“She’s lying,” Triphine sang. “Where do you find such gullible patrons?”
Mallory’s smile did not falter as her guests inspected the wares. “They make a lovely gift,” she said, nudging Louis. “Maybe for a special lady friend? Or perhaps you’d like to send a postcard home to your mother?”
“Not a bad idea, actually,” Louis muttered, picking up a ring while Sophia studied one of the handkerchiefs. “Real sapphires, you say?”
“As real as the crown jewels.”
She glanced at Axel. He hadn’t said much during the tour, and he was difficult to read, but perhaps she could tempt him into a deck of Saphir-branded playing cards—as a limited edition, they were one of her best sellers.
But when she saw how Axel was studying her, the thought evaporated. “What?” she said, immediately defensive.
He drew back, startled. “Have I offended you?”
“You’re staring at me.”
He opened his mouth, but hesitated. Then cleared his throat. “I was hoping to ask you some questions.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Fine. But I charge one lys per question. A galet if the question annoys me.”
“You charge a fee for asking questions? You’re atour guide.”
“Knowledge is priceless.”
To her surprise, he reached for his pocket and pulled out a coin, but instead of handing it to her, he held it up so that it glinted in the cellar’s dim light. “I am trying to find the Fontaine sisters. Are you one of them?”
It took a long moment for the question to fully register. “I… Who?”
“Anaïs and Mallory Fontaine of Morant. Daughters of the late Noele Fontaine. The ones who…” He hesitated, flipping the coin over his fingers. “The ones who have some working knowledge of witchcraft.”
“Oh!” said Sophia. “Fontaine, yes. That was the name of the witch we visited. She has a darling little shop on Rue Tilance.” She paused, squinting at Mallory. “I don’t recall mention of a sister.”
Mallory chuckled, and wished it hadn’t come out sounding so uncomfortable. “Yes. My sister, Anaïs, is the talented one. But she’s always been very supportive of my tours.”
“From what I’ve heard,” said Axel, “you have some unique talents of your own.”
“Hearsay and hogwash. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed in the truth.”
“I doubt it.”
Beside them, Louis and Sophia had gone still, sensing the rising tension.
“The rumors are that you can see and speak with the spirits of the deceased.”
Axel didn’t sound like a heartless oaf who meant to destroy what measly reputation she had been clinging to ever since her mother had passed away, but Mallory wasn’t willing to chance it.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She snatched the coin from Axel’s fingers. “Ghosts choose who to reveal themselves to, and when they wish to be seen. I happen to spend a lot of time in a haunted mansion. If you’re lucky, you’ll be seeing ghosts by the end of the night, too. That is what you’re paying for, isn’t it?”
She spun away from him, noting the goods in the Dumases’ hands. “That will be a hundred lourdes for the ring and fifteen for the handkerchief.”
“A hundred—!” Louis started. “For a replica?”
“Real sapphires,” Mallory reminded him. “Real silver.”
He huffed, but pulled out a reticule to pay for them both.
“Shall we return to the ballroom?” Mallory set down the box of merchandise and started back up the narrow staircase. Hervoice got louder as she climbed. “There I can tell you about Gabrielle Savoy.”
The others hurried after her—though Axel scowled suspiciously as he brought up the rear of their group.
