Uncle Jasper’s butler opened the door to admit Caeden. The black man smiled, quite delighted to see him. “Good morning, sir. Your uncle has talked of nothing but your return. You’ll find him in the library.”
“Thank you, George. How are you these days?”
George had been a free man all of his life, and for a good portion of it he had worked as Uncle Jasper’s butler, although the two were more like friends. “Exceptionally well, sir. Thank you for asking.” He beamed Caeden a smile. “It’s been kind of quiet without you around.”
Caeden couldn’t help but smile. This man had taught him a good deal about baseball when they were both much younger. “Hit any home runs lately?”
George chuckled. “Not of late, sir.”
Caeden shrugged out of his coat. “Me either, and I think it’s a pity on both of our accounts. If I were staying in town longer, I’d have to put together a game just to see if you could still hit those lightning-fast grounders that I could never catch.”
George took Caeden’s hat and coat. “I’m afraid my days of being lightning fast are gone. I’m more a gentle summer rain these days.”
Caeden chuckled and made his way to his uncle’s library on the second floor. Caeden knew the way by heart. He’d come here often as a means of escaping his father’s temper, and the place was more home to him than the estate on which he’d been raised.
Uncle Jasper was a most distinguished-looking man at the age of fifty-eight. His black hair was peppered with white, but he still bore the appearance of a man ten years his junior. He sat near the fire reading, as Caeden remembered him doing so often in years gone by.
“Hello, Uncle.”
Jasper Carrington looked up, his expression one of pure joy. “Caeden, my boy, I thought you’d never make it. How good to have you finally here.” He got up and crossed the room. “Let me see how you’ve fared.”
Caeden laughed and embraced his uncle. “As well as anyone can when they’ve spent the last few weeks in Washington, DC. How are you?”
“Splendid now that you’re here. Do tell me you’re going to be back for a while.”
Sobering, Caeden shook his head. “No. But that’s why I wanted to come speak with you right away.”
His uncle nodded. “Ah, it’s just as I presumed. Have a seat. Have you had breakfast?”
Caeden took a chair and stretched out his legs. “Yes, at the hotel.”
“You should have come here to stay. You know you’re welcome to be here while you’re in town. In fact, I insist.”
“It was late when I got back last night. I didn’t want to rouse poor George or Mrs. Claremont out of their beds.”
“Mrs. Claremont has been housekeeper here long enough to know that people might come or go at any given hour, and George has always welcomed you here. So do say you’ll at least have your things moved over while you’re here in Albany. Goodness, you are staying for Christmas, aren’t you? It’s only a week away.”
“I am going to stay that long,” Caeden replied. He ran his hands down the gray wool of his trousers. “I figure I owe my family that much. But there’s a lot I want to accomplish in that time.”
“I presume much of that has to do with Bishop Arnold.”
His uncle reclaimed his leather wingback chair, a longtime favorite. In all of his memories of Uncle Jasper, that chair figured into most. When Caeden was born, Jasper had been about the same age as Caeden was now. Caeden could remember being quite young and curling up on Jasper’s lap to hear a story. Here in front of the hearth, the large brown leather arms would engulf him in a warm embrace. Times here with Jasper were very nearly his only pleasant childhood memories.
“You might as well know,” his uncle continued, “Arnold is in a bad way. He came to me two days ago.”
“Why? He received the dowry, didn’t he?”
With elbows planted on the arms of the chair, Jasper steepled his fingers together. “It would seem the man was duped by someone who sold him a worthless gold mine.”
“But I anticipated that. I figured we gave him enough to absorb that loss and keep him afloat for a while.”
“Well, it seems he spent a great deal arranging for men to work in the mine and purchasing equipment with which to make his fortune. But, just as you said in your letter to me, the mine is worthless.”
“So why did he come to see you?” Caeden fought back the irritation that threatened to ruin his visit.
“He didn’t know when you would arrive. He hoped to convince you to give him more money until he could recoup his losses. I told him that it had come to our attention that your father had taken advantage of him in their final business venture and that you wished to return that money with interest. After that, he seemed content and had little more to say. I gave him a check just as you instructed me to do.”
“I’m to have dinner with him tonight. He believes it’s to set a wedding date, but I intend to break the engagement instead. Catherine sent word that she’s ready for me to do so, and I see no reason to delay.”
“Bishop won’t like that.”
Caeden shrugged and crossed his arms. “I really don’t care. The man will have to figure out his own way. I pity the family and hope that since Catherine is soon to elope with her true love, perhaps they will be able to benefit her mother and siblings with his income.”
“It should be so. The young man in question has just come into his inheritance. A sizable one that was unexpected. It seems his grandmother died and left him everything. It’s raised some hackles among his siblings, but I doubt it will cause him too much grief. He should be quite acceptable to Bishop.”
“I’m just glad that Catherine can marry for love.”
“And what of you?” His uncle looked at him with a knowing smile. “Your letter spoke of a certain young woman in Montana.”
“Emily. I have to own that I’ve lost my heart to her.”
“And she’s agreed to marry you?”
This brought a grin to Caeden’s face. “I didn’t propose exactly, but she did agree to wait.” He just as quickly sobered again. “But none of this is the real reason I’ve come today. Besides spending time with you, I hoped to get your counsel. In fact, I have to have your counsel before I can return to Emily and ask for her hand.”
“You want my counsel on marriage? You know I’ve been a widower since before you were born.” His uncle shook his head and relaxed his hands. “I doubt I can offer you much wisdom.”
“No, not about marriage. About God.”
Jasper’s expression softened. “Go on.”
Caeden looked downward at the ornate Persian rug. “How can a person know if God really and truly forgives him?”
“I suppose because the Bible says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. It’s one of those things that must be taken on faith. Why do you ask?”
Caeden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I guess because I have a lot to be forgiven. Is there a limit to God’s forgiveness?”
“If there is, I certainly haven’t found it.” He smiled. “No, my boy. God’s forgiveness is limitless. Just as His love is. What is required of you . . . of all of us . . . is a sincerely contrite heart.”
“I spent so many years angry at God. Angry and rebellious and far from righteous.” Caeden grimaced. “I’m deeply ashamed of the man I once was.”
“And have you asked God to forgive you for these many rebellious and angry sins?” Uncle Jasper’s tone offered no condemnation.
“I have,” Caeden admitted. It wasn’t nearly so hard to confess as he had thought it might be. “I told Him I was sorry for how I’d let my father’s bad behavior dictate my relationship with Him. I can see now what Mother meant when she told me God’s love was enough for her—that it helped to ease her sadness and kept her from complete despair. I just want to know that I can have that same love.”
“You can,” Jasper said after a moment’s contemplation, “but I can’t make you see that or fe
el it. You have to find that for yourself. It’s all about trusting, Caeden. You need to trust that God is who He says He is. You need to believe that His Word is true and never changes. The same God who loved your mother is the same God who loves you. The truth given in His Word to her is the very same on which you can count now.”
Caeden let out a heavy breath. For several minutes he did nothing but stare into the fire. After a while he spoke. “Trust has always come hard. I’m not sure I would even know how it felt.”
“You trust that young woman of yours, don’t you? She has promised to wait for you. You do believe her, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
Jasper smiled and leaned forward. “How can you be sure she’ll keep her word?”
Caeden smiled. “That’s easy. I know her. She’s a woman of her word.”
“Exactly. And as you get to know God better, you’ll learn that He is also one to keep His word. Trust comes in time. Trust comes in knowing Him better and better. After a while, you’ll know how that feels. There will be a peace that comes to rest in your heart.”
That statement caught his attention. Peace. There was a certain peace in his heart. He no longer felt that same restlessness that he’d known in years gone by. He no longer felt imprisoned by the haunting memories of the past.
“There is peace. You’re right. I just didn’t realize that was what it was.” Caeden looked at his uncle in wonder. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever known before.”
“Yes. The Bible calls it a peace that passeth all understanding. In that peace, you will be able to see more and more of God’s blessings. And, Caeden, He will bless you. He already has, and you have no further to look than your young lady.”
George appeared at the door of the library. “Sir, this letter just arrived for . . . Mr. Thibault.” His formal announcement made Caeden chuckle as he got to his feet. “Honestly, George, I’d much rather you call me Caeden and ruffle my hair like you did when I was little than to call me Mr. Thibault.”
George said nothing but extended the envelope to Caeden with a wink. Caeden looked down at the writing. He recognized the name of the gem expert to whom he’d sent the Yogo sapphires. Emily’s sapphires.
“What is it?” Uncle Jasper asked, coming to join Caeden at the door.
Caeden read the letter, then looked into the envelope again to pull out a check for a sizable sum. He looked up to meet his uncle’s curious gaze. “Blessings. God’s blessings.”
22
From the moment he arrived at the Arnold residence, Bishop Arnold tried to get Caeden to join him in his study for a few private words regarding a business venture. Caeden refused, telling the man that he had only one point of business on his mind and it didn’t involve a private audience with Arnold. Unhappy at this turn of events, Arnold led Caeden into a large sitting room, where Catherine and her mother were already standing to receive him.
“Mrs. Arnold, I want to thank you for inviting me here this evening,” Caeden said, giving a slight bow. “Catherine, you look lovely in that plaid.”
Catherine smiled knowingly and brushed down the skirt of the red-and-green plaid gown. “I thought it rather festive for the season.”
“Indeed it is,” Caeden agreed. “In fact, your entire house looks quite ready for Christmas.” Pine greenery and red ribbons trimmed out the fireplace mantel, and a sprig of mistletoe hung over the archway that led into the music room.
“We have entertained several times this Christmas season,” Mrs. Arnold replied. “I do so love this time of year.”
Caeden allowed Bishop Arnold and his wife ten minutes of conversation and questions about his trip and how he’d fared before clearing his throat to make his announcement.
Arnold gave a chuckle, no doubt believing Caeden meant to discuss the wedding. Caeden did nothing to correct his thinking. Catherine, who had remained fairly silent since Caeden’s arrival, watched and waited for him to break their engagement. He had no idea of how she would respond. He didn’t know if she would play the woman scorned or collapse in a fit of tears or simply take it all in stride. What he did know was that this was what they both wanted and he couldn’t finalize their agreement soon enough.
“I am sorry to say that my coming here tonight is not for the purpose you’d hoped for.”
Bishop Arnold’s expression sobered a bit. Caeden definitely had his attention. Catherine moved closer to the fireplace—farther from the others in the room.
“I am afraid that I have come to break my engagement to Catherine.”
Bishop Arnold opened his mouth to speak, but Caeden held up his hand. “I would rather you hear me out than ask questions.”
Arnold’s face reddened, but he closed his mouth.
“Catherine and I have long held the opinion that we were not suited for each other, and with that in mind I must end this engagement. While I hold that Catherine is a lovely woman who will make some man a wonderful wife, I am not that man.”
“But we have an agreement,” Arnold interjected. “You gave me a sizable dowry.”
“Which you may of course keep.” Caeden saw Catherine’s slight smile and just the hint of a nod.
“That . . . that . . . isn’t the point. You . . . we were going to push ahead in business together,” Arnold sputtered.
“I never agreed to that, Mr. Arnold. I have no intention of joining our businesses or fortunes together. I will refrain from voicing all of my reasons, but I believe they are known to you.”
“I demand you give your reasons,” the older man countered. “I have nothing to hide. You, on the other hand, may feel a need to keep a great many things from exposure.”
Catherine stiffened and lowered her face to gaze into the fire, while Mrs. Arnold looked most uncomfortable. Caeden felt sorry for the Arnold women. None of this was their fault, and any angry retort he might have given was squelched when he thought of causing them pain.
Caeden shook his head. “Mr. Arnold, I am sorry that this comes as such a disappointment to you. I believe it’s best if I simply take my leave now.” He walked to where Mrs. Arnold stood and lifted her hand. “Thank you again for inviting me to dinner, but I must decline.”
She nodded, and Caeden gave her a smile before releasing her to stand before Catherine. “I know what our engagement meant to you.” With his back to the others, he gave her a wink. Catherine maintained a sober expression. “I hope that you won’t think poorly of me. I do wish you all the best for your future.”
“Thank you, Caeden. I appreciate that you came here tonight to release me in the comfort and privacy of my home. I will always remember you fondly.” She smiled, and Caeden did likewise.
He regained his stern expression when he turned back to face Bishop Arnold. “Good evening.” Caeden headed for the door, where one of the housemaids appeared with his coat and hat.
Bishop Arnold followed close on his heels. “This isn’t over. I won’t allow you to simply put my daughter aside in such a manner. You gave her no explanation—no understanding of what she’s done wrong.”
“She’s done nothing wrong.” Caeden did up the buttons of his black wool coat.
“Then why end our arrangement?”
Caeden looked Arnold in the eye. “Because I do not love her and never will. And any thoughts you had about our becoming business partners of any sort were exactly that. Your thoughts. I would never do business with you, Arnold. You and my father were cut from the same cloth. I couldn’t stand the underhanded dealings from him, nor will I put myself in a position to endure them with you.”
Arnold’s face reddened and his nostrils flared. Narrowing his eyes, he pointed a finger at Caeden. “You slander me and you slander your father. I won’t stand for it. I will pursue this in court.”
Caeden shrugged. “Do so if that is your wish; however, I would remind you that your finances are quite depleted and can certainly not support a lengthy legal action. I, on the other hand, can withstand any lawsuit you deem necessary for yea
rs to come.” He turned his top hat in hand and studied it for a moment.
“Furthermore, given your ambitions to align yourself with McKinley’s presidential campaign, I would think you’d want to avoid scandal and a public acknowledgment of your business failings.” Caeden looked up again and saw that the truth of the matter had finally started to hit Arnold. “And should you press this further, I will make certain to give an interview to every newspaper that asks. That would certainly deter McKinley and his people from wanting you to be a part of their campaign, much less any more important roles. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my uncle is expecting me.”
The young maid who stood silently at the far end of the foyer stepped forward to open the door. Caeden hadn’t thought much of it when she’d admitted him to the house earlier, but it now seemed evident that the loss of money had caused Arnold to dismiss his butler. Yet another example of others suffering for the sins of one.
“Pa, you must listen to reason.” Emily put her hands atop her father’s shoulders. “The doctor said you mustn’t overdo. You need to take your recovery slowly.”
While it had been wonderful news to hear from the doctor that her father was now starting to walk just a bit, he had also requested Emily come to Lewistown to force her father to listen to reason. She had laughed at the note mentioning the word force where her father was concerned. Henry Carver had never allowed anyone to force him into much.
“I’m feeling better, Em. I can’t see just sittin’ around. I need to get back to work.”
Emily straightened and looked down at her father. “The doctor said that might not be possible. You need to face the truth, Pa. You might never be able to work at mining again.”
“Bah, he didn’t think I could walk again either. Now just look at me. I’m gettin’ better every day. No, sirree, I’ll not be defeated by any man tellin’ me what I can and can’t do.”
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