“I promised to tell you today about how your mother and father met. Would you like me to do that now?”
“Yes, please.” Judith had been anxious to learn more about her family since her arrival at the Whitley house days earlier.
“My husband and your mother’s father were dear friends. They decided when Edith and Lila turned thirteen that they would arrange a match for Edith with our Nelson. It was discussed that our William might marry Lila, but your grandfather felt it necessary to settle her elsewhere, in order to honor another financial obligation. Lila was arranged to marry some railroad baron’s son, but I don’t recall which one.”
“They sold her to be married?”
“After a fashion,” Grandmother replied. “It is the way of things with moneyed families. Your grandfather had an agreement with the railroad baron, which included marrying the families together. Generally speaking, the couple would join their fortunes.”
“I thought arranged marriages tapered off in the 1800s.”
“Hardly. Your cousin Victoria is arranged to marry a prominent man. It was set when she was just fourteen—five years ago. Once she completes finishing school in Switzerland, they are to be married.”
“That sounds terrible.” Judith envisioned her poor cousin with a man she didn’t love.
“It’s not at all bad. After all, for your mother and father, the arrangement was made all the sweeter because they fell in love. It often happens. It will no doubt happen for Victoria, and in time for you.”
Judith shook her head. “But I don’t intend to be arranged. I want to marry for love.”
Grandmother gave her a patient smile. “That might have been acceptable when you were a Gladstone and your prospects were limited, but now you are an heiress. Believe me when I say that I’ve already had offers for your hand.”
It was impossible to hide her shock. “I won’t marry a stranger.”
“Of course not,” Grandmother replied. “He will be someone with whom I’m thoroughly acquainted. He will be of upstanding character, and his fortune will match your own.”
“Grandmother,” Judith began, trying to pick her words carefully, “we’ve only just met, and I’m trying hard to learn about my family and the ways of your society.” She wanted to squirm under her grandmother’s fierce gaze, but Judith was determined to hold her own. “I will not consent to be matched to anyone, and if that is a requirement for your love and hospitality, then I will move back to the Coulter house immediately.”
Ann Whitley stared at her without a hint of change in her expression. Judith wondered if she’d caused the woman’s heart to suffer attack, because her face seemed to pale a bit. Perhaps it was one of her diabetic spells. Nevertheless, Judith tried to appear unconcerned. Caleb had warned her that Mrs. Whitley was used to being in control and knew very well how to manipulate the situation to her benefit.
Finally, the older woman nodded and smiled. “My dear, I have no desire to see you married off any time soon. You may rest assured that there will be nothing done to set an arrangement. I have made it clear to those who’ve expressed interest that you will be under my care and tutelage for some time to come.”
Judith wasn’t all that happy with this answer, but at least she wasn’t going to push the idea of marriage. “So you said that my mother and father fell in love.”
The crisis seemed to be momentarily averted, and Grandmother continued. “Yes. They were delighted to marry. Once Nelson began to court your mother properly, they were soon head over heels for each other. I couldn’t have been happier.”
“But my—Lila . . . she didn’t want to marry the railroad baron’s son?”
“No. She was quite a handful, that one. She was constantly seeking her own way. Your grandmother once confided in me that she had considered sending Lila to a very strict girls’ school back east. Apparently from the time the girls were old enough to have an opinion, Lila’s was constantly contrary.”
Judith shook her head. “That isn’t at all the woman I knew. She was always congenial and loving. She and my father . . . they were very much in love. She told me that she’d never love another.”
“I am glad if Lila found true happiness, but I hold no love for her. She destroyed this family with her actions. You have no idea the devastation. There was hardly a smile or laugh in this house for a decade. Poor Cora endured much of our misery and fears. She grew up with a mother who wept at the oddest times and a father who wouldn’t let her be left alone even at night. She was fifteen before Nelson agreed to put her governess in a separate bedroom.”
“They must have been so afraid of losing her.” Judith ached at the thought of her parents’ suffering.
“We all were. Especially since there was absolutely no trail to follow. We felt so helpless. Here we had all the money in the world, but it couldn’t buy us what we wanted most.”
Judith nodded. “Money can’t buy the most important things in life. Mother used to say that all the time. Now it takes on new meaning.”
“She was a heartless fool.”
Judith couldn’t hide her displeasure. “I know that what she did was wrong, but she loved me. I can’t just forget that, even after knowing what she and my father did. You should at least take comfort in knowing that they were good to me—that we were a happy family.”
“I can’t take comfort in anything Lila and Homer did. They destroyed the people I loved. I know it’s hard for you to understand, and I don’t blame you for feeling as you do. You had no way of knowing what had happened. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to me to share all of my memories with you. I want you to have them for your own so that you will know your true family.” Her grandmother seemed to have had enough of this sad topic. “I’ve just had a thought. Let’s finish here, and before we head home, we can stop off at the dressmaker’s and see what progress they’ve made on your wardrobe. We can also have a look at Victoria’s wedding gown. I’m having it made for her from the finest silk.”
“You’re having it made? Doesn’t she have anything to say about it?” Judith braved the question. She was still feeling out of sorts with the old woman.
Her grandmother shook her head. “No. I’m the matriarch of this family, and everyone abides by my wishes. In time you will understand the benefit of putting your trust in my wisdom.”
Judith set her linen napkin aside. It didn’t appear that maintaining control of her life was going to be quite as simple as stating her desire to do so. Ann Whitley was used to running the affairs of her family and household, and Judith was just one more person to control. She wanted to know her grandmother—to know her uncle and cousins too—but what if the price to be paid was too high? What if that desire cost her everything?
She was glad to get back to Whitley House for an afternoon of rest. Her grandmother had talked on and on at the dressmaker’s about styles and fashions she thought perfect for Judith. The dressmaker showed them progress on gown after gown, promising to have the first five delivered in time for Easter. They were beautiful dresses, ones that Judith would probably have chosen for herself, but the fact that her grandmother had made the decision left her less than enthusiastic.
Sarah met her at the suite and immediately helped Judith into one of the wrappers. She took the pins out of Judith’s hair. Judith had learned that unless a question needed to be asked, Sarah remained silent. Judith supposed it was a part of her training and yet another of the things that was done this way because that was the way Mrs. Whitley wanted it.
By the time Sarah had Judith’s long blond hair brushed out, Judith was weary of the day.
“I lit a fire,” Sarah said. “The room seemed chilled.”
Judith nodded. “Thank you. You’re very considerate.”
“It’s my job.”
Judith realized that nothing any of the staff did was done out of kindness or love. It was nothing more than a job to them. They were paid to be considerate. It made her feel all the more alone.
�
��If there’s nothing else, I’ll let you rest.” Sarah waited for Judith’s dismissal.
“There’s nothing else. Thank you.”
Sarah nodded and exited without another word.
With a sigh, Judith went to the French doors that led to the balcony and peered out. She wanted to just relax there rather than go to bed, but she saw that Bill and Uncle William sat discussing something at one of the tables below. The conversation seemed rather heated. Perhaps it was best just to go to bed.
Sarah had turned down the covers as she always did, but at the sight of movement beneath the bedding, Judith froze. Only a moment passed before a snake peered out from beneath the sheets. Judith gasped and jumped back as the snake slithered out, seeming not to notice her. However, once it caught sight of her, the snake immediately coiled and began to rattle its tail.
Judith had dealt with more than her share of snakes in the past. After her first encounter as a young child, when her mother had killed the snake for her, Judith’s father had taught her how to chop the head off a rattlesnake. Of course, she wouldn’t find a hoe handy in the elaborate suite. But she did notice the fireplace poker and tongs. She moved with caution away from the bed, keeping an eye on the snake. It would be better to call for help, but she didn’t want to leave the snake free to roam. She remembered Uncle William and Bill below, and after retrieving the poker and tongs, she moved to see if they were still in the garden. They weren’t. Nevertheless, she opened the doors so she could put the snake outside.
The snake was still coiled on the bed, but it no longer rattled. He seemed to watch her movements as if to judge her threat level. Judith had only to move closer, however, and it would again become defensive.
“Lord, I need Your hand to guide me.”
Her father had taught her that the most important thing was to move slow and control the head as soon as possible. Once that was done, she could take hold of the beast by the tail and move it. It would still require great care.
She took slow steps, the tongs in her right hand. The snake wasn’t pleased to have her return. Thankfully, it wasn’t very large, and Judith managed to slowly come at it from the side. She used the poker in her left hand to distract it, moving slowly and steadily. The snake continued to rattle, but even when she brought the tongs closer, it didn’t strike. Drawing a deep breath, Judith prayed silently and caught the snake just below its neck with the tongs. She squeezed the tongs tight and dragged the snake from the bed, catching its tail with the poker.
Once she reached the balcony, Judith draped the snake over the stone balustrade and delivered two heavy strikes against its head with the poker. It wriggled for a few moments, then finally went limp. It was dead.
She let out her breath, realizing for the first time that she’d been holding it. She wondered what she should do with the carcass, as she didn’t like the idea of leaving it for Sarah to clean up. There seemed to be nothing to do but see to the matter herself. She made her way back through the suite, dead snake hanging from the tongs.
Judith knew her way to the front door, so that seemed to be the best solution. Hopefully she’d spy Ramsay on the way, and he could advise her as to where she should dispose of the snake or perhaps even take it from her to deal with himself. But Ramsay seemed to be otherwise occupied, so when Judith reached the door, she decided she would walk around back to the stable area. Surely someone there would be able to point her in the direction of the rubbish bin.
One of the stable boys was just wheeling out a load of manure and soiled straw as she came around the corner of the house. His eyes grew wide at the sight of the snake.
“He’s dead,” she assured and continued her approach. “I just need to know where I might dispose of him.”
The young man shook his head. “You’re sure he’s dead?”
“Absolutely. I killed him myself.” Judith smiled. “But he’s getting to be rather heavy. Where can I take him?”
“If he’s dead, you can just put him here on top of the manure.”
Judith nodded and gave the snake a toss, which caused the young man to jump back. She didn’t give it another thought. “Thank you.”
She made her way back to the house. The episode had rather energized her, and now she had no desire to take a nap. Especially not until the sheets were changed. Thoughts of the snake made her smile despite the danger. Rich or poor, it seemed all houses had their problems with dangerous pests.
CHAPTER
17
Caleb sat at Henry Ambrewster’s desk and tried to focus on the papers in front of him. He hadn’t planned to spend the day in their old offices, but as a favor to one of their practice’s longtime clients, Caleb felt an obligation. For weeks now, he had intended to close the office and release the secretary. He couldn’t see it being important to keep the office if he went into ministry work. But that decision hadn’t been made. No matter how much Caleb prayed about the matter, it just didn’t seem God was pointing him to the pulpit. But if not preaching—then what? He felt strongly that he should minister God’s love, and didn’t that mean preaching the Gospel, as well?
He looked at the papers in front of him and tried to force himself to double-check the figures and information. It should have been a simple matter, but for the life of him, Caleb couldn’t keep his focus on the work at hand. Instead, he thought about his future . . . and Judith.
Ever since Camri had suggested he was in love with Judith, Caleb had been unable to think of anything else. Deep within, he knew Camri had hit upon something, but he wasn’t yet able to accept the truth of it. He hadn’t planned to fall in love with anyone. He knew that one day he would, but he figured it would be some time yet before he grew serious about anyone. He had been looking for God’s direction for his life—his career. How had it happened that he’d lost his heart to Judith Gladstone? No, Judith Whitley.
He sighed and gave up on his work. He called his secretary and handed him the file. “Would you please go over these papers? My mind is on other things, and I don’t want the client to pay the price for my distraction. If there are any problems, just correct them.”
“Of course, Mr. Coulter,” the young man said, nodding. He took the file and gave Caleb a hesitant look. “Will there be anything else?”
“No.” Caleb got to his feet. “I’m going to head home. When you’re done with that, give Mr. Sanders a call and have him come in on Monday to look things over and sign the contract.”
“I will. Have a good evening, Mr. Coulter.”
Caleb nodded and headed out. As he passed through the outer office, he grabbed his top coat and hat. He made his way to his car and tossed his coat in the back. It had been a rainy spring, but today the weather had warmed considerably. Hopefully the nice weather would extend into the weekend.
He drove down California Street to the west, knowing it would take him within a block or two of the Whitley estate. He toyed with the idea of just stopping in unannounced to check on Judith. No doubt Mrs. Whitley was keeping her busy, and he hated to think of Judith being forced to do things against her will.
“Why can’t I stop thinking about her? Is this truly love?”
With all that had happened to him over the last year, Caleb supposed he shouldn’t be surprised that this life-changing event could come upon him as well. Still, what of Judith? Did she care about him that way? She’d certainly never given him an indication of feeling anything more for him than friendship. Perhaps she did care for him, but probably only as her friend’s brother. Then too, he had allowed her to live at his home. Perhaps she only felt gratitude.
Poor Judith. He shook his head, thinking of all she might have to contend with. Mrs. Whitley was a formidable woman. In his conversations with Judge Winters, Caleb had realized that Mrs. Whitley seldom allowed anyone to oppose her. At least not with any hope of winning. Judith was tenderhearted and naïve. He could just imagine the old woman telling her some sob story about how she didn’t have many years left. It would be just the kind of thing
that would prompt Judith to act. That was probably why she had made such a quick decision to move into the Whitley mansion. Hadn’t she even said something about her grandmother’s age?
He reached home and parked the car. For some time he just sat there, contemplating everything going on around him. Camri was to marry Patrick. Ruef’s criminal activities were being dealt with, and soon they would hopefully see the man imprisoned. Once that was resolved, what was Caleb going to do? His thoughts refused to fall into any order. Just when he figured out a way to make sense of things, something else came to mind and negated the solution.
“Ye just goin’ to sit here all night?” Patrick Murdock asked.
Caleb startled. He found Patrick watching him with a look of concern. “Sorry, what?”
“I’ve asked ye three times if ye were all right. Ye didn’t seem to be hearin’ me.” Patrick smiled.
“I’ve just had a lot on my mind.” Caleb got out of the car, then grabbed his coat.
“I’ve got a good ear if ye’re lookin’ for one.”
Patrick had proven to be a good friend. Since Caleb had represented him in court and saved him from what was sure to be a murder conviction, Patrick had been at his side. Now he planned to marry Camri, and soon they would be family. Even so, Caleb wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss Judith and his feelings with anyone just yet.
“I spoke with Judge Winters today,” Caleb offered instead of confession. “He said he’s got an appointment to talk to Ruef. He feels that we can force the issue regarding your business and house. Apparently, Henry’s brother-in-law Frederick Johnston was helpful. After Camri told me he had been helping Henry, I suggested the judge speak with him and see if he was of a mind to help in our pursuit of seeing justice done. Apparently one thing led to another, and Johnston shared some information that he felt we could use to push forward your claims.”
“’Tis wonderful news indeed. For sure yer sister will be dancin’ a jig once she hears about it.”
Caleb laughed and led the way up the stairs to the house. “Don’t be too hard on her. She’s stubborn and willful, but extremely loyal—to a fault, even. She’ll fight to the death for you now that she’s in love with you.”
In Dreams Forgotten Page 16
