A Hope Beyond (25 page)
James startled at this. With his senses dulled he could not hide his reaction. Annabelle seemed to sense his disbelief.
“I know. I know. You see the actress and the wild life I lead. You know from my own lips that my husband divorced me and that my reputation is tainted beyond all belief. But, James, the world’s view is not always right. Every day I lay myself out before God and realize how very far I’ve missed the mark of perfection. And every day I get up and try again. I might not be welcome among the pious people of the church, but in my own heart I know God forgives me and helps me to try again. Maybe one day you will accept this for yourself as well.”
“Perhaps,” James murmured, feeling too uncomfortable to continue with the discussion. “I’m afraid I should go,” he said, getting to his feet.
Annabelle followed him to the door. “James, promise me to at least consider what I’ve said. I’m no saint, of that we both know, but God has the answers, and maybe, just maybe, He will show you the way to win your Carolina.” She smiled sadly and reached up to touch his cheek. “I almost wish I could be her.”
James felt a sadness wash over him, and the longing he felt was only magnified by the concern he read in Annabelle’s eyes. “Me too,” he whispered. He stepped into the night, then paused to look back at her. “I’ll give it some thought, Annabelle. I do promise.”
“We’ve lost a great deal,” Hampton told Joseph Adams, “as have many folks, but we’re not as bad off as most.”
“Thanks to you,” Joseph said with a cursory glance at the financial ledgers Hampton had furnished.
“Well, it is my job. Of course, I’m more inspired than some.” Hampton rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Sir, there is another matter that I would like to discuss.”
Joseph considered him for a moment. “My daughter?”
Hampton smiled. “In part, yes.”
“Go on.”
Hampton knew the delicacy of the situation. Somehow he had to win Joseph over to his side. If he could entice Joseph to see the merit of Carolina joining him in marriage, then he knew half the battle would be won. And it was an important battle to be sure. Too much was at stake to simply walk away in defeat.
He took a seat across from Joseph’s desk and folded his hands. “I’m afraid Carolina is a bit hesitant to accept my proposal, and I had hoped you would perhaps speak to her on my behalf.”
“I believe in allowing my children to choose their own mates.
Arranged marriages have their good and bad points, but I’d like to believe my children are marrying for love and not position.”
“I realize that, but I also believe Carolina loves me.”
“Has she told you this?”
Hampton looked at the ceiling. “Not in so many words.”
“Then what gives you this belief?”
Hampton lowered his gaze. “Perhaps this is the wrong thing to say to a father, and perhaps my liberties have been too great, but Carolina responds quite enthusiastically to my embrace and kiss.” It wasn’t a lie, Hampton thought. And even if it had been, he would have said it anyway. He would use whatever means necessary to win Joseph’s assistance.
“I see. I pray you haven’t pushed the bounds of proper conduct with this embrace and kiss.”
“No, sir,” he lied convincingly. “I wouldn’t dream of such a thing. Actually, the situation came about by Carolina’s prompting. Each time, she has arranged for us to be alone.”
“Each time?” Joseph shifted and looked a bit more uncomfortable. “Just how serious has this thing become?”
Hampton smiled. “I would never dishonor her, of that you must believe. I want to marry her, but she is so concerned with the family that she refuses to give me an answer. She’s told me again that she must refuse my proposal because she can’t be parted from those who need her most. She is completely devoted to her family, but especially to you.”
“To me? But why should she concern herself with me?”
Hampton knew he’d piqued his employer’s interest and pressed the issue forward. “You see, I have offered Carolina not only marriage, but the promise that we could remain near to Oakbridge.”
“And this didn’t convince her to say yes?”
“She’s convinced that Oakbridge and her father are wavering on the edge of complete destruction. She doesn’t want to do anything to bring about the ruin of either her home or her beloved father. She won’t hear of leaving you, because by staying on, she knows you will allow her to help you run the plantation, and she knows that you have no one else.”
“That much is true. Carolina has been of great help to me.”
“Exactly. And that is why she refuses to agree to our marriage. She’s convinced that you would insist I return to New York and that she would have to leave her home and loved ones.”
“So what is it you would have me do?”
“I would ask you again to consider allowing me to train at your side as the man who will see Oakbridge continue in prosperity. If Carolina hears from your own lips that you plan to do this, then I feel certain she will accept me as a husband.”
Joseph considered this for a moment, then leaned back in his chair. “I have already given a great deal of thought to your suggestion, and I must agree it seems the most reasonable and responsible way to go. Maine assures me that he has no desire to take control of Oakbridge, and York has also admonished me to consider giving the reins over to another member of the family. Of course, York suggested Carolina be the one to run things.”
Joseph smiled at this, and Hampton did his best to refrain from making a snide remark about women in positions of power.
Just then a knock sounded on the library door.
“Come in,” Joseph called out, and to their surprise, Carolina appeared on the threshold. Both men rose as she spoke.
“Please excuse me, Father, but the Coopers’ overseer is here to collect the grain you promised.”
Joseph nodded. “Hampton, you will have to excuse me. We can pick up this conversation at another time.” He turned to the door and, after kissing Carolina on the head, went downstairs to attend to business.
Hampton saw this as the perfect opportunity to play the humble suitor. As Carolina turned to leave, he called to her. “Please stay a moment. I feel I simply must apologize to you.”
Carolina turned, the sprig muslin gown whirling around her legs as she did so. Her dark eyes beheld him as if trying to find any reason to do as he bid.
“Please . . . about the other night.”
“There’s nothing to say,” Carolina snapped frostily.
Hampton strode closer. “But I believe there is. You see, I forgot myself and my manners. I saw a beautiful woman. A woman of such quality and refinement that I simply lost my head in passion.” He took several tentative steps toward her, then halted. “I know it was wrong to push you, but you must know how very much I desire you. You haunt my thoughts day and night, and I’m nearly heartsick at the thought of returning to New York City without your promise to marry me.”
“Mr. Cabot . . .”
“Please,” he said, raising his hand, “hear me out.”
“To what purpose?”
“To the purpose that you further understand me.” Hampton stepped closer, but seeing her eyebrow arch suspiciously, he stopped once again. “I know it was wrong to force myself upon you, but I was simply overcome. Can’t you see that what I feel for you is genuine?”
“I suppose I can, but I’ve already told you I do not love you.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m offering you enough love for both of us. You will come to love me in time, of this I’m certain. And because I am certain of it, I’m willing to offer you a token of my trust and hope in that love.”
“What kind of token?”
“A college education.” Hampton held his breath waiting for her response. The look of disbelief on Carolina’s face was enough to let him know he’d drawn her full attention. “There are several progressive colleges in New York that are allowing women to obtain degrees. I would allow you to attend and completely finance such an expedition, if you would only do so as my wife.”
Carolina actually looked as though she might faint, and Hampton hurried to bring her a chair. “Here, sit down,” he urged. “I didn’t mean to shock you so badly.”
“No, that’s all right,” she murmured and took the seat. “I must ask you something.”
Hampton drew up a chair and sat on the edge of the seat. “Anything.”
“Why are you so intent on marrying a woman who obviously doesn’t love you? I’ve told you over and over I don’t feel the slightest bit romantic toward you, yet you continue to pursue me and now offer me the choicest of my dreams if only I will agree to wed you. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
“I love you, Carolina. I know that may sound trite, but believe me, it isn’t. I know you have dreams for an education and dreams of seeing yourself in an important role with the railroad. I find that, although women in such roles once offended my sense of propriety, my love for you is making a changed man of me.”
“And you would marry me, knowing that I was only doing so in order to obtain a college education?” Her eyes narrowed and her brows knit together in anticipation of his reply.
“I would.” He tried to appear as besot with her as he was with her father’s power and money. “There would need be no secrets between us. Marry me for the schooling. Marry me for the railroad. Just marry me.”
“My father could give me an education, too.”
“Yes, but if you did so as a married woman, you would not risk your reputation.”
He could see that the idea was intriguing to her and waited while she silently contemplated his proposal.
Several moments passed before she spoke again. “And what would you get out of this arrangement?”
Hampton felt a surge of self-satisfaction. He’d finally managed to break through her tough facade to at least get her to consider him as a prospective mate. Some women had to be wooed with diamonds and rubies, others with sweet words and acts of passion. But not so Carolina Adams. To woo Carolina, one had only to dangle a carrot marked “education” in front of her nose and she was instantly drawn in.
“I would get you for my wife,” he said, leaning forward. He gently touched her hands with his, being careful not to appear aggressive.
After all he’d gone through to reach this point, he didn’t want to frighten her now. “I would be a good husband, Carolina.”
“But I wouldn’t be a good wife,” she replied. “A good wife would give her heart to her husband, and I can’t promise you that I could do that.”
He read the turmoil in her eyes. “But you’ve been honest with me about all of this, and I’m telling you that I would take my chances. Besides,” he smiled at her innocent expression, “I have confidence in myself. I believe I could make you learn to love me.”
“I must say you’ve given me a great deal to consider.” She stood and moved toward the door. “I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”
Hampton watched her go with a sense of accomplishment. It was all too easy, and he chided himself for not having thought of it sooner. Education was the key to her heart, and little did it matter to him that it was all a lie. He wanted to assure himself a position in the family, especially a position that could well see him in charge within the shortest amount of time. Once he convinced Carolina to say yes, Joseph would follow suit by offering him Oakbridge. When Carolina saw how desperately her father needed them there, she would naturally see the folly in moving away. No, there would be no possibility of Carolina deserting her father for her own way. She was much too self-sacrificing to ever dream of it. He smiled. Then it would be Carolina herself, and not Hampton, who put an end to her dreams of college. He would be the sympathetic suitor who promised that one day it would all work out if only they patiently faced it together.
Gathering up the fabricated ledgers he’d brought for Joseph’s perusal, Hampton felt himself very close to the power he so longed for. At least Carolina was beautiful, he mused. She might not come to him as a loving wife, but he would use her as one. Once she was saddled with three or four children, she’d soon enough forget any desire for college, and by that time, he would be master at Oakbridge.
Carolina brushed out her hair and further contemplated Hampton Cabot’s proposal. Only this morning she would have found such thoughts impossible. But that was before Hampton had offered her college.
Laying the brush on her dressing table, Carolina crossed the room and sat down on the window seat. She pulled back the heavy draperies and felt the cool night air surround her. This was her favorite place to think things through, and snuggling down into her robe, she intended to think through Hampton’s unusual proposition.
“I’ve been completely honest with him,” she murmured. “He knows I’d only be doing it for the education.”
But even as she said this, Carolina knew it wasn’t a good reason to marry. Marriages were made for a variety of reasons, but she couldn’t imagine her father sanctioning a union based on the mere profit of one party. Hadn’t that always been his reasoning for refusing to force his children into arranged marriages? No, Father would tell me to marry for love, she thought, pulling the robe tighter about her.