Chapter 10 #2
She saw a shadow of displeasure in Bert’s expression but said nothing. She knew he was doing everything in his power to get her to spend time with him. He was just unwilling to be refused.
Taking up her plate and adding a few strawberries, Judith found herself wishing she’d not allowed Mary to slip away. She would have much preferred asking Bert to leave them to their discussion rather than to continue with his.
“I’m sure you’re probably curious about life here in Minneapolis. You might even wonder why I chose to live here when I hail from Boston.”
Judith eased back against the cushions. “I remember you saying on the train that when my grandfather came west because of business opportunities, your father sent you along to serve the legal firm as my grandfather’s personal attorney.”
“You have a good memory.”
Judith smiled. “Yes, I do. It’s something I’ve always been known for. Just as you are known for your quick understanding of legal matters. It was one of the reasons you graduated at the top of your class.”
He chuckled. “Well, it’s affirming to know you listened so closely to the things I shared. That shows a degree of caring that most people lack.”
Judith had been trapped with him for hours on end while traveling west, and the man had talked of nothing but himself for most of the trip. It had nothing to do with caring.
The food was especially refreshing, and Judith found herself hungrier than she’d thought. She continued eating as a light breeze rustled through the trees. It would have all been quite pleasant if not for Bert.
“What do you think of Minneapolis?”
Shifting her weight a bit, Judith glanced around. “I’ve mostly seen St. Anthony, but grandfather did drive me around a bit on the other side of the river. I believe in a few years there will most likely be a vast expansion of the city and its people.”
“You are correct in thinking that. I’ve seen it start up from next to nothing and now this.
There are plans for additional bridges across the river, expansion of the railroad, and, of course, incorporating St. Anthony into Minneapolis.
That will happen in the next few years if the powers that be have anything to say about it.
Oh, that reminds me, have you had an opportunity to see the falls? ”
“Not well. I have caught glimpses.”
“I would love to show them to you. More industry is being built along the riverbanks, which makes it difficult to see them as well as you once could, but there are still a couple of lovely places from which you may observe them. We could go there most any time.”
“You forget, I am focusing on my grandfather for the time. The falls will still be there when he is gone.”
“Do you know the falls have been altered greatly over the years? The water is wearing down the rock.”
“As water will do,” Judith offered as she continued to enjoy her lunch.
“Mr. Black, Mr. Ashton is asking for you,” Mrs. Deeters announced. She had slipped into their company so quietly that Judith almost did a double take to reassure herself that the woman was really there.
“Thank you, Mrs. Deeters. You may also take the tray.” Judith got to her feet. “It was quite an enjoyable meal. Please thank Mrs. Markle. It was light and perfect for a day like today.”
Bert stood and offered Judith his arm. “Might I escort you to the house?”
“Thank you, no. I have some things to discuss with Mrs. Deeters before I return.” She fixed him with a dismissive look and waited for him to leave. After several painfully long moments, he realized the situation and gave a nod.
Once he was gone, Mary smiled, and Judith did as well. “What is it you needed to discuss?” Mary asked.
“Apparently the St. Anthony Falls have been greatly altered over the years. The water is wearing down the rock, Mr. Black informed me.”
Mary looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. Judith just shrugged. “It was something to discuss and allowed me not to have to be escorted back to the house by Mr. Black. He seems determined to court me.”
The housekeeper burst into laughter and picked up the tray. “Oh, you do my heart good, Mrs. Stanford.”
“Call me Judith.”
“Miss Judith is familiar enough,” Mary replied. “That is more appropriate for our present situation.”
Bert wasn’t happy to fail at starting a courtship with Judith Ashton.
She seemed abnormally unconcerned with marriage and having a family of her own.
The few times he’d tried to bring up the topic, she easily changed the subject as though it meant nothing to her.
Good grief, she was an old maid with limited choices.
His research had shown her to be thirty years old.
And while she was comely, even beautiful, many a man would surely cast her aside for fear of her being unable to bear children.
What was it she wanted? She had shown no interest in her grandfather nor his wealth on the trip to Minneapolis.
At first Bert had thought it was all an act, but the woman truly seemed unconcerned.
Perhaps she had a great deal more wealth of her own than she let on.
She was, after all, the owner of a steamboat service.
He made his way to Mr. Ashton’s room, still quite perplexed.
He’d never had any difficulty wooing young ladies.
In fact, he had nearly allowed himself to get engaged on more than one occasion.
It wasn’t until he realized that he might be able to work his way into James Ashton’s good graces and be appointed his heir that Bert put serious thoughts of courtship aside so he could give the man the focus he required.
Despite the granddaughter’s arrival, he could still have the entire inheritance if he could just convince Judith Ashton to marry him.
Winchell met him at the door to the old man’s suite. “He’s waiting for you.”
Bert nodded and headed into the bedroom. Ashton looked particularly frail, perhaps even more so than when Bert had been with him an hour earlier.
“You called for me?”
“Yes, Bert. I want to go over the changes in the Iverson contract. Some ideas came to mind, and I believe we should look into the legalities.”
Bert nodded and retrieved the papers in question.
The old man was a thorn in his side at times, but he had promised to mention Bert in his will.
If Bert could just hold out until the end, he would be rich.
He would have a good part of the Ashton fortune, and maybe even have it all.
It would work out. He was certain of this.
He just had to endure for a little while longer.
Then a thought came to mind. When he’d asked Judith to join him for the evening, she had said something about being unable to leave her grandfather for an evening of pleasure.
So she does see an evening with me as being pleasurable.
He perked up a bit. Perhaps she really did care for him more than he realized.