Enid Dawson frowned as the train rolled into the station. It had been a long and tiring trip and she was tired of the train ride and was ready to find a proper boarding house so she could get a proper night's sleep. She also wanted a proper meal. The food on the train was a lot to be desired in her opinion. She was about to ask for another cup of tea when a familiar man slid into the seat across from her own, looking rather distracted. After another close look, she knew who it was.
"Dear sir, you wouldn't happen to be Nathan Hockley, would you?" Normally, Enid wouldn't be so forward as to ask a gentleman his name, but the gossip papers and her own boredom made her feel bolder.
"Pardon me?" The dark-haired man stared at her with unkind eyes.
"Forgive me, but you look exactly like the Hockley Patriarch...which I now find rather impossible. Why ever would that fine gentleman be on this train at this time?" Enid gave a dry chuckle. "I am sorry for disturbing you."
Nathan stared at the woman wonderly, then sighed and put his paper down. There was no point in denying it. "Yes, I am Nathan Hockley of the Pittsburgh Hockleys. Who may I ask am I talking to?"
"I am Enid Dawson, of the Boston Dawsons. I do believe that you've done some business with my older brother Jeffrey…"
"Oh yes! I remember Jeffery. Kind of a weak-tempered man who lets his employees walk over him, but I've had some dealings with him. Tell me, how is the old man?"
"Oh, he is quite well. Of course, running Dawson Enterprises keeps him very busy. Too busy to deal with family issues, that has somehow fallen to me, fortunately, I suppose."
Nathan gave a small snort. "I suppose I am in the same boat, more or less. I am heading to this small town to see about my daughter and get my son set up to open up a mill here. Hockley Steel will expand to the midwest!"
"Oh, that sounds exciting! Of course, us Dawsons are well satisfied with what we have in Boston, but I can see the wisdom of expanding one's business."
"Smart woman. Do tell me, why are you heading to Chippewa Falls if not to expand the Dawson brand?"
Enid wasn't sure how much she should divulge about her mission. After all, this Jack may want nothing to do with her and the rest of the family. But then again, who wouldn't want to find out that they are part of a wealthy family? A rejection just did not make sense to her!
"Well, as I said, business is not the reason that I am making this trip. I had just received news that my missing twin brother has been found! Or rather, what is left of him. He has a son. I am hoping to talk to this son and bring him into the family fold where he belongs."
Nathan frowned with distaste. "Are you sure that is wise? Forgive me, but the boy has obviously grown up among the lower classes. I doubt he even has the makings of a gentleman. Maybe it would be best to leave him in the world he has grown up in instead of bringing him into ours."
"Forgive me, Nathan, but that is the difference between our families. We Dawsons do not leave each other behind. If one falls on hard times or is in a situation, it is up to the rest of us...more fortunate ones, to lift them up out of a dire situation. Now my dear brother...for some reason found it necessary to flee society the way he had, denying his son the means of a better life. It is my responsibility, as his twin, to course correct and bring dear Jack back home where he belongs. Especially before father and mother pass. They'll want to see their grandson."
"That is very noble of you, Enid. I do wish you well in this endeavor. I do hope that it is not a fool's errand."
"Nothing is a fool's errand when it comes to family, Nathan!" Enid laughed. She was certain that this Jack will jump at the chance to join the family that he should have grown up in. There was not a doubt in her mind.
…..
Harold was just settling down for lunch at the gentleman club when Caledon Hockley entered, a stormy expression in his eyes. He had heard about the man's visit to the Dawson's and how his sister had refused to return home with him. He was surprised that Hockley was still around.
"Mr. Hockley! You are still in town?" Harold waved and beckoned for the businessman to join him.
"Unfortunately, I am. My father has plans that beg for my attention and requires me to remain here. I suppose that you can tell that I am not at all pleased," Cal accepted the offer.
"I can tell. It's all over your face. Is it something I can perhaps assist you with? Something that may make your time here...go by faster?" Harold was willing to do anything to get Caledon Hockley out of Jack's vicinity. If that meant working with the man, so much the better.
"Perhaps you can. My father wants to expand our business to this region. He wants me to gather information on who to contact to make that happen...but as of now...I have no one and my father will be here in a day or two to collect. He'll be outraged to know that I have no news for him."
"Well...I can help you out there. Be here this time tomorrow and I'll have a list of contacts compiled for you. On one condition."
Cal rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "What condition may that be, my kind sir?"
"For as long as you're here in my town, you will leave the Dawsons alone. No stalking them, no provoking them, no spreading rumors about them. Just...stay away from them. That is all I ask."
Cal laughed and shook his head. "What is it with you and Jack Dawson? He's not even one of us, yet you, a gentleman is here pleading for me to leave him and his whore alone? What is with that?"
"Jack is an old childhood friend. When we were kids, I was constantly the target of bullies. Jack would stand up for me and make them leave me alone. Now it's my turn to return the favor. Leave him alone if you want my contacts, Hockley."
Cal sighed and rolled his eyes, annoyed that all roads to success had to go pass his behavior towards Jack Dawson! "Fine! Fine, I'll leave him alone. I no longer have any business with Dawson anyway. I've said my piece. I just want to get my sister sorted, do my father's bidding for the business, and go on with my life. Which does not include Rose. Thank god!"
Harold chuckled. "Is she really that awful?"
"My sister, or Rose?"
"Rose. She seems to be a very nice girl. Headstrong and stubborn. But nice."
"She's not good wife material for us of the higher class, let's just say. She has an opinion about everything and has these silly dreams and notions that are just nonsense like women voting and working outside the home. And talk about ungrateful…"
"Why are her dreams and notions silly? Because she's a woman?"
Cal looked at Harold as if the answer was obvious. "Of course. Why else? Women's brains are made differently than ours, Harold. Surely, you must know that."
"What I know is that women are capable of a whole lot of things, even the same things as us men. You keep thinking that women are just arm ornaments and here to produce us heirs, you'll find yourself in a world of hurt."
"Nothing can beat going through the sinking of the Titanic, believe me. Anything else would just pale in comparison."
"Hmmm, I believe you there," Harold sighed, his mood turning somber.
"So it's a date. Tomorrow we meet here for lunch and you give me those contacts."
Harold arched a brow at Cal's wording of date. "Pardon me?"
Cal sighed, growing impatient and this time spoke a little more slowly. "We meet here for lunch tomorrow and you give me those contacts like you said."
"Oh, right. Yes, of course!" Harold blushed, feeling flustered for some reason that he didn't want to name.
"Great. I look forward to it. I must go now. My fiancee is by herself and wants me to take a stroll in the park with her today. I will see you tomorrow, Mr. Flowers."
Harold nodded. "Tomorrow it is then, Mr. Hockley."
Harold watched Cal leave and then slumped down in his chair, feeling incredibly hot. He had to admit, Caledon Hockley was handsome...and somewhat interesting, despite being a spoiled brat. He wasn't Jack by any means...but he was interesting and there was something...kindred about him that Harold couldn't put his finger on. He did know one thing. He couldn't wait to see the man again.