“They would be magnificent in marble, my lord,” Daniel replied, relieved the judge wasn’t deterred by such a costly feature. “As would the floor. The curve is repeated in the wall on left of the entry,” he explained, pulling the drawing of the front elevation from the stack and lining it up over the floor plan. “Which goes all the way up to the roof, as does the curved wall on the right, so the front of the house will appear as a half-cylinder with columns on either side and a set of double doors in the center.”
McDonald examined the elevation drawing and nodded appreciatively. He returned his attention to the first floor plan.“Parlor should be right at the top of the stairs, and...” He used a pudgy finger and pointed to where Daniel had penciled in the word ‘library’ in the space next to the parlor with a question mark. “Let’s put the library downstairs next to the study.”
“Downstairs?” Daniel repeated in surprise.
“The fewer stairs I have to climb, the better,” the judge commented. “In fact, just put the studyinthe library...” He pointed to the area where Daniel had indicated a small parlor could be located. “And then you can double the size of the parlor on the first floor. Clara will be able to host her hen parties in a single room rather than having to flit about several rooms in an effort to make everyone feel welcome.”
Daniel suppressed the urge to grin, his imagination conjuring Lady McDonald hurrying from one room to the next, never having the chance to actually sit and play cards or drink tea—or whatever it was that ladies drank at hen parties.
A larger parlor meant there wouldn’t be a support wall, though. He quickly decided where he could place a row of support columns, their capitals carved in the manner of the Greek Doric style. “Very well, my lord. Is there anything else you’d like me to include?”
The judge considered his query a moment and sighed. “I suppose I should be sure the second floor has those newfangled bathing chambers next to the bedchambers,” he said.
“I’ll be sure they’re included,” Daniel replied. “I, uh, I have included one off the parlor,” he added, pointing to a small room at the back. “And one down here near your study.” He lifted the vellum to point to a small room directly beneath the one he had referenced at the back of the parlor.
“Capital,” McDonald replied. “Make the one off the parlor a bit larger, would you? These lady’s gowns aren’t getting any smaller, dammit. The only ones benefitting from those huge skirts are the drapers and textile manufacturers,” he groused.
Daniel grinned. “My sentiments exactly,” he agreed. “I shall see to enlarging the retiring rooms,” he added, writing a few quick notes in the margins of the floor plan. When he glanced up, he discovered the judge watching him, a pained expression on his face. “What is it, my lord?”
McDonald shook his head. “For a man who looks as if Aphrodite and Apollo were his parents, you’re not particularly vain, are you?”
Opening his mouth to respond, Daniel quickly closed it but chuckled. He finally lifted a shoulder in a shrug of resignation. “I can’t really help how I look, sir,” he said.
“You could be an exhibit in your own zoo and be charging admission. Then you’d have enough blunt to marry in only a week or two.”
Daniel’s face flushed red. “Thank you. I think,” he replied.
“The sooner you’re off the marriage mart, the better it will be for the rest of us mortal men.”
Dipping his head, Daniel murmured, “I have every intention of marrying, once I can afford a wife.”
“Well, send me an invoice for what you’ve done so far,” McDonald ordered, waving to the floor plans. “That should be enough to tide you over until they’re all done. I’ll sign the contract your secretary sent and be sure to send other potential clients your way.”
Daniel swallowed at hearing the judge’s comment. “Yes, my lord. Thank you.”
With that, Lord Geoffrey McDonald took his leave of Daniel’s office.
When Daniel noticed Arthur’s attention directed at him, he cocked a dark brow.
The secretary bowed to the judge and waited until the man was out the door before he joined Daniel in his office.
“What is it?” Daniel asked.
“This arrived for you whilst you were with his lordship,” Arthur said, holding out a white envelope.
Daniel furrowed a brow, taking the missive in hand. “Who delivered it?” he asked, studying the writing which included only his name in an even script on the front.
“A caddy. Not one I recognized,” Arthur replied, referring to the young boys who acted as couriers in the city.
Daniel unfolded the envelope and frowned as he read the feminine script.
Dear Daniel,
I am so sorry.
I never intended for our brief reunion to result in yours—or my—ruination. I was so overcome by the sight of you—how is it a man can be so handsome as you are?—I could not help my reaction.
Can you ever forgive me? I’ll do whatever I must to correct this most unfortunate situation.
