“They are trying their best to go on,” Judith murmured.
“The alternative would be to give in to hopelessness,” Caleb countered.
“Yes, and that would be worse by far.” Judith thought of all the money she’d been left by her grandmother. “Caleb, is there anything I can do? I mean, I have my inheritance.”
He turned to her, his expression admiring. “You are such a generous soul. What we need to do is figure out what industries you now own. Perhaps with the shipping company, for instance, we can bring in supplies free of charge. I recall the Whitleys owned several lumber mills in Oregon. You could probably arrange to ship lumber down here for rebuilding.”
She clapped her hands in excitement. “That would be wonderful! I never even thought of things like that. Oh, Caleb, I want to do whatever I can to help. I didn’t earn that money. It was given to me, and I want to give in return.”
Caleb kissed her cheek. “That’s only a small part of why I love you.”
They finally arrived at the Rosedale estate. The house looked like nothing Judith had ever seen. She gaped at it.
“Rosedale is known for his eccentric taste,” Caleb said, amused at her reaction.
“What a strange house!”
The mansion was constructed of white marble in some places and brown stone in others. It had a sort of castle-like look to it with four corner turrets. But these were crowned with domes that gave the place a more exotic feel.
“It would seem he’s mixed Romanesque with Italianate and Queen Anne,” Caleb said, chuckling. “In fact, he’s probably utilized every form of architecture to create this behemoth.”
“I’m sure it must suit him. Grandmother said he was older than Victoria.”
“Older is putting it mildly. He is at least as old as Victoria’s father.”
“How awful for her.” Judith shuddered. “I can’t abide that Grandmother would force Victoria into a loveless marriage with an old man.”
Caleb brought the horse to a halt. He tied off the reins and set the brake. “Not everyone is as fortunate as we are.”
“No, I’m sure that’s true.” Judith waited for him to help her down from the wagon. He took her arm and led her up the stone walkway to the massive oak doors.
It wasn’t but a moment before a butler appeared. He looked at Caleb and Judith as if they were stray animals.
Caleb extended his card. “Would you please let Mr. Piedmont know that Miss Judith Whitley, cousin of his fiancé, Victoria Whitley, and Caleb Coulter have come to speak with him?”
The butler hesitated, then took the card. He studied Judith for a moment, then stepped back to allow them to enter. Once they were inside, he closed the door. “Please wait here.”
He left them in a strange circular foyer. The white marble floors were spotless and polished to perfection. The walls were papered in gold-patterned material, and overhead a large gold and crystal chandelier hung but offered no light.
It wasn’t long before the butler reappeared. “Come this way, please.”
He led them through a maze of rooms. Judith found it all dark yet rather fascinating. Paintings of stern-faced men and women dotted the brief corridors. It was as if they kept watch on anyone who passed by and judged whether or not they were worthy of being there. They seemed very disapproving.
Finally, Judith and Caleb were shown into a library. This room was lighter and quite large. It was open to the third floor, with rows of books lining the walls from floor to ceiling on each level. There were two sets of stairs at either end of the room, and large windows let in light as well as gave a beautiful vista of the ocean.
Judith looked around but saw nothing of Mr. Rosedale. She started to question the butler, but he had already gone and closed the door behind him.
“This is quite the room,” Caleb said, moving to the windows that looked out over the water. “Come see.”
Judith joined him. “It’s breathtaking.”
“Maybe we should buy some coastal land and build our house there.” He looked at her and winked. “Maybe just not this big.”
“Or this fashionable.” Judith couldn’t help but giggle. “I’m afraid I’d get lost in this house. I thought Grandmother’s was bad enough.”
The door opened behind them, and Caleb and Judith turned to find themselves face-to-face with a rotund man. He had long sideburns whose purpose might have been to compensate for his balding head. He was perspiring, and it gave his ruddy complexion a fiery glow.
“Mr. Coulter. Miss Whitley. I must say, I had no idea of meeting either of you today.”
