[ She'd been fishing, maybe. Maine wasn't exactly forthcoming and she didn't feel a need to burden him with the wars of her home, their conversation more about mutual silence than anything. She and Carolina had moved around each other more in business than idle chatter.

She'd been hoping maybe, he might be able to tell her something. But if they're fiction to him then - ] Perhaps I shall take solace in you as my future then. One that is free of such things.

[ It's pained, but she's trying. Trying as fondly as she can. ]

Washington did not tell you? [ Don't be better, Lakshmi. ] I was born in Hindustan - or India. The Eurasian subcontinent. [ Miles words, not hers. ] I am the Queen of Jhansi.