Before going to see Shard, the ladies still had to change clothes—what they'd worn for the train ride was absolutely not suitable for a reunion with Shard.
Of course Miss Belindel had already arranged the rooms. She had meant to just instruct Miss Matilda to handle this and then go check on Shard and Emilia herself, but Miss Benanis, having seen through her intentions, grabbed her and wouldn't let her leave, instead making her talk about the general situation in Moon Bay at the moment.
So the Countess could only wait until that female opera singer had finished changing, then after gathering with Margaret, seeing that Miss Sylvia still needed some time, they went together to the guest room on the third floor.
