Within two minutes, the door opened again and a man in a long black cape and Victorian topper entered. I hadn’t expected to encounter Dracula and I’m afraid I had to put my hand to my mouth to prevent nervous laughter spilling out.
‘Ah,’ he said, and Joss stood to shake hands. Mal’s fingernails were black. ‘Long time no see! Do you remember Mr Lethbridge, O, or was he before your time?’
O, apparently, was the woman at the computer. She gave us a closer look and said, ‘I’m not sure, sir.’
I had only ever heard people addressed as ‘sir’ in a customer service context and it underscored what I was here for. I was here to submit, along with lots of other submitters. She, presumably, was one of them.
‘It’s Lord Lethbridge now, actually,’ said Joss lightly.
I thought O was going to swoon.
‘Oooooooh,’ she sighed. ‘An actual real-live Lord? Our subs are going to be all over you.’
I didn’t like the sound of that.
‘Unless you’re exclusive,’ she added swiftly, noting my expression. ‘Are you?’
‘Yes, I am,’ he said. ‘I’d like to introduce you to Lucy, my submissive.’
‘Hello, Lucy,’ they both said, and O added, ‘Your little maid-in-waiting, how absolutely charming.’
I didn’t think it was, particularly. I was nobody’s maid and I certainly didn’t do waiting. But I let it pass.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ I said. I didn’t think a handshake was appropriate somehow. Should I curtsy? The wild suggestion flitted through my mind before I settled on a respectful bow of the head. It seemed to go down well enough.
‘Where have you been all this time?’ asked Mal of Joss. ‘You were missed.’
‘I’ve been very busy with the estate,’ he said. ‘Inheritance tax and so forth. I almost let my membership lapse, but I’m rather glad I didn’t now.’
‘Well, and so are we,’ said Mal heartily. ‘So you’re here for the Masquerade?’
‘Absolutely. It’s Lucy’s first time at a public event and she’s ext
remely curious.’
‘Oh, you’ll adore it,’ said O.
‘Have you finished with those accounts?’ asked Mal, the words mild enough but the look that accompanied them rather blood-freezing.
‘No, sir,’ she said, and bent her head, returning to her keyboard.
‘O’s quite right,’ said Mal, smiling at me. ‘Our little get-togethers are something to behold.’ He turned to Joss again. ‘Your email said you might need accommodation?’
‘Yes, I thought the membership fee covered it? Is that right?’
‘It is, and you’re lucky that we’ve had a cancellation, so the Blue Boudoir is free for you today. Usually we’re booked up months in advance for the Masquerade but we’ve had a few drop out. Do you know Len Leather and his boys? Terrible shame, they’re very popular on the scene.’
I realised what it was about Mal that disconcerted me so very much. He had filed some of his teeth into points. I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
‘There’s another favour I have to ask, if you don’t mind,’ said Joss. ‘Lucy was wondering if she could take advantage of your costume collection?’
‘Of course. I’ll have to bill you for the hire charge, I’m afraid …’
‘Oh, yes, that’s understood.’
‘Then I’ll have O help you out when she’s free. If she ever is.’ He gave her a meaningful look – her wrists had fallen idle again – and the tip-tapping started up with renewed vigour. ‘In the meantime, let me show you to your room.’
I gave O a little wave as we left but she didn’t seem to notice.