Daughter of the Loom (Bells of Lowell Book #1) by Peterson Tracie & Miller Judith

Author:Peterson, Tracie & Miller, Judith [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781441203199
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2003-01-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

An insistent rapping on the front door brought Addie to her feet. She had hoped for a half hour of peace and quiet before beginning the evening meal. For a moment she considered ignoring the interruption. Instead, curiosity won out, and she hobbled to the front door, the aching bunion on her right foot slowing her gait.

“For heaven’s sake, Adelaide, what took you so long? I could catch my death of cold standing out here waiting for you,” Mintie scolded as a cold November breeze whipped its way inside the door Addie opened. Without invitation, Mintie pushed onward toward the parlor. “No tea?” she called out before Addie had managed to limp back to the room.

“No, sister, I didn’t take time to make tea. I was hoping to spend a half hour studying the Bible. Unfortunately, I had managed to read only a few verses before your unexpected arrival.”

Mintie ran a gloved finger over the decorative teacart sitting near her chair and then pursed her lips in disapproval. “It appears you need to be dusting your furniture rather than relaxing,” Mintie replied, waving her finger in the air as though she were checking for wind currents.

Addie lowered herself into a chair and gingerly elevated her foot on a small upholstered stool. “I’m thinking that the Lord would prefer I read His word than worry about a smattering of dust. But if it bothers you immeasurably, you have my permission to dust everything in sight,” Addie said with a sweet smile.

Mintie appeared dumbstruck by the remark but recovered quickly. “I didn’t come to do your housework. I came to talk,” Mintie retorted.

“Then talk, Mintie. You’re the one distressed by my housekeeping. I was only making an offer.”

Mintie’s face screwed into a look of consternation. “You’ve changed since we moved to Lowell, Adelaide. And not for the better, I fear. However, that’s not what I’ve come to discuss.” She leaned forward, folding her body in half. “It’s that John Farnsworth. I know you’ve taken a fancy to him,” Mintie said before raising her open palm toward Addie. “Don’t try to deny it. You wear your heart on your sleeve. You always have. However, you must nip these feelings in the bud. There’s no doubt he’s a traitor—a spy. I tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen. If you have a broken heart, you have no one to blame but yourself,” Mintie triumphantly announced.

Addie tucked a wisp of hair under her white mobcap and stared at her sister in disbelief. “I’m beginning to worry about your mental condition, Mintie. You must get over this fixation with traitors and spies—it’s not healthy.”

Mintie gasped and turned pale. “Adelaide Beecher! It’s difficult to believe we were reared in the same family. Now you listen to me. That Farnsworth is up to no good. He leaves at all times of the night, probably off to meet with other spies or visit those adulterous Irish women—or both. And that’s not all.” She paused as if to ascertain whether she’d be overheard.

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