Chapter 5
Sitting across from her grandfather the next morning, Judith noted the space between them wasn’t nearly as extensive as it had been the night before.
It was clear that several leaves had been removed from the massive table, and now they were only a dozen or so feet apart.
Whether this was regularly done for the purpose of a less formal breakfast, or her grandfather had hoped to show her that he was willing to draw her closer, Judith had no idea.
It was, however, a more comfortable setting, and after such a restless night, she found herself grateful.
When James Ashton appeared and took his seat, the servants immediately brought breakfast to the table. Judith was not surprised to be served rather than given a choice. It seemed to be her grandfather’s fashion. Thankfully, his choices were like her own. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
The footman appeared at her side with a cup of tea, a small pitcher of cream, and a sugar bowl. She thanked him and then bowed her head to pray over the meal, knowing her grandfather wouldn’t concern himself with such things. When she finished, she looked up to find him watching her.
“So have you decided?” he asked, wasting no time.
“I have.” She saw no reason to draw out the matter.
“I will accept your offer on two conditions. One, the money will be released immediately. I want it sent directly to the charity I set up for widows and orphans in Philadelphia. This way houses can be built for them prior to winter. Second, you will agree to attend church with me on Sundays, so long as your health allows.”
He fixed her with a glaring expression. “And how do I know you’ll keep your word if I release the money now?”
“How do you ever know if your investments will come to fruition? You must take a chance. I am a woman well-known for keeping my word. You will simply have to accept that, or we have no deal . . . sir.” She added the title of respect, hoping to show that she wasn’t without regard to his position.
“You know I’m not a religious man.”
“I do, but frankly that is unimportant to me at this point. It is a condition of my staying, and I won’t be moved on this matter.”
He frowned and lowered his gaze. She could see that he was wrestling with the decision. He wasn’t used to anyone making demands of him.
Judith picked up her fork and began to eat.
There was no sense in further discussing the matter.
She didn’t want to fight with him, yet as she prayed about what to do, she felt convinced that requiring his church attendance was of the utmost importance.
The man was desperate for her to remain, so she had a bit of an edge.
She sampled the eggs and found them light and fluffy. The bacon was crisp, and the toast a perfect golden brown. She had to admit that whoever the cook was, they were quite capable, and she was determined to enjoy her meal.
“I will attend Sunday services with you, but do not ask me to participate in any other way. I will not tithe monies, nor be drawn into any position of service.”
“Nor would I expect you to be, sir.” Judith waited for him to continue.
“And I suppose I have no choice but to send the money immediately. You seem determined to have your way.”
She almost chuckled at the resignation in his voice. He might not like having conditions put on his demands, but he knew when he’d been defeated. Still, she remained silent. Judith had no desire to further antagonize the man.
“I will have Mr. Black make the arrangements and see the money forwarded. He’ll be by this morning, so if you would be so kind as to write down instructions for mailing, I will see to the rest.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He looked up at her for a long silent moment. “You may call me grandfather.”
She couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips. “I will call you that when you have earned the right.”
His brow arched in surprise, then he gave a slight nod. “Quite clever. You have a quick wit.” He picked up his coffee cup. “You’re very much like your grandmother. She wasn’t afraid to confront me or stand up to me when convinced she was right.”
“I’m glad to hear that. My father said his mother loved you very much.
One cannot love another when their relationship is burdened with fear.
I will do my best to respect your position, but I will not fear you nor be bullied by you.
There can be nothing of quality in our endeavor to know one another if fear is the foundation. ”
“It has been a long time since anyone stood up to me. I believe your father might well have been the last to attempt such a thing, and I refused his attitude in full.”
Judith shrugged. “You see where that got you.”
He nodded, then took a long sip from his cup.
Judith wondered what he was thinking. Her defiance and strong will weren’t things she offered merely to be obstinate.
She felt confident that standing her ground was important.
They would never be able to have a true understanding of each other, nor any kind of friendship, if they didn’t offer mutual respect and consideration.
“I’m sure your father had little regard for me. However, his upbringing was good, and we were quite close at one time.”
“I know. He often told me. He said you were never given to common pleasures or playfulness, but you were good and patient in teaching him a variety of things that served him well.”
“I’m surprised that he was so generous in his comments.”
“My father loved you,” Judith countered, not bothering to look up. “He said there was a time when he was certain you loved him as well, but then another replaced him.”
“Another? What nonsense are you speaking?”
She continued to focus on the food and picked up another piece of toast. “Money. Your desire for money replaced your love of him.”
“The one had nothing to do with the other. Unless you consider that making money was important to maintain the welfare of the family. That is the duty and responsibility of the head of any household. It was my task to provide a good life for my wife and child, and I did exactly that. Your father never wanted for anything. Neither did his mother.”
“Except love.” She met his gaze and saw the look of confusion. “Your focus on provision robbed them of your tenderness and love. You became cold and indifferent, but they never gave up hope that you would somehow return to them.”
“This is not an accurate accounting. I was not harsh, nor was I cruel toward them.”
“No? Perhaps not to your way of seeing it, but you abandoned them when they refused to yield to loving the only thing you loved. Money was not what my father needed. He needed the love of his father. He needed your presence in his life to encourage him and offer guidance in matters that pertained to more than just finance.”
“I tried to offer him guidance when he chose a poor man’s daughter to marry.”
“He was in love with my mother and she with him. It’s true she brought little financial wealth to the table, but her heart was given completely, and for that he benefited far more than if he’d been given a wagonful of gold.
You never knew him or his life after that.
You couldn’t see how he took the principles you taught him about hard work and made a good living for himself. ”
“He could have had so much more if he’d just been willing to do things my way,” her grandfather said with apparent regret.
Judith shook her head. “He had it all and was quite happy. And, despite your lack of belief in God, we were heaven-blessed. God’s hand was upon us, and Papa’s business dealings reaped great reward. When he died, he left me quite comfortable.”
“He could have left you more if he’d done my will.”
“I’m glad he sought God’s will instead. He lived by example, and through his instruction and beliefs, my faith grew and matured. I will never regret that he sought his heavenly Father at the abjuration of his earthly one. It was to his blessing and benefit, as well as mine.”
If her words caused pain, James Ashton didn’t reveal it. He remained stoic in his expression, and after a moment of contemplation, he lowered his gaze and went back to eating. Judith wondered at his thoughts but let the matter drop.
They finished breakfast in silence, but as her grandfather stood, he took out his watch and addressed her once again. “I wish to take you for a ride around town at ten. Be ready.” He left without another word.
Judith breathed a heavy sigh. She felt as if she’d just done battle.
If every breakfast was this exhausting, she might well have to plan for a time of rest afterward.
She smiled nevertheless. She had gotten what she wanted.
Her grandfather would attend church, and the women and orphans of Philadelphia would have lodgings and food. So far, she’d done a good day’s work.
James Ashton was more than a little impressed with his granddaughter.
She was able to hold her own with him, and that alone made her unique.
Bert had told him she was quite intelligent, handling all sorts of business dealings for her various charities.
Bert had also dug up some information on her personal investments.
Unlike many others who relied upon financial advisors, Judith was known to investigate matters for herself and make her own decisions.
James liked that about her, even though he would advise her in the future to seek his counsel.
Of course, he wouldn’t be around much longer if the doctors were correct in their assessment of his health.
That would necessitate acting fast, pushing her to learn the things that he had in mind to teach her.
They barely knew each other, and although he had maneuvered her into spending the summer in his company, there was no telling if she would willingly take instruction.
Bert Black showed up at eight thirty as usual. He appeared at the office and was announced by Mrs. Deeters.
“Come in, Bert. Let’s get right down to business. I need you to attend to several things for me today.”
“That’s why I’m here.” He opened his case and pulled out a small book. “What would you like to discuss first?”
“I have made an arrangement with Judith. She’s going to remain here for the summer. In return, I am donating thirty thousand dollars to her widows and orphans fund. See her for the address and arrange for the money to be wired from the bank in Boston.”
Bert jotted down notes. “Very good, sir.”
“When am I meeting with the new architect regarding my block?” His plans for the Ashton Block had been delayed when the original architect moved to Chicago.
“You have a meeting scheduled with them tomorrow at ten.”
“Very good. I expect you to be there. Oh, and I want Judith there as well. It’s important she learn the plans and know what my wishes are since she will most likely be the one to see them carried out.”
“Yes, of course.” Bert continued writing.
“And as much as I detest the idea, we should probably plan some sort of engagement to introduce Judith to our society. Speak to Mrs. Deeters and Mrs. Markle regarding the arrangements. Perhaps we could host a dinner party.” He frowned.
“I hate such affairs. It vexes me to even think about strangers making their way through my house.”
“Maybe someone in the community might be encouraged to host a gathering on Judith’s behalf,” Bert suggested.
“She has insisted that I join her for Sunday church services. She might meet someone there who might do the job.”
“I could attend with you and keep a view toward such a goal.”
“Yes, yes. That might work. Let’s delay on hosting, then, and see what might develop.”
“Yes, sir.” Black looked up. “Which church has she chosen to attend?”
James scowled. He hadn’t even thought to ask her if she had some place in mind. Then again, why should she? It wasn’t like she was from the area.
“I have no idea. I suppose she’ll tell me when she has decided.”
“Most likely. She’s probably already researched the matter. Is that all the new business?”
“Yes. Now what have you brought me regarding the old?” James knew the man would have a variety of business dealings for him to manage.
“I have the contract you wanted to put together with the Redford Logging Company. I believe you’ll find the changes you requested have been made. I’ve brought it for your review.” Black produced a stack of papers from his case.
Black prattled on regarding various investments that needed James’s attention.
The man was worth the money he paid, but James wasn’t of a mind to focus on business.
Judith’s presence had somewhat disoriented him.
His entire world seemed turned upside down.
Even given the way Black had described his granddaughter, James had not expected the woman who showed up at his door.
Then again, maybe it was just his growing heart problem.
He gave a light rub to the center of his chest. He didn’t like knowing that his time was short.
The doctor had made it seem that no matter what he did at this point, James could not stop the inevitability of his passing.
Having been in control of himself for nearly sixty years, James found it inconceivable that he should have that power stripped away without warning.
But all the money in the world could not buy him extra time, and that reality was only starting to sink in. It was a rather empty feeling.