The pattern of her heart, p.30
The Pattern of Her Heart, page 30
“Tea would be lovely, thank you,” Elinor said.
Elinor and Justin sat down in the parlor as Reggie scurried to the kitchen.
“Reggie tells me you received notice the boardinghouse will close this month,” Justin started. “I’m sure you haven’t come to a decision, and I think it would be wise if you would take these final days to consider all of your options before immediately hurrying off to Maine.”
“All of my options? I can’t possibly remain in Lowell now. With the decline of the mills and so many women out of work, there are no positions available for anyone with my skills in the immediate area.” Elinor could see Reggie’s arm as the girl stood just on the other side of the doorway.
“There must be something. You’ve said in the past that you truly do not want to move and that you’re not anxious to move into your brother’s household.”
“All of that is true, yet I see no alternative.”
Reggie stepped through the doorway and announced, “I prayed while I was fixing supper, and God gave me the answer.” She plopped down beside Elinor.
Justin appeared as surprised as Elinor was. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“Because it’s better to tell you when we’re all together.”
They both stared at her, waiting.
“Well?” Justin finally inquired.
“We’re going to get married.” Her eyes shone with delight as she looked back and forth between them. “I love both of you and you both love me and you love each other, so we should get married,” she said in a rush.
Elinor looked at Justin, wondering what he must be thinking at this moment—yet unsure if she truly wanted to know.
Reggie held up her hand. “Nobody can say anything yet. First I have to tell you all the reasons. Besides all of us loving one another, if you two marry, I will have a mother right here at home to help me with my schoolwork and teach me all the things you want me to learn about being a proper lady,” she said while looking at her father.
Then she turned toward Elinor. “And if you marry my father, you will have a house of your very own, and we won’t have to share you with the girls at the boardinghouse. And you will have me and Father right here so you can still bake and cook and go on picnics and fishing—and take care of us,” she added softly.
Reggie glanced back and forth between the two people she loved most in the world. “Well, didn’t God come up with a wonderful answer?”
“Indeed He did,” Justin replied. “At least I think so. What about you, Elinor? Would you consider becoming Mrs. Justin Chamberlain? As Reggie so adeptly pointed out, I do love you,” he said softly. “And I would be proud to have you as my wife if you’ll have us.”
Reggie giggled and applauded as Elinor clasped her bodice, deciding whether to laugh or cry. Surely this wasn’t happening. Justin Chamberlain had just declared his love for her—love she surely returned. A nudging doubt crept into her heart. If he loves me so much, why didn’t he say so before? She pushed the thought aside. I love him. Despite my fears, I cannot deny that one thing. “I would be honored to become your wife and Reggie’s mother,” she whispered.
“And a little child shall lead them,” he said, grinning at his daughter. “Now why don’t you fetch that tea you promised us so that we may have a few moments alone.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen for at least fifteen minutes, and I promise not to peek if you want to kiss her,” Reggie sang gleefully as she skipped out of the room.
A moment of awkward silence filled the room after Reggie had departed. “Elinor, I want you to know that although it required my daughter’s prompting, I have been in love with you for some time. However, I was afraid to express my love because I knew you had vowed never to marry again. I feared if I hinted about my feelings, you might withdraw from my life—and I knew I couldn’t bear to lose you. Unlike Reggie, I didn’t have the courage to speak of my love.”
A faint smile crossed Elinor’s lips. “How could you have known that you had broken down the barricade that surrounded my heart? Like you, I was afraid to hope for anything more than friendship. Until today, I had not even acknowledged my love.”
He clasped her hands and brushed each palm with a featherlike kiss. “I don’t want you to change your answer, but I do want you to be certain this is what you want and not a marriage forced upon you by circumstances—or my daughter,” he said. “I want you to come to me because it is your heart’s desire.”
“There could be no other way,” she whispered as he tenderly gathered her into his arms and kissed her with an ardent longing that spoke of his love.
Slowly he pulled back, and she gazed into the depths of his greenish-blue eyes, her heart pounding with the force of a blacksmith’s hammer striking his anvil. Suddenly Elinor knew she had underestimated God’s plan for her future.
“With the boardinghouse closing in less than two weeks,” he said, “I see little reason that we should wait to wed—unless you want time to plan an elaborate wedding.”
She laughed softly. “No. I believe all we need is a minister, Reggie, and the two of us.”
“Good,” Reggie said as she reentered the room and placed the tea tray on a small walnut table. “Spencer and I rode Larkspur over to Billerica earlier this evening. Reverend Foster said he would be pleased to marry you on the last Saturday of the month at seven o’clock in the evening,” she proudly announced. “I told him we’d be sure to arrive on time.”
It was impossible not to laugh. In a matter of only three hours, Reggie had arranged their marriage. “Have you also decided what I should wear for the wedding?” Elinor inquired.
“I think your peach-colored gown with the ivory lace would be very nice,” she replied without hesitating for even a moment.
“In that case, it appears as if the arrangements have been decided, and we need only relax until then,” her father remarked.
“Oh, Father!” Reggie said in an exasperated tone. “We must have a reception after the wedding, but you need not worry about that either. Spencer’s mother said she would be delighted to host the reception at their house. She said not to worry about a thing.”
“You asked Mrs. Houston to host a reception before you knew whether we were actually going to wed?” her father asked.
“Spencer told his mother about the wedding before we went to Billerica; he needed permission to take Larkspur,” she explained nonchalantly. “And I didn’t ask—she offered.”
“I couldn’t possibly put Jasmine to such an inconvenience,” Elinor protested. “That is far too much to expect of anyone, Reggie. Besides, your father and I don’t need a reception.”
“Mrs. Houston said you would fuss and argue, but to tell you that once the church ladies got wind of the marriage, they’d plan their own reception for you. She thought you might find her party more enjoyable.”
Elinor bit the inside of her bottom lip to keep from smiling. Jasmine was correct; she didn’t want Martha Emory and Nancy Sanders planning a party for her. They’d be angry enough when they discovered the pastor was no longer an eligible candidate for either of their daughters!
“Mrs. Houston is right,” Elinor said. “I’ll go and visit with her tomorrow.”
Reggie beamed. “We’re going to have a grand wedding, aren’t we?”
Mary Margaret was waiting inside the front door, and at the sound of Paddy’s voice commanding the horses to a halt, she ran down the front step to greet him.
“It looks like ya’re a mite anxious ta see me,” he said with a grin.
“Aye, that I am. Do ya think we could take a walk? I have something to tell you.”
“Just let me tie the horse and we’ll walk down toward the river. Ya’re looking a wee bit worried, lass. Is something wrong?”
She nodded her head. “I’ve troubles more than I’m able ta solve on my own, Paddy. I’m needing some sound advice.”
“Then I’ll do my best,” he said while offering her his arm.
She rested her hand inside the crook of his arm and immediately felt less frightened about her circumstances. “The day I’ve been fearing for quite some time arrived today. I went into work, and all was fine until we shut down the looms for the evening. I was one of the first to pass by Mr. Dempsey, and he handed me my notice. I’ve lost my job, Paddy. I do na know what I’m ta do. I was na so terrified at first, for I knew Mrs. Brighton would let me stay on at the boardinghouse.” Her words were bursting forth like floodwaters. “But then I get myself home, and she sits herself down to the supper table and tells us she was served with a notice to close the boardinghouse at the end of the month.”
“Take a breath, lass,” Paddy said as he stroked her hand. “ ’Tis na such a bad thing that’s happened. I did na want my wife ta be working anyway.”
“There ya go again with telling me what I can and can na do. I’m the one ta be deciding if I want ta be . . . Did ya say wife?” she asked, jerking on his arm and pulling him to a halt.
“Aye. I said wife. Ya’re gaping at me as though ya’re surprised, when I know ya’ve been wondering if I was ever going ta ask ya,” he said with a lopsided grin.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Are ya really asking me ta marry ya, Paddy?”
“I do na know what it’s gonna take ta convince ya, lass! Let me try this: Mary Margaret O’Flannery, will ya marry me and be me lovin’ wife?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the lips. “Aye,” she whispered. “There’s nothing I’d rather do than become Mrs. Padraig O’Neill.”
“Ya see? There’s no problem at all. I’ll talk to Kiara—she and Rogan have plenty of room in their house. Ya can stay with them until the wedding, providing the two of ya won’t start making elaborate wedding plans that will delay our marriage. I do na want ta be waiting much longer for ya ta become my bride,” he said with a wink.
CHAPTER • 22
“JASMINE! WHAT A pleasant surprise,” Violet greeted. “I was just preparing to have tea in the garden. Won’t you and Alice Ann join me?”
“I imagine Alice Ann would much prefer a visit with her cousin Zachary. Is he outdoors?”
“Indeed he is. I cannot keep that child in the house until the dead of winter sets in—and even then it remains a difficult task. I’m disappointed you didn’t bring Clara along.”
“I had a number of errands to accomplish and promised Alice this could be our special day together, but I’m anxious to see the baby. I’m sure little Mattie Rose has grown inches since last I saw her.”
“Unfortunately, she’s hardly a baby any longer. Children seem to grow up in the blink of an eye, don’t you think? Why, she’s already pulling up to a stand and toddling about while we hold on to her fingers,” Violet proudly announced. “It has been far too long since we’ve seen you,” she continued while looping arms with Jasmine as they walked outside. “Have you and McKinley argued? He denies there are any ill feelings between the two of you, yet since your return from Mississippi, I feel he hasn’t made any attempt to socialize with you and your family.”
Jasmine hesitated for a moment and watched as little Zachary and Alice Ann embraced each other before hurrying off to inspect the late fall blooms in Violet’s garden.
“We haven’t argued. His days are likely filled with problems relating to the mills. After all, this is a difficult time,” Jasmine said. “However, you might mention that there is a matter I need to discuss with him in the near future.”
Violet brightened. “As a matter of fact, he’s in the library. Why don’t I look after Alice Ann and Zachary while you visit with McKinley? We’ll have tea when you return.”
“Are you certain he won’t mind the interruption?”
“Of course not. He was working on his ledgers when I went outdoors and said he wouldn’t be going to the mill until after the noonday meal. Do go and see him,” she urged.
After quickly telling Alice Ann to behave during her absence, Jasmine entered the house, crossing through the parlor and turning down the hallway toward her brother’s library. The sound of men’s voices floated from the library. Jasmine hesitated outside the partially open door. She didn’t want to interrupt if McKinley was conducting business, yet Violet hadn’t said he was entertaining any visitors.
Her brother was discussing the finalization of a sale as expeditiously as possible. She listened intently to the voice of the man now responding. The deep southern drawl sounded strangely familiar. Her brows furrowed as the man continued to speak. Cousin Rupert!
What was he doing in Lowell? In McKinley’s home? Without her knowledge? And they were discussing the sale of something. . . . The Willows! McKinley had gone behind her back and was making arrangements to sell the plantation to that dreadful excuse of a man. How dare he!
“How will you ever get your sister to agree to this sale?” Rupert questioned. “After all, she is part owner, and the sale will hardly be legal without her signature. And,” he chuckled, “we don’t want any more misunderstandings about my trying to forge her name on papers.”
“I’ll deal with Jasmine,” McKinley declared.
“Well, you also need to deal with a couple of other things. I have some concerns about the contract to purchase.”
With every fiber of her being, Jasmine wanted to burst through the door and condemn their appalling behavior. Instead, she forced herself to remain calm and keep her wits.
“I thought we had reached a satisfactory agreement,” McKinley said.
“After further consideration, I believe there are a few conditions that I can’t possibly agree to.”
“And what would those be?”
Rupert’s voice lowered and Jasmine strained to hear. She heard him mention buying the slaves and then McKinley replied, yet she couldn’t hear his comment. Oh, why wouldn’t they speak up—especially now when she wanted to hear what they were saying about the slaves?
Jasmine remained outside the door as they continued to speak in muffled tones. She had no choice but to go inside the room and make her presence known. After all, Violet would certainly ask questions when she returned to the garden. She inhaled deeply and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” McKinley called.
She opened the door, prepared to give the acting performance of a lifetime. Neither of them would know she’d heard a thing!
McKinley’s eyes opened wide as she walked into the room. “Jasmine! I wasn’t expecting you,” he blurted.
She smiled sweetly and turned her attention to Rupert. “Why, Cousin Rupert! Violet didn’t tell me you were visiting. She said McKinley was working on his ledgers. When did you arrive?”
“Yesterday. And I’ll be in town only briefly. I assumed you’d have little time available, what with your social involvement,” Rupert said eyeing her cautiously.
Jasmine only offered her most pleasant Southern belle face. She watched her brother begin to fidget as she sat down opposite Rupert. “I’m so surprised you would come north.” She held her tongue, not saying the things she really wanted to say. So many times McKinley had told her he thought her reaction and feelings toward Rupert were based solely upon a misunderstanding. Especially after Cousin Levi wrote to say that he had managed to clear up Rupert’s supposed takeover of The Willows. She steadied her nerves and looked her cousin in the eye. “So what brings you to Lowell, Rupert?”
“Ah . . . well . . . I’m interested in the possibility of investing in the mills. McKinley extended an invitation so that I might gain firsthand knowledge about the operation. I don’t like going into any investment without have a thorough knowledge of the business venture.”
His smugness and deceit annoyed her. “I’m surprised you’d be looking to invest in the mills at this time. The outlook is rather bleak right now for investment purposes, wouldn’t you think?”
“Not at all. Investing during a downturn can yield huge returns when the economy stabilizes.”
“So long as one invests properly,” she added.
He smiled at her as though she were a young child to be tolerated for a short time. “I believe my assets show I’ve had no difficulty in that regard. Speaking of assets, how is my little Prissy faring these days?”
Jasmine grasped the chair arms, her knuckles turning white as she forced herself to remain civil. “Prissy was never yours, Rupert. However, she is doing quite well as a free woman. And how is Toby?”
“I really wouldn’t have any idea,” he said caustically.
McKinley rose from his chair. “I’d like to continue this reunion. However, Rupert and I are expected at the mills within the next half hour.”
“Feel free to take your leave. After all, I wouldn’t want to keep my dear cousin from investing his money in our Northern mills.”
Rupert cast an irate look at Jasmine as he departed the room. She waited until the front door closed and then sank back into the chair, her mind reeling. She didn’t know if Rupert had actually come to discuss investing in the mills, but there was little doubt he and McKinley were negotiating the sale of The Willows—and possibly even the slaves. And why had Rupert shown such interest in Prissy? She had noted a contemptible glint in his eyes as he had spoken of the girl. Remembering his attempts to take possession of her when they were in Mississippi, coupled with his question this morning turned her thoughts to baby Emily.
She covered her mouth to stifle the scream threatening to escape her lips. Rupert Hesston had fathered Prissy’s baby!
Jasmine kissed the children good-night, then hurried back downstairs to the parlor. Before supper, she had spoken with Nolan and related the details of her morning visit to McKinley’s home. When she had completed the distasteful tale, she had asked for his advice. But instead of taking her side and condemning McKinley, he had requested additional time to think on the matter. After pressing him further, Nolan had agreed they would talk after the children had gone to bed for the night.
“Have you come to any conclusions?” she asked as she sat down in her rocker and picked up her stitching.
