The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3

by Beth Brower

“My mother might say he was troubled and in need of divine intervention, Miss Lion. But I don’t like to speak ill of the living.” My smile came with a raised eyebrow. “That is usually reserved for the dead. What of them?” “Oh, I don’t think they mind a few snippy words now and again.”

I love agnes so much

Unspoken Right? Power to Remove? You’re sounding rather American. THEY HAVE THEIR USES. Americans? RIGHTS I MUST CONCEDE, THERE ARE SOME VERY FINE AMERICANS. How very un-British of you.

My life—the simple life I see when I close my eyes, where I am a student of the classics, of science, of history, keeping my appointments with plenty of time to expand the perimeters of my mind—seems to be getting away from me. Occasionally when walking in the park, I come across a desperate soul attempting to keep pace with a large, insistent hound. They end up being yanked about, tripping over their own shoes. This is how I feel just now.

besties I fear I'm feeling seen rn

I ought to give up my illusion of ownership and simply borrow books from Aunt Eugenia’s library. A thought which depresses. I so love to scribble on the pages. A fresh conversation atop one long since written.

“I love one thing in this world, Miss Lion.” “Yourself?” Jack grinned. “I love two things in this world, Miss Lion. Myself”—he made a grand gesture of self-appreciation—“and sweet pastries.

Life never fails you in this one thing: There is always an unexpected sleight of hand.

I finished with Mr. Emerson this evening before dinner. In truth, I have a creeping suspicion that I haven’t finished with him at all.

me, finishing any 5-star read:

He smiled. I smiled. How wonderful a thing to find one’s friends.

“Am I to assume then that you accepted the cake?” With a slow blink and that very put together look of his, Islington replied, “Who would not want cake?”

oh I'm in love

Then he said, and I quote, “Either a friendship with you is the grandest thing in the world, Miss Lion, or you are delusional. Which is it?” An unfair question, I felt. Surely there is room for a degree of both?

Oh dear. Look who it is. One would think I’m cursed. Unfair, as I’ve not disturbed a single Egyptian tomb…that I know of.