While traveling the King's Roads, Childermass is snared by a fairy with unusual musical tastes. Segundus comes to the rescue.

How close is TOO close? The Johns conduct and experiement to find out.

Childermass and Segundus are hired to do security work at a charity production of Handel's "Messiah." Featuring Childermass in formal evening attire (he cleans up nice), a giant praying mantis, Lady Pole, and floating pickpockets.

Excerpts from notes about/unsent letters to John Segundus that John Childermass wrote between the years of 1807 and 1817. Or, How to Stalk Your Imaginary Boyfriend and Hope He's OK With It When You Tell Him About it Ten Years Later.

When John Segundus woke, there were roses. This story continues the events of "The Perils of Poetry" but can be read on its own.

Childermass and Segundus are in love, and they've finally admitted it to each other. Realizing that he doesn't know nearly enough about this sort of thing, Segundus tries to fill in the gaps by reading Shakespeare's Sonnets and John Donne's naughtier poems. The method proves frighteningly effective. This takes place after Ch. 2 of "Loose Ends" but can be read on its own.

What happened to Stephen Black? Did he ever see Mrs Brandy again? Do Childermass and Segundus ever man up and tell each other how they feel? How will Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell ever escape the Pillar of Darkness? And is that really the Count of Monte Cristo? Let's find out.