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NICO HAD SEEN HIS SHARE of family difficulties, especially in his own with so many very opinionated younger sisters.
But something more was at work here, and while it wasn’t his business, he didn’t like seeing Faith so distressed.
He smiled all the way back to his hotel, though, with a sore knee and a scrape along his arm that stung as he sweated in the hot sun, remembering how she had spoken to him so honestly words he never imagined hearing from her lips.
I like you so much.
Hope filled his heart as he washed up, grateful for the basin of cool water and fresh towels the maids had left for him, and took a light dinner in his room, where he pulled his thoughts from beautiful daydreams in which he and Faith walked hand in hand on the Cliff Walk, of her sweet voice as she told him more about herself and her family, about her own hopes for her future, and turned them to God.
His parents had bought all of their children Bibles when they learned to read, which was not a common practice for those who had to worry about feeding and caring for such a large family.
But as his mother said, it was best to have one close by, because there was always much to learn from it.
He opened his now, taking it from the small table by his bed, and began to read the first page to which he opened, until the light shining into his window faded and his eyelids fell closed, exhaustion taking over to lull him into a dreamless sleep.
When Faith appeared at Mr. Travers’ home the next morning, she was alone.
“I trust you are well, Faith? Are you ready to get to work?”
Nico frowned as he watched the expressions on his employer’s face and Faith’s, which told some sort of story they did not wish to share with him. More was being asked, and when Faith answered, he knew she was telling her uncle more than her words could say.
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s best I stay busy, I think. I’d like to speak with Aunt Catherine before I leave, so if you don’t mind me taking a few moments with her when she comes in with a tray, I’d appreciate it.”
She was polite, as usual, but clearly troubled, and Nico wished he could say something to ease her worry.
“Of course. Nico,” Mr. Travers turned to Nico with his hands on his hips, a smile on his face that did not look remotely real. “I hope you’re ready for this big project, because I’m counting on you. Faith is very helpful, and has strengths in her perception that I trust, but I’m paying you to contribute quite a bit, and once I explain what we’re designing, you’ll understand.”
Faith walked a bit closer to Nico and Mr. Travers, and Nico was relieved when she offered him a small smile.
Whatever was going on between her and her cousin, he prayed that it would be resolved so that they would both be happy again.
“I’ve never worked on a building of this scale, and neither have most architects with whom I've collaborated. The Armstrongs and I have come to an agreement on the creation of a skyscraper in Manhattan, one that may rival The Woolworth in its size.”
Nico felt his eyes grow wide, just as Faith sucked in a breath. But when he looked at her, she seemed enrapt while her uncle spoke, and he couldn’t help smiling.
Mr. Travers continued to speak of the client’s requirements and desires, of measurements and elements, and before long, they were all three taking turns sketching and making notations on a fresh sheet of paper on the large table they always used.
“I only wanted to get a feel for this, to get this working in my head with both of you to help me get a start on it, Nico, in case you’re wondering why we aren’t finishing up with the restaurant first.”
Truly, Nico hadn’t thought of his family’s project once that morning, and he probably should have. But he trusted Mr. Travers, so perhaps that was why he hadn’t been concerned.
Or he might have been caught up in the excitement of this incredible opportunity, to be involved in the design of such a magnificent building.
“One of Sam’s courier boys will be by later to pick up a copy of the notes from the Armstrongs’ lawyers, as there is a second firm consulting and they need this information, too. It’s highly confidential, and contains financial details that the Armstrongs certainly want to keep from their competitors.”
The Armstrongs, Nico knew, were a powerful banking family that weren’t quite of a social class with the Davenports, but Nico couldn’t explain why. The rich had ways in that regard he didn’t understand, and he didn’t need to waste his time finding out.
“Once the courier arrives and we get these notes off safe and sound, we can get back to the restaurant plans. I think we can make an appointment with construction for next week. Nico?”
Nico heard Mr. Travers speaking, and while he understood what the man was saying, he was distracted by Faith’s movements. She had wandered to the window and was looking out, possibly for the courier, but she seemed a bit distant now, as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
“I’m sorry, sir. That would please my parents very much. They would also be happy if the three of us would come to visit the grocery when we go into the city to watch as the work is being done.”
He kept his eyes on Mr. Travers even as he noticed Faith’s dress fluttering when she moved closer to him.
“The three of us?”
She was thinking of Thomas, and from the expression on Mr. Travers’ face, so was he.
Of course he was including Thomas, who was welcome as much as Faith and Mr. Travers was. And if Thomas knew what was good for him, he wouldn’t attempt to wrestle with him in Little Italy, where Nico had a wide array of friends and allies.
Besides, he didn’t think Thomas was going to attack him again. Whatever that had been, it was a spur of the moment, emotional response that may have been what Thomas needed to realize he was overreacting to Nico’s presence.
Was that why he wasn’t here today?
And maybe overreacting wasn’t the right word. What would Nico do if he saw a stranger watching one of his sisters, especially a boy he didn’t know, one who wasn’t from their neighborhood?
He thought of Anne Marie’s French suitor, and frowned. If his parents approved, it wasn’t a problem, but he still felt as if he should have taken the time to meet this boy when he was home.
“We would be happy to, I’m sure, and we’ll discuss that further when we get to that point. Oh, that must be the courier.”
Faith stood still, her gaze on her uncle as he rolled up a few papers neatly and tucked them into a cardboard tube.
“I can take that to him, Mr. Travers.”
The man shuffled through a few more papers on his desk, then repeated his actions, writing a few words on each tube before handing them over to Nico.
The tubes were identical, except for the writing on the sides, and Nico took them with a nod and walked out into the hall, watching as the young maid opened the door.
He heard voices behind him, Faith’s and her uncle’s, and they both sounded tense.
Before he could discern what they were talking about, which was truly none of his business, a boy who looked no older than his brother Gino was looking up at him, the girl waiting anxiously to his side.
“You must be the Duncan courier. These tubes go to two different parties, as marked on the side.”
The boy, his dark hair clipped close to his head, scratched at his ear and curled his lip before reaching out with both hands to take the packages from Nico.
Nico wondered what that expression was for, but maybe he was new at his job and either nervous or wary, although he couldn’t imagine Gino making such a disrespectful face at his elders.
Their mother would be after him with a wooden spoon if she ever caught him at it.
The boy ignored the maid and turned away without a word, and the girl shut the door firmly behind him.
“Well, I never . . .” she ventured under her breath, and Nico allowed himself to chuckle, stepping away and heading back to the study before she could turn around and realize that he had heard her.
“There’s no hurry, especially since he’s here for a longer time now, and I know you understand that. I’m glad you came to me with this, though, and that you feel like you can confide in me.”
He stood just outside the open doorway, catching Mr. Travers’ voice although it was very low.
“My own situation, when I met your Aunt Catherine, was not an easy one, and it was of my own doing as well. But we ended up together, as we were meant to, and if you and Nico are meant to have a chance to see how you might feel about each other once you’ve spent more time together, that will come about in due time as well.”
She was talking to her uncle about him? Nico closed his eyes, wondering when he should walk in. Now, before the discussion continued?
Would it be obvious that he had heard them, even if he did his best to school his features otherwise?
How could he, knowing that she had taken a step forward that young ladies generally did not. Men took the initiative and asked to court.
He couldn’t help smiling at the idea. Faith had her own mind, and wasn’t afraid to speak it. Not only that, but she found a way to do it that didn’t hurt anyone.
Except this would definitely upset Thomas.
“The tubes are on their way.”
He spoke a little too loudly when he ventured into the room, finding Mr. Travers and his niece standing close together by the window, where they would have seen the courier leave.
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
Mr. Travers offered Nico a measured smile, and looked at him carefully, as if he was inspecting him for something. Nico tried not to smile, knowing exactly why he was getting this examination.
But Faith had a family situation, or rather two, if the issue with Thomas could be included. Spending time with him would not be a priority right now, and he understood that.
“I would like you to come to dinner sometime, at my home, but I’m afraid I don’t know when just yet. I did want to ask, to see if you would be interested.”
Faith’s voice trailed off as she finished speaking, her words a surprise to Nico.
Mr. Travers covered his face with his hand, then looked up at the ceiling.
“My mother’s been ill, and I don’t want to trouble her.”
She glanced at her uncle, but he kept his focus on a curved wooden design above him, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
“I understand, and I would be honored. I wouldn’t want to cause any difficulties, however,” Nico admitted.
“Strawberry lemonade for anyone who is thirsty,” Mrs Travers’ voice sang out, but she stopped as soon as she stepped into the room and looked the three of them over. “All of you sit down, right now.”
Nico found that he couldn’t disobey her, and after watching Mr. Travers and Faith take their usual seats for their lemonade and cookie break, took his own.
He found the idea of having a regular place here in Mr. Travers’ study a comfort, a part of the promise he felt the position held for him and his future.
Would his time here in Newport also hold the potential for a future with Faith?