Chapter 9. An Old Friend
Though she returned to work feeling tense, the bell for Room 301 never rang.
Lily was tearing off pieces of a hard, tasteless black bread and tossing them to the swans gliding across the pond. The graceful birds flocked eagerly toward her slender fingers.
“Enjoying this beautiful view all to yourself—Lord Belmore really is a selfish man,” someone said.
Lily turned and saw Timothy Rutland plop down beside her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She hurriedly swallowed the bit of bread she’d been chewing, her voice catching as she spoke. Timothy quickly handed her a glass of water.
“I was going to visit your aunt’s place anyway! But showing up without notice, Timmy—you really are…”
“Ow, don’t hit me. Seems like you didn’t just get taller, Lily—your punches got stronger too.”
The two glared at each other, struggling to hold back laughter. It had been far too long since either of them had smiled like that.
When Timothy said he’d missed her, Lily’s expression turned apologetic.
“You look so pale. Is the hotel work that hard? I thought you’d at least spend Christmas at our house.”
“I couldn’t impose on your family for Christmas. But what about you? Why did you suddenly come back?”
She handed him a large piece of bread as she asked.
“You ask that so late. I came back to help you, of course. I thought—ah, around now Lily must be needing my help.”
“Liar.”
Lily laughed, remembering the newspaper headlines Timothy had written that had once cornered the hotel manager.
Seeing her laugh, Timothy’s face lit up with satisfaction before he admitted the real reason.
“I’ve got one semester left before graduation, and I’ll be finishing with honors. There was an offer to work at a newspaper during the break, so I took it. Studying all the time gets dull.”
He chewed on the stiff bread Lily had given him as he spoke.
Timothy needed a world bigger than what books could offer.
Besides, he had already received a letter telling him that the Elizabeth from the convent had gone independent. That alone was reason enough to visit Londinium.
“I think studying sounds nice, though…”
Her tone carried a hint of envy. Realizing his mistake, Timothy quickly shut his mouth.
He had everything Lily had ever longed for: time to read freely in a library, proper writing tools, a comfortable home, and parents.
And if Lily were to marry Timothy someday, all of those things could be hers.
“If my mother finds out I took a leave from school and came back home, she’ll lose her mind. The ladies here never leave a decent man in peace once they spot one in town.”
Lily burst out laughing at Timothy’s weary sigh.
To her, his worries sounded childish—what kind of life was it, to be so far removed from the fear of hunger or danger?
“So that’s why you came to the hotel instead of going home?”
Timothy gazed at her.
Her once round, chubby cheeks had slimmed down, and her long, honey-blond hair was now elegantly tucked beneath her bonnet.
The cute, innocent girl he remembered was slowly transforming into someone serene and graceful.
“Yes, Lily. In this vast Londinium, someone needs to protect you.”
Despite his solemn tone, he flopped back onto the grass. Lily tilted her head, unconvinced.
“Timmy, maybe you should focus on protecting your own girl. I’m doing just fine on my own.”
“Then you can just be my girl.”
He said it lightly, half joking, but his heart peeked through the words.
Lily tore another piece of bread and tossed it to the swans.
“I’m going to be a nun. I’d advise you not to say you plan to live with one.”
At that, Timothy fell silent.
The idea of Lily becoming a nun—he could stomach that. What tormented him was imagining her belonging to some other man.
She would never know how cowardly his heart really was.
“Stop feeding them. Those Belmore swans don’t look like they need to get any fatter,” he said, changing the subject.
Lily checked the time and stopped tearing the bread.
“I should go. You were right—working at the hotel isn’t exactly easy.”
“Stay a little longer. Who’s bothering you? That manager? Or that fierce woman?”
Lily frowned slightly before smoothing her expression.
“It’s because of a guest. But guests always leave eventually, right? Once he does, I’ll feel better.”
“You don’t have to keep working somewhere that makes you miserable, Lily.”
“It’s not like that. It’s just… a misunderstanding that makes things uncomfortable.”
“Anyone who makes you uncomfortable isn’t much of a gentleman,” Timothy said quietly.
Lily’s eyes drifted toward the last room on the third floor. Timothy followed her gaze.
“Well then, see you later, Timothy.”
“I’m staying on the fifth floor. Stop by if you have time.”
“Mr. Timothy Rutland—what a nice room you’ve got. Too bad I’m only assigned to the third floor. If you want to see me, you’ll have to stay in a cheaper one.”
She shook her head at him.
Typical carefree young master!
“Anyway, I’m going now. I’ll be scolded if I’m late.”
Smoothing her skirt, Lily stood up.
“Where were you? Come here, quick.”
As Lily slipped back inside, Summer grabbed her arm in a hush. The manager was standing before all the staff, giving one of his long speeches.
“What’s going on?” Lily whispered.
“They say a mystery guest has arrived. No one knows who it is, so he’s telling us all to be careful.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s someone who secretly inspects hotels and decides their official ranking. They usually stay in the cheaper rooms but order tons of room service and custom amenities.”
At Summer’s explanation, Lily immediately thought of the man in Room 301. The word mystery suited him perfectly.
He stayed in the cheapest room, ordered extravagant room service, and spent hours buried in paperwork, writing something.
And the way he scrutinized the maids’ manners and backgrounds—no ordinary guest did that.
Even the first time they met in the conservatory, he’d probably been inspecting the place.
“Um, is there only one mystery guest?”
“Of course. Who else would stay in a hotel with a bad reputation? Just look at how nervous the manager is.”
If he was the mystery guest, he had the power to ruin not only Lily but the entire hotel.
If he gave a low rating and blamed her, she could lose her job.
Lily’s face turned pale. Summer peered at her worriedly.
“What’s wrong? Are you still not feeling well?”
“N-no, I’m fine.”
“…Anyway, everyone, stay alert and do your best! Whoever correctly identifies the mystery guest will receive a bonus!”
The staff began to murmur excitedly. Lily leaned toward Summer.
“What kind of bonus?”
“If you tell the manager, ‘I think this person is the mystery guest,’ and you’re right, you get a big cash reward. So everyone works extra hard during this period.”
Summer explained in a hushed, excited tone.
“The bonus is fifty florins. Lord Belmore even said he might give more depending on how well the hotel ranks. So—eyes open, everyone! Dismissed!”
For those barely scraping by, the chance to earn extra money was irresistible. The thought of bringing gifts home to East Longfellow made Lily’s heart flutter.
Summer’s eyes were gleaming too, fixed on the manager like a predator.
“Summer! I think I already know who the mystery guest is.”
“Who? Wait—no, don’t tell me. I’m having dangerous thoughts already.”
She quickly covered Lily’s mouth, looking smug for resisting temptation.
“Let’s make it fair and compete properly.”
Lily nodded in agreement.
Now, each time Lily passed Room 301, she felt a pang of dread.
But the man always had the “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on his door and never sent out laundry.
Even the bellboy said he hadn’t seen the guest come or go.
A few days later, Lily finally saw the string connected to Room 301’s bell pulled taut. She rushed over, caught her breath, and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
He didn’t even glance her way, though he clearly sensed her presence.
“Um…”
Staff weren’t supposed to start personal conversations with guests—but this time, Lily wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.
“I’d like to apologize for what I said before.”
The man turned his gaze toward her. Lily swallowed hard.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
He opened the butter dish as he spoke.
“You saved me back in Highbroom, and instead of thanking you, I said something rude. But I swear, I never did… those kinds of things there.”
Her voice trembled with frustration as she furrowed her brows.
“Sounds more like an excuse than an apology. Why the sudden confession?”
He didn’t seem inclined to accept her apology.
“I just want to clear things up. The hotel shouldn’t be judged harshly because of me, and neither should you. I know you’re not the kind of man who’d go to a place like that.”
“Ah.” He let out a strange little laugh.
Without spilling a single crumb, he took an elegant bite of the buttered bread.
“Only now you’re treating me like a proper guest. A bit late for that, don’t you think?”
“Sir, I’m separate from the hotel. Everyone here works with pride—it’s truly a fine place.”
He didn’t reply. He simply continued his meal, leaving her standing there the entire time.
Lily endured it by staring at the gleam of the silverware.
His straight brow line, the heavy lashes shadowing his gaze—he radiated lazy arrogance.
“Whatever kind of woman you are, it’s none of my concern. You don’t seem to have syphilis or consumption, at least.”
He studied her face.
“Leave.”
Then, almost as an afterthought, he added—
“Oh, and one more thing. You’re not to speak unless I speak to you first.”
