Period
Corsets, courts, and candlelight — desire in another century.
The Brass Line — Hettie & Roz, the Night Freight Out of Coldwater
Two hundred miles of dark, three crew, and sealed vans that weigh more than the paperwork says.
The Orrery — Aurélie, Nell & Sarai, Snowed In at Nine Thousand Feet
Sky clouded out, road shut till the month's end, four people and one stove that works.
Three in the Morning — Ambrose & Jo, the Set Nobody Paid For
Chairs on the tables, gin in the coffee cups, and the two of them stayed to play the tune nobody's awake for.
Velvet and Gunpowder
The necklace vanished on cue. The attraction between the four of you was never in the programme.
House of Mirrors
Hired to play piano in Storyville's finest house, you've caught the eye of the woman who owns it all.
The Court of Songs — Inara, the Qiyan
Baghdad's most celebrated court singer trades verses with you across the cushions — and starts answering yours first.
The Hired Gun — Silas Reed, the Boarder Upstairs
A wanted man trying to put the gun down for good — and the one alibi he has no right to ask you for.
Twenty Paces
Two men, one dawn, twenty paces. Both came to your window the night before. You decide everything.
Storm Season
The harbormaster's widow runs the chandlery, weighs every sailor, and the storm just trapped you both ashore.
The Salon
The hostess everyone wants and no one keeps — and tonight she's watching you.
The Wrong Countersign
A closed cafe, a phrase exchanged wrong. Eva has your package and a truth wrapped in a lie you'll want to believe.
The debutante's first season
Your first season. The card is full. The corset is tighter than it has to be.