Aurora silently agreed. "All right, then. If the Duke of Stonehull wants an overview of our plan, we should begin organizing some kind of step-by-step guide. Nothing too detailed, but a vague timeline of events, and how long we expect to complete each one."
"Starting with the samples, and ending with when we think the first plants will be grown?"
"And what we plan to do after, of course." Growing their first angel's trumpet was far from the end goal. That was only their sample flowers; after that they'd have to breed more, choosing the best traits to try and create new strains. Less toxic, with better healing benefits. This was where Father’s expertise would be helpful, but Aurora had the confidence that she was capable, too.
"All right," she breathed, "assuming that we can start building right away, the greenhouse should only take a month or two to build. In that time we should receive the samples from Mr. Russo in Italy, and we can keep the roots hydrated in water until they sprout.
Lord Winters was nodding along to everything she said without complaint. He had hardly moved from his spot by the bookshelf, one hand resting over the other. His smile was pleasant, disarmingly so; it was the look of someone who was making a point to listen, but wasn't really interested.
She frowned. "Is there anything you would like to add?"
"I have a question, actually — I know that you would like to begin with the angel's trumpet. I don't blame you, it's a beautiful and intriguing flower; but surely other plants would be easier to transport, and so easier to start with?"
It wasn't untrue, but Aurora still felt a stab of annoyance in her gut. She didn't want to say that it was Lord Winter's own drawings that had attracted her to the flower, or that his talk at the botanists' meeting had hooked her from the beginning.
Instead, she bluffed. "We already know that it has helpful properties. Doesn't it make sense to begin with something we know more about?"
He shifted from foot to foot, thinking. He was cautious of not offending her again; it was no outright apology, but she was mature enough to appreciate that he was trying.
"I think," he said slowly, "that you're right. They are easy to grow too, so long as the conditions are right. They can grow almost to twelve feet though — tell me, how much space will we need?"
Twelve feet tall? Aurora winced, for she hadn't realized they were quite so tall. It was difficult to tell from drawings, she supposed, but she had imagined them to be no taller than an average sized man.
"The greenhouse will have to be even taller, so that the plants don't feel crowded. And we want them to be evenly spaced, so that they have the chance to grow equally and without competition. I'll have Father discuss it with his builder friend."
"We would be better putting them in separate pots too, instead of sharing larger planters." After all, they wanted the angel's trumpets to have the best chance possible, not fighting over nutrients and space.
Once again, Lord Winters was nodding along in understanding. Although his blond hair was cut short, it was longer on top and had a habit of dropping into his eyes when he moved his head. It did so now, and it was oddly charming. Almost childlike, in the way he flicked it away and wrinkled his nose at the sensation.
Not that Aurora was paying special attention, of course, it was only that it was difficult to ignore when he kept on doing it.
Shaking her head, Aurora turned to her notebook. Although she had filled the most recent pages with messy drawings, she had made notes in the spaces around each image. Her handwriting was much prettier than her art skills, but oh well.
The most recent note read;will need to keep out bugs and flies.
Ah, right. They couldn't have their newly budding flowers get eaten by bugs — and in a garden like theirs, there were bugs aplenty. Some, like bees and wasps, were helpful. Others, like flies, were a nuisance and a terror for every garden-lover.
Lord Winters watched her, his eyebrows raised. "What is it?"
"Oh, I was just thinking."
A pause, as if deciding whether to continue. Then, almost hesitantly, he said, "if you have something to say, please say it. I'm interested in any insight you have to offer."
The immediate response welling inside of Aurora was to scoff; but she held that urge back. Hewastrying to be kinder, she thought, whether out of embarrassment or genuine respect she wasn't sure. The least she could do was offer him the same.
"The greenhouse glass will keep out most insects, but I think we should cover the door with some kind of netting, or tent to keep out the smaller bugs. That way, even when the door is open, we can slip through the netting without worry of shutting the door too slowly."
"That makes sense," he agreed, "what an excellent idea."
The compliment made heat rush to her face, staining her cheeks pink and burning her ears. Aurora ducked her head and tried not to think too much about why she even cared.
"Honestly, if angel's trumpet is as easy to grow as you say, I don't think we should have too much trouble. As long as we're vigilant and keep on top of our duties, we won't have a reason to worry. We'll have to be careful how we touch it however, so we don't injure ourselves. Gloves should be enough."
"I would think so. Mr. Russo has been growing them for years, and I don't think he ever got hurt. It's mostly consumption of the plant that causes issues. Although, if we're to test the potency of the plant..."
"We can worry about that later. First of all, we have to grow it first." She liked to be prepared, yes — but there was a difference between preparation and needless worrying, of which this was the latter.
"Now, perhaps we can begin an outline for our presentation. If we say three months for the building of the greenhouse and acquiring the samples, as well as any other materials we need, and we assume planting will begin right after, that's already a solid beginning."