A Hope Beyond (21 page)

A hush fell over the room as it became evident to the others that the object of their discussion had come to join them. Virginia exchanged a glance with Carolina and hated the sympathy she read in her sister’s expression.

“Perhaps in the interest of truth, sister dear, we should be wholly honest,” Virginia said.

Carolina looked at her with such an expression of confusion that Virginia actually laughed out loud. The other women looked at her strangely, and even Kate pulled away. Virginia didn’t care. Let them all think what they would. It couldn’t get much worse anyway.

“The truth,” Virginia stated calmly, “is that my sister played a bigger part in the destruction of my engagement than she would ever want you to know about.” All gazes moved from Virginia to Carolina, who shook her head in confusion.

“What are you talking about, Virginia?”

“Yes, Virginia, please tell us,” Sarah added eagerly.

Virginia felt the power of holding the room captive. She thrilled to know the anguish she was about to impose upon her goody-goody little sister. Carolina would no longer be considered the belle of the county when this news hit the streets. And Hampton . . . well, poor Hampton Cabot just might need another source of comfort. Instead of sending him packing, Virginia was already imagining herself as the comforting heroine in his life.

“I’m sorry, Carolina, but I can no longer protect you,” Virginia began in a rather regretful tone. She offered what she hoped was a truly mournful look before plunging ahead to destroy her sister’s reputation. Feigning tears, Virginia slipped down in the nearest chair and pretended to be overcome with emotions.

“I tried to keep others from knowing. I tried.” Virginia’s stirring scene caused Kate to hurry to her best friend’s side.

Lifting her face and dabbing at her eyes, Virginia gave her head a little shake. “I suppose because she is so young and”—Virginia looked up at Kate—“because she insisted on reading those books . . .”

“What books?” Sarah asked.

“Totally inappropriate books,” Virginia answered. “She and my Mr. Baldwin—oh, but I mustn’t call him that now.” She sighed heavily and dabbed again at her eyes. The entire room was hers to command. Even Lucy and Carolina sat completely mesmerized by what she might say next.

“Mr. Baldwin and my sister began their relationship as tutor and student. My sister wanted to learn all manner of study, and my father, bless his soul, didn’t understand just exactly what manner of study she had in mind.”

“Do tell,” gasped Sarah, now sitting on the edge of her seat.

“Yes, tell us, Virginia,” Kate encouraged.

Virginia smiled to herself from behind the veil of her handkerchief. “Carolina wanted to learn about, well—” She looked intently at each of the women. “Carolina wanted to learn about science . . . if you understand my meaning.”

Carolina stared openmouthed at her while the others were abuzz with chatter about the implications. Virginia fixed a stony stare on her sister and waited for the comments to die down.

“I believe if you asked my sister, she would have a hard time denying that she and Mr. Baldwin shared a very close friendship. They were given to late-night discussions and . . . well, perhaps the only word I might speak in delicate company is . . . experiments.”

“No!” the women cried in unison, with exception to Lucy and Carolina, who were obviously too shocked to speak.

“It’s true. I even managed to come upon them in a most intimate embrace,” Virginia said, then looked away, as though trying to regain some lost composure. The expressions on their faces made her want to laugh. This was the perfect revenge. No proper family would accept Carolina as a potential daughter-in-law after she finished with this little performance. The only thing that would be left to accomplish after this would be making certain Hampton heard the news as well.

“I can’t reveal what else took place. She is, after all, my sister. But I feel I simply cannot live a lie any longer.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” Kate said, patting her gently. The others murmured in agreement. “To think that your own sister would dally with your intended.”

Accusing eyes turned on Carolina.

“I never!” she finally managed to exclaim.

“You never what, Carolina?” Virginia questioned. “Is it not true that you and James would sit side by side, often late into the night, discussing heaven only knows what?”

“That is true, but you were . . .”

“And is it not true that I found you embraced in James’ arms?” Virginia interrupted.

Carolina shook her head. “You know very well that he was only comforting me after Mary’s death.”

“Yes, of course. Did he also come to you in the night, to offer . . . comfort?”

Carolina jumped tearfully to her feet. “I am innocent of these accusations.”

Lucy stood beside Carolina, placing an arm around her trembling shoulders. “Enough of this!” she said in such a commanding tone that even Virginia was sobered. “I don’t know what Virginia’s game is, but if anyone here chooses to believe
any
of these nasty accusations, they are far worse off than either of these two fine girls. If you relish lurid stories, then read fiction—do not seek to ruin your friends—!” Lucy’s voice broke off as she was overcome with her own emotion.

“We just want to know the truth,” said Sarah lamely.

“All you want to know is silly gossip, and you don’t care who you must hurt to find it,” countered Lucy, swallowing her emotion.

“Well, I—”

“She’s right,” said Julia, obviously gaining courage from Lucy.

“And I, for one, want to hear no more of it.” She strode to Carolina and placed an arm around her other shoulder.

“What about me?” cried Virginia, stamping her foot as real tears fell from her eyes.

Now Lucy left Carolina and went to Virginia. “We know you are distraught and unhappy, Virginia—only that could make you say such untrue things.” She tried to lay a comforting hand on Virginia’s shoulder, but she shrugged it away.

“No one ever believes me!” Virginia sulked.

“We believe you when you said you desired to put off your marriage because of your family’s grief. We know that’s the truth, and only your fears for your future make you try to hurt others.”

Realizing she was only going to end up looking worse than before, Virginia dabbed at her moist eyes with her handkerchief and, though it wasn’t hard, tried to look quite pathetic. “Maybe so . . . but I don’t want to be”—a real sob broke through her lips— “an old maid!”

“There, there,” said Lucy. “You won’t be. You are a beautiful young woman, and there will be other men for you.”

The others offered up similar encouragements. All except Carolina, who still stood by in stunned silence. Virginia wondered why she should still be taking on so—her plan had fallen flat, thanks to that other goody-two-shoes, Lucy. But at least Lucy had managed to keep her from looking bad.

No, I don’t look bad, she thought dismally. Now they just feel even more sorry for me. And I hate it! Why can’t I just once feel some victory in my life? Why does everything have to go wrong for me?

But the group was still quiet and tense, and Virginia was almost glad for what Lucy did next, because it took all their simpering, sympathetic attention off her.

“Perhaps this would be a good time for me to make a happy announcement.” Lucy paused and glanced at Sarah. “I hope you won’t think me trying to take away from your day, Sarah.”

“Do continue,” said Sarah. “I think we could use some good news about now.”

All eyes turned to meet Lucy’s now smiling face. “I wanted all of you to be the first to know my news. York and I are expecting a baby.”

This new focus was eagerly accepted by all, and while everyone sought to congratulate Lucy, Virginia quietly slipped from the room. Telling herself that no one would miss her anyway, she pulled out a silver flask from her skirt pocket and drained the contents.

There had to be a way to pay Carolina back for what she had done. There had to be a means to hurt her sister as she herself had been hurt. But more than anything, there had to be a way to accomplish all that and find her own husband besides. Maybe there was something to her earlier thoughts of stealing Hampton Cabot. All she had to do was pour on the charm— Suddenly Virginia hiccuped.

“Oh, goodness! I’ll need more sherry for that.”

But the sherry already in her system gave her enough false bravado to believe her own praises. Mrs. Hampton Cabot did have an acceptable ring to it, and with little difficulty, Virginia knew she could take that name for herself. And should Hampton prove more loyal to her little sister than she suspected . . . well, Virginia would just have to handle that in her own creative way.

Either way, the battle lines had been drawn, and soon she could sit back and count the casualties.

23
The Baring of Souls

Leland Baldwin sat in his richly furnished office at the National City Bank, gazing out the window at the impressive view of the Capitol building, its pure white facade gleaming brilliantly in the spring sunshine. A self-satisfied smile spread across his face. His plans were finally taking shape, and he found the excitement nearly too much to contain. The Virginia legislature had granted the Potomac and Great Falls a charter for their railroad, established in effect for ten years. Leland’s imagination began to run away with him at what this would mean.

He studied the list of investors and felt the surge of elation double. He had more than enough money to divert into a dozen other projects and still make it appear as though work was actually proceeding with the P&GF. His only problem would be in keeping Joseph Adams satisfied.

As if on cue, Joseph appeared at his open door and knocked lightly. “May I see you for a moment?”

“Adams! I had no idea you were to be in town today,” Leland said, quickly sweeping the evidence of his plans into a desk drawer.

“Come in. I was just preparing to drive out to Oakbridge.” He held up a paper and smiled. “Our charter has been granted.”

“That is good news,” Joseph answered, but Leland thought his mind sounded far from the issue.

“What can I do for you?”

Joseph took a seat and stared at the top hat he held in his hands. “I’m afraid matters at Oakbridge have caused me to rethink our working relationship in regard to the railroad.”

Leland felt his chest tighten. “Surely you don’t plan to back out now. Not with the charter in place.”

“No, not actually back out,” Joseph said thoughtfully. “Leland, may I be quite frank?”

“Of course. We’ve been friends too long to presume upon any other method.”

“Mrs. Adams is gravely ill. I fear for her, and I find that much of my time is consumed in seeking help for her. I may even have to take her to Boston. A doctor there has had much success with the very distraught.”

“I’m so sorry,” Leland said and genuinely meant it. His own wife was suffering through bouts of despondency due to their son’s disappearance, so he had some understanding of his friend’s suffering. “Is there anything I might do to ease your burden?”

Joseph nodded. “That’s why I’m here. I know I’m imposing a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders, but I must ask that you take over the running of the Potomac and Great Falls Railroad. At least for a short time. I will, of course, continue to invest and promote the line, but I need time away from the business end of matters.”

Leland could scarcely believe his good fortune. “Don’t give it another thought. I will be happy to help you in any way I can.”

Joseph seemed quite broken on the matter. “I don’t intend for it to be long. I suppose my hope is that Mrs. Adams will regain her composure and find life worth living again. However, in the meantime, I must do whatever I can to get her proper care.”

“Of course. To be certain.” Leland seemed to consider the charter for a moment. “The charter is for a ten-year period. We can easily put off actually building for another year. That will also allow us to secure additional investors and make a more complete survey of the area.”

“Yes, that perhaps does sound wise.”

“Then, too, it is my hope that James will have fulfilled whatever obligations he holds with the Baltimore and Ohio. When he has returned, perhaps he will be able to offer us further insight that can guide our steps.”

“How is your son?” Joseph asked with marginal interest.

Leland studied Joseph for a moment. His hair was grayer and so, too, his complexion. His eyes were sunken and his expression rather hopeless. The unspoken past seemed to hang between them.

“Joseph, I must reward your honesty with my own.” He was given Joseph’s immediate attention. “I’ve not heard from James since learning that he’d broken off with Virginia. I’ve wanted to broach the matter with you on several occasions, but I was, well, quite frankly, too ashamed.”

“But why? You had nothing to do with it.” Joseph seemed to take on a tone more like his old self.

“Oh, but I did.” Leland played the part of mournful father. It wasn’t a hard part to play, for in fact he was quite grief stricken over his son’s behavior and disappearance. “I pushed the boy too hard. I insisted that he find a woman of virtue and settle down to a life of banking and raising a respectable family.”

“No father could want less for his only child.”

“Perhaps, but I feel that your family has suffered because of my desires. I know that James felt honor bound to his proposal, but I also know he’s driven by some unseen force. It’s taken him away from his mother and me, and it’s changed him.”

Joseph smiled sympathetically. “He didn’t love her.”

The statement seemed to come from nowhere, and Leland was quite taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, James never loved Virginia. Virginia is a determined young woman, and she clearly set her cap on James from the first moment he paid her court. But I never saw James’ eyes light up with love for her.”

“Love is too frivolous an emotion to plot an entire life around,”

Leland said rather authoritatively. “You and I both know that some of the best marriages are arranged ones. Love follows in time. The boy would have learned to love.”