Lilly ran her fingers across a shimmering piece of pale blue fabric. “I haven’t seen much of Matthew lately. It seems he is always busy with Corporation business and when he is finally available, I’m too tired or have made other plans.”
“That fabric would be a good choice for you—perhaps a new gown for the Blowing Out Ball,” Addie absently commented. “With Nadene starting back to work on Monday, I’m certain you’ll have more energy. I’m pleased she’s healed so well. I do admire your loyalty to Nadene.”
“It was the least I could do,” Lilly murmured, the compliment a reminder of the role she had played in Nadene’s injuries. She was certain God had forgiven her willful behavior. Forgiving herself, however, was proving more difficult. “I hope returning to work won’t prove too strenuous for Nadene. I know her burns have healed, but her cough seems to be getting worse. Have you noticed?”
“Occasionally she seems to have difficulty breathing deeply, but the last few weeks she has seemed stronger. Besides, she’s anxious to get back to work.”
The sound of pounding horse hooves, rumbling carriages, and loud voices sent Mrs. Whidden scurrying to the front of the store. “Wonder what’s going on out there?” she asked her husband.
Moments later, the bell above the door sounded, followed by laughter and chattering as several patrons entered the shop. Lilly glanced toward the shoppers and felt her knees buckle. She grasped the edge of the display case and steadied herself as she watched Matthew escort Isabelle Locklear into the store.
“This stop wouldn’t be necessary if Mother had permitted me ample time to prepare for the journey,” Isabelle cooed to Matthew. “I know you didn’t want to stop, but I simply refuse to go any farther knowing I’ve forgotten my hairbrush,” she continued. “You are sure a dear to indulge me.”
Lilly continued staring at the couple as Matthew patted Isabelle’s hand. “We musn’t take too long. Bishop Fenwick is waiting in his carriage. He’s anxious to get settled.”
“I promise I’ll hurry,” she replied, demurely peeking up from beneath the brim of her silk bonnet.
Lilly wanted to run from the store, but she would have to pass directly in front of Matthew to do so. If she could shrink behind one of the counters, perhaps she could remain undetected until Isabelle and Matthew completed their purchases. She began edging toward a tall display, then stopped and turned toward Miss Addie, who was now overcome by a fit of coughing. Matthew immediately looked in their direction. He appeared startled as he met Lilly’s unwavering gaze.
Moving forward, Matthew patted Addie on the back for a moment. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Isabelle. “Let me get you a cup of water,” he offered.
Addie ceased her coughing and gave Lilly a smug grin while Matthew rushed toward the rear of the store. “You were going to hide. But I wanted to be certain he saw you.”
Lilly gave the older woman an astonished look. “Why? So I would be further embarrassed?”
“Of course not,” Addie chided. “But knowing how you react, I was certain you would avoid Matthew. He wouldn’t have an opportunity to explain why he’s with that woman, and this whole matter would remain unresolved. There’s probably a very good explanation for all of this.”
“That’s Isabelle Locklear, Miss Addie. Kirk Boott’s niece. The one Boott wants Matthew to marry. Matthew told me they had parted company, but it appears he wasn’t as forthcoming as I had believed.”
Addie gave a gentle cough as Matthew approached. “Don’t jump to conclusions,” she whispered to Lilly before turning her attention toward Matthew. “I think I’m better, but thank you for your assistance. I believe I will drink that water,” she said, taking the cup.
“We need to talk,” Matthew whispered to Lilly while extending his hand to receive the emptied cup from Miss Addie. “I’ll stop by tomorrow evening.”
Lilly opened her mouth to refuse, but Matthew walked away without giving her an opportunity to protest.
****
Matthew slowed his stride to match Bishop Fenwick’s as he escorted the rotund cleric up the steps of the Boott residence the next morning.
“I trust you slept well, Bishop,” Boott greeted. “I understand the rooms at the Wareham House are quite comfortable.”
“The accommodations were satisfactory,” he replied. “I’m not sure the weather is going to cooperate for an outdoor Mass. Have you made any alternate plans?”
Boott nodded as he led the visitors into the dining room. The bishop offered a blessing over the breakfast before Boott continued. “I discussed the matter with Hugh Cummiskey and suggested we could make arrangements to hold the services at St. Anne’s if the weather was uncooperative. However, Hugh didn’t think the Irish Catholics would attend services at St. Anne’s. He had some of his men construct a lean-to that will give you some protection. He said they are willing to withstand the elements.”
The bishop furrowed his brows. “There’s apparently more antagonism than I anticipated. However, I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. It’s been quite some time since a priest has been here to conduct services. There wasn’t even a priest available for Christmas mass. So if my people want to meet outdoors, we’ll meet outdoors.”
“Do you plan to announce the new building after the services?” Kirk ventured.
The bishop slathered a layer of butter onto his biscuit. “So long as we have time to review all of the documents in order to transfer the property prior to departing for the Acre,” he replied, licking his finger.
Kirk pushed away from the table. “I had no idea you wanted to complete the legalities this morning, Your Eminence. Matthew and I will finalize the papers for your signature while you finish your breakfast.”
The Bishop smiled broadly and nodded his agreement.
“How dare he corner me like this!” Boott exclaimed as he closed the door to his office.
“Apparently he wants assurance everything will be completed to his satisfaction before making the announcement,” Matthew remarked.
Boott gave him a look of annoyance. “Obviously! However, I find his tactics heavy-handed and insulting. He’s determined to secure that extra piece of land. I had hoped I’d have time to convince him otherwise.”
Matthew shuffled through the papers and began arranging them in piles for proper signature. “It would appear the bishop has outmaneuvered you this time.”
“I’ve no choice but to sign over the property. I’ve already told Hugh the announcement would be made this morning. Bishop Fenwick has missed his true calling; he has far too much business acumen for a man of the cloth!”
****
Thurston opened the door to his room at the Wareham House. “What took you so long? I told you to be here after lunch,” he growled.
Lewis pushed past him and entered the room without responding. He was weary of Thurston and his schemes. Worse yet, he was sick of being forced to appear at Thurston’s beck and call.
“Have you been drinking, Lewis?”
Lewis flopped into one of the two chairs in the room. “Why do you ask?”
“Your insolent behavior speaks volumes. I won’t tolerate drunkenness. You talk too much when you’ve been imbibing.”
Lewis gave a feeble salute. “Yes, sir.”
Thurston gave him a look of disgust. “Listen carefully, Lewis. I’ve brought you here because I’ve completed my plans to dethrone Kirk Boott. This is serious business, and I need your complete attention.”
Lewis grunted and shifted in the chair. “I haven’t had that much to drink. What is it you’re scheming?”
“A fire at the Merrimack,” he replied, rubbing his hands in obvious delight. “It will, of course, be your handiwork, but I am going to convince the Associates otherwise.”
Lewis gave an ungentlemanly snort. “When are you ever going to give up on this nonsense, Thurston? The Associates will never place their trust in anyone but Boott. Can’t you see that he’s the man they want running their business interests? Wh
y don’t you just accept the fact that you’re not going to be the manager, go back to Boston, and let me get on with my life,” Lewis blustered, his ale giving him artificial confidence.
William jumped up from his chair. His face was red, and the veins along his neck had swelled into a pulsating protuberance. “Don’t you begin to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do. The fact is, you want to get on with your life and out of your obligation to me. The Associates will embrace me as their new leader if you do as you’re told. Remember, Lewis, I can be your ruination if you attempt to cross me.”
Lewis sighed and settled back in the chair. He knew he had no choice. “So when am I to set this fire?”
Thurston’s lips coiled into a satisfied grin. “I think it would be best if we both left town for a period of time before the next ‘accident’ occurs. I’ll send word when the time is right. You can come back to town on the pretense of visiting your sister. Don’t forget we’ve made an agreement, Lewis. I expect to know where you are at all times.”
Lewis stood and nodded. “Will you be sending instructions or am I left to my own devices?”
“I’ll send specific instructions. You do your best to follow them,” William replied in a threatening tone.
There was nothing left to say. Lewis exited the room and walked down the narrow hallway of the Wareham House. He didn’t stop walking until he reached the corner table of Nichol’s Tavern, where he ordered a bottle of whiskey. Filling his glass with the amber liquid, Lewis quickly downed the contents and poured another. He wanted to forget, and if he couldn’t forget, he would at least numb himself of feeling.
****
Mintie peeked from behind the draperies that covered the parlor windows. She longed to once again have Addie’s companionship, yet she could not walk across the street and beg her sister’s forgiveness—pride blocked her path. Instead, she pulled Addie’s letter from the walnut desk that had once been the Judge’s prize possession and sat down in the parlor. Adjusting her glasses, she continued her ritual of reading the letter, just as she had every day since its arrival.
She was now certain the contents were true, that John Farnsworth was not a traitor. Perhaps she had known it all along. But the fear of Addie becoming interested in a man and possibly taking a husband—well, it was more than she could bear to think about. How could their bond remain the same if Addie should marry?
The front door opened, and Lucy bounded in with a smile. “Morning, Miss Beecher. You reading your sister’s letter again?”
Mintie quickly folded the letter and tucked it into the desk. “I was merely looking over some of my old correspondence.”
“Why don’t you write her a letter?”
Mintie gazed over her wire-rimmed spectacles. “And why do you think I should write Adelaide a letter?”
The child shrugged. “Because you like the one she sent you so much. You’re reading it most every day when I come in,” she replied before skipping off to the kitchen.
Mintie stared after the child. “Perhaps that’s exactly what I’ll do!”
By the time Lucy had finished the breakfast dishes, Mintie had a penned a well-thought-out note of apology to her sister. “Lucy! I have an errand,” she called.
The child came scampering and screeched to a halt in front of Mintie. “How many times must I—oh, never mind. Take this note across the street to Miss Beecher. Tell her you would be happy to wait for her reply.”
Filled with a mixture of fear and excitement, Mintie watched out the window for what seemed an eternity. Finally the door opened. Addie stood in the doorway for a moment, then raised her hand and waved before sending Lucy on her way. A smile spread across Mintie’s lips as she pulled the drape back a bit farther and waved in return.
“Miss Beecher says she would love to come to tea this afternoon,” Lucy said as she entered the front door. “Do you want me to begin dusting upstairs?” the child asked before heading up the stairway. “Miss Beecher?” Lucy turned toward her mistress. “How come you’re crying?”
“It’s nothing, Lucy. Sometimes folks cry when they’re happy. You go ahead and start the dusting. I’ll be up shortly.”
Chapter 31
Prudence nearly danced into the upstairs bedroom, a mischievous smile lighting her face. “There’s someone here to see you, Lilly.”
“Who is it? I’m preparing to leave for town.”
Prudence giggled. “He said not to tell you.”
Lilly squeezed past Prudence, out the bedroom door, and started down the stairs. She stopped midstep. Matthew was standing at the foot of the stairway, smiling up at her.
Hat in hand, he bowed from the waist. “I’ve come to offer my explanation.”
Lilly arched her eyebrows at his remark. “You owe me none. You are free to keep company with Isabelle Locklear or any other woman you so desire. It’s none of my concern,” Lilly replied as she took her cape from one of the wooden pegs in the hallway. “Besides, I’m on my way to town. I wasn’t planning on entertaining a guest.”
“That’s fine. I’ll walk along with you since I’m expected at the Boott residence by eight o’clock.”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to be the cause of your tardiness. Isabelle might not prove forgiving if you’re late,” Lilly replied as she tied her bonnet and walked out the front door.
Matthew laughed as he hurried down the walk to catch up with her. “There you go again, letting your jealousy get the best of you.”
Lilly skidded to a halt. “What? How dare you, Matthew Cheever! You walk about town with Isabelle Locklear on your arm, you bow and scrape to her every whim and smile as she flutters her eyes, all after disavowing any romantic interest in her. What you hear is not jealousy; it’s anger!”
Matthew followed Lilly into the milliner’s shop and waited until she had finished. “Well, I think you’ll find there’s no reason for anger or jealousy,” he said with a grin as they left the store. “Mr. Boott asked that I escort Bishop Fenwick from Boston to Lowell. I didn’t know Isabelle was planning on making the journey. When I arrived in Boston to fetch the good bishop, he advised me that Isabelle would be accompanying us. Mrs. Locklear has been ill. She recently admitted herself to a sanatorium and insisted Isabelle come to Lowell. If it makes you feel any better, Isabelle is no happier to be in Lowell than you are to have her here.”
“I don’t give a whipstitch where she is,” Lilly protested.
Matthew’s boisterous laughter caused Lilly to glare in his direction. “Good! Well, since we’ve settled that matter and I’m absolved of any wrongdoing, I want to know if you’d do me the honor of attending the Blowing Out Ball with me?”
Lilly stared at him in disbelief. How had he moved from one topic to another so smoothly? Her every inclination was to tell him yes. Instead, she said, “We’ll see what happens with you and Isabelle in the next couple weeks.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Matthew said, leaning down to place a kiss on her cheek. “I must be off to meet with Mr. Boott,” he said, hurrying off before she could wage an objection to his reply or the kiss.
****
Staggering from the tavern, Lewis zigzagged his way down Merrimack Street until he neared Jackson. He had watched Matthew kiss his sister’s cheek and then hurry away. “Lilly! Wait, I want to talk to you.” He attempted to steady his gait while hastening toward his sister.
She stood waiting with a look of expectation etched upon her face. “Lewis, you look terrible. You’ve been drinking,” she said, her voice filled with disappointment.
He guiltily nodded his head. “Do you have a few minutes you could spare, Lilly? I need to talk.”
Shifting her parcel, she took hold of her brother’s arm. “We dare not go to the boardinghouse with you in this condition. We can walk back to the Wareham for a cup of coffee.”
He quickly took a step backward. “Not the Wareham. I don’t want to go there,” he replied. “The Old Stone House—would you go there?”
Lill
y grasped his arm. “I suppose, since I’m with an escort, but we must sit in the eating establishment, not the pub,” she replied as they hurried back down Merrimack Street. “Can you tell me what’s wrong, Lewis? You’re trembling.”
Lewis glanced over his shoulder at the sound of footsteps behind them. “I’d rather wait. I don’t want to take the risk of being overheard.”
A short time later, Lewis located a table situated away from the crowd. He was certain Thurston expected him to leave town immediately, and he didn’t want to be seen.
Lilly leaned her head close and took Lewis’s hand. “Tell me what has happened.”
Holding his throbbing head, Lewis momentarily pondered his decision to burden Lilly with his problems. She couldn’t help extract him from this dilemma. Yet he needed a confidant and quickly squelched his noble thoughts of keeping Lilly out of harm’s way. “My life is in quite a mess. I’ve made a lot of wrong choices, all of them selfish and unscrupulous.”
“I’ve made my share of mistakes also; we all have. And I know that in the past you’ve chosen to turn your back on God and even denounced His existence. But it’s not too late to turn your life around. Repentance is difficult, pushing aside all that pride and asking God’s forgiveness. But the benefits are overwhelming: you’re a totally new person in the eyes of God. Clean! Won’t you consider asking God’s forgiveness, Lewis?”
The sincerity of her words touched him, and he gave her a gentle smile. “You don’t understand the gravity of my sins, Lilly. There isn’t enough soap in all of Massachusetts to wash me clean.” He patted her arm. “You can’t understand the seriousness of my involvement. I’m in a precarious position that forces me to do the evil bidding of another man. I’ve been hired to set fire to the Merrimack,” he blurted.
Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1) Page 33