Professor Braithwope, shimmering out of his room fully clothed and dapper. His mustache was a fluffy caterpillar of curiosity, perched and ready to inquire, dragging the vampire along behind it on the investigation.

[She] lost her patience, a thing she was all too prone to misplacing.

She was no closer to determining who might want her dead. There were just too many possibilities.

Classic author moment, "Oh dear, did I kill that character or not?

I do not giggle without purpose. Lady Linette says you should never misapply a giggle.

Really, Channing,” remonstrated Alexia, “did you have to eat the man’s dog? I am convinced you will experience terrible indigestion.

Lord Akeldama sighed. 'You lovebirds, how will I endure such flirtations constantly in my company? How déclassé, Lord Maccon, to love your own wife.