QOTD

She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an especially strict governess. This was the kind of woman who took her tea black, smoked cigars after midnight, played a mean game of cribbage, and kept a bevy of repulsive little dogs.

Alexia liked her immediately.

Changeless - by Gail Carriger

Why yes, it does sound a bit like me, except my bevy is one of Labradors....  Well, true, I don't smoke, and don't play cribbage. Quibble, quibble...