Including Roman Turner.
She sighed. After sitting so close to him in church and hearing his rich baritone voice join in singing, she had felt a strange connection to him. His desires to aid society matched her own.
Since losing Alden in the war, Judith had put a wall around her heart that she swore would remain in place until she died. A solid rock wall, imperviable to love and romance. Roman had somehow chiseled a hole in that wall, and where that would lead them was completely unknown.
Returning downstairs, Judith went in search of Mary. She needed to exchange records and papers once again. She found the housekeeper overseeing a couple of the footmen as they polished the silver.
“Mrs. Deeters, I was just wondering if I might speak to you.”
“Of course, miss.” She followed Judith into her grandfather’s office. “What can I do for you?”
“I need to change out the ledgers again. They’re in my bedroom. There’s no rush. I won’t begin again until after dinner. Right now, I believe I’ll take a little walk in the garden.”
“This came for you earlier,” Mary said, pulling a card from her pocket.
Judith took it and looked at the information. “Seems there’s to be a charity event on the eighth of July. It’s to be held at the Wagners’.”
“Then it will be a gathering of the finest of Minneapolisfamilies. The cream of our society. You’ll need a very nice dress. Something much more elaborate than what you have.”
“I don’t need to attend. Surely with my grandfather dying, I can be excused from such an event.”
“Yes, but you speak so eloquently regarding the plight of the poor. Perhaps the Wagners heard about this and extended the invitation to you because of that. They didn’t include your grandfather on the invitation, did they?”
“No, it’s addressed to me alone.” Judith frowned. “Perhaps I can find out something more about it before I decide.”
“Even so, we should arrange a gown.”
“I can send home for something. If I wire Helen, she can put a trunk on the train tomorrow. It should get here in plenty of time. Could you arrange for someone to send a telegram?” She opened the drawer of her grandfather’s desk.
“Of course. What should it say?”
Judith jotted down the information, instructing Helen to pack her two finest evening gowns. As an afterthought, she requested her mourning dresses as well. When grandfather passed, she’d definitely have need of them again.
“Here you are. I’ve put the address information on the opposite side.”
Mary took the paper and looked it over for a moment. “I’ll have it sent today.”
A knock sounded at the front door. Judith wondered who had come calling. She followed Mary to the foyer and waited to see who it was.
“Why, Roman, what brings you here?” Mary embraced her nephew and stood back.
“Actually, I came to see Mrs. Stanford. I wonder,” he said, looking past Mary to Judith, “would you take a short walk with me?”
“I was just planning to do something like that anyway.” Judith smiled and looked at Mary. “I doubt we’ll be long.”
“Take as much time as you like. I’ll get those papers for you.”
Judith felt her heart skip a beat as Roman offered her his arm. She hesitated, then gave a nod and took hold of him. He moved slowly down the outside stairs, giving her time to gather her skirt. At the bottom, he looked around.
“I’m not sure which way to go.”
“We have a lovely garden walk. Take the path here and go around the house.” Judith motioned with the tilt of her head.
They strolled in the direction of the south lawn. Judith felt out of place. She didn’t know why Dr. Turner had come, but there was discomfort in the awkward silence.
“I’m sorry, but I must ask why you came today. We hardly know each other, and walking the garden is usually reserved for ... well...”
“Courtship?” he asked.
