Their suite of rooms took up an entire floor of the hotel.
Tom's face tightened when he was made aware of this extravagance, and it didn't relax when Edith reminded him in a low tone, "Appearances will be everything in this marriage."
Keeping with that theme, they dined together in the restaurant, Edith doing her very best not to continually glance towards the entrance for Michael's arrival.
They'd planned on casually running into each other; an editor and one of his star contributors. He'd suggest a celebratory drink in his room where, at the door, Tom would feign tiredness. If anyone made inquiries, they would only learn Michael Gregson was courting the Bransons for an exclusive story.
Ignoring the voice in her head scolding about the depths her morals had dipped, she again peeked through the dining room's glass doors. Her pulse began to quicken when she saw a familiar figure standing in the hotel's opulent foyer, apparently poised to join her and Tom.
"Mother told me you would be here, so I thought it best to come and show my support." Much to Edith's chagrin, their new guest repeated her earlier sentiment: "Appearances will be everything in this marriage."
"Aunt Rosamund," Edith spluttered.
"It's always best to quash any rumour before it becomes idle gossip," Rosamund confided sagely as she surprisingly offered up her cheek for Tom to kiss. "Mrs Collins has sent over a lady's maid and a valet to assist you both while you're here. I've taken the liberty of having them installed in your rooms. Yes, I know the hotel offers perfectly good service to their guests, but-" She paused before she finished her thought. "Look, Edith!" Next, she waved. "Hallo! Join us, do!"
Edith paled when she realised who Rosamund was inviting to their table.