Free A Hope Beyond by Judith Pella Page A

are right,” Joseph replied and nodded to Leland. “We shall keep him as a partner, but I suggest we move him from the active role of vice-president and allow his father to fill that position.”
    “I have no objections to that,” she replied. “Just so long as James knows he is welcome to continue with us on this project.”
    “But of course,” Joseph replied.
    Carolina smiled at her father and noted that Leland seemed to relax a great deal. She tried to imagine what James’ reaction would be to such a discussion, but she found her mind blurred with images of James’ face and Hampton’s kiss.
    “Mr. Baldwin has also had some encouraging news from the Virginia legislature,” Joseph continued. “They are considering a positive response to our request for a charter, but there are conditions that Leland and I find quite unacceptable.”
    “Such as?” Carolina asked seriously. She forced herself to put aside her childish memories and concentrate on the business at hand. At sixteen, she knew full well it was a privilege to be included in such a matter.
    Leland pulled a letter from his satchel and handed it over to Joseph. “They want twenty-five percent of the profits, with unlimited right-of-ways, and in fifty years the railroad would become state property.”
    “That’s robbery!” Carolina declared indignantly. “Maryland and the city of Baltimore combined receive far less than twenty-five percent of the profits from the B&O Railroad. And they certainly never demanded ownership. You can’t let them get away with this, Father.”
    Joseph smiled at her. “I knew you’d feel quite passionately about it. Especially given the fact that while in fifty years I will be dead and gone, you’ll be a feisty old woman of sixty-six.”
    “It isn’t only that,” she declared. “This railroad should be something that generations of Adamses”—she paused and looked at Leland’s perspiring face—“ and Baldwins can participate in with pride.”
    “I quite agree with my daughter, Baldwin.”
    “I must say, Carolina, your grasp of the working railroad is quite amazing to me. I thought it less than wise to allow you on as an active partner,” Leland admitted, “but you are proving yourself to be well-read on the matter and highly opinionated.”
    Joseph laughed at this. “Of that you may be assured, my good man.”
    Carolina smiled but still felt an odd sense of rejection by James’ father. Perhaps he was just preoccupied with his own interests, or maybe he was still unable to feel comfortable discussing such lofty matters with a mere girl. Either way, she didn’t care. It didn’t have to concern her; unless, of course, it altered her own plans and dreams.

    Leland rested uncomfortably in the carriage. His gout was bothering him fiercely, but so, too, was his conscience. He could deal with swindling a world of strangers, but Joseph Adams had been a good friend for a great many years. When he showed him the railroad certificates, Leland had known the response would be one of extreme enthusiasm. What he hadn’t expected was Carolina’s educated participation in their discussion.
    For Leland, the matter was simple. So simple, in fact, he had worried that James’ departure from Washington would forever alter his own plans. He could tell from Carolina’s words that she didn’t know the truth of James and Virginia’s broken engagement. But Joseph did. Leland could see it in his expression and read the unspoken questions in his old friend’s eyes.
    Apparently Virginia must have quietly shared James’ unforgivably bad manners with her father. Leland cursed and threw his satchel to the opposite side of the carriage. James had ruined his plans for financial security. If only James had married Virginia, Joseph would never think twice at offering any monetary assistance needed. Plus, there would have been a hefty dowry offered, one that Leland had instructed his son to take in cash rather than land.
    The twinge of