“He’s a banker and financier in Philadelphia. He was a harsh taskmaster to my brother and me. When my brother decided to marry, our father did not approve and irrevocably cut him off from the family fortune.”

“Rather severe,” the judge commented.

“Yes. Very. He ordered Scott and his wife to leave the family house and never be in his presence again. When he learned of the baby, our father showed some interest. He called my brother back with promises of accepting him into the fold should he divorce his wife after the child’s birth and take the child from her.”

“Cruel, indeed.”

“My brother was livid. There was much arguing and many hateful things said, and my brother took his wife and came here to Duluth, where he took a job as a fisherman. This happened last spring. He kept in touch with me, and I even helped financially until they were able to get on their feet again.”

“And now?”

“Now I fear my father will have his regrets and desire to take the baby to raise as his own. I would like to prevent that from happening, not only for my sake and that of the child, but for Gloriana Womack, who has become a mother to the baby. I would like to adopt my niece so that I might offer her stability and love. It is even my hope to marry Gloriana so that we might become a regular family.”

The judge smiled. “I know that young woman well. She has always impressed me with her demeanor and loyalty. When her mother died, she pledged herself to care for her father and brother without even a hint of regret or disdain. Mrs. Sedgwick told me she has always been a generous soul.”

“I can believe that. Her first priority since losing her father has been to her brother. And let me tell you . . . he’s a handful.” Luke grinned. “But I want him too. I want us to be a family. Right now isn’t the proper time to propose that to Gloriana. She’s in deep mourning for her father, and I wouldn’t dream of trying to interfere with that process. However, I fear I don’t have time to delay where the baby is concerned. My father knows about her, and his intentions, unless I’m mistaken, will be to come here and take her.”

“Then we will push through this adoption and get matters settled. I don’t want to see Gloriana hurt any more than she has already been. Give my man the information about the midwife in attendance at the birth. We’ll take her statement and use that as a foundation for the adoption. I believe we can have all of this resolved very shortly.”

Luke got to his feet and extended his hand. “Thank you, Judge Prescott. I appreciate your compassion. Baby Sally will appreciate it too, as well as Gloriana and JT.”