Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1) (20 page)

The group stared at her as though she were some lunatic who had escaped from an asylum. Lilly wasn’t sure why they appeared shocked at her reply. She would have continued her discourse, but Julia took hold of her wrist in a viselike grip that sent a searing pain up her arm.

Kirk smiled broadly at Julia. “I hope you won’t mind, Mrs. Cheever, but I’d like to steal your son away for a while. Isabelle was sorely disappointed when I was unable to locate Matthew before leaving Lowell—he was to have joined us for our outing today. But it appears that fate is with us, Isabelle,” he said, now looking at his niece. “We have ample room in our carriage. He can accompany us back to Lowell.”

Julia leveled a foreboding stare at her son. “Matthew?”

Matthew avoided making eye contact with his mother. Instead, he looked at his father. “I’m going to join the Bootts and Locklears for the show.” He kissed his mother’s cheek. Turning away, he added, “Good-bye, Lilly. I’m sure you’re pleased to be free of me.”

Lilly stared after the group, angry at the longing that invaded her spirit as she watched them leave. Isabelle’s laughter floated back where Lilly stood, reminding her that Matthew was no longer a part of her world. He, too, had changed. And not for the better—at least not in her opinion. One minute he acted attentive, almost affectionate, and the next minute he performed in a roguish manner.

The remainder of the day was a haze. The magician appeared; the people cheered and clapped; laughter surrounded her—but Lilly was unaware of it all. She was watching Matthew and Isabelle, unable to focus on anything except the two of them as they whispered and laughed, obviously enjoying each other.

Darkness was beginning to fall and long shadows overtook the roadway as they returned to Lowell. Lilly leaned back against the carriage seat and closed her eyes, anxious to get back to her room. She had planned to spend some time with Nadene today, but there would be little opportunity for much visiting this evening. The thought that she must once again arise before dawn and voluntarily commit herself to a prisonlike existence inside the walls of the Appleton Mill caused her to shudder.

Julia turned sideways in her seat. “I do hope you enjoyed yourself in spite of Matthew’s rude behavior. I thought the magician was delightful.”

“Now, now,” Randolph chided. “It’s not as though we had planned for Matthew to join us. He had every right to join Mr. Boott and his family.”

The horses slowed as Mr. Cheever directed them down Merrimack Street, then on toward Jackson. He pulled to a stop in front of number 5 and assisted Lilly from the carriage. It was then that she spied three men huddled together. It sounded as though they were having an argument, their voices ringing loud in the crisp autumn air.

She stepped behind the carriage and squinted her eyes to see them in the shadows. The men raised their heads and looked in her direction. Two of them were men she had never seen. She strained to distinguish the features of the third man, the taller one, who had pulled his jacket collar tight about his neck. He looked directly toward her, then hurried off. Lilly had a sudden rush of recognition. It was Miss Addie’s escort from earlier that afternoon; it was Miss Mintie’s imaginary English spy; it was
John Farnsworth
.

****

Matthew knew he had angered his mother, and he’d had every intention of stopping at his parents’ house upon his return to Lowell. Boott, however, had other plans, insisting there were matters he wished to discuss with Matthew tonight. And so he acquiesced without further argument, accompanying the group back to the Boott mansion. The only bright spot since their return to Lowell had been the fact that Kirk had rejected the ladies’ invitation to join them for lemonade. He had insisted there was pressing business that required their attention.

“I trust you found the magic show enjoyable,” Kirk said as they entered his office. He poured himself a glass of port and nodded toward another glass. “Care for something a bit stronger than lemonade?”

Matthew shook his head. “No, nothing, thank you. I’m anxious to know what urgent matter you need to discuss before morning.”

Kirk seated himself in his leather chair and pulled a fat cigar from the humidor sitting atop his desk. Giving the cigar his undivided attention, he moved it back and forth beneath his nose several times, inhaling the pungent aroma before carefully snipping off the end. “I think we may have the beginning of some problems at the Appleton. I want you to investigate—secretly, of course. A number of incidents have occurred in the spinning room since Thaddeus Arnold became supervisor. Apparently he believes that an operative has intentionally caused a couple of mishaps within the last few weeks. Personally, I doubt his suspicions, but I have an obligation to investigate.”

“Was there any major damage?”

Boott lit the end of his cigar and puffed several times until the ash turned bright red. “No. They were minor mishaps. You know we have frequent accidents.”

Matthew leaned forward, resting his arms across his thighs. “I guess I don’t understand why Mr. Arnold would even think one of the girls was involved, unless he had some reason for his suspicion. It makes no sense. The girls don’t get paid if they miss work. Why would they want to do anything to jeopardize the operation of the spinning room?”

“Exactly! I agree with you, Matthew, but I need to show the Associates I’m on top of things. I wouldn’t want it to be said that I’m not checking out information that comes to me. Perform a minimal investigation; talk to a few people. I told Arnold’s supervisor I’d get back with them in a few days. If I tell him it’s my opinion there’s no need for alarm, he’ll let it rest, and I can report that the matter has been investigated and has no merit. Fair enough?”

Matthew rose from his chair, “I suppose so. I’ll get to it first thing in the morning. However, I don’t see how I can be too discreet about the matter. It’s going to require talking to some of the people working in the spinning room, isn’t it?”

Boott nodded. “Try to find someone you can trust, someone that won’t tell the other girls about the investigation. Perhaps Arnold can advise you if there’s a girl who can be trusted. I doubt you’ll have difficulty. None of them want to lose their position. After all, they’ve become dependent upon their monthly pay.”

Matthew began to move toward to the door. “Was there anything else we needed to discuss?”

Kirk leaned back in his chair and took another draw on his cigar. “There’s no need to rush off, Matthew. If nothing else, we can discuss your future with Isabelle.”

Chapter 15

The morning dawned cool and gray, much like Matthew’s spirits. He bent his head against the early morning chill and walked toward the Appleton Mill. Lawrence Gault was in the counting room writing in a leather-bound ledger when he entered. Matthew liked the older man; he had a firm handshake, honest eyes, and a quick smile.

“Morning, Mr. Cheever,” Lawrence said, pushing away from the desk. “Dreary morning out there, but the sun’s shining in here,” the older man continued, pointing to his heart.

Matthew smiled. “What’s making it shine?”

“Jesus, of course. A man can’t have the doldrums too long when he thinks about having a Savior who was willing to die for him. Make sense?”

Matthew nodded. “Couldn’t argue that point, Mr. Gault. I was hoping you could help me. I need to speak to Thaddeus Arnold.”

“You want me to go get him for you? Be glad to do that.”

“No need. Directions will be fine.”

Mr. Gault appeared relieved when Matthew didn’t take him up on the offer to fetch Thaddeus. Matthew now understood why. The walk across the yard and up the winding stairway would have been difficult for a man of Gault’s size and age. Matthew hesitated a moment and took several short breaths before entering the spinning room. The humidity in the mills never ceased to overwhelm him. Kirk had explained that the operatives became accustomed to the heavier air, their lungs adjusting to the moisture after a few weeks. Matthew wasn’t sure if Boott’s assessment was correct, but it made sense that the body could adjust.

Thaddeus Arnold was near the rear of the room talking with one of the operatives. Matthew moved toward where they stood, the machinery pounding out a vibrating cadence that deadened the sound of his footsteps.

Arnold jumped away from the girl at the touch of Matthew’s hand upon his shoulder. The supervisor’s face reddened, and he stammered a quick welcome into the deafening noise that permeated the room. Matthew pointed toward the door, and Thaddeus began threading his way toward the entrance as Matthew followed behind. When he looked up, Lilly was staring at him. Damp ringlets clung to her forehead. He smiled, but she didn’t acknowledge him. Thaddeus stood anxiously waiting by the door and moved into the stairwell at Matthew’s nod. The level of noise diminished only slightly, so Matthew pointed toward the steps.

When they reached the mill yard, Thaddeus quickly turned and looked up at Matthew. “I wasn’t doing anything to that girl. She gives me trouble from time to time, and I’m required to reprimand her,” he sputtered.

Matthew rubbed his forehead; his head was throbbing. “I’m here to inquire about a couple of accidents. You made some accusations regarding those incidents.”

Thaddeus dipped his head up and down several times. “Yes, I’m glad Mr. Boott took my allegations seriously. We’ve had a number of accidents of late. I have reason to believe one, or perhaps several, of the operatives may be causing these problems.”

Now that Mr. Arnold was on the offensive, he appeared more relaxed. Matthew noted that Arnold’s stammering had ceased as he made his declarations against the girls. Completing his account, Thaddeus squared his shoulders, obviously proud of himself.

“Can you give me any reason why it would be beneficial for one of these girls to cause problems with the machinery, Mr. Arnold?”

Thaddeus appeared perplexed by the question.

Matthew took him by the arm and began to walk back toward the stairwell. “You see, Mr. Arnold, it is to the girls’
disadvantage
to have machinery inoperative. They don’t get paid unless they are working. That is why I’ve asked if you can furnish some plausible reason why you think an operative would create such mischief. Otherwise, it would seem that the incidents are purely accidental. There are occasional accidents on all of the floors, both here and at the Merrimack. Unfortunate as it is, people sometimes don’t pay attention, and accidents soon follow that inattentiveness. Perhaps there is some problem on your floor, among the girls themselves—or with you?” Matthew ventured.

Thaddeus paled at the remark. “The operatives might have a problem among themselves—I’m not sure,” he stammered. “I have no problem with the girls. Well, I am obligated to reprimand them when they’re not working up to the requirements—like today when you came into the room,” he hastily added. “You may be correct. I may have been borrowing trouble, assuming there was a problem where there is none.”

“I can continue to investigate the matter.” Matthew left the offer dangling, wondering if Thaddeus would snatch the bone or run off with his tail between his legs.

“You’re probably right, Mr. Cheever. I’m new at this position and want to do well. Most likely I’ve overreacted. I was only trying to look out for the Corporation. I don’t want anything to interfere with your profit.”

Matthew had guessed correctly. He had suspected Arnold would let the matter drop. He was sure the man was hiding something. Perhaps Lilly knew what it was. “Should you decide that you want me to investigate further, you can tell Mr. Gault to contact me personally. No need to bother Mr. Boott with these matters, Mr. Arnold. I had best not keep you away from your work any longer.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cheever. I appreciate your time. I’ll do as you said.”

Matthew watched as Arnold scampered away, his shoulders stooped over as he rushed back to the stairwell. Something about Thaddeus Arnold bothered him.

Chapter 16

Prudence twirled about the room in her forest green silk. “I knew you’d change your mind and come. What made you decide? Was it Marmi’s description of all the fun or the anticipation of dancing with Kirk Boott?”

Marmi giggled at the remark. “He is quite an excellent dance partner. I had the privilege of two dances with him at the Blowing Out Ball last spring.”

Lilly smiled at the girls. She dared not tell them that Thaddeus Arnold had promised he would find a reason for her termination if she didn’t attend this evening. Instead she replied, “I think it might be unwise to remain at home and permit you to have all the fun, Prudence. Besides, I don’t think Nadene would forgive me if I didn’t go along.”

Nadene offered a smile. “That’s true. I dislike these required functions. They make me uncomfortable, while Pru and Marmi have loads of fun.”

“I wager I’ll have more fun than Pru,” Marmi replied. “She’s too picky about her dance partners. Not me. If someone invites me to dance, I’m going out on the floor and having a whirl.”

The four of them made their way downstairs, where Miss Addie stood waiting in a sapphire blue creation. Lilly knew the gown had come from the collection of things Addie brought from Boston. Lilly had helped her touch up the gown, refreshing the style with a bit of lace and trim. She’d also taken out the waistline when Addie wasn’t looking. Lilly’s reward was her choice of gowns from Miss Addie’s collection. Of course, the dress had to be completely remade to accommodate Lilly’s slender frame, but it was better than having to wear one of her childish, well-worn pieces from the past. Besides, nothing that Lilly owned was worthy of a ball.

“Oh, just look at you girls. I can’t decide which one of you is the prettiest,” Addie exclaimed as they paraded single file through the hallway for her approval. “The other girls left a few minutes ago, and we must stop for Mintie. Hurry, now—we don’t want to be late.”

“Just wait until John Farnsworth sees you in that dress. He’ll be coming to call every evening,” Lilly whispered as they walked out the front door.

Addie blushed. “I’ve been so excited by the prospect that I’ve hardly been able to eat. Why, just look, the waist on this gown is much looser.”