“No—” Miriam caught her eye. “Why?”

“Oh, nothing. It was meant to be her surprise, that’s all. I shan’t give it away.” Brill did her best impression of an innocent at large, nose in the air and glass in hand. “Success,” she muttered. “Most women would be after true love or a rich husband, but this one wants to own skyscrapers.”

“True love and a helmet will stop bullets,” Miriam said bitterly.

“You weren’t to know.” Brill looked at her askance. “Was it really true love?”

“How the fuck should I know?” Miriam drained her glass in one gulp, so that she wouldn’t have to explain. Was it? she wondered, confused. Damn it, he should be here, now. We had so much to talk about.

“Owning skyscrapers makes the need for a rich husband irrelevant,” Brill pointed out. “And anyway, you’re still young. True love is bound to—” She stopped. Another car was pulling up outside, and a small crowd of partygoers was climbing out.

“Here, take this,” Miriam said, passing her her empty glass. “Got to be the hostess again.”

“That’s okay, don’t mind me.” Brill took a step back as Miriam straightened her back and tried to bend her face into a welcoming mask once more. Only another five minutes.

The door opened. “Olga!” she exclaimed.

“My dear!” Olga swept forward and insisted on planting a kiss on her cheek. “I brought you a present!”

“Huh?” Miriam looked past her. The door was still revolving—slowly, for the occupant seemed to be having some trouble. Finally he shuffled out and slowly advanced. “Uncle, you aren’t supposed to be out—”

“Miriam.” He stopped in front of her, looking faintly amused. His costume was, as ever, impeccable, even though he must have found it passing strange. “I thought I should come and see the new business that the prodigal has built for us.” His smile slipped. “And to apologize for nursing that viper. I understand he cost you more than money can ever repay.”

“Oh hell.” She frowned at him. Easy for you to be gracious, now Roland’s dead and you don’t have to worry about your precious braids anymore—But somehow the harsh thought didn’t have any fire behind them. She crossed the six feet between them. “Uncle.” He did his best to return the hug, although he winced somewhat. She leaned her chin on his shoulder. “I’m pleased to see you. I think.”

“It was all her idea,” he said, jerking his chin over his shoulder.

“Her? Why—mother!”

The revolving door ejected another late guest who seemed to be walking with a slight limp. Bundled in a voluminous gown and leaning heavily on a cane, she glowered truculently about the hall for a moment, then spotted Miriam and beamed.

“Hello, dear! You’re looking every inch the princess tonight.”

“Hah.” Miriam walked forward and kissed her mother on the forehead.