Chapter 23
For the first time since they met Adele found Robert to be a little distant towards her as she helped him into the carriage as the cab driver secured Roberts bag with clean undergarments and a nightdress in case he stayed overnight at Adeles apartments.

Robert didn’t particularly want to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and felt they needed to talk first, over lunch and they were already departing late. Adele instructed the driver to head for Richmond where they would take lunch in a pleasant hotel dining room with a view of the river. The horse quickly moved into a trot and they settled back into their seats for the journey out of the City. It was Adele’s opportunity to hold Roberts attention save the occasional pointing to a landmark.

Her concern had been Robert’s sudden change attitude towards her at dinner the previous evening after Aunt Roberta had put forward her proposals. Robert was still quite distant and looked out of the cab rather than into Adele’s eyes that she had hoped would demonstrate her care for him. She knew her personality had changed a lot since their first meeting in Bristol but surely Robert was capable of understanding that was caused by the responsibilities on her shoulders having taken over the family business at a young age and as a woman to boot. She was competing with men who had a lifetimes experience in trousers and who were natural bullies. Some of their traits were bound to have rubbed off but she was still the same sensitive person underneath this male garb. She squeezed Roberts hand a little encouraging him to look at her.

Robert on the other hand was finding that he had no responsibilities and he felt guilty for not being home in Bristol to help run their failing business but he knew that his father, now his great uncle after Aunt Roberta’s sudden declaration, felt that his mission was to bond with her and then Robert would be secure for life. Now he understood why his father had been so pleased to receive the letter inviting him to London. An olive branch at least or some other more serious reason. Maybe Aunt Roberta was hiding an illness or tired of running her businesses and needed help. He had no relevant experience of running a business or financial affairs like Adele.

Adele spoke first ‘I’m sorry.’

‘What are you sorry about?’

‘I’m sorry if I’ve offended you or have done something to cause you pain.’

‘Don’t make matters worse because you don’t understand.’

‘ Robert I don’t know what I did or said to hurt you last evening but I’m sorry.’

‘As I said don’t make matters worse.’

Adele withdrew a little and tried to give Robert chance to enjoy the journey and the beautiful sunshine. She tried to understand what might have caused this loss of affection towards her. Robert seemed so sensitive these last few days and perhaps he felt threatened by her change in role and was being affected by spending so much time as a young woman. He certainly had adapted to the role quickly and quite naturally. She liked him as a man but was falling in love with him as a woman and she felt that Aunt Roberta recognised it even if Robert didn’t.

When they arrived at the hotel in Richmond Adele jumped down and went to the other side of the cab to assist Robert in his skirts. She had the grace to say that he looked beautiful today and the words came from nowhere.

‘At last a complement at last.’

Adele arranged a return time with the cab driver and took Roberts bag in one hand and another smaller bag as well allowing Robert to take her other arm. As they entered the hotel and were welcomed by the concierge who escorted them to the reception where Robert was taken aback as Adele seated him in a leather chair and then proceeded to check in as Mr & Mrs Arthur Fleming. A bellboy took charge of the bags.

As Adele returned to help Robert from his seat he spoke out, ‘What are you doing? I thought we were here for lunch then back to London.’

‘Sorry dear I decided we should enjoy this location in my favourite part of London away from distractions and prying eyes. I wanted us to have private time together and perhaps take a walk later.’

‘But you never consulted me and I thought we were staying at your apartments tonight and that you’d organized Polly’s daughter Emily to help me.’

‘No she is cleaning my apartments today since they are not ready to receive a guest like you since I’ve been alone there for several months.’

‘But you are presumptuous if you booked a hotel and register us as man and wife. Have you lost your senses?’

‘Not at all my dear I know that you had a wonderful time when we shared a room at the Club and I thought that you and I would be safer here and can relax together. I can forget about business and the Club and after all Aunt Roberta encouraged us to be alone together.’

‘But don’t you think of my reputation here. How can I hold my head high or have the respect of the staff if we share a room together?’

‘Robert I can hardly believe my ears. Is that you inside that pretty dress or has Roberta taken over control of your body and mind?’

‘You know what I mean. Surely it would have offended you if the boot was on the other foot and I had done the same?’

‘Every woman needs some excitement in life and a surprise from time to time. I should know don’t you think.’

The bellboy escorted them to their room that was a main suite in the hotel looking down towards the river. The view was amazing and Robert stood looking out whilst Adele tipped the bellboy and then locked the door after he left.

‘But Adele, who is going to help me with my clothes so I can undress later and then help me to dress again in the morrow? Polly is not here and neither is Emily as you promised she would be in your apartments.’

‘Don’t you consider all my years of experience living and dressing in such attire to be of value then? I’m sure we will manage.’

Adele made her move to try to encourage Robert to forget whatever had upset him and placed her hands on his hips looking into his eyes hoping for a kiss or at least a touch of lips. She moved her hands to feel how slim he was and the corset definitely accentuated his feminine assets. She glanced down. His breasts seemed fuller as each day passed or was she imagining things. She would have liked to touch them or better still kiss each one but she held back her urges. It was better if she took care not to cause more offence. Hopefully the chance would come later.

‘Robert what did I do wrong last night? Your Aunt suggested we spend some private time together and that we marry and live together. She suggested we get engaged and choose a ring together. None of this was my idea.’

‘Exactly.’

‘What do you mean exactly?’

‘Exactly! Just think about it.’

Before Adele had chance to pursue this further there was a knock on the door. It was a room attendant delivering fresh drinking water and a basket of fresh fruit to the room that included some juicy strawberries. The interruption distracted their attention and they went quiet.

Adele reflected and wondered if it had been a mistake to change the arrangements to an overnight excursion in Richmond without telling Robert but had her reasons for doing so. She hoped that Robert would understand and not complain when she had the chance to explain. However it seemed that he was even further angered and that wasn’t the nice surprise she’d intended.

When they were in privacy again Robert said he couldn’t believe that Adele was taking him so much for granted and he’d never have done that with her and neither would most men that he knew. Adele felt a little awkward but on the other hand she couldn’t understand why such an excursion wasn’t viewed as anything but a nice surprise. No man had ever spoiled her like this and in truth she knew that Robert didn’t have the means to afford such an elegant room in a hotel of this standard.

‘So what have I done wrong since this was intended as an apology. It was meant to be a nice treat and a nice surprise.’

‘Look let’s leave it please and take a walk since it looks warm outside and the river looks splendid. This is a beautiful location and it’s hard to believe we are so close to London.’

‘Robert, or should I call you Roberta since you look very pretty in that dress, I have one request to make that is most important to me and I need your help.’

‘Oh a request to boot?’

‘Yes this evening I have arranged for a business meeting that will be over dinner here at the hotel. I need your support since the man has made threats and is most objectionable.’

‘ How so? Do you need my help as a man since I’m helpless like this and fear that any man worth his salt would see through the decoration from such close quarters as a dining table?’

‘You’ve met the man and seen his rudeness first hand. But I have the measure of him but I need your support as Roberta not Robert.’

‘Who is this man?’

‘ Remember when we first visited the Club on your first day in London? The man who slapped my back and was rude to both of us? Sir Henry Tancred.’

‘Yes an awful man. But he saw me as myself, as Robert not like this.’

‘Richmond is where he has a large house that he inherited. He thinks he owns the area and nobody stands up to him. If you recall when he saw you he suggested that you were my Nancy boy-friend or even a woman disguised as a man. So if he remembers your face and you present like this as Roberta then my estimate is that he will be so full of himself that he was right about you and our relationship. He will see this as his chance to throw me out of the Club for breach of the rules. No women allowed. It will be his chance to force me to sell my shares for pennies.’

After further talk between them Robert that carried on through the hotel gardens and then down to the river Robert eventually agreed to Adele’s request. He agreed to put himself in an awkward situation to provide an opportunity to save her business and her shareholding in the Club. However he expressed great concern that she was in a high stakes game and this man appeared to be aggressive and more than likely he had cheated lots of people as he accumulated his wealth. He did not have the air of a gentleman nor to deserve such a title or be mixing with important members of London society at the Club. Adele couldn’t believe that he had ever been accepted for membership and knew that her grandfather would be turning in his grave.

By the time they turned to walk back to the hotel Robert was holding more tightly to Adele’s arm and this was taken by Adele as a positive sign. With Roberta on his arm he had no desire to glance at young women walking by as he had done in Hyde Park and he felt he(she) was making progress again.