A Fragile Design

by Tracie Peterson

  Miss Addie’s face screwed into a tight knot at the reprimand, and Lilly immediately came to her friend’s rescue. ‘‘Please direct your anger at me, Miss Beecher. I haven’t seen Miss Addie for some time and requested a private visit. However, we’d be pleased to have you join us,’’ Lilly responded graciously.

  Mintie appeared somewhat mollified as she settled onto one of the straight-backed chairs and primly folded her hands. ‘‘I see. Well, since you insist, I suppose I could stay for a short visit.’’ Her pinch-faced expression never altered. Mintie Beecher appeared as though perpetually guilty of sucking on sour lemons.

  Lilly arched her eyebrows at the reply but said nothing.

  ‘‘I’ll go and get another teacup,’’ Addie said as she bustled off toward the kitchen.

  ‘‘Has Adelaide told you about her newest boarders?’’ Mintie inquired with a note of expectancy in her voice.

  Lilly shook her head before taking a sip of tea.

  ‘‘They’re Shakers,’’ Mintie continued. ‘‘You know, the ones who dance during worship services—heathens, if you ask me. Whoever heard of such a thing?’’

  Lilly couldn’t resist. ‘‘I believe David danced before the Lord, Miss Beecher.’’

  The birdlike woman pursed her lips. ‘‘That’s Old Testament.’’

  Lilly waited a moment, thinking the woman surely had more to say. ‘‘And?’’

  ‘‘And nothing. History. David and his antics are history. You don’t hear tell of the disciples dancing in the New Testament, do you?’’

  Lilly stared at her, open-mouthed.

  ‘‘I rest my case!’’

  ‘‘What case?’’ Addie inquired as she entered the room. ‘‘Shall I pour your tea?’’

  Lilly turned toward Miss Addie. ‘‘Your sister was explaining to me that the disciples didn’t dance,’’ Lilly said with a grin.

  Addie began giggling and nearly spilled the tea. ‘‘You’re discussing dancing disciples?’’ she sputtered.

  ‘‘They didn’t dance,’’ Mintie angrily replied. ‘‘And the disciples are not a topic of amusement, Adelaide. What we’re truly discussing are the heathen practices of those Shaker girls.’’

  Addie gave her sister a disgusted look. ‘‘They are not heathens, Mintie. They belonged to the United Society of Believers and left that life behind when they came to Lowell. They attend church every Sunday, which is more than I can say for some of the girls who lie abed pretending to be ill until after church services. Bella and Daughtie are fine young ladies attempting to adjust to a very new way of life. They need our support, not our criticism.’’

  Lilly nodded her agreement. ‘‘Adjusting to the mills and living in a boardinghouse is difficult, even when you don’t have faith issues involved. I imagine those girls are struggling on a daily basis to adapt to this new life.’’

  ‘‘Oh, pshaw! It’s not as though their life in that Shaker community was so different. The men and women live separately—no marriage allowed—and the women live together in big rooms, just like the boardinghouses. They’re required to work, and I doubt the transition has been any more difficult for them than for any of the other girls.’’

  ‘‘You seem to be quite the authority, Miss Beecher. Where did you gather your information, if I might ask?’’ Lilly inquired.

  ‘‘Mrs. Goodnow. She visited that Shaker village up near Canterbury. She said it’s the devil’s workshop for certain. Those people dancing and whirling about and calling it worship of the Lord. It may be worship, but I assure you it’s not of the Lord!’’ Mintie smugly retorted.

  ‘‘With all the information you’ve gathered, I’d think that instead of reviling the girls for having once belonged to that community, you would be encouraging others to help them adjust to this new life,’’ Lilly replied. ‘‘Of course, I believe people sometimes unwittingly exaggerate their stories, don’t you?’’

  ‘‘Indeed, I do,’’ Addie agreed. ‘‘I’ve spent several evenings visiting with Bella. She’s an enchanting young lady who is seeking to find the truth by studying God’s Word. Some of the Shaker beliefs are in conflict with what she learned before her family joined the community, and that’s one of the many reasons she chose to leave Canterbury. We should remember that most of the young people in the Shaker communities had no choice in their placement. And there’s something to be said for a group of people who are willing to assist others when they find themselves in desperate circumstances.’’

  Mintie glanced heavenward before giving her sister an intolerant scowl. ‘‘Honestly, Adelaide! Must you always argue with me? I’m sure Reverend Edson would be pleased to confirm everything I’ve said about the Shakers and their strange habits.’’

  ‘‘Really? I’ve always considered Reverend Edson more of a visionary, a man devoted to seeking innovative ways to win souls to the Lord as opposed to condemning souls who are seeking the truth,’’ Lilly interjected.

  Mintie sputtered and turned her attention toward Lilly. ‘‘Of course you would take Adelaide’s side in the matter.’’

  ‘‘I’m not taking sides, Miss Beecher. I am merely stating my opinion,’’ Lilly calmly replied. She had yet to know a visit with Mintie that didn’t turn into an argument. Mintie Beecher would brook no opinion that differed from her own.

  Mintie placed her cup on the tea tray and announced that she was going home. She was slow in making her departure, most likely hoping that Addie or Lilly would beg her to remain. However, both remained silent, and Lilly watched as Addie firmly escorted her sister to the door.

  ‘‘She’s angry,’’ Addie announced as she returned to the parlor. ‘‘But she’ll come around in a few days. She always does.’’ Lilly nodded. ‘‘She doesn’t appear to have softened so much that one would notice. And I’m quite certain we won’t have to worry about her dancing in church,’’ Lilly said before bursting into giggles.

  Miss Addie soon joined in, the two women settling down momentarily before once again launching into gales of laughter. Tears streamed down their cheeks before they finally regained their composure.

  ‘‘Dear me!’’ Miss Addie exclaimed as she blotted her eyes. ‘‘I don’t know when I’ve laughed so hard. I must admit I’m a little ashamed I could find such enjoyment in my sister’s displeasure.’’

  ‘‘I suppose it isn’t very charitable of us,’’ Lilly agreed, ‘‘but you must admit that she was set on an argument when she first came in the house. She always is. If she sees something going on without her involvement, she’s hard pressed not to thrust herself into the middle of it no matter what.’’

  Addie nodded. ‘‘You’re right. She’s always been that way. I’d think she would tire of the routine, but I remember her being this way even from our younger days. But let’s not spend the rest of our afternoon discussing Mintie. I want to hear more about you. I’ve wanted to ask about your progress finding Lewis’s child. Has there been any success?’’

  At the mention of her brother’s name, a lump began to form in Lilly’s throat. ‘‘No. Matthew has failed me in regard to the little boy,’’ she whispered. ‘‘I fear he’s satisfied himself the child cannot be found. He conducted a hasty search shortly after Lewis’s death. Locating nothing and unable to find any leads, he seemed content with the idea that the child never existed.’’

  ‘‘Perhaps he’s right,’’ Addie replied quietly. ‘‘You didn’t have much information to go on, my dear.’’

  Lilly snapped to attention, prepared to defend her position. ‘‘I doubt he would have made such a declaration from his deathbed if the child didn’t exist. He even spoke of a birthmark.’’

  ‘‘I don’t mean to offend you, child, but I’ve heard tell of dying people who sometimes become delusional and babble on incoherently before they finally die,’’ Addie offered. ‘‘In fact, you’ll remember I told you about my father—the Judge—doing just that.’’

  ‘‘Your father’s circumstances were entirely different, Miss Addie. He lingered
in his illness for a period of time. However, Lewis knew his burns would soon render him dead. He wanted to do the right thing. I believe Lewis told me of the boy’s existence because he wanted the child to have proper care.’’

  Addie nodded. ‘‘But you may have to accept the fact that even if the boy does exist, you may not find him. Knowing about a little boy with a birthmark doesn’t mean that you have a great deal of information.’’

  ‘‘I also know that the mother was Irish, so there’s little doubt that someone in the Acre knows something about the boy. However, Matthew tells me the Irish are slow to cooperate, especially about personal matters such as children born out of wedlock,’’ Lilly related. ‘‘It seems that if Matthew really wanted to find the boy, he would talk to some of the men working for the Corporation. Surely one of them would trust him enough to do a bit of investigating.’’

  ‘‘I’m not so sure,’’ Addie replied. ‘‘The Irish have learned they have to stick together and look out for their own.’’

  Lilly sighed. ‘‘You’re probably right. I just don’t want to accept the fact that I have no family left in this world.’’

  Addie’s mouth dropped open. ‘‘Child! You have a husband. He’s your family. And what of Matthew’s parents? You couldn’t ask for finer relatives.’’

  Lilly held up her hand to stave off the onslaught of Addie’s words. ‘‘Yes, and I love all of them very much. But they’re not blood relatives, Miss Addie. I’ve watched both my parents die, and then just as Lewis and I were beginning to mend the problems of our childhood and build a relationship, he, too, died.’’

  Addie took Lilly’s hand in her own. ‘‘It’s difficult to understand the way of things, Lilly, but if you are meant to have this boy, God will direct you to him. If He doesn’t, you must learn to accept the fact that you are not the person intended to rear the boy. Otherwise, you’ll become bitter and contentious. And heaven knows I can’t deal with another Mintie,’’ she added in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

  Lilly smiled, deciding it was time to share her secret. ‘‘I promise I’ll not become bitter—I doubt I’ll have much opportunity for such things. You see, I’ve just discovered Matthew and I are going to have a child of our own.’’

  Addie clapped her hands in delight. ‘‘So you will have a blood relative, after all,’’ she responded. ‘‘Isn’t God gracious? He’s giving you your heart’s desire, Lilly.’’

  Lilly’s eyebrows molded into thinly knit strips as she stared at the older woman. The ticking of the mantel clock resonated in the background, with each click of the tinny pendulum proclaiming the passing moments as she considered Addie’s words.

  ‘‘To be honest, I hadn’t thought of this new life in those terms, Miss Addie. It’s true that the child will be my blood relative. Yet the fact that Matthew and I are going to have a child doesn’t lessen my desire to locate Lewis’s boy. I’m sure it will sound strange to you, but Lewis’s child gives me a connection to the past, while this child is my connection to the future. One does not supplant my need for the other. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, for I realize our marriage has been blessed by God’s goodness. However, my prayers remain steadfast: I want to find Lewis’s child.’’

  Addie nodded and gave Lilly a cautious smile. ‘‘I didn’t mean to imply this babe would be a replacement, dear girl. But do remember that living in the past can sometimes thwart a healthy future, not to mention the present. I wouldn’t want that happening to you.’’

  ‘‘Nor would I,’’ Lilly agreed.

  CHAPTER 9

  Bella slipped into her blue worsted gown, the normal attire for Sunday meeting among the United Society of Believers. Not that she was attending church among the Shakers—far from it. This Sunday she was attending St. Anne’s Episcopal Church with Miss Addie, analyzing yet another array of beliefs. She and Daughtie had listened to the Methodists, Baptists, and Unitarians. Now the Episcopalians would have an opportunity to divulge the tenets of their faith, at least to Bella. Daughtie refused to observe another form of worship, certain she would only become more confused. So while Bella and Addie prepared to attend St. Anne’s, Ruth and Daughtie set off for services at the Methodist church. Bella feared her friend’s refusal to further explore the churches in Lowell was a harbinger of what would lie ahead. Bella worried Daughtie would soon announce her plans to depart Lowell.

  Descending the steps, Bella walked through the parlor and then into the kitchen, where Miss Addie was busily packing items into a large basket. ‘‘I thought perhaps you had left without me,’’ Bella remarked.

  Miss Addie gave her a wide grin. ‘‘Not a chance! I wanted to get our lunch packed because immediately after church services today we’ll be attending the annual church picnic. I wanted to surprise you.’’

  ‘‘Well, you’ve certainly managed to do that,’’ Bella replied. ‘‘I’ve never attended a church picnic. What are the rules for such a thing?’’

  Addie giggled, her fleshy pink cheeks jiggling ever so slightly. ‘‘The only rule is to have fun,’’ she announced. ‘‘And I plan to see that we both follow that rule.’’

  ‘‘Are you going to carry that heavy basket to church? Surely we don’t need all that food for just you and me,’’ Bella protested.

  ‘‘No need to worry about the basket. John Farnsworth is calling for us in his carriage. And I’ve packed enough food for four, not two,’’ Addie sheepishly explained.

  ‘‘Four?’’

  ‘‘Yes. Taylor Manning will be joining us.’’

  Bella sat down on the small wooden stool. The sound of the front door opening and closing, along with the voices of chattering girls moving about the house, filtered into the room and interrupted her thoughts. Bella could enumerate a long list of objections to spending the day with Taylor Manning. Miss Addie was an understanding woman, but she might be offended to hear that the thought of spending a day with Taylor Manning and his outlandish ideas about women was probably more than Bella could bear.

  ‘‘Goodness, that certainly comes as a surprise. I was thinking that perhaps it would be better if I joined you for church next week, when there are no special activities,’’ Bella ventured.

  ‘‘Nonsense! The picnic is wonderful fun. That’s why I specifically requested you visit this Sunday. And don’t you concern yourself about young Taylor. John will see that he’s on his best behavior.’’

  A knock sounded at the front door, and Addie scurried off to answer it before Bella could offer any further protest. It appeared there was to be no escape. Bella stewed silently for a moment before standing up and straightening her skirts. Grasping the heavy basket by its handle, she swung it around, nearly knocking Taylor to the floor as he entered the room.

  ‘‘My leg!’’ he hollered, grabbing one leg by the shin while hopping around on the other.

  Bella dropped the basket to the floor. ‘‘I’m so sorry,’’ she apologized hurriedly. ‘‘Sit down and let me take a look at it,’’ she ordered while pointing toward the stool.

  ‘‘No thanks—you’ve done quite enough already,’’ Taylor replied as he rubbed the bruised leg. ‘‘Uncle John and Miss Addie are waiting for us in the carriage. I was sent to fetch you and that confounded basket,’’ he said, grabbing it from her hand.

  ‘‘Mr. Manning! Please don’t use foul language in my presence,’’ Bella ordered.

  Taylor stared open-mouthed at her. ‘‘What are you talking about?’’

  ‘‘If you think I’ll repeat your words, rest assured that I will not.’’

  Taylor’s brow wrinkled into deep creases, which caused him to appear years older. ‘‘Confounded? Is that the word? Confounded?’’

  His words punctuated the air like a needle piercing cloth. She glared at him. ‘‘Stop using that word—now!’’ she commanded.

  Taylor shook his head. ‘‘It’s going to be a long day,’’ he muttered.

  Bella stopped in her tracks. ‘‘I share your sentiments. Spending a day
in your company is not my idea of pleasure, either,’’ she rebutted before marching off.

  ‘‘Don’t worry about me and my injured leg. I’ll be fine carrying this heavy basket,’’ he called, his voice laced with sarcasm as she walked out the front door, leaving him in the wake of her anger.

  Addie smiled down from the carriage. ‘‘Oh, good, I was beginning to wonder where you were. Now, where is Taylor?’’ she asked, looking expectantly toward the door.

  ‘‘He’ll be along. He’s nursing his injured leg.’’

  ‘‘Oh, my! He’s injured? John, you’d better go and see to him,’’ Addie fluttered.

  ‘‘No need, Miss Addie. Here he comes now,’’ Bella said as Taylor limped slowly toward them.

  John jumped down from the carriage and assisted Taylor with the picnic basket. ‘‘What happened to your leg? You run into something?’’

  ‘‘You might say that,’’ Taylor replied. ‘‘Miss Newberry swung that basket into my shin.’’

  Bella gasped at Taylor’s explanation while Addie twisted around on the seat, a look of astonished surprise etched on her plump face.

  ‘‘Bella!’’ the older woman exclaimed in horror.

  ‘‘It was an accident, Miss Addie. He came into the room unexpectedly just as I was lifting the basket off the table. As I turned, the basket swung around, tapping him on the leg. Then he began cursing, and when I requested that he refrain from such ill-bred language, he used the word several more times. And that is the truth of what happened,’’ Bella explained. Then she leaned forward and whispered to Miss Addie, ‘‘He’s acting like a big baby. The basket barely touched his leg.’’

  With John’s assistance, Taylor heaved himself into the carriage, making a great show of his pain and leaning heavily against Bella as he adjusted his leg.

  ‘‘Get off of me!’’ Bella commanded, pushing him away with all her might.

  Once again Miss Addie twisted around in her seat as Taylor gave Bella a dejected look. ‘‘I am terribly sorry, Miss Newberry. I wasn’t attempting to be offensive, but I’m in pain and needed to straighten my leg.’’