by Amanda Davis
Emmeline nodded slowly and the mist of rain caught in her golden hair like diamond droplets.
“We will find her,” she promised. “At any cost. Thank you for telling me this, Elias. I feel as though I know you better now.”
“I must swear you to secrecy,” Elias told her. “Christiana were to know I told, she would feel betrayed.”
“Elias, I have not a soul to tell if I wished to,” she said and the sadness in her voice was nearly tangible.
“How can that be, Miss Balfour? You are surrounded by people, your family, the servants—”
“And none of them knows me in the least,” she interjected. “I am not alone and yet I am inconsolably lonely.”
“I would like to be your friend, Miss Balfour.”
She smiled at him wryly.
“My friends call me Emmy.”
“Emmy,” he said, trying the name on his tongue. “I daresay, I have not known one Emmeline in my life.”
“Is that a fact?” she laughed.
“It is. I would not lie to you.”
Her eyes locked on his and her lips quavered slightly.
“I believe that,” she whispered. “I cannot say why but I feel like we may have known one another before. Is that strange?”
“Not to me. I feel precisely the same.”
She cocked her head slightly sideways and stared at him.
“You mean to tell me that you are not merely a waiter then?” Elias laughed.
“I have been around enough waiters to know how they operate. I did not think it would be very difficult to fabricate experience.”
“Yet you did not make it through a single shift!” Emmeline teased and Elias laughed.
“Indeed,” he replied. “I suppose I will be forced to do better in the future.”
“Why did you not simply take a room at the hotel? This was a rather elaborate scheme, becoming part of the staff.”
“I considered it but I felt I would look suspicious questioning the servants as a guest. It is a moot issue now. I have barely learned anything about Christa’s whereabouts in the past two days except to know that she has taken yet another lover.”
“Here? At the hotel?” Emmeline asked, aghast.
“I am unsure. With the party, it was impossible to gather more information but Joshua assures me he will continue to investigate on my behalf. I have been learning the hotel but she has been gone for so long, I cannot expect to find a trace of her here unless she is still here.”
Emmeline was silent but Elias could see her eyes twitching as though her mind raced behind them.
“Emmeline?” he asked tentatively, unsure if she was listening any longer. “Are you well?”
“There are secrets in this hotel,” she murmured and Elias nodded.
“There are secrets everywhere,” he agreed. “In such a lavish inn with exclusive guests, I am hardly shocked to know there are dark whispers in the corners.”
“Indeed…”
Emmeline refocussed her gaze upon him and smiled warmly.
“I hope you will not think me rude, Elias but it is getting quite cold and damp out here and I fear it is only a matter of time before my family comes in search of me.”
“I imagine they will question why you are wet,” Elias chuckled. “Forgive me, Emmeline. You have been most gracious entertaining my whimsy.”
“No, you have been most gracious providing me with this escape and with your friendship. I cannot tell you how much it means to me.”
They shared a smile and Emmeline gathered her skirts to return to the turret stairs.
“Emmy…”
She glanced over her shoulder at him and Elias felt his heart stop beating for a moment. He was certain he had never seen such radiance, her glimmering strands of hair against the blackened sky, her glowing amber eyes warming him even from the distance between them.
“Yes?”
“You look very beautiful tonight.”
Her blush was apparent even in the darkness and she hung her head demurely.
“Thank you, Elias.”
She vanished then and Elias exhaled in a torrent of wind, his body suddenly feeling leagues lighter as though he had removed weights from his shoulders.
How long has it been since I have spoken to someone the way I have Joshua and Emmeline these past days? When Christa is around, we squabble and when she is gone, I am alone. How long has it been since I have had a friend?
It was daunting thought, one he had not considered until that moment. He had spent so much time chasing Christiana and ensuring her safety, he had forgotten to care for himself.
“No, Emmy,” he sighed to no one but the blowing wind around him. “Thank you.”
For even though there can never be anything between us, you have reminded me of friendship.
Chapter Nine
The morning following the gala, Emmeline rose very early and dressed quickly without the assistance of her abigail. She wished to make herself as scarce as possible before the household arose and noticed her missing but she was not early enough.
The first soul she encountered was her father in the hallway of the fifth floor. He seemed as startled to see her as she did him.
“Emmy? What are you doing about?” Charlton asked, glancing behind him as though he expected someone else to join them in the corridor.
“Oh…I…” Emmeline thought quickly. “I suppose the excitement of last evening has traveled through to this morrow.”
He nodded curtly but she got the distinct impression that he was not particularly paying any mind to her excuse.
“Of course. I must be on my way,” he told her, moving through. Emmeline watched him turn the corner toward the staircase. She had been heading toward the service stairs to find Elias but something inherent caused her to change her mind and follow her father.
Is he acting suspicious or do I merely see that in everyone now?
She decided to find out where it was Charlton headed at that hour. She knew her father’s schedule well enough to know that he did not often rise before dawn.
Unless he has business matters which to attend, she thought, stealthily gliding after him. Emmeline was careful to ensure that she was not seen but there were few people who might catch glimpse of her. Regardless, she took special care to be cautious.
Through the center staircase, Charlton moved, barely looking about and Emmeline wondered if she was mistaken chasing after him.
He certainly does not seem perturbed. Perhaps there is no reason to go after him.
Yet she did not fall back and when she reached the lobby, she remained back. The concierge was not at his posting but Walter Greene stood at the entry desk, seeming impatient.
“What an ungodly hour to meet,” her betrothed snapped at her father. “Could we not have done this another time?”
“I explained already that this is for discretion,” Charlton sighed, ushering Walter toward his office. His head twisted around and Emmeline ducked lower against the bannister, hoping her blonde crown did not show over the intricate railing. She exhaled with relief when the men disappeared inside the office, closing the door.
I must know what they are discussing in there, Emmeline thought, rising to hurry toward the closed room. She had the distinct sense that she was the topic of their conversation.
With another furtive look around, she pressed herself between the wall and the closed door, her eyes trained outward lest anyone chance upon her spying on the pair. Through the thick door, their voices were muffled but audible.
“…than later, Balfour. I do not wish to wait a minute longer than necessary for my money,” Walter growled. “I have already extended you enough courtesy in this matter.”
“And I have delivered all that I have promised thus far, have I not?”
“Not all.”
“These matters take time, Walter. I cannot simply sign away the holdings without the benefit of marriage. My son will undoubtedly ask questions—”
“
These are not my concerns. You will reign in your boy as necessary.”
“I understand your impatience, Walter, truly I do but you must exercise resolve for only a few more weeks until the wedding. A portion of the hotel will be signed to you as Emmeline’s dowry and you will be part owner of the Balfour Hotel as I have vowed.”
“I will expect a bigger percentage in which case,” Walter told him and there was a gasp of shock.
“That was not our agreement,” her father muttered. “You will hold thirty percent, not a fraction more.”
“If I am to wait weeks, I will expect to be recompensed for it,” Walter insisted.
“And what of the other matter I attended?” Charlton bit back sharply. “If I had not seen to your mishap with the chambermaid—”
“No one asked you to tend to that!”
Gooseflesh erupted over Emmeline’s skin and she drew back, her hand on her heart as if to still it from beating clear out of her chest.
What chambermaid? Are they speaking of Christiana?
She thought of how her father had acted when she had confronted him with Christiana’s dismissal and terror enveloped her.
What have they done to her and why?
It took every iota of control in her body not to burst through the door and demand answers, her only reason stemming from the fear growing in her gut.
“What I did, I did for the good of this hotel,” Charlton muttered in a tone so low, Emmeline was forced to strain her ears. “But I will not have you extort me when I know—”
“You know nothing for certain!” Walter interjected. The fury in his tone was nearly tangible and Emmeline’s heart raced.
“I know enough,” Charlton retorted. “You will maintain your silence and we will go forth with the wedding a few weeks but I will not give you more than we have already discussed.”
“You are hardly in a position to make demands of me, Balfour. I have saved your hotel from certain ruin. It is not too late for me to recant on my decision.”
“And it will not be too late for me to make your true character known either,” Charlton snapped.
“Not without detriment to your own character,” Walter countered.
“Must we go in endless circles with these empty threats all day? We have an understanding, one which will benefit us both. Why are you determined to upset the apple cart now?”
“Is it not obvious, Balfour? I do not trust you.”
“The feeling is more than mutual, Walter and yet I have given you less of a reason than you—”
“Miss Balfour, are you well?”
Emmeline yelped and whirled, shocked and appalled at being caught listening. Honor stood, his face twisted in worry as he stared at her but she shook her head vehemently, pressing her finger to her lips as she moved away from the door, lest her father and Walter Greene hear them outside.
“No,” she whispered urgently. “Honor, please, I am begging you as a friend to forget what you have seen here.”
Uncertainty clouded the maître d’s eyes and his gaze darted toward the office.
“Miss Balfour, I-I do not know what to say,” he mumbled, his complexion paling dramatically.
“Then say nothing at all, Honor,” she told him firmly. “I was never here.”
She hurried away from his confused stare but she could still feel him watching her well after she stole toward the servant’s quarters, her pulse erratic as she tried to make sense of what she had heard in the office.
They are both involved in something terrible but what?
It was evident that Charlton had come into Walter Greene’s debt.
And I am a repayment of said debt, I assume. My dowry includes shares in this hotel. I was correct. Walter Greene has no interest in marrying me, only in ownership of this hotel.
It was troubling that her father was so quick to sell her off to a man who had not shown the least bit of warmth toward her but more than that, there was something sinister about the impending marriage.
Moreover, they were discussing Christiana Compton, of that I am certain. I must tell Elias what I heard, even if it makes little sense.
The staff had risen by now but Emmeline paid them no mind as she made her way toward Joshua’s room. With trembling hands, she rapped gently on the door, unsure if Joshua was scheduled for day or night shift that day. She had been too distracted to check the roster.
“Miss Balfour,” Joshua breathed, his hair dishevelled from sleep as he opened the door. “I-I was not expecting you.”
“Is Elias here?” she asked in a low voice, peering over his shoulder but Joshua shook his head.
“He left in the night,” he explained. “He felt useless sitting about and he went into Luton to see if anyone had seen Christiana.”
“Ballocks,” Emmeline cursed and Joshua sniggered, covering his hand with his mouth. Embarrassed, she looked away.
“Forgive my crassness,” she mumbled. “Please, send for me when he returns. I have a terrible suspicion…”
She stopped speaking, unsure if she should continue to talk so freely.
“Please, Josh, send for me upon his return.”
“Yes, Miss Balfour.”
The door closed and she stood, debating what to do next.
Antoinette, she realized. Antoinette knows more than she has said.
Emmeline located the head housekeeper on the fifth floor. She balked when she saw with what the housekeeper was tasked.
“Do be careful, Cora!” Antoinette snapped as the chambermaid huffed along with a huge trunk in her hands. “Mr. Greene will be displeased to find his items in disarray.”
“W-what is the meaning of this?” Emmeline demanded, looking at the half dozen servants filling the room adjacent to hers.
Antoinette eyed her warily.
“Your fiancé has taken a suite with the family now,” she explained and Emmeline paled at the idea.
“Now? Already?” she choked although she was not sure why she was surprised. The discussion she had heard that morning certainly indicated that matters would be moving along a much greater speed than Emmeline could stop.
“Of course,” Antoinette told her crisply. “In a few weeks, you will be sharing a suite, will you not?”
I will not think about that, Emmeline told herself firmly.
“May I have a moment with you, Antoinette?”
“Now?”
“Yes,” Emmeline said urgently. “It is important.”
Begrudgingly, Antoinette nodded and followed Emmeline into her chambers where the younger woman closed the door quietly.
“Forgive my bluntness, Miss Emmeline but there is much work to be done today. What is the matter?”
“I want the truth,” Emmeline replied shortly. “In its entirety.”
Antoinette seemed perplexed.
“Miss?”
“About Christiana Compton. What became of her truly. I have heard rumors that she had a lover here in the hotel. Is that a fact? Is that why she was terminated?”
Antoinette tensed visibly and she quickly darted her eyes away.
“I would not know about the private affairs of the servants,” she said but Emmeline could hear the lie in her words.
“Antoinette, I know better than anyone how you involve yourself in the comings and goings of the staff. I insist you tell me what you know about her.”
“And if I tell you I know nothing?”
“I will tell you that I do not believe you.”
The women met her eyes and Emmeline could see the housekeeper’s resolve fading as she held her gaze.
“Is this about her husband arriving here?” Antoinette asked.
“You heard about that?”
“As you said, Miss Emmeline, there is little which happens here that I do not know. Albeit, I did not know Miss Compton was married. She made no mention of it when she applied to work here or we would not have hired her, I assure you. A married woman leaving her husband could not reflect well on the hotel.”
> “Never mind that now,” Emmeline told her. “What happened when she arrived. Did she take a lover?”
Antoinette sighed deeply and pursed her lips together.
“Miss, we do not condone affairs of the heart among the servants but we cannot stop it from occurring,” Antoinette muttered.
“I am not faulting anyone, Antoinette. I only wish to know what happened to Christiana. She has disappeared. Her safety is my only concern.”
To her surprise, Antoinette scoffed.
“If she has disappeared, I assure you, it was of her own accord.”
“You said she was relieved of her duties due to theft but that is not true, is it?” Emmeline pressed. “She was terminated because of this love affair.”
“I told you, Miss Emmeline, your father was the one who asked her to leave.”
“You know more than that!” Emmeline exploded, her patience falling short as she detected the evasiveness in Antoinette’s tone. “You must tell me what you know!”
The housekeeper raised her head and studied Emmeline pensively.
“Why does it matter to you so much, Miss Emmeline? You did not know Christiana.”
“Does that matter? She was a servant here and therefore a part of the hotel.”
“Is that all?”
Emmeline was sure she did not like Antoinette’s tone.
“I have no idea what you are insinuating but if I can help a man find his wife, why does it matter?”
Shock filled Antoinette’s face.
“Elias Compton is still in Luton?” she demanded and Emmeline felt the blood slowly drain from her own face.
“I-I am unsure,” she mumbled.
Are we having two very different conversations?
“Dear Lord,” Antoinette breathed. “He should leave at once. Nothing good will come of him remaining here.”
Alarm flowed freely through Emmeline’s body.
“How do you mean?” Emmeline demanded, her eyes wide. “Why?”
