It made Elmore realized that he had been standing this entire time, after launching to his feet in a fit of anger. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat and sat down again, hands placed neatly on the table.
"I apologize for my outburst," he said seriously, "Aurora, you didn't need to hear or see that. Perhaps I could apologize by telling you about my idea?"
Aurora's smile was small and unsure, but genuine in a way that made his heart flip. "I would love to hear whatever idea you have."
Well, it began with the fact that Elmore had already ordered a sample of the angel's trumpet from Mr. Russo — it was due any day now. With that sample alone they didn't have enough for any tests or research, but it was physical evidence of what they planned to do.
He said as much, ending with, "and I think if Lord Foley sees it, we could convince him to come around. He seems like a man who is easily swayed by his own gain, perhaps we could make him an offer of some kind; an offer that doesn't include things like marriage."
Aurora shifted in her seat, lips pursed into a thin line. She appeared unconvinced, which was a shame given that Elmore only wished to help.
"I suppose it could work," Mr. Washam said brightly. He was always the optimistic one, always the one to see the bright side when Aurora and Elmore couldn't. "There's only one problem; what if he insists on this preposterous idea of marriage?"
"If we can't convince him on our own merit, then it isn't worth it anyway." Elmore was certain of that.
A smile twitched at Aurora's lips in silent agreement. He didn't miss the hopeful expression on her face, or how she seemed to straighten, as if some of her old confidence had returned.
Elmore hated that Lord Foley had such a profound effect on Aurora. She was a beautiful woman, and incredibly talented; she didn't deserve this treatment at all!
Mr. Washam looked as if he were about to reply — but he never had the chance, as at that moment there came a knock at the door. Mr. Washam jolted to his feet to answer, vanishing into the hall.
"Who could it be at this time?" Aurora asked with a sigh, "Father, can't you ask them to come back another time?"
Soft voices from the hall. A grunt of disapproval that sounded like Mr. Washam. Then the man in question stuck his head through the sitting room door and said, "I'm afraid that won't be possible. It's Lord Foley."
Elmore stiffened, immediately glancing past Mr. Washam to try and get a view of the hall. Wherever Lord Foley was standing, he was just out of sight.
"Tell him to leave."
Mr. Washam shook his head. "He insists on staying until he can speak with Aurora. If it's all right, dear, I feel we'd be best getting this over with today."
That was fair, Elmore supposed. He knew that Lord Foley wouldn't simply disappear if they refused to acknowledge the issue. It was, as Mr. Washam said, better to get it over with.
Even if Elmore would have rather thrown him out of the house himself.
Slowly, Aurora stood. She brushed golden hair from her eyes and seemed to steady herself, taking in a deep breath. Then, she slipped past Mr. Washam and into the hall.
Elmore quickly followed, aware of Mr. Washam right behind him.
Lord Foley looked as smug as ever, a sarcastic little smile spreading across his lips as he spotted Aurora. His hair was slicked back in a way that simply made it appear greasy, flattened against his head so not a single strand was out of place. There were a few greys that Elmore hadn't noticed before.
"Ah, Miss Aurora!" Lord Foley greeted brightly. He stepped forward as if to take Aurora's hand — but she slid out of his grasp before his hand could close around her. It didn't seem to bother him, however, as he simply continued on. "I know my arrival here is unexpected, but it has been two weeks and you haven't replied. I assume that you have come to a decision on my offer?"
Although Aurora opened her lips to reply, Elmore cut in first. Aurora was distressed and tired, and she shouldn't have to put up with Lord Foley's nonsense.
"You have no right to come here unannounced, Lord Foley. With all due respect, we were in the middle of a discussion, and I don't approve of the intrusion."
He made sure to put special emphasis onall due respect,because the amount of respect Lord Foley deserved was none.
Lord Foley scowled, but it was hardly menacing. He was a short man with a slight frame, wearing a hideous monocle that looked permanently five seconds from falling off his face.
Elmore would have been ashamed to cover beneath the glare of such an undeserving man.
"Now," Elmore said brightly, with a false smile on his lips. "I would like to make a few things clear to you — unless anybody has a protest?"
Lord Foley parted his lips as if to answer, but it was Aurora who snapped, "not you, Lord Foley. You have no right to protest when you are the one under fire."
He shrank back at that, glare only intensifying.