Page 56 of Murder on Harley Street
“Ha!”
“Also, it’s a terrible way to flirt with a man. ‘Excuse me, sir.’” I playfully batted my eyelashes at her. “‘You’re far too handsome and charming to be true, so you must be guilty of poisoning the guest.’”
She laughed softly. “I didn’t say you were agoodflirt.”
I giggled. “At least I didn’t pretend to eat food I don’t like to flirt with one of the cooks.”
“I do like Victor’s cooking!”
“I saw you stuff the results of his experimental flourless cake into your apron pocket.”
“I was saving it for later.”
“You took a bite first and told him it was delicious.”
She flashed a grin. “It was truly awful. Fortunately, we’re now at a point where we don’t have to flirt anymore or try to impress one another.”
I sighed again. “Unfortunately, Harry and I are not at that point. I have to buy him something special for his birthday.”
“Trust your instincts, Cleo. Theyaregood. You’ll think of something to get him. Now, drink up then let’s choose you something to wear to dinner.”
If I’d knownwho we were dining with, I might not have gone out of my way to look nice. The last person whose attention I wanted to attract was Mr. Lombardi. Unfortunately, he and I were the first to arrive at the table.
Mr. Lombardi took advantage of being alone and trapped my hand in his. He drew it to his lips but didn’t kiss it. “It is a pleasure to dine with a beautiful lady.”
“Two ladies. My cousin will be joining us any moment.” I tried to remove my hand, but he held it tightly. I was glad I was wearing gloves so I couldn’t feel the hair of his moustache or his breath on my bare skin.
“Of course, of course. Miss Bainbridge is a flower, but you, Miss Fox, are a gem. A diamond, if I may be so bold.” He finally kissed my hand.
I whipped it away. His smile didn’t waver, however. He moved his chair closer to mine.
“I am very glad that we can speak alone, Miss Fox. I think you and I understand each other, yes?”
“No, I don’t think we do.”
“Ah, but I sense you are a woman of great spirit. I think you like adventure, and I am a great traveler.” Was he suggesting I run away with him? “You were an orphan, and I did not have my family’s support.”
“Our situations are not the same, Mr. Lombardi.”
His hand whipped out and grasped mine again, catching me unawares. “I worked hard to be successful, but now I can enjoy my success.” His tongue darted out beneath the moustache like a woodland creature inspecting its surroundings. “I would like to enjoy it withyouwhile I am in London, Miss Fox. I am a generous man.Verygenerous.”
Harmony told me I had good instincts. I was going to trust them now and be rude to a guest. I snatched my hand out of his grip, shifted my chair away, and grabbed the fish fork. “Touch me again and I will stab you in the thigh.”
He tipped his head back and laughed.
Floyd approached, frowning. “Did my cousin say something amusing?” He may have addressed Mr. Lombardi, but he watched me closely.
“She is a diamond, Mr. Bainbridge. Exquisite. I cannot believe she is not married. In Italy, she would have been snapped up by now.” He snapped his fingers. “Women of such passion are rare jewels, particularly in England I have found.”
Floyd’s frown deepened. “Passion? Cleo?”
I set the fork down beside the others. “Mr. Lombardi was telling me how he is a very successful businessman. I was about to respond by asking if that’s due to the popularity of the Nerve Elixir.”
“Yes, it is.” Mr. Lombardi straightened his shoulders, puffing out his chest. “I do not want to boast, as I know you English do not like that, but my tonic is the best in Europe. Perhaps the world!”
“I thought you didn’t mean to boast,” Floyd said, his smile hard.
“Ah! But it is not me who says this. It is everyone. The actress Sarah Bernhardt, the writers Rudyard Kipling and Jules Verne. Even your queen says it is fortifying!” Mr. Lombardi emphasized the statement with raised arms, as if he were an evangelist preaching to his disciples.
