He vanished into the crowd. It was a trick that made her wonder whether he was merely a gutter-press journalist, as he claimed. Surely he was too sharp, too knowing? She would make a point of finding out, if they met again. Not that they would, despite his smug certainty. She detested bright-eyed know-it-alls who only talked and never listened, and Jones was no exception.

Energized by irritation, she resumed her usual brisk pace. As she came towards Regent's Park, a drop of rain struck her shoulder. Another splashed the brim of her hat. And then a proper light rain began, sending pedestrians scattering and costermongers to pack up their wares. She hadn't an umbrella with her. She didn't care. She began to walk again, returning to St John's Wood by the quickest route. It wasn't the storm everyone was calling for, but that would come, too.

In its own time.

Y. S. Lee was born in Singapore and raised in Vancouver and Toronto. In 2004, Ying completed her PhD in Victorian literature and culture. This research, combined with her time living in London, inspired her to write a story about a top-secret women's detective agency a the starting point for the Mary Quinn novels.

Ying now lives in Kingston, Ontario, with her husband and son. Please visit her at:.

www.yslee.com.

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