A Hope Beyond (10 page)
“Have you ever kissed her?” Carolina blurted out without meaning to.
York looked at her in complete astonishment. “What a thing to ask!”
Carolina frowned. “I didn’t mean to be so nosy. I just wondered if you and Lucy . . . oh, just forget it.”
York nearly roared with laughter and got up from the bed, pulling Carolina upward with him. “We’re going to be late for breakfast, but because I like you more than almost anyone else in the world, I will tell you what you want to know.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Yes, I’ve kissed Miss Lucy.”
But this didn’t stop Carolina’s curiosity; instead, it only fed the flames. “Did you . . . I mean did she . . .” She paused, trying to think of a way to sound discreet. “Did you like it?”
York rolled his eyes. “Of course I liked it. I liked it very much. Now stop asking so many questions and tell me what this is all about.”
Carolina shrugged, realizing that she’d reached the limit of what York would share. “I guess I see all of my friends falling in love and getting married, and I just want to know what it is that makes them certain they’ve chosen the right person to spend their lives with.”
York put his arm around her and led her into the hall. “Don’t worry, little sister. You’ll know when the right one comes along. Believe me.”
Carolina hugged him and smiled. “I guess that makes sense,” she replied, but in truth, it didn’t. She was just as confused now as she had been before. Maybe even more.
In a gown of burgundy velvet and gold ruching, Carolina entered the White House on the arm of her brother. She felt a tremor of excitement that reminded her of the charity ball she’d attended with Hampton Cabot. But more than this, she relished the treatment she received by those in attendance. Stately women, dressed elegantly in their finery, actually greeted her with respectful regard. Gentlemen, who might not otherwise have spoken two words of greeting in normal circumstances, welcomed her with a chivalry that only intensified her enjoyment of the evening.
She was of age, and it was understood and accepted that she was to be treated as an adult. Not only this, but she had been invited to a White House function because of her family’s connection to the President. This fact might have gone unnoticed, but Andrew Jackson appeared and made a clear recognition of Carolina’s presence.
“I’m so delighted you came,” he told her in a ragged voice that betrayed his failing health.
“I’m honored,” Carolina said, curtsying low, “that you extended an invitation to me.”
Jackson smiled benevolently and held out his hand to help her rise. “I so enjoyed our conversation last summer.”
He referred to that afternoon he had spent on the Oakbridge veranda—an afternoon of positively wondrous delight for Carolina. She’d been allowed to speak with and ask questions of the President of the United States. And not only this, but she’d received considerate answers, and her own opinion had been sought more than once in return.
“Your visit is among my fondest memories,” said Carolina, meaning every word. “I was nearly beside myself with joy when York extended the invitation for me to accompany him here.”
Jackson patted her hand. “My dear, it is my pleasure. I might ask a favor of you, however.”
Carolina couldn’t imagine what he might need of her, and York only shrugged his ignorance on the matter when she cast a glance his way. “I’ll do whatever I can,” she finally answered.
“This party is hardly such that would allow for private conversation,” he began, “and because I have enjoyed a great friendship with your family, particularly your father and brother, I’m hoping you will come and dine with me during the holidays and convince your father and mother to accompany you as well.”
Carolina grimaced. “My mother is still quite devastated by the loss of our youngest sister,” she said in a hushed tone, “and my father is constantly at her side. I doubt quite seriously that he would leave Oakbridge.”
York nodded and added, “I’m certain they would be honored at the invitation but would extend their regrets.”
“Quite understandable. I was greatly sorrowed to hear of your sister’s death, Miss Adams.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Perhaps you and York would still do me the honor of joining me one evening next week?”
Carolina looked to York, who answered for them both. “I’m certain Carolina and I could make ourselves available.”
“Splendid!” Jackson replied and fell into a fit of coughing that caused Carolina to study him with grave regard. “Don’t concern yourself with this old man,” he told her. Dabbing a handkerchief to his mouth, he offered her a broad smile. “As long as I refrain from dancing, I shouldn’t cause my doctor too much grief.”
“I do pray that your health improves,” Carolina said with a sympathetic smile.
“Knowing that you will share my table next week gives me all the incentive I need to recover my health.”
Several people standing close enough to overhear the conversation exchanged comments of surprise and afterward seemed to look upon Carolina as someone special.
Jackson was led away to greet several important figures, while Carolina stood in complete fascination at York’s side. The White House had been festively decorated in Christmas holly and pine boughs. Candles dressed with red and gold ribbons graced every corner of the impressive room and illuminated it cheerfully. Even the people themselves became ornamental extensions of holiday trimmings.
Carolina heard a group of people laughing from somewhere behind her and turned to find an enthusiastic couple sharing a mistletoe kiss. This only served as a reminder of Hampton’s kiss, and for a moment a shadow was cast upon her revelry. She saw the tender way in which the woman looked into the eyes of the man who’d just kissed her. It must be love she feels, Carolina reasoned. Otherwise, how could she look at him like that?
“Is something wrong?” York asked her.
Carolina immediately sought to mask her feelings. “Why do you ask?”
“Your expression just now suggested some type of distress. I thought maybe you were overly worried about Jackson,” York suggested.
“Of course, I am quite concerned about him.”
“But that’s not exactly what’s troubling you just now, is it?”
She found such tenderness in her brother’s eyes that she couldn’t help but be honest. Placing her gloved hand upon his arm, she sighed. “I’m still trying to better understand love.”
York chuckled. “Is that all? You might well spend an entire lifetime trying to understand such a subject.” He walked her to a more private corner of the room and offered her a seat. “Why don’t you explain to me why this subject is of such vital importance just now?” He sat down beside her and waited patiently for her explanation.
Carolina shook her head. “I never imagined that my head would be filled with such fanciful ideas. I suppose coming of age started a forward progression that I cannot turn my back on. Nevertheless, I’m not entirely certain that I’m ready for it.”
“Who said you had to be ready for anything?”
Carolina watched the people passing by them and considered this for a moment. “York, something happened the other night. I haven’t told anyone about it, and I hesitate to tell you because I don’t want you to become angry about it.”
York raised a brow. “I must say, you more than have my attention now. Pray continue.”
“Hampton Cabot kissed me at the charity ball. We were on the summer porch, and very much alone, and he kissed me.”
York frowned. “I can’t pretend that Cabot’s liberties are acceptable to me. Did you prompt such an action?”
“No, certainly not!” Carolina exclaimed, then reconsidered. “At least, I don’t think I did. See, that’s the problem, or at least a part of it. I didn’t want to go with Hampton to the party, but Papa encouraged it, and because I thought it would please him, I agreed. Hampton was very nice, very polite and such, but . . . well”—she paused trying to consider how she might explain the matter to her brother—“I suppose I was the one who put myself into the position of being alone with him. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, and for some reason I just didn’t want to face them, especially Mrs. Baldwin. I know that you probably don’t understand, but I asked Hampton to take me for some air. He escorted me to the summer porch, and once there he began to talk to me about romance and love.”
“And what did Mr. Cabot say?”
“I don’t really even remember, except that he said I’d had my nose in books so long that I didn’t really understand what life and love were all about. Then he took me into his arms and kissed me.” She could feel her face grow hot at this confession.
“Do you want me to speak with him on the matter?”
“No!” Carolina stated adamantly. “That is not why I mentioned it to you at all.”
“Then why?”
York seemed genuinely concerned, and it touched Carolina’s heart that he could care so much for her. Biting at her lower lip, she decided the truth was probably better than anything else. “York, I don’t love Hampton Cabot. I can’t even abide the man most of the time.”
“But?”
“But . . . I enjoyed his kiss. It was my first time, you see,” she lowered her eyes, unable to face her brother.
“And this is what has been bothering you?” There was amusement in his tone.
Carolina sighed again and nodded. “I suppose I’m just very confused about it all. Is it possible to enjoy someone’s kiss and not be in love with them?”
“I believe it is.” She looked up to find him smiling and he continued. “You certainly don’t need to feel obligated to marry the man just because he kissed you. Nor do you need to concern yourself with the fact that you enjoyed it.” He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I can scarcely believe you’re old enough to even have this conversation with me. You’ve grown up so fast and become a very beautiful woman. And, because of that, I’d like to offer you a bit of brotherly advice.”
“Please,” Carolina said, anxiously hoping York could dispel her confusion.
“Many men will try to woo you with tender words and kisses. To speak to a woman in such a fashion is a long-practiced way of breaking her will. Honorable men will approach you with proper intentions and honest love, and they will desire that you feel the same for them. Other men will merely see that you are young and beautiful and innocent, and their intentions might well be to further their own purposes and advantages. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, I think so. But what if I feel love for someone and then find that it isn’t returned?”
“That’s always a possibility and always very difficult to deal with. I’m not even sure I have the answer for you, but I do believe that if it’s meant to be, both people will feel the same toward each other, in time. Just don’t rush it and see what happens.” Then without warning York got to his feet. “Lucy is here. Come. I want you to meet her first thing.”
Carolina glanced across the room to find a young woman of exotic beauty on the arm of a thin, balding man. Lucille Alexander was stunning with her heart-shaped face and long dark lashes. Her ebony eyes seemed to take in everything at once, and Carolina found herself holding her breath as the introductions were made.
“How wonderful to meet you,” Lucy said with a smile of genuine affection. “York has told me so much about you, and I honestly feel as though I already know you.”
Carolina felt immediately at ease. “I’m afraid I’m just now learning about you. York scarcely makes it home these days, and when he does, he rarely has time to share his secrets with me.”
Lucy laughed and whispered, “I’m afraid I may have something to do with the reason he’s so long from home.”
Carolina looked at York, who merely shrugged and looked heavenward. She then returned a smile to Lucy and replied, “I’d much rather he be at such a noble cause than to be burying himself in the argumentative processes of government.”
“Mr. Adams, if I might have a few moments of your time,” Henry Alexander interrupted, “there is a matter of importance on which I need your consideration.”
“But, Father, this is a Christmas party,” Lucy protested. “You promised me that you would not work so very hard during the holidays.”
Henry smiled indulgently. “I assure you we will only be a few minutes. I know you and Miss Adams can entertain yourselves during that time.”
Carolina watched on as Lucy interacted with her father and York. She was more beautiful than Carolina could have ever imagined. Her alabaster skin was sharply contrasted by her ebony hair and eyes. She reminded Carolina of a porcelain doll, so dainty and fragile, yet there was a fire in her eyes that spoke of strength and independence.
“I truly am happy for the time to know you better,” Lucy said, bringing Carolina out of her thoughts.
“As am I.”
“York tells me you enjoy reading and studying on new subjects.”
“That is true,” Carolina admitted.
Lucy gave her a conspiratorial smile. “I confess I’m guilty of the same.”
“You?” Carolina asked in surprise.
“You can’t sit at as many diplomatic and political tables as I have and not be fascinated by the details passing in conversation.”
Carolina felt she’d met a kindred spirit in Lucy. “I’ve eavesdropped on more of my father’s private meetings than I’d care to admit to. York has even helped me on one or two occasions. He’s always respected my desire to learn.”
Lucy nodded. “I can imagine he would. But, you see, the difference between York and other men is that York is not threatened by an intelligent woman. He’s confident in himself and is very knowledgeable. And I would even go so far as to say that your brother is quite willing to learn from a woman, should he find her with knowledge of importance to him.”
“York is very special,” Carolina confessed. “When he told me that he’d met you, I must say I was rather jealous. Now, however, meeting you and speaking our hearts, I find that you are quite an acceptable choice.”
Lucy reached out and linked her arm through Carolina’s. “I know we shall be great friends, Miss Adams.”
“Please call me Carolina.”
“And you will call me Lucy.”
“Happily,” Carolina said, feeling as though she’d just been given an exquisite gift.