Distant Dreams (10 page)

“And who do you have in mind to stabilize our financial affairs?”

“The Adamses are quite wealthy. Joseph has made a killing in land speculation. I heard only last week he sold off a tract of land in Maine for over three hundred percent profit. It was said that the entire deal netted him over two hundred thousand dollars on land that cost him only a fraction of that amount. He’s also well invested in a hundred other areas. Iron, coal, shipping. You name it and Joseph Adams has managed to make money from it.” Leland seemed to become excited at the very idea of getting his hands on such a fortune. “Virginia Adams is most eligible, and your mother believes her to be quite accomplished. There are also younger daughters, but of them only Carolina is old enough to consider for immediate use.”

James raised a brow at his father’s choice of words. After a moment of reflection he spoke. “I’ve not seen either of them since they were in short dresses and we were neighbors in Falls Church.” James thought back to those days when the Adams children had been his playmates—the boys had been close friends, especially he and York. But he remembered Virginia and Carolina. Virginia had been pretty and quite a flirt even then, but rather frivolous, if he recalled. Carolina had enjoyed riding and chasing about in the woods far more than her sister, and she had been far more quiet and thoughtful. “How old are they now?” But after a moment’s calculation, he answered his own question. “Virginia would be eighteen and Carolina fifteen.”

“Yes, but give no serious thought to the younger one,” said Leland. “The eldest daughter is usually married off first. And I understand Margaret Adams is especially mindful of that tradition.”

“Well,” James said carelessly, “I’ve heard it said Virginia Adams has matured into a very attractive young woman. I suppose a man could do much worse.” Seeing his father’s expression light up considerably, he raised a hand. “However, I draw the line at banking. I will not be a banker under any circumstance. I love the railroad, and I intend to continue working on some design ideas I have for a new engine.”

“But can that ever pay you enough to support a family? It will do precious little good if you marry a woman of means, only to have to live on it as your only support.”

“Philip Thomas of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad seems to think I might very well make a long and healthy career with the railroad. He’s offered to look over my designs with his chief mechanic and engine designer, Phineas Davis. Not so long ago, Mr. Davis was awarded four thousand dollars for his locomotive design.”

Leland gasped. “Four thousand dollars?”

James knew he had his father’s attention now. “That’s right. Four thousand, and that was for only one of many engines he was to develop. He’s a genius, and I would love nothing better than to study under his tutelage. He and I have become well acquainted and quite companionable.”

“But surely you cannot expect to be paid that kind of money,” Leland said in a voice that defied James to prove him wrong.

“Well, maybe not to start with,” James replied. “Unless, of course, one of my designs strikes the fancy of Thomas, as it did Davis’s grasshopper design.”

Leland shook his head. “Please don’t get technical with me. I have no mind for such things. What I do have a mind for is saving this family’s name. Do I have your word that you will seek a bride with haste?”

James drew in a deep breath. The moment had come to lay all of his cards on the table. “Do I have
your
word, Father, that I may continue to pursue the railroad instead of banking as a career?”

Leland hesitated only a moment. “Prove two things to me first, and then I shall agree to it.”

“What two things would that be?”

“First produce for my eyes some form of cash support from your railroad work. Secondly, agree to take a wife within a year.”

“A year? No respectable young woman is going to break with tradition and marry that soon.”

“Oh, I think she will”—Leland smiled thoughtfully, as if he had someone in mind—“if she’s desperate enough to avoid being labeled a spinster.”

“I hardly consider marriage to me an act of desperation.” James smiled roguishly and winced at the soreness which remained in his bruised cheek.

“It will take a desperate woman to marry you if you cannot refrain from barroom fights,” Leland replied, noting James’ untimely wince. “Now, do we have an understanding?”

James nodded and the feeling of tightness in his stomach matched that in his jaw. “I will do as you ask.”

10

Evening at the Baldwins’

The Baldwin home in the Washington suburb of Georgetown had been built in 1815, a sturdy brick structure, box-shaped and plain except for its Palladian-style arched windows and doors. Joseph recalled Leland’s bragging about the “pretty penny” he’d forked out for the structure and large grounds when he purchased the place some ten years ago. Such things were important to Leland; not that Joseph thought less of the man for that. Oakbridge was worth two or three times as much as the Baldwin home, but it meant less to Joseph because it had never been the thing he desired.

A servant led Joseph and his family to an anteroom where the Baldwins were greeting their guests. At least Leland was there. His wife and son must have been called away for the moment to attend other duties.

“Adams, good to see you again,” Leland said with a nod. “Glad you could come to the party.”

A small string orchestra was playing softly in the next room, and the hum of voices rose up as accompaniment in conversation. Leland bowed his rotund frame to greet Margaret Adams, who had just turned from offering final instructions to her daughters.

“My dear Mrs. Adams, you are a vision,” Leland remarked, taking her gloved hand. “I know Mrs. Baldwin will be delighted that you could make it on such short notice.”

“We are quite happy to have been included, Mr. Baldwin,” Margaret replied. “Virginia and Carolina could scarcely speak of anything else. And how kind of you to include Carolina, though she has not yet come out.”

“Ah, but such a grown-up young lady,” Baldwin said with a wink toward Carolina. Then he nodded at Virginia and flashed her an especially broad smile. “And you, Miss Adams, are a shining example to your little sisters of lovely southern womanhood.”

“You are too kind, sir,” Virginia replied with a demure smile.

“Now come, you must join the festivities. There is quite a joyous group of young merrymakers here already enjoying a few refreshments before dinner is served.” At this he ushered the family into the adjoining room.

The girls were quickly swept away into groups of their friends. Laughter and animated voices greeted their entrance, while Leland quickly offered the elder Adams some refreshment.

“I don’t believe we care for anything just yet,” Joseph said. “Where is that son of yours? I do believe Mrs. Adams told me this party was in celebration of his college graduation and return to Washington.”

“Indeed, indeed. No doubt some admiring young woman has him dutifully entertained,” Leland said with an awkward laugh. “He is a handsome boy, if I do say so myself, and the young ladies hardly give him a moment’s rest.”

“Margaret!” Edith Baldwin exclaimed, coming forward to embrace her dear friend. “It has been ages since we’ve been together. How very uncharitable of you to keep yourself away from the city. I have simply died of boredom without your company.”

Margaret smiled. “You have no idea how very busy seven children can keep you. Why we only just sent Maine and York back to classes, and the girls are . . . well . . .” She paused. “The girls are simply girls and require their own style of sorting out from time to time.” The foursome laughed and all eyes searched the room to where Virginia stood talking to several other young ladies. Joseph did not immediately see Carolina, but she was no doubt obscured by the crowd of about fifty guests.

“Your Virginia is quite beautiful,” Edith noted. “That gown is perfectly suited to her color. Wherever did you find the material?”

“Here in the city,” Margaret replied. “I believe Goody’s Dressmaking could arrange a bolt for you.”

“How positively charming. And your gown is quite appealing. Is that a creation of Goody’s, as well?”

Edith and Margaret were lost in rapid conversation regarding the most current fashion. Completely forgotten, the men found their own topics to cover.

“She and James would make a handsome couple,” Leland spoke up, causing Joseph to raise his eyebrows.

“She? Oh, you mean, my Virginia? Yes . . . the prospect of seeing them together would not be at all displeasing to me,” Joseph offered, still watching his oldest daughter conduct her greetings. “When does James plan to join you at the bank?”

Leland frowned briefly, then quickly tried to repair the obviously unintended gesture with a nervous laugh. “It seems my son has other ideas. They may not pan out, however, in which case he will come on board within the month.”

“What interest can it be that would draw him away from the lucrative position of banking?” Joseph asked.

Leland looked uncomfortable. “He has found the new railroad to offer a wealth of attraction. I’ve given him a short time to prove it capable of supporting a man and . . .” he paused to offer an uneasy smile, “a family.”

Joseph nodded. “I believe the railroad to be a valuable asset to our country. James is coming into the thing at just the right time. The railroad will only grow in popularity and profit.”

Leland showed noticeable relief at Joseph’s words. “Perhaps you weren’t aware, but he has a degree in engineering as well as business. No doubt both could be of value to a man with his interest.”

“But of course,” Joseph replied eagerly. “A young man with James’ obvious talents and schooling could only benefit a new and upcoming business like the railroad. I heartily approve of his interest and hope it works well for him.”

Leland took out a handkerchief and mopped his perspiring brow. The room was rather warm, but it almost seemed as if Leland had been not so much affected by the heat as by his concern over Joseph’s reaction to the discussion about his son. Joseph was more flattered by the idea than concerned.

Without hearing the conversation, James took in the scene from behind curtained double glass doors. This entryway had been sufficiently cordoned off by a rather large buffet covered with flower arrangements and candles. It would not allow anyone to come through and disturb his vigil, yet afforded him a chance to observe the merrymakers without being seen.

Remembering his comment about picking a race horse, James felt very nearly akin to that as he studied the young women his mother had invited. Each was certainly not without merit. As his mother had noted, Kate Milford stood a little more robust than the others, but her smile was genuine and her eyes were wide and alluring. Sarah Armstrong, overdressed in a French concoction of blue watered-silk and feathers, had a loud distinguishable laugh that she’d not yet learned to contain. His gaze passed over several other young women before coming to the shapely form of Virginia Adams.

So this was Virginia all grown up, he thought, and smiled at the way time had arranged his old playmate. She was a delicate thing with a tiny waist that he could no doubt easily span with his hands. Her skin was milky white, with the slightest flush in her cheeks. Her gloved hand gracefully produced a fan, which she used to cover her perfectly shaped mouth whenever she laughed. Something inside his chest tightened at the thought of actually marrying the girl. Perhaps his parents had presented a tolerable idea after all.

Realizing he had put off his entrance to the party as long as his parents would tolerate, James straightened his back and gave the velvet collar of his black frock coat a fastidious final dusting. To enter the room where the party was already promising a delightful celebration, James had two choices, since the flower-covered buffet blocked the usual route. He could either pass through the library or make his way around the house by way of the kitchen. Choosing the shorter path through the library, James burst into the room and collided straightway into a young woman.

Reflexively his arms reached out to steady her as the impact sent her spinning. When he had righted her on her feet, James immediately unhanded her and gave a brief bow.

“Forgive me,” he stated formally, then raised up to meet the warmest and widest brown eyes he’d ever seen.

“I must say, you gave me quite a start!” she said with a nervous little laugh.

James was momentarily lost in the alluring smile of full cherry red lips. Her rich brown hair had been drawn up high atop her head with long curls trailing down the back. A delicate pink ribbon, matching the color of her gown, was tied as a band across her head and woven into the hair in the latest fashion. For several moments he scarcely knew what to say, feeling quite the fool for his flustered reaction. Seemingly unaware of his discomfiture, the girl turned away, apparently to leave. He quickly straightened and drew a long deep breath, wondering how to detain her without appearing even more the fool. Then he noticed a book lying on the floor, apparently having fallen from her hand.

“I do believe you have dropped something,” he said quickly as he scooped up the volume. He glanced briefly at the book as he held it out to her.
The Principles of Science.
An interesting choice of reading material for a girl, he thought.

“Thank you, sir.” She reached out a dainty gloved hand.

James held the book tightly, momentarily forgetting it as he studied her again. Then her disturbingly puzzled gaze caught his, and with a sheepish chuckle, he handed it over.

“Again . . . thank you,” she said and turned once more to leave.

“May I ask why are you in here, instead of out there enjoying yourself with the others?” he asked.

She shrugged and her gaze dropped to the book. “This looked more enjoyable by far.” She glanced up at the rows of books with an appreciative smile.

He thought her response rather odd, but he was of a progressive enough mind to pursue it. “Perhaps you would like some direction in finding something more to your taste—in a book, that is.”