This fascinating collection of traditional metaphors and figures of speech, groups expressions according to theme. The second edition includes over 1,500 new entries, more information on first known usages, a new introduction and two expanded indexes. It will appeal to those interested in cultural history and the English language.

A grieving Marquess in need of a wife sets his sights on a beautiful widow in this is delightful Regency romance. After the loss of his wife and children, the Marquess of Huntercombe closed his heart to love. But now that he must marry to secure an heir, he’s determined that the beautiful, impoverished widow Lady Emma Lacy should be his . . . Emma has vowed never to marry for money so must refuse him. But when her children’s grandfather sets to steal them away from her, she has no other option: she must become the marquess’s convenient bride!

I want him to marry for love, even though his partner isn’t me. A rumor says that a new feudal lord will come in the early afternoon. Sophie, who lives with her nephew, encounters the new lord, David, when she helps a child from a speedy carriage. For some reason, Sophie gets to see David, whose niece is the same age as her nephew, whenever possible. However, she also hears that David will marry Lady Lucinda soon. She imagines that the marriage between a feudal lord and a countess will be a happy marriage, but David is not excited at all. For him, marriage is just for convenience. At that time, Sophie feels the pain in her chest...?

Risking everything...for love! Having struggled so hard to become a successful business owner, Jamaica-born Psyche Winthrop-Abeni has no interest in relinquishing her freedom or property to a husband. But when gentleman Will Barclay comes to her aid, their intense connection tempts her into a thrillingly passionate, temporary affair! It's the perfect arrangement...until Will feels honour-bound to propose. His offer is one she'd never dared to dream of, but can she trust Will enough to take the risk?

George, Prince of Wales (future Prince Regent/George IV) and Princess Caroline of Brunswick, 1795. George, Prince of Wales, with his mistress in tow, only lays eyes on Princess Caroline of Brunswick three days before their wedding, and his resentment is palpable. Christopher, Duke of Severn, knows all about arranged marriages––his new wife's fortune is the reason plain Linnet is wearing his ring! Severn and Linnet must persuade the spoilt princeling and his soon–to–be bride that a paper marriage can become something more. But in trying to convince the royal couple, a tantalizing spark ignites between the duke and his convenient duchess...

A Grand Master of the British-style detective story brings Victorian England to vivid life in this murder mystery, which critic Anthony Boucher hailed as a “faultless formal puzzle in detection” In 1865, novelist Clive Strickland is relaxing at his club when his friend Victor Damon comes to him in a panic, begging Clive to help him marry off his sister to a cash-poor marquis whose affections reek of gold-digging. Victor doesn’t care. Something sinister lurks at High Chimneys and he wants his sisters out of the house before their lives are put in danger. Old Matthew Damon, their father, has long been dogged by scandalous rumors of solitary visits to the cells of women about to be hanged for murder. But when murder is done at High Chimneys, Strickland and private investigator Jonathan Whicher will have to sort out the rumors and look behind the discreetly drawn curtains of High Chimneys for a killer.