cream shirt and cravat, stepped out from the carriage. He held his top hat in one hand and with the other he pushed back his over-long hair, the colour of wet sand. He must have been at least six foot four, a height Nicola had rarely seen.
“Good day to you, Miss Douglas.” He spoke with an accent she hadn’t heard before.
“Welcome, sir.”
Mr Belfroy bustled forward. “Miss Douglas, please meet Mr Hilton Warner. He is my cousin’s son, but his mother and I grew up like brother and sister, so Hilton calls me uncle.”
Nicola found her hand taken and kissed. “If I’d known Australia held such beauties, I would have travelled here long ago.” His tanned face broke into an easy smile, crinkling the corners of his hazel eyes.
“Where are you from, Mr Warner, if I may ask?”
“America. The North, but you won’t hold that against me, will you Miss Douglas?”
“I’m sure I won’t, Mr Warner.” Nicola smiled, and gestured to the front door. “Please, won’t you come in? Though I do apologise for the state of the house. I’m not even certain I can offer you refreshments at the moment.”
Warner boldly held out his arm and after a brief hesitation Nicola placed her hand on it. “We don’t need refreshments, Miss Douglas, for we can drink of your beauty.” He frowned as she chuckled. “Was that too overdone?”
“Indeed it was, sir, but I’ll forgive you.” Laughing, she led them inside, where she gave him a guided tour, while Mr Belfroy spoke to the ladies about their job prospects.
Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, Nicola and Mr Warner paused to stare out of the window at the view of the water in the distance. Nicola glanced at the tall American. “When did you arrive in the country, Mr Warner?”
“Yesterday evening.” He leaned against the wall beside the window and gazed at her.
A little flustered at his attentions, she fiddled with the lace curtain, which was in need of a good wash. “And you came specifically to see Mr Belfroy?”
“No, that wasn’t the only reason. I came to open some trade routes for my businesses.”
“How interesting. May I ask what kind of business?”
“Exports and imports between my country and this one.” He folded his arms casually. “My uncle is a clever man, I think.”
“Oh?”
“His passionate endeavours to help abandoned females brings him into contact with admirable women such as yourself. I wish I had thought to champion such a cause and therefore be forever surrounded by elegant loveliness.”
Nicola stiffened. “I can assure you, sir, that Mr Belfroy, your uncle, is most respectful and in no way-”
“Whoa! Hold up there, Miss Douglas.” Warner pushed off the wall and stepped closer. “I meant no disrespect.”
“That is not how it sounded, Mr Warner.”
“Then I shall beg your forgiveness for my crassness.” Teasing replaced the concern in his eyes. “I am indeed backward in my manners, Miss Douglas. I meant no harm with my clumsy humour.”
She nodded. “Yes, indeed. I am too sensitive on the subject. Unfortunately I have seen the ugly side of our situation and, no doubt, will continue to do so.”
“My uncle spoke of the atrocities suffered by good women who only long for decent work. While I am here, I hope to help in any way I can.”
“Really? That is pleasing.”
“I have promised my uncle that I will invest in this house and charity.” He looked around the room. “I think you will need all the extra help you can get.”
“Very true.” Nicola sighed, staring at the faded wallpaper, its rose pattern hardly visible anymore. “I have plans, Mr Warner. This house will be a shining example of our abilities to cope as single, educated women.”
“Will you tell me all about your plans over dinner?”
She shied away from his earnest expression. “I don’t think that would be possible.”
“Why?”
“There is so much to do here. I have days of organising and we could get new arrivals at any time...”
Warner smiled. “Have you run out of excuses now?”
Unable to help herself, she returned his smile and sighed. What harm would there be in having dinner with this man? “Very well. Where shall I meet you?”
“On my ship.” He turned and waved out towards the distant harbour. “I’m staying aboard my ship. The captain is my partner.”
“I see. How exciting.”
“You will come?” He looked as hopeful as a boy at Christmas.
“Only if I can bring my friend, Meg, Miss Robinson.”
“Excellent. Let’s say tonight, around seven?”
She raised her eyebrows at his eagerness. “Tomorrow, around eight?”