These Tangled Threads Page 2

  “That was a thoroughly delightful kiss,” Bella whispered before disengaging herself from Taylor’s hold around her waist. He attempted to once again pull her close. “Taylor, we have guests arriving,” she said in her most prim and proper tone.

  Taylor glanced toward the procession of horse-drawn carriages now moving down the road toward the house and emitted a loud guffaw. With a swoop of his arm, he pulled Bella back into his arms. “You’re my wife, Bella. It’s perfectly acceptable for me to kiss you,” he replied, holding her close.

  Taylor released her from his embrace before the entourage pulled into the driveway, but Bella’s cheeks remained flushed a deep ruby red long after he’d turned her loose. “It may be acceptable to kiss me, but it’s hardly appropriate to do so in the middle of the street.”

  “We are nowhere near the middle of the street, my love.”

  Addie and John Farnsworth hurried up the steps to the house, their carriage the first to arrive. Addie looked at Bella with definite concern. “You’re overheated. Look at your face—all red and flushed. Come along upstairs and I’ll tend to you,” she ordered, taking Bella by the hand. Addie had been mothering Bella since Bella came to work for the mills and resided at the boardinghouse she ran. Now, as a newly married woman herself, Mrs. Addie Farnsworth clearly didn’t intend to neglect her duties.

  “I’m not overheated,” Bella protested while following Addie upstairs. “It’s downright cool outdoors.”

  Addie touched Bella’s cheek. “Your cheeks are warm— you’re sick.”

  Bella giggled. “I’m not sick, Miss Addie. Taylor embarrassed me and I blushed,” she explained.

  Addie nodded, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. She went to a pitcher and poured water into a bowl. “You need to understand that Taylor was attempting to present you with a wonderful gift—the opportunity for a restored relationship with your father.”

  “Yes, we’ve . . .”

  “Now don’t interrupt, dear. I want to finish my explanation. Granted, Taylor should have given the matter thorough consideration before inviting your father. It would have been wise for him to seek out his uncle’s advice or gain your permission, but his intentions were admirable. I pray you won’t overly fault him,” Addie rattled on. She wrung a cloth in the water and continued to fuss. “He truly is a good and thoughtful man. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” She dabbed the cool wet towel on Bella’s face.

  Bella reached up and pulled the cloth away. “I’m not sick, Miss Addie, and I’ve already forgiven Taylor.”

  Addie’s eyebrows arched and her mouth dropped open. “You have? Well, why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been going on and on when I should have been downstairs seeing to our guests.”

  “I tried, Miss Addie. You told me not to interrupt,” Bella explained.

  “You’re right, I did.” Addie chuckled and pulled Bella into a hug. “And you must remember I’m no longer a boardinghouse keeper that you refer to as Miss Addie nor the wife of John Farnsworth that you address as Mrs. Farnsworth; I’m now your aunt.”

  “Yes, Aunt Addie,” Bella replied, the words sounding foreign though delightful to her ears. “I’ll try to remember.”

  “Good. Now let’s go downstairs and greet your guests.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Bella leaned close and whispered to Daughtie and Ruth, “Come upstairs and help me change into my traveling dress. I want to spend a little time alone with the two of you before we leave for England. We can sneak off and go up the back stairway without being detected.”

  The three girls wended their way through the crowd, coming to a halt several times to respond to a guest or answer a question before reaching the stairway. They giggled in delight when they finally entered the bedroom upstairs.

  “Let me help you with the buttons,” Daughtie offered. “I couldn’t believe your father actually appeared at the wedding today,” she confided while helping her friend out of her gown.

  Bella nodded. “I could barely believe my eyes or ears. I knew it was my father’s voice, but I couldn’t believe he was actually in the church. The whole ordeal with my father is like a bad dream.”

  Ruth sat down on the edge of the bed and ran her hand over the smooth satin fabric of Bella’s wedding gown. “Didn’t Taylor realize you and your father weren’t on good terms?”

  “That’s exactly why he invited him. Taylor hoped the wedding might be a way to bring us together. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize the depth of my father’s anger. Even though my father willingly relinquished his claim to parenting me when he became a Shaker, he still believed he had the right to force his will upon me. Taylor didn’t realize the only reason my father would attend the wedding was if he thought he could force me to return to Canterbury. Taylor was distressed by my father’s behavior,” Bella explained.

  Ruth cast her gaze downward. “Perhaps I ought not complain about my family quite so much.”

  Daughtie held up the fitted jacket of Bella’s carriage dress. “This emerald green print is perfect with your blond hair, Bella.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, a faint blush rising in her cheeks. “I’m going to miss both of you so much, but I want you to know I’ve been praying an agreeable new roommate will arrive to take my place at the boardinghouse.”

  Ruth bounded off the bed. “Tell her our news, Daugh-tie.”

  Daughtie hesitated a moment and then gave Bella a faint smile. “We’re going to move out of number 5. Mrs. Arnold next door has a bedroom open that Ruth and I are going to share. The room had been rented to two sisters, but they’ve returned home to Vermont. Isn’t that the best of news?”

  Before Bella could respond, a knock sounded at the bedroom door. “May I come in?” Lilly Cheever inquired while peeking into the room.

  “Of course; please join us,” Bella replied.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “No, not at all. Actually, you may be able to lend some insight to this conversation. We were just discussing the fact that Daughtie and Ruth have decided to move into Mrs. Arnold’s house. Based upon Mr. Arnold’s past behavior, I have some concerns about their decision. What do you think?” Bella asked, taking Lilly by the arm and drawing her toward a chair.

  Lilly seated herself in the upholstered walnut rocker and seemed to briefly contemplate her reply before speaking. “Well, it’s obvious Mr. Arnold isn’t likely to change his ways. After all, he received ample warning from his supervisors to correct his behavior with both the mill girls and his wife. Although his conduct improved for a period of time, he ultimately returned to his unseemly actions. However, it isn’t as though he’s living here in Lowell any longer—nor does anyone expect him to ever return.”

  Bella’s gaze remained fixed upon Ruth and Daughtie while Lilly spoke. She had hoped Lilly would caution her friends against such a move. Unfortunately, it appeared both Daughtie and Ruth had been comforted by Lilly’s statements. Crossing her arms, Bella plopped down on the bed and faced Daughtie. “He’s a despicable man. Once he discovers the two of you have moved in, I believe he’ll enjoy coming to the house and nosing about. And with his terrible temper, I’m concerned for your safety. Besides, isn’t there a rule that girls can’t be assigned to Mrs. Arnold’s house unless the other boardinghouses are full? After all, that house wasn’t designed to be a boardinghouse, was it, Mrs. Cheever?”

  “The other houses are full. A new girl has already moved in to take your place and there are two more girls arriving who will move into number 5 as soon as we move out,” Daughtie interjected. “You do think it’s safe, don’t you, Mrs. Cheever?”

  Lilly glanced back and forth between Daughtie and Bella. “I don’t know which question to answer first,” Lilly replied, giving the girls a broad smile. “You’re correct, Bella. The Arnold house wasn’t designed as a boardinghouse. The houses at the end of the rows were built specifically for the overseers and their families, with a common wall joining them to the boardinghouses. The Corporation gave Mrs.
Arnold special permission to remain in the house and board two girls because of her difficult circumstances and because the new overseer wasn’t married. It worked out well because he preferred to remain a boarder at Miss Mintie’s boardinghouse.” She leaned in as if to share a secret. “I think he’s completely gone over Miss Mintie’s cooking.” The girls giggled.

  Ruth picked up a tortoise-edged comb and began fashioning Bella’s hair into long curls. “Why did they limit Mrs. Arnold to only two boarders? There’s certainly space for additional girls in the house.”

  “The house would have required remodeling to become a true boardinghouse. While the Associates desired to help Mrs. Arnold, they didn’t want to make structural changes to the dwelling, for they realize that another overseer and his family will eventually occupy the house.”

  A lock of Bella’s thick blond hair was tightly wrapped around Ruth’s finger as she turned toward Lilly. “You mean Mrs. Arnold will eventually be forced from the house?”

  “No, I don’t think that’s going to happen, Ruth. But when her child becomes older, Mrs. Arnold may decide to go to work in the mills herself or become a keeper, should a position become available at one of the regular boardinghouses,” Lilly replied.

  Bella tugged on Ruth’s hand. “You’re pulling my hair, Ruth.” With an apologetic smile, Ruth released her hold and handed Bella the comb. “It’s the reappearance of Mr. Arnold that most concerns me,” Bella said. “Surely he returns to visit his daughter. What if he becomes abusive on one of those visits? Daughtie or Ruth could become the subject of his rage. Furthermore, I don’t like the idea of my friends being anywhere near that unscrupulous man.”

  “Well, I think you’re borrowing trouble,” Daughtie replied. “Besides, I’m looking forward to being around little Theona. You know how much I enjoy children, Bella.”

  Bella nodded. “Daughtie was always requesting assignment to the children’s dormitory at the Shaker village,” she told Lilly and Ruth.

  Ruth grimaced. “I spent enough years at home looking after younger brothers and sisters. What attracts me is having a bedroom we won’t have to share with four or five other girls—and there will only be four of us around the table for meals. Won’t that be delightful?”

  Lilly nodded. “I understand completely, Ruth—about living with fewer people. Although I must admit I’m like Daughtie when it comes to children. Having a little girl in the same house is most agreeable. Our little Violet has truly brought joy into my daily routine,” Lilly replied, a faint smile touching her lips at the mention of Violet’s name. “I truly doubt there’s any need to worry about Mr. Arnold. I think he would fear being placed in jail should he cause a ruckus. Now, why don’t we turn to a more pleasant topic. I understand you and the Farnsworths are sailing for England in only a few days, Bella.”

  “Yes. Taylor and I are taking the Governor Sullivan to Horn’s Pond, where we’ll spend the night before going on to Boston tomorrow. Then John and Addie will join us in Boston later in the week. Can you imagine anything more exciting? I’ve never even been to a city the size of Boston, much less traveled to another country. Having the opportunity to meet Taylor’s family makes the trip even more wonderful. He’s quite anxious to see his grandfather Farnsworth and grandmother Manning. I’m certain his grandmother must be a wonderful lady. She graciously moved to London in order to help care for Taylor’s grandfather Farnsworth when his physical ailments worsened. Considering they’re only related through the marriage of their children, I find her actions commendable. Taylor’s younger sister, Elinor, is now nine years old, and she writes Taylor the most endearing letters. We’ll be visiting her, of course. However, it’s still uncertain whether there will be sufficient opportunity to meet his older brothers and sister,” she explained.

  “Bella! Here you are. Taylor was beginning to fear he’d lost his bride,” Addie said while entering the bedroom. She gave the younger ladies a bright smile. “I dislike being the one to break up this little gathering. However, Bella, you really must come bid your guests good-bye. It’s nearly time for you and Taylor to depart for Horn’s Pond. You’re due at the canal within the hour.”

  Bella stood and turned for Addie to inspect her outfit. “Do you think Taylor will like my dress?”

  “Taylor Manning will be pleased with anything you choose to wear, whether it be coarsely loomed cotton or this beautiful printed challis.” Addie quickly adjusted the neckline pleats and gave a nod of approval. “He is quite smitten with you; of that there is no doubt.”

  Taylor made his way through the garden and then surveyed both the parlor and dining room. Bella was nowhere to be seen. He glanced at his pocket watch. Perhaps Addie was correct—perhaps she’d gone upstairs to change into her traveling apparel. Though they’d been married only a few hours, Taylor wanted Bella close by his side. His misstep of inviting Mr. Newberry had given him a fleeting glimpse into a future without Bella. What foolishness! Why he had ever considered such a notion now astounded him. Certainly his plan had been well intentioned, but he should have realized there was a potential for failure, a calamity that could cause his bride embarrassment and pain. He didn’t deserve the gentle forgiveness Bella had extended.

  Taylor startled as Matthew Cheever slapped him on the back and observed, “It appears as if the womenfolk have deserted us. Best get used to these unexpected disappearances. Isn’t that right, John?”

  John Farnsworth gave Matthew a nod. “Indeed. I’m constantly looking about for Addie. She’s generally fluttering about the kitchen rather than enjoying herself with our guests. But I suppose that’s one of the things I love about her. She’s more concerned about others being cared for than being cared for herself.”

  “We can only hope that Taylor has been as fortunate in his choice of a wife as we’ve been,” Matthew replied. “Kirk and Anne asked me to extend their apologies. Anne wasn’t feeling well, and they were forced to make an early departure.”

  John gave a hearty laugh. “I doubt it was Mrs. Boott’s health that caused the early departure. When I last saw her, she appeared to be enjoying herself. I fear attending Taylor and Bella’s wedding was a huge concession for our Mr. Boott. I don’t think he’ll soon forgive Bella for her public arguments in favor of the new school system. After all, a man willing to withdraw his membership from a church named after his wife is one who doesn’t easily forgive those who take a stand against him.”

  Matthew’s lips turned upward into a broad smile. “You’re probably correct, John. I’m sure Anne nudged him into attending the wedding, but I doubt it took much effort. Let’s not forget that he values both you and Taylor. He knows you’ve contributed immeasurably to the success of the mills. It was appropriate for him to be here even though Kirk is not overly comfortable in these social settings.”

  “Especially when he’s unsure how some of the guests feel about him,” Taylor replied with a grin.

  “Well, you must admit you have quite a variety of social classes represented today,” Matthew said.

  John nodded. “Ah, Matthew, but that’s the joy of a wedding. It’s acceptable to force the socially elite to mingle among us commoners.”

  “You’re no commoner, John. You hold a position of high esteem in this community. Look at this home the Corporation built for you. Why, I’d venture to say you live better than I do,” Matthew replied with a grin. “I know you’re paid better.”

  Patting Matthew on the shoulder, John said, “I’m a man of the working class, Matthew. My position in this town was elevated because I hold valuable knowledge and ability needed by the Corporation. That asset has proved beneficial to all of us, and I’m most grateful. But the fact remains that my social class remains with the laborer, and I’m delighted to have them in attendance. It pleased me immensely to see Hugh Cummiskey and Liam Donohue make an appearance here today. And if all these mill girls hadn’t attended, why, Bella and Addie would have been devastated.”

  “Don’t forget—I’m married to a young woman wh
o once worked in the mills, also,” Matthew replied. “I have no problem with anyone who’s here today. However, I think some of those in attendance came as a surprise to Kirk.”

  “And hastened his departure,” John promptly added.

  “Perhaps,” Matthew said, “but he did want me to advise you against taking any unnecessary actions while the four of you are in England. Kirk and I both fear there are still those in England who would like to see you brought to justice for what they consider treason.”

  “We plan to keep to ourselves,” John said while waving off the remark. “I seriously doubt anyone in England remembers I ever worked for the mills, much less cares if I ever return for a visit.”

  Matthew shook his head. “Don’t discount what I’m saying, John. We both know danger could befall you. The English economy has suffered greatly because we’ve been able to duplicate their machinery.”

  Several girls moved closer, their laughter and animated chatter infiltrating the men’s conversation. John nodded toward the library, and the three men moved into the unoccupied, inviting room before continuing their discussion.

  John seated himself in front of an alcove lined with shelves of leather-bound books. “If memory serves me, it was your man, Francis Cabot Lowell, who stole the plans for the machinery. They hold him responsible for that particular act, not me. My part in the growth of the mills is minuscule. Had I not assisted with the improvement of your printworks, someone else would have soon done so. I doubt the English still bear a grudge.”

  Matthew took a seat opposite John. “I’ll not argue with you, John, but you and I both realize you are in some danger. We can’t be certain how much, but I would ask that you give your word you’ll be careful.”

  “If it makes you feel better, you have my word. Weather permitting, we may journey to Portsmouth, but other than that, the majority of our time will be spent in London. I’ve no plans to visit Lancashire. With my family all relocated in London, there’s no reason to venture anywhere near the mills.”