“Grinning with delight even as my heart ached”
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets
“Grinning with delight even as my heart ached”
“Horses sweat, you know, and men perspire, whereas ladies glow. I am sure I looked all of a glow also. Indeed, I could feel all-of-a-glow trickling down my sides beneath my corset, the steel ribs of which jabbed me under the arms most annoyingly.””
“Wait.” The word shot out of me, perilous. And still I could not look at him, for the tears I held back were more dangerous still. I stooped and plucked a violet from the grass, purple blossom and heart-shaped leaves and all. He had once said that my eyes were like violets at midnight, darkest green, darkest poryphry. I offered to him the little rag of a flower and whispered, “A knight needs a token.” My voice trembled only a little.””