MaryLouise Boggs entered the Parisian lobby of the Royal Grand Hotel, her slender arms loaded down with brightly wrapped packages. She paused momentarily at the top of the steps to adjust one of her many burdens, before lifting up the black lace hem of her skirt and descending down to the forest green, gold and cream carpeting below. As she started across the lobby toward the grand staircase opposite the entrance, unaware of the stir her appearance was causing among the other guests milling around.
Her dress was made of rust colored muslin with a sweetheart neckline and puffed three quarter length sleeves. Black and gold braid ran down the front of her dress in two columns, crossed the wider band of matching braid that encircled her waist and continued down her skirt to mid-calf where the two columns widened to reveal two layers of the same lace lining the hem. A single black and gold braid bow was fashioned at the collar and the black and gold braid at her waist tied into a larger bow at the back of her dress.
Her auburn hair was piled atop of her head accept for a few wisps of hair that framed her face. A perky rust and black braid crepe hat adorned it and was fastened in place by pins. A thin gold chain with a locket on it hung around her neck and was the only jewelry she besides her diamond wedding ring.
One man in particular turned away from his companions to follow her progress across the room. He was a tall man, with dark hair and steel blue eyes, and cut a sophisticated picture in his tailored, double-breasted suit and polished shoes. A cigar stub hung dangerously from the corner of his mouth as he watched MaryLouise walk passed him with her packages. Quickly he excused himself, stamped out his cigar in a nearby ashtray and took quick strides to catch up with the young woman as she neared the bottom of the staircase.
MaryLouise was oblivious to the fact that she had picked up an admirer until she reached the staircase. She paused to adjust her packages again, lifted up her skirt and had barely stepped up onto the first step when she heard a male voice behind her.
“Might you allow a gentleman to help you with your packages?”
MaryLouise spun around in surprise at the question and gazed down into the face of the gentleman who had spoken. It was a handsome one with acquiline nose, thin mustache, strong chin and an unusual shade of blue eyes. His dark hair was combed back in a style almost identical to the one Ivan sported. He was dressed in a tailored suit of fine cloth and shiny shoes. As she completed her perusal of him, the gentleman gave an elaborate bow.
“At your service, ma’am.”
A faint blush crept across MaryLouise’s face as she realized the other patrons in the lobby had witnessed the man’s theatrics on her behalf. As the man straightened out of the bow and looked up at her, MaryLouise thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch as he fought back a smile, but it faded too quickly for her to be sure. She did however catch the admiring look in his eyes that bordered on being too familiar and felt the first stirrings of anger rise up within her.
With an effort to remain polite MaryLouise said, “Thank you for the offer, but I can manage just fine.”
It was obvious to MaryLouise that the gentleman before wasn’t used to women turning down his help. A look that could have passed for a scowl appeared briefly on the man’s face, before fading quickly. “It would be no trouble at all Ma’am to assist in carrying your packages to your room.”
“Thank you again for the offer, but I’m afraid. It just wouldn’t be proper for me to allow a stranger to escort me to my room.” MaryLouise responded with a smile to ease her refusal.
“Allow me to introduce myself then. Ephraim Wicks at your service.” The man replied. “And you are?”
“Again, I must refuse. If you’ll excuse me.” Marylouise told him and without waiting for a response, turned around and started walking up the stairs. She wasn’t surprised to hear footsteps start up the stairs behind her, but started violently when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Anger at the man’s forwardness swept through her as she spun around to face him.
“I will thank you kindly to keep your hands to yourself! I am a respectable, MARRIED woman whose husband wouldn’t appreciate his wife being accosted in the lobby of their hotel.” She spat at him in a hushed tone to prevent from drawing the attention of the other guests in the lobby.
“I meant no disrespect ma’am. Just where I come from a gentleman doesn’t take no for an answer when he seeds a pretty lady with a parcel of packages.” Mr. Wicks replied calmly, unperturbed by her anger.
“Well I can manage just fine. Now please leave me alone or I’ll be forced to call for help and have you escorted off the premises.” MaryLouise continued.
“That won’t be necessary. Didn’t mean to cause any harm.” Wicks told her and turned to descend the stairs.
MaryLouise watched him go for a few seconds, relief flooding through her. Then she turned and proceeded up the stairs and down the hallway to the large suite of rooms that had been her home since they had arrived in Boston four years earlier. Just as MaryLouise stopped before suite 220 and juggled her packages to one hand so she could open the door, a pair of masculine hands reached around her and took the packages she held. Heat filled MaryLouise’s face as anger swept through her once again and she spun around.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t need any help before you leave me alone MR-“
The anger died from MaryLouise’s lips as she realized that the man standing before her wasn’t the horrible Mr. Wicks, but Ivan. An odd expression crossed over Ivan’s face as she watched and a strange glint came into his brown eyes she had never seen before. As soon as she realized her mistake, MaryLouise rushed to apologize to her husband.
“Oh Ivan, I’m so sorry for snapping at you! I thought you were, well you see, this horrible man in the lobby and on the stairs he, he” MaryLouise’s words tumbled out of her mouth aster than Ivan could understand.
“MaryLouise, MaryLouise, it’s alright.”Ivan said just as quickly, setting down the packages he ld on the floor and placing his hands on MaryLouise’s shoulders. MaryLouise stopped rambling after a minute or two and seemed to draw strength from Ivan’s touch. When she was calmed down enough to talk, MaryLouise explained to Ivan what had happened.
Ivan’s lips pursed in a terse line as he listened to MaryLouise recount the altercation she had had with Mr. Wicks in the lobby. When she was finished, he posed a question to her. “Did he touch or hurt you in any way?”
MaryLouise thought a moment before answering. "He did touch my shoulder on the stairs, but no, he didn’t hurt me. He was more annoying than anything else.”
“I don’t know as I like my wife being molested in the lobby of our hotel. Maybe it would be best fi you not go out unescorted again.” Ivan said at last.
“I’m sure he won’t bother me again.” MaryLouise answered. “Let’s go inside and I’ll show you the darling gowns I bought for the baby.”
“I think I’ll have a talk with the hotel owner just the same. I don’t want something like this to happen again.” Ivan said as he opened the door and held it so MaryLouise could proceed him into their suite. Then he bent down and retrieved the packages and followed her inside.
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