A Fragile Design

by Tracie Peterson

  Taylor shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. ‘‘You do understand, Miss Newberry, that there is a vast difference between a skilled tradesman and someone who merely passes a shuttle back and forth through a loom, don’t you?’’

  Struggling to keep her temper in check, Bella clenched her hands together in a white-knuckled clasp. Gone was her attempt to keep her voice decidedly calm. ‘‘Where I come from, Mr. Manning, women are treated as equals, given the same opportunity to expand their minds as men, and encouraged to explore all the abilities God has given them. Am I to understand that the men of your Mechanics Association find that an unacceptable ideology?’’

  Taylor rose from his chair and paced back and forth on the floral-designed wool carpet. ‘‘I believe you’re twisting my words, Miss Newberry. However, we do not have female members, nor do they utilize our library nor attend the lectures.’’

  ‘‘Aha!’’ Bella retorted, now matching him step for step as he continued pacing. ‘‘But you obviously believe women are inferior since you disallow them the use of your facilities and attendance at your lectures. I’d venture to say that if women were permitted to assist with these lectures and the library, you would see an improvement.’’

  Taylor raised a finger and pointed it toward Bella. ‘‘So you’re saying that women are more enlightened than men, Miss Newberry? What makes you the better in this disagreement? You argue on behalf of women while I argue on behalf of men.’’

  Bella pushed his finger away and stood facing him, hands on hips. ‘‘No. I do not argue solely on behalf of women, Mr. Manning. I argue on behalf of both men and women. I believe that opportunities should be available in equal measure.’’

  Taylor gave a husky chuckle. ‘‘I hail from England, Miss Newberry, where such a concept would be viewed with disdain. Where in New Hampshire were you taught such principles?’’

  ‘‘Canterbury, where I lived among the United Society of Believers, who not only taught the principle of equality but also lived it.’’

  ‘‘Based upon its name and your attire, I assume this society is a religious sect of some nature. I do wonder, though, if you hold their beliefs in such high esteem, how is it that you’ve come to Lowell, miss?’’

  The group turned its attention toward Bella, obviously anxious to hear her reply. She hesitated a moment and looked at Taylor. His eyes were sparkling with anticipation; a mischievous grin played at the corners of his lips.

  ‘‘Both my attire and my reasons for leaving, sir, are personal matters that I’ll not discuss with a stranger,’’ she curtly replied.

  The group applauded her remark. ‘‘Well done!’’ hollered one of the young men. Soon the others were cheering along with him. When they had quieted, the same young man who had spoken out smiled at Taylor. ‘‘I believe she’s bested you, Mr. Manning.’’

  Taylor nodded to the group. ‘‘Perhaps she has. We’ll see how she fares the next time we meet. Please know, Miss Newberry,’’ he said, turning to face her, ‘‘that I truly desire to remain and discuss this matter further. However, I must depart or I’ll be late to my meeting. In the meantime, you might consider forming a sewing circle. I’m sure you and the other young ladies would find that enjoyable—and I promise I won’t attempt to join.’’

  Bella gave him a demure smile. ‘‘We would certainly welcome you, Mr. Manning, and perhaps one day you’ll be inclined to extend an invitation to me to attend your meeting.’’

  He shook his head at her remark and strode toward the front door with Miss Addie following closely at his heels. ‘‘Once the meeting is over, Uncle John will be calling on you, Miss Addie.’’

  Miss Addie extended her thanks and then rejoined the others. ‘‘I believe young Mr. Manning was somewhat befuddled by you, Bella.’’

  With Taylor Manning gone, everyone’s gaze remained fixed on Bella. She immediately regretted her sharp tongue and quick response. ‘‘That wasn’t my intent, Miss Addie.’’

  ‘‘Well, you certainly managed to gain his attention, which is more than the rest of us have been able to do,’’ Margaret offered, her beau scowling at the remark. ‘‘Why don’t we walk into town?’’ she questioned her gentleman caller, obviously realizing her blunder.

  Addie, Bella, and Daughtie remained in the parlor while the other girls and their gentleman callers retrieved their wraps and made a hasty departure to view the latest shipment of goods to arrive in the shops and, perhaps, stop for tea and cake.

  ‘‘While I have reason to regret the hasty manner in which I responded, I do not regret making a stand for the women of this town. I hope your Mr. Farnsworth is a freer-thinking man than his nephew,’’ Bella remarked.

  Addie giggled. ‘‘I’m not sure that he is. Of course, I’m not sure you’ll find too many men in New England who believe women are their equals. However, I must admit that young Taylor has much to learn in his dealings with people.’’

  ‘‘I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a gentleman so proud of himself—and for so little. He seems to think that his mere membership in an association gives him reason for puffery. And did you notice the way he was watching Harriet and Margaret? The moment he saw them swooning, he became even more obnoxious.’’

  ‘‘ ’Tis true the boy’s a bit of a rascal, and he’s certainly aware that his roguish good looks attract the women,’’ Addie replied. ‘‘According to his uncle John, that handsome face and muscular build have gotten him into difficulties in the past.’’

  This was getting interesting. Bella leaned forward, giving Miss Addie her full attention. ‘‘What sort of difficulties?’’

  Addie looked about the room as though she expected an intruder might be lurking in one of the corners. ‘‘It seems that young Taylor became involved with the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat. Of course, Taylor comes from a fine family, but certainly not from the same level of society as this young woman.’’

  Bella furrowed her brows in concentration. She wasn’t sure she understood the import of Miss Addie’s words. ‘‘And that creates a problem?’’

  ‘‘Yes, my dear. Crossing social barriers is frowned upon in England—even more than it is in America,’’ she explained. ‘‘In fact, the girl’s father told Taylor that if he saw him anywhere near his daughter again, he wouldn’t bother with an honorable challenge to a duel. Rather, he said he would shoot Taylor where he stood. You must understand, the girl was engaged to be married and the banns had already been read. A duel seemed very much in order to maintain the girl’s honor.’’

  Bella gasped and then quickly covered her mouth with one hand. ‘‘It’s difficult to believe that a member of the aristocracy would exhibit such unrestrained anger,’’ she replied. ‘‘Of course, it isn’t difficult to believe Mr. Manning would find himself in such a predicament! He is obviously a man who prides himself on getting ahead by using his appearance and contrived charm.’’

  ‘‘My! Those are harsh words, Bella. John is hoping that with a firm hand, his influence, and continuing prayer, his nephew will begin to see the error of his ways and perhaps even seek the Lord. Personally, I doubt there are many young men that possess Taylor’s rugged good looks who wouldn’t use them to advantage,’’ Addie exclaimed.

  Bella gazed out the window. ‘‘There may be some,’’ she replied.

  Jesse had never attempted to influence anyone with his appearance, and although Jesse and Taylor looked nothing alike, Jesse was handsome in his own right. In all their conversations he had been honest and forthright—at least she thought he had. She wanted to believe Jesse had spoken the truth when he had told her of his desire to leave Canterbury. Daughtie’s previous questions now haunted her. Why hadn’t Jesse appeared or somehow sent word to her by now?

  ‘‘I find that men are difficult to trust. Their willingness to commit themselves seems lacking,’’ Bella absently commented.

  Addie patted Bella’s hand. ‘‘Now, why would you say such a thing, dear? Has some young beau broken your heart?’’


  ‘‘The Shakers are a celibate society. I’ve never had a beau, although my friend Jesse Harwood had planned to leave Canterbury along with Daughtie and me. He never appeared.’’

  ‘‘And based on that one incident you believe all men are untrustworthy?’’

  Bella hesitated for a moment. ‘‘No. That incident only served to confirm my beliefs. It’s my father who demonstrated the inability of men to honor their commitments,’’ she replied in a soft voice.

  Daughtie placed her arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘‘Bella’s parents came to the Shaker village when they were in financial difficulty. Her father decided they should become members of the Society, but her mother was against joining. She wanted to go back to their home near Concord after their first winter with the Believers.’’

  Bella nodded. ‘‘But my mother finally gave in to my father’s wishes and signed the papers. The three of us lived separately—Father in the Brothers’ Order and Mother in the Sisters’ Order. I was in the Children’s Order until I was fourteen, when I signed my papers and went into the Sisters’ Order. By then my mother was very ill and only the physician and the nursing sister were permitted to see her. And so our separation continued. When she died a short time later, I was told that shedding tears was inappropriate behavior. My father offered no comfort nor did he appear saddened at her death. When I asked my father how he could choose to stay with the Believers rather than live in the world with his family, he said the Believers’ way was easier.’’

  Miss Addie gasped. ‘‘Easier?’’

  ‘‘Yes. It wasn’t his deep level of religious belief that caused him to remain but the fact that he enjoyed the lack of responsibility living among the Believers afforded him. He didn’t like the commitment of being responsible for a family.’’

  ‘‘Dear me. No wonder you’ve come to such a conclusion. But you must remember, child, that you’ve judged all mankind upon one man’s actions,’’ Addie countered.

  A lump rose in Bella’s throat. ‘‘Two, if you count Jesse.’’

  Taylor glanced over his shoulder toward number 5 Jackson Street as he hurried off toward his meeting. The spirited girl from New Hampshire was provoking his thoughts. A pretty young woman—at least she would be if she’d wear some proper apparel and fix her hair in a more becoming style, he decided. He’d never met a girl quite like her. She certainly wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Even when he’d flashed his sapphire blue eyes at her, she’d continued on with her arguments as though she conversed with astonishingly handsome Englishmen every day of her life.

  ‘‘Amazing!’’ he murmured, shaking his head as he entered the meeting room.

  ‘‘What’s amazing?’’ John Farnsworth inquired. ‘‘That you’re over half an hour late?’’

  Taylor pulled out his watch and clicked open the gold case. Eight o’clock. He shook his head in wonderment. ‘‘Is the meeting over already?’’ he asked while glancing about the room. There were only a few men gathered reading books.

  John nodded. ‘‘It didn’t take long to decide we needed to acquire more information before scheduling any lectures. None of us was knowledgeable about available speakers, and I didn’t think you’d had time enough to gather a list. I suggested that each of us secure a few names and topics and meet again in two weeks. I hope you don’t mind; I saw no need to continue waiting for you, and I prefer to spend my evening with Addie,’’ he said, clutching his felt top hat in one hand and walking toward the door.

  Taylor turned and matched stride with his uncle. ‘‘So you’re going to Miss Addie’s now?’’

  John stopped and leveled a look of concern at his nephew. ‘‘Yes. Isn’t that what I said a few moments ago? Are you sick, boy?’’ he asked and then continued walking.

  ‘‘No. I was wondering if you’d mind if I joined you.’’

  ‘‘You want to accompany me while I call on Miss Addie? Now I know you’re sick.’’

  ‘‘I don’t exactly want to accompany you while you’re visiting. I merely want an excuse for reappearing at the boardinghouse.’’

  ‘‘What for, pray tell?’’

  Taylor gave his uncle a sheepish grin. ‘‘When I stopped to give Miss Addie your message, I became engaged in conversation with a young lady who is now boarding there. We didn’t have time to complete our conversation, and I thought—’’

  ‘‘I should have known this had something to do with another conquest,’’ John replied, shaking his head.

  ‘‘It’s not what you think, Uncle. Conquest, yes—but in an intellectual capacity.’’

  Clasping an earlobe between his thumb and index finger, John tugged on the lobe several times in rapid succession. ‘‘Excuse me? Did I hear you correctly? You want to conquer a young lady on an intellectual level? Forgive me if I have difficulty believing such an avowal.’’

  ‘‘This girl is different, Uncle John. She’s from New Hampshire. Belonged to some sort of religious sect—the United Society of Believers or some such thing. I admit she’s an attractive enough girl, but it’s her philosophy that intrigues me,’’ Taylor explained.

  John laughed. ‘‘I see. And just what is this intriguing philosophy?’’

  ‘‘She believes in equality, that men and women are equal. Actually, it was a discussion regarding the Mechanics Association that detained me. She was of the opinion that women should be entitled to use the library and attend the lectures of the association.’’

  John arched his eyebrows. ‘‘That is quite a philosophy. And how did you defend your position, Taylor?’’

  Taylor glanced down. ‘‘Instead of defending my position, I turned the tables on her by asking why she had left her religious group and come to Lowell if, in fact, she preferred their way of life.’’

  ‘‘Not an impressive argument on your part,’’ John declared.

  Taylor agreed. ‘‘That’s why I want to return. Perhaps I can give Miss Newberry a worthy reply.’’

  ‘‘In that case, I suppose I couldn’t possibly turn down your request,’’ John said as he knocked on the front door of the boardinghouse.

  Taylor straightened his coat. Since he was a small boy he’d been used to girls falling at his feet. He’d never met a woman he couldn’t intrigue and entice with a wink or a smile. Miss Newberry promised to be something of a challenge, and that idea alone was much too exciting to pass up in his otherwise dull world. Memories of his mother’s warnings against arrogance and pride filtered through a hazy veil, but he quickly ignored them. Miss Bella Newberry had rather asked for this attention, and Taylor was only too happy to comply.

  The door opened and Bella stood at the threshold with a look of surprise etched upon her face. ‘‘Mr. Manning! What brings you back again so soon?’’

  CHAPTER 7

  Bella lay still, not wanting to awaken Daughtie or Ruth before the first bell. Surely the customary clanging would soon begin. She’d wakened several hours earlier and had been unable to once again fall asleep. Her body now ached, protesting the hours she’d remained stiff and motionless, longing to stretch the cramped muscles and throbbing joints into another position. She yearned for the sound of the reverberating toll she normally detested.

  ‘‘Not yet,’’ Ruth groaned, pulling the covers over her head at the sound of the first bell. ‘‘I don’t want to get up.’’

  ‘‘You’d best hurry or Daughtie will be tugging off the covers to air them out while you’re still abed,’’ Bella warned.

  Bella was already at the pitcher and washbasin, glad to be up yet aware that she would be exhausted by day’s end. However, she wouldn’t complain to Daughtie, no matter how tired she was or difficult the day might be, for Daughtie would use such talk as yet another reason they should return to the Society of Believers. Although Bella understood her friend’s discomfort with these new surroundings, she was of the opinion they both needed more time in which to make their final decisions regarding the world and its ways.

  ‘‘You dressed quickly,’’ D
aughtie commented as she pulled back the covers on the bed to air.

  ‘‘I can’t find my shoes,’’ Harriet whined from across the room. ‘‘Does anyone see my shoes?’’ She held a candle at arm’s length as she scoured the room.

  Daughtie shook her head. ‘‘If you’d put your belongings in their proper place when you disrobe, you’d have no difficulty finding them in the morning.’’

  ‘‘I don’t need a lecture, Daughtie; I need my shoes,’’ Harriet replied, her candle illuminating the cross look etched upon her face.

  Shrugging her shoulders, Daughtie sat on Ruth’s trunk and brushed her hair. ‘‘You ought not expect our help. If we give you assistance, we’re merely encouraging you to continue in your slothful habits.’’

  ‘‘What did you call me?’’ Harriet shrieked.

  Bella stepped forward and took Harriet’s arm. ‘‘Your shoes—they’re over by the window,’’ Bella said, pointing across the room.

  Harriet pulled her arm from Bella’s grasp and, after one last glare at Daughtie, went to retrieve her shoes.

  ‘‘You could be less critical,’’ Bella whispered as she handed Daughtie a comb.

  Daughtie gave her a look of consternation. ‘‘This room is too small for Harriet and Margaret to throw their things about. I’m used to orderliness and so are you. Why are you taking her side?’’

  Bella pulled the sheet taut, tucked it under the mattress, then pulled up the covers. ‘‘I’m not taking her side. I’m merely trying to keep peace. I agree that the disarray makes it difficult, but harsh words among us will make this room seem much smaller than it already is. Perhaps kind words and deeds will go further with Harriet than criticism.’’

  ‘‘I’ll try, Bella, but she is lazy.’’

  Bella grinned. ‘‘Come on. We have time for prayer and a bit of Scripture reading before the second bell. Let’s go downstairs and give the others space to finish getting ready for work.’’