The heavy-set night manager who had come up after the disturbance was walking toward them. Julian gave him the shortest impression of a bow as he reached the desk. Brinewater’s bow was deeper and more sincere, though his belly got in the way. “Firstly,” Julian began in that same haughty tone, as Matthew hung onto a precipice of pins and needles, “I am in distress that our associates were not offered the glowing hospitality that Baron Brux and I received upon our arrival. Secondly, I wish to tell you that Count Mowbrey erred in not informing you that the damage to our suite is more severe than he revealed. That, unfortunately, is my doing though I have no recollection of such. Thirdly, I am paying now for both our suite and that little closet you’ve put our associates into.” As he said this, he was drawing Brux’s blue purse from within his coat. He snapped it open and gave the coins a jingle. “What is the price?”

“Uh …” Brinewater was taken aback by this performance and took a few seconds to regain his composure. “You’re staying until when, sir?”

“At least the twenty-first.” That irritated hand in the ostrich-skin glove came up and slapped the air again. “I don’t tend to such things, my agent does.”

Brinewater leaned over the clerk’s desk where the clerk was already checking the ledger. “Ah! Staying through the twenty-third!”

“I thought as much,” Julian said.

“And … pardon the reminder, but Count Mowbrey said you would—”

“I know exactly what Count Mowbrey said! Yes, I am paying double for the suite. At the end of our stay you may inspect the damages and inform me of that cost. Now please tally the price, we are on our way out.”

A price was quoted that Matthew thought he could live on for two years. The golden coins came out of the purse and in truth made quite a dent in Baron Brux’s finances.

When the money had changed hands, Brinewater said, “Your Excellency, I would be glad to give your associates a better room on the—”

“Nonsense!” Julian interrupted. “They’re settled in now and in fact are tending to my business in another part of your city. Kensington, is it? As for our own suite, have a servant bring up our hot water at ten o’clock. We intend to enjoy a leisurely supper.”

“Our own tavern is but a few steps from—”

“Not a tavern,” said the icy voice. “A restaurant.”

On their way out with directions to what Brinewater said was an establishment that specialized in only the best, Matthew found his own voice where it had gone down to hide somewhere behind his knees. “I hope you’re proud of nearly making me wet my new breeches.”

Julian gave a twisted smile. “I’m damned good, aren’t I?”

Matthew grunted. “For a bad man,” he said.