Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “I want to be with you,” he finally said. “I want it more than anything.”

  “Then do something. If it’s not you, it’ll be Todd.”

  “I don’t know if I can ask your father right away.”

  “Well, then maybe you can come over and visit me. We’ll be in the parlor and one of the servants can watch us. We’ll do everything proper so my father will know you’re a good man.”

  “We’ve never done anything improper.”

  “I know but maybe my father isn’t sure about your intentions. Up to now, we’ve talked at the school or on my way home. You haven’t been in my home. No one can vouch for you since you recently moved here.” Her smile widening, she nodded in excitement. “I think I know why my father refused your request. He doesn’t know anything about you.”

  That sounded like a reasonable explanation.

  “Will you come to my house and visit? You’ll get a chance to talk to my parents and I’m sure once you do, my father will see you the way I do.”

  “Alright,” he agreed and returned her smile. “I’d love to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “I want the same thing!”

  They hadn’t come out and stated their feelings before, so to hear her confess she wanted to marry him renewed his confidence. She was right. What he needed to do was show her father that he was an honorable young man. “Can I come by tomorrow?”

  “Please do.”

  He brought her into his arms and kissed her, his heart soaring at the thought it was the first of many kisses they’d share. “Wait for me by the large oak tree in front of the school and I’ll walk you home.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I’m on my way to see Agnes. Would you like to walk me to her house?”

  “Of course.” He’d never give up the opportunity to be with her. “Which way does she live?”

  She nodded in the direction.

  Turning around, he strolled beside her. “I should bring over some pictures of New York City. You said you haven’t been there?”

  “No, I haven’t but one of my friends has, and she says it’s lovely. She says there’s so much to see and do.”

  “She’s right. You’d love it. It’d be perfect for you.” He hesitated to say more but since she’d made her feelings known to him, he saw no reason to hold anything back. “I’d like to take you there for our honeymoon.”

  “I’d love that.”

  As he told her where they’d go, the future he wanted became more real to him. Before, he’d had a vague idea of what it’d be like to spend the rest of his life with her at his side. But now, he could see it with such clarity, he had no doubt it’d come true.

  When they reached Agnes’ house, he turned to face her. “We’ll do many wonderful things in New York.”

  “I can’t wait. It all sounds very exciting.”

  He heard someone walking up the porch steps, his eyebrows rising in surprise when he saw Todd. He forgot Todd was Agnes’ older brother. “Good afternoon, Todd. It’s a pleasant day, don’t you agree?”

  Todd glanced from him to Ann then back to him. “Yes, it is pleasant.” He cleared his throat and passed them. “I can let you in.”

  “I came to visit with Agnes,” Ann said.

  “I know,” Todd told her as he opened the door. His tender gaze went to her before he waved them in.

  “Oh, I won’t be staying,” Kent replied.

  “I’ll be there in a moment,” Ann added. “Will you tell Agnes I’m here?”

  When Todd was out of hearing distance, Kent turned his attention back to her. “He loves you.”

  “I know but I don’t love him. I’ll never love him, no matter how much he or my parents wish it. I only want to marry you. Promise me you’ll do everything you can to make sure we end up together?”

  He nodded and brushed her cheek with his fingers. “I promise.”

  “Ann? I’m so glad you came!”

  He lowered his hand right before Agnes showed up at the door. “I better go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Tipping his hat, he offered Agnes a greeting before heading down the porch steps. As he glanced back, Ann gave him another one of those smiles that made him feel as if all was right with the world. His lips turned up but then his gaze caught a slight movement in the parlor window. His steps slowed when he realized Todd was watching him. It was the first time he sensed a challenge. He stopped and faced the window, but Todd lowered the curtain, blocking his view of him. Eyebrows furrowed, he put his hands in his pockets and headed down the street.

  ***

  January 1900

  “Your uncle sent another letter,” Kent’s father told him during dinner.

  “What does he want? Money?” his mother asked, glancing up from her plate.

  “Probably.” He glanced at the butler who remained close by in case they needed anything. Clearing his throat, he said, “He also wants Kent to visit him.”

  “He wants me to visit?” Kent asked, surprised.

  “Don’t worry. I have no intention of sending you to Ireland,” his father replied then sipped his wine. “Your uncle could probably use help on his farm. He has no children.”

  “Did he have a wife?” This was the most he’d heard of his uncle’s life, so Kent wanted to learn more.

  “He did but she died in childbirth.”

  His mother pressed her hand to her chest. “That’s most unfortunate.”

  “Well, he lives in poverty. It’s hard to expect a healthy family under such conditions,” his father said and cut into his steak.

  “A lady doesn’t have to be in poverty to die in childbirth,” Kent argued. “This isn’t something restricted to a person’s station in life.”

  “Given Miss Statesman’s situation, it’s no wonder you feel that way,” he murmured, his voice low enough to go undetected by the butler.

  Kent’s face warmed and he tightened his hold on his fork. Ann had nothing to be ashamed of. So what if her real mother had been a runaway who happened to cross paths with Mrs. Statesman? Mr. and Mrs. Statesman were kind in providing shelter and food for the young woman who ended up dying while giving birth to Ann. And besides, the Statesmans actually had money, unlike his parents who only pretended to.

  “There’s no sense in dwelling in the past,” Kent’s mother said and shot his father a meaningful look. “Miss Statesman comes from one of the richest families in town. You can’t deny how successful they’ve been.” With a glance at Kent, she smiled. “A good match, if I do say so myself.”

  Kent returned her smile. He couldn’t agree more. Ann was perfect, the ideal wife. Now that her father had consented to letting him court her, there was nothing stopping him from marrying her. He’d marry the woman he loved and secure his parents’ future at the same time.

  “Rebecca would have been a better match,” his father said. “The Johnsons would make better in-laws.”

  “That’s not your choice,” his mother replied in a firm tone that gave a slight edge to her smile. “We’ve been hoping our son would find a suitable lady and he has. That’s all that matters.”

  His father shrugged but didn’t argue with her.

  Releasing his breath, Kent turned his attention back to the meal. Thankfully, his father wouldn’t hinder his plan to marry Ann.

  ***

  April 1900

  “Another splendid evening,” Kent’s father said as he rose from the chair in the Johnsons’ parlor.

  “Yes,” Mr. Johnson agreed. “Our children make a good match.”

  “Indeed they do.”

  Kent looked away from the two men and rolled his eyes. He didn’t care much for the dinner engagements with the Johnsons. But he had no choice. At least not yet. Once he married Ann and secured the generous dowry her father offered, he would be free from his parents’ demands. Even better, he’d get his own piano and play every day after he came home from work. He ran his hands over the Johnsons’ piano
in front of him, admiring the sleek surface. Besides Ann, few things were as wonderful as the music this instrument produced.

  Rebecca slid next to him on the bench. “You seem preoccupied this evening.”

  He scooted away from her. He hated it when she intentionally got close to him. He thought she’d stop once his courtship with Ann was official, but she only seemed to get worse.

  She brushed her hand against his, and he pulled back. With a chuckle, she said, “There’s no need to be shy. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

  He struggled with knowing how to answer her. His father was fond of her. There was no doubt he would prefer him to marry her because doing so would secure him a notable position in one of Mr. Johnson’s companies, thus increasing their wealth. The decision wasn’t his father’s to make. Ultimately, it was his and he couldn’t imagine sharing his life with anyone but Ann. Even so, he dare not upset Rebecca by revealing the simple fact that he would never love her, that his heart would always belong to another. As it was, Kent’s father was hopeful Mr. Johnson might consider a financial partnership with him. So no, he dare not do anything to upset Rebecca because her father would, in turn, undoubtedly be upset too.

  Kent cleared his throat, ignoring the way she smiled at him with more romantic interest than she should. “Of course we’re friends.” He made sure to emphasize the ‘friends’ part of the sentence, but he wasn’t sure she noticed, especially since her smile widened.

  “We have so much in common,” she replied. “Our love of music. Our parents get along infamously well. We come from old money. We’re both attractive and distinguished, which isn’t the case with everyone in our social standing. I’m sure in time we’ll discover more shared interests.”

  Her shoulder brushed his, and he bolted to his feet. When her eyebrows furrowed, he said, “I just remembered something I need to do. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She inclined her head to excuse him, so he went over to his parents. Since his mother was only listening as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson talked to his father, he whispered, “Mother, is it time to leave yet?”

  “Almost,” she replied. Glancing at Rebecca who was putting the songbook away, she asked, “Are you not enjoying yourself?”

  “You know my intentions are for Ann.”

  With a sigh, she nodded. “As long as Mr. Statesman lets you marry her, then there won’t be a problem.”

  “He will.”

  She hesitated for a moment then said, “It won’t hurt to entertain thoughts of Rebecca, just in case.”

  He clasped his hands behind his back. “I thought you supported me instead of Father.”

  “As long as the lady you marry comes from money, I don’t care who she is.”

  Kent’s father looked in his direction. “Is everything alright?”

  His mother smiled. “Everything is fine. Kent was just telling me how much he enjoys playing the piano while Rebecca sings.”

  Kent forced aside the urge to grimace when he saw the pleased expression on everyone’s faces. If he didn’t act, and act quick, he might not be able to marry Ann as he hoped. It was becoming clear to him that they were all in agreement that he should marry Rebecca.

  Chapter Four

  Kent gripped the hat in his hands and stared out the parlor window in the Statesmans’ house. Her father had to say yes. Whatever he had to do, he’d make sure he didn’t leave until her father agreed to his request.

  “You wish to see me?” Mr. Statesman asked as he entered the room.

  Turning from the window, Kent swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yes, sir.”

  Mr. Statesman gestured for the servant to leave them alone, and after the servant closed the door to ensure their privacy, he sat down. “Have a seat.”

  Kent obeyed but sat on the edge of the chair.

  “What is it you wish to discuss?”

  He took a deep breath, his hold on the hat loosening only a little. “Sir, I hope you don’t think I’m out of line, but I want to let you know that I love your daughter.” When her father didn’t respond, he added, “I came here to seek your permission to marry her.”

  Her father released his breath. “I thought that’s why you were here.” He rose from his chair and went over to the picture of Ann when she was younger. “Ann is my only child. As her real mother was dying, my wife and I promised her that we would give her the best in life.”

  Sensing this wasn’t going the way he hoped, Kent slowly stood from the chair but didn’t move forward. “Sir, I assure you that my intentions are honorable. There will never be anyone but Ann. If you worry I’ll take a mistress, I can put your mind at ease. I’ll be faithful to her until the day I die.”

  “I believe you mean well, but…” He turned to face Kent and shook his head. “I can’t explain my reasons to your satisfaction. Maybe I wasn’t born into money, but I didn’t get to where I’m at by taking undo risks. Ann is more important than money, and I’d give up all of my wealth for her happiness.” He glanced at her picture. “I can’t give you my permission.”

  Kent strode over to him, his hold on the hat tightening. “Is it because I’ll take her to New York?” Maybe Ann told her father about the plans they’d made. Maybe he wanted to make sure his daughter would be nearby so he could visit her. “I can keep her here in Virginia.”

  “Where she lives isn’t a concern. I can afford to travel.”

  “Then what is it? Surely, whatever it is, it can be resolved. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  “There are some things you can’t change.”

  His eyebrows furrowed. “Maybe not, but I don’t see what can be so pressing that two people who love each other can’t overcome it.”

  “I’m sorry, but the answer is no. I have to trust my instincts.”

  “You think I’ll do something to hurt her? Sir, I assure you that you couldn’t be more wrong.”

  After a long moment, he shook his head. “It’s not you. At first, I thought it was, but it’s not.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Kent let out a bewildered chuckle. “You’re not sure?”

  “I told you I can’t explain it to you to your satisfaction. Suffice it to say that I’m old enough to know when I need to trust my instincts.”

  “If you had no intention of letting me marry her, then why did you agree to let me court her?”

  “I thought I was wrong. I wanted to wait and see if I was hasty in telling you no. But my instincts are screaming louder than ever.” He walked to the parlor door and opened it. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

  A strained silence passed between them as Kent thought of what he might say—what he could say—to convince her father that he was wrong, that Ann would be happy married to him. But how could he argue against something as intangible and vague as a father’s ‘instinct’? Shoulders slumped, he placed his hat on his head and mumbled the obligatory “thank you” before leaving the house.

  ***

  When Kent entered his house, he tried to pass his father without speaking to him, but his father called out to him. Sighing, he entered the parlor.

  His father set down the newspaper and rose to his feet. He motioned for the butler to leave them alone. Once the door was shut, his father turned his gaze to him. “What did Ann’s father say?”

  “I’ll ask him in another month,” Kent replied.

  “He said no.”

  Kent gritted his teeth, not liking the way his father seemed pleased by the situation.

  “Rebecca’s father is impressed with you. He says you’re an honorable man, one he can see partnering up with.” His father gave him a pointed look. “I don’t need to remind you what kind of money you’ll get if he did.”

  Kent avoided eye contact with him. “No, you don’t.”

  “Son, sometimes you have to do certain things in order to get what you want. You’re young and inexperienced. When you get older, you’ll understand that you have to sacrifice things you want in order t
o succeed. I think it’s time you courted Rebecca.”

  “No.”

  “Kent,” he snapped, drawing Kent’s attention back to him, “you will not fail me and your mother in this. We’ve come too far with the Johnsons to lose now. You will court Rebecca, and in due time, you will marry her.”

  “The only reason you associate with the Johnsons is because of their money. You don’t even like them.”

  “My reasons for dealing with them aren’t your concern. Focus on what you need to do. It’s your duty to honor your parents.

  “So by honoring you, I have to lie?”

  His father stared at him and though his eyes pierced right through him, Kent refused to break eye contact. If he was going to make his stand, he needed to do it now.

  “You will do whatever it takes to secure the financial standing of this house,” his father hissed.

  His jaw clenched. “And if I don’t?”

  A tense moment of silence passed between them before his father said, “You don’t have a choice.” His father strode out of the room, his footsteps echoing off the hardwood floors.

  Kent released his breath. No, he wouldn’t marry Rebecca. There had to be a way he could marry Ann. He just needed to think of how. He’d ask Ann’s father for her hand in another month. Perhaps by then, her father would agree. He’d denied Kent permission to court her twice before he relented. Surely, he could find a way to convince him that he’d be good to Ann. Whatever his instincts were telling him, his fears were unfounded. Kent would never do anything to hurt her. One way or another, he’d marry her.

  ***