Chapter 16
Bert finished checking his appearance one last time.
He needed to be perfect. His gray suit had been tailored to show his wealth and attention to detail.
His hair was neatly trimmed and his shoes shined.
Gazing into the mirror and seeing his reflection, Bert was quite satisfied.
There was nothing that should be unwelcomed by Judith Stanford.
He was considered a great catch. At least, he was considered that by a good number of people in Minneapolis.
He had always had plenty of interested women, but none of them could offer him what he really wanted—power and money.
Judith Stanford could give him both, as well as connections.
Not only that, but she was beautiful. What man wouldn’t be pleased to have her on his arm?
Smiling, Bert picked up his hat and then headed for the door.
He had good feelings about the day. It was the Fourth of July.
American Independence was being celebrated across the country, and Minneapolis was certainly no different.
Bert had been invited to a grand celebration that evening, and this was the perfect excuse to see Judith.
He would convince her to join him no matter what it took.
If he could just get her alone, Bert knew he could woo her and entice her to see him as more than her grandfather’s lawyer.
He reached the Ashton house nearly fifteen minutes later and checked his watch.
It was nearly ten. Tucking the piece back into his pocket, Bert climbed the steps with a sense of satisfaction.
He wasn’t scheduled to meet with the old man until ten thirty.
That would give him some thirty minutes to convince Judith to accompany him.
Bert lifted the knocker and tapped it against the door several times. It was only a matter of minutes before Mrs. Deeters opened to him.
“Good morning, Mr. Black.” She stepped back to admit him. “You’re rather early.”
“I know. I apologize. I thought perhaps I could see Judith before making my way upstairs.” He handed her his hat.
Mrs. Deeters shook her head. “Mrs. Stanford isn’t home.”
This wasn’t at all what Bert had expected. “Where is she?” He knew that was none of his business and the height of impropriety to ask, but it came out of his mouth before he could think.
“She had an appointment this morning.”
“When are you expecting her home?” He hoped she wouldn’t question his eagerness.
“Mr. Black, I hardly see how Mrs. Stanford’s schedule is any of your concern.”
She hadn’t yet closed the door, but Bert feared she might well ask him to leave, especially since she still held his hat.
He offered her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean to be forward. I wanted to extend an invitation to Judith for a party tonight.
I know it’s rather short notice, but I hoped she might be free to join me. ”
“It is very short notice. I have no idea of her plans.”
“Well, I suppose my invitation will have to wait. Since I’m here, would you mind checking with Mr. Ashton and inquiring as to whether we might start our meeting early?”
“Of course. Why don’t you wait in the sitting room?” She placed his hat on the table, then opened the pocket doors. “I’ll be right back.”
Bert entered the room but didn’t sit. Instead, he took inventory of the opulent furnishings and dreamed that they might one day be his.
The time he’d given this man surely merited something more than whatever insignificant amount Ashton planned to leave him.
Of course, he was paid well enough, and Ashton had even set him up in a nice apartment with quality furnishings.
But that wasn’t the same as endowing Bert with his millions.
Touching the edge of the gilded framed landscape, Bert contemplated what it might be like to have the means to do whatever he wanted to do.
He could stop working and simply enjoy the benefits of wealth.
He could manage the Ashton fortune and holdings and receive the respect of all.
Even his father would be impressed, and that wasn’t an easy task to accomplish.
“Mr. Black, Mr. Ashton said you may come up,” Mrs. Deeters announced.
He smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
The house was quiet as Bert made his way upstairs.
Ashton preferred silence and demanded it from his staff.
That was another reminder of the man’s power.
People might not like him, but they did respect him.
Bert would be happy enough with that for himself.
He often imagined being asked to the most important parties and social events.
His family was well-respected back in Boston, and he made sure that word got around Minneapolis of their social standing.
People knew he’d come from money and quality.
It was just a matter of time before they put him at the top of Minneapolis society.
Winchell met him at the bedroom door. “Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, Winchell. How’s Mr. Ashton feeling today?” He hoped the man was a little closer to his demise. This lingering on was difficult for everyone, or at least it was for Bert.
“He’s faring as well as possible.”
Winchell led the way into the grand Ashton sanctuary. Bert thought of how he would remake the room and put everything in the furniture styles of Charles Eastlake. The British designer was becoming quite popular as he moved the current trends away from excessive embellishments.
“Mr. Black is here, sir,” Winchell announced.
“Yes. Yes. Leave us to work.”
Ashton was propped up in bed but looked worse than he had on Friday when Bert had last seen him. Bert knew better than to comment on the man’s condition, however. He pulled up a chair next to a small desk that Ashton had put in for him.
“I have the contracts you asked for. I finished preparing them late Friday. The terms are exactly as you dictated.” He took the papers to the old man’s bed.
Ashton reached up to take them, and Bert could see that his hands were barely able to grasp the pages. Bert returned to his seat and took up his pen. Ashton was prone to suddenly dictating instructions and even letters without warning.
“Did you buy those additional stocks I asked you to purchase?”
“I did. This morning before coming here.”
“Good.” Ashton appeared to consider the papers, then placed them on the bed at his side. “I’ll have Judith look these over when she comes this afternoon.”
Bert said nothing. Ashton had no interest in him courting his granddaughter. He’d made that quite clear. There was no sense stirring up an argument.
“The time is coming when you’ll handle all these things with Judith. I’m not pleased at the prospect, knowing you will no doubt torment the poor woman with words of love and nonsense. However, she is strong and capable.” He closed his eyes and fell silent.
Bert wondered for the moment if the great man had passed away but knew soon enough that he was still drawing breath.
“Have you ordered the building supplies for my block?”
Bert lied. “Of course. It’s all been taken care of. It will take some time to get the marble, of course, but the lumber will come from your own mills. The steel will be shipped into Duluth and brought down by train. I’ve arranged to warehouse it on site.”
“Good. I think that’s all I care to discuss for now. Come back this afternoon when I speak with Judith. You may go.”
Bert frowned. It wasn’t even ten thirty yet. “Are you certain? I can stay on and be here should you think of something additional that needs our attention.”
“Just go.” Ashton’s voice was barely audible. The man was weak and tired. It was a good sign that the end would come soon.
Bert put away the pen. He was in no hurry to go and took his time putting things back in his satchel. “I’ll be back at one.”
Ashton said nothing.
Making his way back downstairs, Bert contemplated how to remain at the house until Judith came home. Thankfully, she had just returned and was busy in conversation with Mrs. Deeters.
When he appeared in the foyer, they stopped and turned to look at him. He wasn’t sure, but there seemed a hint of annoyance in Mrs. Deeters’s expression.
“Hello, Bert,” Judith said in greeting. “Mrs. Deeters was just telling me that you wished to see me. Have you time now, or has Grandfather sent you on some errand?”
“I have time. Mr. Ashton is far too tired to work. He told me to return this afternoon when you and he will discuss business. I left a contract that he intends for you to go over. If you like, I can remain and explain it to you.”
“No, that’s quite all right. I’m sure I can manage with the contract, and I’m busy at the moment. We’re taking small cakes and cookies over to the orphans’ home. I’ll look at the contracts this afternoon and discuss them then.”
Bert didn’t know what to say. He needed to get her alone.
She seemed to sense this and looked at Mrs. Deeters. “Would you mind asking Charles to help load everything? Tell him that I’ll be ready to leave shortly. He can bring the carriage around.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Deeters said, glancing at him.
“I’ll speak with Bert for a moment.” Mrs. Deeters nodded and took off down the hall. Judith turned to him. “What is it I can do for you?”
“Why don’t we sit for a moment?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have the time, Bert. Now what is it?”
“I was hoping you might accompany me this evening to a Fourth of July party. It’s going to be a beautiful night and a grand affair.
I know you would have a wonderful time, and with you at my side, I would as well.
I want very much to court you, Judith. I’m most serious about a future with you.
I’m sure until now you’ve been trying to judge my sincerity, but I believe you can see given our time together that I’ve come to care very deeply for you. ”