Chapter 9 #2
“It might seem he gets away with things,” the older woman had said, “but there will come a reckoning, and he knows it well. His time is short, and so he does what he can to draw the children of God away from their faith and trust. Don’t give Satan a chance to lead you away, Judith.
Think not on the things of this world, for we are but a vapor. ”
The words were strangely comforting. God would not be bested, and while it was hard to lose her parents this way, she knew they were safe and one day they would all be reunited.
But now she was here in a place far from home, getting to know a man who had offered her father nothing but pain. How could she allow herself to love a man who had so clearly cast love aside? The entire matter was painful to even consider.
Upon finishing her breakfast, Judith put aside her questions and got to her feet. She began dressing for church, doing her best to focus on the Sabbath rather than her memories.
Harriet and Beth appeared just as Judith had finished donning her undergarments. Beth set out her hairbrush and pins, along with two ebony combs that Judith sometimes used when arranging her hair. Harriet, meanwhile, helped Judith into her dressing gown.
“It looks to be a beautiful day. Hot too,” Harriet said. She went to where several gowns hung pressed and ready. “Would you like to wear the lightweight blue gown? I don’t think you’ll regret it. Pity a woman has to wear so many layers of clothes just to make herself fashionable.”
“The blue dress sounds fine,” Judith told her. She sat down to the dressing table while Harriet went to fetch the gown. Judith finished securing her stockings, then Beth untied the ribbon from her braid and began to brush out her hair.
Judith was still not used to people waiting on her hand and foot.
In Philadelphia, Helen sometimes assisted her if a chore proved to be too demanding, but normally Judith did everything for herself.
That was the way she’d been brought up, and she was glad for that simple upbringing.
In time, her charity work consumed more and more of her days, so she had given in to hire a cook and cleaning lady, but they only came in three times a week.
The remaining days Judith and Helen did for themselves. Now Helen was managing it all alone.
Judith had to admit, Harriet and Beth did a good job, especially with her hair.
Beth seemed to have a knack for arranging the thick mass of waves.
Today she parted Judith’s hair in the middle and then worked with each side individually, rolling and curling and pinning it all in place.
When this was complete, she studied Judith’s arrangement for just a moment and then decided against using the combs.
“I think you should wear one of the new hats,” Beth suggested. She disappeared to retrieve one.
Judith hadn’t even known her grandfather had arranged for new hats until Harriet told her last night.
Apparently after their discussion on Friday, James Ashton had sent Mrs. Deeters out to arrange several new accessories and gowns.
Judith had thought to tell him he could just send them all back, but she had read that verse in the book of Romans on Friday evening that said, “As much as it lieth with you, live peaceably with all men.” She supposed that included her grandfather and said nothing.
Surely she could be peaceful about a few hats and gowns.
Beth returned with the straw hat and held it up. It was rather pretty with its mushroom cap shape and blue-ribbon trim. Mrs. Deeters had seemed to understand Judith’s simple tastes and had done what she could to bring her styles that would meet with her approval.
“It looks quite nice. I’m sure it will be perfect.”
“Winchell told me that your grandfather is too ill to attend services with you,” Harriet said almost as if it were an afterthought. “Apparently Mr. Ashton had a bad spell in the night, and the doctor was called.”
“Why was I not told of this when it happened?”
“Your grandfather forbade it. He said to let you sleep,” the maid replied.
Judith waved the twosome out of her way and, without even bothering to put on her shoes, padded off down the long hall to where her grandfather’s suite was situated.
She knocked on the door instead of flinging it open as she felt like doing. Winchell appeared almost instantly, however, so no flinging was needed.
“I want to see my grandfather. I was just told he’s suffered some sort of attack.”
“Yes, miss. He was overcome with chest pains in the night. The doctor came and issued something stronger for him to take. He seems calmer this morning.”
Judith drew a deep breath and forced herself to relax. “Is he awake?”
“Oh, yes. Wait here. I’ll see if he’s up to speaking with you.”
Judith did as instructed. Winchell returned almost immediately. “He said he will see you.”
The valet led the way. Judith was impressed with her grandfather’s suite of rooms. It was clearly designed with a man in mind.
He had chosen dark colors and large pieces of furniture.
Over the fireplace hung the head of a grand stag, and rifles lined the walls.
There must have been fifty guns displayed.
Judith continued following Winchell into the massive bedchamber, where a large mahogany four-poster bed was positioned at one end of the room between equally impressive floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out in the direction of the distant river.
In the bed, looking quite small and frail, James Ashton Sr. had been propped up with a breakfast tray over his lap.
“I heard you weren’t feeling well.”
“Just a minor spell in the night. The doctor insisted I remain in bed for a few days. I won’t be able to attend services with you today.”
“I can stay home and help care for you.” Judith didn’t know why she offered such a thing. It was far too intimate a task to volunteer for. She didn’t even really know this man.
“I have Winchell. I have no need for anyone else. I’ve instructed Charles to drive you to church and wait for you there.”
Judith moved closer to the bed. “Thank you, I appreciate that. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”
“No, nothing. However, there is something that I have in mind for you to begin on tomorrow.”
“What is that?”
“I’d like you to familiarize yourself with my various business dealings.
I have a great many holdings, and my investments are quite diverse.
Since you have extended yourself to a higher education, I believe you’ll be able to comprehend these things.
Plus, Bert tells me you head up several of the charities you work with.
It would seem you are no stranger to running a business.
“In the morning, Winchell will have ledgers and paperwork related to some of the basic holdings brought to your room. Read through those and get an understanding of them. Write down any questions you have. Then you and I will discuss at length the purposes for each one and what I had in mind when pursuing each investment or project.”
Judith couldn’t hide her surprise. “You want to involve me in your personal business?”
“Last night reminded me that my time is very limited.” He fixed her with a frown. “I have no choice but to educate you on the matter. There is no one else I can trust to manage things after I’m gone.”
“But your lawyer surely has an understanding of all of this and could continue managing it for you.”
“No. Mr. Black has been useful to me, but there is a great deal of which he has no knowledge. In time . . . in the weeks we have left . . . I will confide it all only in you.”
It was only then that Judith realized just how serious the attack must have been. James Ashton Sr. was afraid. She could see the fear in his eyes. He had finally accepted that his death was near. And he desperately needed to know that his heir could manage his holdings.
“Very well.” Judith squared her shoulders and nodded. “I’ll devote myself to it, starting tomorrow.”
She thought about her pledge all the way to church. She could barely pay attention to the sermon for trying to figure out how this was all going to work. Not only that, but the temperature inside the church was climbing, and Judith had to admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Her grandfather’s plans for her were even more consuming than the heat.
What if she learned all about his dealings and saw for herself the deception?
The thievery? The swindles that were just barely legal?
What could she do then? How could she face these people, the new friends she was making? She worked her fan vigorously.
The pastor was praying the benediction before Judith even realized what was happening.
All she knew for certain was she needed fresh air.
Several people came to her side almost immediately to ask her how she was doing.
A couple even asked where her grandfather was.
Judith didn’t feel like speaking to anyone.
It was as if her collar had tightened around her neck.
She tried to move toward the door but found the crowds of people slow, and her steps halted.
“Judith, can you wait a moment?”
Judith turned around and found Martha Turner. Beside her was Dr. Roman Turner. He watched her with such an intensity that Judith found she had to look away as her cheeks warmed.
“Judith, I believe you’ve met my son, Dr. Roman Turner.”
Judith had no choice but to look up; however, the effect was not at all what she’d expected.
The room began to swirl around her as darkness closed in.
She reached for Roman’s shoulder and felt his arms go around her.
It would seem once again she had made a spectacle of herself in front of Roman Turner.
“Judith. Judith, open your eyes.”