Chapter One

1863

Village of Willowbrook

Magdalena Osbourne clutched her meager bundles to her chest and rushed home with a smile lighting her face. Her baskets and bundles that had held buns and loaves of bread earlier that morning were now empty. This had turned out to be a very good day. She could almost forget how tired she was. Almost.

"Is that you, Miss Lena?" Mattie, hired to watch over Lena's sister Esther, smiled as she came out into the kitchen to discover why Lena was home so soon.

Lena had left the house at daybreak to deliver the dinner rolls she'd spent nearly the whole night baking. Usually Annie, who owned Annie's Restaurant, took some of them, and Lena would set up a stand on the corner across from the Page Turner Bookshop to sell the rest. But this morning, Annie had taken all Lena's dinner rolls, with a promise that she'd take another batch if Lena could get them delivered by midafternoon.

It seemed that a delegation from London, along with several local investors, was to meet to discuss the creation of a railroad line extending from London to Willowbrook and beyond. Annie was anticipating an increase in business as long as the delegation was in Willowbrook.

"I have exciting news," Lena said, getting out her bowls to begin a second batch of bread. "Where is Esther?"

"I'm here," Esther answered, coming around the corner. She wasn't dressed for the day, and still wore her robe and slippers. "I wasn't expecting you back already. What exciting news do you have?"

Lena began setting out the ingredients for another batch of dough and shared her news about the possibility of a railroad going through Willowbrook.

"I can't believe such talk might finally become a reality," Esther said with more excitement than Lena had seen from her sister since their mother passed away nearly a year ago. "Do you know what that means, Lena? We'll be able to go to London for supplies we can't get here in Willowbrook."

"And what supplies would those be?" Lena teased. "There's nothing we need that we can't get in Willowbrook."

"There might be," Esther answered. "We don't even know what there is in London. We've never been there."

"And there's every chance that we will never get there. We'll both be very old ladies by the time a railroad gets built."

"I guess you're right," Esther said with a sigh.

Lena regretted her lack of excitement. Esther had so little to look forward to in life, and this was one more dream Lena had thoughtlessly wrenched from her grasp.

"Although it might get built much faster than I think. There are several locals with an interest in having a connection with London."

"Yes," Esther said with a smile. "Anyone with a wife and daughters who want the latest fashions in gowns."

"No, silly. I was thinking about every farmer in the area with grain or livestock to get to market."

"You're always so practical, Lena."

"Well, one of us has to be," Lena countered, then realized how sharp her comment sounded.

"I'm sorry, Esther. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just tired." Lena finished mixing her dough and placed a cloth over the bowl, then set it closer to the oven, where the warmth would help it rise. "I'm going to lie down for a bit. Would you call me when the dough has doubled in size so I can push it down?"

"Why don't you let Esther and me take care of that?" Mattie said. "We'll call you when the dough is ready to form into buns."

"You are dears!" Lena cried as she hurried to her room. She couldn't wait to get into bed and close her eyes. She felt as though it had been forever since she'd slept, and according to Annie, the delegation from London would be in Willowbrook for close to a month. That meant she would be on this schedule for several weeks. She couldn't complain about the extra money she would make, but she couldn't expect Mattie to spend all that time with Esther. She had responsibilities of her own to take care of at home, and Esther needed someone with her all the time. That left Lena to do the baking and delivering.

*

Jack Corbin casthis eye around the room he'd configured for business meetings at his gentlemen's club. He had designed the room similar to several elegantly appointed meeting rooms he'd encountered in London and Edinburgh. This was just the fourth gathering of the prestigious railroad group, and he was satisfied he'd met his mark in preparing for them.

He took his place at the long central table along with six other influential men from Willowbrook and an entourage of investors from London, mostly railroad owners and industry moguls. As the owner of Jackson's Gentlemen's Club, one of the most profitable establishments in Willowbrook, he would play a major role in such a massive improvement to the town, and had offered his rooms for their meetings. He was satisfied with his efforts, seeing the appreciative looks on the faces of men who he knew were some of London's elite. Several had even found the new cigar cabinets he'd placed discreetly about the room, and had already made it their habit to appreciatively sample the excellent brands Jack stocked them with.

Since he'd started the club nearly two years earlier, it had grown from a struggling establishment, with just two or three customers a day, to having every room packed with patrons. Many came daily to enjoy the peace and quiet of a relaxing atmosphere where they could read their newspapers and broadsheets away from the bustle of family life. They could visit the card rooms for a bit of gambling, or eat in the dining areas, where they could get an excellent meal and drink the finest liquor.

Jackson's Gentlemen's Club had turned into one of the most popular places in Willowbrook, as well as one of the most profitable. Jack was raking in more money than he'd ever imagined, and Brad had been at his side from day one. Therefore, it was not surprising that he had been included in the meetings with investors wanting to establish a railroad to connect Willowbrook with London.

The two groups had been in heavy discussions for the past week and a half. The railroad investors had already done much of the preliminary work needed. They'd hired surveyors to assess the best route for the railroad to take to reach Willowbrook, and what land they would have to acquire to lay the tracks. They had already lined up most of the finances needed to hire the necessary workers and purchase materials.

Jack was impressed with what had been done and listened with rapt attention, since a large portion of the land they intended to buy ran through an estate he'd purchased less than a year ago. Although he wasn't sure his purchase of the estate was common knowledge in Willowbrook, it would net him a tidy profit if the railroad decided to buy it.

The president of the railroad investors from London was a Mr. Wilson Hanover. He was very organized and knew every detail of the facts he presented with unerring accuracy—but for some reason Jack couldn't explain, he didn't like the man. Perhaps it was because of his refusal to listen to anyone else's point of view. Or perhaps it was just a personality difference between them. But it hardly mattered.

The second investor who was quite vocal with his opinion was a man called Josiah Barnaby. It was obvious from the first day that the two men were at loggerheads over several details, including the railroad's route, as well as the estimated date of completion.

Jack sat back in his chair, listened to everything, and evaluated the feasibility of their ideas. Every once in a while, one of the members asked for an opinion, but Jack let the other members speak for the group rather than offering one himself.

"Don't you have anything to offer, Major Corbin?"

Jack cast a glance around the table and met everyone's gaze with a seriousness that demanded their attention. Many still addressed him as major, and a corner of his mind appreciated that sign of respect.

"One lesson I learned early on in the military, gentlemen, was that it was vital to gather all the facts before offering an opinion on anything. During the war, making a decision before knowing all the facts could cost hundreds of innocent soldiers their lives."

A silence descended over the gathering, stealing the argumentative direction their conversation had been headed.

"Sage advice, Major Corbin," the Earl of Murdock, the Duke of Willowbrook's heir, said. "So, is there any information you would like before we continue? If we can share it, we will. If not, we should appoint someone to gather it before our next meeting."

Jack dropped his spent cigar into a crystal ashtray he'd imported from Bavaria. "Actually, there is. Several of the delegation from London have indicated that there are decisions that will be made at a later time by those elected to the governing board of the railroad. Exactly who will be on this governing board? Equal representation by the London investors and an elected citizenry from Willowbrook?"

"Well…" Hanover said, clearly at a loss for words.

Jack cast a glance in Barnaby's direction. "Do you know the answer to that question, Mr. Barnaby?"

"Well, yes. I think it was decided that the governing board would be made up of seven members, six from the London investors, since they are the ones who will contribute the greatest share of the financing, and one from the citizens of Willowbrook."

"I hesitate to speak for the citizens of Willowbrook, but I can't imagine they would agree to that ratio on the board."

There was a murmur of agreement from the residents of Willowbrook.

"I think we should have equal representation," the Earl of Murdock said. "If you suggest seven members, then I propose that four of them be representatives of Willowbrook, and three of them from the London investors."

"Are you suggesting that there be more board members from Willowbrook than from the London investors, Lord Murdock?" Barnaby asked.

"I am. Since the citizens of Willowbrook will have to assume most of the care and maintenance of the rails, as well as make sure the surrounding pastureland is fenced off from the tracks, provide relay housing for engineers and coal tenders, provide workers to offload freight, and clear and repair tracks and so on, I think that is only fair."

There was a decisive murmur from the group, both pro and con.

"You haven't even asked your members if there are enough of them who can raise the amount necessary to finance such a venture," Barnaby said with a smug expression.

"What amount are we talking about?" the Lord Murdock asked.

Hanover sat forward in his chair and stated an amount that was astronomical, but not beyond reach for many of them.

"May I see a show of hands?" Jack said. "How many can commit to such an amount?"

Spencer Washburn, Earl of Carnhaven, raised a regal finger.

Hunter Melbourne, Earl of Murdock, lifted a hand and nodded. "I will also commit that amount from my grandfather, the Duke of Willowbrook."

Jack raised his hand as well.

"And I also suggest the village of Willowbrook will commit to a share," Lord Murdock said. "I assume a profit will be made from the railroad. The village can always use extra income for community improvements."

"As you can see," Jack said, "the people of Willowbrook could finance the railroad without your help, Mr. Hanover. We do, however, require your knowledge and your expertise. Therefore, we encourage your participation."

"Our members will take your suggestion under advisement," Hanover replied.

There was an uncomfortable pause that took several moments to recover from. Finally, Hanover asked the next question. "Are there any other details upon which you need clarification?"

"Actually, there are," Jack said.

Hanover actually smiled. "Somehow I thought there would be."

The occupants of the room chuckled, though only on the Willowbrook side.

"Who will be responsible for keeping the accounts and sending out the billings? I assume since nearly all the business will be transacted from here, it would be prudent to have the business office located here as well."

"Are you volunteering for the position, Major Corbin?" Barnaby asked.

"If there is not a better candidate, then yes, I can handle the job. I will expect someone of your choosing to audit the transactions and go over the books at least once a quarter."

"Yes, I'm sure we would all demand that."

"Of course."

They voted, and Jack was elected the representative to keep the accounts and pay the bills.

"Are there any other points of discussion?" Hanover asked.

"Perhaps we've made enough decisions for today," the Lord Murdock said when no one seemed eager to bring up another concern.

"That sounds like an excellent suggestion," Hanover said. "Until tomorrow, then."

The London investors rose and filed out of the room. Jack followed them to close the door so the Willowbrook delegation would have privacy to talk when they were alone. Because he was standing at the door, Jack overheard a comment between Hanover and Barnaby.

"I thought you said the men from Willowbrook were so desperate to have a railroad that they'd go along with anything we told them?"

"Seems I underestimated them," Hanover answered. "We'll have to be careful to maintain the upper hand."