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Agnes crooked an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Agnes,” Edwin said sharply. “Think for a minute.”

Agnes’s brow creased. It took several seconds, but eventually, her eyes seemed to flash with understanding.

“Oh,” she said. “Yes, that complicates things a bit.”

Edwin shook his head. “Not only a bit. Two men with our inclinations finding each other and choosing to be together would have been complex enough. But I can’t know whether he’d still want me if we ever . . .” He sighed. “Anyway, I still want to be his friend, regardless. But I know if I spend too much time with him, then I’ll want more than friendship. And yet, I wonder if it even matters since I can’t seem to stop thinking about him anyway. Andrew and I haven’t seen each other in weeks, but I’m still . . .”

“Smitten?” Agnes tried.

“It’s silly,” Edwin said, frowning. “I barely even know him. I mean, we had a few pleasant interactions over the last two months or so, and we had that afternoon together when he taught me how his camera worked, but that’s it. I can’t risk everything for a series of sweet smiles and a couple of shared looks.”

Edwin’s cynical words hung between them for a few ticks of the clock, and then Agnes began to rub Edwin’s back, moving her hand in small circles.

“Do you think there’s a chance,” Edwin said softly, “that he’d still want me?”

“You’re a wonderful man, Edwin. He’d be a fool not to.”

Edwin smiled a little. Oh, how he wanted it to be true.

“Will you write back?” Agnes asked, and Edwin nodded. “And will you offer your help?”

But to that, Edwin could only shrug. Agnes’s hand fell from Edwin’s shoulder, and she hugged him from behind instead.

“You’ll make the right choice,” she said next to his ear.

Edwin closed his eyes and let out a long breath. He hoped so.

After a moment more, Agnes released him and left the room, bringing the newspaper with her. Edwin stared at the blank sheet of paper in front of him. Minutes crept by, his stomach roiling and heart hammering as he wondered what the right choice might be.

Finally, Edwin picked up his pen and began his reply.

Chapter Eleven

Andrew

Clutching the strap of his black camera bag, Andrew blew out a nervous breath as he waited for Edwin and William to arrive at the station on the east side of Albany, close to the Hudson River. Already Andrew had loaded the bulk of his equipment onto the specified train car, but afterward, he’d come back out onto the platform to meet his friends.

Soon, he’d be in one of the largest cities in the world. Not merely walking the streets, either, but taking photographs of some of New York’s richest families. He could only hope that he wouldn’t make a fool of himself. Luckily, he’d have Edwin’s help.

Edwin.

Andrew’s stomach fluttered. In only a few short minutes, he’d be sitting next to Edwin on the train. Or, well, maybe he’d wind up sitting next to William, but still, Edwin would be there in the same train car.

Closing his eyes, Andrew reread Edwin’s letter in his mind. Edwin’s response had been the only communication they’d had with each other about the trip. Most of it had been planned through William. Consequently, Andrew had reread Edwin’s letter so many times he’d memorized it, word for word.

Dear Andrew,

I was so charmed to hear from you. I have been missing your company and your conversation, as you said you have been missing mine. I must offer you my sincerest congratulations on your newest business opportunity, though it pains me to learn that you are worried about the outcome of it. I pray the reassurances I want to offer might relieve you of some of your unease.

Dearest friend, it is my strongly held opinion that it is natural to be nervous when presented with an invitation such as the one you recently received. Take heart, Andrew, the uncertainty you feel is most assuredly not a consequence of a lack of skill on your part. In fact, I believe your nervousness only proves your commitment to your profession. You are nervous because you care. And I find that inspiring. I am confident that your photographs will be beloved by every single person who receives them.

Still, if reading these heartening words on paper has not calmed your fears, then I will happily say them to you in person. And, if you are still in search of someone who can provide some help on your trip, then I would be honored to accompany you, both as an assistant and as a friend.

Write back soon.

Sincerely,