The Second Empress (44 page)

Leberkäs:
a German dish similar to sausage

Légion d’honneur:
Legion of Honor, an order established by Napoleon Bonaparte recognizing both civilians and soldiers based on merit

Les Français:
French for “the French”

manteau:
the long train of a dress

mein Liebling:
German for “my darling” or “my favorite”

mein Schatzi:
German for “my treasure”

mes chéries:
French for “my dears”

mio Dio:
Italian for “my God”

mon ange:
French for “my angel”

mulâtre:
French for “mulatto,” a child born of one white parent and one black parent

parure:
a set of matching jewelry, often composed of a crown, a necklace, and earrings

pelisse:
a fur jacket

post-chaise:
a fast-traveling carriage

réticule:
purse

Schnuckelputzi:
German slang for “cutie pie”

soirée:
a party

Spätzle:
small dumplings popular in Austria

Vive l’impératrice:
French for “Long live the Empress”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I
WOULD LIKE
to thank the many people who helped make this book possible, beginning with my amazing editor, Christine Kopprasch, who endured more delays than any editor ever should (and for which I am profoundly sorry). It’s been such a pleasure working with you, and any author who finds him/herself under your guidance is a lucky author indeed. To Heather Lazare, who originally purchased this book for Crown, I am always in your debt. To Dan Lazar, who is truly a fantastic agent, I am extremely grateful. And to the many wonderful people at Crown who have worked so tirelessly behind the scenes: my copy editor Janet Biehl, my publicist Dyana Messina, my production editor Cindy Berman, Jonathan Lazzara in marketing, Lauren Dong and Megan McLaughlin in art, Luisa Francavilla in production, Laura Crisp, Christine Edwards, Jacqui LeBow, Sasha Sadikot, Michelle Riehle, and publisher Molly Stern.

To my research assistant, Ashley Turner, you are absolutely invaluable.

And finally, to all the friends and family whose support I could not do without, particularly in 2010: Carol Moran, Amit Kushwaha, Allison McCabe, Christopher Gortner, Cayman Jacobs, Tracy Porter, Cathy Carpenter, Julie Nelson, Jennifer Gonzalez, Julia Glick, Tracy Carpenter, Jill Rawal, and Aryn Conrad (who gave this book its title). Thank you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M
ICHELLE
M
ORAN
is the internationally bestselling author of
Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, Cleopatra’s Daughter
, and
Madame Tussaud
. Her experiences at archaeological sites around the world motivated her to write historical fiction and continue to provide inspiration for her novels. Visit her online at
MichelleMoran.com
.