“Construction?” Ertugrul repeated, his interest apparent. “What sort of construction?”
“Oh, the very latest,” she enthused. “Concrete floors, a cast-iron frame filled in with London stock brick, and Portland stone on the front layer of the building.” She handed him his tea.
“Go on,” he encouraged.
She chuckled. “Really, you needn’t seem interested on my account—”
“But I am,” he insisted. “Construction of the latest palace and two universities has been my...life... these past few years. David can attest to it since he’s been so involved as well.”
Adeline returned to her seat. “Well, I’m of an age where I’ve been able to watch the expansion happen since I was a very young girl. I’ve seen a field be replaced with rows upon rows of giant Portland stone blocks. Entire wings rising from the ground,” she said in wonder. “When it’s done, it will be a quadrangle building with enormous steps and Greek columns and a pediment.”
“How far from now will that be?” Ertugrul asked. If he’d been in charge, it would have already been done. His father would have demanded it be finished in a reasonable amount of time.
“About ten years, I think,” Adeline replied. “I should still be alive to see it.”
A slight guffaw escaped the sultan’s son. “Have you seen anything of this new construction actually finished?” he teased.
Adeline dipped her head. “Not the West Wing yet, but once, I was able to go into the East Wing. About twelve years ago. They had completed the King’s Room, you see. Three-hundred feet long, thirty feet wide, and forty-one feet high,” she said, barely able to hide her enthusiasm. “Due to its enormity, it required cast iron beams to hold up the ceiling,” she explained. “Because it was so heavy due to the ornamentation.”
“It sounds quite impressive,” he remarked. “Why only once?”
She inhaled to respond and then angled her head to one side. “It was opened for an inspection, but then it was closed to the public.” When she noted Ertugrul’s look of confusion, she said, “It was built to house the king’s library, you see, but you have to have a special ticket to gain access.” Her eyes rounded. “Which I’m sure we could arrange.”
Ertugrul straightened. “I would be very interested,” he replied. “You mentioned a new wing?”
She nodded. “I’ve no idea how many exhibits have been set up in it yet, but it’s as large as the East Wing.”
He drained his tea and regarded her with a grin. “What time must I be ready to depart?” he asked.
She tittered. “We’ll go after breakfast, which will probably be set up in the breakfast parlor by nine o’clock.”
“Where will I find this breakfast parlor?”
Adeline’s eyes rounded. “Oh, you haven’t yet had a tour,” she realized. “Well, it’s on the ground floor, one door down from the dining room. You’ll smell the bacon before you...” She clamped her mouth shut, wondering if anyone had informed the cook that their guest wouldn’t be eating any pork.
“Although I won’t be eating it, I can still enjoy the aroma,” he said with a grin.
“I’m sure our cook will have something else available by way of a meat course for the morning,” she replied. Her gaze went to the mantel clock. “Oh, dear. It’s nearly midnight,” she said as her eyes rounded. “I apologize for keeping you up so late.”
He chuckled. “It is I who should apologize,” he countered. “I didn’t mean to keep you so long.”
“I don’t mind. I could talk about the museum for hours, but I think you already know that.”
Rising from the settee, Ertugrul offered a hand. Adeline took it and allowed him to help her up before she placed her arm on his and they made their way out of the parlor. “About tomorrow night... what must I do to reserve some dances with you?”
“With me?” Adeline replied in surprise.
“Do you not dance?”
She inhaled to respond and finally said, “I do, but we’re allowed only two with the same gentleman.”
“Can the waltz be one of them?”
Adeline felt the oddest flip in her stomach, which had her nearly missing a step on the stairs. “I suppose. Could I request that your other waltz be with Lady Rose?”
He allowed a shrug. “I shall dance a waltz with Lady Rose. That is, if her card is not already full.”
“I’m quite sure she’ll have a line or two for you,” Adeline said with a great deal of satisfaction.
