Grand Reopening [Baccarrat Mansion]

[Helena]

Natalie did not seem offended. Perhaps she only corrected on rote, like a well-worn reflex. While Helena had been content to let her direct the conversation before, inserting her own input only where necessary, she did not wait for Natalie to respond this time. She smiled at Eliot’s words, having no interest in commenting on the notion of dirty sweaty men about the place, though she did consider if it were intended as a slight. Most people would not know her connection to the Almaz, for most people would not even know such a club even existed in Moscow, but the Lagueuxs were exceptionally rich, and the easiest paths to knowledge were paved in gold. Calculation twitched in her eyes. She did not care to be insulted, but it was not whether she was offended Helena was considering, but how much it meant Eliot actually knew.

“You certainly may,” she said, tight on the heels of the offer. Smiles didn’t really reach Helena’s eyes, but it didn’t make her cold, just as haughty as her tight, crisp English accent suggested her to be. She glanced at Natalie to make it clear she was not invited on the venture, and waited for the Bacarrat heir to lead the way.