MURDERS" (1992) Review As I had pointed out in my REVIEW of the 2018 adaptation of "THE A.B.C. MURDERS", the 1936 book upon which it is based is one of my favorites written by Agatha Christie. And as I had pointed out, there have been at least four adaptations. In this review, I have decided to focus on the 1992 television adaptation from the "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT" series.

Starring David Suchet as the Belgian-born detective, Hercule Poirot, "THE A.B.C. MURDERS" begin with Poirot welcoming his old friend Captain Arthur Hastings, who has traveled from his Argentina ranch for a visit to Britain. Poirot reveals a letter he had recently received from a possible serial killer named "A.B.C.", who declares his or her intention to murder a citizen of Andover, whose name starts with an "A". Following the death of one Alice Ascher in Andover, Chief Inspector Japp and Scotland Yard becomes involved when Poirot receives a second letter from the killer, who needles the detective with his/her intent to kill a second victim in a seaside town called Bexhill-on-the-Sea. After the murderer kills a third victim, an elderly millionaire from Churston; Poirot recruits the victims' relations and loved ones to assist him and Hastings in the hunt for the killer. And unbeknownst to Poirot and the police, a non-descript, middle-aged stockings salesman named Alexander Bonaparte Cust found himself present at the locations of each victim. As much as I liked the 2018 adaptation of Christie's 1936 novel, I must admit that I prefer this version over it. Unlike the former, this television movie managed to adhere a lot closer to Christie's novel. Unlike many, I would not consider the latter as a requisite for a good adaptation. I can think of a few first-rate Christie adaptations that were not that faithful to the original source. But in the case of "THE A.B.C. MURDERS", I believe Clive Exton was wise to be as faithful as possible to Christie's 1936 novel. Why? I believe it is one of her best creations and it is a personal favorite of mine. It seemed very rare for mystery writers - especially those like Christie - to create a story about a possible serial killer. The only other time I can recall Christie creating something similar was her 1939 novel, "AND THEN THERE WERE NONE". Another aspect of this story that I enjoyed was the sense of urgency in Poirot and the police's hunt for "ABC" after the second murder had been committed. This was especially apparent in Exton and director Andrew Grieve's use of fast-paced moments of newspaper headlines, newsreel narrations and close-up shots of A.B.C. railway guides. And thanks to Grieves' direction, along with performances by David Suchet and Donald Sumpter, the television movie included an excellent scene that featured Poirot's interview with the arrested Cust. Although "THE A.B.C. MURDERS" is a favorite of mine, it is not perfect. Once again, the series brought in Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector Japp to serve as the main police investigator in this story. I have always enjoyed Poirot and Hastings' interactions with Japp, but I do get weary of the series using Japp as the main police investigator in nearly every episode or television movie. Especially since none of the murders in this story were committed within Scotland Yard's jurisdiction. Arthur Hastings appeared in the form of two problems for me. One, I was not a fan of the running joke involving the dead Amazon Cayman that Hastings had shot and brought with him from South America. I did not find it funny or amusing. And two - as much as I have enjoyed Hugh Fraser's performances as Hastings over the years, I found Exeter's portrayal of him as this idiot rather excessive. Although I consider this adaptation superior to the 2018 miniseries, I must admit that the latter seemed to more style and punch in its production. This movie's first half had style. But after the fourth victim, I had to struggle to stay awake, due to the second half's more plodding style . . . at least until Poirot's revelation of the killer. I have a complaint about the casting, but I will bring it up later. But I do have one last complaint. The movie featured one of those scenes in which involved the police chasing the murderer after Poirot exposes the latter. God, I hate them. The "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MISS MARPLE" with Joan Hickson was the first to utilize this trope. And unfortunately, "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT" continued it every now and then. The performances in "THE A.B.C. MURDERS" struck me as first-rate. David Suchet gave his usual fine performance as the Belgian-born private detective, Hercule Poirot. As stated earlier, I was especially impressed by his performance in a scene in which Poirot interviews the major suspect. Although I had an issue of how Captain Arthur Hastings was written for this TV movie, I cannot deny that actor Hugh Fraser gave his usual excellent performance as Poirot's companion and best friend. Philip Jackson was excellent as usual as the tart-tongued Chief Inspector Japp. There were two other performances that stood out for me. One came from Pippa Guard, who gave an excellent performance as Megan Barnard, the blunt and tart-tongued sister of the second victim, Betty Barnard. But the one stand-out performance came from Donald Sumpter, who portrayed the stocking salesman, Alexander Bonaparte Cust. Sumpter did a superb job in making such a non-descript personality so interesting and slightly creepy. The rest of the cast provided first-rate support - including Nicholas Farrell, Cathryn Bradshaw, Nina Marc, David McAlister, Ann Windsor, Peter Penry-Jones, Vivienne Burgess and Donald Douglas. Speaking of the latter - he had been cast as Franklin Clarke, the younger brother of the killer's third victim, Sir Carmichael Clarke. I have been aware of Douglas ever since I was a kid and have always regarded him as a first-rate actor. But I believe he had been miscast as Franklin Clarke, who had been described as a handsome, charming and charismatic man in his early-to-mid 40s. Although attractive, Douglas had been in his late 50s when he portrayed Franklin. Also, he seemed to come across more like some hale and hearty Englishman than what Christie had described the character in her novel. I have no problems with the television movie's production values. In all honestly, I would rate the movie's production as solid. There was nothing mind boggling about it. Rob Harris' re-creation of London and other parts of Great Britain struck me as solid. Only his discovery of the De La Warr Pavilion in Essex struck me as a godsend. I found Christopher Gunning's score solid, but not memorable, along with Peter Wenham's art direction. However, I must admit that Carlotta Barrow's set decorations; especially in scenes that featured Alice Ascher's store, the De La Warr Pavilion, Cust's apartment and various hotel rooms, and Poirot's own apartment; struck me as above par and worthy of notice. But I have to give kudos to Barbara Kronig, whom I believe did a superb job of re-creating the 1936 fashions for characters from various backgrounds and personalities. Anyone with common sense would know or realize there is no such thing as a perfect movie or television production. This certainly applies to "THE A.B.C. MURDERS", the 1992 television adaptation to Agatha Christie's1936 novel. The pacing for the movie's second half had threatened to bog down during a small period of time. The joke surrounding Arthur Hastings' dead cayman had become tiresome and never-ending. And I believe one of the characters had been miscast. However, these flaws seemed trifling in compared to the movie's virtues. The cast led by David Suchet struck me as first-rate. Most of the television movie possessed an energy and style, thanks to Andrew Grieve's direction. And screenwriter Clive Exton had written a first-rate adaptation. I believe he did this after recognizing the excellent quality of the source material. "THE A.B.C. MURDERS" is one Agatha Christie novel I will enjoy for years to come.

ＴＨＥ ＲＯＹＡＬ ＣＨＲＯＮＩＣＬＥＳ : The Royal Wedding of Prince William & Catherine Middleton .* :☆ﾟ｡ ･

HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis and Miss. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton married in a religious ceremony at Westminster Abbey on what is my favourite day ever aka 29 April, 2011.

For the day, William was in the red tunic of the Colonel of the Irish Guards uniform with a forage cap bearing the Irish Guards insignia. He wore the Order of the Garter Star and Blue Riband to which his RAF Wings & Golden Jubilee Medal were fastened.

Meanwhile Catherine was a fairytale disney princess in a dress by Surah Burton of Alexander McQueen with the Cartier Scroll Tiara and a pair of diamond acorn earrings from Robinson Pelham. Her bridal bouquet featured myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William, ivy, and hyacinth.

Catherine was walked down the aisle by her father, Michael with whom she had travelled from Goring Hotel. Her sister Pippa was the maid of honour.

Will & Cat vowed to love, honour and cherish each other during the ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Cantebury.

He gave Catalina a ring made from Welsh Gold keeping with the tradition within the Royal Family.

Following the ceremony in true fairytale fashion, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

They appeared on the Palace Balcony and shared TWO KISSES to the delight of the crowd gathered below and to my Disney obsessed self who'd been glued to the TV the entire time.

A Reception was held by the Queen in their honour at Bucking Palace, after which William drove his babykins to Clarence House in an Aston Martin DB6 Volante. Another private dinner was hosted by The Prince of Wales for his son and new daughter-in-law.

This was quite literally THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY! Aaaahhh all those feels of the day, everything was just perfect. Honestly for me nothing is ever topping twenty-ninth of april of 2011. And I don't think there was anyone who wasn't enveloped by the happiness radiating off of these two that day.

Nobody can talk about the day without talking about the goddess that our homegirl looked like that day, KateEffect had always been a thing but THIS DRESS like >>>>

the bedroom hymns ● chapter iv

⟶ Chapter summary | The time has finally come for you to finally depart from home. You have no idea what to expect from the upcoming journey, but knowing how peculiar the circumstances have been, you probably should have predicted that this trip would not be an average one after all.

⟶Title | The Bedroom Hymns: a Bluebeard’s twist ⟶ Pairings | Min Yoongi x female reader  ⟶Genre | Fairy Prince!Yoongi, Crown Princess!reader, Fantasy au, Fairy Tale retelling au ⟶ Word count | 5,8k words ⟶ Ratings & Warnings | PG-13, +18 / M for Mature in the future scenes; still nothing much on this chapter, but the story may contain classism, threats of abductions, curses, dark magic, fantasy typical violence ⟶ Story Masterlist | ⤎ previous chapter | next chapter ⇢ ⟶ Main Masterlist | Mailbox | Taglist | Feedback | Music Playlist | Ko-fi

chapter iv. in bloom

It is finally time. 

It still feels quite surreal to think that you are going to leave the palace, to finally escape this heavenly-like prison where you grew up in. It still seems unfathomable to think that you are going to be in another place before the next morning arrives. 

But here you are now, standing at the courtyard where the royal carriage is going through its final preparations, with the King standing close by as he is giving his final instructions and commands to the driver of the carriage and the guards who are going to travel alongside you. On the corner of your eyes, you can see Marc and a few guards loading up all the luggage into the carriage, with a couple of other guards making sure that the carriage is safe and secure by checking every detail closely. Meanwhile, you can see Nanny Abigail and Miss Pippa getting busy setting up the seats to make sure that it would be comfortable for your journey, all while fretting about the lack of pillows and blankets to keep you warm inside. 

Aside from Miss Pippa and a small group of guards, you see no sight of any other palace staff around. Not even the advisors or the men who would often work closely with the King. Knowing that your father had intended to keep your departure as a confidential matter, you can only assume that he may have relieved everyone in the palace out of their duties. Except for the people who matters.

As much as you are anxious about leaving, you are also excited for it. To be able to feel a bit of freedom regardless of why you are being sent out of this place, and when it feels like your prayers had been heard—to be given the chance to venture deep into the Elcester Forest and see for yourself the secrets hidden in its gloom. The only apprehension that you have about this trip is the fact that tonight would be the eve of Lemmus Rising—the sacred night that should give more reasons to stay away from the deep forest, where it was said that the souls of the dead would appear once the night has fallen. 

You did wonder the reason why the King would choose this specific evening for your departure. Until you realise that there would not be another night like this one. 

During the evening, everyone in the capital city and the surrounding districts would be paying more attention to their rituals and staying clear from the dark places around the woods, opening up the chance for the royal carriage to make its trip across the Coyne River and into the forest without drawing too much attention. There would also be the thick mist, the fog which would be able to conceal the royal carriage’s movements across the borders until it descends into the deep woods. 

You look up to the sky, watching as the signs of the Lemmus Rising begin to unfold. The bright daylight has been rapidly fading, melting into the warm shade of burnt orange that is dancing across the horizon as the sun continues to descend. Right down below, a thin presence of mist has begun to rise, crawling slowly across the cobblestone-covered ground. You watch it swirling around the wheels of the carriage and passing between the horses’s restless legs as if it has come alive.

While you are closely observing all the movements around you and the changes that are happening as the day turns to dusk, His Majesty finishes his instructions to the driver and the captain of the guards. It draws your attention away from the sunset when you hear the King’s deep voice saying, “I entrust you to do your best to make sure my daughter’s safety.” 

“Indeed, Your Majesty,” you hear the driver speaks. “I will make sure that Her Highness will arrive safely at the home castle by sunrise without any harm.” 

Something that he says draws your curiosity that you quickly turn to look at the driver, just in time to see him bending his waist down to bow at the King. You never paid much attention to the driver when he first arrived with the royal carriage, so you didn’t quite get a good look at the man until now. The driver looks tall, and there is something in the way he presents himself which reminds you of the pub-keeper, Sir Elias. But while he has similar broad shoulders and a pair of arms that look almost as strong, his body is leaner. It makes him look a bit taller than he probably should have once he straightens back up to his height. You cannot tell wether he is old or young, with half of his face covered in a layer of dark, thick moustache and beard, but there is quite a sharpness in his gaze and soft lines appearing around his eyes when he smiles that are showing you that he may not have been that much younger compared to your father. 

You barely have a thing to say when the driver is dismissed, and King Aneas comes to pull you away briefly before letting you go. Once you are in a safe distance away from the other people around you, he surprises you by asking, “Are you armed?” 

“Yes, Father,” you answer him with a low voice. You signal to him the presence of the dagger that is hidden under your dress, tied up to your thigh with the leather-made garter belt that you created with your own hands during one of your crafting lessons. “I carry with me the golden dagger you gave me, and prepared a bow and a substantial amount of arrows. I have them all set up together with my short sword under the seats earlier with Marc’s help.” 

King Aneas, who is known to always hide his expression in front of others, smiles proudly after hearing your answers. “Well done, Princess. I hope that you won’t have to use them during the journey as you will have the guards coming with you to keep you safe, but it’s always good to be prepared,” he says. There is something in his eyes that makes you wonder if there is something else that he may want to say to you, but the look disappears completely as he straightens himself up. “The driver to the carriage is someone who is familiar with the territory and he will take you safely to the home castle. He is also trained to defend himself so you will be safe in his hands. But always stay alert, no matter what.” 

“Father, what—” 

Before you can have a chance to speak, your father immediately adds, “And don’t forget. Never take off your necklace. Make sure that you keep it on you the whole time you are away and never to lose it.” 

Despite the voices nagging in the back of your mind, you choose to keep your questions to yourself. “I promise,” you murmur softly while absentmindedly reaching up to grab your necklace. Pleased with your answer, the King regards you with a nod and begins to usher you towards the awaiting royal carriage. 

“It’s time to go, Your Highness,” the driver calls to you, and with Marc’s assistance, you step into the carriage carefully and settle down in your seat. While the driver and the guards prepare themselves for the departure, you continue to look out the window, unable to look away from your father.  

As the carriage begins to depart through the gate on the south side of the palace, the part of The Citadel which is cleverly hidden from the common folks’ eyes, your eyes remain on the King. His Majesty remains to stand there on the side threshold of the palace, watching you closely with his unwavering gaze. As the carriage continues to drive further away from him, you almost believe that the mist which has been swirling on the ground begin to rise, growing thicker and denser until it almost makes it hard for you to see him, just as much as you are sure that the royal carriage is being concealed. Your gaze remain on your father’s shadow as you look through the back window, until the moment his sight disappears completely with the distance and the obscuring mist, and that is the last you see of him until the palace’s gate is closed behind the departing carriage.  

You finally draw your eyes away from the palace once you notice the carriage slowing down on the bridge passing over the Coyne River. Beyond you appears the short drive towards the woods from the bridge, with the road disappearing between the thickets. Before the driver sets his horses off towards the forest’s borders, he opens the small window separating the front box-seat to the passenger car so he could speak with you and Nanny Abigail. 

“It is the peak of the summer still, so the night will be short. We will still have some sun as we enter the forest, so you’ll get to enjoy the view for a short while before the sky gets dark. Please be aware that it will be mostly pitch-black once we are deep in the forest, but there will be no need for you to be worried. I’ve put up some lamps inside the carriage as you can see, and they will light up once the sunlight is gone so you and the governess can see just as well on the inside,” he nods his chin pointing to the side of your seats, where a couple of lamps—much similar to the regular oil lamps that you have seen uses back at the palace—are hung right by the windows. 

Just as you begin to wonder how to light up the lamps when there are no sight of the oil canisters around you, the driver speaks again. “We do have some fog around us aside from the dense trees, but we should have enough moonlight, so it should be enough to help see around us better,” the driver reassuringly says, as if he can sense how anxious you feel about being in the dark.  

“I can assure you that the sky will be bright once again when we are out of these woods, as I predict that we will be able to reach the home castle at the break of dawn,” he continues, before lowering his voice a little when he adds, “As long as there is no trouble coming in our way, of course.” 

Not knowing what to say, you simply grow silent. Thankfully, Nanny Abigail—who is sitting right across from you and much closer to the driver’s window—takes over by saying to the driver, “Thank you kindly for the assurance, Sir. We are trusting our safety in your hands.” 

The driver nods at her with a grin on his face, and then does the same to you, before closing the window shut and facing forward again to lead his horses, and the carriage steadily moves faster towards the forest’s edge. 

It takes a while, but as soon as the steady sounds of the horses’s foot galloping on top of the cobblestone road fill the air, you begin to grow calmer. Before long the line of trees appear ahead of you, and your agitation soon turns into excitement. 

Once the carriage drives past the borders and into the thicket, your heartbeat picks up rapidly, still in disbelief even as you are surrounded by nothing but trees. The cobblestone road that continues from the palace carries on for a while longer once you are in the woods, with lines of trees standing on either side of the road which seem like they are passing by quickly as the carriage drives past them. It doesn’t take long before the road breaks out into a path covered with gravel, and the forest begins to open up for you to see a lot more from what lies within the grove. 

As you look out the window, beyond you lay endless rows of trees, with a dense layer of foliage formed by the high grass and wild bushes. Through the small openings that you can find between the trees, you get to see the sight of the green sloping land which is adorned with steep hills appearing here and there, all covered in a spread of green grass. There are small hills in the distance which are adorned with clumps of trees crowning each of their tops, and since you are still close to the edge of the forest, you can see the rare sightings of orchards and farmhouses peeking not too far away. 

Everywhere you look, spread a variety of bright and soft colours that are easily drawing your attention. The beauty that comes from the colourful fresh fruits growing from the top of the evergreen and the blooming petals materialising from the shrubberies, all seem to glow under the warmth coming from the setting sun. 

Soon, the darkness will fall, and these colours would no longer be available to your eyes. So you allow yourself to relish on the view and in the moment, until the carriage gets deeper into the woods, just in time for the sun to disappear completely in the horizon. As the sky finally gets darker, the mist around you seems to grow thicker and reaching higher above ground, and the bright colours which you have been admiring is slowly being replaced with dark shadows. The gloom doesn’t have a chance to enter the carriage, however, as the lamps on your side walls suddenly light up out of nowhere, and a gentle glow fills the car immediately as soon as the world outside is covered by the gloom. 

Surrounded by the darkness, the silence within grows almost as thick as the dense trees outside, and that is when your mind becomes louder. Loud enough for the questions that you were forced to silence earlier to come to surface, leaving you wondering to yourself—

If The Citadel was supposed to be your home, then why do people keep referring this new place of solitude that you are heading to as the ‘home castle’?

“What is happening?” 

The journey has been going on without any disturbance for a while, until you finally notice how restless the driver seems to be. With the curtains on the driver’s window left open, you can see it when his demeanour begins to change—he seems distracted by something and starts glancing and turning to his right, looking out into the distance beyond the trees, and his commands sounds more like a mixture of firm shouts and soothing words, as if he is trying to calm his horses while making them march with more haste. Then you look out through the window as two of the guards on horses separate themselves from the group, and another guard leads his horse to ride closely to the carriage so he could talk to the driver. 

Moving on instinct, you jump across your seat and slide open the window just in time to hear the guard’s voice speaking through the loud noises of the horses’ rapid steps and the carriage wheels, “It’s those nosy boys from the Brotherhood of Jorn. They noticed the carriage entering into the forest and are following us close.” 

You hear the driver cursing loudly before asking, “Can you do something about it?” 

“We’ll drive them away from the carriage and apprehend them to find out what they’re up to. In the meantime, focus on getting Her Highness out of here. Fast!” the guard quickly says, before leading his horse towards the trees, as he joins the other guards to chase away the rebel army with a couple of more guards following him. 

Once they departed, the driver looks over his shoulder, looking straight at you with a grin. “Hang on tight, Your Highness. We’re going to have to have a sharp detour right ahead if we want to stay away from the melee,” he yells out, and both you and Nanny Abigail quickly take hold onto the seats to avoid falling as the carriage swerves to the left, just as the gravel-covered road branches out into three different lanes. 

The driver leads the carriage to continue a bit further before he slows down a little, taking his time to make sure that he has taken you away from where the brawl may occur. He looks back through the window, apologising for the crisis at hand before explaining, “Our journey right ahead is going to be a long and exhausting one with us using a different path to be safe. But rest assured, that even in the absence of royal guards, Her Highness’ safety is accounted for. Regardless, we may still have at least two guards with us following in the shadows.” 

You take a quick glance out the window after hearing this, just in time for you to see the shadows of the guards following you from beyond the trees, their horses barely make a sound as they try to match the carriage’s speed. “I shall see it for myself to send Her Highness and the governess to the home castle safely.” 

As you turn back to look and keep your eyes on the driver the whole time he is talking to you, something odd seems to be happening. For a moment, you almost believe that you are seeing his beard glowing faintly with a shade that looks almost blue, and his eyes glimmer in the shade of silver. But they all vanish as quickly as they appear, and the man appears to you as normal as he was before when he smiles at you. Since it is dark around the road, with limited moonlight falling on his face and only the small lamps illuminating inside the carriage, you chalk it all of as nothing more but a trick of the moonlight. 

You don’t have any more chances to make clear what you are seeing, as once the drive is done talking to you, he pulls down the curtains and closes the glass window separating the driver’s seat to the passenger car, covering the whole front of the box-seat as if to make sure that you would no longer be disturbed by his presence or any other incident that might happen. 

The next thing you hear is the sound of his whip cracking in the air, right over his horses, which soon start their steady run once again and the carriage sets off to move along the gravel road. With it, you soon lose sight of your worries and what was possibly a part of your vivid imagination as you continue to take in the scene that you are seeing through the windows as the carriage carries on its journey across the Elcester Forest. 

Never before you truly realised just how far and wide the Elcester Forest was until you are deep within its territory. The journey feels endless, and even if you have let yourself be distracted by the glorious sights around you until the moment darkness fell around you, it feels even more abundantly clear how deep the territory is now once the moonlight is hidden by the tree branches reaching over the road like dark, extended canopy. You see nothing but the eerie shadows crawling between the trees and the gliding mist. Not a sign of this journey ending anytime soon. 

As the evening falls deeper, the air grows colder. Very cold, as a matter of fact, that you feel it piercing through your thick coat even the windows are closed shut. 

“See here, Your Highness, cover yourself with this blanket,” Nanny Abigail says as she hands you a blanket which she pulled out from the storage box beneath the seats. “Best to keep yourself warm until we arrive and catch some sleep, so when you are to see His Royal Majesty, the King father, again, you will be all healthy and well rested. Let us draw the curtains to give you some peace of mind.” 

Taking the blanket in your hands, you simply spread them over your lap while you glance back out into the darkness just as Nanny Abigail starts pulling the curtains to cover most of the windows. “How much longer will this journey take us?” you wonder out loud. “I never knew just how far this forest is spread. Are we even still in Smotia?”

Nanny Abigail gives you a small smile. “My best guest is that we won’t be able to tell until we arrive at dawn, or at least once we’re out of the woods. We might get there a bit later than what the driver promised us if this road leads us through a longer path. Which is why it would be best if we rest through our trip. Have some shut eyes while we can so we can face whatever it is waiting for us on the other end with fresh minds, don’t you agree?” she continues to convince you, though you can still sense the uncertainty in her words. She might still be rattled after the previous crisis, no doubt, so you choose not to say a thing to deny her.

Nanny Abigail soon falls asleep, curling on her side with her head resting against the cushioned armrest under her side of the window. Meanwhile, sleep eludes you, leaving you wide awake even when your body is filled with exhaustion. Still, your mind is loud, still too restless to allow sleep to come and your senses are too high alert for you to relax. In the quietness that falls in the carriage, you can hear nothing but the sound of the soft breathing from Nanny Abigail, the steady pace from the racing horses and the occasional sharp commands coming from the driver. The sounds should have been enough to distract you from your anxiousness, to help your mind to feel at ease, and when they fail to calm you down, you choose to distract yourself with your other surroundings instead. 

After dimming the lamps a little, you pull open the curtain to your side just a little bit to allow you to have a peek of the forest and the one at the front window to be able to see what the driver is seeing. You notice that there are some changes happening with the trees outside, just as there are more bumps on the road and some odd stillness in the air. You may have gotten even deeper into the forest, yet the trees no longer seem as dense as they were, even though they look even more eerie and intimidating with their presence in the gloom. With no more branches reaching over the road, you now had enough opening above to allow you to look up at the sky, and for the moonlight to illuminate through.

You marvel at how the twilight seems to merge into the dark void formed between the gloom of trees and thickets, which would oftentimes swallow the carriage as it drives through the valleys running deep between the spurs of the hills. The mist have grown high enough that you can see it from the window, and it seems as if the fog keeps coming apart around the wheels and crawling closer to engulf the carriage as it drives past. 

Captivated by the sights you are seeing, your hand instinctively reach up to take hold of your necklace, seeking comfort from its presence.

With the tip of your fingers, you trace along the sides of the pendant—a ruby stone shaped as a heart, with a golden frame holding it together, and gold embellishments made in the shape of a smaller heart placed right at the center of the ruby and little curls that almost appear like ancient scriptures circling around the stone and its surrounding frame. You had questioned the meaning of the prettily made twirls to your father once, yet he simply told you that they were nothing but a simple artwork that your mother had designed herself, and she had been wearing the necklace ever since the night of her debutante ball where they first met.

But just like your father, King Aneas, you have been keeping secrets of your own, and one of them has everything to do with the necklace that he had made you swore to never take off wherever you would go. 

For a long time, since the day you received the necklace, you had always admired and loved the beautiful craftwork even as a child. One day, not too long after your twelfth birthday, you had accidentally dropped the necklace while you were playing alone in your bedchamber, accidentally breaking the golden frame holding the stone at its center. 

You remember being so hurt by it, knowing how important the necklace was for both your father and your late mother. But most of all, you were terrified of your father’s wrath if he should find out what had happened. So you locked yourself in your room that night, and tried your best to fix it before you would have to wear it again in the morning, only to find that the necklace held a secret of its own.

The framed ruby stone was a disguised locket, with pictures of your mother hidden inside. On one side, was the image of the young Queen, your mother as a Princess who was no older than you are now today, posing in a lovely dress with a small tiara placed over her head. Just like the one you wore during your debutante ball. On the other side was the image of the Queen once she was just a bit older. In her arms was a small baby who you recognised as yourself from the pictures that you found in your bedchamber. 

You had never told anyone about what you found that night, afraid that your father would take it away if he should find out, just like how he had taken down all the pictures and paintings of your mother from the palace—except for the one he kept in his chamber. You have never truly known the reason why he would do this, so you had kept this necklace close, cherishing it privately as it becomes the only thing that you have left that carries the memory of your mother. That was the true reason why you had been so willing to follow His Majesty’s command to wear it at all times, because it has made you feel closer to your mother while wearing it around your neck, and its presence gives you warmth and comfort whenever you would need it. 

Just like always, you feel a deep longing of your mother’s presence each time you think about her, so you shake away your thoughts before you start getting too emotional and distract yourself by looking out the window again.

Outside, the night continues to grow deeper, while the carriage travels far deeper into the Elcester Forest where the trees are shaped oddly and menacingly than they normally would, and you start noticing how the driver has been making haste. You cannot understand the reason for the sudden urgency as you are unable to see things too clearly in the dark aside from the stars above. And so, at first, you simply reckon that the darkness itself is the reason for the rising speed, assuming that the driver simply wants to get out of the forest quickly as you are lacking guards keeping you secure. 

That is, until the moment you begin to see it. 

For a while longer, you see nothing but the deep dark forest, with the shadows of the trees flashing by at the windows. All the wonderful colours which you had seen by dusk have long disappeared along with the sun, which perhaps becomes the reason why your eyes are quick to find the new colours coming out of the darkness. 

It begins with a faint flickering blue flame emerging through the thicket, a distance away from the road and out of reach from the advancing carriage. At first, you take it in assumption that your eyes are deceiving you. That after straining your eyes to look out into the dark forest, you are beginning to imagine seeing lights and colours appearing against the gloom. You also wonder if you might be dreaming. That sleep has finally come and you have lost the ability to tell the difference between reality and fantasy. 

But soon you can tell that the driver is seeing this at the same time when you can hear the excitement showing in his command as he controls the horses, swerving to start heading towards the source of light. And only then do you finally realise that this is not simply a figment of your imagination, knowing it would be impossible for the driver to know what might be inside your mind. 

From one small flame, another appears on the other side of the road, both flickering from a fair distance from one to the other, then more of it begins to emerge, alternating between the left and right side of the road. You have no idea what to do, or think, as the carriage carries on driving between them while the flames continue to emerge here and there. You wonder if this has anything to do with the Lemmus Rising, and if these blue flames are what the townsfolk has believed to be the souls of the elders, especially when you can see the mist moving as if they are avoiding the flames, crawling away from where they seem to be emerging from.

Surprisingly so, instead of driving out of the road and away from the shady phenomenon, the driver continues leading the carriage to continue the journey by following and turning rapidly towards where the blue flames are rising as if he is using them as a guide to know just where to go. 

The flames continue to emerge more frequently from then on, slowly forming two lines of blue flames on either side of the road and appearing as if they are getting closer and closer while the carriage continues to pick up its speed. Their presence make it seem like the path is growing a bit brighter, yet despite the close proximity, you feel no warmth nor heat inside the carriage. The cold remains strong, and so is the fog that has somehow risen around you, the thick fog dispersing around you as the carriage drives past before gathering back together over the tracks. 

This pattern continues for a moment longer, then what happens next seems to you like a strange optical effect taunting your exhausted mind. The flames suddenly seem to be dancing as the carriage drives past them, while the air ripples around you in a steady current that you almost think of it as being in water instead of a rapidly pacing carriage going through the woods. 

A shout comes from the driver while you are wondering about what might be happening. His unsteady voice startles you, but it does little to worry you when the excitement seems to remain in his voice. You look to the front to see what the driver is seeing, and your jaw nearly drops when something seems to emerge right beyond your eyes. 

Right in the middle of the road ahead, the pair of lines of blue flames unite and form a tall pillar. A massive, roaring blue inferno rises from the ground, as if cutting the end of your journey with its threatening blaze. Once again, the driver’s actions startles you. When seeing this, instead of avoiding it and coming to a halt, the carriage speeds up, as if the driver has every intention of driving the whole carriage and its passengers right into the heart of the burning inferno. 

And that is exactly what he does. 

Before you can react, the driver sends the horses diving straight forward, carrying everything and everyone along with them into the roaring blue pillar of flame. 

On the other side of the forest, Yoongi is awakened by a ripple of strong aura that seems to be passing through the air. He wakes up completely alert but cautious, as he tries to identify the source of this queer force and find out where it is coming from. Just as he pulls out his amulet necklace to help him as a guide, Ansen barges into his tent, his unkempt hair showing that the poor man has rushed his way here after the magic force had awakened him at the same time it did with Yoongi. 

“Your Highness!” Ansen nearly shouts at his Prince with a strained voice. “Did you feel it too?” 

“Yes, I did,” Yoongi says, still feeling obviously astounded as he raises his amulet to see that the black crystal is glowing as it also senses the powerful force reverberating through the air. Yoongi’s brows are furrowed when he realises that the glow appears to be in a shade of iridescent blue, something that seems impossible to happen, not in this realm, but it does help him recognise what kind of magic this one would be. “It’s an ancient magic, an old spell. Seems like someone has gone across the realm.”

“But—how? How was it possible?” 

Before Yoongi can answer him, Yijeong slips into the tent just then and answers for him. “It feels like a portal to me. Whoever it was, they made it across by going through it.” He falls silent, while Ansen seems to be lost in deep thought, until Yijeong openly questions his Prince, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Your Highness?”   

Wearing the amulet around his neck, Yoongi slowly nods. “Yes, there’s only one person who can use such a powerful mana to create a portal and send someone away even without him having to be present.” He looks up to his companions with a grim look on his face. “This is his magic. It’s been his magic that we’ve felt all along.” 

There is no need for Yoongi to explain further, as he and his men had been dealing with these old spells for some time now without understanding how it would be possible for such magic to exist in the territory of Smotia. Now that the source of magic has finally shown its true self, they finally have the answers that they needed.

“He really was here the whole time,” Yoongi says, voicing out exactly what the others are thinking. “And I think he knows that we were on to him.” 

Once again, the blue glow shimmers brightly from his black crystal, as if agreeing with him as Yoongi mentions the one name that he hasn’t been able to say out loud for a long time.

“It’s Bluebeard.”

— © 2023 Yoonia, all rights reserved. reposting/modifying of any kind, translations, unsanctioned adaptations are not allowed.

You know what’s really amusing to me? How Camilla kept her distance from MM from day one. I mean, if you look at Cam’s and Catherine’s relationship, you’d expect her to be just as welcoming with MM or at least try. Catherine was invited to one of her kid’s wedding back when she was just a gf, is widely named as the person who talked her into wearing a tiara at her wedding because she was the future Queen and fck those rumours anyway, whenever they’re together at Trooping they clearly like each other + the kids are comfortable with her (I’ve seen on X a pic of Charlotte maybe peeking inside Cam’s purse or something? anyway, clearly they’re comfortable with her). And then you have MM who was never given 1/10 th of those things. Sure, no one cares about Camilla but she is 1) the King’s wife 2) someone who is known for persuading the King so I wouldn’t want to have her against me. Also, if she wanted to get Pippa on her side, why not try and get Cam’s kids on her side and gush about how everyone loves her more than MM? But, I don’t believe they even met her and they’re around the royal residences a lot, we occasionally see KC with her grandkids.

And I get it, she wanted the Diana cosplay so badly so that’s probably why even if Cam offered she didn’t accept anything from her, but also, if she wanted to cosplay so hard, wouldn’t it have been better to paint Cam as the witch harassing her as well, Diana 2.0? Wouldn’t that have cemented her as the second coming of Diana? I mean, they even share nemesis.

I get that her main beef is with Catherine, but there’s not a MM story against Cam, the only one who spoke against Cam was H. Wouldn’t two future Queens being mean to you just support how much of an “unconscious bias” there is in the RF? Not even the leaked stories have anything about her and if Cam had rejected her and side eyed her she would’ve leaked that just as she did with so many other stories.

So, I keep thinking Cam walked into a room some day in 2017 ready to meet her stepson’s new gf, sniffed that Diana perfume and noped the fck out of there and never tried to interact with MM again.

The thing about Meghan is she is going to use whoever she sees has the more power in the relationship.

She asked Charles to walk her down the aisle and she was also thinking about asking William before she asked Charles.

Rumor is that she really tried her hand with the overly friendly, slightly flirty behavior with William and he kept his guard up. Also, Camilla and Catherine were said to have her number from day 1. As for Pippa, I'm sure Pippa was aware of Meghan from the get go because of Meghan's desire to date a rich British guy.

She uses men to get what she wants and the two more powerful men in the family were not falling for what she was selling.

i finished reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt yesterday and i have a lot of thoughts and feelings about every single thing about it, but what I would like to address here, and it speaks for itself;

"8R, two keys and a combination padlock, 7522, the last four digits of Boris's home phone in Vegas."

- The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt, IV, chapter 9, X, page 532

and and and.....8 yrs later, the passcode is still the same.....it's the way Theo, 8 yrs earlier, didn't hesitate a second....it's the way Boris's home number guards Theo's dearest possession, the remnant of his mother, his very heart....it's the way it isn't Pippa's bday, or anything like that.....it's the way i sobbed when reading this line

(not to mention....not to mention....how "Popper" is "Popchyk" for as long as Theo gets back to NY and is with Hobie, never once Popper always Popchyk until.....until Boris comes back, and calls him Popchyk, and then, immediately, for the first time since Vegas, Popchyk is Popper in Theo's mind....because....because the rightful person who calls him Popchyk is back, and Theo no longer has to fill in for him, and, and, and--)

There are still a week left to read A Darker Shade of Magic, but we’re voting for our next book now so we have plenty of time to get it for the first day of reading on December eleventh! Book summaries are under the cut! Each new title is in bold for clarity.

If you’d like to join the book club, now or for the next book, feel free to send me an ask and I’ll give you the link to our Discord!

(We'll also be voting for our January book immediately after this poll ends because we're doing our first themed month: Author Debuts! Some of the choices are very new and we'll need time to source them, so we're voting on that one early!)

Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites by Joy Demorra

Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn’t to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he’d never felt before. Particularly about fangs.

When Vlad Blutstein agreed to hire Nathan as Captain of the Eyrie Guard, he hadn’t been sure what to expect either, but it certainly hadn’t been to fall in love with a disabled werewolf. However Vlad has fallen and fallen hard, and that’s the problem.

Torn by their allegiances—to family, to duty, and the age-old enmity between vampires and werewolves—the pair find themselves in a difficult situation: to love where the heart wants or to follow where expectation demands.

The situation is complicated further when a mysterious and beguiling figure known only as Lady Ursula crashes into their lives, bringing with her dark omens of death, doom, and destruction in her wake.

And a desperate plea for help neither of them can ignore.

Thrown together in uncertain times and struggling to find their place amidst the rising human empire, the unlikely trio must decide how to face the coming darkness: united as one or divided and alone. One thing is for certain, none of them will ever be the same.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl… Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg.

She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success – not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

“Only the most powerful and honorable semidioses get chosen. I’m just Jade. I’m not a real hero.”

As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.

Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials…or rather, he’s only worried for others. His best friend Niya—daughter of Tierra, the god of earth—is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can’t help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-rival who is a shoo-in for the Trials. Teo wouldn’t mind taking Aurelio down a notch or two, but a one-in-ten chance of death is a bit too close for Teo’s taste.

But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidiós who isn’t a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and…Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival.

This dress has seen extensive use over the years. Its first sighting was on actress Sheila Raynor as Tabitha Aykroyd in the 1973 mini-series The Brontës of Haworth. In 1978 it was spotted on Pippa Guard as Maggie Tulliver in The Mill on the Floss. The following year it made a very brief appearance on an extra in The Old Curiosity Shop. 1985’s The Pickwick Papers recycled the dress for use on Tamsin Heatley in the role of Mary, and in 1999 Justine Waddell wore the costume as Molly Gibson in Wives and Daughters. In 2007, the gown was worn by Julia Sawalha as Jessie Brown in Cranford, and finally in 2019 on Gemma Whelan as Marian Lister in Gentleman Jack.

Costume Credit: Ameliadean, carsNcors Sarah A. Shrewsbury Lasses 

E-mail Submissions: [email protected]

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THE WEDDING OF PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES AND MISS CATHERINE MIDDLETON (NOW THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES) | APRIL 29 2011

On April 29th 2011, Prince William of Wales - the eldest son of The Prince of Wales and the late Diana Spencer, and the future heir to the throne - married his long-term partner, Miss Catherine Middleton, at Westminster Abbey, in London. The groom wore the ceremonial uniform of the Irish Guards and was attended by his brother, Prince Henry of Wales, who acted as Best Man.

Catherine, the daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton, wore an ivory gown from Alexander McQueen, as well as the Halo Scroll Tiara on loan from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her sister, Philippa "Pippa" Middleton acted as her Maid of Honour, while her brother, James, performed a reading.

The remainder of the bridal party was made up of the groom's cousin, Lady Louise Windsor; the groom's second cousin, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones; the groom's step-niece, Eliza Lopes; the daughter of the couple's friend, Grace van Cutsem; the son of the groom's childhood nanny, Tom Pettifer; and the son of the groom's Private Secretary, William Lowther-Pinkerton.

The couple have gone on to have three children - George, Charlotte, and Louis - as well as two dogs, Lupo and Orla. The couple have recently moved into Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor. In a few days, they will attend the coronation of William's father and step-mother at Westminster Abbey.

so I just finished good as dead…and saw your Pippa posts…my question is…dark pip…any thoughts on her?

Well I don’t have any dark Pip thoughts at the moment I can give you a sneak peek of my upcoming (almost completed) Pippa fic at a calamity with a wasted adoring reader and a slighty frazzled Connor. I know a lot of my anons have been asking about her 🤣

You crash into me Hard and Soft (sneak peek)

Pip could feel the way her nails burned uncomfortably under the surface from the way her nails dug into the wood. Her fingers clenched hard enough she thought her knuckles would lose circulation altogether. Her jaw was tense, blue grey eyes zeroed in on you as you spoke with Connor from across the dance floor. The flashing lights of the calamity party making pip's eyes itch.

Pippa's distain for calamity parties had been apparent, even years before the Andie Bell case you knew you'd never see Pippa Fitz Amobi grace the halls of the random pupil's house. Which was why now as you peered across the dance floor to where your girlfriend sat you couldn't help but think it such an odd welcoming sight and apparently Connor thought it too.

You had gone to get some drinks with Connor, you had to practically command pip to sit down, even through her pleading eyes, even through her instructions on how to check for certain hidden items in your drinks. Connor had been the first to grab pip by the hands, his calming soft eyes sending waves of peace through Pip. She was often anxious these days, always on alert. Her nervous system jumping at even the most mundane things. Car alarms, ball point pens and rubbish bins clacking.

Pip had been your personal body guard the minute you had gotten out of the Car accompanied by Cara and Connor, your eyes wide upon seeing your girlfriend at the entrance of Edmund Pain's house “figured if my girlfriend was going into the lions den I might as well accompany you. You know, personal body guard and all” Pippa had joked, but you could see from her wild slightly glazed eyes that she hadn't been sleeping. You had considered calling it an early night and taking your girlfriend's hand and walking back to yours. Considered a nice warm shower, Pippa holding you close under the warming sheen of the shower, the cool heat flowing over both of you. A nice calm night in. You had been about too when Cara had taken your hand and dragged you inside, pip close at your heels.

"It seems you have a shadow" Connor had commented, handing you your drink, eyes peering at the girl who sat across from you. Eyes like a hawk, jaw clenched. You felt a smile fill your lips, the alcohol already filling your tongue, leaving the slightly bubbly feeling and burn on the tip of your lips. You were not going to lie, your girlfriend looked hot. With her blue eyes that were on yours, even far enough from the room. Studying you, eying your surroundings like the good dedicated girlfriend she was. You had half a mind to race over and drag her to the nearest bathroom. A flush rose across your cheeks as you imagined pulling a confused Pip into the wasted most likely minging bathroom. Could imagine pushing her against the door and kissing down her neck, feel her pulse point behind her skin. Could imagine her heavy breathing, hands woven through your curls, pulling just enough to make you whimper against her skin.

"Hey y/n you alright? You look a proper mess! Sure you don't want to switch to water now? I know Pip won't want you too wasted" Connor's voice brought you out of your lust filled brain. Your eyes turned to him, Connor and his now bleary face. You were concious enough to know when to stop, and you knew after a full cup you would surly get a headache. You could just imagine Pip giving you her I told you so' signature face. It was enough for your lips to move up. Pip always gave you the best hangover cuddles. Would pull you to her chest and cuddle you till you were fast asleep.

Your movements were sluggish as you tried to speak, and it was only then that your fingers slipped from the brim of the cup and went smashing over into Connor's jumper. You gasped, holding a hand to your mouth and apologizing, moving to wipe the remains from the poor boys shirt. Your movements sluggish but your voice strong.

Connor only held up his hands, calm as always. "It's alright y/n!" He Comforted. But maybe it was because of your drunk state that made him laugh, you were cute when you were wasted. Like a little bunny almost, innocent and shy. He could see just why Pip was so protective over you, because in a way he was too. You had been a great source of comfort to him during Jamie's case. Had stood by his side, "a great big pillar of strength" Connor had quoted on the podcast, you had blushed and buried your cheeks into pip's neck as she held you. Connor had chuckled at the sight. The same Pip that had told him off multiple times for speaking or simply breathing during audio interviews had been laying loosely on the chair, mic in hand but you draped over her lap, fingers playing with her pendant necklace as you had recorded an episode. It was almost uncanny. Connor would tease you relentlessly about it. So it was safe to say Connor and you were as thick as thief's.

Connor moved to grab your sluggish hands, his fingers calmly wrapped around your wrist, his hands moving to catch your tumbling legs. His arms wrapped around you protectively, " think you've had quite enough for today why don't we go grab a nice cup of water?" Connor spoke, his voice nervous.

Your head was spinning. And not in the pleasant way.Your limbs were tired, your throat dry and you could feel the alcohol pushing in your veins. You felt sick. Thought you were going to be sick all over the floor. It was an embarrassing thought and you cursed yourself for not taking the nice day in cuddled with your girlfriend. Instead you had been selfish, dragging her out to some godforsaken party that she wasn't the faintest bit interested in. But Pip had showed up, even with all her emotional baggage of why she disliked calamity parties. She still had showed up. For you. Chilvary at its finest.

If your knees weren't weak already you were sure they would be now.

"Connor I need to find pip" you spoke, body still dizzy and lightheaded. Connor understood your words, slurry but cognitive. His arms were a thankful blessing as he held your already dead weight. Maybe it was the alcohol in your system but you spoke, making Connor freeze. *Have I ever told you how strong you are Con? I bet you could lift me up and throw me over your bed couldn't you?" You giggled, your hazy mind picturing Connor throw you. It was actually quite funny as Connor use to be a bag of bones. Cara would tease him endlessly in primary school for his weak girl arms.

But Connor had frozen, in fear because somehow during your little adventure your girlfriend had managed to go unnoticed and had snuck up behind you two. Connor would feel her disapproving stare right behind him. Imaginary daggers being thrown at his head like a target he imagined. It was obvious she had heard what you said. Because her back had straightened. Her jaw clenched, her normally anxious eyes had become wide and Connor couldn't lie utterly terrifying. Pip had become slighty terrifying after her brush with the cases and Let's be honest at her brush with death.

Connor gulped, turning to find Pippa eying him with analyzing eyes, almost as if she was trying to find something. Anything.

"Thanks for helping my girlfriend Connor" she spoke, a saccharine smile etched onto her lips. But the smile was to fake to be real, to empty. And maybe the forceful way she had spit out girlfriend had been telling enough that she had heard. Also the emphasis on My before girlfriend. Almost like she was staking her claim while also trying to remember that Connor was her dear friend and who she loved with all her heart it wasn’t easy quieting the jealousy that swelled in her chest.

At her voice you immensely caught your girlfriend's eye, too drunk to notice the way her eyes were downcast, hurt by the comment you had made. But it was quickly mended by the sly smile that filled your features as you caught her eyes. "Hi" you spoke, cheeks a mess. Pippa couldn't help but chuckle, finding you too cute. Hell you were adorable.

"Isn't my girlfriend the most hottest girl ever?" You spoke, "| like how she’s so sweet before she fu- " Connor cupped his hands over your mouth, ears red, face red, "alright I think you can take your girlfriend home now Pip" he chided practically throwing you to to your girlfriends arms.

Pippa, with her cheeks red from the comment though somewhat prideful as she pulled you into her body, arms wrapping protectively around you. Your smile wide as pip brushed her nose against yours.

"Your wasted" Pip assessed, lips close enough for you to chase, close enough for you to taste. Your eyes were dark as they eyed Pip's dark blues. You loved moments like these. Small moments were all you could focus on was Pippa. You were drunk at a Calamity party with neon lights and music so loud it bursted your eardrum yet all you could hear, see was your Pippa. And her soft fingers which now were feeling more comfortable than Connor's. You felt warm, at home within her arms. Secure.

"I just need some water." You spoke, hiccuping.

Pippa's eyes were soft as the pad of her fingers came up to caress your cheek, sending goosebumps through you. Her eyes so caring and soft. "Let's get you home love" she cooed. Connor had thankfully volunteered to find some water. Pip had sat you down next to her, arms woven through yours but in your drunk haze state you had simply climbed on top of her and dug your nose into her neck, needing that sweet relief only pip brought.

"Your a cuddly one today love" Pippa spoke, practically glowing as you sat on her lap, eyes ablaze with a playful glint. You giggled, moving to hesitantly brush your nose against pip's feeling the cool cold contact meet your skin. Pippa's eyes fluttered as she leaned forward, her lips meeting yours in a soft single peck. But you weren't in the mood for that, so you snaked your hand to cup the back of her neck, playing with some baby hairs and pulled her lips back to you.

The rush of energy that flowed through you as you kissed pip was never dull, it was overpowering and seemed to pull you deeper down into the depths of its soul. Pippa was cautious even as you began taking control of the kiss, it was all you to be certain. Pip kissed back, she was doing that right. But there was no fire in her kisses, you could tell she was busy looking around, assessing the strangers around them to truly lose herself in you. You pulled away, eying pip's red lips which looked chapped in the neon light of the room.

You whined, your fingers clinging to Pippa's red jumper, toying with the metal clasps. Pippa noticed your less than cheery attitude, how your lips were turned ownward like a toddler who didn't get its promised toy after a shop to the market. It was cute, you were rather like a child when you were a drunk. Reverting back to your three year old self. Which was why pip had seemed to grow a rapid respect for your mother.

What's with that face now love? Your lips are far to pretty to be in a scowl" Pip spoke, fingers cupping your jaw softly. You leaned into the touch, your weight shifting as you leaned closer, pulling yourself up into pip's lap " need kisses" you uttered. "Kisses?

I gave you plenty just now? Why don't you drink some water and we can talk about kisses when we get home and your not giving anyone a free show?" Pippa spoke, laying a gentle kiss on your forehead. “Where is Connor with that water?" Pip muttered, craning her head round to look.

•End of sneak peek•

— OCS AS HISTORICAL ROMANCE HERO ARCHETYPES

tagged by @corvosattano @jackiesarch @inafieldofdaisies to do this uquiz and I found it way too entertaining to do it for my she/her fuckbois (+ a token Boy boy) thank you lovelies 💕💕💕

tagging: @jillvalentinesday @marivenah @kyber-infinitygems @chuckhansen @adelaidedrubman @voidika @queennymeria @shegetsburned @risingsh0t @shellibisshe @indorilnerevarine @socially-awkward-skeleton @florbelles @aceghosts @simonxriley @v0idbuggy @unholymilf @roofgeese @shallow-gravy

GENTLEMAN IN THE STREETS, FREAK IN THE SHEETS

He's a GENTLEMAN. He has STANDARDS. He will not abide by a single WRINKLE in his trousers. But he willlllll fuck you from behind while fish-hooking your mouth and leaving bruises. That's just how he rolls. A coveted type, this gentleman puts on a stern facade and doesn't have a lot of patience for nonsense--but he's also solicitous, polite, and seemingly respectful. Until you give him a bit of lip in the garden. Never go with him to the garden. Or DEFINITELY go with him to the garden, if you want to get defiled. Which, let's be real, you absolutely do. This hero will wipe cum off your tits with the most expensive handkerchief known to man, fold it and place it in his pocket, and be like, "I apologize; I was quite overwhelmed by your charms. Gentleman recs: "The Duke Gets Even" by Joanna Shupe, "The Duke Who Knew Too Much" by Grace Callaway, "Waking Up with the Duke" by Lorraine Heath, "The Earl I Ruined" by Scarlett Peckham, "The Truth About Cads and Dukes" by Elisa Braden

THE SCOT

"Get on your (yer) hands and knees lass" is something you have a 60% chance of reading in a Scottish historical, and honestly? Bless. These heroes are from Scotland, which is in historical romances, "England but with an autumnal vibe" or "England but they do manual labor while also being rich and titled". They're usually (always) FUCKIN' GIGANTIC, a bit rougher around the edges, and more down to earth. Is this all stereotyping? Yes. Are they probably going to deliver a baby animal, go "look at its wee legs" and then fuck you in a stable? Yeah for sure. Scot recs: "When A Scot Ties the Knot" by Tessa Dare, "When A Girl Loves an Earl" by Elisa Braden ("put yer filthy Scot inside ye"), "The Taming a Highlander" by Elisa Braden, the entire Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty, "The Madness of Lord lan Mackenzie" by Jennifer Ashley, "When A Girl Loves an Earl" by Stacy Reid

THE TORTURED HERO

Look--he just doesn't wanna talk about it. The tortured hero has a dark past, which probably involves his childhood, may involve one or both of his parents dying (or a dead wife), and will be withheld from you for at least the first half of the book. He fucks like an absolute demon (usually to make you forget about the questions you asked regarding his scars; it's effective), he may have nightmares where he says what you think is his old lover's name so you steam about it for 20-50 pages and he's like "no, that's my childhood dog, which I had to eat when food became scarce", maybe his dad didn't love him, and he is more likely to be self made than some other heroes. Though he may also be a duke whose actions had consequences. There's a *distinct* possibility that he's mentally unwell, but everyone needs love. Your one big issue is that he... may not think he's worthy of touching you with his filthy hands. Somehow, you must overcome this. Tortured recs: "My Darling Duke" by Stacy Reid, "Dreaming of You" by Lisa Kleypas, "A Lady for a Duke" by Alexis Hall, "Pippa and the Prince of Secrets" by Grace Callaway, "Duke of Midnight" by Elizabeth Hoyt, "The Duke I Tempted" by Scarlett Peckham, "A Rogue by Any Other Name" by Sarah MacLean

THE GOOD GUY

Isn't that great for you? The good guy isn't a NICE guy. He doesn't expect sexual favors because he's nice to you; and he's so charming, he can probably get laid elsewhere. He may have a tragic backstory and a fatal flaw, but that's not going to get him down. He doesn't play at alpha male bullshit, and he may not be a duke, or a lord, or the owner of the world's first department store. But he's a Solid Guy. He will love, honor, and obey, and he will NOT! Do a nonsense. He will, however, eat pussy. He's a good guy. Good guy recs: "Unclaimed" by Courtney Milan, "Scandal in Spring" by Lisa Kleypas, "My Fake Rake" by Eva Leigh, "Unmasked by the Marquess" by Cat Sebastian

HI PIPPA 👋👋 qhats your favourite spiderman comic... 🎤 ORR your fav spidey storyline

HI DAVIE omg....

I TALKED SO MUCH TL:DR: my fav spider man comic on its own is unmasked by doc ock & my fav spidey storyline is spider man no more

my insane person ranting is under the cut THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK the spider man autism has never left it just remains dormant... but for how long...

well... from classic tasm I LOVE SPIDER MAN IS NO MORE SO MUCH. when there was a hobie version of the one of the covers in atsv i actually screamed out loud in the cinema (i screamed the whole time though that movie was insane for me)

ALSO... MY FAV SPIDER MAN MOVIE OF ALL TIEM SPIDER MAN 2............. spider man is no more comes up in it PETER IS SO GOOD IN THAT MOVIE i literally tear up whenever i think abt him i love you sam raimi spider man until i die. the bit where he has the worst day ever WITH HIS ADORABLE STUPID GLASSES ON i dont want to talk abt peter but hes so cute i love him i need to see him Sorry hes ruined rhe post hang on

AND THE TRAIN SCENE IS IN SPIDER MAN 2 AS WELL sorry i lobe spider man 2 so much i need to rewatch it

his fucking hor dog 😭

UMMMMMMMM i also looooooVEEEE LOVE LOVE LOVE??????? the ultimate spider man spin off comic....... the name escapes me rn but ill get it in a sec.. where all the villains spidey had fucked over at that point were in prison.... AND THEY ALL ESCAPE and otto is literlaly so cute in it for NOOOOO REASON WHAT WAS THE REASON. not really an arc or comic or whatever but i love whenever 😭😭 otto is in a piece of spidey media and he sucks up to like the prison guards or whatever and they get a bit more lenient with him l OR hes let out of prison early on good behaviour 🤧♥️ ITS SOOO CUUUTTEEEEE and its been part of his character since like. the second issue he was ever in it is SO beautiful to me

the comic series i was talking abt was ULTIMATE SIX i need to reread it i think abt the wasp saying otto has gingivitis ALL THE TIME for some reason 😭

i also love LIKE EVERY SINGLE......... SPIDER MAN REVEALED!?!?!?! story line........ especially when through INSANE REASONS peter gets away with it and people are like oh ^_^ silly peter could never be spider man HE IS.. thats his secret

^ my fav moment this happened is the first time... when hes super sick and he goes off to save betty(? i think... i dont think it was some random woman LOL) from doc ock AND THE COVER OF THE COMIC. im insane about it actually its one of my fav comic covers EVER OF ALL TIME let me get it

UNMASKED BY DOCTOR OCTOPUS!!!!!!! i love it so muchh the little "look whos back!!" arrow. i could scream. STEVE DITKOS ART EUUUUHHHHHHHH i love you classic spider man comics

also IVE SAID SO MUCH HELP ME. but... also... sniffle... the concept of superior spider man just scratxhes my brain so perfectly... i havent read it yet bc im insane and i wanr ro readEVERY SPIDER MAN APPEARANCE IN COMICS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER like an insane person. but some day ill cave in. and i will read superior spider man. and i will either love ottos characterisation in it or ill hate it with a burning passion ♥️

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK... if you do read rhis far THANK YOU but if you dont its ok i udnerstand. im insane

I just finished Between the Devil and Desire and would love any recommendations for similar class/upbringing difference historical romances.

Def have some of those! I focused on "upper class lady/lower class man" to run consistently with Between the Devil and Desire.

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid--Similar dynamic. Widowed icy duchess hires this lower class powerful fixer man to help find her son's governess when she goes missing. Eventually, he'd rather something other than money as payment. It's super big on the class difference, and very hot.

For My Lady's Heart by Laura Kinsale--Medieval classic, heroine is a widow and a literal princess known for her icy nature, hero is a knight who pledged himself to her service thirteen years earlier but is only truly meeting her now, when he escorts her on a dangerous journey. Funny, angsty, very romantic.

How to Tame a Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long--Heroine is a spinster refined lady who runs into a roguish privateer in the middle of a huge storm; they end up sharing a suite at an inn while pretending to be a married couple. A bottle episode kind of romcom with a bittersweet edge (heroine feels very undesirable and like she's wasted her life).

Pippa and the Prince of Secrets by Grace Callaway--My favorite Callaway (thus far). A widowed countess reconnects with the man who gave her her first kiss when they were teens; he leads this underworld spy network type thing, and he's super scarred, so he wears a mask. It's REALLY hot (especially if you like some exhibitionism/voyeurism) and angsty and tender. The scene where he finally lets her see his face is so emotional.

Her Protector's Pleasure by Grace Callaway--Widowed lady (baroness, I think?) is looking for her daughter, who was taken from her years ago. She was pregnant by another man when she married her husband, and he became abusively resentful. She hires a lower class lawman to help her find the kid, and obviously he's INSTANTLY drawn to her.

Glory and the Master of Shadows by Grace Callaway--Heroine is the daughter of a duke, and the hero is a Chinese immigrant who becomes her mentor as she seeks to become a better... vigilante? (This series is like, Charlie's Angels but Victorian--it's GREAT.) It's so hot; there's some age gap vibes, master/pupil vibes. Grace is Chinese-Canadian, and she wrote the book with like, a wuxia inspiration in mind. Like I said, Wei (the hero) is Chinese; however, the heroine's father is actually half-Chinese as well, so there's a level of her learning about this background she's felt disconnected to.

The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe--Heroine is the upper class daughter of an extremely influential man in New York, hero is a casino owner who hates her father and plans to use her for vengeance when she asks him to become her mentor. Actually, all three Uptown Girl books have this (the first one is the eldest daughter and their father's lawyer/fixer who came from nothing, third is the youngest daughter and a gangster).

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt--Heroine is a duke's sister; she's blind, so her brother hires this ex-soldier/captain of the guard type as her bodyguard. They have to go on a road trip to escape this guy who wants to kidnap her, and fall in love in the process.

Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt--Heroine is a widowed lady, hero is a younger man/virgin/orphanage master. He's a masked vigilante, and she ends up picking him up after he's been injured; at first, there's this Zorro vibe where she doesn't know who he is, which is super cool.

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas--Sara isn't super upper class but she is like, gentry; Derek was born in the slums, and their class difference is a huge obstacle (for him) when she begins shadowing him as she researches her book.

The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt--Heroine is a fine lady who's inherited a property, and the hero is the steward of the property. They begin a passionate, secret affair.

Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas--Heroine is an earl's daughter, while the hero is a servant on the property who grows up alongside her. They fall in love as teens, but her father makes her break his heart and send him away. Years later, he returns BENT ON REVENGE!!! So good.

Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin--Heroine is the emperor's daughter who escapes her wedding entourage after it's attacked. A mercenary begins escorting her across China, and they fall in love. Includes a fab scene wherein she's wearing a blindfold while doing some sword stuff with him and he toooouches her.

Books Read In 2023

Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley (1/3/23)

East by Edith Pattou (1/4/23)

Midnight on the Moon by Mary Pope Osbourn (1/16/23)

The Lady or The Tiger?, and The Discourager of Hesitancy by Frank R. Stockton (1/17/23)

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1/21/23)

Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (1/22/23)

Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan (1/22/23)

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (1/26/23)

Batgirl, vol. 1: The Silent Knight (1/27/23)

Batgirl, vol. 2: To The Death (1/27/23)

Batgirl, vol. 3: Point Blank (1/28/23)

The Female of the Species by Rudyard Kipling (2/17/23)

Batgirl: Stephanie Brown, vol. 1 by Bryan Q. Miller (2/19/23)

Batgirl, Stephanie Brown, vol. 2 by Bryan Q. Miller (3/4/23)

Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (3/4/23)

The Queen’s Blade by T C Southwell (3/5/23)

Sacrifice, The Queen’s Blade #2 by T C Southwell (3/9/23)

The Invisible Assassin, The Queen’s Blade #3 by T C Southwell (3/13/23)

Mermaids by Patty Dann (3/14/23) X

The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám translated by Edward FitzGerald (3/19/23)

The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos (3/21/23) X

The Missing of Clairedelune by Christelle Dabos (3/22/23) X

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy (3/24/23) X

Ronia, The Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren (3/27/23)

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono (3/30/23)

Brine and Bone by Kate Stradling (4/10/23)

Green Arrow: Quiver by Kevin Smith (4/17/23) X

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, translated by Stanley Mitchell (4/22/23)

When Patty Went to College by Jean Webster (4/23/23)

The Princess and The Pea by Hans Christian Anderson (4/23/23)

Deathmark by Kate Stradling (4/25/23)

Without Blood by Alessandro Baricco (5/5/23)

River Secrets by Shannon Hale (5/6/23)

The Fairy’s Return and Other Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine (5/8/22)

Batman Adventures: Cat Got Your Tongue? by Steve Vance (5/14/23)

Batman Adventures: Batgirl — A League of Her Own by Paul Dini (5/17/23)

The Girl From The Other Side: Siúil a Rún, Vol. 1 by Nagabe (5/19/23)

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda. Translated by W. S. Merwin (5/26/23)

Other-Wordly: Words Both Strange and Lovely from Around the World by Yee-Lum Mak (6/21/23)

A Bride’s Story, vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori (6/25/23) X

La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils (7/17/2023)

Storefront Church by William Waring Cuney (7/24/23)

Golden Slippers: An Anthology of Negro Poetry for Young Readers (1941), compiled by Arnas Bontemps (7/28/23)

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (7/29/23)

Strawberry’s New Friend (Flower Fairy Friends series) by Pippa Le Quesne (7/29/23)

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (8/11/23)

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (8/18/23)

Convent Boarding School by Virginia Arville Kenny (9/05/23)

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis (09/18/23)

The Betsy Tacy Treasury by Maud Hart Lovelace (09/27/23)

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (09/27/23)

Skylark (Sarah, Plain and Tall #2) by Patricia MacLachlan (09/27/23)

Caleb’s Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall #3) by Patricia MacLachlan (09/27/23)

Maelyn by Anita Halle (10/06/23)

Imani All Mine by Connie Porter (10/15/23)

The Perilous Gard (10/22/23)

Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery (10/29/23)

Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr (11/19/23)

Gone By Nightfall by Dee Garretson (12/02/23)

The Dragon’s Promise by Elizabeth Lim (12/08/23)

A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla (12/10/23)

The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler (12/23/23)

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle (12/26/23

The Wasteland by T. S. Eliot (12/31/23)

"...Nautica Voyage?"

"Yeah."

"Makes sense..."

"Why, because it's cheap?"

"No, because it's long-lasting and you've been traveling. And I'm sorry, but why do you hate me so much again, exactly? Even when I'm trying to give you a compliment, you immediately assume I mean you ill for some reason."

"Brazil Olympics. Ring a bell?"

"Yes, I remember the Brazil Olympics."

"Yeah, well, do you remember staring at my sister and me without a word just because I offered you a simple handshake and then turning to your equerry and asking him if he could 'get rid of me?' Because I sure do. As well as the condescending look on your face that made it completely clear where you saw Pip and me on the social totem pole..."

"I...didn't realize you heard that."

"Yeah, well, I did. But you know what, I'm glad I did -- at least it made it clear that you're just like all the other political hacks Pip and I have been paraded in front of, ever since my old man got into office. Two-faced and insincere -- self-absorbed and superficial. Acting all smiley and such in front of the cameras just to puff yourself up and look important, rather than actually doing any real good for people, especially not people who really need help. That's why I even went to that stupid wedding of your father's in the first place, so that I could meet with your Prime Minister about the research I did toward a new green energy deal. Trust me -- if it weren't for me not wanting to sabotage that deal or ruin my Pippa's chance to make a real difference in the world, once she's graduated and can chase a position on the Supreme Court, I wouldn't be wasting two seconds with you."

"...Duly noted."

"Hn."

"...Um...look...I know this is late, but...I'm sorry. For being a prick to you. ...I know it's no excuse, but I was kind of a prick to everyone back then."

"And you're not now?"

"I'm not trying to be! You're just so...infuriating, sometimes!"

"Well, sorry for not just marching lockstep like one of your little Beefeaters in front of your palace."

"The Beefeaters guard the Tower of London, not my palace, you are thinking of the Queen's Guard -- "

"Oh really? Thank you for the correction -- I'll find that infinitely more interesting when I'm actually able to visit the Tower of London without worrying about either you or the press -- "

"Will you stop biting my head off!?"

"Pfft."

"Ugh -- anyway...as I was saying before you derailed my apology...back then, I...it was right after my mother died, and...well, the palace thought it was a brilliant idea to parade me around, for all sorts of press events. Even when my father was already making arrangements for the current Duchess of Edinburgh to take my mother's place. Perhaps even because of it. Grandfather wanted our family to look perfect from the outside, even with all the 'changes.' And as England's beloved deceased princess's only son...I made for a good 'representative' for the family. If I looked well-adjusted and coiffed and respectable, I reflected well on everyone else. Including my father."

"...The King really made you go out and schmooze like that right after your mom died?"

"Less than three months."

"Oh. ...Now I feel like I need to apologize."

"You don't have to."

"I want to. ...I'm sorry, for...not being sensitive to your situation. I know I'm not exactly good at that sort of thing -- my Pippa, Carewyn, she's much better at understanding people. ...In fact, she...even said that I probably projected some stuff onto you back then, without meaning to. Like, that you probably weren't looking down on Pip and me specifically so much as just not wanting to be around anyone at all..."

"Your sister is right about that. I mean, about me looking down on you: I wasn't. I just had never seen anyone ballsy enough to come to a formal event in a tee before, even if it was under a suit jacket."

"It was for the Olympic games! Pip had really wanted one as a souvenir, but our old man didn't think it was 'proper attire' for a First Daughter to wear -- so I bought it for her and wore it myself. Plus Mum thought it might show the Brazilians how excited I was to be there."

"Were you?"

"Of course! Brazil was gorgeous! I mean, sure, I didn't get to see as much as I wanted, with the Secret Service breathing down my neck, but the people, the music, the food, the culture -- just...everything -- it was amazing."

"...Hm. Yes, it is."

Could you suggest any books where the heroine is a widow who discovers how good sex is with a new lover?

Her Protector's Pleasure by Grace Callaway: She's a lady, he's a cop; what's really great here (apart from Ambrose basically pouncing on Marianne like every 10 seconds) is that because Ambrose knows Marianne's husband was shitty and abusive towards her, he makes sure to check in with her during sex (specifically before a blowjob I believe, because Marianne's late husband forced her to perform them).

Pippa and the Prince of Secrets by Grace Callaway: Pippa's late husband was another shitty man who shamed her for seeking pleasure during sex, so when Pippa gets with Cull (The Prince of Larks lolol), she's finally able to be fearless in her sexuality (so fearless that they use the first sex swing ever invented... at least I'd like to think).

The Viper by Monica McCarty: Bella's husband dies midway though the book from what I remember, definitely after she's met the hero Lachlan. They don't get off to a good start; they both have immense trauma they're dealing with (Bella's husband was abusive and they had huge political differences) but when her and Lachlan do get together, it's probably some of the sex scenes in the Highland Guard series.

The Recruit by Monica McCarty: Mary is the widow of a philandering traitor when she comes across Kenneth (Kenneth! who knew a hero named Kenneth would do it for me!) having sex with another woman— truly one of the great historical romance voyeur scenes, and Ken has excellent follow-through with Mary too.

Wicked Again by Kathleen Ayers: Marissa has been widowed thrice and she's had lovers before the hero, but she chose purposefully dull "age-appropriate" men (she's 49) before the hero Haddon, who's 40 and fabulous in bed (the book starts with them having sex, which made me very happy).

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera: Similar to Wicked Again, Cora has had relationships with other women since she was widowed, but sex with Manuela, who bargains with Cora to to take her to all the lesbian haunts in Paris in exchange for her land, is a *revelation*.

The Duchess in His Bed by Lorraine Heath: Aiden is the owner of a sex club and rumored to be a great lover, and Selena is 100% trying to take advantage of that... so she can get pregnant and pass the baby off as her recently-deceased husband's child. Classic bonkers Lorraine plot, and it WORKS.

Between the Devil and Desire by Lorraine Heath: Classic fire-meets-ice; Jack is a former street urchin turned gentlemen's club owner, and Olivia is a widowed duchess (her husband was much older) and Jack is named as Olivia's son's guardian so now they need to live together.

The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath: So uh, the heroine is not aware that the man she's sleeping with is not her husband, but rather, his identical twin as the husband died in a gorilla attack but, the sex has gotten way better since her "husband" came home, and he's a lot more jacked.

Lost in Your Arms by Christina Dodd: Another instance where her estranged "husband" is recovering from his injuries, and is suddenly giving wayyyy better sex than he ever did before, and is also way taller and jacked...

The Scandal of it All by Sophie Jordan: Graciela's first husband was a cheater and called her "cold" in bed, and now she finds herself inconveniently attracted to her step-son's best friend (who is younger! le gasp!). Colin's always had a crush on her and his vibe is very "I'm not a boy anymore; I'm a MAN".

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid: Georgiana's first husband came to her "the third week of every month for three years" so Rhys is understandably a revelation for her sex-wise, being the bit o' rough hero that he is.

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt: She's a widow and the hero's secretary, and decides to disguise herself as a prostitute to have sex with him. I'll never stop recommending this book because the sex scenes in this one are that great.

Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt: This one has an older, more experienced widow and he's a virgin(!!!!!) so like, yes Isabel is surprised by how good the sex is (hell she cries at some point), but also, Winter is wayyyy more shook.

I know Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt is another good widow romance but I've yet to get around to reading it (rereading it? honestly, 2020 is a fever dream).

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas: Kathleen's (abusive alcoholic) husband of three days dies and the new heir to the earldom, Devon, arrives to take charge and they immediately antagonize one another even as as he's chasing after her and dragging her into carriages and stuff.

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas: Kind of the opposite of Cold-Hearted Rake; Phoebe's late husband was sweet but very ill all the time before he passed away, so a lot of the plot is Phoebe being afraid to move on, especially with a more unorthodox, forward-thinking, and comparatively vigorous man like West.

The Harlot Countess Joanna Shupe: Simon and Maggie kinda had a Thing back in the day, but then Maggie was compromised and forced to marry an older man and now the two of them have hella beef, BUT their chemistry is amazing and the voyeurism scene might be tied with the aforementioned Kenneth/Mary scene.

From the VIllian I'd Like To F... anthology:

Seven Sinful Nights by Nicola Davidson: Estelle is a recently widowed duchess who's sold off to Blake, a gambling hell owner, to pay off her BIL's debts and is thrown in the deep end of exhibitionism, voyeurism, and sex toys galore.

Lady Viper and the Bastard by Eva Leigh: This is a cusp rec for me because Violet has been widowed for a while and I think she's had good sex, BUT obviously none are on the level of the chemistry she shares with Ian (and their shared propensity for excellent roleplaying is unmatched).

I was gonna include The Conquering of Tate the Pius by Sierra Simone but I think Adelais has had fulfilling sex before she met Tate lol... but would absolutely recommend.

Erotic Romance:

His Countess by S.M. LaViolette: Another case of a prim and proper widow falling for her late husband's slutty disreputable heir; Gideon allows Alys to explore all her fantasies (bondage, having sex with other men, etc.) after their marriage of convenance.

Passion by Lisa Valdez: This book literally starts with Passion's post-mourning sexual awakening when she's groped by a stranger in the Crystal Palace, and they have lots and lots of cervix-hitting sex. Don't worry, it's better-written than the way I'm describing it.

Modern:

Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai: He's her late husband's brother, and he's back in town and she nearly has sex with him without realizing who he is; a fabulous start and there's sooooo much guilt and angst.

Sin and Ink by Naima Simone: Another late-husband's-brother book, more angst and guilt with a side of stomach licking(?) and really good sex.