Peggy gave Victor a long look, then smiled and refused the gamble of telling all. "I'm from a place where men and the occasional woman are fighting and killing each other even as we speak," she said instead of anything more specific. "But we're doing it in defense of our homeland, against a tyrant who wants to conquer everything."

She was very aware of how many places -- how many times -- that could describe. "I'm not talking about Napoleon," she said, eliminating just one. "But I'd certainly rather defend this country than live in it right now. I am not Elizabeth Bennet, and I don't think I can manage to put up with her life for much longer."

She gave Victor another long look, then asked, "And what about you?"