“There’s no need for that,” Mrs.Greene informed him.“Indeed, I insist you make no such demand of Mr.Croft on my behalf.Lord knows this favor is just a small recompense for what I owe him.”
During the years he’d spent working for Croft, James had learned not to be surprised by these types of remarks.And yet, occasionally, the extent of his master’s influence — the creditor rights he’d acquired – managed to catch him off guard.
“Very well,” he told Mrs.Greene.“I’ll merely ensure that he knows you helped me to the best of your ability.”
A satisfied nod was her only response as she kept on walking, leading him straight to the door at the end of a hallway.She gave it a few loud raps, then took a step back.
The door eased open a smidgen a few seconds later.“Yes?”a young man inquired.
“I’ve a client who wishes to spend an hour with me in The Diamond Suite,” Mrs.Greene informed him, her voice a coaxing purr.“He’s willing to give you a two-pound tip for assisting with this arrangement.”
“Why not make use of your own facilities?”the man asked.
“For the same reason my girls and I have visited The Albion on previous occasions.”
“That’s different.”Suspicion edged his voice.“Such instances have always involved requests specifically made by The Albion’s guests.The same is not true in this case.”
“Don’t be a fool,” Mrs.Greene hissed.“Do you have any idea whose will you are thwarting right now and the impact it’s likely to have upon not only me, but on you as well?”
“By all means,” said the man, “enlighten me.”
James almost felt bad for the lad.He was only doing what he’d been hired to do, and he was doing an excellent job of it.
Mrs.Greene took a deep breath while drawing her shoulders back.“He is the—”
“It’s all right, Mrs.Greene,” James interjected, affecting the same aristocratic tone he’d heard countless upper-class members of society use.It was a voice that seemed slightly bored with all the power the owner had at their disposal.“Mr.Drake will be lunching with me at my club on Friday.I’ll address the matter with him then.Make sure appropriate measures are taken to be certain this never happens again.Wouldn’t be the first time he sacked a staff member at my behest.Come.We’ll make use of your modest facilities instead.”
Rather than stepping away from the door, however, James prepared to force it open, render the man unconscious, and pull him into The Willow Rooms’s hallway.
It was a method he’d hoped to avoid unless absolutely necessary, which it seemed it was swiftly becoming.Already, they’d wasted precious time trying to persuade the man to simply grant them entry.Ensuring he wouldn’t hinder James any further might be the simplest solution.
But then the door opened another smidgen, and the man gave James a quick head-to-toe assessment.His steady gaze took stock of the pricy Bond Street clothing, tailored to perfection, along with the tell-tale box from Maison Beaumont, and the small crate branded with Berry Brothers and Rudd’s name.
“I beg your pardon, sir.”The young man opened the door even wider and took a step back.“It’s my job to check everyone who wishes to pass through this door.Make sure they have the right to visit The Albion and that they’re not simply trying to avoid getting checked in the foyer.”
“Given the fact that I’m married, I’d rather not have to explain my presence here, should one of my wife’s friends or acquaintances happen to see me.”James offered the man the money Mrs.Greene had him down for, then dismissed him entirely while telling her, “Please lead the way.”
They walked to a flight of stairs and proceeded to climb.Kip followed.
“Do you know where we’re going?”Mrs.Greene whispered when they approached the landing.
“Third floor,” James informed her.“Where’s The Diamond Suite?”
“On the second.”
“We’ll split up there then.”He sent the boy a swift backward glance.“You’ll accompany me the entire way.”
“Are you sure you’d not rather I come along too?”Mrs.Greene inquired when James prepared to part ways with her a few moments later.
Instead of responding, he glanced along the length of the hallway.“Which door leads to The Diamond Suite?”
“The third one on the right.”
He nodded his understanding.“Wait for me there.Leave the door unlocked so I can get in if I need to.”
Aware that time was of the absolute essence, James prayed the woman would do as he asked and strode off.The soft tread of Kip’s feet on the runner followed him up the next flight of stairs.
Before arriving at the top, he paused in the stairwell and set down the cake box.He then reached inside his jacket pocket and retrieved the black piece of silk he’d purchased along with his clothes.It didn’t take long to position the mask so the uppermost part of his face and hair were concealed.
