Grand Reopening [Baccarrat Mansion]

[Helena]

“Hn,” she said. “Arson implies you have enemies.”

He did not immediately call an end to the conversation, which she presumed to be a good thing. Helena no longer bothered with the mask of nicety and now simply watched him with interest. He could have brushed her off – rumours abounded in Moscow, from conspiracist to the downright absurd, and most meant nothing. Given her suspicions she was aware that she should be cautious, but she was also aware that her name offered her some protection. Even cut off from her family, the disappearance of an Asquith would cause a fuss she imagined was better avoided. Though more than that single assurance, Helena was also confident that should her instinct here reveal something useful to her, she had something useful to offer in turn.

“What she said is irrelevant. I am confident we are talking about a supernatural occurrence, and it seems unusual to me that Baccarat would be targeted.” She gestured to the crystal exhibits and watched for his reaction. “Let me be frank, Mr Lagueux. I believe we may have goals in common. Our world is changing, and I would have a part in.”