''When you've done that can you bring me the client list?'' Peter said. Jackson stoked up the fire, went out of the room and reemerged with a bundle of papers. He sat down opposite Peter, and handed them to him.
''Let's see,'' Peter said, as his glasses threatened to fall from the end of his nose. ''I'm especially interested in the investments we have made on behalf of Sir John Waterford.''
''At the bottom of the page sir. 'W', almost last in the alphabet,'' Jackson said, stating the obvious.
''Yes. I see. Not performing very well are they?''
''No sir, they are not. But may I remind you, we offered Sir John much advice at the time. We warned him not to invest in those stocks. Unfortunately, he didn't listen. It is of his own doing that his fortune is disappearing before his very eyes.''
''Indeed, I remember. It's very awkward, he's a neighbor and I don't want to see him go under.''
''I understand sir, perhaps you can talk to him and get him to sell, and at least retrieve some of his investment.''
''Yes, I will. Now what messages do you have for me?''
''Mr. Stopps called by, he wants to invest two thousand in the East India Rubber Company. Mr. Rawlings wants you to sell his stocks in GNER, and reinvest in some company I have never heard of, and Miss Pemberly send notice that you should meet her at five o'clock in the tea room at Claridges.''
''Thank you, Jackson. Just so you don't misunderstand, Miss Pemberly is also a neighbor of ours out in the Shires. She's in town to do some shopping and I said I would meet her to discuss her finances.''
''Of course, sir,'' Jackson said, as he lifted his tiny frame out of the chair. As he turned his back on Peter, and walked towards the door, he smiled at Peter's explanation of his association with Miss Pemberly.
*****
Peter lifted the collar on his coat when he jumped out of the cab. A biting wind was blowing down Brook Street, and the cab had been unable to drop him right outside Claridges because some workmen were digging a hole. When he got to the Hotel, he saw the doorman in his top hat and yellow coat, carrying some cases for an elderly lady, who it seemed had brought her entire belongings with her to stay at the luxury hotel.
When he went inside, he marveled at the sheer beauty of the place. The floor looked like a giant chess board, with its black and white tiles. Immediately to the right was a staircase with an exquisite oak handrail held up by decorative metalwork. He was pleased to see the welcoming fireplace. He noted that the giant chandelier overhanging the entrance hall still hadn't fallen down, as he always imagined it would one day. He turned to the left and walked into the busy tea room. Claridges was expensive, but it was very popular with the wealthy London set.
He spotted Miss Pemberly, sitting at a small table, in the far corner of the room. As he made his way to her, he could see something was different about her. She was dressed in a maroon bonnet made of silk velvet. It had an pink ribbon tied around the crown and down under her chin. She wore a maroon dress with a square décolleté which showed of the tops of her ample breasts.
''Miss Pemberly, how are you?'' Peter said as he took her hand to his lips.
''Quite well, Lord Wallace. And how are you?''
''Fine, thank you that you ask.''
The two then burst into laughter at their pretense. ''You look lovely,'' Peter commented as he let his hand brush over hers.
''Thank you. And you Peter, look your dashing self, as always.''
''Can you stay tonight?'' he asked anxiously
''Yes. Oh Peter, it has been so long since we were able to sleep in the same bed. I have so missed you.''
''And I you, dear Charlotte. My heart aches for you every time we are apart. How cruel life has been to me. Why did the Lord see fit to have me married off before finding you?''
''I don't know my dear, and I weep almost daily at the situation. If I were wealthy, you could divorce her and come to me. As you know my late father made some terrible financial decisions, and things are really quite tight for me financially. How are your finances coming along now, after your difficulties?''
''Not as well as I'd hoped. I still rely on Emily's money. I only hope one day that my fortunes will change. If they do we can be united. Until that time, my dear Charlotte, I'm afraid we must content ourselves with infrequent encounters like this one.''
''How much is Emily actually worth?''
''A vast amount. Enough to buy this street.''
''We are in the middle of London, and this is a long street, she must indeed be very wealthy.''
''She is. But let’s not talk of Emily. I want to know about what you have been doing since we last met.''
Charlotte studied John, as he poured the tea. His dark hair was long and curly, and his sideburns wide. He was tall and she liked the way he dressed. Always in a tailcoat and a colored waist coat. Today it was green with gray stripes.