Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)

by Gail Carriger

“Alexia,” said a tremulous voice from the other side of the room. “what is going on?” Alexia sighed and struggled to her feet, wobbling over to her confused mama. All of Mrs. Loontwill’s anger had evaporated upon waking to find her daughter in conversation with the Queen of England. “Why was the queen here? Why were you discussing the Shadow Council? What is a muhjah?” Mrs. Loontwill was very confused. She seemed to have utterly lost control of the situation. Me, thought Alexia with pleasure. I will be muhjah. This is going to be such fun. Aloud she said the only thing calculated to shut her mother up. “Do not worry about a thing, Mama. I am going to marry Lord Maccon.” It worked. Mrs. Loontwill’s mouth snapped closed. Her expression evolved rapidly from perturbation to uncontrollable elation. “You caught him!” she breathed in delight. Felicity and Evylin reentered the room, both wide-eyed. For the first time in their entire lives, they regarded their older sister with something other than mild contempt.