The double doors were closed when he arrived, a signboard posted beside them listed the name of the lecture, the presenting professor and when the presentation was scheduled to start.

7:00 p.m.

Cal checked his watch. 7:12

He let out a dejected breath, and as quietly as he could, opened one of the doors and slipped inside.

Cal had changed his shirt twice, and was still debating over whether he should bother with cufflinks before he finally left his suite and hastily went in search of an attendant who could direct him to the evening lecture. He didn't want to arrive early and beat Ada there, but he hated that this confounded indecisiveness had made him so late. Cal was too much in his own head for their meeting and had spent the entire walk over trying to dispel the uncharacteristic concern that kept scrambling his thoughts. Why should she care how nicely he dressed, anyway? He was still her employer, and this was just an opportunity to explain and apologize for his behavior the night before. Over the last few months, Ada had proved herself as an essential staple within his household and a bedrock of security for Evelyn's happiness. He couldn't risk her resigning because of his careless mistake. Yes…that's why this was so important.

The room inside was dark, the atmosphere hushed and contemplative. A magic lantern set up in the center of the moderately-sized hall illuminated the far wall, dissecting the darkness with a flickering warmth that captured the dust in the air, the smoke drifting from someone's cigarette, and the occasional racing shadows of insects as they dove in and out of the lantern's beam. Professor Aims, a portly gentleman -given the shape of his silhouette- stood beside the lantern, new glass plates in hand and at the ready as he spoke slowly and confidently about the specimen currently on display.

Cal's eyes swept the darkness, scanning the mostly empty rows of folding chairs until he spotted Ada's keen gaze. She had turned when hearing the door open and close, and upon meeting his eye, raised a gentle hand to signal him over. Cal selected a handout from the stack by the door and gingerly made his way to the seat beside her.

The wooden chair creaked as he sat down, coaxing a reproachful look back from one of the six other attendees. Cal sent the man an apologetic nod before opening the pamphlet, his eyes scanning the text without reading a word.

"Sorry I'm late." He whispered, keeping his eyes on the reading material.

"That's alright." She whispered back.

Casting a glance her way, Cal saw that Ms. Kruger's attention remained focused on the presentation. She held an open journal in her lap and appeared to be taking notes. Cal wondered if she was always so studious, or if the topic was of particular interest to her. Instead of asking, he too turned his attention toward what Professor Aims was saying -something about sea anemones- but found it hard to focus.

Was now the time to talk with her; Speaking in hushed tones as if they were spies exchanging covert information? That idea didn't sit well with Cal. It cast an unsavory light on their meeting, as if it was some secret affair, unfit for the light of day. He wanted this to be different. A respectable exchange, to amend his previously ungentlemanly behavior. And since Ada appeared to be invested in the presentation, Cal decided it was best to wait and speak with her afterward.

Halfheartedly, he tried to care about what Professor Aims was saying: that New Jersey's shoreline was host to a unique biome of sea life and waterfowl, an ecosystem increasingly endangered by the development of larger, more intrusive resorts. Jadedly, Cal wondered if the hotel was aware of the professor's stance on the subject, doubting they'd have hosted the lecture series if they knew the full extent of his presentation. Granted, he managed to toe the line, discussing both the positive impact of resort patronage toward maintaining tidepool habitats as well as the disruptive nature of too many tourists in and around the delicate landscape.

Having grown up surrounded by progressive industry, forged by the fire and heat of his father's steel mills, environmentalism had never been top of mind for Cal. His mother and sisters expressed some interest in the cause, mostly in maintaining local parks and wilderness areas back home in Pennsylvania. But, Cal thought to himself, if he were to invest in conservation, he would be far more interested in the wild might of Muir's Yosemite, not some spineless creatures living in the seaside puddles of New Jersey.

"I will be leading a walk along the coastline tomorrow afternoon," Professor Aims said, "If anyone in attendance would like the chance to observe specimens like the ones we've discussed here tonight, you're welcome to accompany us. The Long Branch Naturalist Society will meet at the dock house at One and depart a quarter after. Thank you for your interest and participation. This concludes tonight's presentation. Lights, please, Anthony."

A modest clapping was given by the few in attendance as the overhead lights bloomed, scattering the darkness with a warm and sleepy ambiance. Cal observed the other people in the room, curious to see who else besides a professor's daughter was interested in evening lectures while on vacation in Long Branch.

"What did you think of the presentation, Mr. Hockley?" Ada asked politely, instantly drawing his gaze to her open expression.

"It was informative." He replied plainly. "Not the most enthralling topic, but curious none the less." No need to elaborate on his passive musings, Cal thought. Afterall she was just making appropriate conversation.

Ada closed her notebook, sealing it shut with a fine leather strap. "My father always manages to find some educational activity for us wherever we go. He can't relax if his mind isn't working or absorbing new information. I suppose it was partially out of habit that I sought this out, but, I admit, not having spent much time on the coast, the difference in the wildlife is fascinating. If it's alright with you, I'd like to encourage Evelyn to try the nature walk tomorrow. Perhaps the chance to see the unusual creatures will help her get closer to the shoreline."

Cal cracked a smile. Knowing how much she enjoyed the animals at the zoo, he imagined his daughter's wonder at getting to see something up close in the wild, even if it was just a crab or a starfish. "I'll check with Cora and see what time they're planning to depart. If we're still here, I'm sure Evelyn would love it."

Ada gave him a small smile and nodded before rising from her chair. Cal followed suit, waiting for the governess to exit their row before stepping behind her.

"Would you like to speak with the professor?" Cal asked cautiously, seeing that two of the other participants had gathered around him to ask questions.

"No, that's alright." Ada quietly replied. Lowering her voice even further, she leaned in, adding, "Having attended a lifetime of lectures, I agree with your assessment, Mr. Hockley. This one was a little dull for my liking."

Ms. Kruger's eyes were bright, and the spark of her harmless jab eased some of the tension in Cal's chest. He found himself drawn to her energy and stepped ahead to open the door for her, aiding their escape into the quiet hallway.

"Have you eaten?" He asked.

"I have."

"Then…may I escort you back? Or, do you have other academic plans for the evening?"

"No," she laughed, "one presentation is plenty."

His smile returned, tight and out of practice but genuine, pleased that she seemed at ease in his company. "We can take the boardwalk." Cal gestured toward the exit, his suggestion more of a direction but still gentle in tone. Ada nodded and together they left the hotel, stepping out into the comfortable night air.

Ada's demeanor remained light and open as they began their stroll, helping to quell Cal's anxiety and bringing back the air of confidence he was accustomed to. Not allowing hesitation to creep back in, Cal addressed the issue head on, keeping his voice low and direct so only she could hear him.

"Ms. Kruger, I owe you an apology for my behavior last night. My actions were ungentlemanly and careless and completely out of line. I put you in a compromising situation and for that abhorrent misconduct, you have my sincerest regret." Ada looked up at him, her expression difficult to read in the moonlight. She opened her mouth to respond but Cal quickly continued, hoping he could stay her reprimand if only for a moment longer. "It's no excuse, I know, but… before you found me on that wall, I was having one of the worst nights of my life. An old wound that was just starting to heal was viciously sliced open and I…" God, I'm sharing too much. "…well, needless to say I wasn't prepared for it. None of that, however, justifies how I took advantage of your kindness, and for that I apologize."

Ada stopped walking causing Cal to stop too as he turned, meeting her face on. She searched his eyes briefly before casting her gaze away, turning the notebook nervously in her hands. "I appreciate your apology, Mr. Hockley, but there's no need to defame yourself so harshly. No harm was done. Unless… you feel uncomfortable now with my being here-"

"I don't." Cal insisted, his brow furrowing, wishing she'd raise her eyes again. "Not in the slightest, Ms. Kruger. I'd understand, of course, if you decided to leave but… it is my hope that you'll chose forgiveness and stay, if only for Evelyn's sake. If you do, I can promise you, something like this will never happen again."

Honey eyes framed by umber lashes met the icy blue of his own. The expression therein was not relief as Cal expected but something prying, inquisitive. Was she assessing his sincerity? Weighing her options? Unsure as he was, Cal was never one to back down, so he held her gaze and allowed her to look into him, hoping whatever she found, along with his promise, were satisfying enough reasons to stay.

With a breath her gaze softened, and Cal briefly witnessed something vulnerable behind her eyes, something wanting. But quick enough to make him second guess his observation, her features reset, swapping Ada's pretty stare for Ms. Kruger's stable expression. "So long as my services are needed, I have no intention of leaving."

"Well…good. That's very good of you, thank you." Cal said. He'd heard what he wanted to hear but it was the words unspoken that left him in suspense.

"No thanks necessary, Sir, truly. If your evening was as bad as all that, I'm honestly glad I was there to help. Not that you needed it, I'm sure you could have gotten down by yourse-"

"I needed it, Ada. You've helped me immensely and I'm very grateful."

She blinked at the sound of her name, cradled softly in his heavy voice. A tentative smile pulled at the corner of her mouth, but she controlled her expression, wetting her lips as she nodded. "You're very welcome."

In that moment, Cal hoped she'd say more. He felt there was more he had to say, but for the life of him he couldn't put the feeling into words. All the while an invisible wall stood between them, open for a minute of honesty, but now the bricks were falling back into place, reinforcing their roles and the boundaries Cal had set out to amend. With a click the wall was complete, the moment passed, and the opportunity ended.

Cal resumed his steady pace, Ada walking beside him, silently making their way back through the quiet serenade of the waves upon the shore.