Kit gazed across the water in awe. She’d never seen real skyscrapers, and she could feel the excitement all around her as the crowd took in the splendid sight.
As the pilots navigated the great vessel into the Hudson River basin, the band began to assemble on deck. A flotilla of smaller craft started gathering around their ship. “It’s like a parade!” Kit cried excitedly. “Look!” She pointed to the fireboats shooting up great fountains of water, their whistles blowing loudly. Tugboats moved closer to take the lines dangling from the Olympic, and Colt explained that they were needed for the intricate maneuver into the slip where they would dock.
The band played a rousing rendition of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, and even though the February day was cold and windy, the crowd on deck began to dance and sing, caught up in the whirling excitement of arriving in America. They cheered and waved at the Statue of Liberty as the boat moved past America’s most famous landmark.
Kit and Colt smiled, but they did not join in the revelry, for each was lost in his own thoughts. It was a momentous occasion, and it marked the beginning of a new, very different life.
Marilee appeared suddenly, breathless with excitement. “Isn’t this wonderful?” she cried, hugging them both. Then she said to Kit, “You’re so lucky, you get to stay here! I’d give anything if I could, but I’m coming back as soon as I finish school, right, Uncle Colt?”
“Of course,” Colt said, kissing her cheek. “You’re part of our family, and don’t you ever forget it.”
“Oh, this is wonderful!” Kitty joined in, her eyes shining as she looked about in wonder.
Travis walked up, looking worried. “I can’t find Valerie anywhere,” he said. “I went to her cabin, but no one’s there. I think her chaperone deliberately arranged it so that I couldn’t see her this morning.”
“Why would she do that?” Kit asked.
So Colt wouldn’t overhear, Travis whispered in her ear, “Valerie says she’s afraid that her parents wouldn’t have approved of us seeing each other during the voyage, so I guess she wanted to make sure they didn’t see us together when we dock.”
“You have her address in New York, don’t you?”
“Yes, but not for their estate up in the Hudson Valley. If they go directly there, I won’t be able to get in touch with her.”
“She can write you,” Kit suggested.
“We’re leaving for Washington in three days.” Travis reminded his sister.
“But isn’t Valerie going to the inauguration, too?”
“Well, her parents were invited, but her debut is in two weeks, and she won’t know what her parents’ plans are till she sees them.”
Kit tried to reassure him once more. “Well, I’m sure they won’t leave her in New York. She’ll go to Washington, and you’ll see her there.”
“Maybe,” Travis said, unconvinced, then he left to look for Valerie again. Kit knew that he was really in love with Valerie, but she hoped he wasn’t making a mistake by getting so involved so quickly. She sensed, oddly, that the romance had something to do with their mother’s depression.
As the ship made its way to its slip, everyone pressed to the railings, searching for family and friends, and throwing streamers and confetti. Kit was so entranced by the sight of New York that she didn’t realize she’d been separated from her family. She stood on tiptoe, but she couldn’t see them.
Suddenly a familiar voice, warm and husky, spoke directly behind her. “Has the lady found herself all alone?”
Kit gazed up at Kurt Tanner, and a charge of electric heat surged through her. Oh God, why does he affect me this way? she wondered desperately. Why did she feel that sudden rush of desire, the need to have those soft, sensuous lips upon hers, to feel his possessive embrace? Kit gave herself a mental shake and commanded her body not to betray her as she spoke. “Perhaps by design, Mr. Tanner. I rather prefer solitude to the company of bores.”
He laughed. “I know just what you mean. That’s how I felt about every woman I knew before you. After all, you have to admit that our times together have been anything but boring.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said, gazing deep into her eyes.
“To say goodbye, I hope.”
“To the contrary.” His tone was pleasant as he blithely ignored her sarcasm. “I just wanted to say that I unfortunately have to go on to Illinois to visit some friends, but maybe we’ll see each other in Washington.”
“I doubt it,” Kit said, proud of her composure, when inside she was trembling at his nearness. He reached to cover her hand with his, but she snatched it away. “There are dozens of parties being given for the inauguration, and I doubt our names will be on the same guest list.”
Marilee appeared, pushing her way through the crowd. Reaching Kit she exclaimed, “Have you ever seen anything so marvelous? The tall buildings, and the people, and the music—I just love New York!” She hugged herself with delight. Realizing that Kurt Tanner was standing next to her cousin, Marilee said, “Are you going to Washington, Mr. Tanner? If you are, you must promise to dance with me!”
“Marilee!” Kit exploded. “That’s no way for a young lady to talk to a man!”
Kit’s face reddened as Kurt threw his head back and laughed. Bowing gallantly, he promised Marilee that he was looking forward to dancing with her again. Then, with a smile meant only for Kit, he left them and melted into the crowd.
Kitty joined them at that moment, looking thoroughly chilled.
“Maybe you’d better get inside out of this wind,” Kit suggested.
“Yes. I think the excitement is over. All we have to do now is wait to disembark.”
Marilee refused to go back to the cabin. “I want to walk around and see as much as possible. You two go on.”
As they made their way below, Kitty continued to shiver. “Marilee is such a complex child. She has the sweet, demure charm of her mother, yet the wild, reckless spirit of the Coltranes.”
“Marilee can take care of herself,” Kit declared. “It’s you I’m worried about.”
“I’ve just caught a little cold—nothing to fret about.”
They soon reached the door of their suite and froze at the sound of angry voices from within.
“You aren’t being fair, Mother!”
Kit and Kitty exchanged startled looks.
“You don’t even know Valerie. She’s a wonderful girl, and—”
“And you’re so immature you’d throw away an appointment to West Point because of her,” Jade cried. “Well, I won’t let it happen, and neither will your father.”
“I haven’t said I wasn’t going to West Point!”
“That will come next, after the way you seem to have lost your mind since you met that girl. Just forget about her and concentrate on your future at the Academy!”
“Mother, I’m only asking you to try and like Valerie, and—”
“It doesn’t matter whether I like her, because by the time you graduate, she’ll be married to another rich young man she’ll manage to snare when she realizes she can’t trap you. She’ll have had three or four babies by then to keep him trapped. I know her kind.”
“That’s not fair!” Travis exploded. “You can’t say that about Valerie!”
Kitty opened the door, Kit following cautiously.
Travis fell silent. He was standing in the middle of the parlor, his face flushed and his chest heaving with fury. Jade was standing next to the porthole, tears streaming down her face as she angrily twisted her lace handkerchief with trembling hands.
“Heavens, you two can be heard all the way out in the hall,” Kitty said, exasperated. “Can’t this wait for a more private setting?”
“It’s over,” Jade said tonelessly. She turned to stare out at New York, wondering for the hundredth time if she would regret her decision to return. To no one in particular she said, “Get ready to leave as soon as Colt comes back.”
They left her silently, and Jade blinked back her tears. She
told herself that as soon as they were settled in their new home, and Travis was packed off to the Academy, life would be as wonderful as she’d imagined it would be. She felt no guilt about her feelings toward Valerie. It wasn’t merely that the girl innocently triggered painful memories. Travis had no business getting serious about any girl right now.
“Señora…” Jade turned at the sound of Carasia’s voice. “Since we haven’t hired new servants yet, I was wondering if you would mind meeting a girl I met below. She’s from Spain also, a very nice girl. She was to have gone to work for a family who have a big estate in a place called the Hudson River Valley.”
Jade was stunned. The Hudson River Valley…where she had seen Colt for the first time after believing him dead, where they’d succumbed to their overwhelming desire and made love on the moon-shadowed banks of the sultry river, when he’d not known who she was, and she’d dared not tell him. Carasia waited silently, a questioning expression on her face. Jade waved her away, lost in memories.
Bryan Stevens had owned a mansion there. She wondered who lived there now. She’d signed away all claims to his estate, not caring what happened to the money she had no right to inherit since their marriage had never been valid.
Travis had said that Valerie’s parents had a home there. Jade scolded herself for her outrageous fears. It simply could not be the same family! Many wealthy families lived in the Hudson River Valley. It was a mere coincidence, nothing more. The past was dead and buried, and she refused to let the ghosts come back to haunt her.
That’s what she told herself even as an icy chill of foreboding continued to squeeze her heart.
Chapter Eighteen
As first-class passengers, the Coltranes were quickly ushered through customs and immigration. They were soon seated in the two chauffeured Model T Fords that Colt had arranged to have waiting for them.
Although Kit was enjoying the sights, she kept an anxious eye on her grandmother. Kitty was still flushed and her eyes looked feverish. Fortunately, she retired as soon as they had settled into the Waldorf Astoria, and was still sleeping when everyone came back from a full day of sightseeing. Kit took a dinner tray in to her, and was alarmed to hear her breathing come as a strange rattling sound. Colt immediately wanted to call a doctor, but Kitty protested.
“There is nothing wrong with me except a little cold. Now if everybody will just leave me alone and let me rest for a few days, I’ll be fine!”
Colt sighed, all too aware of how stubborn his mother could be.
The next few days went by in a whirl. Jade took Kit and Marilee on a shopping spree, wanting them all to be outfitted in current New York fashions. Travis spent his time trying to locate Valerie. He went to the address she had given him, but the Stevenses weren’t there and the servants refused to tell him anything. Kit felt sorry for him, but Jade actually glowed with relief, certain that once Travis entered West Point he would forget about his shipboard romance.
The air was crisp and cold the morning the Coltranes boarded the train for Washington. Kitty wrapped herself snugly in a mink cape, a thick woolen scarf about her head. She assured everyone she felt fine. Although her cold did seem better, Kit didn’t like the way she continued to cough.
Snow began falling as the train chugged out of New York, and soon the world beyond the windows was a frosty sea. “I hope this doesn’t keep up,” Jade stewed. “It will be so messy getting out and about. Our hair will be limp, and our slippers will get wet.”
“Wear galoshes,” Kitty said pragmatically. “In weather like this, you shouldn’t care about wearing fancy shoes.”
“Maybe you don’t care about appearances, Kitty, but I happen to feel that making an impressive entrance is an important social skill,” Jade replied.
Kit did not join in the debate. She couldn’t care less about social skills or appearances. All she could think about was getting back to Spain and making a new life for herself there. She leaned back and dreamily envisioned the little ranch with its gentle rolling slope to the river. How lovely it would be when there were flowers blooming in the spring.
Travis stepped inside their compartment, throwing himself onto the sofa next to Kitty, leaning back and closing his eyes. Marilee and Kitty exchanged knowing glances. He was brooding over Valerie. Jade watched him for a moment, then, unable to tolerate his mood any longer, said, “Really, Travis, you’re letting that girl ruin your trip. In fact, your behavior is ruining everyone’s trip.”
Travis showed no reaction, and Jade continued. “What is it about this girl that has you so bewitched? It’s as if you’re obsessed with her. I don’t like it one bit. Even if you do find her, your father and I have decided it’s best you just forget her.”
“You can’t do that!” Travis sat up angrily, his eyes blazing. “You can’t just tell me who can come and go in my life, Mother. It’s my life!”
The door opened, and Colt walked in. Glancing about at everyone, his eyes finally rested on Travis. “Would someone mind telling me what’s going on here?”
Jade told him while Travis shook his head wearily. There was no point in arguing. He stood to leave, but Colt motioned for him to sit still. “Listen to me, son. I think I know how you feel.” He grinned at Jade. “If your mother doesn’t want to hear it, well, there are a lot of ladies in the club car having tea…” He gave his wife a meaningful glance.
Jade stood up without hesitation. “You’re right, I don’t want to hear it. Come along, girls.” When they made no move to follow, a look from Colt sent them scurrying. Kitty had fallen asleep.
Travis listened intently as Colt began to tell him of his past love affairs, that there had been many times he’d thought he was in love, only to feel quite foolish later. “But there was one…” Colt settled back beside his son, a misty, faraway look coming over his face. He spoke of lovely Briana de Paul and how he had been mesmerized by her rare and special beauty. “The passion was powerful, but it ran its course,” Colt confided, looking deep into his son’s eyes. Travis was touched by his father’s candor.
“The point I’m trying to make, son, is that no matter how much you think you care for this young lady now, there will be many others after her. Just get on with your life and enjoy yourself, because the next four years at the Academy are going to be very, very challenging. But you’ll succeed. You can do anything you set your mind to—you’re a Coltrane,” he finished proudly.
Kitty sat up and grinned. “Your father is right, Travis,” she told him fondly. “The Coltrane men all seem to have a heartbreaking romance before they find their true love.”
Travis looked from his grandmother to his father, moved by their concern. “I’ll be okay,” he whispered huskily, “but I want you both to know that I do care about Valerie…deeply.”
“If it’s meant to be, it will be,” Kitty said sagely. “I think fate takes care of things like that.”
Chapter Nineteen
The train pulled into Washington’s Union Station, and the Coltranes disembarked with the many others who had come to see Woodrow Wilson become America’s twenty-eighth President.
Two cars took them to the prestigious section known as the Gold Coast, where they had been invited to stay at the home of a prominent attorney, Wylie Bucher, the nephew of Sam Bucher, who’d been a dear friend of Colt’s father. The cars finally stopped in front of a massive white house and Kitty showed renewed spirit when she recognized the man hurrying from the house to greet them. Stepping out of the car, she cried jubilantly, “Wylie, bless your heart, it’s been years, but I’d know you anywhere. You’re the image of your Uncle Sam.” Her eyes glistened with tears of nostalgia.
Wylie embraced Kitty, then he stood back and held her at arm’s length, frowning. “My God, Kitty, you’ve got a fever!” he exclaimed.
“Nonsense. I’m just warm from the car ride.”
Colt shrugged helplessly. “Kitty is pretty stubborn, Wylie, but we’re going to see that she takes care of herself, whether she likes it or not.” H
e looked pointedly at his mother.
Wylie laughed. “Well, I’ll do all I can to help you. Now I’d like to show you around my home.” With that he led them on a tour of the grand house, then made sure that they were settled comfortably in their rooms.
On inauguration day, the skies were again cloudy and overcast. Donning her floor-length mink cape and matching wide-brimmed bonnet, Kit peeked in at Kitty before leaving for the festivities. She was shocked at the way her grandmother looked. Kitty was pale and still, and her breathing was labored. Kit pressed her lips to Kitty’s brow and found it hot. She rose to get her father when Kitty’s eyes suddenly flew open. Seeing Kit’s alarm, she whispered hoarsely, “I’m just tired, darling. You run along and have a good time.”
Kit protested. “But I think you need a doctor. You look worse today than you did yesterday, and—”
“And you’ll look worse tomorrow than you do today, because you’ll be a day older.” Kitty’s grin was forced. “Now, off with you. I don’t need a doctor, just rest.”
Kit left her reluctantly, but she went straight to her father. Colt declared that he’d had it with his mother’s stubbornness and called their family physician. Dr. Talton came at once and examined Kitty despite her vehement protests. He then called Colt in and announced that he thought Kitty was coming down with pneumonia. Rummaging through his worn leather bag, he took out a small vial of pills. “She should be in a hospital, but she refuses to go, so give her these according to the directions on the label, and I’ll come by tonight to see if she’s any better.”
Making sure that Kitty was comfortable, and safely under Epiphany’s supervision, the Coltranes reluctantly left her to attend the inauguration.
On the Capitol plaza, Woodrow Wilson recited the vow that made him President of the United States. He then gave his inaugural address, and his words aroused a sense of admiration in Kit for her father’s native country.
Love and Honor: The Coltrane Saga, Book 7 Page 15
