To save face.

"You see, the whole reason why my dear cousin came here, Mr. Mckay," she began coolly, brushing some hair behind her ear, "was to try and make a name for himself, without using our family's influence or money. But unfortunately, he's an idiot, who wouldn't make it two weeks without someone to keep an eye on him. Therefore, his mother pleaded that I come along with him, to stop him from dragging our family's name through the mud."

I pursed my lips and grunted. "He seemed to make a defensible argument and case about his cause when he visited me. Any questions I asked, he had an answer for. By all appearances, he seems to be quite well-versed in it."

It was now Mrs. Holden-Buress who grunted. "So you approve of his plan of genocide, racism, elitism, and segregation? A revival of feudalism? The things this country fought a bloody war of independence against?"

"I have said no such thing, Missus Clara Holden-Buress," I retorted, holding back anger. "I have shown no support in favor or against those things."

Mrs. Holden-Buress scoffed. "I'll believe that when I see it, Mr. Mckay."

I glared at her and **** myself calm. Taking a moment, I collected my thoughts. "If your cousin wishes for a change like this, why would he come to Madosin? From what I have seen, in the short time I've been here, the people here are wholly against that sort of thinking. It would be an uphill battle from the very beginning. I'm sure that if he'd began this campaign in a more conservative place, he'd have an easier time gaining support."

Mrs. Holden-Buress smiled for the first time when I said that. "Because I told him to come here." I raised an eyebrow at her, and pressed her further. "I said to him, that because Madsin's population is comparatively small, he would only need to convince 'most' of the people to support him and **** Mr. Gottlieb to submit to his demands." I nodded along, as that is generally how a democracy is done. "And he also thought, that because the population is small, he'd have it done in no time," she chuckled darkly at herself, "not much luck unfortunately. He's been trying for months, and has maybe a handful of supporters."

I sat quietly, letting the meaning of her words sink in. I may have to look into the Holden's in future, to see for what reason they would be at risk for. There was also the fact that I could not take anything Mrs. Holden-Buress had said at face value. She could be lying for all I know, and trying to besmirch her cousin's name for some other reason. But something I had said nagged at me, and I had to ask. "With the constant growth and explorations that this country is going through, Mrs. Holden-Buress, there could have been dozens of new settlements, that you could have elected to direct your brother to. But you chose here instead. It is not just because of what you said. You picked this place specifically." I said, with an accusatory finger. "And I can't help but wonder why."

A wryness came to that smile of hers. Finishing her drink, she stood up, fixed her Dress, and collected her Hat. "If the rumors about you are true, Mr. Mckay, it would be much easier to show you, rather than tell you. If you have no other plans, I'd be delighted to have you for dinner at my Home tomorrow night. Benjamin won't be there. He's going to be out, dining with another potential recruit."

I made no promises about that, but seeing as she was going to leave, despite not asking to, I stood up, bade my farewells, and saw her off at the Door. As soon as it closed, I asked Howard if I had anything in my Diary for tomorrow evening. "Nothing that I'm aware of, Sir," he replied, stroking his chin. I nodded at him, and left him there, pondering if I should succumb to my curiosity.