Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller - [Lights of Lowell 01] (29 page)

She seated herself on the brocade-covered sewing rocker and picked up her needlepoint. ‘‘I’ve been well,’’ she replied in a soft voice.

‘‘Good! We don’t want any problems with the babe. I want you to continue taking excellent care of yourself. I want a healthy son.’’

‘‘What about a healthy daughter?’’

He frowned at the question. ‘‘Is your question an attempt to snuff out the pleasure I derive from anticipating the birth of a
son
?’’

She looked up from her stitching. ‘‘No, but I do want you to accept the possibility of a daughter. It is my hope that you would not be overly disappointed by the birth of a healthy daughter.’’

‘‘There’s no need to dwell on such a thought. I’ll deal with the issue of a daughter only if and when I’m forced to do so. Shall we go in for supper?’’

Jasmine remained quiet throughout supper, obviously angered by his earlier remarks. Irked by her behavior, he excused himself after the meal and retreated to his library. He remained there until the house was dark. Once he was certain Jasmine and the others had retired for the night, he removed the package from his satchel, made his way to the back stairway, and climbed to the third-floor attic room. Without knocking, he shoved his way into the room where Kiara lay on the bed. The sight of him caused her to bolt upright. Ripping away the paper, he tossed the silk robe onto her bed.

‘‘It’s a gift—for you. Put it on. I want to see how you look in it,’’ he commanded.

Kiara lifted the robe between her finger and thumb as though it were infected with impurity. Her voice trembled. ‘‘I . . . do . . . na want your gift. T-take it to yar wife—she’s the one ya should be givin’ such a thing as this.’’

Bradley removed his jacket, taking pleasure in the fear that filled her eyes. He yanked at his shirt, pulling it free.

‘‘Do na go any farther. Ya may own my papers, but that does na give ya rights to any more than me labor.’’

Bradley smirked. ‘‘Then you may consider this a part of your labor, because one thing is certain—I’ll have my way with you.’’

‘‘Ya best not be tryin’, or I’ll scratch yar eyes out.’’

‘‘Only if you want to bid your brother farewell. I’m sure the lad will find life on a cotton plantation much less to his liking than caring for the horses with his sister close at hand.’’

Recognition shone in her eyes. ‘‘So that’s how it’s to be.’’

Bradley continued removing his clothes as she cowered on the bed, pulling the coverlet up around her neck. ‘‘Yes, my sweet Kiara. If you want to keep your brother with you, you’ll do as I say and keep your mouth shut.’’ He grasped her cheeks, squeezing them between his thumb and fingers as he pulled her forward and forced his lips upon hers. She cringed but did not fight. Her surrender pleased him. Explaining scratches or other evidence of a scuffle to his wife could prove problematic.

A short time later, he left her bed. ‘‘I really should thank your brother for his irresponsible behavior. How else could I be assured of a future filled with pleasurable nights?’’ He smiled down at her form. Her body was curled into a quivering mass, with the covers pulled over her head.

C
HAPTER
•
21

A
KNOCK SOUNDED
at the front door, and Jasmine watched Kiara bound out of the parlor at breakneck speed.

‘‘Good afternoon, my dear,’’ Alice greeted as she entered the parlor a moment later. ‘‘I decided if I was ever going to have a nice long chat with you, I’d have to come to your house since you don’t seem to find time to come to mine. The only trouble is that I cannot stay long, so our chat will have to be brief.’’

Jasmine opened her arms to receive her grandmother’s embrace. ‘‘I promise I’ll come see you next Sunday afternoon. Bradley will be in Boston. Perhaps you’d like to come along, Kiara,’’ she said to the girl as she gathered her lace-making supplies. ‘‘You could go and visit Bridgett. You could even send a note to let her know your plans.’’

Kiara brightened. ‘‘That would be very nice. I’ll be leavin’ the two of ya alone for yar visit. I’ve some chores that need attention.’’

‘‘I was going to show Grandmother your lace.’’

‘‘I’ve not enough done to be showin’ to anyone,’’ she said.

‘‘But thank ya for the thought,’’ she added before leaving the room.

Jasmine wagged her head back and forth. ‘‘I don’t know what’s come over her. She’s become so moody of late. For the life of me,

I can’t determine what’s amiss. I’ve asked on numerous occasions, but she merely says there’s nothing wrong.’’

‘‘Strange,’’ Alice remarked. ‘‘Perhaps it’s just your imagination.

Has Bradley mentioned the fact that she’s been irritable?’’

‘‘I doubt that he’d be any kind of judge of another person’s level of irritability. There’s been no making him happy of late either. Seems he’s constantly finding something that makes him temperamental. Between the two of them, I don’t know which is the more changeable. Kiara is sad and withdrawn, while Bradley is angry and explosive.’’

‘‘Seems strange you’d see such dramatic changes in
both
of them. You do understand that women in your condition become temperamental, don’t you? Perhaps it’s you that’s experiencing changes rather than them.’’

‘‘I don’t think Bradley’s shouting vituperations could be considered a change in
my
behavior, Grandmother.’’

Alice’s features knit into a tight frown. ‘‘Something must have occurred to cause such radical changes. You can think of nothing?’’ ‘‘There was an incident a while back when Bradley was in Boston. Paddy had failed to latch one of the stalls and Bradley’s prize horse ran off. By the time Bradley returned, the horse was safely back in the stable, but it did have a cut on its leg. Bradley thrashed Paddy with his horsewhip.’’

‘‘I’m sure Kiara must have been distraught over the whipping.’’

Jasmine bobbed her head in agreement. ‘‘Yes, but I thought she’d gotten over the incident. Paddy’s the one who suffered the flogging, and he seems to have forgotten the entire matter.’’

‘‘It seems improbable Bradley’s change in behavior would be connected to that episode. I had hoped to hear you were happier in your marriage.’’

‘‘I’ve accepted my station in life, Grandmother. I am pleased I will have a child to love. And, if it’s a boy, Bradley will be pleased.’’

‘‘He’ll be every bit as happy should you bear him a daughter.

Men always say they want sons, but they love their daughters as well.’’

‘‘Either way, I think children will make a difference for both of us, and I certainly cannot say I’ve always felt that way. At first I simply did not want Bradley’s children, but then I realized I was being completely selfish. This baby didn’t ask to be the son or daughter of such a ruthless man.’’

‘‘Children are a wonderful gift, Jasmine, but strengthening your relationship with God might prove of greater benefit right now. Drawing closer to God might also help your marriage. Bradley doesn’t seem like such a poor husband. He may well be gruff and unreasonable at times, but all men are.’’ She smiled as if she’d shared a great secret. ‘‘Why not use this time before the child comes to deepen your beliefs so that when difficult times come, you can lean upon the Lord, knowing He’ll see you through?

Spending time with the Lord each morning is the best part of my day—and the most beneficial.’’

‘‘I hope I’ve already seen my difficult times, Grandmother.

Along with marrying a man I do not love, I’m deeply disappointed in my father, I’m constantly worrying over Mother’s mental condition, and I’ve had to give up Mammy. Added to this now it appears as if I’ve lost Kiara’s friendship. I’ve prayed about all of these matters, Grandmother, but to no avail. I’m beginning to think God has designated me as his female Job.’’

Alice gave a hearty chuckle. ‘‘Oh, my dear, I hardly think your difficulties are any match for Job’s, for along with your difficulties, you’re also enjoying some wonderful events in your life. Why don’t you try what I’ve suggested for a month and see if it helps?’’

‘‘I’ll try,’’ Jasmine agreed. ‘‘Have you seen Lilly and Violet recently? I had hoped to see them at the tea last week but was ill that afternoon and unable to attend. Bradley was in a complete rage when he discovered I hadn’t attended. He feels it’s absolutely essential that I be present for every gathering of the wives.’’

‘‘I’m sure he wants to become more widely accepted here in Lowell and feels you can accomplish much on his behalf, especially among the Associates’ wives. Incidentally, Lilly invited me for tea last Wednesday, and we had a nice visit.’’

‘‘Did she mention anything about the mills or the Associates?

Bradley seems to enjoy hearing any tidbits I glean regarding the business. Perhaps it would cheer him this evening if I could give him a report of some recent occurrences.’’

Alice closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the divan for a moment. Suddenly her eyelids snapped open and her eyes sparkled with excitement. ‘‘As a matter of fact, she did mention the mill girls. I think she feels a deep affinity for those working girls, since she once worked in the mills. Apparently many of the girls have been sickly and not keeping a good pace with their work.’’

‘‘Yes. I heard the same thing when I was shopping last week.

Apparently many of the girls were unable to work due to sickness.

The supervisors feared they had contracted some unknown ailment and it was being passed among them. The Associates were concerned production was going to decrease if the girls couldn’t report for work.’’

‘‘That’s exactly what Lilly told me. It appears the girls have had a recent boost in energy and are back on their regular work schedules with production at an all-time high. Lilly related the girls have begun taking Dr. Horatio’s Spice of Life elixir and credit the tonic to their renewed vigor. She said the supervisors even plan to suggest the Associates purchase the tonic and have all of the girls begin taking it on a daily basis.’’

‘‘I purchased some of that very tonic at Paxton’s. I was going to try it, but when we got home from town, Kiara put my purchases away and I’ve not seen the bottles since. I completely forgot about the tonic. I’ll have to look for it. This information should please Bradley.’’

‘‘I do hope it helps. Now I really must be going home, but don’t forget your promise to visit on Sunday. I’ll be expecting you.’’

Jasmine walked alongside her grandmother into the hallway and embraced her. ‘‘Thank you for coming, Grandmother. I look forward to seeing you again on Sunday.’’

Alice patted her cheek. ‘‘And don’t forget your promise to meet with the Lord each morning before you begin your day.’’

Jasmine smiled. ‘‘I remember.’’

She stood in the doorway until her grandmother’s carriage had pulled away before returning to the parlor. With renewed enthusiasm, she picked up her stitching. She was almost anxious for Bradley’s return, pleased she would have news to share with him that might create a renewed sense of unity between them.

As usual, Bradley’s mood was sour when he returned home, and although she greeted him with a kiss, he stalked off toward the kitchen. She didn’t see him again until supper was served.

‘‘I have some news to share with you,’’ she said.

He gave her a cursory glance. ‘‘What news would
you
have?’’

She related the information in her most animated voice, hoping to elicit a positive response from him. Instead, he slammed his fork onto the table and locked her expectant gaze in an icy glare.

‘‘You see how much information is to be gained by mingling with these women? We are constantly excluded by the socially elite here in Lowell, while your grandmother receives invitations to so many functions she’s unable to attend them all. It’s obvious you don’t know how to carry on a proper conversation with women who are accustomed to an industrialized city and can intelligently discuss the manufacturing business. If you were a proper wife, you’d know how to converse about something other than the latest English fashions. I want you to begin entertaining these women, become more like them, and listen and learn from them so that my stature will be enhanced with the Associates. Your lack of sophistication is a detriment to my future and the cause of our ostracism from important social functions.’’

‘‘You forget I capably hosted a tea for you and discussed many issues concerning the mills. If you’ll recall, there were many words of praise for your efforts on behalf of the Corporation during that gathering. I related all that information to you, along with talk of the speedup of the looms. Have you forgotten?’’

Bradley scowled, and it only served to make his appearance even less appealing to Jasmine. ‘‘You believe acting as my hostess on one occasion is what I expect of you? You think gathering information at a single meeting is all that I need from you? If so, you’re even more of a detriment than I imagined.’’

‘‘I thought you would be pleased,’’ she whispered. She folded her hands and lowered her gaze.

‘‘I would be pleased if you would attend these functions yourself rather than relying upon bits and pieces randomly gathered by your grandmother.’’

Jasmine swallowed hard. She didn’t want to cry. ‘‘I’ll invite the ladies for tea next week. I promise.’’

Bradley grunted and pushed away from the table. ‘‘You look as though you’re not taking proper care of yourself. You’re pale and appear sickly. Are you attempting to injure my unborn son in an effort to cause me distress?’’

Jasmine looked up in disbelief. ‘‘How could you think I would do such a thing? I want this child even more than you do.’’

He didn’t answer. Instead, he stomped out of the room without another word. She remained in the parlor all evening until she finally accepted the fact that he was not going to join her.

I don’t understand any of this,
she thought.
Even when I think I’m
doing the proper thing—the pleasing thing—he destroys it before my very
eyes. Destroys me
. Jasmine looked at her needlework and realized she’d hopelessly knotted the thread. She tried diligently to free the tangles, murmuring a prayer as she did.