To Lee Jackson, Judith Flanders, and the person at Google Books who scanned all the nineteenth-century texts, thank you for creating amazing and accessible Victorian resources. We don’t know how we could have dealt with the historical research if you didn’t exist.
To Jude Morgan, Kelly would be an entirely different person if it weren’t for your writing. Thank you for inspiring her with every book you write.
Finally, to our ever-patient, ever-supportive, and number one fans: our parents. Thank you. We love you. Having a writer for a child must be deeply nerve-wracking, but thank you for never giving up on us—or letting us give up on ourselves.
For anyone we forgot, it’s because we hate you.
No, no—kidding! We’re saving you for book two. Hope you understand.
Lots of love,
Tarun and Kelly
From the diary of Miss Laura Kent, soon to be Mrs. Laura Edwards
Friday, 2:00 p.m.:
This is it! This is the week my life will change, irrevocably! (Nick taught me that word last month. He was feeling not quite the thing one morning and said he has made some choices the evening before that would change him, “irrevocably”!)
You see, my dearest diary, this is the week that Mr. Edwards will finally notice me, at the play on Thursday! I will be everything he could ever want in a wife!
Mrs. Laura Edwards
Mrs. Laura Edwards
Mrs. Laura Edwards
Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
I have it! The red dress! Or—no, that should be for the dinner on Monday.
Mrs. Laura Edwards. Mrs. Laura Edwards. Mrs. Laura Edwards.
Sunday, 4:00 p.m.:
Evelyn Wyndham is here! This is truly, the most absolutely perfect and wonderful week.
Sunday, 9:00 p.m.:
Dearest Diary, it is my greatest suspicion that Evelyn and Nick are in love! How wonderful would that be! We can have a double wedding! After Evelyn finds her sister, that is.
Mrs. Laura Edwards. Mrs. Laura Edwards. Mrs. Laura Edwards.
Monday, 7:00 p.m.:
Dearest Diary, I accompanied Evelyn and Nick today in their search of her sister, who is missing, and I have not told a soul, no not one! Even though it is a very large secret and I am quite desperate to speak of it. I feel rather like a spy! I wonder if Mr. Edwards will notice how mature I have become this week.
Thursday, 8:00 a.m.:
’Tis Thursday! ’Tis the most glorious day of the week! I have nothing to wear!!
Thursday, 2:00 p.m.:
Have tried on every dress I own. Narrowed down to a favorite fifteen.
Thursday, 4:00 p.m.:
Favorite five, though it was extremely difficult.
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.:
Evelyn will help me woo Mr. Edwards!!
Friday, 2:00 a.m.:
Evelyn did not help me with him. she is quite dead to me.
Friday 3:00 p.m.:
I am feeling very badly about saying Evelyn is dead to me.
Friday, 9:00 p.m.:
Mother wants to kick Evelyn out of the house! It is dreadfully unfair as she is not really a loose lady! Mother just doesn’t know about her Sensitive and Secret Mission! This is absolutely and most positively the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I shall burn the house to the ground!
Friday, 11:00 p.m.:
Nick found me out with the matches. He was terribly stern but also seemed somewhat amused. I don’t believe he thinks me serious at all. Little does he realize I can simply use the fireplace!
From the household notes of Edmund Tuffins
Saturday
During teatime today, Mrs. Hobson barely managed to ask me, through her stifled giggles, if I had any muffins. I spent the night preparing my letter of resignation.
Sunday
An unnecessary set of calling cards arrived for Miss Kent this morning. She had ordered them to be printed with the name “Mrs. Laura Edwards.” I do hope Miss Wyndham proves to be an edifying influence on the young girl.
Monday
Miss Wyndham feigned an illness, sneaked out of the house, and walked the London streets unaccompanied for most of the night. At the very least, I’d say she’s a better influence on Miss Kent than Lady Kent is.
Tuesday
Between her excursion last night and her “cousin’s” visit this morning, Miss Wyndham has been the subject of a great deal of gossip among the housestaff. But when I joined in with a rumor about how anyone unable to hold their tongues would be unable to keep hold of their jobs, the conversation died rather quickly.
Wednesday
Miss Wyndham returned very late last night, covered in blood. I still believe she’s a better influence than my mistress.
Thursday
Everyone has gone to the theater tonight, so perhaps I will do something fun myself. I might even polish the silver.
Friday
While overseeing tonight’s dinner party, I finally found myself in the presence of Mr. Edwards’s famed wit when he asked me whether I had visited the zoo to see the puffins. Somehow Miss Wyndham was the one forced to leave the house.
Saturday
Miss Kent is still quite distraught from last night. She claims to have no desire for the matches since the last incident, but we are being cautious. Perhaps I’ll hold on to that letter of resignation.
A Coffee Date
with authors Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas and their editor, Holly West
“About the Authors”