The manager was already outside when they arrived.
He was standing at the entrance with his hands folded, back straight, like someone who had been waiting for a specific amount of time. He saw Arthur's carriage and bowed before the door was fully open.
"My lord," he said. "We've been expecting you."
Arthur stepped out and waved a hand.
The manager led them inside.
Noel followed and stopped two steps through the door.
The restaurant was empty. He thought he was going to be escorted to a secret VIP section or something, but the whole building was empty.
All the tables were set and every candle lit, but not a single other customer. No other voices. No background noise except the soft movement of staff and the distant sound of something being prepared in the kitchen.
He turned to Arthur.
"You rented the whole building," he said.
"Yes," Arthur said.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I wanted privacy."
"That's an absurd amount of money for privacy."
