King Charles II liked women's company and well as making love to them.

Her imperturbable self-confidence (Duchesse de Maine) caused Madame de Stael to write that the Duchesse believed in herself the same way she believed in God, without explanation or discussion.

Ninety-seven is my lucky number.

I decided as usual that justice lay in the middle - that is to say nowhere.

I am re-reading Henry James as a change from history. I began with Daisy Miller, and I've just finished Washington Square. What a brilliant, painful book.

I hate the only one of my book jackets when I was made up professionally, my hair made into a smooth bell.

I have no plans for a future Jemima Shore mystery, but would write one tomorrow if a good idea came to me.