'Shall I lay out your clothes for tomorrow, sir?' Gerard asked. 'Hm . . .' Ram considered the question for a moment before answering. 'Not tonight, Gerard.' Tomorrow and the next day were to be very special, and he would choose his attire very carefully. For the preview and the auction, he would dress in his very best clothes. He didn't care who knew he was bidding or on what. He was willing to pay whatever it took to get Princess Karima's ring. Besides, he knew that with the stone's inclusion, some dealers and collectors would be scared away. 'Will you be having breakfast at the usual time, sir?' Gerard asked. 'Yes, the usual.' 'Very good, sir,' Gerard said. Ram picked up the remote for the plasma screen television, then turned back to his valet. 'Oh, one more thing, Gerard,' he said. 'Bring me a bottle of Armagnac.' 'Very good, sir.' He turned and left the bedroom, closing the door soundlessly behind him. Ram put his arms into his robe sleeves and tied the belt loosely, then put his feet into his silk tapestry slippers.
