“My dear, I know you have your concerns and anxieties regarding such a move, but I assure you that should you come and not want to stay, I’ll do nothing to stop you from returning here. I’ll even write up a contract with you, and Mr. Coulter can approve it.”
“I see.” Judith hadn’t considered that she might leave anytime she chose. Of course, she would have to speak to the others regarding whether she’d be welcome to return. Then again, Kenzie had mentioned something about finding another place to live, so maybe the two of them might strike a bargain.
“I won’t insist on an answer today, but I would like one by the first of April.” Grandmother got to her feet, leaning heavily on the cane. “Please consider it favorably, Judith. I long for your company.”
“I must pray about it, and the first is only the day after tomorrow.”
Her grandmother nodded. “Yes, I realize that. Please know that I am praying as well. Oh, Judith, you have no idea how many times I have prayed to have you returned to us. Your coming here was answered prayer.”
Judith rose and nodded. Her grandmother’s comment regarding her own prayers helped her feel less apprehensive. “I will give you an answer on Sunday, be assured.”
“And you needn’t return to that ghastly factory. I’ll set up an account for you at the San Francisco First National Bank under the name of Judith Whitley.”
“Please don’t. I didn’t come seeking you in order to get money like the other members of your family probably think. You may think that yourself, but it isn’t true. I had no reason to believe you were rich.”
“I know that.” Her grandmother smiled, and this time it seemed to soften her entire expression. “That is why I insist on doing it. You are entitled to it. Your father left a fortune, which came to me upon the death of Edith and Cora. He had no way of knowing whether you were alive or would ever be returned to us, but he always hoped. Hence, that provision was in his will. That now makes his fortune . . . yours.”
Judith sank back onto the sofa. It was too much to imagine that she could suddenly be heiress to an inheritance worth so much.
Grandmother gently touched her shoulder. “I know this is a great deal to take in, much less to understand.”
“I came looking for a family . . . not a fortune,” Judith murmured.
“Well, you have both. Now it’s up to you to accept that fact and allow yourself to enjoy God’s gifts.”
That evening at dinner, Caleb noted how quiet Judith was. Camri had told him about Mrs. Whitley’s visit. He knew Ann Whitley demanded her own way and probably intended to wear Judith down with her persistence. Even so, Judith had said very little about the visit, and Caleb felt, given the involvement he’d already had, that it would be all right if he questioned her about it.
“I understand your grandmother was here earlier,” he said.
Judith looked up from her plate. She’d been doing very little eating. “Yes. She was here when Kenzie and I returned from work.”
“I suppose she came to convince you to move into the mansion?”
“Yes.” Judith frowned and looked down at her plate.
Caleb could see the situation was vexing her. “What did you tell her?”
Judith gave a slight shrug. “I promised her an answer on Sunday.”
“Why so soon?” Kenzie asked. “You don’t have to rush into anything. She can hardly expect you to make up your mind that quickly on a matter of such magnitude.”
“She said if I moved in, she would let me leave anytime, should I become uncomfortable. She even offered to make up a contract that Caleb could approve.”
“That was gracious of her.” Caleb smiled as Liling refilled his coffee cup. The girl blossomed a little more each day since she’d been rescued from her life at the dance hall. “Thank you, Liling.”
“I think she’s very lonely and longs to reclaim some of her losses.” Judith spoke in a quiet, even tone. “I can understand how she feels.”
“But understanding doesn’t demand action,” Camri threw out. “At least not immediate action. You need to be comfortable with this move as well. Surely she would want you to be happy.”
“Yes, but she’s very old. I don’t think I should waste any time. That’s why I agreed to give her my answer on Sunday.”
Caleb didn’t like the idea of Judith being pressured into making the move. She was such an innocent when it came to the demands and decrees of those in positions of power. Hers had always been a simple life—a life without such concerns. Her parents, albeit not her true mother and father, had obviously loved her and cared for her as best they could. However, they could never have prepared her for such an outcome. There would have been no opportunity to warn her about such people without giving away the circumstance of her birth.
“I don’t see how you can trust her,” Kenzie said, tearing off a piece of dinner roll.
Judith dabbed her napkin to her lips, then placed it on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to lie down. This day has been too much, and my head hurts something fierce.” She got to her feet.
“I can send Liling up with some headache powders,” Caleb offered.
“Or she could fix you a hot bath,” Camri countered.
“No, please. I just want to be alone.” She hurried from the room before anyone could stop her.
Caleb frowned. He hated seeing her this way. “I suppose I shouldn’t have been so hard on her.”
“We were all difficult,” Camri said, shaking her head. “Even if we didn’t mean to be.”
Kenzie put down her bread. “But she can’t just go off and live with people she doesn’t even know.”
Caleb shrugged. “Why not? You all did it when you moved here. I suppose Judith sees this as no different.”
Sunday passed in a blur for Judith. She remembered attending church, but the message had not been able to penetrate through her frantic thoughts about what to do. After two very restless nights filled with prayers begging God for wisdom, Judith knew she had to make a decision. Concern for her grandmother’s health should have been the strongest influence on her decision, but instead she found herself thinking of Caleb. She couldn’t go on living under his roof and feeling the way she did about him. It wasn’t proper. She found herself daydreaming about him coming home and sweeping her into his arms. She dreamed at night that he had proposed marriage—declaring his undying love for her. She had come to San Francisco hoping to find her aunt, but instead she had fallen in love and lost her heart. She had very little left to lose.
Sundays were usually a day of rest. Often the time was spent outside if the weather was nice, but today was rainy and cold, so Judith kept inside—mostly in her room. Kenzie and Camri had both come to her at different times to talk about her grandmother. They wanted to reassure Judith that she didn’t have to leave. But each time they argued for her to take her time and stay, Judith felt more convicted that she should go. Her grandmother might not have that long to live, and if she were to die without Judith taking time to know her better, the fault would be all her own.
Finally, late in the afternoon, Judith concluded that she must go. She at least had to give her grandmother a chance.
She found the others gathered around the table, discussing their plans for the week. Judith took her place and waited for the conversation to quiet.
“I have made my decision,” she announced without flourish.
Kenzie looked at her for a moment, then shook her head. “You’re going to her, aren’t you?”
“I think I must,” Judith replied, glancing at the others. “I’ve prayed on it, and it would solve many matters.”
“But what if you can’t abide it?” Camri asked. “What will you do then?”
“I . . . well, I suppose I shall have to find somewhere else to live.”
“Nonsense,” Caleb said. His expression bore witness to his worry. “You’ll always have a home here, Judith. I would plead with you to reconsider, but I know that your mind is made up.”
>
For a moment, she hoped he would plead with her. She imagined him coming to her—pulling her into his embrace and begging her to stay. She knew if he did that, she’d abandon thought of anything else and stay.
But of course, he didn’t.
“Yes, my mind is made up.” Judith barely murmured the words. “I’m going to leave in the morning.”
CHAPTER
15
After dinner, Judith telephoned her grandmother’s house and spoke with Ramsay. She explained her decision and asked if he would let her grandmother know that she would come to the house in the morning. She’d no sooner hung up and returned to her room than Liling came to tell her that there was a phone call for her. It turned out to be her grandmother.
“I cannot abide these telephones, but I felt it was important to tell you that I will send a car for you right away. You needn’t wait,” Ann Whitley said.
“No, morning will be soon enough, Grandmother.”
There was a long pause. “Very well. But first thing in the morning. Don’t worry about bringing anything with you. I have arranged with various merchants to provide for your every need.”
“That isn’t necessary.” Judith couldn’t imagine such a thing, especially given the possibility that she wouldn’t stay long.
“Oh, but it is. There will be social events, and you must have appropriate clothes and the accessories that go with them.”
Judith frowned. She hadn’t considered that her appearance might shame her family. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. I wouldn’t want to be an embarrassment.”
“This isn’t about embarrassing anyone. You are a Whitley, and as such, you deserve to be cared for appropriately. But all of that is unimportant at this moment. What matters is that I will have William send his car to pick you up. It won’t take but a few minutes. As I said, I could even send him yet tonight.”
“No, I need time. . . .” Judith couldn’t explain her hesitation. “I want to spend one more evening with my friends.”
“Very well, but the car will be there at eight o’clock sharp tomorrow morning.”
And that was that. Her grandmother had arranged the matter without giving Judith any further say. Was that how it was always going to be? Judith stared at the telephone, shaking her head. Somehow, she was going to have to find the ability to stand up to the old woman.
On Monday morning, the Whitley driver knocked on the door at precisely eight o’clock. Judith had said good-bye earlier to Kenzie, giving her a letter of apology and resignation for Mr. Lake. He had hired a few extra girls for the Easter season, so hopefully he wouldn’t be too upset. Kenzie made no pretense of approving of Judith’s decision, but neither did she condemn her for it.
Now, however, as she said good-bye to Camri and Caleb, a part of her wished someone would condemn her choice. If they would just forbid her to go, Judith could yield to their demands. Instead, they were cordial and kind.
“Please let us know if you need anything or wish to leave,” Camri said, giving her a hug. “You will always have us as your advocates.”
“Yes,” Caleb agreed. “I’ll be over in a few days to check on you.” He smiled. “Also to talk over the matter of your inheritance. Judge Winters mentioned that Mrs. Whitley intends to see your father’s fortune settled on you immediately.”
Judith nodded. She was glad to know that Caleb would at least come to check on her. How she wished it was more for personal reasons than for business, but then, his lack of interest in her was one of the reasons she was leaving. She couldn’t very well forget her feelings for him if she had to face him every day.
The ride to the Whitley estate gave Judith a few minutes of contemplation. Was she doing the right thing? Could she somehow become part of this family?
The driver helped her from the car and left her to face the others on her own. As he drove away, she felt tempted to bolt down the drive and return to Caleb’s house. But then Ramsay opened the door, and Judith was ushered inside like the long-lost daughter she was.
Grandmother’s happiness was evident. She smiled as she barked instructions at the servants. “Are you hungry, Judith? Did you have breakfast? Ramsay, please arrange a tray. Samuel, did you lay the fire in Miss Judith’s suite?”
Judith turned in a circle, trying to follow her Grandmother’s conversation. “I’m not hungry.”
Her words were ignored. Grandmother was clearly focused on other things, and since she’d already arranged for a tray, Judith’s hunger or lack thereof was no longer a concern.
“I’ll give you a tour of the house later, but for now we’ll go directly upstairs to your suite. I have the dressmaker there, and the others are gathered at the top of the stairs.”
Grandmother slowly climbed the stairs to the left, and Judith followed her. The house was just as imposing as it had been that first visit. Judith couldn’t imagine how she would ever find her way around it without a map.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, the old woman immediately called everyone to attention. Judith was stunned to find a small army awaiting her. She wasn’t sure how her grandmother had managed to arrange for so much in the short time since Judith had called to say she was coming. There was not only a seamstress with three assistants, but a department store manager with two of his own hired girls and stacks of boxes, the owner of a shoe store with a vast assortment of footwear for her consideration, a milliner who had two young men to help with over a dozen hatboxes, and a woman who owned a store that specialized in undergarments and nightclothes.
For most of the morning, Judith found herself being measured for clothes that would be custom made for her. There were also ready-made items that needed to be tried on, as well as a few of Cora’s things that were still somewhat fashionable.
“We will, of course, take daily outings to shop for any other items you might need,” her grandmother said, seeming to enjoy the novelty of dressing Judith. “I’ve also set up accounts at each of the stores so that when I can’t go with you, you’ll still be able to shop for whatever you like.”
“I’m sure I won’t need anything for years to come,” Judith said, marveling at the number of things her grandmother had already picked. There were parasols and hats galore, as well as perfumes and soaps. Along with those were undergarments, skirts, blouses, gowns, and shoes. There was nothing left out—as Grandmother kept reminding Judith, she was a Whitley now and had a certain appearance to maintain.
“And of course,” her grandmother continued, “once you’re settled, we’ll have your suite made over in a fashion more suited to your preferences.”
Judith looked around the massive sitting room that was attached to what had once been her parents’ bedroom. The entire suite had been given to her and comprised not only the sitting room and bedroom, but a separate dressing room and bathroom. It was bigger than the entirety of Caleb’s upstairs.
“There’s no need for that. It’s lovely. I wouldn’t want to change it,” she murmured. It was lavish and ornamental to such a degree that Judith could hardly imagine what kind of money had gone into its creation. Growing up, most of their furnishings had been handmade by her father. Here, the furniture was highly polished walnut crafted intricately with all manner of embellishment. The bed was a massive four-poster creation with a canopy of gossamer fabric in a dark shade of rose. The damask draperies and bedcovers were also done in hues of rose. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Your mother arranged it, but you may want to change it in time. After a few months or years, you may tire of it altogether and want something more suited to your own taste.”
Judith tried not to react to her grandmother’s comment. Months? Years? Would Judith really make this her permanent home? She thought of Caleb and felt the ache in her heart that had started when she’d made her decision to go.
Don’t think about him. Just focus on what is at hand.
Judith’s favorite part of the suite overlooked the gardens where she’d had tea with her grandmother. Drap
eries had been pulled back to reveal the double French doors that opened onto the stone balcony, where a small table and chairs had been placed. Judith could imagine sitting there for hours. Perhaps that would become her sanctuary.
By late afternoon, her grandmother sent everyone home and insisted that Judith rest. She introduced Sarah Linde, a rather plain woman in her thirties. “Sarah will be your lady’s maid,” Grandmother explained.
“My what?” Judith looked at the woman and then back at Grandmother.
“Your lady’s maid. Sarah will be here when you rise in the morning and see to helping you with your personal needs. She’ll dress your hair and help you with your clothing. She’ll also tidy your room and oversee the cleaning and pressing of your clothes. During the day, she’ll be available to help you change clothes and freshen up. We generally change clothes several times a day, and we always dress formally for the evening meal, which takes place precisely at seven. Should you desire writing paper or anything else, you have but to let Sarah know of your need, and she will accommodate you. I often have my lady’s maid bring me something sweet just before bedtime. I find it settles my stomach. You might want to do that as well.”
Judith wondered if she would ever be able to manage all the intricacies of life among the very wealthy. She was so used to doing for herself that it seemed completely out of line to ask someone else to take care of her in this way.
“Now, Sarah will help you undress and turn down your bed. It’s generally our routine to nap for at least two hours in the early afternoon in order to recover from our morning duties and to be able to face those that will be upon us in the late afternoon and evening.”
“Duties?”
In Dreams Forgotten Page 14
