“Don’t underestimate her.”
“Don’t change the subject,” he replied. “Remy will be safe with me from now on, and Isla is going to be a huge hero after she reveals how we’ve saved the regs and the aristos of Galatea, so it’s not like she needs our help with her public image.”
“True.” Part of her wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. His eyes never left her face, and there was something in his gaze, something dark and unexpected that made her catch her breath. “I suppose I’ll go back to school. I know it’ll make my father happy.”
“The Wild Poppy taking classes in history when she’s used to making it?” Justen considered this, a small smile playing about his mouth. “It would be entertaining, at least.”
“Don’t act so superior,” she said. “I think I know some medic who isn’t quite officially finished with his studies, either. Without your uncle Damos getting all nepotistic, you’re going to have to finish school, too.”
“True,” he echoed. “But what I’m asking is, since all the reasons for having a fake relationship have evaporated, does that mean we don’t have to pretend to be in love anymore?”
“That’s what it means,” she said with a brusque nod.
“Good.”
“Yes,” she managed, though her throat was choking on the words. He was standing so close. She tried to back up a step, and he caught her by the hand. His thumb traced the outline of her wristlock, then slipped inside to rest against the golden disk.
She hadn’t yet finished the supplement, but every nerve in her palm buzzed to life.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, though, smart as she was, she already knew.
“It’s good,” Justen added, as he cupped her face in his other hand and tangled his fingers in her hair, “because, Persis Blake, the next time I kiss you, I want you to know it’s for real.”
Acknowledgments
I COULD PROBABLY POPULATE New Pacifica itself with all the people I owe thanks to over the course of putting this book in your hands. As always, seas of gratitude to Kristin Rens, who fought by my side for this book through all its iterations, and the entire team at Balzer + Bray (especially Sara Sargent, who actually did get a name-check this time around), with extra kudos to Ray Shappell and Colin and Sasha for actually capturing the hard-to-capture Persis. And, of course, my thanks to agent Deidre Knight, who among her myriad talents, helped me nail down the title.
My husband, my daughter, and my dog all sacrificed much (maybe too much) during the writing of this book—thank you for putting up with me. And yes: Batman. My long-suffering parents finally have fictional counterparts on the good side of the equation . . . though we all know that even the Blakes can’t throw dinner parties like you.
A short and no doubt insufficient list of fellow writers who kept me sane during the composition of this caper, by giving advice, reading drafts, and just listening: Carrie Ryan (my rock), Julie Leto (my hard place), Lavinia Kent, Justine Larbalestier, Jo Treggiari, Jon Skovron, Jessica Spotswood, Sarah Brand, Erica Ridley, Marianne Mancusi, E. C. Meyers, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Robin Wasserman, Michelle Hodkin, R. J. Anderson, Franny Billingsley, and Maureen McGowan. Special shout out to Vania Stoyanova, who is just as clever and cunning and talented—and, okay, a good bit less evil—than her namesake.
Gratitude (and a few regrets) to Baroness Orczy; her creations Sir Percy Blakeney, his lady Marguerite, and the villainous Chauvelin; and their legions of fans. I also owe a debt to anyone and everyone who ever tackled their own adaptation or reinterpretation of the sprawling stories Orczy spun about the Scarlet Pimpernel, especially the 1980s version featuring Anthony Andrews/Jane Seymour/Ian McKellan (my personal first).
And as always, thank you to you, dear reader, who makes it all worthwhile.
About the Author
DIANA PETERFREUND is the author of nine books for adults and teens and over half a dozen critically acclaimed short stories. Though she loves the frocks and lush climate of New Pacifica, for now she lives in the far more prosaic Washington, DC, with her husband, her daughter, and her dog, Rio. You can find out more at www.dianapeterfreund.com.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.
Praise for For Darkness Shows the Stars
“This novel is a postapocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion that will be a hit with fans of sci-fi romances. . . . Readers will keep turning the pages right up to the end.”
—School Library Journal (starred review)
“A richly envisioned portrait of a society in flux, a steely yet vulnerable heroine, and a young man who does some growing up.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A smart and sexy tale of star-crossed love that’s as thought-provoking as it is heartbreaking.”
—Robin Wasserman, author of The Book of Blood and Shadow
“Don’t you love it when a brilliant idea meets with brilliant execution? Thank you, Diana Peterfreund, for giving us a postapocalyptic Persuasion. This book is meltingly good.”
—Laini Taylor, National Book Award finalist for Lips Touch: Three Times
“Diana Peterfreund’s For Darkness Shows the Stars is an impassioned ode to Jane Austen, love, and the hope found in stars.”
—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe and A Million Suns
“A beautiful, epic love story you won’t be able to put down!”
—Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series
“ Scores high for ingenuity.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Will appeal to science fiction and romance fans alike.”
—VOYA
Books by Diana Peterfreund
FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS
RAMPANT
ASCENDANT
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