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The carriage had barely come to a stop when a uniformed employee opened the door and helped the ladies down, while two more swiftly unloaded their luggage and brought it up the stairs. The bellhops worked together in competent silence, like some sort of strange modern ballet. Henry gripped the handle of his cane a little tighter as he eyed the stairs while the employees raced up and down with ease.
A year and a half ago he would not have been able to make the ascent. Now, thanks to a hell of a lot of hard work, he could, but at a slower speed. Henry liked to think it stately, but that meant he would noticeably lag behind Lady Arlington and her maid. The back of his neck prickled. It had been a long time since he felt so self-conscious. He swallowed hard and straightened his shoulders.
“Captain?”
He turned to find Lady Arlington by his left side. “I don’t want to make any presumptions,” she began in a low voice, “but I know carriage rides can be uncomfortable for you.”
“Movement always helps.”
“Well then, would you do me the honor of your escort? I’m afraid I’m still feeling a bit lightheaded,” she added after a moment.
Henry realized he had been too surprised to reply. “Of course, my lady.” He held out his arm and she took it. Together they ascended the stairs at a steady, if slower pace, but Lady Arlington didn’t seem to mind. When they reached the top she pulled away and patted his arm.
“Thank you for your assistance.” Then she stepped away to greet the concierge, not looking the least bit lightheaded.
Henry blinked. She must have noticed his reticence and tried to make him feel more comfortable. The concierge was giving her the now familiar look of interest that came over the faces of most men who encountered the viscountess. He had yet to determine if she was entirely aware of the effect she had on men. He had thought her guileless when they were younger, until she had chosen to marry the viscount. But she still seemed just as unaffected as before. Henry frowned. Such a deception would take an awful lot of effort on her part, but the alternative would mean he had been completely wrong about her all these years. Neither option was terribly appealing.
Before he could ruminate on that any further, a sophisticated older man in an expertly tailored gray day suit approached him with a friendly smile. He had a full head of striking silver hair and a neatly trimmed beard that complemented his olive skin.
“Greetings. I am Mahmood Previn,” he said, bowing slightly, his words tinged with a subtle French accent. “You must be Captain Harris.”
“Yes, hello.” Henry shook his proffered hand. “A pleasure to meet you. I understand Mr. Fox messaged you ahead of our arrival?”
Mr. Previn glanced to the viscountess, who was still conversing with the concierge, and gave Henry a subtle nod. “I have made arrangements with my most trusted staff to ensure the lady’s safety. I have also taken the liberty of putting you in a suite of rooms on the top floor. It can only be accessed by private lift. We often use it when family or friends visit, as it is close to the countess’s quarters.”
“Thank you, Mr. Previn,” Henry said. “That is very kind.”
“I understand you have made the acquaintance of the countess?”
“Yes. But that was many years ago.” Rafe had brought him around once for tea when they were on leave. “I was barely more than twenty. I doubt I made much of an impression.”
The countess, on the other hand, had lived up to her reputation as a noted beauty.
Mr. Previn chuckled warmly. “On the contrary. She is very excited for your visit and has asked me to invite you to her suite for refreshments once you’ve settled.”
Before Henry could give his regrets, Mr. Previn turned to address Lady Arlington as she approached them. “Welcome to the Hotel Luna, my lady,” he said as he bowed and placed a kiss on her hand. “I am the owner, Mahmood Previn.”
Lady Arlington gave him a genial smile. “Hello, Mr. Previn. What a beautiful hotel you have here. Your concierge was just telling me about the building’s history. Thank you so much for accommodating us on such short notice.”
He waved a hand. “It is nothing. Anything for the friends of our Rafe and Sylvie. And I know you English love your formalities, but please call me Mahmood.”
“Happily, but only if you call me Georgiana,” she said with a grin. Her immediate comradery with the handsome and sophisticated hotelier made Henry feel even more unrefined by comparison.
“I was just telling Captain Harris that the countess would love for you to join her for some refreshments in her suite once you have settled in.”
“That sounds lovely. I’ll be there.”
Mr. Previn turned to him and raised a questioning brow.
“I was hoping to meet with your head of security and scout out the hotel. But I will try to come afterward,” he added awkwardly.
Mr. Previn nodded. “Of course. I will arrange for a meeting right away. In the meantime, Michel will escort you to your rooms.” He gestured to the concierge, who still hovered a few feet away. “If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask.” This was directed at the viscountess.
“Thank you, Mahmood.”
He bowed to her once again and shook Henry’s hand. “Enjoy your stay.”
“Such a charming man,” Lady Arlington said, watching as he walked over to warmly greet another group of guests.
