Chapter 30
Chapter
Noreen had never realized how slowly time could crawl until she found herself incarcerated.
By Thursday evening, she’d read through three of Jane’s novels, mended every tear or missing button from James’s wardrobe, and had even written a letter of apology to Milton Taggert.
Thank the Lord for good friends, or boredom might have stolen her sanity.
Jane stopped by every morning with breakfast, fresh reading material, and cheerful conversation.
Martha came by after school let out each afternoon and chatted while she graded the day’s assignments.
James checked on her every few hours during the middle of the day and again at night before he turned in.
Trudy Templeton brought Luella by to see her yesterday before they left town.
Luella’s bruises had turned a deep purple, but her smile carried a beauty lit with hope.
She had reached through the bars, clasped Noreen’s hand, and promised to pray for her.
Dear, sweet girl. Noreen had vowed to return the favor, an easy promise to make since she’d already been praying for Luella with great fervency.
She’d been praying for her father, too, ever since James had told her about the conversation he’d had with Claude Templeton.
Praying that the man would finally find the motivation and strength to break free of liquor’s hold.
Strange how forgiveness changed a person.
A few days ago, her heart would have been too crusted with anger to allow her to pray for Claude Templeton.
But after confessing the truth of her past to James and receiving his grace-filled response, the scabs on her soul finally fell away.
The morning after he’d held her with such tender acceptance, she’d awakened refreshed and, in some ways, reborn.
The weight of the guilt she’d carried since childhood had been replaced with a buoyant gratitude.
The Lord had set her free from the chains she’d stubbornly clung to despite his forgiveness and mercy.
And with their constriction released, her heart stretched wide, gaining the space necessary to extend grace to others. Even her enemies.
“Miss O’Sullivan? You have visitors.” James’s call from the stairwell scattered her musings. “May we come up?”
Miss O’Sullivan? Her visitors must be someone other than Jane or Martha for him to use such a formal address. Perhaps the parson had decided to pay a call.
Noreen rose from her chair and smoothed her skirt. “You may.”
Martha emerged first, but her expression wilted Noreen’s smile of welcome. Apologies gleamed in her eyes. Exactly who was climbing the stairs behind her?
“Martha, dear. Give me a hand, would you?”
“Of course, Miss Lockwood.” Martha hurried back to the stairwell to assist the spinster society’s founder.
Noreen’s belly buzzed like a freshly kicked hornets’ nest, and her hand immediately moved to her hair. Ridiculous impulse, that. As if a tidy coiffure could erase the fact that she’d been arrested for vandalism.
A loud huff announced Hortense Lockwood’s official arrival on the second floor. “Gracious! I didn’t expect the climb to be quite so arduous.”
“Shall I fetch you a chair, ma’am?” James emerged behind her and quickly offered his arm as Miss Lockwood lumbered down the walkway that stretched along the length of Noreen’s cell. “Or perhaps a glass of water?”
“Thank you for your kindness, Deputy Paxton, but that won’t be necessary. This visit won’t be lengthy in nature. And remember, you promised that Martha and I would be allowed privacy for our conversation with Miss O’Sullivan. I trust you won’t be eavesdropping from the stairwell.”
“No, ma’am. You have my word.”
James glanced at Noreen, and his smile shone with the warmth and tenderness she’d come to crave over the last few days. However, something wary flickered in his gaze, as if he anticipated trouble. The buzzing in her belly increased.
“Thank you, Deputy.” Miss Lockwood released his arm once she’d reached the section of bars directly in front of where Noreen stood. “You may leave us now.”
James nodded. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
He caught Noreen’s eye and tipped his head as if to indicate that his words were meant more for her than her visitor. An infusion of encouragement seeped into her veins and gave her the courage to face the formidable Miss Lockwood.
James disappeared down the steps, the quiet clomp of his bootheels tracking his movements from stairwell to office as the ladies waited in silence.
“Martha, check the stairwell, just in case.” Miss Lockwood waved her hand in that direction.
Noreen inwardly bristled. James had given his word.
If he said he’d give them privacy, he’d give them privacy.
A defense rose in her throat, but she swallowed it.
The truth would be evident in a moment, and in her current compromised state, it seemed wise not to challenge the woman who held her fate in the society in her hands.
Martha returned with the all clear, and Miss Lockwood’s gaze peered through the bars with a sharpshooter’s precision.
“I’ve always believed it kindest to speak truth plainly, so I’ll get right to the reason for this visit.”
That did not sound promising. Noreen swallowed.
“The society met this evening, Miss O’Sullivan, and voted to revoke your membership due to your violation of the charter.
While Miss Evans and Miss Cowan argued quite ardently on your behalf and explained the unfortunate circumstances that led to the incident at the Salt Fork Saloon, the fact remains that you blatantly, and with intent, broke the law.
Not only that, but you did so by entering a place of vice, a place whose threshold no woman of good character would dare cross. ”
Noreen’s throat seemed to close in on itself. She’d known there’d be a price to pay for her reckless actions, but she’d expected her society sisters to rally around her, to show support for one of their own.
“Is there to be no grace, then?” she choked out.
“One mistake and a member is cast aside? I thought the society was to be a sisterhood. Isn’t that how you described it, Miss Lockwood?
A group of ladies who support and encourage one another?
Yet the first time you come to visit me, it is not to offer sisterly support but to inform me that I am no longer welcome in your fellowship. ”
Miss Lockwood diverted her gaze, her mouth twisting in something that almost looked like chagrin.
Martha stepped closer, her intelligent gaze darting from one friend to the other.
“Perhaps instead of a full revocation, we can move Miss O’Sullivan’s membership into a probationary status,” she suggested.
“For example, she would not be permitted to chair any committees or vote on society business for a period of, say, three months. Then, if there have been no further incidents during that time, her full membership could be reinstated.”
Bless Martha and her problem-solving prowess! But would Miss Lockwood entertain such a solution?
“I . . . had not considered a probationary option.” Miss Lockwood turned to face Noreen once again, her expression softer, though not completely sympathetic as she straightened her shoulders.
“It seems I owe you an apology, Miss O’Sullivan.
In my zealousness to protect the reputation of our society’s members from your scandalous actions, I charged forward to have you dismissed from our ranks, justifying my actions with the knowledge that you broke your pledge and acted in a manner that brought disgrace upon yourself.
However, what I failed to consider was the pledge we made to form a sisterhood that stands together and supports one another in times of need. ”
Miss Lockwood let out a sigh and raised a white-gloved hand to tentatively curl around one of the cell bars.
“You are right. I did not think of you as a sister should. I did not offer comfort or support. I offered only judgment without mercy. For that I am sorry. I opened my home to Trudy and Luella Templeton. I witnessed the damage done to that poor child. And while I cannot condone what you did, I can understand a little of what must have driven you to such a drastic demonstration.”
Some of the tightness within Noreen’s breast unfurled.
“I do regret my actions, ma’am. For many reasons.
I was overwrought and let the pain of my past overrule my good sense.
But the Lord has been working on my heart while I’ve been confined.
Truth be told, there’s not much else to do here in the evenings other than confront the demons that led me to this place.
” With the help of a particularly patient deputy whose love and acceptance continued to amaze her.
“I’ve begun to make peace with my past, Miss Lockwood, and with the Lord’s help, it will no longer hold sway over me.
The society has come to mean a great deal to me, ma’am, and I would gladly serve a probationary term to earn back my good standing.
If you and the others would permit me the chance. ”
Miss Lockwood held her silence for a long moment before stepping back from the bars and brushing her gloved hands together.
“I will speak to the other spinsters. If a majority agree, I will revise the revocation to a period of probation. Though I will recommend six months instead of three, due to the severity of the incident. You did break the law, Miss O’Sullivan. ”
“I understand. Thank you, Miss Lockwood.” Noreen dipped her chin, some of the tightness easing from her chest.
Miss Lockwood shook a finger at her. “It’s not accomplished yet, mind you. The spinsters must agree.”
“Yes, ma’am.” But if Hortense Lockwood advocated on her behalf, few of the spinsters would voice opposition.
The society’s matron tugged on her cuffs and shifted her reticule to a comfortable place at her wrist as if readying herself to depart. “I understand you are to go before the judge tomorrow for sentencing. Is that correct?”
Noreen nodded, a few of the knots returning to her stomach.
As much as she wanted out of the jailhouse, she was not looking forward to facing Milton Taggert in court and admitting her guilt.
Humility had never been a trait that came easily to her, but four nights behind bars had proven an effective teacher.
“I’ll plan to attend. You’ll find me in the gallery. Offering my support. Something I should have done before now.”
Martha reached a hand through the bars and clasped Noreen’s palm tightly against her own. “As will I.”
Noreen’s heart leapt. “But what of your class? I am to appear at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”
Martha shrugged. “I’ve arranged for a guest speaker. Dr. Perry agreed to teach a science lesson. The children are quite excited about seeing all of his equipment.”
Noreen’s eyes misted. Martha never missed a day of class. Ever. Yet here she was, volunteering to miss a period of instruction so that she could help a friend. No gift could have meant more.
“Thank you,” Noreen murmured, her voice rasping. “Thank you, both.”