Writing a book is truly a labor of love, one that involves the contributions of so many. This book, in particular, would not have been possible without a great deal of assistance.
Thank you to my editor, Michelle Vega, for her sharp eye and sterling advice, and for loving Lady Darby and crew as much as I do. Thank you to the entire Berkley team for all of your amazing expertise.
Thank you to my agent, Kevan Lyon, for her sage advice and confidence in me as an author.
Thank you to my critique partners Jackie Musser and Stacie Roth Miller for answering my flailing e-mails asking for help, for reading early drafts of chapters, and for talking me down from the rafters.
And I cannot possibly offer enough thanks to my husband and my mother for all they do so that I can write. I know my young daughters are in good hands when they are with their father or their grandmother, and that is invaluable peace of mind. They also keep our household running when the dishes need to be washed, or the floor needs to be swept, or any million other little things. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do and for your unfailing belief in me.
Thank you to my daughters for filling me up with so much love and emotion, and for forgiving my distraction at times when I’m deep in the process of writing a book.
Thank you to all my friends and family, who shower me with their excitement and support.
And thank you to my readers. None of this would be possible without you. You’ve been clamoring for another Lady Darby, and I hope the longer wait than usual is worth it.