Page 61 of Murder at Hambledon Hall
I watched Harry and Mr. Hobart cross the foyer, briefly stopping to chat to some guests who recognized Harry, before leaving altogether. Why had Harry come into the foyer this time? I got the distinct impression it was so that he was seen, but who did he want to be seen by?
I narrowed my gaze at my uncle. “You were very polite to Harry just now. Thank you.”
He grunted. I didn’t expect anything more. He was hardly going to admit he’d made a mistake in dismissing Harry. He would never admit fault. I was simply grateful he’d not berated Harry, as he’d done in the first months after dismissing him. More recently, my uncle had allowed Harry to remain in the foyer while he was investigating a case. That had been the first sign that Uncle Ronald was softening toward Harry. Today’s cordial encounter was another.
I nodded at Goliath who looked as relieved as I felt.
“Take the lift up with me, Cleopatra,” Uncle Ronald said as he walked off.
I fell into step alongside him. “Has something happened with the staff?”
“According to Hobart, Mrs. Short’s rule is causing a great deal of discontent among the staff. He would like me to intervene. I’m reluctant, however. The rule has its merits. I only want respectable staff working here, naturally.”
“I know he spoke to you about it a few days ago. What I meant was, has something happened since then?”
“Your maid, Miss Cotton, expressed her concerns, too, to Floyd. Floyd asked her to repeat them to me, which she did. Very articulate and persuasive, she was.”
Good for Harmony! “So you’re going to overturn Mrs. Short’s rule after all?”
The lift door opened, and a trio of guests stepped out. John, the operator, waited for Uncle Ronald and me, but Uncle Ronald slowed his pace.
“While I do see Miss Cotton’s point,” he said, “I think we need to see how it plays out.” He lengthened his strides again. “Anyway, Hobart informed me earlier that he has it in hand.”
I smiled at John and stepped into the lift. “So, he doesn’t really need to talk it through with Harry? Were you just trying to get rid of him?”
“Fourth floor, John. No, Cleopatra, not at all. Armitage is welcome here. It’s good for the regular guests to see him again.”
I wanted to ask why, but not in front of John, or anyone else. I suspected I knew the answer, anyway. Uncle Ronald wanted Harry to return as assistant manager.
“I presumed Armitage wanted to talk to his uncle about the hotel,” he said. “That is why he came here, after all.”
I didn’t dare tell him Harry was helping me. I didn’t think he’d want me involving Harry in this investigation. To Uncle Ronald, Harry was an outsider, nothing more than a former employee. While it was all well and good for him to assist me in an investigation that benefited a hotel guest, Uncle Ronald would draw the line at a matter involving his close friends.
The formal dinnermay have been canceled, but I still had to eat. I went in search of Floyd and Flossy and found them together in her suite. Flossy was in her bedroom choosing outfits, while Floyd lay on the sofa, idly flipping the pages of one of his sister’s fashion magazines.
“Cleo!” he said without getting up. “Just the person. What do you think about sporting pantaloons being worn by women all the time, not just when bicycling and what not?”
I peered over his shoulder at the article he’d been reading. It suggested bloomers worn by female bicyclists would be ideal as all-day wear, not just for riding or playing sport. “I think it sounds liberating.”
He wrinkled his nose. “I’m not so sure women should wear men’s clothes. It’s a recipe for confusion.”
I patted his shoulder. “Only for people who are easily confused.”
“I know you’re being mean, but I’m too tired to care.” He yawned as he lowered the magazine to his lap.
“Late night with Mr. Browning?”
“Late and as horrid as I thought it would be. Give him a few drinks and he turns into even more of a swine. I have a newfound pity for Mrs. Browning.”
I thought about her affair with Esmond Shepherd. Not for the first time, I wondered when it had happened. “Did you learn anything from him that might be pertinent to my investigation?”
“Not unless it’s important to know that he likes to gamble.”
That may very well be important. “See what else you can find out.”
“I’ll do what I can. We’re dining with him and Kershaw at Father’s club, since the family dinner has been canceled. Mother’s not up to it, apparently.” He sat up and regarded me seriously. A serious Floyd was worrying. “Cleo, will you check on her later?”
“Your father’s with her now.”
