He paused to pull a second sheet out of the file before him. “I took the liberty of drawing up a budget for you,” he said, handing it to her across the desk.
“How thoughtful,” she murmured with a smile that could have melted stone, but only a fool would have thought it genuine. “Your experience with hotel management must be vast indeed for you topredict how many parties I shall be arranging over the course of the year.”
“My calculations are based on the reservations already made as well as your figures from last year.”
She glanced down at the sheet in her hand. “Our revenue is likely to be much higher than this,” she objected, looking up. “Your estimates are far too low.”
His estimates were low for a reason. Within weeks, the investigation should be finished, and it was likely that Ritz would be gone, along with Escoffier, Echenard, and many others. Though in the long term, everything at the Savoy would come right, he could not predict what the result of their departure would be in the short term. Ritz and Escoffier were widely revered, not only by the staff, but also by the Savoy’s wealthy clientele. Firing them would upset a great many people.
“Possibly,” he conceded. “But I’d rather err on the side of caution. To that end, you and I will be meeting each month to discuss the expenses and revenue for your department.”
“Yes, without you to rein me in, who knows what I’ll do?” She leaned forward, adopting a confidential manner. “Why, without your guidance and sage wisdom, I might go completely off the rails and do something wild. Like buy new stair carpets or something.”
Her past spending made her going off the rails quite likely without a firm hand to check her, but pointing that out would only increase her animosity, so he refrained.
“Speaking of my guidance and sage wisdom,” he said instead as he pulled another sheet from the folder on his desk, “I have compiled a list of procedures and practices that might help you in running your department more efficiently.”
“Goodness,” she replied, taking the offered sheet. “Keep doing this, Lord Calderon, and I shall become so efficient, I shall have nothing to do all day but put my feet up and eat bonbons.” She glanced atthe list, then set it on the desk, along with the budget he’d made for her. “You’re remarkably sure of yourself for someone who’s only been here three weeks. Perhaps it’s a bit premature to be offering me recommendations?”
“I’ve been here quite long enough to note the wanton extravagance displayed by every department of this hotel, especially yours.”
His accusation merely seemed to amuse her. “But, my dear man,” she said, laughing, “this is theSavoy. Wanton extravagance is how we do it.”
“You mean that’s how you used to do it,” he countered, thinking that if he had a pound for every time he’d uttered that phrase during the past few weeks, paying a dividend to the investors would be easy. “Believe me or not, Lady Stratham, I fully realize the philosophy here has always been that one must spend more to make more.”
“Quite rightly.”
“Hardly, or there would be no need for me.”
“Ritz knows what he’s doing.”
“Perhaps, but the fact remains that things can’t go on this way. And if you wish to remain in your present position, you must understand that the lavish spending you’re accustomed to will not be happening in the future. I hope—”
“But as I’m trying to tell you, that lavishness is precisely what we’re known for. It’s the very reason people come here. You can’t expect—”
“It is not only what I expect, Countess,” he cut in, feeling he was more than justified in an interruption of his own at this stage of their conversation, “it is also what I demand.”
“So it’s to be dogwood twigs in the flower arrangements even in the springtime? No more elegantly folded napkins in London’s most elegant restaurant? No more valet service for the peers down for a quick vote in the Lords? No complimentary champagne for the Duchess of Moreland’s table?”
“When the duchess stayed here last season, she failed to pay her bill,” he answered at once, “so forgive me if I can’t dredge up any regret that she’ll no longer be enjoying our champagne free of charge.”
“She’ll pay her bill eventually,” Lady Stratham countered with a breezy acceptance of the duchess’s behavior that only heightened Simon’s aggravation. It must have shown in his face, for she went on, “I realize it’s frustrating, but surely you know as well as I do that most members of the ton don’t have the same sense of urgency about these things that you seem to possess.”
“A facet of the aristocratic lifestyle I find utterly reprehensible,” he said crisply. “It will not continue. From now on, anyone who has made a habit of refusing to pay their bill promptly in the past will be required to submit a deposit of 50 percent on their rooms when checking in.”
“Make a duchess pay half in advance?” she breathed, clearly scandalized. “You cannot be serious.”
“But I am. And while we are on this subject, by the way, anyone who chooses to avail themselves of our banqueting facilities and your services will be required to pay a cash deposit of 20 percent up front. You’re shocked, I see,” he added, noting her expression.
“But… but surely… you realize… you must…” She paused, clearly finding it hard to come up with a reply. “But you’re a viscount,” she said at last. “Surely you know how these things work.”
He didn’t, of course, having been a peer for less than half a year, but he wasn’t about to lose face by admitting it, especially not to someone like her. “That fact, funnily enough, does not prevent me from paying my bills on time. I intend to make sure others do the same.”
“You don’t understand,” she murmured, giving him a look of pity that brought all his middle-class defenses to the fore. “You really don’t understand. How is that possible?”
“What is it you think I am missing?” He clasped his hands atop the open file before him, striving to keep an open mind. “Explain it to me.”
She lifted her hands, then let them fall in a gesture of surrender. “Very well, since you seem to need it spelled out. Allowing aristocratic guests leeway in regard to payment is part of a… a tacit understanding. Aristocrats bring a certain je ne sais quoi, an air of nobility and elegance that is necessary to a hotel of this quality. Your requirements will be regarded as an insult, and peers will go elsewhere. Without their presence, the Savoy will become just another comfortable, ordinary London hotel.”
