The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter (The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club, #1)

by Theodora Goss

She had learned long ago that life was difficult. One had to live it with courage and common sense; it did not reward sentimentality.

“I’ve never held with men, and that’s a fact. Footmen are ornamental in white stockings for dinner service, but not as useful as a good scullery maid.

I can’t just write, Mary dreamed something but she doesn’t remember. You have absolutely no sense of drama. MARY: Well, I don’t tell lies, if that’s what you mean.

Twenty minutes later, Mary rang the bell at 221B Baker Street.

Renfield,

John Seward,

Abraham Van Helsing

“Cum mulieribus non est disputandum,

There is no arguing with women

“You can always tell when people are lying. It’s when they look at you too straight, as though they were angels here on Earth. And indignant, as though they can’t believe you would doubt them.”

“Ah, gentlemen. Best avoid them,” said Catherine. “I haven’t known a single one of them that didn’t want to ruin a girl, in one way or another.