A Matter of Marriage by Ann Collins Page B

bow was an astonishing sight, one she wouldn’t soon forget. He looked so
… sweet.
    Arriving
at the registration desk, Julia installed a professional smile on her face and
stepped up to the woman, then nearly gagged when the matron’s liberal use of
lilac water struck her in the face like a gust of wind.
    She
held her ground and glanced between the woman and desk clerk. “Mr. Chalmers,
may I be of help?”
    He
pressed his lips into a thin line, then gestured toward the matron. “This is
Mrs. Hensley, a new arrival. She insists on seeing the manager.”
    “And
so she shall. Mrs. Hensley, I’m Julia Fairbanks, manager of the Hotel Grand
Victoria. I’m also the owner.” For the next two days anyway. “How can I be of
service?”
    Mrs.
Hensley looked as surprised as if she had bitten into a lemon instead of a
cream puff. “A woman? Well, as I live and breathe. How extraordinary!” One hand
fluttered near her heart. The diamonds in her ostentatious bracelet flashed.
    “I’m
pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hensley. Welcome to the Hotel Grand Victoria. What
can I do for you?”
    Chalmers
answered for her. “Mrs. Hensley claims she was promised an ocean-view room.”
    The
woman sniffed. “And that is not what I was given.”
    “Oh,
I am so sorry about the confusion,” she said in a sympathetic tone, knowing
full well that none of her desk clerks ever promised a particular room unless
she approved of it first. Only so many west-facing rooms existed. “Mr.
Chalmers, what room is registered to Mrs. Hensley?”
    “Two
twenty-eight,” he brusquely answered.
    “Why
that’s a lovely room, Mrs. Hensley.” She honestly believed the woman would be
happier there, and she intended to persuade her to stay put. “Did you notice
how it overlooks the park on the northwest side of the hotel? Not only that,
it’s one of the few rooms with a private bath and outside balcony.”
    The
woman gazed off in the direction of her room.
    Julia
lowered her voice conspiratorially and, despite the cloying smell permeating
Mrs. Hensley’s clothing, leaned toward her. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but
when trying to sleep in a room overlooking the Pacific, the surf can be a
trifle disturbing to anyone who wakes at the slightest sound. And in the late
afternoon, the lowering sun can heat those rooms until they are stifling unless
the doors are left open.”
    “Oh
my, I am a light sleeper,” she whispered back. “And I don’t do well in too much
heat.” She lifted her chin. “I’ll stay where I am.”
    Julia
smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be comfortable there. And, as I hope you’ve been made
aware, your room has a wall safe for the security of your jewels.” She darted a
brief look at the woman’s bracelet. “Or you’re free to use the safe here at the
desk, which is manned twenty-four hours a day.”
    “Thank
you. I’ll keep that in mind.” Mrs. Hensley peered around at the floor. “Now
where has my little Muffie gotten to?”
    “Would
Muffie happen to be a Yorkshire terrier?”
    “Yes.
Have you seen her?”
    She
located Alex and beckoned to him, trying not to think how at home he appeared
in her lobby.
    He
strode toward them, the dog lying peacefully on his hand, which he held at his
waist.
    “Oh,
there’s my baby.” Mrs. Hensley folded the netting up on her hat.
    Alex’s
step faltered, and his expression froze.
    Julia
swept an inquisitive glance between him and Mrs. Hensley.
    “Thank
you, sir.” Mrs. Hensley reached for the dog, barely sparing Alex a look. “Come
here, Muffie. Come to Mother.”
    The
terrier sneezed delicately as Alex gently relinquished her. His expression
remained frozen, his attention riveted on the woman. Julia felt a little frozen
herself. Even if Alex knew the woman, why would his seeing her cause such a
disturbing reaction?
    Mrs.
Hensley scratched the dog’s ruff and made cooing noises to her. “Since my
husband’s death, Muffie is my only companion and such a comfort when I’m a