A Hope Beyond Read Online Free PDF Page A

between us; after all, we aren’t stuffy English nobility.”
    Joseph came to sit in his favorite leather chair while Carolina unwrapped the package. She had guessed it would be a book of poetry, and she was not disappointed. The book was a small collection of works by Percy Shelley with beautiful hand-engraved miniature paintings.
    “I cannot accept so valuable a gift,” Carolina said, extending the book back to Hampton. “It is quite lovely, but I must decline.”
    “Nonsense!” Hampton frowned and turned to Joseph. “Have I not told you of my serious regard for your daughter?”
    “You have indeed, sir.”
    “Then I appeal to your sensibility. I have neither family nor wife whom I might bestow such tokens upon. I am of the most respectable intentions toward your daughter, and I deem it my pleasure to give her this small token of my affection.”
    “But, sir,” Carolina interrupted before her father could speak, “your affection is not returned, and therefore to keep such a beautiful work under the circumstances would be a false pretense—one in which you might presume upon feelings that do not exist.”
    “I know very well that you’ve not yet come to feel for me what I have grown to feel for you,” Hampton protested. “But I am asking that you would but give the idea some further consideration. Put me to the test and see if I am not sincere.”
    Carolina sighed, unable to put to words the feelings in her heart. She had given her love to one man, albeit a man who never knew of it. James Baldwin had belonged to her sister, and, therefore, Carolina would never have been so heartless as to try to steal him away. Nevertheless, her heart was his, and she had little interest in putting one love aside in hopes that she could extend her affections to another. Not yet at least.
    Joseph interceded and reached a compromise to the satisfaction of both. “Hampton, I would suggest you allow my daughter a little more time to know you before you bestow such finery upon her. And, Carolina, I would suggest you allow the man to pay you court, that you might know him better before making up your mind against the possibilities.”
    Carolina nodded, and Hampton took back the book. “If this is to be the case,” Hampton began, looking first to Carolina and then to her father, “I would like to ask for permission to escort your daughter to the Washington Christmas charity ball next week.”
    Carolina wanted to scream a rejection, but already she could see the approval in her father’s expression.
    “Well, it certainly seems a good idea. This house has been too long in grief and sorrow. I think it completely appropriate that Carolina should attend the ball with you. That is, if Carolina is in agreement.”
    She knew that her father expected her to make an acceptance of the invitation, and so she feigned a smile and a tiny curtsy. “I would be happy to accompany Mr. Cabot to the ball.”
    Hampton beamed a broad smile, which displayed slightly yellowed but extremely straight teeth. Carolina picked up her science book and excused herself from their company.
    “One moment,” Hampton called from behind her.
    Opening the door and stepping into the hall as though she hadn’t heard him, Carolina had nearly reached the stairs when Hampton called to her again and strode toward her.
    “Thank you for agreeing to go with me.” He was trying hard to be all charm, but his face held an arrogant expression of victory. “I shall be the envy of all men.”
    Carolina could no longer stand his smugness. “I am only going with you because of my father. You must realize that here and now. I am not interested in courtship and marriage at this point in my life—aside from the fact that we have so little in common. Therefore, Mr. Cabot,” she said, emphasizing his formal name, “you must see the futility in your interest.”
    “Nevertheless . . .” Cabot leaned back with an even more self-satisfied expression. His blue eyes seemed to