From the prostitutes plying their wares across London, to the close-mouthed fascination among the uppercrust with all things dark and occult, to the commonplace but silent acceptance that a man—and occasionally, a woman—would “take a lover,” the obsession with sex and sexuality was never truly stamped out of the Victorian Era. This was a time when men were encouraged to develop such close bonds that their letters to each other sound more like a love letters than a shout out between bros; when women of no relation could inhabit the same home, speculated to be lovers, and simply be spoken of as if they were “aunt” and “niece”—when spoken of at all. It’s a period when we’re rather more focused on the “society” folk, so we forget that it’s also a time of great social upheaval—suffragettes willing to die for their cause, union men banding together, great scientific breakthroughs, rampant drug use, and yes, the repression of gender, class and social distinction.
When Micajah Hawke speaks of ownership and possession, is he really so far out of place as to be a deviant?
Or is it simply that he speaks of it that breaks the mores?
I’ll let you, dear reader, be the judge.
A final note: My greatest of thanks goes to Sophia McCloy, for taking the time to help me with Chinese idioms. You have inspired me to learn again.
About the Author
After writing happily-ever-afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of) and went to work in the real world (kind of) where she decided that making up stuff was way more fun (true!). She is the author of dark and sexy paranormal romances, steampunk adventures and crossover urban fantasies. She writes across multiple genres with mad glee. Her steampunk series, The St. Croix Chronicles, has won a Romantic Times Award and has been nominated for an RT Seal of Excellence.
One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an airship captain’s wife and a steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, a menagerie, a severe coffee habit and the fantasy of a summer home somewhere sunny. Visit her at www.karinacooper.com, because she says so.