JULY 21, 1916
If I had thought leaving Teddy behind and traveling seven blocks was difficult, it was nothing compared to leaving him in New York City while I traveled to Williamsburg with John and Abby Rockefeller three weeks later. Though Abby was twice my age, she and I soon became boon companions.
We traveled by rail to Virginia and slept at an inn on the outskirts of town. The next morning, the Reverend Dr. Goodwin arrived with two automobiles to take us into the heart of historic Williamsburg.
There were two gentlemen with Dr. Goodwin, one of whom was a pleasant surprise.
“Congressman Hollingsworth!” I said with delight when we were reintroduced. I couldn’t believe it was him.
“Miss Wells—or should I say Lady Cumberland?” The congressman took my gloved hand in his and grasped it affectionately. “How good to see you again, my dear. I have thought about you often since our time on the RMSOlympic.”
Though it had been over two years since we traveled together,he had never been far from my thoughts. Now that my path was secure, there was so much I longed to discuss with him, though it would have to wait until we could speak to each other alone.
He had come as a possible financier and representative from Virginia, along with another man, Mr. Gartshore, who was a financier from Philadelphia. Mr. Gartshore was short and direct, with a nervous tic in his left eyebrow, whereas Congressman Hollingsworth was just as warm and congenial as I remembered him.
They couldn’t have been more different.
The inn was just over a mile from Duke of Gloucester Street, and it would take us very little time to get there. I pressed my hands together as we drove, pretending to listen to Abby but fully engaged with the sights and sounds around me. The weather was nearly perfect, with a bright blue sky and a smattering of clouds.
The automobiles came to a stop near the Wren Building of the College of William and Mary, not far from the Palace Green. I was shocked to see how the campus had changed in the years since the American Revolution. There were several new buildings alongside the older ones. It was still a glorious institution and the second-oldest college in America.
After a lengthy tour of the campus by Dr. Goodwin, he directed us to eat luncheon on the lawn outside the Wren Building, facing Duke of Gloucester Street. It was a splendid day to eat out of doors, with nary a breeze, and I wore a comfortable walking suit with a large hat to keep the sun out of my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to get into the heart of Williamsburg and see the town, but I didn’t want to be rude. I had waited this long. I could wait another hour or two.
I was seated between Congressman Hollingsworth and Mr. Gartshore, while Abby was seated between her husband and Dr. Goodwin. While the Rockefellers and Mr. Gartshore spoke to Dr. Goodwin, Congressman Hollingsworth engaged me in conversation.
“What a treat it is to see you again,” he said as he removed his napkin from the table and laid it on his lap. “I’ve followed your journey in the newspapers and was surprised when I learned of your marriage to the Marquess of Cumberland soon after we returned to New York. I had the pleasure of meeting your husband when I was in England.”
“Really? I had not realized your connection to him.” There was so much I longed to say, but with the others close by, it would have to wait.
“Our acquaintance was brief, only a meeting or two.” He nodded at the waiter who placed a bowl of tomato soup in front of him. “How is Lord Cumberland?”
I pressed my lips together for a moment. “I’m afraid he was killed in battle.”
“Oh, my dear.” His voice was stricken as he gently touched my hand. “I’m so very sorry.”
“You have no need to be.”
“That must be the reason you’ve returned to America.”
I nodded.
“Have you been to Williamsburg before?”
“I have,” I said, relieved that he had changed the subject. “But it’s been many years, if you know what I mean.”
“Ah.” He nodded with understanding. “I do, indeed.”
I dipped my spoon into my steaming bowl of soup and smiled, unable to contain my excitement at the idea of sharing more with him.
“It’s wonderful that you’ve taken an interest.” The congressman’s blue eyes were admiring, though in the same fatherly way he had regarded me on theOlympic. “I imagine this project is very dear to your heart.”
“Very much so.” I took a sip of my soup. It was thick and creamy with a bit of a tanginess to it. “How did you get involved?”
“My son is a professor here at William and Mary, and he’sgood friends with Dr. Goodwin. He was the first to tell me about the idea that Dr. Goodwin and Mr. Rockefeller have hatched.”
“I’m eager to hear more of their plan.” I longed to share Williamsburg with the world.
When we were done with luncheon, Dr. Goodwin suggested we walk into town, and my heart began to pound with anticipation. Congressman Hollingsworth walked beside me, his interest in Williamsburg almost as keen as mine.
