Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 2 - Hotel Ambroise

After spending the next twenty minutes sitting on the bathroom floor, Josette stood up shakily.  She was still stunned by her realization: she was pregnant!  Her emotions were a mixture of confusion, happiness, fear and uncertainty.  She had always dreamt of having a little family of her own.  After she met Lawrence, she could think of no one else better suited for a potential husband. Of course, at the time, she didn't know he was already married... or that he was a nobleman.  Captivated by his irresistible looks and charm, she dove in head-first and gave herself to him completely - body and soul.  By the time he reluctantly confessed the truth, she was already head over heels in love. She tried to break it off, but he showed up on her doorstep with flowers and empty promises... and she foolishly believed him and took him back.

But now... his decision to return to his wife.... Josette's beautiful face crumpled once more. She looked in the mirror over the sink.  Her large hazel eyes were watery and puffy, and her perfect porcelain complexion was red and blotchy.  Her blond hair had tumbled out of the top bun she had carefully arranged that very morning, and was now a scraggly mess.

Josette sighed as she splashed some cool water on her face.  What was she going to do?  She had to tell Lawrence.  Perhaps knowing that she too was expecting his child would help change his mind.

"He promised me he would leave her," Josette muttered.  "The only reason he's going back is because she is pregnant.  But now... if he finds out about me..."

Josette gave her reflection a determined nod.  She still had some time left before Lawrence would leave for London.  She decided to change, and put on a light blue tailleur consisting of an ankle-length skirt and matching long jacket.  The tailored suit was a radical departure from the conventional fashion of the late nineteenth century - a modern look that was all the rage in Paris, for those who dared to wear it.  She knew it was Lawrence's favorite - he liked it mostly for its shock value. 

Josette combed and restyled her thick blonde hair.  She then dabbed a bit of rouge on her cheeks and lips to combat her newly acquired pallor.  She donned a wide-brimmed blue hat decorated with white feathers, and casually draped a white fox fur over her shoulders.  After studying her appearance in a full-length mirror, she decided it would do. 

Josette left her flat once more, and walked confidently toward the Hotel Ambroise, a lush and elegant place where Lawrence resided while in Paris.  Inside the lobby, she approached the concierge's desk.  The man already knew her and slightly bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"Mademoiselle Lafoure," he greeted her with a smile.  "You look lovely, as always."

"Thank you, Pierre," Josette replied.  "I am here to see Lord Danville."

"Yes.  Of course," the concierge said.  "I will ring his room," he continued, as he decorously picked up the gilded handle of his desk telephone - a rare and expensive commodity available only to the most exclusive establishments.

Josette stood by, tapping her manicured fingers impatiently on the marble counter.  The concierge spoke fluid English - a language she was still trying to learn.  His face gradually lost its friendly radiance, and he turned his back to her as he continued his animated conversation.  At last, he hung up and turned around.  He looked grim and slightly mortified as he said:

"I am sorry, Mademoiselle, but Lord Danville is indisposed at the moment."

Josette arched an eyebrow.  "Indisposed?  Does that mean he does not wish to see me?"

Pierre blushed, obviously uncomfortable with the situation.  He placed his hands on the counter in front of him for support, while trying to come up with a plausible excuse.