"Trust, Claire. Trust. It's moments like these that I need you to trust me," he answered, squuezing her hand. 

They had left the servants at the other side of Thames, because of the lack of passes, but in truth Nicholas didn't bother looking for extras. He believed that the two of them can manage to be without the comfort of being waite upon if only for oneHe noticHe noticed that she had forgotten to bring a parasol, maybe because she thought that there will be no need of one.

"Regarding your question earlier,"he started. "I can talk to my father about your proposal. I may look like I'm running most of the operations, but the final decisions all come from my father." But the truth was he couldn't give to the poor what he really don't have.

The arrival of the boy saved Nick from elaborating his answer. "Found you a carriage to the Royal Observatory, sir" announced the boy proudly.

"Thank you," Nick replied. To Clairehe added,"I hope you don't mind riding a hired carriage.I have reasons to believe that the experience is more or less the same, although there might be some exceptions."

Nick took Claire's hand and placed it on his arm. This way, she was closer and he could lean on her a bit. "It's not too far away from here," he assured her as they followed the boy. "However, I just realized that we might not see the night sky if we plan to make it back home tonight," he let her ride up the carriage first then sat beside her after the door closed.

The ride to the observatory wasn't too long and the person who had the reins knew the city all too well. soon enough, they Were dismounting and facing the imposing building of the observatory. "This is where the directions at Sea is being based, we re at the origin." He led her to the main entrance where he declared his presence.

"Might I see Professor White, please? Tell him that Mr. Rochford requests to meet with him."

The attendant at the front desk politely nodded. "I shall check if the Professor is available," she said. "In the meantime, please make yourself comfortable." She gestured to the sofa opposite the desk.

The professor, a middle-aged man of substantial size, walked into the room wearing his lab coat and glasses. His cheeks were flushed and his lips smiling wide. "Nicholas, my favorite boy," Professor White greeted. Then his eyes landed on Claire and a flash of a different kind of emotion showed for a fraction of a second before he was back to his cheerful self.