Excerpt: Lady Longlegs (steampunk)

Helen storms past him. "Papa, I am perfectly capable of handling my own professional life."

"Correspondence with an eligible man -- "

"Correspondence with a professional colleague with whom I have collaborated in the past," she snaps. And if she hadn't been hoping for further contact, why did she bother to send the paper? Perhaps it's guilt adding the edge to her voice.

"A dinner invitation -- "

"An invitation to discuss our mutual professional interests at a professional conference we both plan to attend." Helen shoves her goggles farther back on her forehead. "Honestly, Papa, I don't understand why you're so upset."

"I am not upset, my dear. I am perfectly delighted."

She puts her hands on her hips. "Delighted?"

"You must admit that a cordial connection to one of the most powerful families in New England cannot but be to our advantage."