A Love Woven True

by Judith Miller

  Oliver knew he must appear in control or all would be lost. ‘‘Put me down. You need to remember that if you ever want to see that darky again, you best not lay a hand on me.’’

  ‘‘Yar word is worthless. We do na believe a thing ya say, and I figure I may as well have myself a little satisfaction. If takin’ it out of yar hide is the only thing I can get, then so be it,’’ Liam seethed, balling his fist.

  ‘‘Wait!’’ Oliver shouted, attempting to stave off a blow by thrusting his arm forward. ‘‘If you’ll let me leave and go about my business, I’ll send word to have Naomi released and sent back home.’’ He hurried on when Liam’s arm cocked even higher. ‘‘I’ll even pay to have her transported—and I’ll leave Lowell and give you my word I’ll not return. You know there’s no choice—let’s do what’s best for all of us.’’

  ‘‘Ya best remember the promises ya’ve made here this night. Be a man and keep yar word, or ya’ll find out what fightin’ Irishmen look like,’’ Liam warned.

  Without a moment’s hesitation, Oliver mounted his horse and rode off. He glanced over his shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, he could now consider himself a capable actor, for those simple-minded Irishmen had actually believed he was going to return Naomi. The fools!

  ‘‘I can na believe you let him ride off,’’ Rogan said as Oliver disappeared into the darkness. ‘‘We should follow ’im. Naomi might still be hidden in these parts.’’

  ‘‘We have a group of runaways comin’ through in a few days, and they’re going to need us. I think he was tellin’ the truth—I figure she’s down South, and we can na risk the lives of the group coming through in a few days by leavin’ and followin’ Maxwell.’’

  Rogan leaned against the trunk of a large birch and shook his head. ‘‘I know what ya’re saying is right, but I do na like it. What if that man knows where Naomi is and we let ’im walk away?’’

  ‘‘I do na like it either. Thar’s one thing that’s certain, Rogan. We can na tell the women what ’appened here tonight.’’

  CHAPTER• 22

  THE EARLY SPRING mix of snow and rain subsided during the nighttime hours, and by ten o’clock the next morning, the sun shone brightly through the stained-glass windows of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. Colored prisms cast their hues across the devout worshipers awaiting the beginning of the morning service.

  After escorting his grandmother to her seat, McKinley Wainwright stood beside the Cheever pew near the front of the church. ‘‘Good morning,’’ he greeted in a hushed voice.

  Violet looked upward and gave him a bright smile. ‘‘Good morning.’’ She scooped aside her lavender and green striped skirt and shifted closer to her mother. ‘‘It’s going to be a beautiful day after all,’’ she whispered to McKinley as he sat down beside her.

  He nodded, enjoying the floral scent of her perfume. ‘‘I’m looking forward to spending the day with you.’’

  Her smile and the glimmer of delight in her sparkling blue eyes warmed his heart on this chilly March morning. He settled as comfortably as possible on the hard straight-backed pew and silently prayed the sermon would not be excessively long or uninspiring.

  However, as the morning progressed, McKinley realized he would be disappointed on both accounts. The visiting pastor appeared to be enjoying his return to the pulpit following a year of retirement, and after a forty-five-minute sermon, the good man didn’t seem to be winding down. McKinley watched Mr. Ross, the organist, who had returned to the keyboard, his hands perched in obvious anticipation.

  ‘‘As I draw to a conclusion . . .’’

  The remaining words were drowned out by the chords of the pipe organ bleating out the beginning strains of the finale. Before the preacher could say another word, the members of the congregation had risen and were making their way out of the pews and down the aisles.

  ‘‘I believe I owe the organist a word of thanks,’’ Matthew Cheever said as they exited the church.

  ‘‘Matthew!’’ Lilly chided.

  ‘‘You must admit that he could have ended that sermon after fifteen minutes,’’ Mr. Cheever said with a chuckle. ‘‘The remainder was pure repetition. You agree with me, don’t you, McKinley?’’ Violet’s parents turned their scrutinizing gazes upon him.

  ‘‘Perhaps it would be best if I withheld my opinion.’’

  Mrs. Cheever smiled at McKinley and nodded her agreement. ‘‘You obviously learned at an early age that it’s wise to remain neutral in marital disagreements.’’

  ‘‘I didn’t realize we were having a marital disagreement,’’ Mr.

  Cheever retorted. ‘‘I thought we merely had differing opinions.’’

  ‘‘We’re married and we disagree. Thus, we are having a marital disagreement, Matthew.’’

  ‘‘I stand corrected,’’ Mr. Cheever replied before turning toward McKinley. ‘‘I understand you and Violet are going to your sister’s home for a visit.’’

  ‘‘Yes. And I promise to have Violet safely home by eight o’clock, if that’s acceptable,’’ McKinley said.

  ‘‘I see you haven’t left for Jasmine’s just yet,’’ Alice Wainwright said as she bustled her way through the crowd and neared the small group. ‘‘I was thinking perhaps I should join the two of you.’’

  McKinley gave her a feeble smile. ‘‘Of course. Although I don’t think we’ll be returning until eight o’clock.’’

  ‘‘Your answer makes it sound as though you don’t actually want me to come along,’’ Alice said with a shrewd glint in her eyes.

  Violet stepped closer to McKinley’s grandmother. ‘‘We would be honored to have your company.’’

  ‘‘Why, thank you, my dear,’’ Grandmother Wainwright said while giving McKinley a smug grin.

  ‘‘I’m certain you’re eager to see Jasmine,’’ Lilly Cheever commented. ‘‘I haven’t seen her or Nolan in church for some time now. I hope there’s not some problem keeping them away.’’

  ‘‘No problem except keeping them all healthy enough to attend, I suppose,’’ Alice replied.

  ‘‘I do hope they’ll soon be able to return. I miss seeing Jasmine,’’ Lilly said.

  ‘‘I miss seeing her also,’’ Alice said, ‘‘which is why I asked to intrude today.’’

  Mrs. Cheever smiled gently at Violet and McKinley. ‘‘I’m certain the children are delighted to have your company. And we best be getting along so the three of you may be on your way.’’

  They bid their good-byes, and Violet stopped to brush a kiss upon her mother’s cheek. McKinley frowned as he watched his grandmother take her place next to the carriage. Obviously she planned on sitting between Violet and him. He had spent the entire week anticipating time alone with Violet as they journeyed to Jasmine and Nolan’s home, but now his grandmother was determined to intrude. Well, she might accompany them, but she was not going to insert herself between them.

  ‘‘If you’ll excuse me, Grandmother, I’ll help you into the carriage once Violet has been seated,’’ he said with as much decorum as possible.

  ‘‘I thought she’d have a better view of the scenery from the outer seat,’’ his grandmother said.

  McKinley smiled down at the older woman. ‘‘Oh, she’s quite familiar with the scenery. We prefer to visit on the journey, which is a feat much more easily accomplished if she sits beside me.’’

  ‘‘I suppose you’re correct,’’ his grandmother replied before taking several steps away from the carriage and waiting until Violet was seated. ‘‘I wanted to see how assertive you’d be about the young woman. I do believe you care for her, McKinley. On second thought, why don’t you just drive me home? I believe I’m a bit overtired for a trip to Jasmine’s today.’’ She gave him a fond smile as she settled onto the seat.

  McKinley returned her smile. Women! He would never understand their thinking.

  Jasmine walked out the door, relieved to see McKinley’s carriage moving up the driveway. She waved and smiled as the
y drew nearer, pulling her shawl a bit closer against the breeze. ‘‘I was beginning to fear you had forgotten my invitation,’’ she said as her brother assisted Violet out of the carriage.

  ‘‘Of course not. How could we forget something we’ve been anticipating all week? Unfortunately, the church service was longer than usual this morning.’’

  ‘‘And then your grandmother couldn’t decide if she was going to come along with us or remain in Lowell,’’ Violet added.

  Jasmine peeked down toward the carriage. ‘‘It appears as if she decided to remain behind.’’

  McKinley held the front door for the two women, then followed them inside. ‘‘Only after deciding she was overly tired and we should instead take her home.’’

  Jasmine giggled. ‘‘Sounds exactly like Grandmother’s antics. I hope you won’t be disappointed, but as the hour grew late for dinner, I went ahead and fed the boys. They’ve already gone upstairs for their naps. However, they should be full of vim and vigor by the time we finish our meal.’’

  ‘‘It’s good you had the foresight to give them their meal. I imagine they would be quite cross if they had been required to wait for our arrival,’’ McKinley agreed.

  Nolan stepped forward to shake hands with McKinley and grinned. ‘‘Glad to see you’ve arrived. Jasmine wouldn’t permit me to eat with the boys, although I protested.’’

  ‘‘Tell the entire story. You wanted to eat with the boys and then again when Violet and McKinley arrived. I told him he’d soon not fit through the door if he began that sort of behavior,’’ she said while patting her husband’s arm. ‘‘And it appears you’ve survived the extra hour’s wait in fine order.’’

  ‘‘So I have, yet I fear I may soon suffer severe repercussions if we don’t eat now,’’ Nolan said, pulling her close to his side.

  ‘‘Then we best get you into the dining room,’’ she said, enjoying her husband’s banter. ‘‘Why don’t you and McKinley sit across from each other? I had Nolan remove the extra boards from the dining table so we could have a more intimate visit.’’

  ‘‘How thoughtful,’’ Violet said as she sat down.

  Nolan immediately signaled for a girl to begin serving. The young woman moved quickly to offer a platter of baked chicken.

  Nolan held up two fingers. Jasmine chuckled at his excessive indulgence.

  ‘‘It’s a good thing I asked Cook to fix extra,’’ she murmured as McKinley also asked for two pieces.

  Violet turned her attention to Jasmine as the serving girl continued making her rounds. ‘‘I haven’t seen you since my coming-out party, but my father tells me that you have acquired some admirers.’’

  ‘‘You must be referring to Mr. Riddell and his sons, Charles and Luther,’’ Jasmine replied.

  ‘‘Father said they’d made a visit to see your Arabians and couldn’t say enough good things about the farm. You obviously charmed all three of them.’’

  ‘‘She is quite a charmer,’’ Nolan said, ‘‘but I think their admiration went well beyond Jasmine’s alluring personality. The Rid-dells were astonished both by the horses and Jasmine’s business acumen—and rightfully so,’’ he boasted.

  ‘‘The proud husband,’’ McKinley said with a wink.

  ‘‘Absolutely! I’m blessed to have a wife with so many virtues. If she continues in this manner, she’ll soon be equal to the woman of Proverbs thirty-one.’’

  ‘‘Oh, I think we can cease the accolades,’’ Jasmine said. ‘‘The truth is, the gentlemen are looking for investment opportunities, and after touring the farm, asked if I might be interested in partnering with them.’’

  McKinley leaned back in his chair. ‘‘Truly? They’re interested in a partnership? What did you tell them?’’

  Jasmine wiped the corner of her mouth. ‘‘Neither Nolan nor I have any interest in taking on investment partners.’’

  McKinley gave her a quizzical look. ‘‘You make it sound as though you’re interested in some other type of partners.’’

  ‘‘As a matter of fact, we currently have two partners,’’ Nolan reported.

  ‘‘What? Whom have you partnered with?’’ McKinley asked.

  ‘‘Rogan and Paddy,’’ Jasmine said simply.

  ‘‘Truly? I’m amazed.’’ McKinley stared at her and gnawed on his bottom lip.

  ‘‘Of course, Padraig is not yet a man,’’ Jasmine said. ‘‘However, both Rogan and Paddy are buying an interest in the business with a portion of their wages. There’s no better employee than one who owns a portion of the business.’’

  ‘‘I disagree. The best investor is the one who has knowledge and money,’’ McKinley said.

  ‘‘I believe a person need be invested with more than their purse strings,’’ Jasmine stated. ‘‘A worker who has reason to care what happens to his position and livelihood responds in a much more attentive and devoted manner than does one who does not.’’

  ‘‘People can be given reason to care, beyond owning a part of the business,’’ McKinley protested.

  Nolan took a sip of water and cleared his throat. ‘‘I think this may be a topic on which we will not agree. Perhaps we best move on to another subject. How are you enjoying your work for the mills?’’

  ‘‘Father says that McKinley is a natural born leader,’’ Violet answered before McKinley could offer a reply. ‘‘He has a great deal of business sense, and my father values that above most everything else.’’

  ‘‘My brothers are all intelligent men and good hearted as well,’’ Jasmine agreed. ‘‘Although they were rather given to pranks when we were growing up. I remember more than one good scaring.’’

  Violet cast a side glance at McKinley. ‘‘You purposefully tried to frighten your sister?’’

  McKinley grinned. ‘‘Only in fun. She gave as good as she received. Don’t let her innocent look fool you.’’

  ‘‘I cannot imagine my wife ever causing you so much as a moment of discomfort.’’

  McKinley laughed out loud. ‘‘You, sir, do not know your wife if you say such a thing. Why, she loved nothing more than seeing us in discomfort.’’

  ‘‘Enough of such talk,’’ Jasmine declared. ‘‘We simply had great fun growing up.’’

  ‘‘I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have slaves,’’ Violet said, surprising them all.

  ‘‘Little different than having servants, as you grew up with,’’ McKinley told her. ‘‘They worked around the house and took their orders from the master and mistress. Is that not the same as even here in Jasmine and Nolan’s home?’’

  ‘‘Yes, but our servants may cease their employment whenever they desire,’’ Jasmine threw out.

  ‘‘But your servants cannot go far without a letter of recommendation,’’ McKinley pointed out. ‘‘And employment is not always that available. So in some ways, it is no better.’’

  ‘‘Are you backing away from your desire to see the slaves freed?’’ Jasmine asked in surprise.

  ‘‘No, but neither do I believe freedom resolves the issue. They may indeed be set free, but I believe what comes afterward will be difficult to contend with.’’

  ‘‘So, McKinley, what are the Boston Associates’ plans for Lowell?’’ Nolan asked as he waved off the serving girl as she offered him more bread.

  Jasmine gave her husband an appreciative smile as McKinley launched into a discussion of the decision of the Boston Associates to open yet another mill. ‘‘I know Samuel will be pleased to hear the news. After all, another mill means an ever-increasing need for more cotton and—’’

  McKinley’s statement was cut short as Spencer and Moses came running into the room, both of them rushing toward Jasmine and burying their faces in her lap.

  ‘‘If you’ve all completed your meal, perhaps we should adjourn to the parlor,’’ Jasmine said with a laugh.

  McKinley and Violet led the way, situating themselves side by side on the settee. ‘‘I believe Spencer has grown a full two inches
since I last saw him,’’ McKinley commented. ‘‘Come see Uncle McKinley,’’ he said, holding out his arms to the boy.

  Jasmine watched as Spencer ran into his uncle’s arms. McKinley and Violet showered her son with attention while completely ignoring young Moses, who now appeared near the point of tears.

  ‘‘Come here, Moses,’’ Jasmine said with a bright smile.

  He ran to her, his smile matching Jasmine’s. ‘‘Mama,’’ he said, crawling onto her lap. Jasmine embraced the boy in a giant hug and kissed his plump cheek. Her gaze settled on Violet, and she was surprised to note the girl’s patent aversion to the sight of Moses on her lap.

  ‘‘You need to put a stop to that,’’ McKinley said.

  ‘‘To stop what?’’ Jasmine asked.

  ‘‘Letting that boy call you Mama. It’s unseemly, Jasmine.’’

  ‘‘He’s a little boy who has lost both his parents—he needs compassion, not condemnation. He hears Spencer call me Mama.

  It’s only natural Moses would follow suit. There’s no need to make an issue over such normal behavior. It’s obvious you’re lacking in Christian love. Did you leave it in church this morning?’’

  ‘‘Don’t give me platitudes about Christian love, Jasmine. As I said before, I’m happy to see the coloreds freed. However, you carry matters too far with your behavior. Can you imagine what your friends in Mississippi would think?’’

  ‘‘I have few friends in Mississippi and care little what Southerners think—which is one of the reasons I chose to live in Massachusetts,’’ she retorted.

  Violet moved to the edge of the settee. ‘‘But surely you realize you’re doing the boy no favors by rearing him as though he’s white. To continue such a charade will only hurt him in the future.’’

  ‘‘Perhaps now you realize why we haven’t been in church of late. It’s because I feared this type of repercussion from some members of the congregation. However, I didn’t expect this type of reaction from either of you. I thought you were both strong in your stand against slavery and for freedom for the Negroes. Obviously I was incorrect.’’