Mr. Pettyjohn took a step back as if Caleb had struck him. He had no chance to comment, however, because Mrs. Whitley and Judith appeared at the door. Caleb’s breath caught at the sight of Judith. She was more beautiful than he remembered, and he’d just seen her.
“I’m glad to see you are both prompt,” Mrs. Whitley said, sweeping into the room.
Judith hurried to Caleb’s side. Her elegant day dress of pale pink and lace seemed delicate and appropriate for her beauty. “I’m so glad you came. Thank you.”
Caleb grinned. “I will always come when you need me.” His heart seemed to pound all the harder. Could she hear it?
Mrs. Whitley gave a soft harrumph. “Let us get right to business. Mr. Pettyjohn, you may take the seat behind Mr. Whitley’s desk. We will sit here in front of you while you speak on the matter of Judith’s inheritance.”
Mr. Pettyjohn nodded, then picked up the satchel at his feet and made his way to the desk.
Caleb offered Judith his arm and escorted her to a high-backed sofa done in red leather and framed in mahogany. He sat down beside her, feeling almost giddy at her nearness. He had missed her more than he’d allowed himself to believe.
Mrs. Whitley sat in one of two matching wingback chairs. She seemed out of sorts at the chummy way Caleb and Judith acted. It made him all the more determined to remain at Judith’s side.
He smiled at Mrs. Whitley. “That is an impressive desk. Ebony, I believe?”
“Yes.” She looked at him for a moment, then shrugged. “Mr. Whitley had it made from a tree he came across while in Africa.”
Mr. Pettyjohn cleared his throat. “If you are ready for me to begin, I will get right to the heart of the matter.”
“Yes, please do. I have a headache, so the sooner we are concluded, the better.”
Mr. Pettyjohn nodded and drew several papers from his satchel. “As I mentioned before, Mrs. Whitley, the matter of Judith’s inheritance is rather well documented. Her father, Nelson Whitley, made provision for Judith should she be found. As you know, upon his death and the death of his wife and daughter Cora, the entirety of his estate was left to you with the provision that should Judith be found and there be no question to her identity, his fortune would then go to her.”
“There is no question as to her identity,” Mrs. Whitley stated. She looked at Judith and smiled. “She is an identical twin of her sister, as I’m sure even you can attest to.”
The lawyer nodded. “Yes, the resemblance is uncanny. There is no doubt she is Judith Whitley.”
“And was the question of her identity the only condition upon which the release of the inheritance would be made?” Caleb questioned.
Mr. Pettyjohn nodded again. “With exception to her age. She was to be of legal majority. Otherwise her inheritance was to be held in trust by her grandmother until she turned twenty-one.”
“She is twenty-four, so there is no question of that condition being met,” her grandmother declared. “I have no desire to keep her fortune from her, but I do wish her to be willing to allow me to help direct her in its use. She knows nothing about the businesses, stocks, bonds, and so forth that Nelson invested in and owned. As I understand it, she grew up in poverty and has no understanding of any such financial dealings.”
“It is understandable that the child—er, the young woman will be in need of guidance—of a teacher,” Mr. Pettyjohn confirmed.
“I agree,” Caleb said, looking at Judith. “But I believe the choice of teacher should be Judith’s.”
“She can hardly know what’s best in such a matter,” Mrs. Whitley said, raising her chin.
“You all speak of me as if I weren’t here,” Judith interjected. “I do understand that I need help in this. I’m happy to take your guidance, Grandmother, but I would also like Caleb to be a part of this as well.”
“You scarcely know Mr. Coulter,” the older woman protested, “and while I have had his situation looked into, he is hardly used to handling a fortune of the size you are to inherit.”
“Mrs. Whitley,” Caleb interjected, “I feel confident that we can work together to a mutually agreeable outcome. I have no desire to commandeer Judith’s wealth nor to see her led astray. I don’t even desire to usurp your authority in matters of your family’s investments. However, I am a lawyer and a friend. I can offer Judith my opinion and support.”
The grand lady stiffened. “She has Mr. Pettyjohn for legal opinions.”
Mr. Pettyjohn nodded enthusiastically.
“Stop it!” Judith held up her hands. “Grandmother, we have spoken about this before. I won’t be dictated to. I want very much to be a part of this family, but I will not be held hostage. Caleb is my dearest friend and a fine lawyer. I trust and admire him more than anyone on this earth.”
Caleb felt his chest tighten at her words of defense. When she looked at him and smiled, it was nearly his undoing.
“I want Caleb to have access to all of the supporting documents related to my inheritance,” Judith continued. “If that is unacceptable to you, then I will pack my things and return with him to my previous home.”
He was so proud of her. She had been such a mousey thing when he’d first met her. Shy and demure, almost fragile. Now, however, Judith was able to stand her own ground, and Mrs. Whitley, while clearly frustrated, also seemed to have a certain admiration for her granddaughter.
“There is no need for dramatics, Judith. I simply want to guard you from . . . well, let us say from those who might seek to benefit themselves. I do not believe Mr. Coulter is one of those people, however, and so I will not object to his being involved in this matter.” She held up her hand. “So long as you allow me to speak my mind and help you.”
Judith settled back. “Of course, Grandmother. I wouldn’t have expected otherwise.”
The meeting went on for another hour, with Mr. Pettyjohn giving a brief list of properties, industries, stock, bonds, and other investments that made up the bulk of Judith’s inheritance. She was now a very wealthy young woman, and Caleb could easily see Mrs. Whitley’s concerns.
When they reached the end of the meeting, Mr. Pettyjohn promised to have copies of the will and other details brought to Caleb by courier later that day. Mrs. Whitley announced that she had some personal business to discuss with her lawyer, so Caleb led Judith from the room.
Once they were in the hall, Judith took his hand. “Come, I want to show you the gardens.”
He held fast to her hand, surprised but no less delighted at her touch. “I’m proud of how you handled yourself in there.”
She looked up and smiled. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for coming here and being my defender.”
“You hardly needed one. You’re very capable of dealing with your grandmother. It’s clear she respects that, even if she doesn’t like it.”
“I’ve had to constantly remind her that it’s easy enough for me to pack up and leave. Especially now that I have a bit of money to my name.”
“A bit?” He chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”
She led him across the hall and into a sitting room that Caleb had not yet seen. Without stopping, she drew him to the open French doors and outside. “Next to the music room, this is my favorite place,” she announced. “I like to come out here and just walk the garden paths and pray.”
Caleb glanced around and smiled. “It is lovely—peaceful too. I can see why you like it.”
Judith dropped his hand, and the loss was immediate. Caleb frowned. Maybe he should just tell her what was going through his mind. Tell her that he’d come to care for her in the way a suitor might, rather than just a friend. But what of her money? Would she think he was making his declaration simply because she was an heiress?
“Grandmother has given me everything I could ask for. I have an entire wing of the second floor to myself. She’s encouraged me to make it over in my own colors and styles, but I think it’s just fine the way it is. My mother—Edith was the one who decora
ted it, and I feel somehow connected to her in keeping it as it is.”
“I can understand that.” Caleb kept pace with her and battled his emotions. “I know I’ve asked you this before, but . . . are you happy?”
Judith stopped and turned. Her expression was puzzled. “I don’t think I would exactly call it happiness. I was much happier living at your house with Camri and Kenzie . . . and of course you and Mr. and Mrs. Wong and Liling. We were like a little family.” She shrugged. “My uncle doesn’t seem to know what to make of me. I always feel like he’s seeing a ghost when he looks at me. My cousin Victoria hates me and makes no pretense about it, while her brother Bill declares himself madly in love with me. Love at first sight.” She seemed suddenly uncomfortable and began to walk again.
Bill was in love with her? That hardly made sense. From what Caleb had learned, he was a notorious bachelor. He was known to escort as many as five different girls in a week to various functions. Now he declared himself head over heels in love with his cousin?
“ . . . but so long as there aren’t any more snakes in my bed and Grandmother learns that she can’t run my life, I suppose happiness will eventually come.”
Caleb was the one who stopped this time. He caught Judith’s arm. “Snakes? What are you talking about?”
“I was just as surprised as you sound. We often dealt with rattlesnakes back home, but I hadn’t expected to find one in a house of this grandeur.”
“A rattlesnake was in your bed?” A wave of fear washed over him. “Judith, that isn’t natural. It doesn’t happen here.”
“Well, it did. I’m not making this up. I was in my room, ready for my afternoon rest, when I saw something moving under the covers and the snake appeared.”
Caleb shook his head. “What did you do?”
She gave a little laugh. “I did what my mother and father taught me to do. I captured him and killed him.”
“You?”
She looked at him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Yes. There was hardly time to get anyone else, especially without leaving the room, and I wasn’t about to lose track of where he was. I took the fireplace tongs and poker and managed it all quite easily.” She paused, and her brow furrowed as her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean that it doesn’t happen here?”
“I mean that snake was put there by someone who meant to do you harm. I’m sure of it. Snakes don’t just slither into the houses of the very wealthy.” He took hold of her shoulders. “Judith, someone was obviously trying to scare you off.” Or kill you. He left the latter unspoken.
“Probably Victoria. She hates me. Apparently she hated Cora too. Grandmother said she and Cora were always rivals. She probably meant it to scare me and make me leave. She doesn’t want me here, that’s for sure.”
“Did you tell your grandmother about the snake?”
“No.” Judith didn’t try to move away from him. “I had forgotten about it. I know that sounds silly, but I’ve killed a great number of rattlesnakes, and this one was just one more. When I went down to dinner that evening, it never came to mind.”
Caleb didn’t think. He pulled her close and held her tight for a moment. She could have been killed. Might be killed yet. Someone wished her harm. That much was certain.
“Umm, Caleb,” she barely whispered.
“Yes?”
“You’re squeezing the breath . . . out of me.”
He let her go. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, but the thought of you coming to harm was more than I could bear. You’re in danger here. Maybe you should come home with me.”
“Danger?” She shook her head. “It was probably just a joke. Although, I can’t imagine Victoria having anything to do with a snake. Of course, she probably paid one of the servants to put it there.”
“It doesn’t matter who put it there or how they did it, this is serious.”
Judith nodded. “I see that now.” She bit her lower lip.
“I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you. Camri and Kenzie would never forgive me. Are you sure I can’t convince you to come back with me? I know your grandmother would be furious, but we can tell her why.”
“No. If Victoria was responsible, it will just make her hate me all the more. I have a key to my rooms. I’ll start locking my door. That way only Sarah will be able to get in. She’s my lady’s maid and certainly has no reason to hate me.”
“You don’t know that, Judith. You can’t be sure who is responsible. Keep this in mind: If you die, then everything goes back to the way things were before you came. The fortune stays with Mrs. Whitley, which in turn no doubt will go to her son and his children. This could be about nothing more complicated than greed.”
CHAPTER
21
Judith sat at the garden table, glancing overhead. The skies were cloudy, but thankfully the rain held off. She leaned her elbows on the linen tablecloth and pressed her fingertips to her temples, silently praying for her headache to cease. Ever since Caleb had convinced her that someone meant to harm her, she had been unable to shake the vice-like grip that pressed against her head.
Caleb had said that most likely someone wanted her dead due to greed. The thought so upset her that she’d been unable to eat much at the lavish supper party they’d attended the evening before. Even this morning at breakfast, her food had sat like a brick in her stomach.
“Why are you sitting out here all alone, and with rain threatening?” Bill asked, joining her.
Judith lowered her hands and forced a smile. “I like the gardens.”
He pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “I’ve ordered coffee. I do hope you’ll join me.”
“I suppose I can, but what brings you here? I thought you had business down at the shipping offices.”
“I did.” He shrugged. “I met with my managers and told them what I expected, then brought home the books to review here.”
“I see. I suppose that is one of the privileges of being the owner.” She smiled and brushed back an errant strand of hair.
“Being a Whitley has its privileges in every way, but I think you’re already coming to see that.”
She shook her head. “It seems to me that there are far more headaches to being a Whitley than privileges.”
He laughed and patted her hand. “I’m sure it’s daunting when you aren’t used to it. Ah, here comes our coffee.”
A footman brought out a tray and placed it in the center of the table. “I’m sorry, sir, but I didn’t realize Miss Judith would be joining you. I’ll bring another setting.”
He left in a hurry while Bill picked up the silver coffeepot. “I believe if you look under that cloth, you’ll find some of Cook’s cinnamon rolls. He’s a phenomenal baker, but I think his sweet rolls are the best.”
Judith lifted the cloth, and as he said, there were several iced rolls. “They smell wonderful.”
“They are. You must have one. Why don’t you help yourself while I pour the coffee?”
The footman brought another cup and saucer as well as another serving plate. Judith occupied herself with sampling the roll while Bill prepared their coffee.
“Do you take cream and sugar?” he asked.
“Yes, please.” She picked up her fork and took a bite of the roll. She was relieved that Bill wasn’t bringing up his love for her. Hopefully he understood her position and would be a gentleman about it.
“Do you like the cinnamon roll? I think the icing is my favorite. Cook puts some kind of creamed cheese in it.”
“It’s very good, but I’m afraid I’ve not been very hungry.”
“I noticed that you ate next to nothing at breakfast. You aren’t coming down with something, are you?”
“I don’t think so.” She touched her hand to her head. “Although I do have a headache.” She hadn’t considered the possibility that she might be ill. She took the cup and saucer he handed her and sipped the coffee. The warm liquid seemed to settle her stomach. “This is good.�
��
Bill smiled and tasted his own. “It is. Grandmother buys a special blend from South America.”
“I’ve only ever had the tea.” Judith took another sip, then put the cup back on the saucer. “Bill, I wonder if I might ask you a question.”
“Of course. Anything.” He sat back and drew his cup to his lips.
“Well, I wondered . . . and please don’t think badly of me for asking, but why is Victoria so hateful toward me? I’ve done nothing to deserve her bitterness.”
He shook his head. “Don’t give Vicky any thought. She’s a spoiled brat. She always has been. She was Mother’s little darling who could do no wrong. Grandmother didn’t approve of the way our mother dealt with Vicky and made that clear.”
“How old was Victoria when your mother died?”
“Only four. It was difficult for her. I was just eight.”
“I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy for either of you.”
“No,” Bill replied, his expression saddening. “It was a tremendous loss in my life.” He took a long drink.
“I’m sorry to bring up painful memories. It’s just that this entire matter has me perplexed. Grandmother said that Victoria didn’t like Cora either. You said as much in your stories too.”
“No, Victoria didn’t like Cora, despite Cora liking her very much. I think she thought of Vicky like a new baby doll. Of course, she adored your little brothers. Mothered them something fierce. But I think she favored Vicky.” Bill shrugged. “However, I believe Nurse always made it clear that Cora was her favorite, and Vicky couldn’t abide that.”
“Was she the same nurse who was there when I was taken?”
He considered the question for a moment. “I can’t be certain, but she might have been. It would account for her favoring Cora. Still, she wasn’t around for long. Shortly before our mother died, she was dismissed.”
“For what reason?”
“Vicky, of course. She told our mother that Nurse had done horrible things to her. Tied her to a chair and forced her to take some awful medicine. None of the rest of us were around to witness it, but Mother believed Vicky and insisted the woman be fired.”
In Dreams Forgotten Page 20
