Page 41 of Murder on Harley Street
I removed my watch from my coat pocket and checked the time. “I ought to get back for the meeting at the hotel. We’re going to discuss what to do about Mr. Pierce’s threat.”
“Then I’ll leave you here. I have another case that requires my attention, and I have to travel in the opposite direction. Until tomorrow, Cleo.”
I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. “Until tomorrow, Harry.”
I was somewhat surprised,and a little alarmed, to see Flossy talking to Mr. Lombardi in the foyer of the hotel upon my return. No other members of my family were present, although Mr. Hobart hovered nearby. Upon seeing me, he quickly approached. His usually cheerful countenance was nowhere in sight.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Hobart. Is everything all right?”
“I don’t think so. Mr. Lombardi waylaid Miss Bainbridge a few moments ago, even though they haven’t been introduced. It is most inappropriate. I wasn’t sure what to do, but thankfully you are here now.”
It was indeed rather inappropriate for a man to speak to an unchaperoned young woman, although the space was a public one, so it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. “Do you think he knows she’s the daughter of the owner?”
Mr. Hobart’s lips flattened. “I think that’s why he approached her.”
“I see.” Whatever Mr. Lombardi said turned Flossy to stone. No, not stone. Glass. She looked as though the slightest touch would shatter her.
I thanked Mr. Hobart and hurried toward them, a smile plastered on my face. “There you are, Cousin. I’ve been looking for you.”
The points of Mr. Lombardi’s moustache lifted as he gave me a more generous smile than I’d given him. “Ah,labellissimaMiss Fox.” He took my hand and kissed the knuckles. “I have just met your cousin. She is very interested in a new pill made by my company.”
Flossy held up some mail she’d been holding. “I was on my way to the post desk when Mr. Lombardi introduced himself. He suggested I sit in on his presentation on Saturday to hear all about the new pill.” She blinked rather furiously as she lowered her gaze. She was on the verge of tears. What had he said to her?
With one eye on Flossy, I addressed Mr. Lombardi. “My cousin isn’t a doctor or pharmacist. Why would she be interested in your medicine?”
“It is not a medicine. It is a pill, yes, but for the improvement of a lady’s figure.”
Improvement? Allowances could be made for language and cultural differences, but Mr. Lombardi’s English was excellent, and I suspected telling a woman her figure needed improving would be equally as offensive in Italy as England.
Mr. Lombardi didn’t seem to notice my horror as he barreled on. “Calling it a medicine is a good idea.” He waggled a finger in the air. “No, not a medicine. A cure! A cure to make fat disappear.” He clasped my hand between both of his. “Miss Fox, you are a genius.Grazie mille.”
I watched him cross the foyer to the front door, a bounce in his step, until Flossy made a choking noise beside me.
With a hand covering her mouth, she hurried toward the lift. When the door didn’t immediately open, she gathered her skirts and took the stairs.
“Flossy, wait!”
She didn’t slow down, so I quickened my pace. I finally caught up to her on the first-floor landing. I wasn’t surprised to see she was crying.
“Don’t listen to him,” I said, wrapping my arm around her waist. “He’s loathsome.”
“I know that, but he’s right. Iamfat.”
“You are beautiful and lovely, Flossy.”
“But compared to other women?—”
“Donotcompare yourself to others.” I caught her by the elbows and gave her a little shake. “You are not them, and they are not you. Besides, most women we know starve themselves, or lace their corsets so tightly they feel lightheaded. I’m sure the lack of air prohibits their brains from forming sensible thoughts.” Some women’s waists were so tiny from years of extreme lacing as to distort their figure into an unnatural shape. Such measures must be unhealthy for both the mindandconstitution.
“Flossy? Cleo?” Floyd came up the stairs, his smile fading when he noticed his sister’s state. “What’s wrong? Flossy, why are you crying?”
“Mr. Lombardi called me fat,” she blurted out.
“The bloody nerve of him!” Floyd circled his arm around her shoulders. “How dare he.”
“Youcall me fat all the time.”
“Not fat. Plump. It’s actually a compliment, you know. Most men like a woman with a little roundness.”
