For the very first time, Esther walked up the stone steps in front of The Phoenix and under the long black awning that covered the hotel’s patrons from the unpredictable British weather. She stepped into the lobby and halted, absorbing the sights and sounds around her. From the sumptuous sapphire blue carpet beneath her feet, to the matching velvet drapes edging each of the many windows, her first impression of The Phoenix was one full of welcome. As if it whispered, ‘take a seat’, ‘stay awhile’. It was so classically beautiful, it took Esther’s breath away.
People walked back and forth around her as she continued to stare. Women in smart suits with long, flowing skirts, or dresses with pearl buttons at their throats. Every gentleman was suited, their ties perfectly tied and their shoes polished to a high sheen.
Since Pennington’s had started to welcome every class of person to shop there, Esther had become slowly removed from the difference between the rich and the poor. The sights inside The Phoenix brought the reality sharply back.
She should feel affronted, but she was amazed.
She should feel annoyed, but she was in awe.
Forcing herself forward, she looked left and right before deciding to head towards two beautiful opaque double doors that stood open revealing a sumptuous lounge beyond. She nodded hello as men, women and children walked past her and was almost at the entrance when a familiar musky cologne enveloped her.
‘You’re here.’
Lawrence stood so close behind her, had leaned so near to her ear, that his soft breath lifted the wisps of hair at her nape.
She smiled, turning around and taking a small step back. She looked into his deep blue eyes and her stomach tightened. ‘I am.’
He smiled back. ‘I’m a very happy man. Come, let me show you around.’
Taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow, he led her inside the lounge. Struggling to focus on her surroundings rather than the way Lawrence looked at her… so easily touched her, Esther pointedly looked about her. The walls were panelled in shiny dark wood, the floor a slightly lighter shade and highly polished. There was an array of tables and chairs set across the left, allowing for families or couples to relax with drinks and appetisers. On the right were huge leather sofas, wing-backed chairs and low tables where people could peruse a book or newspaper while enjoying an afternoon aperitif or tea.
As it was after lunch but too soon for tea, there were only a few people wandering around or looking out of the windows towards the recreational space beyond.
Lawrence turned, his gaze gentle. ‘What do you think so far?’
The soft, intimate tone of his voice pulled at her as she smiled. ‘It’s lovely, Lawrence. Truly.’
‘Well, as much as I wish we had time to give you a complete tour, unfortunately, I have a meeting in a couple of hours that I couldn’t get out of.’ His apology showed in his eyes and he exhaled. ‘Such is business, I suppose. But I promise you a full tour many times over before whatever date we decide for the event. In the meantime, let’s go to my office.’
He guided her from the lounge into the lobby, past the reception and along a corridor. Closed doors lined one side with various name plaques on the doors. One for Head of Housekeeping, another for Assistant Manager, another for Manager, until, at last, Lawrence stopped at a door at the far end of the corridor and pushed it open.
Esther entered the modest space that was so utterly Lawrence. A large desk stood at the far end of the room, the afternoon’s sunlight bathing it in an amber glow. Two lamps were set at either side, their dark green and gold shades perfectly masculine and professional. She looked to her left towards a stone fireplace with a huge portrait of Lawrence, Rose and Nathanial hung above it.
No Abigail. She swallowed the unexpected sadness that welled in her throat.
‘I commissioned that last year. I thought it would be nice to show the children we’re still a family even though Abigail has gone.’
‘It’s beautiful.’
He gently touched her elbow. ‘Why don’t we sit over here in the seating area? Would you like coffee? Tea?’
‘No, I’m fine, thank you.’ Esther walked across the plush carpet towards a settee and two armchairs situated in front of the window. She carefully placed her purse on the floor and sat. ‘I am completely overwhelmed by the hotel, this office. It’s wonderful.’
‘Thank you. I certainly like it and so do my staff and guests.’
She smiled at the humour in his voice, loving that he was seemingly so unaware of just how successful, handsome and attractive he must be to a hundred and one women. Including herself.
‘So…’ He walked to his desk and picked up a brown folder before returning and sitting on the settee beside her. ‘I’ve drawn up some preliminary plans, but you’re the expert as far as the Society and the Cause is concerned, so I’m more than happy to be led by you.’
Taking the folder, Esther flipped through the pages. He suggested holding an auction in the hotel’s ballroom, which she was yet to see. They would set out chairs and use the stage for the auctioneer and showing the lots that included overnight stays at The Phoenix as well as horse and carriage tours of the city. The guests would range from business people, the gentry to visiting middle-class families that Lawrence clearly knew well. He’d also outlined two months of publicising the event through posters, pamphlets and advertisements in shops, music halls and theatres throughout the city.
Excitement bubbled inside her. There was no way the Society could achieve Lawrence’s ambitious plans without his help and input. Slowly, she lowered the papers to her lap. ‘Are you sure about this? It seems an awfully large amount of work. Can you really spare the time?’
‘I’ll make time. I want to do this, Esther. I want to make a difference to the Cause. It’s not enough for me to stand in the background any more. I also want this for you.’
She ran her gaze over his handsome face, his dark hair and perfectly trimmed moustache and short beard. Her heart stumbled at the look of hope and determination burning in his eyes. He was sincere, genuine and she was deeply grateful.
Smiling, she nodded. ‘Then I would love to work on this with you once the Coronation is over and I’ve spoken to the other members of the Society. We can’t go forward with these plans until the women have taken a vote and we’re all in agreement. Considering the extent of what you’re proposing, and more ideas that myself and the group might come up with, we’ll need all the help we can get.’
‘I agree, which is why I was going to ask if you are happy for me to enlist further help. Do you remember those three chambermaids I spoke of?’
She nodded.
‘Well, I mentioned the auction to them and asked if they would like a hand in helping. As promotion. They are thrilled and, fingers crossed, I’m hoping the auction and the Cause will prove a big enough distraction that there will be no more repeats of them being ejected from any clubs in town.’
Esther laughed. ‘Busy hands?’
‘Exactly.’
She looked again to the notes, excitement bubbling inside her ‘Why don’t we aim for three months from now for the auction? If we host it in September and it goes well, we could then think about a ball in time for Christmas.’ She grinned. ‘A ball in your hotel would be fantastic and appeal to so many people.’
‘You’re right. Who doesn’t like a ball at Christmastime? I’m sure we’ll sell all the tickets we decide upon.’
She closed the folder and handed it back to him, grateful for all he had planned to help her. How wrong she’d been about him when they’d first met. It had been a mistake she’d never make again.
He raised his hand. ‘That’s for you. I have a copy, too. Show it to the Society ladies, take some minutes or notes and then we can reconvene and come up with a definitive plan after the Coronation. Now, I’m going to insist you stay for afternoon tea, even if it is a little early. You cannot have your first time in The Phoenix without taking tea.’
Smiling, she raised her hands in surrender. ‘Then I’ll have to stay.’
He tipped her a wink and walked to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. ‘I’ll be right back.’
Once the door closed behind him, Esther collapsed back on the settee, unable to wipe away her smile. He was making it harder and harder to fight the feelings rising and swelling inside her. Every time she was with him, spoke to him, laughed with him, her heart fell a little deeper.
She wanted to work with Lawrence, spend time with him, whilst forging a path to aid the Cause and all the women of the country. She couldn’t help but believe that, side by side, she and Lawrence would be a formidable team. Of course, whether or not she could keep her personal feelings for him from mixing with the professional was a different matter.