Page 28 of The Heart of Bennet Hollow

Leaning back in his desk chair, William closed his pocket watch and smoothed a thumb over the engraving in the gold—the profile of his racehorse, done by an artist’s hand.

He stared at it now, already forgetting the time of day he’d just glimpsed.

Instead, he was struck by his wealth and the growing realization that it may not get Mr. Bennet—or the other tenants—out of the bind they were in. At least not easily.

“So, what does that mean?” William angled his desk chair toward Callum, who held up the document he’d been studying for hours now, lit by the dome of glass overhead.

“It means that there’s concern as to whether or not Jorgensen has paid taxes on the land he’s ‘given away.’ Since ownership is in question, the state of Virginia will require those taxes to be paid before any sale can be official.”

“Why do you think Jorgensen didn’t pay them?”

“Because he imagined the land belonging to the tenants. By passing the land off—even unofficially—it’s saved him the expense for over a decade.

Since Jorgensen makes more than four thousand dollars a year, he’s required to pay two percent to the state.

Men like Bennet and the other tenants are below the financial threshold. ”

“So, Jorgensen needs to pay these taxes.”

Callum loosened his tie. “Possibly, but it’s complicated. I don’t even know if Bennet or the others are aware of the implications yet.”

William accepted the wrinkled document.

“It’s hard to say who will end up with the bill. Should it be Jorgensen? Or would those living on the land be required to pay if they wish to obtain ownership? Regardless, the state will require someone to atone for those taxes.”

“Do you think the other bidders are aware of this?”

“I’m certain of it. I’m not the only lawyer looking into this side of things.

If one of the other investors has something to hang over Jorgensen’s head, Jorgensen may bow out at a lower selling price to compensate.

It makes this a dangerous game. I’m certain that Jorgensen would like to avoid going to jail or paying additional fines.

Not all the investors are in this situation to act honorably, and if they can inspire him to drop the price, they will. ”

Absently, William opened the pocket watch again. “So, what now?”

“First, we need to find out if these ledgers are accurate.” Callum held up a stack of dusty books.

“From what we’ve read, Jorgensen doesn’t even have the profit this year to pay those taxes if he wanted to.

Not if he wants to pay his employees, which he must, and he’s already taken out two small loans over the last two years.

Second, you need to decide if you’re going to make an offer on the place. If it’s sincerely worth it to you.”

“And third?”

Callum clicked his tongue. “Well, if you decide you’d like to move forward, then paperwork will need to be made official. The county will get involved, which will stir up an awareness that these taxes have fallen through the cracks.”

“Meaning?”

“The sale won’t be able to be finalized, most likely, until they’re paid.”

“Which a buyer could do.” William snapped the pocket watch closed.

Callum’s eyes narrowed. “Correct. But do you imagine that these other buyers would be so generous as to do that kind of favor for any of these tenants?”

Not in the least.

“So while one of these buyers might be willing to pay the taxes in order to secure the land, we both know they would scarcely allow the families to also keep their farms. One way or another, Bennet and the other tenants will likely lose their land.” Callum’s expression was pained.

“Unless someone was able to do something about it...”

William blew out a slow breath and with the maps of New River spread out before him, he switched one for another. But no matter how he turned the pages, Bennet Hollow was still in the way of his dreams.

His old dreams.

William leaned back in his chair. A newness had awoken inside him and he didn’t know what to do about it. A month ago, that corner of the map was a mere plot of land that he could have purchased and sold or staked a claim on. Land that belonged to people with no faces to him.

And now?

Bowing his head, William ran fingertips over his forehead and imagined the very tenants.

Most especially, Mr. Bennet’s second eldest daughter with her bright eyes and quick wit.

The way she protected everything in her care, including her home that he’d had the honor of walking the length of at her side.

It was clear, the love she had for her farm.

A love she’d learned from her father and would no doubt pass on to her children.

The notion pushed heat up William’s neck.

Because he was struggling to imagine a future that didn’t include her.

Not if he were honest with himself. He stared at his hands now. The same hands that had wrapped around her own after church on Sunday. There by the oak tree, his only desire at first had been to steal a few minutes alone to clear his head. And then she’d come along...

Once again, changing everything—his entire course—and making him glad for company.

Nearly impossible for a man like him, and yet she was doing so daily.

He couldn’t, with any shred of sanity, turn away from that.

Folding his arms, William leaned back against the chair.

So, this was what it felt like to be a wrecked man.

He breathed in deeply, finally letting go of any prospect of keeping his sanity.

It was gone now, and so he would start again.

From the ground up. Recraft his approach and this time, that approach would include the Bennets. Not dismantle them.

The ship that bore this captain quaked in the wake of change and yet it was a wholesome and healing change. Life-giving. A thumping in his chest that meant he was human. Alive. Most of all... that the future held a God-given hope. Not just in business, but in his very life.

Hope that maybe, just maybe, he might grow his family. That he might have someone to come home to. That the halls of his estate could be filled with more than just servants and the sound of his voice as he spoke through the telephone line.

“There has to be a way of securing the New River Coal Company, while leaving Bennet land and its tenants at peace. Of purchasing the company without disrupting the family.” William turned an ink pen in his fingers, which were stained black in the creases from all the sums he’d been doing.

Callum nodded.

The maps still before him, William assessed them with a fresh outlook. The Bennets lived on over twenty acres of valuable earth. William had gathered enough about Mr. Bennet and his family to know that they could never afford the farm outright. “The buyer could gift it to them.”

Callum’s brows lifted. “But only if that man outbid everyone else. Only if the mine were worth it.”

Which was still unclear.

“Then there’s a matter of pride,” Callum added. “Bennet’s.”

“Right.”

“Few men of worth would take to a favor so big.”

So what to do? And how would William do anything without admitting to madness? “It would be a terrible business move,” he admitted.

Callum checked his own timepiece and rose. “Right. But I like the way your wheels are spinning.” He drew in a slow sigh. “Believe me, I’ve thought of it myself.”

“But?”

“I wouldn’t want it to seem as though I were trying to purchase anyone’s favor. But I certainly haven’t ruled it out. It’s a lot to think on.” His voice was heavy as he spoke. “I—I better go finish packing. Train arrives at four.”

William nodded. He didn’t want these business dealings to appear like a conflict of interest either. He simply wanted to pursue the coal holdings of New River and leave Lizbeth’s home in peace.

As much as he meant to focus on his own vexations, the aggravated thunking coming from Callum’s room made it impossible. Rising, William strode down the hallway and nudged Callum’s door open.

“Is there any way I can help?” he asked.

Kneeling beside an open trunk, Callum looked as lost as any man he’d ever seen.

“This is because of Jayne,” William stated. Maybe understanding Callum’s mind would help him comprehend his own.

“It’s certainly not because of you,” Callum quipped glumly.

William smiled, grateful for the spark of humor still alive in his friend. “You’ll see her again, no?” Words he spoke to himself as well.

“I hope so. But how can we ever really know?”

Consulting his pocket watch, two gold hands pointed to the truth: Callum had less than an hour left. “Do you wish to speak to her?”

“I don’t know what I would say. But yes, I do wish that. I wish to see her. To speak to her and...” His voice trailed off and the lost look only intensified.

“Do you wish to marry her ?”

An obvious battle waged as Callum stared at his hands with an unfocused gaze. “Those are strong words.”

A battle of mind. Of heart.

Of propriety and even fortune. The same wrestling William himself was thrashing against.

All that a man like Callum, and like William, had to acknowledge whenever considering whom he could tie his heart and life to.

Whom he could place his trust in, his hopes, and his future.

There was a reason they travelled armed.

This rolling mansion was ever in danger of being robbed and while most bandits centered their focus on passenger cars, a place like the Pemberley was ripe for the picking and never would William allow such without putting up a fight should thieves storm the castle walls.