Shades of Milk and Honey (30 page)

In turn, their frequent visits to the great houses led to Melody finding a love as true as the Vincents’ was for each other. With this marriage, all of Mrs. Ellsworth’s desires
for spectacle were met as Jane and Vincent created the wedding glamour for Melody.

And Mr. Ellsworth, who desired nothing more than to see his two daughters happily wed, lived to enjoy his grandchildren, whom he took on rambles through the maze at Long Parkmead and fed strawberries to and spoiled as much as he was allowed.

Though the Vincents’ latter career might seem strange for a pair of glamourists, its path led them always in pursuit of perfection. In that way, they created their own paradise through their works of artistry and passion. But those details belong in other volumes. All that is required for an understanding of their love is this small scene from their declining years.

When asked by a young glamourist for advice, Jane looked at the now white-haired Vincent and smiled. “Find your muse. After that, all else will follow. Meanwhile, your technique on weaving folds could use some refinement.”

Vincent looked up. His eyes twinkled in their map of lines. He mouthed, “Muse.”

Jane pursed her lips to hide her smile. She was content with her role; she had a muse of her own.

Allow me first to acknowledge the enormous debt I owe to Jane Austen, who not only inspired this novel but has taught me much about the importance of small details. My husband, Robert Kowal, deserves much praise for his patience and encouragement. He is my Mr. Vincent.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my first readers: Michael Livingston (yes, that’s where Captain Livingston got his name), Emily De Cola, Jenny Rae Rappaport, Federica Regec, Mary Claire Brooks, Eve Celsi, Elizabeth McCoy, Julie Wright, and Julia Thorne.

Special thanks to Aliette de Bodard, who came up with the French terms for the various glamours. Laura Boyle from
Austentation.com
,
as well as Keith Dansey of the Hat Works Museum, who patiently helped me with Regency hat questions.

Then there are the friends and family who have supported me and whose names might seem familiar to you: Spencer
Ellsworth
, Suzanne
Vincent, Edmund
Schubert, Ken
Scholes, Joy Marchand, Nancy
Fulda, Will
McIntosh
, Brad
Beaulieu, Livia
Llewellyn, Lon
Prater, Elise
Tobler,
Laurel
Amberdine, George
Sewell
, and
Alethea
Kontis.

I shall close by thanking the wonderful people most directly responsible for this book’s presence in your hands: my agent, Jennifer Jackson; my editor, Liz Gorinsky; my copy editor, Deanna Hoak; the book designer, Nicola Ferguson; and the jacket designer, Terry Rohrbach of Base Art Co.

Thank you for your time and attention. May you find your muse.