Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1)

by Tracie Peterson

  William rose from his chair and moved toward the door. “He was hoping for a speedy resolution. As you can understand, he wants to leave Lowell as soon as possible. He’ll need money.”

  “I understand. As soon as you fulfill my requests, I’ll go directly to Boott. You have my word. We both know he is a generous man and one who is willing to make a quick decision. If he’s convinced by the evidence, I’m sure a reward will be immediately forthcoming.”

  William nudged Lewis on the shoulder. “Come on, Lewis. I want to get this resolved. I should be back with you in the morning, Matthew. You’ll be here at your office?”

  Matthew nodded and then walked out with the two men and unlocked the gate. “Until tomorrow.”

  A blast of cold air whipped down the street, and Matthew bent his head against the chill. He watched the twosome walk off in the direction of the Paddy camp. He wanted to discuss Thurston’s proposal with Boott, but he would wait. Perhaps William would be unable to secure the information and wouldn’t return. He walked back to his office and retrieved his coat and hat. Why would anyone choose Lewis Armbruster or William Thurston as confidants to carry an offer? Especially an Irishman!

  Matthew glanced at the clock atop the tower in the center of the mill yard. He was famished. If he hurried, perhaps he could make it home before all the food was cleared from his mother’s table.

  ****

  The Cheever home had been modestly decorated for the Christmas holidays. Evergreen boughs trimmed with red ribbons lined the banister and fireplace, making the place quite festive. Lilly thought it homey and very beautiful. She thought of her childhood and the special way her parents used to make her feel on Christmas morning.

  Not that they didn’t make me feel special throughout the year, she chided. But Christmas was always special. They had wonderful times of singing and laughing. They would share gifts, most handmade but all very precious, and they would dine on wonderful delicacies. Lilly had almost forgotten how wonderful it had all been. The last five years with her father had been meager and less than festive. In part because of the impending realization that soon the farm would be lost to them forever. And partly because that’s the way Lilly chose it to be.

  For a moment she felt overcome with guilt. She could have made it far more special for her father. His last years shouldn’t have been spent dealing with someone so steeped in anger and hatred as Lilly had been.

  “I hope you’ve saved room for dessert,” Julia Cheever told Lilly.

  Lilly silently chastised herself for having attempted to avoid Mr. and Mrs. Cheever’s dinner invitation. The food was delicious, and the quietude of three people around the table was refreshing. She had almost forgotten the pleasure a family meal afforded.

  “We have cherry pie,” Julia said. “Matthew’s favorite. It’s a shame he isn’t here to enjoy it.”

  Lilly withheld any comment regarding Matthew. “Let me help you remove the dishes,” she offered while pushing back her chair.

  The two women cleared the table while Randolph enjoyed a cup of coffee and awaited his dessert. They were preparing to cut the pie when the front door opened and the sound of stomping feet could be heard in the hallway. “It’s me, Mother. Have I missed dinner?”

  Matthew! She had relaxed too soon. At least dinner was over, and she could make her excuses for an early return to the boardinghouse. After all, she had told the Cheevers she wanted to spend time with Nadene.

  “Would you mind fixing Matthew a plate while I cut the pie, Lilly?” Julia asked.

  How could she refuse? “Certainly,” she replied as she started to heap a plate with food.

  Julia beamed. “There! I told you that you’d be surprised, didn’t I?” she chortled at Matthew as Lilly entered the dining room.

  Matthew gave Lilly a broad smile. “Why, thank you. I can’t remember when I’ve been served by a lovelier hostess,” he said as she set his plate before him.

  Lilly didn’t fail to note that, in her absence, Julia had seated Matthew directly beside her at the table, where a piece of pie now awaited her return. She pulled her chair out and moved it as far away from Matthew as possible without appearing overly obvious. “I must leave shortly,” Lilly said as she forked a piece of the flaky pastry toward her mouth.

  Julia jerked to attention. “Nonsense! I’ll hear nothing of you leaving so soon.”

  “Nor I,” Matthew agreed. “We have several things to discuss,” he quickly added.

  “In that case, your father and I will retire to the parlor and give you two a bit of privacy while you finish eating, Matthew. Come along, Randolph,” she ordered, turning her attention toward her husband, who was shoveling his last bite of pie into his mouth while nodding his head.

  Lilly glanced back and forth between the couple, wishing she could jump up and rush into the other room with them. She didn’t want to be alone with Matthew, for it would serve no purpose. Their conversations always culminated in harsh words and disagreement. She finished her pie and prepared for the worst.

  “It’s good to see you, Lilly. I’ve been wanting to talk with you ever since our last . . .” he hesitated for a moment.

  “Disagreement?” she asked, finishing his sentence.

  He gave a comfortable laugh and nodded his head. “I hope we’ll do a little better.”

  “We always fight. Even when I don’t plan to, you say something that brings out the worst in me.”

  “Like when I questioned you about Lewis?” Matthew asked softly. “I apologize for that. I know he’s hurt you greatly. Still, I would like to know what brought him back here.”

  While his questioning at the restaurant had seemed forceful and imperious, his simple retiring statement had the opposite effect. She found herself now wanting to share her own concerns regarding Lewis. “Then it may be best to discuss Lewis first. You wondered why he’s in Lowell, and the only answer I can give is that he generally comes home when he has no money and nowhere else to go. I do know he’s short on funds. All of his inheritance has been gambled away, and as usual, he’s looking for some way to support himself that doesn’t require work on his part.”

  Matthew finished eating and pushed his plate toward the center of the table. “Did he actually tell you his money is gone, or is that supposition based upon his return home?”

  “He asked me for money when he arrived, saying his inheritance was gone. I don’t doubt his word, especially since he told me he planned to begin escorting some of the mill girls. He assumed they would be easy prey. Obviously he was right. I know he’s been accepting gifts and money from several different girls.”

  Matthew smacked his palm on the table. “Despicable behavior. How could he do such a thing?”

  “He appears to have no conscience. He did mention some time back that he had entered into an alliance with a man of means. When we were last together you mentioned he was keeping company with William Thurston. I saw Lewis that very night and asked about his relationship with Mr. Thurston.”

  Matthew leaned forward and met her gaze. “What did he have to say?”

  Lilly thought for a moment. She wasn’t sure she wanted to take Matthew into her confidence. And yet Lewis had threatened her—surely she should tell someone. “He appeared extremely upset that anyone knew of the liaison, though I’m not certain why, and he wanted to know who had made inquiry regarding their association.”

  “And what did you tell him?”

  Lilly gave him a thoughtful look. “I told him if there was an evil plan afoot he should set it aside. He firmly asserted I should stay out of his business.”

  “So he may be working for Thurston, but we know he’s being at least partially supported by his lady friends.”

  “Oh yes. He appears to accept gifts regularly from the girls. I’ve attempted to convince the girls he’s a scoundrel. They don’t believe me, but once he’s taken their money and run off, it’s me they’ll be angry with,” she lamented.

  He stood up from the table and then
assisted Lilly with her chair. “Unfortunately that’s probably true, but if you’ve warned them, I don’t know what else you can do. Why don’t we move into the parlor? It’s much more comfortable.”

  Randolph was reading, and Julia was embroidering on a piece of linen that she immediately placed in her sewing basket. “I gave Cook the rest of the day off. I’m just going to go to the kitchen and clean up. And your father is going to help me. Aren’t you, Randolph?” Julia added quickly.

  Randolph glanced up from his book with a puzzled look on his face. “I’m not certain. If you’re merely arranging for the children to be alone, Julia, I think I would prefer to take my book and sit in the dining room.”

  “Randolph!” Julia chided as her husband followed along behind her, chuckling.

  Matthew settled onto the settee and patted the cushion beside him. “Please sit down,” he said, glancing up at Lilly. “I have something else I want to ask you,” he said as she settled beside him and then turned, giving him her full attention. “About your appearance at Dr. Fontaine’s office,” he began.

  Lilly could feel herself stiffen. He was going to confront her again. “I don’t think there’s anything to discuss.”

  “I want to thank you for your concern. My behavior was arrogant and unseemly. I hope you’ll forgive me. Instead of acknowledging your act of friendship, I made assumptions that were obviously incorrect and made you uncomfortable. Can you forgive me?”

  Lilly relaxed into the settee’s padded cushion. She didn’t know how or why Matthew had changed his opinion. “I forgive you,” she murmured, feeling a trembling start somewhere deep inside her.

  “Lilly, we’ve known each other too long to play games with one another. I know your heart is wounded from the things that have transpired. Things you believe me responsible for. I’m sorry for any part I’ve had in hurting you.”

  She looked into his eyes. Instantly she realized the mistake. She looked away just as quickly, but Matthew took hold of her chin and drew her back to face him. “Please believe me. I know your feelings for me have changed, but I would like very much for us to be friends.”

  Friends.

  The word stuck in Lilly’s mind. Why was he saying this now? Perhaps another woman had gained his attention; perhaps he finally believed she no longer loved him. For whatever reason, the word felt empty and void of any real meaning.

  Chapter 26

  Thurston arrived at the Appleton shortly after eight o’clock the next morning. “I thought I’d get an early start, before Mr. Cheever is caught up in the day’s work,” William told Lawrence Gault, who was escorting him in through the gate.

  Lawrence gave a hearty laugh. “If you’re going to get an early start around here, you’d best be here by five-thirty,” Gault replied with a grin. “We’ve already gone home for breakfast and returned.”

  “Mr. Thurston to see you,” Lawrence announced as William brushed past him and walked into Matthew’s office.

  “Morning, Matthew,” William said, closing the door. “I have what you’ve requested with one exception.”

  Matthew looked up from his desk.

  “The informant prefers to remain anonymous, but he’s given me the information and the piece of cloth. He’s directed me to continue as his liaison. I hope you will find that arrangement satisfactory.”

  Matthew shrugged. “It’s not up to me to decide, Mr. Thurston. I’ll take Mr. Boott whatever information and evidence you give me. He can evaluate it and make a determination.”

  “Johnny O’Malley’s the one who shot Kirk. Here’s the piece of cloth that was torn from his coat.”

  Matthew took the piece of fabric as William explained exactly where O’Malley had been situated when the shots were fired and offered to ride with Matthew to the very spot. “Excellent idea. That way there can be no confusion.”

  “Exactly,” Thurston agreed, leading the way.

  They mounted and rode in silence.

  “Over there,” Thurston said, pointing toward a wooded area. “My informant said he found the piece of cloth over in those trees.”

  “You’re sure?” Matthew inquired while riding up alongside William’s horse.

  Thurston nodded. “Absolutely.”

  Matthew rode into the wooded area with Thurston following close behind. “So O’Malley was on his horse in this grove of pines, and the informant found that scrap from his coat somewhere right in here?”

  William sat astride his horse and held his arms as if aiming a musket toward the clearing. “That’s right,” Thurston replied. “And O’Malley shot Kirk right over there. That is where Kirk went down, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, exactly,” Matthew replied. “Don’t think there’s anything else for us to see out here. I’ll go directly to Boott’s house and talk to him.”

  They returned in silence.

  William gave Matthew a satisfied nod as they rode down Merrimack Street. “I’m staying at the Wareham House. You’ll get word to me?”

  “Yes,” Matthew replied as he tugged on the reins and directed his horse toward the Boott residence. He was glad to be free of William’s company. Merely being with the man made him uncomfortable and filled Matthew with a hundred questions.

  Anne Boott led Matthew into Kirk’s office. “He won’t stay in bed. I doubt his leg will ever properly heal,” she reported.

  “Nonsense! My leg is healing just fine. What brings you here this morning, Matthew?”

  “A few developments concerning that wound to your leg, sir.”

  ****

  “I want to speak with you, Miss Armbruster,” Thaddeus Arnold said, grasping her arm as the other girls exited the building.

  Lilly’s heart began to pound in her chest as the last of the girls rushed out the door. She wanted to rush along with them.

  “I’ve been permitting you to operate Nadene’s frames, and she’s been receiving full pay,” he said, his fingers now relaxing their grasp and slowly moving up her arm. “Any word from the doctor when she’ll be returning to work?”

  Lilly flinched away. “He says she won’t be able to return until February or possibly March. Her hands were badly burned. The doctor doesn’t want her to return until he’s certain she can operate the machinery without causing herself further harm.” Lilly didn’t bother to add that the doctor had serious doubts of Nadene being able to return at all—and not entirely because of the fire. Nadene’s lungs were badly damaged by consumption. Truth be told, she probably wasn’t going to recover.

  “I’ve decided I need additional encouragement if you’re to collect Nadene’s pay.”

  “I told you I would remain silent about your behavior with the other girls here at the mill, and I’ve done so—I’ll do no more.”

  “And I’ve decided that without someone to substantiate your silly accusations, no one will believe you,” he said, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her close.

  “Let go of me,” Lilly screamed, twisting loose of his hold. “I’ll never agree to what you’re asking.” She raced from the room and didn’t stop running until she was inside the boardinghouse.

  That night Thaddeus Arnold beat his wife. Lilly knocked on the wall with her shoe, but he didn’t stop. She covered her ears as the screams continued. It was obvious. He wanted her to hear.

  ****

  “I’ll meet you around the corner from your house tomorrow evening at eight o’clock,” Lilly whispered to Thaddeus Arnold as she left work the next day.

  He smiled an evil, yellow-toothed smile. “Why not just stay here after work?”

  “There would be questions at home,” she quickly replied. “I change Nadene’s bandages after work, and I have plans for this evening.” She hurried out the door and down the steps before he could say anything further. Her gaze was drawn toward the flickering light in Matthew’s office.

  Matthew!

  Perhaps he could help her out of this dilemma she had just created for herself. But he didn’t help when you first told him of
Mr. Arnold’s behavior, a small voice whispered into her thoughts. She shoved the negative thought to the back of her mind. Matthew said he wanted to put the past behind them—that he wanted to be friends. Perhaps he would feel this was one way he could prove his friendship. After glancing back toward the stairwell and assuring herself Arnold was nowhere to be seen, Lilly hurried into the counting room.

  Mr. Gault was donning his overcoat as she entered the room. “Is Matthew—I mean, Mr. Cheever—in his office?” she gasped while attempting to catch her breath.

  He smiled and nodded. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you go in,” Mr. Gault stated. “Have a nice evening.”

  “Thank you, and you do the same,” Lilly said with a wave. She quickly tucked several loose strands of hair behind her ear. “I hope I’m not disturbing you,” she said in a timid voice, “but I’ve come to ask for your help.”

  Matthew rose from his chair and walked toward her, his handsome features enhanced by the flickering oil lamp. He offered her a seat and then listened to what she told him. His face revealed emotion from time to time, but he didn’t interrupt.

  “Will you help?” Lilly inquired as she finished telling him of the plan she had devised to finally bring an end to Mr. Arnold’s abuse of his wife and his molestation of the girls in the spinning room.

  Matthew gave her a slow smile. “Yes, I’ll speak to the elders. But let’s keep the particulars between the two of us. No need for others to know what is happening. And I hope for my own sake that you never plot against me, Miss Armbruster.”

  Lilly gave him a hint of a smile. “Then perhaps you should be very careful how you conduct yourself.”

  “I’ll do my best to keep in your good graces,” he replied. “May I walk you home?”

  “I don’t want to take a chance of being seen by Mr. Arnold,” she replied. “But thank you,” she quickly added, beaming him a bright smile.

  ****

  The following day, Lilly’s apprehension steadily increased. By the end of the workday, an unrelenting queasiness had developed in the pit of her stomach. She shut down her frames and moved a little more slowly than usual to assure she would be the last of girls leaving the floor. “I think it would be safer to meet farther away from the boardinghouse. I’ll meet you across the street from St. Anne’s. Eight o’clock.” She didn’t give Arnold an opportunity to reply.