The Titans (23 page)

mustache with neatly waxed tips. New, too, were his thick Dundreary whiskers, reaching almost to the point of his chin. The style had been popularized by theater-goers. Similar whiskers bad been worn by Lord Dundreary, one of the characters.in Tom Taylor's Our American Cousin, a hit of the '58 season. 324The Girl I Left Behind Me Joshua Rothman and his plump, cheerful wife Miriam were about the same age; in their late thirties. When Julia made her grand entrance-deliberately late, Michael suspected-she went directly to the Boston couple, greeting them warmly. She ignored the Hopes, who were chatting with Michael and Louis. Again, Michael believed the delay was intentional. Julia wanted the Hopes to understand the relative importance of those present Finally, she glided over to speak with the California visitors for about half a minute before Wicks announced dinner. To start the feast, half a dozen servants poured wine and set a solid silver tureen containing bisque of pheasant in front of each guest. Michael was the odd man. Partnerless, he was uncomfortable. And damnably aware of his hostess. It was difficult not to admire Julia this evening. From her place at the foot of the long table, she dominated the gathering like a candle in a cave. Her dark hair cascaded over her ears in loose, glistening falls, and was drawn into a low chignon at the nape of her neck. To adorn her hair, she'd chosen an arrangement of white velvet flowers with tiny orange centers and miniature green velvet leaves, the whole draped artfully down the left side of her head to her shoulder. Her white satin gown had short puffed sleeves and a boat-shaped decolletage, suitably modest yet not so high as to prohibit a glimpse of her cleavage when she leaned over to speak with Rothman, seated on her right Silver cord fastened another festoon of artificial flowers across her bodice. Similar cording and flowers edged the hem of her skirt. On each wrist she wore a little band of green velvet decorated with one orange- centered bloom. The Rothmans sat opposite the Hopes, who had Michael between them. He suspected the arrangement was The Titans325 planned to show him his proper place. He spooned up the bisque as Hope replied to a question from across the table: "You're right, Mrs. Rothman, the Russell, Majors and Waddell service is a boon to California. In view of what's been happening in the East, people are anxious to get the news as soon as possible." "What's the record time for those pony riders?" Joshua Rothman asked. "Seven days and seventeen hours-carrying the President's inaugural speech." Fastidiously, Hope touched his lips with a napkin. "Each man rides about seventy- five miles." Miriam Rothman shook her head. "I had no idea the Express was so fast." "Normally, the run from Independence to San Francisco takes eight days," Hope told her. "That still beats Butterfield's Overland Stage by eight days." In her charmingly accented speech, Clotilde Hope said, "We shall soon feel even closer to you thanks to- how do you say it?-la tfUgraphie." Michael said, "But I understand that may put the Pony Express out of business by the end of the year." Louis finished his soup and laid his spoon aside. "You may find you don't want to hear the news from this part of the country." Clotilde's husband nodded in a rueful way. "We even thought about canceling our trip. We had no trouble, however." "Of course not," Miriam said. "There's no such thing as a Confederate navy." "I'm sorry, my dear, but there is now," her husband said. "That fool McCauley didn't do a thorough job of scuttling the ships before the rebels captured the Cos- port yard. My contacts in Richmond say Merrimack, among others, will be refloated as a Confederate raider." 326The Girl I Left Behind Me "You mean to say you have dealings with your enemies?" Clotilde exclaimed. Louis and Julia exchanged amused looks. Israel noticed; frowned. But Rothman answered courteously: "Yes, Mrs. Hope, we haven't closed off all lines of communication just yet. There's an excellent reason- especially among bankers. The South owes us a substantial amount in loans. We're trying to collect before it becomes totally impossible. Besides-was Rothman gestured. Reflections of the table candles multiplied in the leaded panes of the windows. The glass was still wet with raindrops. But the storm had passed. "commuch as I detest the philosophies of some of our Southern brethren-and much as I believe we must meet their military challenge-I can't bring myself to dislike Southerners as individuals. They're Americans, after all. Their region has made invaluable contributions to this country." Israel said quietly, "It also gave me the scars on my back." "Amen to that," Mrs. Rothman nodded. She was active among the Boston abolitionists, Michael knew. "Lincoln's proved a distinct disappointment." "You mean regarding slavery?" Michael asked. She nodded again. "He said he wouldn't interfere with it where it was already established. That's cowardly and immoral! He should issue a proclamation freeing every black man, woman and child in the South. Then those rebels would be so busy protecting themselves against the people they've exploited and abused for two hundred years, they wouldn't have time to go playing at war!" Joshua Rothman looked dubious. "You continue to misjudge the South, Miriam. Slaveholders are in the minority. We're at war because the South feels the North's infringing on the rights of sovereign states." The Titans327 "Nonsense, Joshua! We're at war because they feel superior to black people, want to keep them in bondage comand are terrified at the thought of Negro equality!" Louis began to look displeased with the trend of the conversation. Israel said: "I happen to believe you're correct, Mrs. Rothman. But even if the South could be coerced into abiding by it, I doubt a proclamation of freedom would produce any basic change." Snappishly, the banker's wife said, "You don't want to see your own people liberated, Mr. Hope? I find that hard to believe after reading your book!" "Of course I want to see the Negro free. I'm only saying a piece of paper won't work a miracle. I know how whites feel about people of my race. A proclamation wouldn't necessarily make the black man's lot any easier. Might make it harder, in fact. Enemies who pretend friendship are a hell of-excuse me-a devil of a lot harder to fight than enemies who don't. How would the country-the North-treat hundreds of thousands of newly liberated blacks? Welcome them as equals? I sincerely doubt it. I'm in favor of emancipation. But I'm convinced it would only end one struggle and begin another." "You're right," Michael said, taking a sip of the white wine that had been served with the bisque. "Where I was born in the city, every nigra is a threat to an Irishman's job." Israel sighed. "Exactly. We'll be a long, long time solving that problem." Julia pouted. "Then why must we discuss it? Let's stop all this depressing talk of slavery and war and just enjoy ourselves!" "Hear, hear!" Louis said. "There may be a war, but we're under no obligation to wear hair shuts because of it. In fact, we have good reason to be happy. As an 328The Girl I Left Behind Me entity, the Kent family's doing well. The war will help us do even better." Joshua Rothman looked startled; his wife, upset. Apprehensive, Clotilde watched her husband. Louis prodded the suddenly expressionless mulatto: "Don't you agree, Israel?" "I suppose so. I don't see how the war win affect the Ophir Company, though. Are you speaking of some new venture?" Louis smiled. "Of course." "What is it, Louis?" Rothman asked, rather sharply. "Some scheme to get more business from the government?" As the family banker, he didn't like surprises. Louis tapped his spoon against the tureen-tick, tick-as if to throw Rothman off balance. Affably, he replied: "Which government do you mean? The one in Washington? Or the one that may move from Montgomery to Richmond in the next few weeks?" Israel's head snapped around. Miriam Rothman looked equally astonished. Michael detected a sudden change in the atmosphere of the overheated dining room. Something rank had crept in to mingle with the aromas of candle wax and perfume. Tick, tick-Louis' spoon kept moving. His glance swept the table, ignoring the women but lingering a moment on each of the men. His flame-lit eyes left no doubt about who was in charge. He addressed the continuation of his thought to the banker: "Don't forget, Joshua-each government has money to spend." Israel's yellow fingers drummed on the table. Rothman was aghast: "Good God, you're not suggesting we deal with bothThat Louis waved the spoon; a dismissal. "I'm suggesting we honor Julia's request and enjoy our meal." An al The Titans$29 most imperceptible nod. The servants appeared, preparing the table for the next course. Louis continued smoothly, "We can discuss particulars later-after the ladies gather in the drawing room." He tried to joke: "Women gossip too much, eh, my dear?" "About everything except their lovers," she smiled. His complexion darkened noticeably. Julia's laugh was bright and faintly mocking: "Come, don't look so thunderous! I'm only teasing." Michael wasn't so sure. He found himself studying the tableware, the candles-anything but the faces of the guests. The tension he'd sensed was increasing moment by moment. As he'd feared, business was the reason for the party. Hope and his wife were present only for camouflage. The mulatto and the banker both realized that now. Both were visibly unhappy. Louis, however, seemed relaxed and expansive all at once, lolling in his heavily ornamented chair. He acted pleased with himself. He'd prepared the men for a pronouncement comthen left them dangling until he was ready to deliver it. Another little assertion of his authority. Michael had a hard' time remembering Amanda's son was only in his mid-twenties. He possessed the labyrinthine mind of a man many years older. Michael sensed Julia watching him. Glanced up- Her blue eyes locked with his for an instant. The bodice of her satin gown showed her rapid breathing. Spots of color dotted her cheeks. He wanted to look away; wanted to and couldn't. She was more beautiful than ever, those velvet flowers a colorful splash against the darkness of her hair. Once she'd caught his attention-to remind him of her remark about women and their lovers?-she turned to whisper to Rothman. He couldn't hear the words. But he was certain she was leaning forward for his benefit. 330The Girl I Left Behind Me He caught a tantalizing glimpse of corseted breasts. Beneath the table, his body reacted in a way that startled and appalled him. His right hand clenched on the table. Julia noticed Cast one swift, triumphant glance in his direction, then leaned over even further to hear Rothman's whispered reply. She burst out laughing: "Oh, Joshua!-that's perfectly delightful!" Again that uncomfortable feeling of being scrutinized comth time by Louis, who hadn't missed the exchange of glances. Michael felt increasingly fearful about the rest of the evening. Too eagerly, he reached for his wine goblet, drank, then signaled a servant for more. IV Despite the disturbing undercurrents Louis had set in motion at the table, Michael indulged his slum-born appetite and ate voraciously. He did it not only to fill his belly but to occupy his hands and mind. To the superb Dover sole, the sauces, side dishes and sweet pastries, he added an uncommonly large amount of the various wines served with each course. Curiously, the alcohol did little to relax him. He still felt tense when the meal ended and the gentlemen separated from the ladies. The former retired to the library, the latter to the drawing room- As the ladies left, he experienced a touch of malicious pleasure at the sight of Julia flanked by an octoroon and a Jewess. No doubt she found it galling to be gracious to women she'd consider her inferiors. Her laughter sounded shrill as Louis closed the library doors. Michael walked to the marble fireplace and extended his palms toward the flames. Amanda had often teased The Titans331 him about his tolerance for temperatures others found unbearable. But until she hired him as a confidential clerk, he'd lived most of his life in unheated slum rooms. He wished she were present this evening instead of her son, who was pouring cognac and offering cigars from a rosewood box. Kentland's library was an enormous rectangular room with another of those gaudy stained glass windows at the far end. At the highest point of the ceiling- twenty feet above the floor-arches of dark wood met. Each arch was cusped, and the tips of the cusps tre- foiled. Some called the carvings beautiful. Michael found them fussy, ostentatious and unconscionably expensive. Louis tapped his shoulder. "Care for a brandy before we talk?" Michael turned. He detected no anger or jealousy in the younger man's dark eyes. "Thanks, I would." He followed a trail of smoke to the liquor cabinet Louis clenched the fragrant Havana in his teeth as he poured. "Joshua-was The banker broke off a low-voiced conversation with the mulatto. "Yes?" "You and Israel might glance through that stack of newspapers on the table." Though clearly puzzled by the request, the two men did as bidden. Michael took a long swallow from the snifter. The brandy burned his throat Just as he sat down in a large chair, Joshua Rothman exclaimed, "These are Richmond papers!" "From the weeks prior to Sumter," Louis nodded. "Ignore the news columns. Nothing but a lot of gas. It's the advertisements that are provocative." Sipping cognac, he strolled to the window. The sky had cleared. The clouds were gone. Some of the re 332The Girl I Left Behind Me maining raindrops caught the moonlight and shone through the colored panes like bright gems. Michael heard pages rustling as he returned to the fireplace. At least Louis hadn't discarded the artifacts the family had collected over the years. Looking at the objects was never a painless experience. Amanda had gotten a mortal wound defending them with an old Colt revolver the night the house in Madison Square had been invaded by Irish thugs. Above the mantel hung the scabbarded French sword which the founder of the family, Philip Kent, had received from a wealthy young nobleman he'd known in his native province of Auvergne. Later, in America, Philip had been reunited with the Marquis de Lafayette, who was serving as a major-general in the Continental army. They'd remained lifelong friends. Below the sword was a Kentucky rifle Philip had acquired during his army service. The stock gleamed with oil. The metalwork was bright and free of rust. A painting of Philip himself, dark-haired and faintly truculent, hung in the drawing room. On the shelves flanking the mantel, two spaces had been left among the books of Kent and Son. In the space to Michael's left stood a stoppered green bottle. The