A Fragile Design (7 page)

A persistent knock sounded at the front door. ‘‘Would you see who’s at the door, Bella?’’ Miss Addie called from the kitchen.

‘‘Yes, ma’am,’’ Bella answered. ‘‘I’ll be right back,’’ she promised Daughtie as she rose from her chair.

Obviously the three girls sitting in the parlor with their gentlemen callers couldn’t excuse themselves long enough to answer the door, Bella decided. A prick of irritation assailed her as she glanced at the giggling girls, all too self-involved to be bothered.

Turning the knob, she gave the door a tug. ‘‘Yes?’’ she inquired a bit more curtly than planned.

‘‘Well, good evening to you, too. Apparently I’ve come at a bad time?’’

Bella felt the heat rising in her cheeks. A young man of about twenty years stood before her. A mass of straight hair fell forward over his eyes as he removed his felt hat. Raking his fingers through the blond strands, he gave her a roguish grin.

‘‘Were you going to invite me in? Or do you prefer standing in the doorway?’’ he quickly added.

Jumping back, Bella nearly lost her balance as she made way for the handsome gentleman caller. ‘‘I apologize for my rude behavior, sir. May I be of assistance?’’ she inquired formally, closing the door once he had entered the hallway.

‘‘Why, yes, thank you,’’ the man replied, bowing deeply from the waist in mock formality as he once again thrust his tousled hair off his brow. ‘‘Taylor Manning to speak with Miss Addie, if you please. And you are?’’

‘‘Bella—Arabella Newberry of New Hampshire. I’ll tell Miss Addie that you’ve come to call. She’s in the kitchen,’’ she replied, turning to make her way down the hallway.

‘‘Good. I’ll just follow along behind,’’ he replied. ‘‘Miss Addie won’t mind if I call on her in the kitchen.’’

Bella could feel his towering presence matching her steps as he followed her through the parlor, past a wideeyedDaughtie sitting at the dining table, and into the kitchen. ‘‘Mr. Taylor Manning to see you, Miss Addie,’’ she announced as they entered the warm kitchen.

Miss Addie twirled around to face them with damp gray curls clinging to her forehead. ‘‘Taylor! What a surprise. It’s early—I wasn’t expecting your uncle just yet.’’

‘‘That’s why I’ve come. Uncle John asked that I advise you of the fact that he’s going to be detained. We have a meeting of the Mechanics Association this evening—’’

‘‘Come in the parlor, Taylor. I don’t entertain guests in the kitchen,’’ Addie interrupted as she pulled off her apron and tucked a few stray strands of hair into place.

Taylor hesitated. ‘‘I’ve come merely to deliver Uncle John’s message,’’ he insisted.

‘‘Tut, tut, I’ll hear none of that. Come along—you, too, Bella,’’ she clucked. ‘‘Come along, Daughtie,’’ she said, grasping her by the arm as they reached the dining room. Daughtie took her place behind Miss Addie, the three of them resembling a brood of chicks following a proud mother hen. ‘‘Make room, ladies and gentlemen,’’ Miss Addie commanded the girls and their guests already assembled in the parlor. ‘‘Daughtie and Bella, this is Mr. Taylor Manning. He’s John Farnsworth’s nephew and because he has an artistic flair, he’s been hired on to work on the fabric designs.’’ She looked at each of the young women and then offered, ‘‘Taylor, this is Miss Daughtie Winfield and Miss Bella Newberry.’’ The girls curtsied and Taylor bowed.

Taking a seat, Addie nodded for her three followers to sit down. Folding her hands, she rested them in her ample lap and smiled at Taylor.

‘‘As I said, I’ve come to advise you that Uncle John has been detained. There’s a meeting of the Mechanics Association,’’ he said, pulling out his pocket watch and glancing at the time, ‘‘for which I certainly don’t want to be late. Uncle John has agreed to assist a group of us who will be scheduling some lectures in the near future.’’

Margaret and Harriet ignored their visitors and immediately turned their full attention to Taylor, both of them obviously besotted with his confident behavior and strapping good looks. Bella found their behavior annoying.

‘‘The other men must value your opinion greatly if you’re assisting with such important matters,’’ Harriet fawned in a syrup-sweet tone.

Margaret nodded. ‘‘You must be very worthy of their trust.’’ She batted her lashes and lowered her head in a coy manner. Bella had to admit this was not something she’d had to deal with in the Society. She had to smile at the very thought of Sister Mercy lowering her head and simpering for one of the Brethren.

Taylor squared his shoulders and nodded. ‘‘Why, thank you,’’ he replied, tucking away his watch. ‘‘These lectures are of enormous value to the men. They aid us in keeping abreast of current topics of importance. There’s absolutely no way of evaluating how much good these lectures and the library are accomplishing for the men, but I must say that I’m proud to be a part of this noble venture.’’

‘‘These lectures you speak of—are they only for the men, or may we attend also?’’ Bella asked as she perched on the edge of her chair. She’d opened her mouth almost before she’d given herself a chance for thought.

The room grew silent. All of them, save Daughtie and Miss Addie, stared at her as though she’d spoken a foreign language.

‘‘The lectures and library are both sponsored and funded by the Mechanics Association, which is comprised of skilled tradesmen.’’

Well, I’m committed to this now,
Bella reasoned.
I might as well continue
. ‘‘The women working in the mills are certainly skilled workers.’’ She tried to keep her voice soft and nonthreatening. ‘‘I’m certain many of them would be pleased to spend a small portion of their earnings in exchange for a membership that would permit them to enjoy the valuable services you’ve so aptly described.’’

Taylor shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. ‘‘You do understand, Miss Newberry, that there is a vast difference between a skilled tradesman and someone who merely passes a shuttle back and forth through a loom, don’t you?’’

Struggling to keep her temper in check, Bella clenched her hands together in a white-knuckled clasp. Gone was her attempt to keep her voice decidedly calm. ‘‘Where I come from, Mr. Manning, women are treated as equals, given the same opportunity to expand their minds as men, and encouraged to explore all the abilities God has given them. Am I to understand that the men of your Mechanics Association find that an unacceptable ideology?’’

Taylor rose from his chair and paced back and forth on the floral-designed wool carpet. ‘‘I believe you’re twisting my words, Miss Newberry. However, we do not have female members, nor do they utilize our library nor attend the lectures.’’

‘‘Aha!’’ Bella retorted, now matching him step for step as he continued pacing. ‘‘But you obviously believe women are inferior since you disallow them the use of your facilities and attendance at your lectures. I’d venture to say that if women were permitted to assist with these lectures and the library, you would see an improvement.’’

Taylor raised a finger and pointed it toward Bella. ‘‘So you’re saying that women are more enlightened than men, Miss Newberry? What makes you the better in this disagreement? You argue on behalf of women while I argue on behalf of men.’’

Bella pushed his finger away and stood facing him, hands on hips. ‘‘No. I do not argue solely on behalf of women, Mr. Manning. I argue on behalf of both men and women. I believe that opportunities should be available in equal measure.’’

Taylor gave a husky chuckle. ‘‘I hail from England, Miss Newberry, where such a concept would be viewed with disdain. Where in New Hampshire were you taught such principles?’’

‘‘Canterbury, where I lived among the United Society of Believers, who not only taught the principle of equality but also lived it.’’

‘‘Based upon its name and your attire, I assume this society is a religious sect of some nature. I do wonder, though, if you hold their beliefs in such high esteem, how is it that you’ve come to Lowell, miss?’’

The group turned its attention toward Bella, obviously anxious to hear her reply. She hesitated a moment and looked at Taylor. His eyes were sparkling with anticipation; a mischievous grin played at the corners of his lips.

‘‘Both my attire and my reasons for leaving, sir, are personal matters that I’ll not discuss with a stranger,’’ she curtly replied.

The group applauded her remark. ‘‘Well done!’’ hollered one of the young men. Soon the others were cheering along with him. When they had quieted, the same young man who had spoken out smiled at Taylor. ‘‘I believe she’s bested you, Mr. Manning.’’

Taylor nodded to the group. ‘‘Perhaps she has. We’ll see how she fares the next time we meet. Please know, Miss Newberry,’’ he said, turning to face her, ‘‘that I truly desire to remain and discuss this matter further. However, I must depart or I’ll be late to my meeting. In the meantime, you might consider forming a sewing circle. I’m sure you and the other young ladies would find that enjoyable—and I promise I won’t attempt to join.’’

Bella gave him a demure smile. ‘‘We would certainly welcome you, Mr. Manning, and perhaps one day you’ll be inclined to extend an invitation to me to attend your meeting.’’

He shook his head at her remark and strode toward the front door with Miss Addie following closely at his heels. ‘‘Once the meeting is over, Uncle John will be calling on you, Miss Addie.’’

Miss Addie extended her thanks and then rejoined the others. ‘‘I believe young Mr. Manning was somewhat befuddled by you, Bella.’’

With Taylor Manning gone, everyone’s gaze remained fixed on Bella. She immediately regretted her sharp tongue and quick response. ‘‘That wasn’t my intent, Miss Addie.’’

‘‘Well, you certainly managed to gain his attention, which is more than the rest of us have been able to do,’’ Margaret offered, her beau scowling at the remark. ‘‘Why don’t we walk into town?’’ she questioned her gentleman caller, obviously realizing her blunder.

Addie, Bella, and Daughtie remained in the parlor while the other girls and their gentleman callers retrieved their wraps and made a hasty departure to view the latest shipment of goods to arrive in the shops and, perhaps, stop for tea and cake.

‘‘While I have reason to regret the hasty manner in which I responded, I do not regret making a stand for the women of this town. I hope your Mr. Farnsworth is a freer-thinking man than his nephew,’’ Bella remarked.

Addie giggled. ‘‘I’m not sure that he is. Of course, I’m not sure you’ll find too many men in New England who believe women are their equals. However, I must admit that young Taylor has much to learn in his dealings with people.’’

‘‘I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a gentleman so proud of himself—and for so little. He seems to think that his mere membership in an association gives him reason for puffery. And did you notice the way he was watching Harriet and Margaret? The moment he saw them swooning, he became even more obnoxious.’’

‘‘ ’Tis true the boy’s a bit of a rascal, and he’s certainly aware that his roguish good looks attract the women,’’ Addie replied. ‘‘According to his uncle John, that handsome face and muscular build have gotten him into difficulties in the past.’’

This was getting interesting. Bella leaned forward, giving Miss Addie her full attention. ‘‘What sort of difficulties?’’

Addie looked about the room as though she expected an intruder might be lurking in one of the corners. ‘‘It seems that young Taylor became involved with the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat. Of course, Taylor comes from a fine family, but certainly not from the same level of society as this young woman.’’

Bella furrowed her brows in concentration. She wasn’t sure she understood the import of Miss Addie’s words. ‘‘And that creates a problem?’’

‘‘Yes, my dear. Crossing social barriers is frowned upon in England—even more than it is in America,’’ she explained. ‘‘In fact, the girl’s father told Taylor that if he saw him anywhere near his daughter again, he wouldn’t bother with an honorable challenge to a duel. Rather, he said he would shoot Taylor where he stood. You must understand, the girl was engaged to be married and the banns had already been read. A duel seemed very much in order to maintain the girl’s honor.’’

Bella gasped and then quickly covered her mouth with one hand. ‘‘It’s difficult to believe that a member of the aristocracy would exhibit such unrestrained anger,’’ she replied. ‘‘Of course, it isn’t difficult to believe Mr. Manning would find himself in such a predicament! He is obviously a man who prides himself on getting ahead by using his appearance and contrived charm.’’

‘‘My! Those are harsh words, Bella. John is hoping that with a firm hand, his influence, and continuing prayer, his nephew will begin to see the error of his ways and perhaps even seek the Lord. Personally, I doubt there are many young men that possess Taylor’s rugged good looks who wouldn’t use them to advantage,’’ Addie exclaimed.

Bella gazed out the window. ‘‘There may be some,’’ she replied.

Jesse had never attempted to influence anyone with his appearance, and although Jesse and Taylor looked nothing alike, Jesse was handsome in his own right. In all their conversations he had been honest and forthright—at least she thought he had. She wanted to believe Jesse had spoken the truth when he had told her of his desire to leave Canterbury. Daughtie’s previous questions now haunted her. Why hadn’t Jesse appeared or somehow sent word to her by now?

‘‘I find that men are difficult to trust. Their willingness to commit themselves seems lacking,’’ Bella absently commented.

Addie patted Bella’s hand. ‘‘Now, why would you say such a thing, dear? Has some young beau broken your heart?’’

‘‘The Shakers are a celibate society. I’ve never had a beau, although my friend Jesse Harwood had planned to leave Canterbury along with Daughtie and me. He never appeared.’’

‘‘And based on that one incident you believe all men are untrustworthy?’’

Bella hesitated for a moment. ‘‘No. That incident only served to confirm my beliefs. It’s my father who demonstrated the inability of men to honor their commitments,’’ she replied in a soft voice.

Daughtie placed her arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘‘Bella’s parents came to the Shaker village when they were in financial difficulty. Her father decided they should become members of the Society, but her mother was against joining. She wanted to go back to their home near Concord after their first winter with the Believers.’’