A New Foundation Rochelle Alers (read aloud .txt) 📖

“That’s why people hire experts. I’m really looking forward to seeing everything.”

He heard confidence and not bravado in Sonja’s pronouncement. “I don’t think I’d have the patience to go through duplicate sets of china, silver, crystal, paintings and other knickknacks wealthy folks felt they needed to fill up every inch of space in a house. I wasn’t aware my father owned the house until a week ago. My mother kept dropping hints after the reading of his will that he’d left her some property he wanted her to give to their kids, but it wasn’t until I was able to see what she’d been talking about that I was completely overwhelmed with the enormity of it. Talk about sensory overload.”

“That’s because during the Gilded Age those with a higher concentration of wealth became more conspicuous. Art is divided into periods and the Bainbridge House falls between the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era in the l890s.” She paused. “What do you plan to do with it once it’s fully restored?”

“I want to operate it as a hotel and wedding venue.”

Sonja flashed a bright smile. “Long Island has the Oheka Castle, North Carolina the Biltmore House, and now New Jersey’s Bainbridge House will once again become a premier estate in America.”

Taylor’s smile matched hers. “I like the sound of that. I’d like to pick you up around ten tomorrow morning. If that’s not too early.”

“It’s not too early.”

“I recommend you wear boots because it rained earlier this morning and the ground may still be a little muddy.” When Sonja nodded, he continued, “Where should I pick you up?”

“I’ll be in front of La Casa Del Mofongo.”

All conversation about the Bainbridge House ended with the waiter’s approach to request their dining selections. Sonja ordered a mixed-green salad with lardoons and vinaigrette, and an entrée of ricotta gnocchi with white truffle oil, while Taylor selected salad lyonnaise, veal Milanese and marinated asparagus spears.

The seconds ticked while Sonja took another sip of wine, peering at him over the rim of the glass. “I like Vi’s toast to friends and family.”

Taylor nodded. “I like it, too.” Not only did he want them to become friends, he also wanted to hire her as the architectural historian for the restoration project.

“I’d like you to answer one question for me.”

He sobered. “What’s that?”

“How much do you know about your father’s ancestors?”

“Not much,” he answered truthfully. “Dad was raised by an unmarried aunt after his parents were killed in a boating accident. He was twelve at the time, and he claimed his aunt resented having to take care of him because she never wanted children. He left home to attend college and never moved back. His parents had set up a trust fund for him, which he was able to control when he’d turned twenty-one.”

“Once I research the history of Bainbridge House, I will let you know what I uncover on your family.”

It was obvious Sonja was unaware that he and Viola had been adopted; otherwise, she would not have assumed that they’d claimed Bainbridge blood. Years ago, following their legal adoption, the Williamson siblings had pledged not to advertise that they did not share DNA and consciously neglected to reveal they were adopted. It did not matter they were a mixed-race family. They were brothers and sister, and their parents were Conrad and Elise Williamson.

Taylor had had no knowledge of Bainbridge House or of the family for which it had been named until Easter Sunday, when Elise revealed that the property willed her by her late husband now belonged to her children for them to share equally. Bainbridge House and the land on which it sat made them instant multimillionaires. Taylor and the others agreed it wasn’t about money but carrying out the wishes of the man who had provided them with love, protection and selfless support in helping them realize their dreams. Conrad was a businessman, but he had taken on the role of father seriously. Although he’d put in long hours at his office, he always made certain to spend weekends with his family.

“Do you have a timeline to complete the restoration?” Sonja asked.

“I’m projecting at least two years. I have a brother who is an architectural landscaper. He currently has commissions to design the grounds of several A-list actors’ properties, but once he fulfills his obligations he’ll be able to focus on the gardens at Bainbridge House.”

Sonja’s lips parted in a smile. “Are you saying it’s going to be a family affair?”

“Yes.” It was going to become a family affair. “Patrick promised his fiancée he would join her family’s winemaking business once they are married. He’s a CPA and will financially monitor every phase of the restoration remotely.”

Dinner became a leisurely affair as Taylor listened to Sonja talk about the cities and countries she’d lived in and visited during her childhood. He was enchanted with her exuberance when she recalled the first time she saw the Mona Lisa and art masterpieces from the Renaissance. She admitted she’d been so enthralled with the Eternal City that more than once she’d considered moving to Rome to live. Their time together ended all too soon for Taylor when Sonja declined coffee and dessert saying she had to leave because someone was picking her up. He settled the bill, leaving a generous tip, and escorted her up to the street level.

“I see my ride across the street,” Sonja said. “I’ll see you tomorrow at ten.”

“Okay. Get home safely.”

He watched her walk across the street and get into the passenger seat of a late-model sedan. Viola said she wasn’t into dating, but that did not mean the man sitting behind the wheel was someone his sister did not know about. Although he’d found himself attracted to Sonja, Taylor knew nothing would come of it. It was to be business and nothing but business between them. Waiting until the car with Sonja pulled away from the