As the temporary GM (General Manager) accompanies Emily into the hotel, she asks him to have the Head of Security prepare a document outlining the current security structure and procedures for her inspection, noting that the document should include details for the penthouse. On the way to her penthouse, she asks for a written briefing on staff that will provide service in the penthouse, adding that the owner's luxury suite will be required for herself and Sansa and a further suite for Amy. Their 6 personal staff will require 3 twin rooms with en suite, also in the penthouse. He assures her that her instructions will be carried out.
Sansa leads Emily into their owner's suite. The centre and main part of the floor is laid with highly polished marble tiles that are sunk below the surrounding floor by almost 8 inches. The U shaped surrounding floor is exquisite marquetry consisting of several shades of wood. A few inches back from the steps (down to the central marble tiled floor), at intervals of about 8 feet, are fluted marble columns. Between each pair of columns hang a pair of red velvet curtains with broad gold strips at the bottom edge, they are gathered by a gold silk rope with ornate braided knots from which cascade multiple threads of gold. On the wall behind each pair of columns is an art decor gold sconce throwing out a soft beam of light, as if pretending to be a distant lighthouse.
The sunken marble tiled area features the lounge that is sumptuously furnished with armchairs, couches and chaises longues with fabric to match the red of the curtains and the woodwork matching the gold. Occasional tables of expertly carved wood, painted with gold leaf, are placed so that every seated position has a table within reach. There are matching gold art decor overhead lights but the effect from the sconces is so special that the overheads are unlikely to be used as much.
At he open end of the U shape are glazed bi-fold doors through which is a beautiful view of Old Delhi with its Jama Masjid (mughal styled mosque), Sri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir (Hindu temple) and the Red Fort. The doors open completely in both directions to provide access to the substantial terrace. Unseen until in use, the folding screen can be covered completely with one of 2 light excluding screens. One is a reproduction view of the other 3 sides of the room. The other is a silver screen on which a projector fixed to the ceiling between the centre set of columns projects the image. A computer controls the projector and sound system to transform the whole room into a cinema.
Sansa takes Emily by the hand and leads her to the hidden door, even the door knob is a matching red and only when close to it, it is just possible to see the outline of the door. She opens it and they step into another world. A beautiful wood panelled room with 2 walk-in wardrobes, double vanity units, all built-in seemlessly to the eye in beautiful teak, inlaid with motifs in sandalwood. Emily walks into a wardrobe to see all her gowns and dresses neatly hanging in line and her shoes, placed in pairs on a purpose built rack, ready to be inspected and chosen for an outfit. She says that she has never seen anything like it and Sansa agrees. Like children in a toy shop they examine the vanity units and find every cosmetic they could dream of, with a range of exotic creams and lotions as well.
They go through a door, opposite the entrance from the lounge, and enter a fabulous en-suite. There's a huge corner bath with spa jets, a walk-in shower to easily take two people, twin wash basins and twin Japanese bidet toilets that wash and dry 'down there' after the WC has been visited. There are also 2 massage couches and the ladies hope there is a masseuse available on call. There's a second door that leads to the bedroom. But Sansa wants Emily to enter their bedroom for the first time from their changing room so, taking her hand, she leads her back into the changing room and stands her in front of the door. "Don't move" she says and goes into the bedroom via the en-suite to open the door for her.
Emily gasps as the door is opened and she sees the full beauty of their bedroom. It is decorated to resemble the palace of a Maharajah. On a raised platform there is the biggest bed she has ever seen, a 4 poster with net curtains that close to provide a screen through which one might peer and believe they have looked into the mists of heaven. The ceiling is sky blue with classical Indian artwork in white plaster, reminiscent of the fine china and pottery of the Briton Josiah Wedgwood. The exquisite furniture is probably based on the British Georgian period. Beautifully upholstered in sky blue, the woodwork is carved by Indian master carvers and painted with gold leaf. One wall of the room, like the lounge, is taken up with bi-fold doors that also provide, when the curtains are open or when the doors are folded back, a panoramic view of Old Delhi. The girls embrace, loving their new home.
Emily's mobile rings, it is Sushila so Emily puts her on speaker so Sansa can listen in. She asks if she may meet with the ladies. She has news that she doesn't want to discuss on the phone and anyway would like to see them all again. Sansa nods smiling saying they'd love to see her again. Emily giggles and tells Sushila that she completely agrees. They are in the penthouse if she has time to visit. Sushila says that's exactly the response she was hoping for and will be with them soon.