Destined for You by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;FIC042110;FIC042030;FIC027360
ISBN: 9781493429790
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Martin Carson sipped strong coffee and reconsidered his son’s letter. Luke’s message, though sparse with details, made clear the circumstances of his situation.

The baby, a little girl who is named for her mother, is healthy and happy. Upon her deathbed, Sally asked that her dear friend, Gloriana Womack, and I take charge of the child and raise her in a manner that would have pleased Scott. We have done this, and I’m pleased to say that Sally Marie Carson is a strong and vital child.

He set the letter aside and considered the situation, as he had done nearly every minute since receiving the letter two days earlier. It was January, and the baby was nearing four months in age. Martin had started planning what all that would require. Certainly a nurse who had training to care for infants. An entire nursery wing that could house the nurse and babe as well. There was the old nursery upstairs, but it would need to be completely redone.

His plan was to bring the baby to Philadelphia as soon as possible and raise her in ease and luxury. She was his last connection to Scott, and although his son had been rebellious and had married against his will, Martin Carson was not going to allow it all to be for naught. Having a baby in the house would be rather interesting, and with the right people installed, Martin wouldn’t even need to know she was there unless he truly wanted to.

Thankfully, most of the house staff had been completely replaced in the last six months, and no one need know much about the child’s parentage. Of course, his intimate friends would know she was Scott’s daughter, but they needn’t dwell on a scullery maid being her mother. Besides, she wasn’t the first child of such a relationship, nor would she be the last.

There was the complication of winter in Minnesota. As he understood after checking into it, the harbor was now closed until March or early April. The rail lines had not been completed, and the work there was also ended until spring. Getting in or out of Duluth was not impossible, but it was extremely difficult, and no one with any sense would drag a small infant out across a wintery wilderness.

That meant waiting until at least April to bring the baby to Philadelphia. He supposed it was just as well. He would have someone come in and begin to refashion the nursery. It would give him time to check into qualified nurses.

“More coffee, sir?” the footman asked.

“Yes.” Martin waited until the cup was poured, then motioned to the table. “You may clear the rest. I’ll take my coffee to the library.”

“Very good, sir.”

Martin set his napkin aside and rose. He looked at the exquisite furnishings of the dining room. He had everything money could buy, and yet it rang hollow. He was alone. His only remaining son was off in the wilderness, doing the bidding of his boss, and the rest of his family was dead.

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