The Pattern of Her Heart (2 page)

“And what did the man say?” Alice Ann asked in a hushed tone.

“The man said to the prince, ‘The puppy is already yours. Because you have cared for him and loved him, you’ve made him your own. Through your actions, you’ve shown the puppy he can trust you and you are his master.’

” Jasmine gave Nolan a warm smile and then patted her daughter’s plump hand. “Come along, Alice Ann, we must go upstairs and get ready now.”

The child grasped her mother’s hand tightly. “Thank you for the story, Poppa. I’ve already picked out a name for my pony.”

“Did you
listen
to the story?” he called after his daughter as she bounded down the hallway.

“Yes. And it was very good,” she responded emphatically.

Jasmine glanced back at Nolan and shrugged as their daughter ran up the steps. “I’m not sure she completely understood. Unfortunately, I fear she’s going to be terribly disappointed when she opens her package.”

“We’ll see,” he replied absently.

Jasmine climbed the stairs and met Martha in the upper hallway. “I’ll see to Miss Alice Ann if you have other matters that need your attention,” the maid offered as she stacked sheets in the linen chest. “Being around Miss Alice Ann reminds me of being with your grandmother. This child was certainly named after the proper person—she’s got the same bubbly enthusiasm.”

Jasmine smiled at the comparison as Alice Ann scampered into her bedroom. Jasmine knew her grandmother’s former maid missed the old woman very much. The two had been more than employee and employer; they had been the best of friends. “She reminds me of Grandmother in many ways also. I truly wish Grandmother had lived long enough to actually hold Alice Ann in her arms.”

“But she died knowing that if you gave birth to a little girl, her name would be Alice. I know the thought that she would have a namesake made her very happy. And Alice Ann flits about this house with the same authority as her great-grandmother— just like she’s in charge of the whole wide world.”

“You’re right on that account, Martha,” Jasmine replied with a laugh. “If you’re positive you don’t mind helping Alice Ann dress, it would be truly helpful. I can fix her hair once she’s dressed. I’d like to check on Spencer and then see to baby Clara. You can send Alice Ann to the baby’s room when you’ve finished.”

Martha nodded and whispered, “Alice Ann doesn’t suspect she’s getting a new doll, does she?”

“No, although I fear she may be disappointed. She’s talked of nothing but a pony lately, and I believe she’s positive her father won’t fail her.”

“Don’t you worry. She’s just like her great-grandmother Wainwright. She’ll be happy as can be with whatever she receives.”

“I hope you’re correct.” Jasmine was not nearly so confident of her daughter’s reaction to the gift.

“You can always tell her that if she isn’t pleased with the doll, you know several little girls who would be delighted to have it. She’ll soon change her mind,” the older woman said with a wink. “ ’Course, we can’t go giving it away—I spent too many hours on that dress and cape for her dolly,” she added with a chuckle.

When Jasmine brought the doll home from Whidden’s several weeks ago, she had drawn Martha into her confidence and shown her the gift. It had taken only a moment for Martha to decide the doll needed additional clothes and that she would immediately begin the task. It would be her birthday gift to Alice Ann, she’d insisted. During the past weeks, Martha had used her free time to stitch a cream wool doll’s dress and matching hooded cloak. With loving care, the older woman had embroidered tiny pink and blue flowers and green leaves around the hem of the dress and then attached a small pink tassel to the hooded cape.

“The dress and cape are beautiful, Martha. If Alice Ann isn’t overly disappointed with the doll, I know she’ll be delighted with the clothes you made.”

“Mama, are you coming?” Alice Ann called from her bedroom.

The two women exchanged a knowing look and rushed down the hallway in opposite directions. If they didn’t soon get the children dressed, their guests would arrive with no one at the door to properly greet them.

“Elinor!” Jasmine greeted. “I am so pleased you’ve come.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Elinor said, extending a package.

“You didn’t need to bring a present. Having you join us is gift enough,” Jasmine admonished as she took the ribbon-bedecked offering.

“I hope Alice Ann will like it. I saw Martha in Whidden’s two weeks ago, and she mentioned the doll you had purchased. Mrs. Whidden gave me the doll’s measurements. I fashioned a matching bonnet for Alice and her doll, but you must set it aside until after she has opened
your
present, or she’ll wonder why I’ve chosen to make her such a gift.”

“What a wonderful idea, Elinor. She will absolutely love it.”

“I trust her health has continued to improve.”

“Indeed! You would think she’d never suffered a sick day in her life. When I watch her running about, I’m truly amazed by her recovery. Now, do come out to the rose garden with me. I believe most of the guests have arrived, and we’ve gathered on the lawn to visit and allow the children to play some games before we have our refreshments. How have you been?”

“I’ve been just fine. It’s so good to see you.”

“Since you began attending church on Kirk Street, I don’t see you often enough. It’s been at least several weeks since we’ve seen one another, and Martha didn’t mention seeing you at Whidden’s. I was beginning to worry
you’d
taken ill,” Jasmine said as she looped arms with Elinor and walked her to the backyard.

“It’s difficult to get away from the boardinghouse. As you know, mill work is hard and the girls put in long hours. And of course they expect to find hot meals and a clean house upon their return. When I do have free time, it seems it’s filled by attending one meeting or another and helping with various church functions. There’s precious little time left to go calling, but be assured that I’ve missed our visits also.”

“Speaking of helping with church functions, I met your new pastor and his daughter two weeks ago. In fact, Spencer insisted we invite them to the party today. He and Moses have become fast friends with young Reggie.”

Elinor grinned. “I don’t doubt that statement for a minute. I believe Reggie is quite the tomboy, but she seems a very sweet girl.”

“She can straddle and ride a horse better than both of the boys, though I doubt her father realizes she does so,” Jasmine confided.

“I imagine someone will be quick to advise him. The ladies of the church are keeping both Pastor Chamberlain
and
Reggie in their sights.”

“No doubt! After all, the women do outnumber the men in Lowell. I do believe every single woman in town views Justin Chamberlain as an excellent prospect.”

“Not
every
single woman,” Elinor said. “The last thing
I
want is another husband.”

Jasmine tilted her head and arched her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “I stand corrected—
almost
every woman.” Elinor had been widowed twice and was not yet thirty and three years of age. Jasmine eyed her friend cautiously. “Still, it always seems to be those who protest something that end up wading deep in its cause.”

“I’ve seen the time when I was forced to wade deep in horse droppings,” Elinor protested, “but it didn’t mean I desired to be there.”

The two women laughed and waved in return as Alice Ann and several young friends sprinted past them, waving wildly.

“It certainly does appear she has returned to full health. I understand there was a case of scarlatina maligna in Billerica, and the child now has dropsy. A terribly sad consequence,” Elinor stated.

“I, too, heard that distressing news. Dr. Hartzfeld warned us early on to be very careful during Alice Ann’s period of convalescence. It seems to be a surprisingly dangerous time.”

“How so?”

“If the patient chills or takes a cold, the entire system can be affected, leaving the person with a chronic illness, such as dropsy or even permanent deafness,” Jasmine explained.

An involuntary shudder seized her after she uttered the words, and Elinor patted her arm. “I know you’ve been through a horrible ordeal, but the child is living evidence of answered prayers. I believe a good number of Lowell’s residents were on their knees for Alice Ann. And it looks as though you’ve invited most of them today,” Elinor said with a smile as she looked about at the crowd gathered for the party.

Jasmine laughed and shook her head back and forth. “Not quite. However, Alice Ann would have been delighted had we extended an invitation to the
entire
community. Do come and greet Nolan before Taylor and Bella whisk you off to themselves. Bella frequently tells me they don’t see you often enough.”

“If my brother and his wife had their way, I’d quit my position as a keeper at the boardinghouse and move in with them. I know it would help them if I would do so. With that houseful of children, Bella needs all the assistance she can receive. However, I don’t think such a move would be to my liking. I much prefer my life at the boardinghouse. Even with my long hours, I have more freedom than would ever be possible as a live-in nanny.”

“I believe you’re correct—but I do understand that both Bella and Taylor would love to have you with them,” she said as they approached Nolan, who was standing among a group of men, holding their younger daughter on his hip.

“I’ll take Clara,” Jasmine said as she lightly touched her husband’s arm. She took the child in her arms, but Clara wanted no part of it. She struggled until Jasmine relented and put her on the ground, then immediately grabbed her father’s leg.

“Sorsey,” she demanded.

Jasmine laughed. “Seems everyone wants a horse.” She met Nolan’s twinkling eyes and got the feeling she was missing something as he laughed. “Look who’s come to Alice Ann’s party,” she said as she turned to Elinor.

“Elinor! We’d given up on you when you didn’t arrive with Bella and Taylor,” he said.

“I’ve taken to going places on my own rather than relying upon Taylor and Bella as escorts,” she quietly replied as she bent to brush a curl from Clara’s forehead. “I can’t believe how big she’s grown.”

“Nor I—she turned two last month, and it seems she was born only yesterday.”

Nolan grunted softly as a small towheaded child plunged against him and captured the leg not yet possessed by Clara. “And this is Zachary—McKinley and Violet’s little boy, who will be four years old next month. It seems we’re celebrating birthdays all the time,” he said, tousling Zachary’s hair.

“You said we could see the horses,” Zachary demanded.

“Indeed I did, nephew. Why don’t you wait for me by the stable door.”

Zachary eyed him for a moment. “You won’t forget?”

“I promise to be there straightaway.” The boy hurried to the stables as if racing some imaginary friend.

Nolan turned back to Elinor while Clara gave up her hold and toddled toward a crowd of well-wishers. “We are delighted you’ve seen fit to join us for Alice Ann’s joyous gathering. Perhaps you could convince my wife that it’s high time we were favored with some refreshments. How much longer must we wait, my dear? We’re all nearly famished. Isn’t that correct, gentlemen?” he asked, raising his voice loud enough to be heard by the nearby collection of men.

The group nodded in unison, reminding Jasmine of little boys playing follow-the-leader. “I’m certain none of you would tell a fib since you’re in the company of Pastor Chamberlain,” she said, casting the pastor a glance. He was tall and well muscled, built more like her stable hands than a man of the cloth. At least he didn’t look like any man of the cloth she’d ever met.

The preacher scrutinized the group with a stern look upon his face. “Please speak up immediately if you told an untruth by saying you’re hungry. Believe me when I say that the rest of us are hoping there are several of you, because we’d feel it was our duty to eat your portion—and we’d do so with great delight.”

The men broke into laughter at the preacher’s remark, but none admitted he was willing to give up his portion of food.

“Well, it appears we had best serve our picnic, and Alice Ann can open her gifts afterward. We’ll have cake and lemonade after she’s finished with her presents. How does that sound, gentlemen?”

“Tell me where the line will form and you’ll not hear another word out of me,” Matthew Cheever replied. “My biggest fear is that some tragic event will strike one of the mills and they will call me away.”

“That is what you get for being so important to the mills and the Boston Associates,” Jasmine teased.

“Just follow me,” Nolan said, waving the men forward. “I’ll see to it that they never find you, Matthew.”

Jasmine raised her eyebrows as she watched the men march off. “They do act like young boys at times, don’t they?”

“Indeed. I’d say you’d best give the order to laden the tables with food,” Elinor said with a giggle.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll see to matters in the kitchen and put Clara down for her nap,” Jasmine said. “Promise you’ll stay long enough that we can have a good visit before you leave.”

“I promise. Now don’t let me keep you from your responsibilities.”