Judith had dressed in her freshly pressed gown of salmon-colored silk with cream braid trim. She’d taken extra care with her hair and spent nearly half an hour before dinner in prayer. She didn’t know what to think of this man who had greeted her with but a few words, then left her on her own until dinner. She hadn’t even spoken to him.
Even now as she sat at one end of his dining table while he sat at the other, Judith was completely uncertain of her decision to come to Minneapolis. Perhaps it had all been a big mistake. Maybe she was wrong to take his money, even if it had already benefited so many.
The servants came and placed course after course in front of them. It was some of the most delicious food Judith had ever consumed. Still, she remained silent. She was determined to say nothing until her grandfather initiated the conversation. Guarding her mouth was something she had learned at an early age. Mama had always told her that it was a wise person who had self-control over their tongue. Judith had learned to listen first and speak later, and it had served her well.
After almond torte for dessert, Judith dabbed her napkin to her lips. Her grandfather got to his feet and rang for one of the servants.
“We’ll take coffee in the sitting room,” he told the young man who appeared. The servant gave a curt nod and left the room without a word.
Judith got to her feet and was surprised to find another man at the ready to assist her with her chair.
“The sitting room is just through the archway and acrossthe hall,” her grandfather instructed. He headed that way, not even bothering to wait for her to catch up.
She followed at a leisurely pace, glancing around at the dining room she’d already studied throughout the meal. She didn’t want to seem too eager. Her grandfather was something of a puzzle to her. Aside from what Bert had told her, she knew only what little her father had shared. The man was very nearly a complete mystery to her.
“Have a seat. I’m sure you have questions, and I have some of my own.” The old man motioned her into the room. Judith chose the throne chair nearest to the fireplace. She had been chilled all evening and relished the warmth that spread over her body.
James Ashton seemed surprised by her choice. He watched her a moment and then snapped his fingers. Just like that, the same young man who’d helped her earlier was there to draw up a matching chair, placing it surprisingly close to her own. She thought it strange that this man who had kept them at a distance throughout the meal would now seek more intimate seating.
She glanced upward and caught sight of the painting. Judith gasped. It might have been a portrait of herself.
“Yes, you look just like her,” her grandfather said, lifting his gaze to the picture. “I was quite startled by it myself, despite Mr. Black having warned me.”
“He mentioned it to me as well, but I had no idea of it being such a close match.” Judith was surprised by the joy in her grandmother’s expression. “She seems so happy.”
“She had just given birth to your father some months prior. She was happy.”
“She loved him a great deal.”
Her grandfather said nothing. Perhaps the memories of such things caused him discomfort and even pain. Judith wasn’t completely without sympathy.
“I’ve done my research on you, Judith. I know quite a bit about you.”
“I’m afraid I know very little about you.” She watched to see how he might take that news.
The firelight reflected in his eyes as he gave a curt nod. “As I suspected. I’m sure that my son was probably severe in his opinions of me, but there’s nothing that I can do about that. He was always willful and opinionated.”
Judith had no desire to listen to this stranger disparage her father. “Why have you asked me here?”
Her grandfather chuckled. “I’ve been told you have no difficulty in speaking your mind. Well, good for you. I have asked you here because my health is failing me.”
The footman appeared with the coffee. He poured a cup for Judith’s grandfather and then asked her if she would care for any. She declined and waited for the old man to continue.
He seemed to be in no hurry. He sipped the steaming liquid, then placed the cup and saucer on the table beside him. It was clear he would set the pace for their conversation.
“I know that Mr. Black informed you about my health. The fact is simply that my heart is giving out. I have no heir, and as you can see and have probably heard, I have a great deal of wealth that I’ve accumulated over the years. I’ve asked you here so that I might know you better and deem your worthiness to be my successor.”
“I see. I suppose it would do me little good to reiterate what I said when Mr. Black first came to see me.”
“That you aren’t interested in my money?”
Judith met the man’s skeptical expression. “Exactly so.”
“I find, Judith, that everyone has their price. You gave in for a ten-thousand-dollar donation to help your charities.”
“I could hardly deprive the poor and suffering. This trip is an inconvenience, but the benefits to those in need mattered a great deal more than my comfort.”
“So you despise me?”
