Excerpt from My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

Penelope opened her mouth to reply, but the boy spoke first.

"Just cuz you're educated, that don't give you the right to be insulting."

Helena stared at him. "Was I insulting?"

Penelope cleared her throat. "He's quite right, Helena. You were."

Helena gasped. "I had no notion I was insulting the poor fellow." Her cat eyes stretched into guileless green orbs. She reached under her cloak and sifted through her reticule. "As a show of good faith, young man, please accept this donation to the betterment of your culinary education." She dropped three half crowns onto his tray, and he ogled them. "Now, good evening to you." Helena threaded her arm through Penelope's again. "Was everything quite satisfactory when you arrived?"

Penelope threw a glance at the money and then at the boy's face. Judging by his wide eyes and slack jaw, she doubted he'd ever had so much value in his possession at one time. "Er ... yes, the room is lovely." She looked at the coins again and wondered what he would do with it all.

"I knew the violet room was for you! I can hardly believe we truly get to stay at Cavendish Square together this term instead of squeezing into that ridiculous dormitory at school with the likes of Mabel Pilkington. I fancy I've grown used to the privileges of being a fourth-year far too easily. Now, come along. There is so much to taste," Helena said, dragging Penelope into the market and leaving the young man staring after their wake.

Excerpted from My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen. Copyright © 2022 by Jennieke Cohen. Excerpted by permission of HarperTeen. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.