Chapter One"KOszOndm，" Lauren said， thanking the bellboy andenjoying the surprised expression that flashed overpeople s faces when she spoke in their own language.Hungarian was an extremely difficult one to learn，having no basis in the Romance or Slavic languages.It was an entity unto its own and Lauren had takenpride in mastering it. ~KOszdnOm，" the bellboy answered in amazementas he pocketed the tip she proferred， and he fairlybacked out the door as though she were royalty. Lauren took a moment to simply look about thebedroom before she freshened up. The Astoria waseverything she had hoped it would be. The grace andgrandeur that had been the heart of the hotel when itwas built was faded but nonetheless still glorious.Closing her eyes， Lauren could almost imagine the la-dies and gentlemen of the early twentieth centurysweeping about the halls， dining in the baroque sa-lon; maids unpacking the silks and satins and furs thataccompanied the aristocracy or the simply rich. Oh，