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She looked over to Cal. "Well, I don't know what that could be," she then turned to look at Fauccault, "But I did warn you."

Abby shrugged and took the cigar from him. She had never smoked anything in her life, but of course her father and his friends, and her Uncles had smoked pipes and cigars almost constantly. It wasn't as if she'd never been exposed to it before. "Smells like my Father's," she said, quite...

"Is this what I have to look forward to? A life filled with cigar smoke?" she sighed just a bit dramatically. "Need a match, darling?" she added, picking up a box of matches from the sideboard of the well-appointed carriage. As long as she remains uninterrupted, she lights the cigar. Glad you...

"I gave you a scratch that quit bleeding in seconds. Did you go find someone to break that for you? After you woke from your fainting spell, that is? The punch to the nose did more damage, but of course, to play THAT up you'd have to put a big, ugly bandage on your pretty face." "The only...

"Monsieur Fouccault, I have found a frightening capacity for violence within myself over the last week. Only an absolute line in the sand, that I would not kill another except as an absolute last resort, has kept it in check. Jean-Leon there is a beneficiary of that. We all know it's true. Once...

"Then, there is of course the fact that there are people who would miss both of us, some of whom have extraordinary resources, and all of whom know where we went. Mr. Stuart's picture was just taken tonight with Russia's Grand Duke at the concert. And this carriage is hardly unremarkable...

"You'll forgive me for not putting a great deal of faith in that statement," Abigail said. "You would do better to pursue another avenue for the lengthening of your life-span. I'm sure there are others."

"Yes, I dove off that carpet into the Nile in the company of the Queen herself. I can't say I recommend that." Abby lifted an eyebrow again and looked at Cal. She felt he was referring to more than just their desire to get the artifact back.

"For a man so steeped in magic, I'd think you could imagine other ways he might have arrived in France."

It wasn't often that Abigail was actually pleased to NOT know something, but this was an exception. Her memories of that day were fuzzy at best, and she had no idea what or if any decisions about the artifact had been made. "I'd ask you to be more specific, but as I have no idea where any...

Abigail settled herself again. These men at least seemed to have the sense not to attempt to touch her. "I'm sure no offense was meant, but it was insensitive. The relationship between a mentor and student can be like family. Doubtless what you've heard from us is distressing for all of you."

Abigail grabbed Cal and pulled him down, then interposed herself between him and Marcel.

"I do not see how the Ruling Council could have done otherwise. To mete out no punishment on French nationals who embarked on a such a thing with no sanction from the government? It would make them complicit."

"Sir, I think most of you believed that. Very few seemed to know the entirety of the plan. There were also members of your group with Abdullah, whispering in his ear. He was to take the blame for the poisoning of the feast. The Shepherd leader was a powerful Druidess, and she is now the...

Abigail's recounting was businesslike. "Surely you knew that Prosper Merimee was sending his apprentice and another actor to impersonate the shepherds and the Druidess of the Royal flock. Their mission was the poison the victory feast, setting Princess Neferka on the throne, who was to be used...

"What damage I did or did not do is entirely dependent upon your point of view. I would say preventing the poisoning of the Royal Family prevented damage."

She shrugged almost imperceptibly. "I was present. I found the whole affair decidedly unpleasant."

She huffed an amused little breath. Needles and barbs. Thankfully that kind of thing didn't bother Cal much. Anyone working as a spy had to value strategy and pragmatism over the appearance of heroism.

Abby took the offered drink and raised an eyebrow. She held it up as if toasting, then pretended to take a sip. Liquor on an empty stomach while under stress probably wasn't a good idea.

Abby inwardly groaned as the carriage began moving. So this was not to be a simple unpleasant chat and then a return to their own business. It had never been very likely, but she had held out hope. The comment of having Cal now did not inspire any great confidence either. She wondered if she...