The Pattern of Her Heart (15 page)

Silence prevailed when he reentered the meeting room with the rope still hanging from one hand.

“Thank you, McKinley,” Nathan said. “And now that I’ve been able to gain your attention and bring this meeting to some semblance of order, I would request your cooperation in maintaining this order until the meeting is adjourned. I understand emotion runs high at this moment, and I am prepared for discussion regarding the tragic sinking of the SS
Central America
. However, chaos serves no purpose in this meeting.”

McKinley had anticipated heightened emotions this evening, but he had expected the same decorum he’d always observed among the Associates in the past. Although Nathan Appleton appeared calm, McKinley realized the scene he had observed in this room was a true gauge of the catastrophe that would challenge the entire country. He wanted to remain calm, yet he knew that the hurricane that had sent a million dollars in commercial gold to the ocean floor would cause financial repercussions throughout the country.

Josiah Baines waved his hand in the air and then stood. “Is there any additional word on the ship or its contents? I’ve heard the entire fifteen tons of federal gold intended for our eastern banks was on that ship.”

“Unfortunately, I’m told that is true,” Nathan said. “As most of you know, the
Central America
sailed directly into the path of a severe hurricane off the coast of South Carolina. The passengers made a valiant effort for four days, bailing water and carrying coal to keep the iron boilers lit. Distress rockets attracted a small Boston brig, and the women and children were transferred and saved. A few men were later rescued after the ship went down, but over four hundred perished—a much greater loss than fifteen tons of gold.”

“I doubt the banks or our creditors will think so,” one of the men called out.

“I realize there are widespread reports of financial instability being carried between cities by telegraph message, but we must not let emotion rule our decisions, gentlemen. When a small group of us met several weeks ago, we were distressed by news of embezzlement in the New York branch of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company. We did take it upon ourselves to protect as much of the corporate funds as possible. You must remember, however, that there was a rush on the banks and we were able to withdraw only a third of our corporate investment.”

McKinley knew the men should offer up a prayer of thanksgiving that Nathan and the others had shared their insight and taken immediate action. If it had not been for political friends directing them to bankers sympathetic to future and continued industrial growth, the Associates would have lost much more. For in less than one month’s time, the financial backbone of the country had been affected in a monumental way.

“We’re thankful for what you accomplished,” Thomas Clayborn commented. “Josiah tells me there are problems with the Southern cotton growers to add to our list of concerns. Can you give us the details?”

For the next half hour, Nathan outlined the epidemic that had plagued the South, along with the remaining details gathered by Matthew over the past several weeks.

“We expect a further report from Jarrod Forbes by the end of the month advising of any shortfall in the crop,” Matthew added. “However, given the recent turn of events, we may see a marked decrease in sales. If that’s the case, we’ll need to decrease production and may not need the volume of cotton we had previously contracted to purchase. With luck and proper oversight, this may work out in the end.”

“Are you anticipating layoffs?” Wilson inquired.

Matthew hiked his shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “Who can say for certain. If we decrease production, you can be sure there will be layoffs. In fact, we may be forced to temporarily close several of the mills. Time will tell. I will keep you informed, and any of you are more than welcome to visit my offices and go over the ledgers and reports whenever you are in Lowell. I will, of course, continue sending written reports on a regular basis.”

“I know all of you concur that Matthew can be counted upon to maintain our best interests as he makes his decisions in Lowell,” Nathan said. “This is going to prove to be a trying time, gentlemen. I trust you have all invested wisely.”

“Will ya soon be ready, lass?” Rogan called to his wife. “We need to be gettin’ loaded into the buggy if we’re to make it to the church before the weddin’ begins. I do na think Bridgett is gonna be happy if ya do na have her veil there by the time she’s due to walk down the aisle.”

“See to Nevan and Katherine. They’re dressed and ya can load them into the buggy. There’s plenty of time. Bridgett told me the bishop insisted on the Mass commemorating Michaelmas before the weddin’. Them that’s invited to the weddin’ can remain in the church whilst the others go on about their celebratin’.”

“I do na think Bishop Fenwick will look kindly upon our strollin’ into the church in the middle of Mass,” Rogan called up the stairs. “Why the lass decided to have her weddin’ today is beyond my understandin’. If it’s good luck she’s lookin’ fer, then she should be havin’ the weddin’ on St. Patrick’s Day or Shrove Tuesday, not September twenty-ninth.”

With expert ease, Kiara adjusted her cluster of dark auburn curls and then added the gem-studded comb Jasmine Houston had given her as a gift on her own wedding day. She gave herself one final look in the mirror before descending the stairs in a pale blue wool gown that highlighted her creamy complexion.

“She chose the day because it’s a Saturday and most of their friends do na work so late on Saturday. Also, she knew Bishop Fenwick would be in Lowell, and she’s considerin’ it an honor to be married by the bishop—as would most,” she added.

“Ya look as lovely as the day I married ya, lass,” Rogan said with a twinkle in his eye. He leaned down and brushed her lips with a fleeting kiss.

With his blarney and warm kisses, the man could still cause her heart to flutter. “Go on with ya, Rogan Sheehan, or we’ll be late to the church for sure.”

“Is that a fact?” he asked as they stepped out onto the porch. With a hearty laugh, Rogan pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her soundly while the children watched from the buggy.

“Da!” Nevan hollered, then covered his face with both hands.

“Am I causin’ ya a bit of embarrassment, lad?” Rogan asked with another laugh before assisting Kiara into the buggy.

“Is Paddy comin’ with us?” Kiara asked.

“He left more than an hour ago. I had him take Bridgett’s veil with him,” he said with a broad grin.

“Ya were rushin’ me when me brother’s already delivered Bridgett’s veil?” She gave him a playful slap on the arm.

“Aye, and ya should be thankin’ me instead of abusin’ me,” he replied while vigorously rubbing his arm.

Kiara laughed at his antics and settled beside her husband for the short ride to the church. She was pleased for the diversion Bridgett and Cullen’s wedding would provide. What with the wedding and the private Michaelmas celebrations, the Irish citizens of Lowell would be celebrating until the wee hours of the night, though many would likely suffer the consequences come morning.

“Can ya tell me why Bridgett decided to be married at St. Peter’s instead of St. Patrick’s, where she’s been attendin’ church since she set foot in this country?” Rogan asked. “I do na think she made a wise decision. St. Patrick’s was good enough for our weddin’.”

“The bishop agreed to officiate if they held the weddin’ as soon as he completed the Mass for Michaelmas. And ya can na deny that St. Peter’s is much bigger and much prettier than St. Patrick’s. Now ya need to quit finding fault with Bridgett’s decisions.”

“ ’Tis a sad day when a man’s forced to give up a supper of goose with sage and onion stuffing. Especially when he’s been looking forward to such a meal since last Michaelmas Day.” He hesitated for a moment, his brows knit in a frown. “I do na recall any problem fittin’ our guests into the pews at St. Patrick’s on our weddin’ day.”

“Ya need to be rememberin’ that when we took our vows, I did na have any relatives except for Paddy, and very few friends either. Bridgett and Cullen both have many friends from church and the Acre, as well as the people they work with. I’m thinkin’ that will make for a mighty large group of guests—more than ya could comfortably seat at St. Patrick’s.

“And if it’s yar stomach ya’re worried about,” Kiara continued, “ya can be sure there will be plenty of food. Granna Murphy’s been cookin’ for days, and if I know yar granna, there will be a fat goose with sage stuffin’ and plum sauce waitin’ fer ya.”

“And I’m hopin’ she’ll add some apples to the stuffin’, too,” he said with a lopsided grin as he pulled back on the reins and the horses came to a halt near the corner of Gorham and Appleton streets, where the wedding guests had begun to congregate.

“Paddy!” Rogan called as he waved his young brother-in-law forward. “Did ya deliver the lace?” he whispered. “Yar sister will na be forgivin’ me if the delivery went amiss.”

“Aye, that I did. And glad Bridgett was to get it too. I think Granna Murphy was as worried as Bridgett. The two of them could na get the veil out of me hands and shoo me out of the house fast enough.”

Rogan laughed as he gave Paddy an enthusiastic slap on the back. “I’m thinkin’ Granna was breathin’ a sigh of relief when she saw ya with that veil. She was likely worried she would na get Bridgett married off as planned.”

“Come on with ya,” Kiara said as she took hold of Rogan’s arm. “We need to be getting inside or Bridgett will think ya’ve forgotten ya’re to walk her down the aisle.”

“How could I be forgettin’ such a thing when I’ve my wife to remind me?” he asked with a wink.

A short time later, Rogan walked down the aisle with Bridgett tightly clasping his arm. The bodice and sleeves of her flounced heather gown were edged with the intricate lace Kiara had created to perfectly match the lace adorning her veil.

“She looks quite beautiful,” Kiara said once Rogan sat down beside her.

“Aye, but shaking like a leaf, she was. Likely worried about what’s to come on her weddin’ night.”

A quick jab of Kiara’s elbow wiped the smile from his face. “Careful, lass, or ya’re gonna be causing me permanent injury.”

“I doubt that. Now hush before the bishop throws ya out on yar ear,” she whispered.

After leading the couple in the recitation of their vows, Bishop Fenwick peered over his expansive girth, read a prayer from his missal, and pronounced Cullen and Bridgett McLaughlin husband and wife.

Fiddle and accordion music wafted through the cool September air, and the wedding guests soon began to wander from Granna Murphy’s congested house and out into the streets of the Acre. Paddy walked alongside a small group as they meandered down the street and then stopped for a moment to watch the cheerful crowd. He breathed deeply. It had been far too long since he’d had time to actually enjoy himself. Nolan Houston’s departure for Mississippi had resulted in little time for Paddy to socialize, and he hadn’t realized until this evening how much he missed being among his friends.

He slowly downed a cup of wedding punch and leaned against the clapboard wall of Kevin McCurty’s pub as couples paired off and began to dance.

Liam and Daughtie Donohue laughed and bowed to each other as they finished their dance. “Good to see ya, Paddy,” Liam said as he and Daughtie drew near. “I’ve been wonderin’ how ya’re managin’ at the farm without Mr. Houston.”

“I find I do na have much time to relax anymore, so I was mighty pleased to have an excuse fer a night to enjoy myself.”

Liam patted him on the back. “Ya can be mighty proud of yarself, Paddy, to have Mr. Houston trust ya running his stables at yar young age—and Irish to boot. Not many could boast of such an accomplishment.”

“Thank ya, Liam. I must admit there are times when all the responsibility is worrisome. Right now, I’ve got me a beauty of a horse—not a Shagya, but still a fine animal we acquired specially for an instructor at the Virginia Institute. Training the mare was going very well until I attempted to get her to lead off with the right foot.” He raked one hand through his curly hair. “Now she’s proving to be the most stubborn animal I’ve ever encountered.”