Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1) (47 page)

A noise from the congregation brought Lilly out of her reflective thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder to find Julia Cheever sobbing into a lace-edged handkerchief. Had she not known better, Lilly would have fretted that the woman was unhappy. Matthew’s father smiled reassuringly at Lilly and put his arm around his wife in a loving manner. Lilly smiled and returned her attention to the man at her side. If he were half as compassionate as his father, then Lilly knew he would be a prize.

The minister issued a series of commands regarding marriage, prayed a long, intense prayer over the union, then pronounced them man and wife. In a matter of moments the ceremony was over and she was Mrs. Matthew Cheever.

Matthew kissed her soundly but didn’t linger. He winked at her as they pulled away. He whispered, “I’ll make up for that later.”

Lilly felt her cheeks flush. In the months that had passed since her acceptance of Matthew’s proposal, she had known some very long, lingering kisses. Matthew wouldn’t be obliged to make up for anything, but Lilly rather hoped he would try.

The congregation hurried from the church and arranged themselves to greet the couple. Lilly watched as Lawrence Gault guided Miss Mintie from the sanctuary. The woman was actually wearing a gown of powder blue with black trim. The color alone took years from Miss Mintie’s face and frame, but her smile accomplished even more. And Lilly couldn’t be sure, but she thought perhaps Miss Mintie had added little wispy bangs to fall upon her forehead. She giggled at the thought of how decadent Miss Mintie must have felt in doing such a thing. Lilly strained to get a better glimpse, but the bonnet Miss Mintie wore was rather wide brimmed.

“Are you ready?” Matthew questioned, pulling Lilly possessively to his side.

“Absolutely.”

They moved down the aisle of the church and out the door.

“Here they are!”

A rain of rice came down upon them as Matthew and Lilly moved toward their awaiting carriage. “I’ll soon have us away from here,” Matthew said, taking up the reins.

Lilly waved behind her. “Don’t forget, they’re all coming to the boardinghouse for the reception. We have to be there for that.”

“Says who?” he questioned as he gave the reins a flick of his wrist. The horses, a matched pair of black geldings that were a gift from his father, stepped into motion.

“Matthew, they’ll be expecting us. We can hardly just drive about Lowell hoping they’ll not notice we’re missing,” Lilly said, laughing.

The day had turned out to be quite beautiful, with just a hint of fall crispness to the air. Lilly knew that soon the leaves on the trees would change and the countryside would be a riot of color. She had come full circle. Only a year ago, as Miss Addie had pointed out, she had been bitter and angry, ready to do harm to those who supported the mills.

The only explanation was that God had changed her heart. She had not come willingly into His submission—not at first. She remembered her anger and cringed inwardly. Such hatred could never have been used to serve a God of love and justice.

Lilly had been so deep in thought that she didn’t realize Matthew had stopped the carriage. She looked up to find him watching her, one brow raised ever so slightly as if to try to read her mind.

“You looked almost sad,” he said softly. “You aren’t regretting your decision already, are you?”

Lilly smiled and shook her head. “No. I could never regret you.”

“You did at one time. I remember feeling quite overwhelmed by the regret and anger you hurled my way.”

“I know and I’m sorry.”

He pulled her into his arms. “I know that, silly. I know, too, that your heart has changed. You’re not the same woman you were a year ago. I like the soft, sweet creature who has come to take her place.”

He lowered his mouth to hers, his lips warm and tender. Lilly felt her breath catch in her throat as he tilted her head to better meet his kiss. His touch did strange things to her, and Lilly marveled at the sensation that spread out from her stomach and seemed to warm her entire body.

“I’m so happy you’re finally mine,” he murmured as he pulled away ever so slightly. He kissed her nose and cheeks, then recaptured her lips.

Lilly melted against him, completely forgetting where they were. The rest of the world no longer existed. It was just the two of them together—alone.

Abruptly, Matthew pulled away and tugged down his top hat. “I think we’d better get to the boardinghouse now, or I might be inclined to forget it altogether.”

“Oh, Matthew. You are such a tease.”

He looked at her with a gaze that revealed there was little teasing in his words. Lilly found herself caught up for a moment, then licked her lips and nodded. “Yes, we’d better go now.”

Matthew turned the horses and directed them toward town. “I hope you know I’m very serious about doing whatever is necessary to find Lewis’s son. I’m only sorry we haven’t already accomplished the deed. There simply isn’t much in the way of evidence to lead us.”

Lilly felt tears come to her eyes. “Thank you so much for caring about the boy. I know it won’t prove easy to locate him, or we’d have already found him.”

“But we will find him. You mark my words. And when we find him, we’ll raise him as our own son.”

“Perhaps one day we’ll have our own son, as well.” She felt her cheeks warm at the thought of bearing Matthew a child.

Matthew looked at her and laughed. “Indeed, Mrs. Cheever. In fact, I’d like at least a dozen.”

Lilly’s mouth dropped open. Matthew roared with laughter and pulled her close.

“I didn’t mean we had to have them all at once. One a year will be just fine.”

Lilly picked up easily on his playful spirit. “Just for that, maybe I’ll only give you daughters.”

Matthew looked at her for a moment, then shrugged casually. “As long as they’re as beautiful and smart as their mother, I suppose I can bear it. Although when they’re of an age to court, I’ll be hard-pressed to let them out of the house. I think we should make a rule that our daughters will not be allowed to take a suitor until they’re . . . umm . . . say, thirty years of age.”

“I’m sure they’ll have something to say about that,” Lilly replied. “Besides, I’m just twenty-one, and look at the plans you have for me.”

Matthew nodded. “Exactly my point.” He grinned wickedly. “I know exactly what I have planned for you, Mrs. Cheever.”

Lilly grew flushed again and buried her head against Matthew’s shoulder. What a wonderful, marvelous wedding day. What a loving and perfect spouse. She couldn’t ask for anything more. She stood in awe of the grace and mercy God had extended to her and relished the blessings that had come in the place of what she truly deserved.

As they rounded the corner and headed toward Jackson Street, Lilly smiled. She had once dreaded the very sight of the mills. Now they didn’t hold such a threat against her. The past was laid to rest, sleeping neatly in a bed of what might have been. The future, however, rose up before them, and like a weaver to the loom, they would yet choose to make the patterns of what would be. But no matter what might come, Lilly knew with great confidence that God would guide those choices—not toward a road of revenge and destruction but rather to a path that would lead them into hope and love. A path that would draw them closer to Him and to each other.

JUDITH MILLER is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

TRACIE PETERSON is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than eighty novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.

Books by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

B
ELLS OF
L
OWELL

Daughter of the Loom

A Fragile Design

These Tangled Threads

L
IGHTS OF
L
OWELL

A Tapestry of Hope

A Love Woven True

The Pattern of Her Heart

T
HE
B
ROADMOOR
L
EGACY

A Daughter’s Inheritance

An Unexpected Love

A Surrendered Heart

B
RIDAL
V
EIL
I
SLAND

To Have and To Hold

To Love and Cherish

To Honor and Trust

www.traciepeterson.com

www.judithmccoymiller.com