Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1) (36 page)

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.

Hurrying home, she attempted to remain calm as she ate dinner and waited. With Mr. Arnold living next door, she decided it would be best if she left the house early. She certainly didn’t want to chance an encounter with him before reaching St. Anne’s. Fortunately, Matthew was waiting near the church, his carriage one of several lining the street. “You’ll be warmer in the carriage,” he said, helping her inside.

She didn’t argue. “Are the elders going to meet us?”

“They’re waiting in the church vestibule. Mr. Sachs is watching for my signal.”

“Here comes Mr. Arnold,” Lilly said in a hushed whisper. She slipped out of the carriage, and Matthew quickly signaled toward the church doors.

Lilly moved from behind the horses and held up her arm, waving it back and forth. Arnold looked in her direction and headed across the street. He stepped close to her and placed his gloved hand on her arm.

“Thaddeus! So pleased you could make our meeting on such short notice,” Elder Sachs greeted as he, Elder Jones, and Matthew stood waiting inside the iron fence that surrounded the churchyard. “Come in,” he said, holding open the gate.

“What is going on?” Thaddeus asked under his breath.

Lilly quickly moved away from Mr. Arnold and through the gate, keeping herself distanced from him as they entered the building. His confusion and discomfort were obvious as they sat down in a small room off the foyer.

“We understand you’ve been good enough to continue paying wages to Nadene Eckhoff so long as Lilly is able to operate her looms at an adequate output. First, we want to tell you we’re proud that an elder of this church has acted in such a charitable manner,” Elder Sachs stated, his chest puffing out ever so slightly.

Thaddeus gave Matthew a sidelong glance. “Thank you,” he mumbled.

“I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that Mr. Cheever has agreed that this arrangement may continue throughout Nadene’s recuperation from her injuries. We thank you for that generosity, Mr. Cheever, as I’m sure Thaddeus may have had some concerns about the company’s attitude about such an agreement. Wouldn’t that be true, Thaddeus?”

Thaddeus’s head bobbed up and down, his gaze never leaving the mosaic inset beneath his feet.

Elder Sachs laced his bony fingers together atop the wooden table. “We’re attempting to help all of the girls working in the mill, and Lilly has mentioned several girls on your floor who might need some guidance and counseling, particularly regarding how to handle themselves in difficult situations. We were thinking of having a symposium. Of course, it wouldn’t be for just the mill girls,” he said.

Lilly straightened in her chair. “Perhaps your wife would like to attend, Mr. Arnold.”

He met her stare. “She doesn’t enjoy socializing in large groups,” he replied.

“If she’s reticent to attend, I’m sure the elders would be happy to call at your home and encourage her,” Lilly replied in a firm voice.

“Absolutely. We would be delighted. And now that we’re discussing your wife, I don’t believe I’ve seen her in church for some time. Has she been ill?” Elder Sachs inquired.

“I believe she has, hasn’t she, Mr. Arnold? But I’m certain she’s on the road to a
complete
recovery. Isn’t that correct?” Lilly tilted her head and gave Thaddeus a bright smile.

His thin lips were set in a tight line. “Yes. She should be well enough to attend church by next week.”

Lilly realized Arnold was giving his wife enough time to recuperate from the latest beating. But granting him this one concession would be a small price to pay for Mrs. Arnold’s future safety. “And I’m sure Mrs. Arnold would enjoy meeting with the ladies for Bible study. Miss Addie tells me a group of them remain for a quilting bee in the afternoons. I’ll tell Miss Addie to visit with your wife about attending.”

Elder Jones slapped his knee. “Absolutely. My wife attends, as well. She comes home, prepares lunch, and then returns for an afternoon of sewing. Mrs. Jones always has a wonderful time. I’ll tell her to make a special effort to invite Mrs. Arnold.”

“How grand!” Lilly said.

“I’m glad we’ve had this meeting,” Elder Sachs replied. “I want to do what I can to ensure living in Lowell is a positive experience for these young farm girls. I believe the elders of this church have a duty to them. Their parents have entrusted them to our community, and we must honor their confidence that no harm will come to any of them. Don’t you agree, Thaddeus?”

The room was cool, yet a small line of perspiration beaded across Arnold’s upper lip. His voice trembled slightly as he said, “Yes, of course. If that’s all, gentlemen?” There was a note of hopefulness that they were through for the evening. He leaned forward and rose from his chair.

“I believe so,” Elder Jones said, glancing about the table. The meeting quickly adjourned, and Thaddeus made a hasty retreat back in the direction from which he had arrived.

“Did our meeting accomplish everything you had hoped for?” Elder Sachs asked Matthew as they walked from the church.