Page 80 of Storm of Bells
With that, he turned and left.
Over the next few days, I watched Karimintently, as he carried mounting amounts of laundry into my office.But never once did he mention a word to his employer. Smiling tomyself, I took another bite of chocolate cake. Well, how did MrAmbrose express it? Silence is golden. Surely, he would be proud ofKarim and me for so thoroughly adhering to one of his favouriteprinciples.
‘Done? How can sh- he bedone?’
Or…maybe not.
Rising from my chair, I sidled towards theoffice door. Hm…would listening at one’s future husband’s keyholebe wrong? Probably, according to my aunt. So, instead, I knelt andpressed my eye to the keyhole. She had never said anything aboutwatching.
Mr Rikkard Ambrose was marching up and downin his office, his long legs eating up the ground, his arm behindhis ramrod-straight back.
‘Are you sure you’ve delivered all thelaundry to her as per my order?’
Karim stood in the corner, his beardbristling with efficiency.
‘All was delivered to her office,Sahib.’
‘But how? How could she deal with all ofthis?’
‘I could not say,Sahib.’
‘Get another load!’
‘I must point out,Sahib, that all thelaundry stored in the staff locker room has already been broughtup. I cannot—’
‘Then fetch more from one of my laundryshops! Now!’
‘As you command,Sahib.’
By the time Karim stepped out of the office,I was sitting in my chair again, my feet up on the desk, whistlingan innocent little melody.
The tension in the office grew. With our dateof departure to the country fast approaching, Mr Ambrose pelted mewith more and more work, up to and including such interesting tasksas polishing door knobs with a toothbrush, removing cobwebs fromthe corners of six-yard-high rooms with a one-yard stepladder, andlast, but definitely not least, preparing midday meals for theentire staff of Empire House.
‘You know,’ Mr Stone panted, wiping the sweatfrom his face as he removed the twenty-second pie from the big ovendown in the kitchens, ‘I knew I said I appreciated Mr Ambrose’s newinterest in domestic pleasures, but I think he might be overdoingit a little bit.’
‘Don’t worry.’ I patted his shoulder. ‘I havea feeling it won’t last long.’
‘Really? Why?’
A determined knock came from upstairs,followed by a startled exclamation.
‘That’s why,’ I said and, with a wink,started up the stairs. Up in the entrance hall, Sallow-Face wascowering behind his desk, shrinking from the impressive presencethat was Lady Adaira Louise Jannet Melanie Georgette Ambrose. Themoment she caught sight of me, she beamed.
‘Ah, Mr Linton! Perhaps you can help me. Thisridiculous fellow is trying to keep me from going up to see mybrother.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘And you let that stopyou, My Lady?’
‘Of course not. I just don’t want to damagehim if not necessary.’
‘Now, look here, young lady—’ Sallow-Facebegan—then abruptly cut off when Adaira flicked her gaze athim.
‘Is it time, then?’ I asked, my heartpounding hard.
‘Almost. The coach will be arriving thisafternoon. Just enough time to pack and…’ she let her gaze travelover me meaningfully, ‘to change.’
My heart leapt. In anticipation. In fear. Infierce, wonderful joy. I just about managed to nod instead ofexploding from it all.
‘All right.’ My voice sounded strange in myown ears. ‘Let me show you the way upstairs, Your Ladyship. I’msure your brother eagerly awaits your arrival.’
