Helen gave a light knock and wheeled in the tea cart. She rolled it to a point near Judith and waited for instruction.
“You may go, Helen. I’ll pour.”
The woman exited the room without a word as Judith rose to prepare the tea. Mr. Black also stood. “Do you care for cream or sugar, Mr. Black?”
“Nothing, thank you.”
She handed him the cup and saucer, then extended a small plate of cookies. “Would you care for further refreshment?”
He chose one and balanced it on the side of the saucer.
Judith poured cream into her cup and then tea. She added sugar, then took up a spoon and gave the contents a delicate swirl as she took her seat. Mr. Black did likewise. It was all done with the greatest formality, and yet it seemed oddly casual.
“I know that my grandfather is old. However, I feel the time has passed for us. I’m thirty years old and have never known the man, nor his affections. I see no reason to strike up an acquaintance now.”
“He’s quite wealthy, as you might know. Furthermore, he isintent on knowing you and determining if you are worthy of inheriting his vast fortune.”
Judith shook her head. “I do not want his money. He left my father to struggle on his own when he was but twenty-one. And while he was a man full grown, he would have benefited from fatherly kindness and love. He received neither. You may not know the full story, but let me enlighten you.
“My parents met soon after Father graduated college and found himself drawn to riverboats. My mother’s father was a riverboat captain and hired my father as a roustabout who handled deck chores. James Ashton Sr. was greatly displeased. He saw nothing of value in hard labor.
“My mother was but sixteen and already working hard to cook and clean on the same boat. They fell in love rather quickly, and when my father proposed marriage, there was a great celebration amongst the workers and my mother’s father. He could see how clearly in love they were and wanted only happiness for his daughter. Mr. Ashton wanted happiness only for himself. He forbade my father from marrying her.”
She sipped her tea and then continued. “Of course, my father’s love for her was greater than anything he felt for my cold and indifferent grandfather. They married, and Mr. Ashton cut all ties with the only son he had. So you see, I have no interest in turning back time to assuage his conscience. You may tell him for me, the only thing he now needs is the Lord. Let him cultivate a relationship with God Almighty before he faces Him in death.”
She fixed Mr. Black with a look that had been known to whither lesser men. The attorney quickly considered his teacup. For a long moment, neither said anything at all.
Judith hoped that would be the end of it. She had much to accomplish in planning her garden party, and Mr. Black was of no benefit to her needs.
“I can understand,” he finally said, “that your father wasgrieved by his father’s rejection of the woman he loved and his plans for the future. However, that is in the past. If you are a Christian woman, as I have heard you are, then might I suggest that forgiveness is called for. After all, you and your grandfather have never had opportunity to speak or share your interests.”
“I do not hold anything against the man, and I certainly do not wish for God to judge him harshly.” Judith sipped her tea and gave a shrug. “I simply have no interest in him whatsoever. He has never been a part of my life, and I see no reason that he should be so now.”
“He has no heir.”
“And that was his choice, Mr. Black. Just as it’s my choice to remain here in Philadelphia.”
Black glanced around as if worried that he might be overheard. “He’s very wealthy. His money could help your charities considerably. To inherit his wealth would allow you to be quite generous.”
Judith didn’t want to consider that, even for a moment. She knew Mr. Black was no doubt right in suggesting such things, but she likened it to Satan tempting Christ in the desert. She would stand her ground with Scripture.
“Matthew six, verses nineteen through twenty-one admonishes us, ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ My treasures are in heaven, Mr. Black, not this earth.”
“But you work to make a better life for those less fortunate. To do so, you need the money that wealthier men might give.”
“That is true, but I will entrust the Lord to lay it upon the hearts of those men, rather than go chasing after my grandfather’s approval for an inheritance.”
She stood. “Now, Mr. Black, if there is nothing more, I have a full schedule and have already yielded enough of my valuable time to this matter. I must bid you farewell.”
The man jumped to his feet and extended his empty cup. “I had hoped we might be able to further discuss the matter. Perhaps I could be allowed to call on you tomorrow? I must admit that after meeting you, I am intrigued to know you better.”
“As I said, my schedule is quite full, Mr. Black. Thank you for coming.”
As if knowing that her mistress was ready to dismiss the man, Helen appeared. “Right this way, Mr. Black. I have your hat.” She gave it a little shake toward him, as if enticing a dog with a bone.
Judith took his cup and saucer and offered a brief hint of a smile. “Good day, Mr. Black.”
He looked as if he might say something, then gave a nod and bowed. Helen hurried him from the room and out the front door. Judith went to the window and watched him reboard his carriage. He was a very pleasant sort of fellow and quite nice in his appearance. Perhaps one might even call him extraordinarily attractive.
