Grand Reopening [Baccarrat Mansion]

[Helena]

Truthfully Helena did not see why it must be believable. But she understood that it was in their best interests not to incite any rumours that were easily avoidable. In these matters, she would allow Eliot to chart their course, for as she said, she had no expertise. Her marriage to Cillian had been arranged – he was from a bloodline of gods, after all. There had been no courtship, just a contract negotiated between their families.

“My family will pose no problem. You are of a good pedigree, and have the status and wealth they would expect,” she said. Her eyes still scanned the lists, and she made note of a few more names.

“The opera sounds appropriate. My social calendar is limited – people do not care for a black widow. I am perfectly aware of the gossip.” And unphased. It allowed her to purchase Almaz and conduct her work largely unmolested. “The timescale you suggest is amenable to me. You should also know my family calls me Lena – it would be prudent for you to begin to do the same. It will suggest familiarity. I will provide a dossier of other such important information.” It went without saying she expected the same from him.