“Allow me to present to you the architect of Waux-Hall,” the man continued. “Monsieur Renoz.” There was a polite round of applause as a middle-aged man with a prominent nose and youthful expression stepped forward.
“Je vous remercie,” he said before switching over to an accented English as he invited them to step outside in front of the assembly hall. They followed dutifully, piling outdoors, where a balmy temperature and timid sun greeted them.
The crowd had separated naturally into groups, and James found himself close enough to Amy that he could move toward her without it appearing to be by design.
He stepped to her side and smiled. “Were you invited through Miss Bainesworth’s connections?”
She nodded, then inclined her head to Lady Spencer. “Her mother is there speaking to her friend, who is the largest investor in the project. And you?”
“Mr. Moreau’s aunt and uncle extended the invitation.”
The architect called their attention to the front edifice, and as James was unsure how he was to continue with what he wished to say to Amy, he focused his attention to the features Mr. Renoz was indicating.
The area in front of the edifice had a neat lawn and circularcourtyard, and the whole was surrounded by spruce and elm trees. The building’s central pavilion protruded and was flanked by ornamental turrets, its walls curving back to attach to recessed annexes on both sides. The architect explained how he had designed the construction with a theme of three, as both the central pavilion and the two annexes had three windows on each floor, even if those in the middle were much larger. After adding that he would be building a wing on the right side and covering it in white stucco to match the façade, he gestured for the crowd to follow him back inside.
“We have not had much occasion to speak since the night at La Redoute,” James said, staying resolutely at Amy’s side. “I was wondering how you are enjoying Spa.”
Her smile reached her eyes, much like how she had once been with him. “I like it very much. It is human-sized, if you understand what I mean. There is a comfortable variety of things to do and enough interesting people. I cannot help but think one does not easily grow bored here. What is it like in the winter?”
James thought about the winter months as they entered the curved wooden door on the left annex. “I have been focused on building my bathing structure at the Tonnelet—it is one of the sources—which meant I did not participate in many things of a social nature this past winter.”
They returned to the main hall, crossing in front of a statue of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, and he added, “Spa is quieter in those months, though. La Redoute reduces the number of assemblies it holds since few prominent families remain throughout the winter. Entertainment is achieved in a more private setting among friends.”
“I see.”
The architect called their attention to the fresco on the ceiling of the main hall, which showed three women reclining on a sunlit cloud, each playing an instrument or holding a laurel wreath. The painting was airy with luminous yellow-and-cream clouds anda lovely blue for the sky. At the clouds’ base was Cupid with his bow drawn, an arrow pointing straight at them. James studied Amy as she looked up at it.
“We will climb these stairs to reach the ballroom,” Mr. Renoz said as he led the way.
After climbing a few steps, Amy remarked, “Waux-Hall has a different feel to it than La Redoute. It is beautiful and elegant in its way, but with the smaller size it seems somehow more intimate.”
“Perhaps the ballroom has some surprises in store for us,” he said, allowing her to walk closest to the decorative iron railing as they went up. The wooden steps, which curved in the middle, were broad enough to allow five people to climb abreast. He was determined to speak to her about his regrets and not lose this opportunity, but he hardly knew how to begin and once again remained silent.
At the top, the architect led them through the spacious vestibule and through the grand arches that gave access into the main ballroom. This, James thought, equaled even La Redoute in elegance, despite its more intimate size. Four marble chimneys graced the four corners, each decorated with ornate medallions and mirrors that tricked the eye and doubled the room in size. Chandeliers would light the paintings on the ceiling at night, and people murmured their approval as they turned to admire the room’s entirety.
“ThecélèbreMr. Henri Duprez himself painted the ceiling,” Mr. Renoz announced, then began to point out the gods and goddesses of Olympia grouped on imposing clouds. It seemed as though the painter, in his zeal, had included every last one of the Roman deities.
James decided that he would have to make his own opportunity, and he touched Amy’s arm and stepped back from the others, indicating that he wished to say something. She stepped back with him.
His breath hitched when their gazes locked again. It must have been from nerves. “I hope you are not too interested in what thearchitect is saying, for I have something of a confidential nature I wished to say to you.”
She glanced around the room before answering. Others were speaking quietly in groups, but the majority of the people listened to Mr. Renoz. “You may tell me what it is you wished to say.”
“Right.” He swallowed. It was better to be out with it. “I have come to the conclusion that I owe you an apology, Miss Bridwell.”
Her brows furrowed, and she gave a tiny shake of her head. “I do not follow. For what?”
Mr. Renoz was now leading the crowd to the farthest fresco, which contained Minerva, Mars, and Hercules, explaining how Hercules was clothed in the lion skin of Nemea. They would not be overheard.
“I have reproached you these years when I should not have.” Although her eyes were steady on his, he could see she did not understand, and it forced him to continue. “I have always laid the blame for the end of our courtship at your feet, for I considered myself to have fought for our future in my willingness to defy both of our families while you did not. I was angry that you accepted Mr. Bromley’s suit, and it caused me to shut you out entirely. That is why I never inquired after you, when I would have learned that you had ended the betrothal.”
She looked away, saying softly, “I do not hear an apology.”
Invoking their past brought to the surface emotions he had long suppressed. It was not easy, but it was true he had not apologized.
“I did not consider the difficulty you would have faced in rejecting the public proposal at the time. You were young and have always been concerned with keeping your father happy, besides.”
The architect’s voice boomed in the empty room as Mr. Renoz pointed to the largest fresco in the center, which featured a bearded Jupiter. A few people glanced back their way. James would have to bring their confidences to an end if he did not wish to draw remark. He turned back to Amy.
