A Dark and Stormy Night by Gail Hamilton

Author:Gail Hamilton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: hamilton, road to avonlea, gail hamilton
Publisher: Davenport Press

Chapter Nine

At the White Sands Hotel, nearly all of the guests had gone to bed, leaving the lobby drowsy and deserted. Only a few lamps were left burning, in case of latecomers.

Amanda Stone certainly was a latecomer. She rushed into the lobby, breathless, red-cheeked and already unloosing the cloak from her shoulders as she pressed on the desk bell for service. As she waited, she peered apprehensively towards the entrance behind her. Anyone watching her would have sworn she feared a pursuer thumping in after her through the heavy oak doors. Yet the moment Mr. Methley appeared, clad in his robe, Amanda calmed her agitation and turned on her charm.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Methley, the hour being so late ... but I’m afraid I need my key.”

The White Sands did not allow the guests to carry its ornate keys about with them. Instead, they were kept in slots behind the desk, available when needed. Amanda was so picturesque that Mr. Methley merely smiled and turned to the key slots.

“We’re here only to serve, Miss Stone,” he murmured, just as though he enjoyed nothing so much as being roused from his own fireside on cold, stormy nights in order to get late guests their keys.

He handed Amanda the room key, then paused.

“That certain Mr. Rutherford was asking after you earlier this evening. He ... I told him you’d gone out. He seemed most anxious to speak with you.”

The mere mention of Rutherford caused Amanda to tighten. She had kept him from catching up to her until now, and she meant to keep him off her trail as much as possible. To this end, she assumed a pose of delicately distressed helplessness. She was, after all, supposed to be in mourning.

“Oh, I don’t want to see him, Mr. Methley. I’m afraid I can’t deal with lawyers and bankers now. Please, you do understand. I need quiet, time to reflect.”

Gus wasn’t the only male susceptible to Amanda’s charms. One glance into her tragic eyes and even hard-nosed Mr. Methley fell for her plea, hook, line and sinker.

“Of course, Miss Stone. Of course.”

“Thank you.”

The manager actually patted Amanda’s hand for reassurance. His reward was a grateful, melting glance from under those long lashes as Amanda took the key and hurried upstairs. Mr. Methley stood gazing after her until her voluminous skirts had vanished from sight. Then, with a sigh, he returned to his own quarters, leaving the lobby to silence again.

However, no sooner had Mr. Methley settled down into his favorite chair than Felicity and Sara charged into the hotel, bringing a gust of cold air and a great deal of indignation with them. Felicity was bristling all over with outrage and steely determination, and Sara was out of breath from chasing after her.

“Pease reconsider, Felicity,” Sara begged, peering anxiously around her. “We don’t even know what room she’s in.”

Felicity wasn’t going to be put off by such a trifling obstacle. As imperiously as a duchess demanding service, she marched straight up to the desk and slammed her palm down on the bell.

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