Luke placed the envelope in his inside coat pocket. “Thank you. I will be in touch with your report.”

Martin Carson looked across the table in disbelief. “You have to be joking. You can’t leave Philadelphia for that godforsaken country.”

“I’m afraid I must. Mr. Cooke requires it of me, and you’ve always instructed me to do whatever he commanded.” Luke took slices of rare roast beef from the platter offered to him by the footman. He waited as the next servant poured au jus atop the thick pieces. He was starved, and the meat was testing his patience as he waited for all the dishes to be served and his father to begin eating.

“Would you care for me to say grace?” Luke asked, knowing the answer.

“No. I would like you to explain more about this unreasonable demand.”

“It wasn’t really a demand, and it was certainly not unreasonable. I might have refused, but the job was offered because of the great confidence Mr. Cooke has in me. I thought that might please you. Instead I find you surly and discontented.” Luke prayed over his meal silently, then followed his father’s lead and sampled the roast. It was nearly tender enough to cut with the fork.

“I am glad to hear that a powerful ally found my son’s work of value, but Duluth is too far away. I need you here in Philadelphia.”

“Are you suggesting I give up my position with Mr. Cooke?”

“Of course not!” His father pounded his left fist on the table but never gave a sign of losing his fork out of the other.

They ate in silence for several minutes, and then his father began to pose additional questions. “What, exactly, will you be doing?”

“I’ve been given the title general manager. Mr. Cooke, as you know, has two railroad projects going on at the same time. Each has a manager, but Mr. Cooke wants someone who will oversee everything. After speaking with his secretary, I learned that involves more than just the two railroad projects. Mr. Cooke has his hand in a lot of other projects as well, including the idea to dig a canal from Lake Superior directly into Duluth’s harbor. Right now ships must come by way of the Superior, Wisconsin, entrance, and there has been a lot of disagreement between those two towns. Mr. Cooke has also started building a large hotel, a grand affair for important clientele. There are a dozen other projects, but I won’t bore you with them. Suffice it to say, I will oversee these things.”

“I suppose you’ll see him.”

“Him who?” Luke raised a brow and waited for his father’s answer.

“Your brother.” Martin Carson’s voice was full of contempt. “And her.”