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The Masque of the Black Tulip
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Series Read: Pink Carnation #2: The Masque of the Black Tulip ("Buddy Read" DQs) Start Date: March 25, 2012
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Lisa Kay’s Answers to Susan's Questions for Chapters 16-24 20. Uh-oh! Miles's home was ransacked, Downey attacked and now Vaughn has Henrietta closed off in a room by herself with him. Do you think Vaughn was responsible for the breaking and entering? Or did it have something to do with Signor Marconi and him digging through Hen's things?
I think it has to do with Signor Marconi.
21. *SQUEE* Miles kissed Henrietta!! Sorry, got a little excited there :) Let's back up a bit...what was Vaughn and Hen's conversation really about? Do you think he meant to hurt her or was there some other intention there?
**sighs over Miles & Henrietta’s kiss** I don’t know if Vaughn meant to hurt her, and I don’t think he was trying to get her to “turn traitor” – but I think it was sexually motivated on his part. Pervert.
22. Jane went to 13 Rue Nicose. How did she know to go there?
It was the address in the lower right hand corner of the playbill that Miles found in Vaughn’s room.
23. Miles avoided Henrietta for a week. Comments?
Men! He needs to get his mind wrapped around his attraction to her.
24. Who was dressed as the Phantom Monk? And what are they looking for? Do they think Richard is still involved in espionage?
I don’t know. It could be male or female. I don’t think it was Miles. I don’t think it was a ghost. Yes, I think they do think Richard is still an active spy.
25. Back to the present with Colin and Eloise. Is Collin flirting? Why isn't Eloise jumping on that? Really, what would a little harmless flirting hurt?
Oh, yes. He’s flirting. Maybe she was hurt too deeply and to recently to even want to go there.
26. Didn't your heart break for Hen when he finally talked to her? Mine did. Do you think Miles caught on to her feelings when she was singing? Or will he be a typical guy and not know, or maybe not acknowledge, what's happening?
Yes! I couldn’t believe what he said about her being almost important to him as Richard! LOL!
@Lisa Kay#22 - Did I miss something? Did Miles send a note to Jane for her to have the same address? Or was it that maybe Vaughn and Jane were looking for the same person and they both ended up with the address? Which, I just came to that thought (the second question) right this minute as I'm typing ROFLOL Sometimes I'm brighter than others ;)
I don't recall reading about Miles sending a note to Jane; I just assumed. However, now I'm wondering if your second scenario is true.
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 10 - 15 11. I already liked Miles from the beginning; he is such a geeky Adonis. However, hearing the history of his neglected childhood and fortuitous adoption by Richard and the Uppingtons endeared me to him even more. You? Definitely. he has the right to have a whole bunch of hangups about himself and or family and instead is the cheerful lad who is grateful for the people who helped him
12. This is like a sophisticated historical romantic suspense with a great dash of humor thrown in. Since we are doing the Gallant Gents Challenge starting in April, I’m almost sorry we are reading this now, as I can see a blond Cary Grant playing the part of Miles Dorrington. Or do you have someone else in mind? And who would play Geoff? And Henrietta? And Lady Uppington? Yes! Damn, now I'll have to scour the next couple of synopsis and see which one might fit that challenge, because I see a few gallant gents in this series for sure.
13. Book Quote: “In the nursery, crawling around on all fours and drooling,” Henrietta agreed, so sweetly that Miles glanced at her sharply. LOL! I love what goes through Henrietta’s mind, but even more what slips out of her mouth. Any favorite thoughts or statements from her in this section of the readings? None that sprint to mind but have to agree with Iain about the scene with her being discovered in the park, made me laugh out loud!
14. This book is so well written. Loved how the Frobisher scene played out. It has been done a gazillion times, but Miles’ internal dialogue elevates it. Agreed? Did you think Frobisher was going to manage to get out of the duel? Will he remember any of the encounter? I was glad he managed to get out of it, think duels defending honour are stupid. I think Myles scared him enough that he wont be forgetting anytime soon.
15. Did you think the French playbill was significant? No, I'd written it off as a misleading clue
16. Henrietta has realized she is jealous. Then she starts to recall her childhood with Miles. Did you like that part? Any favorite recollection? I loved how they've always had a friendship, and how they know each other so well. It's the whole boy next door thing, it's fantastic!
17. “Ten Easy Ways to Seduce the Pants Off Him” – LMAO! I need a copy of that article. No question here, just a statement of fact. Well, I guess I could ask what you thought of the comparable one that Hen had. Thoughts? LOL! I think I saw that title on a magazine article recently *wink*... made me think that though the information has changed, the nature of the things young ladies want to know hasn't changed all that much!
18. Uh oh! Didn’t you just know Hen was going to get caught?! LOL! Too funny. Comments about the park scene and the ride home? I loved it, laughed so hard.
19. What?! Why did you think Signor Marconi going through Henrietta’s papers in her escritoire? It tied in with something Jane had mentioned when she was wondering who the black tulip was, how many people were on the edge of the ton that pretty much aren't usually given a second thought. Made me think there might've been a tie-in to the Opera playbill after all.
@ CaroB#11 – Good point! He does have the right – and isn’t!
#12 – LOL!
#13 & #18 – Yes, the park scene was pretty funny.
#14 – They are totally stupid. Of course, duels for a good purpose…
#15 – I was about 75% sure it was a Red Herring.
#16 – Yes, love the “boy-next-door” theme.
#17 – Nope! LOL!
You know, there were TONS of people of the edge of the ton who were ignored who could have been up to no good. It's a strange thought that truly that is the way things were. I guess money makes people think they're above all others.
True, Susan. (Liked your pun! **giggles**)
Thanks! I didn't even realize I had done the pun. "Tons" is one of my favorite words :)
**snortsnort** I thought that was why you typed it in all caps. LOL!
HAHA the word "tons" usually is preceded with the word "shit" when I'm using it. I just didn't think that would be appropriate ;) Hence the capitals :)
**giggles**
Were you going to do the last set of DQs on this one, Caro?
crap! Yes I was, I mean I AM. like, now :-)*rushes off, embarrassed that she forgot AGAIN*
Susan's Question for chapters 16-2420. Uh-oh! Miles's home was ransacked, Downey attacked and now Vaughn has Henrietta closed off in a room by herself with him. Do you think Vaughn was responsible for the breaking and entering? Or did it have something to do with Signor Marconi and him digging through Hen's things? I do remember thinking that despite poor Downey's attack, it was dreadfully inconvenient that he didn't get a good look at his attacker. However much I may have thought Vaughn was a red herring, the fact that he sequestered Henrietta made me think the worst of him again. I just didn't see how those actions could possibly have good intentions...
21. *SQUEE* Miles kissed Henrietta!! Sorry, got a little excited there :) Let's back up a bit...what was Vaughn and Hen's conversation really about? Do you think he meant to hurt her or was there some other intention there? Even on the second read through that part, it didn't make sense to me, it was so vague I kept thinking I was missing something major. And I second that Sqeeeee :-)
22. Jane went to 13 Rue Nicose. How did she know to go there? Miles must've sent it to her to check it out
23. Miles avoided Henrietta for a week. Comments? Hate to say it, but that was cowardly. He should've had more respect for their friendship than that.
24. Who was dressed as the Phantom Monk? And what are they looking for? Do they think Richard is still involved in espionage? My first thought was that it couldn't have been a woman or Henrietta would've noticed women's shoes under the monk's robes... maybe the italian music teacher
25. Back to the present with Colin and Eloise. Is Collin flirting? Why isn't Eloise jumping on that? Really, what would a little harmless flirting hurt? I think Eloise is getting to the point where she's confused that she likes him and doesn't know how to read him or the situation and doesn't want to appear gauche perhaps... though I like that "harmless flirting"
26. Didn't your heart break for Hen when he finally talked to her? Mine did. Do you think Miles caught on to her feelings when she was singing? Or will he be a typical guy and not know, or maybe not acknowledge, what's happening? Poor Henrietta! And then to sing to him with such feeling in a corwded room... *sigh* great scene!
CaroB's Questions for chapters 25 to 32
27. Who would've thought "You, damn it!" could be such a romantic expression! These two are so utterly sweet when they let their guard down but talk about miscommunication!! And just when things were getting interesting, they get busted! Were you laughing with delight or groaning in frustration at that point?
28. Is it just me or are there certain parallels between the Henrietta & Miles scene and the Colin & Eloise scene? Blasted interruptions! And did it seem to you that Eloise's friendship with Pammy is taining her by association, in Colin's eyes? What do you think might be the story there with Pammy?
29. A wedding! That was almost snuck in there, it seemed to have that litle fanfare. What a pity! On the bright side, there was the use of the word "skullduggery" which is such a fun word that puts me in mind of pirates and finishing sentences with "me matey". Although most of the humour is coming from the plot, did you find little pockets of funny language as well? Any examples?
30. I got completely lost during that scene where Henrietta was eavesdropping on Vaugh. Did you understand what he was doing there? And who was the woman with him?
31. A carriage chase! How exciting! That makes it official, all good spy novels must include one, no matter the time period :-) Was that a nice bit of action for you? It did seem to make them realise that they're not playing at spy-games now but in the middle of the real thing. Thoughts?
32. Wickham didn't seem too convinced that Vaughn was a possible culprit. Did he know who it was when Miles went to see him, do you think?
@ CaroB#20 – Yes! I thought the worst of Vaughn too, after that scene. Is he going to be the hero in a latter book? Man-oh-man! He has to gain back a lot of ground with me, if he is! I thought he was a pervert.
#21 – Yes again, Caro! I had to listen to it twice and then read it. Still vague about it. Susan, do you have any insight into that scene?
#23 – Awww. He didn’t understand his emotions (read: hormones). LOL! Still, I see your point.
#24 – Ah! Good point about the shoes.
#25 – It was a great scene!
Lisa Kay’s Answers to CaroB's Questions for Chapters 25 to 32 27. Who would've thought "You, damn it!" could be such a romantic expression! These two are so utterly sweet when they let their guard down but talk about miscommunication!! And just when things were getting interesting, they get busted! Were you laughing with delight or groaning in frustration at that point?
LOL! Really! I was laughing with frustration. LOL!
28. Is it just me or are there certain parallels between the Henrietta & Miles scene and the Colin & Eloise scene? Blasted interruptions! And did it seem to you that Eloise's friendship with Pammy is tainting her by association, in Colin's eyes? What do you think might be the story there with Pammy?
Yes, I can see the parallels. About Pammy….hmmm. Maybe. I don’t know for sure. I’ll have to think on the language. She used “Zero. Zip. Nada.” as Eloise’s thoughts – I use that expression.
29. A wedding! That was almost snuck in there, it seemed to have that little fanfare. What a pity! On the bright side, there was the use of the word "skullduggery" which is such a fun word that puts me in mind of pirates and finishing sentences with "me matey". Although most of the humour is coming from the plot, did you find little pockets of funny language as well? Any examples?
Aw. Yes, a bit more fanfare would have been nice, but it makes for a good speech Miles later – not to mention a pissed off Lady Uppington, LOL! I LOVED the variety of words the author uses.
30. I got completely lost during that scene where Henrietta was eavesdropping on Vaugh. Did you understand what he was doing there? And who was the woman with him?
The woman was Madame Aurelia Fiorila, Queen of the Operatic Stage – from the playbill Miles found. I was lost too. Vaugh was “practicing patience” for 10 years? Abstinence? Or the need for revenge? Obviously (I think!), it was some reference to his wife. Still have unanswered questions about that scene; it will probably come up in later books. I should note the page (300) to refer to it later.
31. A carriage chase! How exciting! That makes it official; all good spy novels must include one, no matter the time period :-) Was that a nice bit of action for you? It did seem to make them realize that they're not playing at spy-games now but in the middle of the real thing. Thoughts?
Yes! Got to have a chase scene, LOL! Loved it. This writer does a nice transition from humor to serious, I think.
32. Wickham didn't seem too convinced that Vaughn was a possible culprit. Did he know who it was when Miles went to see him, do you think?
I’m thinking, “Yes!” Could Vaughn be working for Wickham?
I hadn't thought about the possibility of Vaughn having his own book later, but I can see how he would be intriguing, if somewhat arrogant. 28. I love that expression too :-)
29. That was a funny scene, Lady Uppington has some great lines.
30. Good thinking on the bookmarking it. Felt like we only had half the story with that and then it wasn't satisfactorily explained by the end.
31. Good point!
32. Well now that you've raised the idea that he might have his own book, I'd say that's almost definitely a yes. Just have to check on the synopsis to make sure.
Susan's Answer's to CaroB's Questions for chapters 25 to 3227. Who would've thought "You, damn it!" could be such a romantic expression! These two are so utterly sweet when they let their guard down but talk about miscommunication!! And just when things were getting interesting, they get busted! Were you laughing with delight or groaning in frustration at that point?
Definitely laughing. Miles and Hen are one of my favorite couples I've ever read about.
28. Is it just me or are there certain parallels between the Henrietta & Miles scene and the Colin & Eloise scene? Blasted interruptions! And did it seem to you that Eloise's friendship with Pammy is taining her by association, in Colin's eyes? What do you think might be the story there with Pammy?
I see the parallels. And now that you mention it and Eloise had wondered, I wonder more if there was something going on. Pammy is a bit of a wild child ;)
29. A wedding! That was almost snuck in there, it seemed to have that litle fanfare. What a pity! On the bright side, there was the use of the word "skullduggery" which is such a fun word that puts me in mind of pirates and finishing sentences with "me matey". Although most of the humour is coming from the plot, did you find little pockets of funny language as well? Any examples?
That was one of the lowest key weddings I've read LOL I love that Lady Uppington was mad that she wasn't included.
30. I got completely lost during that scene where Henrietta was eavesdropping on Vaugh. Did you understand what he was doing there? And who was the woman with him?
Nope, totally lost ROFLOL I really need to go back and reread the last 1/3 of this book cause I'm still a little confused about it
31. A carriage chase! How exciting! That makes it official, all good spy novels must include one, no matter the time period :-) Was that a nice bit of action for you? It did seem to make them realise that they're not playing at spy-games now but in the middle of the real thing. Thoughts?
I did love the chase scene and that as serious as it was, it was infused with humor. You're right Lisa Kay, the author does do a good job transitioning from humor to serious.
32. Wickham didn't seem too convinced that Vaughn was a possible culprit. Did he know who it was when Miles went to see him, do you think?
I was disappointed in Wickham's response. Maybe Vaughn was working for him....that's one of those things that are still unclear in my mind.
Susan (susayq) wrote: "I really need to go back and reread the last 1/3 of this book cause I'm still a little confused about it..."O.M.G.! Susan! That is exactly what I was thinking. I listened and read the first 2/3's of the and only listened to the last 1/3. When, really, that is the part I should have "re-read", LOL!
CaroB wrote: "I hadn't thought about the possibility of Vaughn having his own book later, but I can see how he would be intriguing, if somewhat arrogant."I don't know. As I said, he has a long row to hoe with me. I thought want he did to Hen was weird, scary, and creepy. Though I did think he improved as the book went on. We'll see. And, oh yes! He is definitely Arrogant - with a capital A!
20. Uh-oh! Miles's home was ransacked, Downey attacked and now Vaughn has Henrietta closed off in a room by herself with him. Do you think Vaughn was responsible for the breaking and entering? Or did it have something to do with Signor Marconi and him digging through Hen's things?
21. *SQUEE* Miles kissed Henrietta!! Sorry, got a little excited there :) Let's back up a bit...what was Vaughn and Hen's conversation really about? Do you think he meant to hurt her or was there some other intention there?
22. Jane went to 13 Rue Nicose. How did she know to go there?
23. Miles avoided Henrietta for a week. Comments?
24. Who was dressed as the Phantom Monk? And what are they looking for? Do they think Richard is still involved in espionage?
25. Back to the present with Colin and Eloise. Is Collin flirting? Why isn't Eloise jumping on that? Really, what would a little harmless flirting hurt?
26. Didn't your heart break for Hen when he finally talked to her? Mine did. Do you think Miles caught on to her feelings when she was singing? Or will he be a typical guy and not know, or maybe not acknowledge, what's happening?