Distant Dreams (26 page)

When Carolina and Virginia left the classroom to prepare themselves for the midday meal, James sat back on the sofa and ruminated over the morning’s progress. It gave him great pleasure to recall Carolina’s excitement when he had produced the locomotive designs. He had been a bit shaky at first when he had launched into the discussion, but she had not noticed at all. And before long, he too had practically forgotten his pounding heart and trembling hands.

It felt good to talk about the railroad again. Very good. Of course, talking was a far cry from riding a train again, but perhaps it was a start. And how odd that little Carolina had been the one to boost him in that positive direction. She was wise beyond her years. There were times when he thought he ought to be learning from her. He might know science and mathematics, but there was so much about life that eluded him.

The simplicity of her response, if not the wisdom, had made him think about his reaction to all that had happened. He remembered her simple words,
“Would he have put the railroad aside if he’d known it
would kill him?”
The railroad might not be important enough to die for, but dreams, hopes . . . yes, he believed they were.

Maybe he would never be able to step on a train again, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t continue to produce his designs. And it certainly didn’t mean he ought to give up after that one unfortunate incident. He had a talent for design, or so Phineas had told him, and he had a decided aversion to banking. After much thought and Carolina’s sweet encouragement, he decided it was better to face the terrors of the rails than the horrible boredom of banking.

At least he wasn’t ready to make any rash decisions. He feared Virginia might never let him live down his hasty words of two days ago, but he’d handle her somehow. In the meantime, he still had to recuperate fully. Who could say what might happen during that time? Why, Carolina might just get him aboard a train before his stint at Oakbridge was over.

27

Something to Think About

A week before Christmas James entered the sitting room without Virginia’s ever constant presence. Carolina was already hard at work, head bent over her book, pen in hand. He could hardly believe the progress she’d made. Already she commanded a good understanding of algebra, and the problems presented her were rationally examined and questioned when that understanding failed her. She was an avid student, and since their agreement to a truce, he found her company quite enjoyable as well.

He also found Virginia’s company enjoyable, but for an entirely different reason. Virginia was . . . well, the kind of woman a man naturally found alluring. She was delicate and charming with her talk of the social season and of helping the children at church to put on a Christmas pageant. She always managed to speak of domestic affairs as though her heart beat for their very existence. And perhaps it did. Seldom did Virginia broach any subject other than that which might appeal to her feminine nature. James doubted seriously that Virginia even knew there was a political or industrial world, except that the people who participated in such things were often those at her parties.

Yes, he found Virginia to be a fine companion. Her beauty alone ought to be enough to keep any man interested and content. He was content at any rate. He’d already decided to propose to her after the New Year.

“Oh, bother!” Carolina exclaimed, rallying James from his thoughts.

“What’s the problem?” he asked, closing the door behind him.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were here,” she said, seeming somewhat embarrassed. “It’s really nothing. I just spilled ink.” Getting up, she went to the secretary where she’d purposefully tucked a few rags for just such occasions.

James watched her bite her lip as she concentrated on cleaning up the mess. She wore her hair down, with only a delicate pink ribbon to hold it back away from her face. The dark brown ringlets danced over her shoulder when she bent to her task, and without thought James reached out to keep them from merging with the inky mess.

Startled, Carolina immediately straightened, and James dropped the silky curls. “Sorry,” he said, feeling his face redden a bit. “I feared your hair was about to change colors to indigo.”

Carolina, still holding the inky rag, nodded briskly and returned to her task. “I should have paid better attention to what I was doing.” Her voice sounded rather stiff and formal, and James worried that he’d offended her with his behavior. The few times he’d touched her hand or brushed her arm with his, she’d always reacted the same way. No doubt she was still harboring some anger against him for his original attitude toward her education. If that were the case, he could help rectify the situation here and now.

“You know, Carolina, I don’t believe I’ve told you what I think of your progress.”

“I beg your pardon?” She finished with the ink and discarded the rag in a bin by the fireplace. Briefly studying her hands to ensure that none of the ink would follow to her clothing, she nervously smoothed her skirt.

James motioned her to the more comfortable sofa. “Here, let’s take a moment from the studies.”

Carolina eyed him strangely but did as he suggested. She sat on the edge of the yellow-striped sofa, back stiffly straight, hands folded in her lap. James limped noticeably as he retrieved a chair and brought it to sit in front of her.

“I just wanted to take a few moments to tell you how well you’re doing. I know I had my misgivings in the beginning, but I’m very impressed with your ability to comprehend the subjects we’ve taken on.” He paused, trying to gauge her reaction, but Carolina’s face remained fixed. “I suppose I have always looked at extended studies for women as a waste of time. But you have taken such joy in what you are learning that I think perhaps the purpose resolves itself in your pleasure, if nowhere else. It seems to me that should you never be allowed to do anything more with what you’ve learned here, you would find happiness in what you had.”

Carolina frowned. “Are you telling me that you’re finished tutoring me?”

James shook his head. “Not at all. I merely wanted you to know I recognize your keen intellect. You are unlike most women . . . perhaps due to your youth or your father’s obvious indulgence . . .”

“Are you saying I’m spoiled?” Her brow arched slightly, the old ire returning to her tone.

James ran his hand back through his dark hair. This wasn’t going the way he’d intended. “Not at all. I’m simply saying you’re different from other women. Oh, bother. I’m not saying this well at all.”

Carolina calmed. “I’m sorry. I suppose I’m a bit testy today. Virginia put me off at breakfast, and I’ve not had much patience since.”

James offered what he hoped was a sympathetic smile. “What happened to put you two at odds?” It was always something— usually Virginia baiting her younger sister and Carolina losing her patience.

Carolina sighed. “She wants me to occupy her former suitors at the party so that she can save most of her dances for you.”

The look on her face was one of such utter displeasure that James couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s true!” Carolina exclaimed before he could say a word.

“I’ve no doubt it is,” James replied. “Virginia must have forgotten I am in poor shape for much dancing.”

“Oh, she’ll find a way to monopolize your every moment. And I will still be left to do her bidding.”

“It seems as though you were asked to tend the dying rather than enjoy an evening of flirtatious adventure.”

“Is that what you call it? Flirtatious adventure?” Carolina relaxed a bit. “My, my, but I would have given it almost any other name.”

“That bad, eh?”

“Utter misery,” Carolina replied dejectedly. “After all, Virginia has discarded those men for one reason or another.”

James chuckled at this and added, “Yes, but consider Virginia’s intellectual standards and the things she considers important in life.”

Carolina seemed to brighten at this. “I’d not thought on the matter in that light. I suppose you have something there. Those young men might be rather wonderful. Although perhaps it is not too complimentary of yourself.”

He put one hand to his chest and the other to the air. Striking this melodramatic pose, he said, “ ‘But love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit.’ ”

“Shakespeare at a time like this?”

He dropped the stance. “Of course. When better? Then again, I suppose this discussion is most inappropriate. You cannot hope to be objective, and in fact, neither can I.”

“Still, you won’t have to dance with those men.”

“I should say not,” James said, breaking into a hearty laugh. “And strange this party would be if I did. Why can’t you get Georgia to help you? She looks to be coming along in age. Isn’t she old enough to be seeking suitors?”

“Not quite. She’s only thirteen and not even out of common school. Her beaus might well have to court her while climbing trees and jumping fences. Although Mother would have us all married by sixteen if she had her way.”

“So you’re nearly out of time,” he teased and watched her obvious discomfort played out in the nervous lacing and unlacing of her fingers.

She wasn’t given a chance to reply because her father chose that moment to burst into the room.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything critical.” Joseph strode into the room, an animated expression on his face, a glint in his eye.

“Not at all,” James said, getting to his feet. “We were actually discussing the party.”

“Well, take a look at this,” Joseph said, extending a recent copy of the
National Intelligencer
. “Charters have been granted for over ten proposed rail lines.”

James gave a cursory glance at the article. “People are excited about the railroad. It’s evident in things like this. Individual lines are bound to increase.”

“I’ve long considered the benefits of supporting other lines and in fact have already made a few investments, but until now I’ve never considered the idea of starting one of my own.”

“Oh, Papa!” Carolina exclaimed and jumped up. “Are you truly going to form your own railroad?”

“I don’t know, but the thought is an intriguing one. Just imagine what people around here would say.”

“Imagine what Mother would say.”

Joseph chuckled and replied, “She would blame the wanderlust for sure. But seriously, James, do you think it a conceivable notion?”

“Certainly. All of the major railroads have been started by private citizens. Usually several men work together to bring such a thing about, however.”

“Several men, but no women, eh?” Carolina piped up.

Joseph’s eyes sparkled. “Perhaps there have been no women who were interested in owning a piece of a locomotive.”

“Then here’s the first one,” Carolina announced. “Oh, Papa, if you start a railroad I want to be involved, too.”

Joseph put an arm around her shoulder and offered her a squeeze. “I wouldn’t dream of excluding you on such a venture. What do you think I should do first, James?”

“I’d suggest a long talk with Philip Thomas at the B&O. He was instrumental in the start of that railroad, and if anyone could give you advice it would be he.”

“Wouldn’t he see me as a rival?” Joseph asked seriously.

“Perhaps. But what of it? The positive promotion of the railroad can only benefit the Baltimore and Ohio. Choose a path that won’t threaten the B&O, and Thomas will probably be quite supportive. Maybe he would even allow you to purchase locomotives from his shops at Mt. Clare.”

“I’ll post a letter immediately,” Joseph replied. “It certainly can’t hurt to get more information. In fact, James, what with your interest in the railroad, maybe you would consider coming in on this project with me.”

“I have no capital to invest, sir.” James could only think of his family’s financial affairs and how imperative it was that he marry in order to boost those poor ledgers for the future.

“Bah, who’s talking money? I’m talking about what’s up here,” Joseph said, pointing to his head. “You have a vision for the railroad in general. You have designs and ideas for engines, and you could easily guide me in decisions related to how we could approach this mission.”

James was definitely taken aback by this idea. Working with the B&O had seemed as close to his dream as he could imagine. “It would take years to actually get the thing off of paper and into reality.”

“And what of it? You could spend that time expanding your knowledge of the business. Go to work for the B&O and get experience building your engine designs. In the meantime, I could be raising the needed capital and deciding a course for our road.”

“Don’t forget me,” Carolina said. “I could help in keeping your books and correspondences. Maybe even venture out with you to study the land.”

“Exactly right! This is sounding more possible all the time. What say we include your father, as well?”

James remembered his father’s negative attitude toward the railroad, but the idea of Leland Baldwin joining in simply to promote good relations between the two families seemed at least a remote possibility. “I’d be happy to ask him at the party.”

“It’s settled then. We’ll discuss it at length after Christmas.” Joseph left after giving Carolina a hearty pat on the back. He seemed quite happy with himself and even forgot to take the paper back when he exited the room.

“Do you think Father’s proposal a possibility?” Carolina asked James when they were alone.

“I think that man can accomplish anything he sets his mind to,” James replied in sincere admiration. “Now I see where you get your determination.”

28

A New Venture

Leland Baldwin rearranged himself uncomfortably on the blue brocade armchair in one of the Oakbridge drawing rooms. The highly ornate Gothic frame seemed hardly sturdy enough to hold his weight, and it made him increasingly more nervous by the minute. Light strains of music filtered in through the closed doors. This was followed by much laughter and singing as the gathering of guests joined the piano with a hearty chorus of “Deck The Halls.”

He should be with the others, toasting the holiday and sampling the splendid fare laid out on long sideboards. Instead, he found himself spirited away by a very animated James, and now he awaited his son’s return with some trepidation. While he was relieved to see James acting more his old self, Leland always became suspicious when his son singled him out for private discussions.