Preparations (4)

The concierge recovered from his brief strangulation rather quickly. He escorted Edwina and Mrs. Mercy through the lobby of the hotel and up to the royal suite. He prattled on and on about the history of the hotel and how the King had personally ordered this suite for Edwina. How they had canceled several reservations just to accommodate her! He hoped Edwina would be a frequent visitor since she was the soon-to-be Duchess Claiborne.

When he opened the door to the royal suite, Edwina struggled to contain her laughter. Ostentatious, gaudy, and garish, the room was filled with deep reds, golds, and purples. The molding on the walls had gold lame accents, the heavy red velvet drapes were tied back with strings of jewels and the four-poster bed was drowning in purple. Purple sheets, purple pillowcases, purple comforter. The room was intense.

The concierge let himself out, but not before Edwina caught a glimpse of Mrs. Mercy slipping the man a hefty tip.

“Is this r