“You won’t need it,” she said as the door swung open, “because I intend to trade myself for my father.”
Chapter Sixteen
Belle had never been to Mivart’s Hotel, or any hotel, before. Until the last few nights at Lady Keating’s, she couldn’t recall ever having slept anywhere but her own bed. She’d walked away from the hackney quickly, leaving Arundel to pay the jarvey, and hoping to avoid further discussion of her plan. She’d made up her mind. She would trade herself for her father. She was young and healthy and could endure captivity much better than he.
Her thoughts about her upcoming sacrifice faded as she entered the lobby of the grand hotel. The black and white marble floors and soaring ceilings left her momentarily breathless. She looked about, staring at the footmen in their dark livery and white gloves, carrying silver trays under the glittering lights of the crystal chandeliers. Fresh flowers sat on heavy tables with gilded claw feet and guests wandered through archways to recline on velvet couches. Belle stared at the art on the walls, the sculptures, and then focused on one lady sipping tea in a room just off the main foyer. If she could supply the tea for this establishment, that would be a true accomplishment.
“I hope you don’t think that’s the end of the conversation,” Arundel said, coming up behind her.
Belle turned and grasped his sleeve. “What sort of tea do they serve here? Where do they buy it?”
Arundel stared at her. “I have no idea. And don’t think you can change the subject. You are to have nothing to do with Pennywhistle’s thugs.”
“Fine,” she said, not really listening to him. She had always known there was grandeur behind the grand facades of the mansions in Mayfair. She’d seen a glimpse of that at Lady Keating’s residence. But for some reason, Belle had thought that sort of opulence only for private residences. But now here was a public place, where anyone could stay in luxury. Well, she supposed anyone who could afford it.
She narrowed her eyes at Arundel. Just how wealthy was he? She didn’t believe that an employee of Her Majesty’s government had a salary large enough to afford a place like this.
“That agreement came far too quickly. This conversation is not over. For now, keep your mouth closed and follow my lead.” He offered his arm, and she stared at it for a moment until he lifted her hand and placed it on his forearm. “Where are your gloves?”
“What gloves?”
“God help us because we will need it.” He led her toward a long counter where a short man with a highly starched neckcloth peered at them from over the spectacles perched on his nose.
“Good day, sir. Welcome back.”
“Thank you, Mr. Andrews. Do you have any letters or packages for me?”
“Yes, sir. In fact, I do. One moment while I fetch them.” He turned sharply, opened a door behind him, and disappeared.
“You receive correspondence here? Is this where you live?” Belle hissed.
“No, but Baron knows I’m staying here and assuming he received the report I sent before I came to London, he would send a reply here. Of course, with the weather so bad and the roads being what they are, I don’t have any expectations.”
“I had no idea places like this even existed,” she murmured.
Andrews returned, with two letters on a silver tray. Belle wanted to ask why he needed the tray when his gloved hands looked to be in perfectly good order, but she’d sold tea to the servants of enough wealthy customers to know that one couldn’t begin to understand the foibles of the upper classes. Arundel took the letters and pocketed them in his coat without looking at them.
“Would you like your key, sir?” Andrews asked, holding out a large golden key with a black velvet ribbon tied to it.
“Thank you, Andrews. I would like to show my sister my rooms.”
Belle started to be referred to as his sister, but she supposed it was all for show. No doubt Andrews didn’t believe she was his sister, but for propriety’s sake, they would all pretend.
“Very good, sir. Anything else?”
Arundel glanced at her. “Send a maid with a selection of your teas. All of your teas. My sister is quite particular.” He nodded at Belle. “She will want to peruse all the offerings of the hotel.”
“Of course, sir. I will send Jenny to you right away.”
Belle waited until Arundel had opened the door to his chamber and they were inside before she turned to him. “Thank you!” She didn’t think, merely threw her arms about him and hugged him.
He stiffened, but she didn’t care. She squeezed him as hard as she could. “What’s this for?” he said, voice muffled.
“The tea. You knew I was curious.”
“Right.” He disentangled himself and set her apart from him. “Try any tea you like. Try all of them if you wish. One of these letters is from Baron. I’ll need a little time to decode it.”
She didn’t know what he meant by decode, but then she doubted he would tell her either. “Who is the other one from?”
