ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For my mother, Elizabeth

INASMUCH AS THIS may be my only opportunity to write an acknowledgment, I am taking full advantage of the space allotted me here. Besides, I owe many thanks to many people. First, I must pay homage to Jane Austen; without her wonderful works the world would be a little duller and I would have no hook. Barbara Kiely, Shirley Shevlin, Mary Doyle, Terry Mullen Sweeney, Mary Melanson, Robin Decker, Elizabeth Cush, Lisa Beagan, and Mary Ann Kingsly were all kind enough to read early versions of my book (after I cornered them and rudely foisted it upon them), and they provided invaluable input and suggestions in spite of my pushy behavior. I also need to thank the Bunco “Ladies” for their endless support (sorry, girls, they balked at the other term). I also owe a great deal to Judith O’Neill for her excellent teaching and editing. I thank my wonderful agent, Barbara Poelle, who stuck with me despite a rather silly idea involving a bullmastiff, and my editor, Toni Plummer, who suggested several excellent improvements. But the person I need to thank most is Bridget Kiely. Without her unflagging support and wonderful suggestions, this all would be nothing more than idle cocktail-party chatter. (So, if upon finishing this book you find that you hate it, please direct all complaints/correspondence to her.)

And last, but certainly not least, I thank my wonderful husband, Matt. While initially reluctant, he actually grew to enjoy my numerous viewings of Pride amp; Prejudice and put up with hours of bizarre conversations, which usually began, “So, if you were going to kill someone …” His patience, humor, and common sense were invaluable. He is simply (ding how).

“The whole of this unfortunate business,” said Dr. Lyster,

“has been the result of Pride and Prejudice.”

—FANNY BURNEY, CECILIA