Her past drawings must not have been adequate, because already she had started something new. Elmore watched it take shape; the slender stems of angel's trumpet gave way to thin, tapering petals — Aurora carefully shaded the widest part of the petals, to indicate how the color was darker there than at the base. It was quite wonderful to watch how she did this, giving the suggestion of color even without anything but black ink at her disposal.
Aurora said nothing more on the matter of her offence, once again bowed over her book in that awkward way of hers. It must have been uncomfortable, but Elmore refused to offer help because he knew how it would end.
If she didn't want to discuss it, then Elmore wouldn't force her. Instead, he brought out his own notebook — the tiny one he kept in his suit pocket — and flicked through the pages. It was nearly full now, but he found some spare pages at the back to fill.
The entire time, Elmore wracked his mind for something to say. They were supposed to be discussing important things, not sitting in silence and ignoring each other. Then, suddenly, something came to mind.
"When Mr. Russo sends us the root samples," he said, attracting Aurora's attention, "they will have to be rehydrated before going into the soil. I'm not sure how many samples he will send, but he has promised a decent number. Would you like them delivered after, or while, we build the greenhouse?"
Aurora paused. "During the building," she answered, "that way we can begin right away."
He was about to ask another question when footsteps reached his ears. He froze, confusion filling him, before the door opened to reveal Mr. Washam.
He beamed. "Hard at work, I see. How has it been going?"
Chapter 16
Aurora Washam
Relief flooded through Aurora when her eyes landed on Father from across the study. He looked weary, heavy bags resting beneath his green eyes. He smiled as kindly as ever though, as he slipped into the room and took a seat across the desk.
"You two look as if you've had an eventful afternoon. Are you making much headway with planning?"
Aurora tried not to let her expression give it away. The truth was, she was exhausted. Not from hard work or concentration, because she had never shied from work, but because this had gone so differently to how she had hoped. Lord Winters was exhausting, not the planning.
Thankfully, Lord Winters himself cut in before she could think of a believable lie. He spoke smoothly, and for once she was grateful to have him here.
"It's slow but steady," he said brightly, "we have plans to build the greenhouse, and I plan to contact Mr. Russo and confirm his delivery of the samples. Truth be told, the beginning is much more involved than I expected."
Father's smile was warm. "It's good to be thorough, especially at the start when things are tenuous. Tell me, are you two hungry?"
Hungry...? It felt as if Aurora had eaten only an hour ago, when she and Father had sat down to an early lunch of sandwiches and cold meat.
When she looked to the clock, however, realization hit — Father had arrived home exactly when he claimed, at seven o'clock exactly. How long had she been sitting here without realizing?
Father smiled in that knowing way of his. "I will make us a quick meal, shall I? Something that you can eat quickly. Unless you would like to stay for a proper meal, Elmore?"
Say no,Aurora prayed — and to her relief, he did just that.
"While I would love to," he replied, "and it's a kind offer, I'm afraid that if I take a break now we won't get back to it. I confess that I've been distracted, and it's hindered our progress."
Right,Aurora scoffed. By distracted, did he mean argumentative? They had wasted too much time fighting, not enough time discussing the important things. It was seven o'clock already, and what had they done? Nothing!
A guilty part of her argued that it was her fault too, for being so quick to fight back. If she had been more mature, they might have gotten on with things.
Father's bright voice distracted her from those thoughts. "I'll come back in with something to eat," he said, and stood. He moved to the door before adding, "you don't both have to work so late, you know."
They didn'tneed to,in the sense that there was no requirement by law or employer. Yet they had done so little today, it seemed a waste to stop now instead of trying to make up for lost time.
"Don't worry about us," she said, "Lord Winters and I will be fine."
Father hesitated for a moment, before nodding. Lord Winters may not have trusted her capabilities, despite what he claimed, but Father had nothing but faith in her.
It warmed her heart to know that he trusted her. Oddly, the sight of Father's unwavering faith made her believe that perhaps she had been wrong about Lord Winters. Maybe shehadmisjudged, because if Father believed so strongly, why would Lord Winters have reason to doubt?
It wasn't long before Father left to make dinner, or really it was more like supper now, and she was alone with Lord Winters again.
Lord Winters was the first to speak, setting his book aside so he could look at her properly. "We've been focusing so much on the beginning of this project, I think we should start to think further into the future."