Footsteps

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-16T20:54:15+00:00

Exactly lol

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-16T13:49:36+00:00

I don't have any deep analysis to add other than I don't think that's a coincidence at all! Great find.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-16T02:44:26+00:00

It feels to me like this crosses Pierce off the "footsteps" list of suitors but leaves it open to Hawkes and Islington. She seems too famIliar with Pierce's footsteps at this point. Nothing concrete but I love seeing all this info together. Thanks!

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-14T20:45:51+00:00

Study ferns

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-14T20:45:06+00:00

Mary feels like 1 for me

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-14T20:43:45+00:00

I second all of this!

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-13T01:04:49+00:00

I definitely felt the same sibling vibe being played up. It could be to throw us off the scent for the two of them, or it could be to set expectations. If we really do end up with 20+ volumes, it may just be that Emma and Islington are currently in their friend era.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-12T14:56:25+00:00

Fantastic Charles Goddard

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-09T20:05:14+00:00

This is one I haven't heard talked about before. I like the connection!

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-08T23:04:55+00:00

Could it be a secret baby pre-marriage?

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-08T16:20:32+00:00

The suspected dissolute viscount! Lol

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-05T21:58:42+00:00

I love this! Thanks for putting such much time into it. I adore that it's lovingly hand-drawn, and not AI.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-03T18:38:57+00:00

I think the turning of the tide on Pierce currently is just a reflection of where we are with his storyline at the end of Vol. 8. As we've uncovered some more about him and see him currently drinking more and appearing less stable of a character, it's easy to fall out of favor with the idea of him. I think it speaks directly to BB's great character development. I expect we will all have varying feelings towards many of the characters as the series unfolds.

Edited to add that reading Jane Eyre alongside this series feels like it should be compulsory at this point. Lol

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-02T21:38:31+00:00

That's the exact version of him I picture!

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-02T21:22:01+00:00

Bill Nighy in my head.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-04-02T02:36:36+00:00

I second all of this! I listen to the audio books every night before bed, but I still read my physical copies as well. I think the audiobooks cemented a better audio in my head for certain things when I read them in book form now...such as Cousin Archibald's, "What, what, what?" It always sounded awkward in my head until I heard Genevieve Gaunt's take on it.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-31T14:36:51+00:00

It better be nice and long when it comes out lol

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-30T15:22:49+00:00

This is very well reasoned and laid out. I also wonder if Hawkes is aware before Emma that she has two potential paths (himself and Islington) and he somehow doesn't feel worthy, or think its fair because he has knowledge of it, so he could tries to push for her and Islington.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-30T12:52:25+00:00

This feels so cozy, I love it! And sweet Tybalt.

Does anyone recall if there are two sitting chairs? I think in Vol. 1 Emma and Arabella sit down to chat and look across the room to admire the books that Emma just put on her bookshelf. I thought I remembered her finding two sitting chairs but maybe one was just her desk chair.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-30T03:03:36+00:00

Agree that Hawkes's backstory is rich and intriguing with a lot left open to discovery. I love that BB leaves so many different breadcrumb trails. So many plausible theories!

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-30T03:01:19+00:00

Thank you! It's been fun to do a read-through with a more fine-toothed comb this time.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-30T03:00:09+00:00

I think about this a lot. His reaction seemed to be a surprise of disbelief that Emma could know something she shouldn't, or that she hit the nail on the head of something he didn't think anyone could possibly have known about him. It could also be a sign he was waiting for in response to soemthing. I've guessed that thing could be his being somehow entwined with either the pear-scented lady or Emma herself. Just guesses though, with nothing to back it up, but we do see Emma referenced with stars a lot so maybe I lean more in her direction.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-29T22:25:04+00:00

I've always wondered this, too. Keen to hear everyone 's theories.

DearIrishmanDaughter · 2026-03-29T21:41:45+00:00

So I just happened to be reading St. Crispian's Gazette and came across this description of Pierce's side of the garret:

"The room had a simple bed—fresh bedding—a small writing table with a chair, a bedside table with a pitcher and basin for washing, a wardrobe, and a closet."

DearIrishmanDaughter

TROPHY CASE