“A few.” Mother smiled. “Our eyes are not so keen as yours.”
Well, that was ironic, considering she was the only one in the family who wore spectacles. Elsa laughed. “Actually, it’s easier to identify them by sound first, and then I know what I’m looking for.”
“And what are you looking for?” It was Luke’s voice, but whenElsa turned toward him, it took her a moment to believe it was really him.
Standing, she greeted him, taking his hand. “I see you took my advice.” Even though he wore a homburg, she could see he’d gotten a haircut. And heaven help her, it looked good on him. She only hoped he realized it, too. “You’ve never looked better. Would you like to meet my mother?”
“Absolutely.”
Mother stood, and Luke shook her hand while introductions were made.
“Please, join us. I’d love to hear more about you and what you do.” Mother beckoned Luke to sit with them, and the two immediately fell into conversation.
“And your parents?” Mother asked. “It sounds like we might run in the same circles. I wonder if we’ve met them.”
Elsa held her breath, unsure if Luke would want to share about so painful a topic with someone he’d only just met. Then again, he’d shared with her already, and they hadn’t known each other long.
“There you are.” Father appeared from around the corner, looking dapper as always in a charcoal grey suit.
Elsa rose to greet him, and so did Mother and Luke. After introducing him to Luke, she asked, “How did you know where to find us?”
“Reeves came home after dropping you off. When he told me he was coming back to get you at an appointed time and place, I decided to come get you myself instead. Nice night for a walk, don’t you think?”
“Lovely,” Mother agreed. “We’ve been having a grand time getting to know Elsa’s friend Luke. You were about to tell us about your parents, dear.”
Elsa lifted an eyebrow at the endearment. Did she truly have an affection for Luke already? Not that anyone could blame her.Luke was far and away more impressive than any of the bachelors her parents had tried to pair her with, including Archer Hamlin.
“Please, have a seat, sir.” Luke gave up his spot on the bench and instead sat on a nearby boulder. He rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped. “My parents are Helen and William Dupont. Mother doesn’t get out much and hasn’t since we lost my brother during the war. I work for Father in architectural salvage.”
“Oh my heavens.” Mother pressed a hand to her heart.
Father cleared his throat. “We are terribly sorry to hear of your brother’s passing.” A beat of respectful silence followed. “Your family business has done well, I understand. Dupont & Son is highly regarded. Several of my clients have used your services, in fact, and sing your praises. Was this always your ambition, or do you have others?”
“I hadn’t planned on following in my father’s footsteps until after my brother, Franklin, died. I studied architecture at Harvard and in Paris before the war. Back then, I considered using salvage in architecture and design as cheating. But now I see it as saving what’s valuable even when everything else is crumbling down around it. The pieces that survive decay or destruction should not be discarded. It’s not always better to start from scratch. It’s better to preserve that which retains beauty and integrity whenever possible. To tell you the truth, working for my father has been a humbling experience that has taught me things I never learned at Harvard.”
Elsa found nothing of the arrogant aspiring architect in this version of Luke Dupont. “Have you ever shared that with your father?”
His lips pressed flat. “Probably not.”
“I think he’d really like to hear it,” she said quietly.
Father agreed. “And is this your long-term plan?”
“One day I’d like to restore historic buildings, too,” Luke said. “Instead of taking out the few pieces worth saving, it would be nice to save the entire structure when possible.”
Mother smiled. “Any interest in designing Manhattan skyscrapers one day?”
“You’re looking at the only Harvard-educated architect who isn’t.” Luke chuckled. “I’d rather preserve historic buildings in danger of being torn down and lost to us forever. Just because something is a little broken-down doesn’t mean it isn’t still precious and valuable.”
“In your line of work,” Father went on, “I suppose you’ve learned to place proper value on foundations and structural integrity, and not be so concerned with window dressing.”
Elsa had a feeling Father was veering into the philosophical now. She wondered if he meant to imply that Elsa had a good foundation and integrity, even if she wasn’t much to look at. But instead of taking offense, she smiled in amusement. She never felt unattractive around Luke. And more and more, she knew her parents loved her.
Soon, Mother stood and tugged Father up with her. “We really ought to be heading back home now,” she said.
A crease appeared between Father’s eyebrows. “Are you sure? I’m quite enjoying the company.”
“I’m sure.” Mother gave him a look that told him he ought to be, too. “Let the young people have some time before it gets too dark.”
