Jane Vows Vengeance (6 page)

“W
HAT ON EARTH ARE YOU WEARING
?”

“Don’t ask,” Jane said to Miriam. She handed over Lilith’s carrying case. “Here’s your dog.”

“How was your flight, Mom?” asked Walter, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Miriam shrugged. “The plane didn’t crash,” she said. “I suppose that makes it good.”

“That’s one opinion,” Jane said under her breath. It had taken forever to get through customs and find Miriam. Now all she wanted to do was get to the hotel and take a shower. But they had to wait for Ben and Lucy’s flight to arrive.

Fortunately, they had less than an hour to wait. While Miriam took Lilith outside for a walk and a pee, Jane located a souvenir shop and purchased the least offensive T-shirt she could find, a blue one with
LONDON EST. AD
43 stenciled across the front in white. She ducked into the women’s room and exited a few minutes later, having stuffed the offensive pink tent into the trash. When she returned to where Walter was waiting, Lucy and Ben’s flight had landed. Twenty minutes later the two of them emerged from customs.

“You already went shopping?” Lucy asked, looking at Jane’s shirt.

“It was either this or the Big Ben pencil case,” Jane joked as she hugged her friend. “And speaking of Big Ben,” she added, giving Ben a squeeze, “I don’t know how you put up with this girl.”

“She tells me I have no choice,” Ben joked.

Despite having known Ben for almost a year now, Jane still couldn’t quite imagine the hunky, dark-haired man as a rabbi. It was easier to imagine him chopping down a tree or wrangling a steer than reading the Torah, although she’d heard him do that and he did it beautifully. She was thrilled that he and Lucy had found each other, and hoped that one day soon the two of them would announce their engagement.

Getting themselves and all of their luggage outside was no small feat, but eventually they managed to secure two taxis and load one of them up with Walter, Miriam, Lilith, and half the bags and the other with Jane, Ben, Lucy, and the other half of the bags. As soon as the door was shut and they were on their way to the hotel, Jane grabbed Lucy’s hand.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “That woman is going to drive me mad.”

“Isn’t that what mothers-in-law are supposed to do?” Ben said.

“Yes, well, Miriam goes a bit beyond the call of duty,” Jane told him.

“You know, you’ve never told us where you’re getting married,” said Lucy.

“Didn’t I?” Jane said. “I guess I keep forgetting. It’s actually very exciting. Walter had to pull some strings, what with it being such a historic site, but one of the advantages of marrying a man like Walter is—”

“Out with it!” Lucy shrieked. “I’m going crazy here.”

Jane feigned being wounded. “Now I don’t know if I want to tell you.”

“You’d better,” said Lucy.

“No,” Jane told her. “I don’t think I will. I think I’ll let it be a surprise.”

Lucy gasped. “Horrid cow!” Ben laughed. She turned to him. “Well, she is. Don’t you want to know what this amazing place is?”

“I already know where it is,” he said. “Walter told—”

“Shut up!” Jane said forcefully. She narrowed her eyes and pointed at Ben. “Not a word out of you.”

Lucy grabbed Ben’s arm. “Out with it,” she ordered.

Ben looked out the window of the cab. “London is really lovely when it’s covered with snow, isn’t it?”

“Tell me!” Lucy crowed.

“Is that the statue of Lord Nelson?” he asked.

“Not a word,” said Jane.

“I don’t know anything!” Ben bleated. “I swear.”

“Lies!” Lucy exclaimed. “And you a man of the cloth.”

“I’m a rabbi,” Ben objected. “Not a priest.”

“And you a man of the
tallit
,” said Lucy. “Shame.”

Ben held up his hands. “I promised not to say anything. I can’t break my word.”

“You didn’t promise,” Lucy argued. “You’re just afraid of
her
.” She jerked her head in Jane’s direction.

“As well he should be,” said Jane. “Ben, not a peep out of you.”

Lucy fumed. “Oh, I’ll get it out of him,” she promised. “Will you at least tell me
when
it’s happening?”

“Yes,” Jane said agreeably. “On Tuesday.”

“That’s tomorrow!” said Lucy.

“Smart girl,” Jane said, patting her arm. “Indeed it is. So you don’t have all that long to wait to find out where it is.”

“I still want to know,” Lucy said.

Ben turned to her. “Jane’s right,” he said. “Besides, isn’t it kind of fun that it’s a surprise?”

“No,” said Lucy. “It isn’t fun at all. I mean, if
you
didn’t know
and I did, that would be fun. But I don’t like being the only one who doesn’t know.”

“Miriam doesn’t know,” Jane informed her.

“Actually, I think Walter is telling her right now,” said Ben. “He wanted to prepare her so she wouldn’t be shocked.”

“Why would she be shocked?” asked Lucy.

“She wouldn’t,” Ben said.

“You just said she would,” countered Lucy.

“Did I?” Ben said. “I don’t remember. So Jane, who else is going to be on this trip?”

“What an excellent question,” Jane said.

“No it isn’t,” said Lucy. “It’s a stupid question. Now tell me where this wedding is happening.”

“We’re not entirely sure who our traveling companions will be,” Jane said, speaking across Lucy. “The first get-together is this evening. That’s when all will be revealed.” She waggled her fingers as if casting a spell. “It’s all very secretive.”

“It will be interesting to see who else is in the group,” said Ben.

“I’m rather dreading it,” Jane admitted. “I’m all for looking at architecturally significant houses, but honestly, if they go on about flying buttresses this and Ionic that, I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Don’t worry,” Ben reassured her. “You’ll have us. If the tours get boring, you can leave them to their house business and go sightseeing with Lucy and me.”

“Maybe with
you
,” Lucy said darkly. “I haven’t decided if I’m going anywhere.”

“You and Lucy and Miriam,” said Jane.

“Why is Miriam with us?” asked Lucy. “I sort of hoped she’d tag along with you and Walter.”

“You’d rather Walter and I spend our first days as a married couple enduring his mother?” Jane asked.

“No!” Lucy said. “I mean, well, yes.”

There was a pause before both Jane and Lucy burst out laughing. “Don’t worry,” Jane said. “I can hardly blame you. The woman is a terror. And I suspect she
will
stay close to me and Walter, if only to ensure we don’t run off without her. But I’m still not telling you where the wedding is going to be.”

“Come on!” Lucy pleaded.

Ben shook his head. “Listen to you two,” he said. “I bet Miriam isn’t nearly as bad as you make her out to be.”

Lucy and Jane looked at him. “Have you
met
her?” Lucy asked.

“I know she can be … bristly,” said Ben. “But I bet underneath it all she’s just lonely. Most unpleasant people usually are.”

“Or perhaps her heart is made of pitch,” Jane suggested.

Lucy chuckled. “Tell you what,” she said to Ben. “
You
can spend some time with Miriam. I’m sure she’d love that, what with you being a rabbi and all. Then we’ll see what you think.”

Before Ben could answer, the cab pulled up to the front of the Savoy hotel. They got out and began the elaborate ritual of handing the bags over to the bellman, who had appeared as if out of nowhere with a cart. The cab containing the rest of their party pulled up shortly thereafter, adding to the confusion as Miriam began directing the transfer of the luggage.

Jane escaped both Miriam and the cold March air by entering the hotel lobby through one of the revolving doors. She could still hear Miriam’s voice as she crossed the black and white checkerboard tiled floor to the front desk.

“This place is gorgeous,” Lucy said, looking around at the grand lobby with its soaring ceiling, polished wood paneling, and Art Deco chandeliers.

“You should have seen it when it opened,” Jane told her. “It was 1889. No one had ever seen anything like it. Electricity in all the rooms, hot and cold running water—it was a miracle of the age.”

“Did you stay here?” asked Lucy.

“Of course,” Jane replied. “Richard Mansfield brought me here for dinner. He was playing Richard III at the time. You know they suspected him of being Jack the Ripper.”

“Was he?” Lucy asked.

“I certainly hope so,” said Jane as they reached the desk. “How many women can say they dined with the Ripper and lived to tell about it?”

“Welcome to the Savoy,” said a pleasant voice.

Jane turned to find a handsome young man looking at her from behind the check-in counter. “Yes,” she said. “I believe we have a reservation under Fletcher.”

“Jane?” the man said. “Jane Aus …” He left the word unfinished. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just that you remind me of someone I used to know.”

Jane stared at the man’s face. The wavy blond hair. The aquiline nose. The clear blue eyes. They all seemed very familiar. Then she noticed the thin scar running from the corner of the man’s mouth to his chin.

“Gosebourne?” she whispered. “Is it really you?”

The young man beamed. “It
is
you,” he said happily. “I knew it the instant I saw your face.”

Jane looked at Lucy. “Gosebourne has worked at the Savoy since …” She looked at Gosebourne. “Well, since it opened.”

“Indeed I have,” Gosebourne said, nodding at Lucy. “I dare say I’ve moved up a bit in rank during that time, but yes, I hold the distinction of being the hotel’s longest-serving employee.”

Before Jane could ask Gosebourne any of the dozen questions that were buzzing around in her head, Walter and Ben arrived with the bellman and the luggage in tow. Miriam, like some kind of insane border collie, brought up the rear, barking orders at everyone in sight.

“All checked in?” Walter asked.

Jane nodded. “We were just getting to that,” she said.

Gosebourne, now all business, typed furiously on his computer’s keyboard. “Here we are,” he said. “I have you staying for two nights.” He looked at Jane. “Is that all?” he said sadly.

“I’m afraid so,” Jane answered.

“We’re here with the International Association of Historic preservationists,” Walter explained.

“Ah, yes,” said Gosebourne. “Many of your party have already checked in. I believe you’ll be meeting later this evening in the American Bar for cocktails. Nine o’clock, if I’m not mistaken. There will be more information in your room.”

He handed Walter a small envelope containing their passkeys, then repeated the process for Ben and Lucy. Before Miriam could step forward to take her turn, Jane leaned over the counter and whispered to Gosebourne, “Put her next to an elevator.”

Once all the rooms were assigned, it was off to the elevators and up to their rooms. Gosebourne, Jane was pleased to see, had indeed placed Miriam in a room right next to the elevator bank. Miriam frowned as she opened her door, and Jane continued down the corridor to her own room with a feeling of satisfaction.

Jane and Walter’s room was on one side of the hallway, and Lucy and Ben’s was on the other. It was only when Jane was in the room that something occurred to her.

“Did you book a room with one bed or two for Ben and Lucy?” she asked Walter.

“One,” Walter said as he went to the window and pulled back the drapes, revealing a spectacular view of the River Thames. “Why?”

“Well, with him being a rabbi, I’m not sure that they’re … you know.”

“Sleeping together?” said Walter.

Jane nodded. “I know that sounds old-fashioned of me,” she said.

Walter laughed. “It does,” he said. “But don’t worry. I’m sure
if it’s not okay they’ll say something.” He came over and put his arms around Jane, pulling her close. “Don’t you girls talk about these things?”

Jane kissed him. “Of course not. We only talk about raising babies and how to cook for our menfolk.”

“And we men only talk about hunting and making fire,” Walter said.

Jane laughed. “Speaking of talking, I understand you told Ben where we’re getting married.”

“I suppose I did,” said Walter. “Is that all right?”

“It’s fine,” Jane told him. “But Lucy is furious because I won’t tell her.” She hesitated before asking, “Did you tell your mother?”

“I was going to,” Walter said. “But then she started complaining about the airline and the snow and all the English accents and I decided not to. Let her be surprised.”

“Oh, she’ll be surprised all right,” said Jane. “I can’t wait to see the look on her face.”

Walter picked up a folder that was sitting on the room’s desk. “This is the packet from the IAHP,” he said. He sat down on the bed and opened it while Jane commenced unpacking.

“Here’s the welcome letter, itinerary, handy hints for avoiding pickpockets … Ah, here we are. The guest list.” His eyes scanned the page. “Interesting,” he remarked.

“What is?” asked Jane as she hung one of Walter’s shirts in the closet.

“Well, I’ve heard of some of these people,” Walter answered. “But I’ve only met one of them.” He looked at the clock on the nightstand. “We’re about to, though,” he said. “It’s almost nine now.”

“I’d forgotten about the time difference,” said Jane. “What time is it back home?”

Walter glanced at his watch. “A quarter to four,” he told her.

“Your mother will be clamoring for dinner,” Jane said.

“Maybe she can go with Lucy and Ben and get something,” said Walter. “Do you want to go with them? I’m probably going to be tied up with these people for a while.”

“I’ll come,” said Jane. “I want to see the motley crew we’ll be sharing the road with for the next two weeks.”

“You mean you’d rather do anything else than have dinner with my mother,” Walter said, grinning.

“And there’s that,” said Jane. “Now come on. We don’t want to be late for our first get-together.”

They knocked on Ben and Lucy’s door. When Ben answered, Jane peeked around him to see what the bed situation was. As Walter had told her, there was only one. Lucy was stretched out on it, looking at a guidebook.
I’ll have to have a chat with her later
, Jane thought.