“You may offer me congratulations,” Gordon said with a ridiculously wide smile. “Callie has agreed to marry me. The wedding will be in three days in St. Paul’s, and of course you’re invited.”
“How splendid!” Peter exclaimed. “I shall certainly attend. Has anything else interesting happened?”
That gave Josh the chance to talk about their new home and businesses. Peter knew the location on Charles Street and approved. If he was bothered by the idea of the girl he fancied living above a shop, there was no sign of it.
Nonetheless, Gordon found himself with a strange paternal desire to ask Peter’s intentions with regard to Molly. Such inquiries should properly come from Josh, but realistically, former slaves might be reluctant to question a young white man from a distinguished and wealthy local family.
Gordon waited till the flurry of conversation had died down and Peter had finished eating before he invited the young man to join him on the balcony. Looking somewhat wary, Peter accompanied him outside.
Gordon closed the door behind them, then leaned on the railing, his hands clasped in front of him as he gazed out at the harbor. “I like your city.”
Mirroring his pose, Peter replied, “So do I. Baltimore’s defense is going to inspire the rest of the country and help our peace negotiators in Ghent, I think. This city is going to grow and prosper and I’m excited to be part of it.”
“I had the impression that the Carroll family already owns a good bit of the city and the state.”
Peter chuckled. “The family is a large one. My branch is well off but not the extremely wealthy Carrolls.”
Glad to hear this, Gordon commented, “So it might be less of an issue if you marry a girl who isn’t as wealthy and isn’t from an old Maryland family.” His voice became edged. “Assuming you’re serious about Molly.”
“If you’re asking whether my intentions are honorable, sir, the answer is yes. Molly is beautiful, but even better, she’s good and she’s wise.” Peter glanced at Gordon in the darkness. “And she makesmefeel good. As a newly betrothed man, I should think you would understand that.”
Peter had just given a fine summary of how Gordon felt about Callie. “Yes, I do understand. But Callie and I have known each other since the nursery.”
“While Molly and I have known each other only days,” Peter said quietly. “My feelings might change and so might hers. She’s young and I’m not that much older. I will be unable to consider marriage until my legal training is complete. But for now, I want to court her honorably for as long as we both care for each other. My hope is that someday we’ll be standing at that same altar where you and Mrs. Newell will take your vows. Does that address your concerns?”
“It does.” Gordon chuckled. “I’ll probably be in England and not well placed to observe your courtship, but Josh is quite capable of thrashing you should that be needed.”
“It won’t be.”
The harbor water was dark, but lights were visible on the triumphant Star Fort and around the harbor. Gordon asked, “Do you know how Key and the others returned to the city? The ships sunk to block the entrance to the harbor haven’t been raised yet, so there isn’t normal traffic.”
“Key and Skinner were in a small sloop that edged by the blockade ships. Nothing larger would have been able to get into the harbor.”
“I’m glad small boats can make it in. Our transportation back to England should be along soon.” If a small sloop could enter the harbor, a dinghy from theZephyrwouldn’t have any problem.
“Back to England?” Peter asked curiously.
“I’m English in my bones,” Gordon replied. “But that doesn’t mean I didn’t celebrate when Baltimore withstood the British attack. If the city had been conquered and burned, it might have effectively destroyed your United States. The world is better off with another Anglo-Saxon nation to balance British arrogance.”
Peter laughed. “You’re very clear sighted about your homeland.”
“I’ve seen a great deal of the world. The parts shaped by British notions of law and justice are better off, but too much power breeds arrogance and bullying. Better when power is shared between nations.” He gazed over the harbor, thinking that within a week, he’d be sailing away with his bride by his side. But this city and these people were part of him now. He and Callie would be back.
Chapter 32
The Indian Queen Hotel was very grand, more like London than Baltimore, not that Callie had seen much of London before her exile to the Indies. She and Richard had deliberately dressed like people of consequence, so a harried desk clerk gave them the number of Mr. Key’s hotel room without questioning the request.
As they climbed the stairs, Callie said, “Mr. Key and his wife have a lovely home in Georgetown, just north of Washington. Six children, a law office, right on the Potomac River. They love to entertain, so I’ve visited several times. Even though Frank looks like a rather dreamy poet, he’s an extremely fine lawyer, and well connected to the Maryland establishment.”
“Just what we need to start working on the probate of Matthew’s will in Jamaica.” Richard smiled at her. “I love watching your topaz earrings dance.”
She laughed. “I love wearing them. I might never take them off.” She was enjoying this brief betrothal period, but even more she looked forward to actually being married and waking up to Richard’s arms around her and his lazy, intimate smile across the pillows.
Blushing, she reminded herself that they were here on business. They’d reached Key’s room, so she knocked briskly, calling, “Mr. Key? It’s Callista Audley with some rather important legal business, if this isn’t a horridly bad time.”
After a moment the door swung open, revealing Frank Key. His tangled dark curls and rumpled shirt made him look as if he hadn’t slept in days. But his smile was welcoming. “Callista, how lovely to see you here and safe! Please, come in. I gather you and your family were able to make it out of Washington unscathed.”
“Yes, though I believe my house had the sad distinction of being the only residence in Washington to be burned by the British.”
