Nikolai's arrival

[just-a-driver.livejournal.com]

Date: June 17
Time: Mid-morning
Location: The Manor
Status: Public
Summary: A new arrival
 
 
A black Mercedes sedan swung off the road and into the gate of lower Tadfield manor. It smoothly rolled down the avenue towards the main house and elegantly swung into a parking spot close to the entrance. The right front door opened and the driver emerged in one fluid motion keeping his body close to the door and taking in surroundings as he did so. As he turned around the door to close and lock it, he unobtrusively scanned the other side. Walking towards the entrance door, he let his gaze pass appraisingly over the other cares, lingering momentarily on the curves of the red sports car. On the doorstep he paused almost imperceptibly and then walked straight up to the reception desk.
 

Comments

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose lifted her head when she heard someone approach the door and already had a smile on her face when the door opened. She waited until the man was a bit closer to her desk and then addressed him

"Goodday, sir and welcome. How can I help you?"

She inhaled his scent inconspicuously and filed the different components away to maybe ponder later.

[just-a-driver.livejournal.com]

The driver continued smoothly until he was half a step away from the reception desk. There he stopped, distributing his weight evenly on both feet, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and replied: “Nikolai Luzhin to see Mr. Adam Smith”.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

A small frown creased Rose's brow.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't think we have an Adam Smith here. Let me check..."

She leafed through the registered guests in case she forgot about someone or Ms. Hodges had checked someone in she didn't know about.

"No, most definitely not."

[just-a-driver.livejournal.com]

"Not guest. I'm here to speak with Boss," the Russsian corrected unmoved but with a slightly intensified accent.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

The frown lines on Rose's forehead softened and she smiled at the newcomer.

"Oh! You mean Adam Young. He lives in Lower Tadfield itself. But if you don't mind waiting for a moment I can call him and ask whether he has time to come over..."

[just-a-driver.livejournal.com]

Nikolai tilted his head to one side and reset his jaw drawing up one corner of his mouth and giving a hint of a shrug with one shoulder. “I wait", he announced his Russian accent grinding over fine gravel.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose fished Adam's number out of her pocket - or rather the somewhat crumpled piece of paper with the number on it - and dialed.

[tptb-in-ltsh.livejournal.com]

Adam rached fo rhis phone as it rang. As he recognised the number, he hoped that it was the girl Rose calling, rather than Mary Hodges or anyone else who might be manning the reception desk in the absence of either.

To be safe, he put a wide grin in his voice as he answered the phone.

"What's up?"

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Adam's joyful voice made Rose smile as well.

"Hello Adam, it's Rose. A Mr. Luzhin is here and would like to meet you. Do you have time?"

And she might have mispronounced the name slightly, it felt strange on her tongue.

[tptb-in-ltsh.livejournal.com]

"What does he want?" Adam asked, slightly confused. "I've never met a Mr. Luzhin before." He was certainly mispronouncing the name worse, not having heard it from its owner.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose shrugged even though Adam wouldn't be abe to see it.

"I don't know, he only said he wants to speak with the boss... "

[tptb-in-ltsh.livejournal.com]

"I'll drop by," Adam promised. "Keep him there. Or take him to the bar and offer him something to drink if you can leave the reception desk. See you in a bit!"

He was kind of curious. What in the world was a guy with a strange name doing there asking for him?

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Adam. Bye for now."

She hung up and then smiled at Mr. Luzhin.

"Adam says he'll drop by. Would you like something to drink while you wait? The bar's open and Adam'll find us there."

[just-a-driver.livejournal.com]

"Thank you.” The Russian stepped back at an angle crossing his hands in front of keeping his eyes on Rose.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose quickly wrote a note that anyone needing something from the reception would find her at the bar and then got up from behind the desk.

"If you'll follow me, the bar is this way"

she said, moving in the correct direction with a smile towards Mr. Luzhin.

[just_a_driver]

Tilting His head to one side, opening his hands to re-clasp them at his back, the Russian followed Rose into the bar.

[roseheerkens]

Rose held the door open for Mr. Luzhin and then looked around the bar for Mr. Dalton to introduce him and get her guest something to drink.