The Pattern of Her Heart (25 page)

Reggie wriggled under the bedcovers, hoping to find a comfortable depression in the lumpy mattress. She’d been in bed for over an hour, yet no matter how she repositioned herself, sleep wouldn’t come. Perhaps because it was the first night back in her own bed after a week at the boardinghouse . . . or perhaps it was because she couldn’t forget her father holding Mrs. Brighton’s hands when she had walked into the parlor earlier this evening.

Oh, she liked Mrs. Brighton—in fact, she was quite fond of the boardinghouse keeper. Yet a troublesome suspicion had begun to grow ever since she walked into the parlor. She tucked the quilt under her chin and wished she could push the thought from her mind. Surely Mrs. Brighton’s friendship was genuine. Reggie didn’t want Mrs. Brighton to be another one of those women who used her in order to win her father’s attention. Before coming to Lowell, she’d had her fill of women befriending her as a means to snag a husband for themselves.

“Please don’t let her be like all the rest,” she murmured into the darkness, hoping to push the unpleasant thought from her mind.

Yet no matter how she tried, the scene in the parlor played in her memory over and over again, like a squeaky violin that could not be silenced.

“Just like the others, I shall put her to the test!” she finally muttered.

The decision made, she rolled over and drifted into a restless sleep.

P
ADDY SHADED
his eyes from the early morning sun and squinted hard as he attempted to make out the riders approaching from the east—two of them. He couldn’t make out the riders from this distance, but he didn’t recognize the horses. Strange to have visitors arrive this early in the morning. He had planned to take several of the Arabians out for their morning exercise. Since Mr. Houston’s departure for The Willows, he’d had scant time for riding, which he truly loved, and was looking forward to a morning spent with some of their finest animals

The riders were proceeding at a slow pace, so he would have time enough to retrieve one of the beauties from its stall and lead it into the corral adjacent to the barn. He stopped to pat the nose of Alice Ann’s pony, Winnie, as he passed by. The pony would be a good animal for the girl—if she ever got a chance to ride her again.

“Sure and I wish they’d come home,” he muttered as he gave the pony one final pat.

The riders were within a short distance of the barn when he finally led Glory’s Pride out of the barn.

“I do hope that’s one of ours,” the rider called out as he approached Paddy.

Paddy gave a hearty laugh, for he recognized the speaker. Leland Bradford was a captain at West Point who had been to the farm on previous occasions. However, Paddy had never seen his companion.

“I do na think so. Glory’s Pride is one of our finest studs. This fine fellow will na be leaving the Houston farm.”

“Can’t blame me for trying. How are you, Paddy?” The captain swung down from his horse and pulled off his glove before reaching to shake Paddy’s hand.

“Fine, but I must admit I was na expecting visitors this mornin’. What brings ya to Massachusetts on this fine day?”

“This is Captain Ira Payne. He’s in our main offices at the Point—helps take care of the finances,” Captain Bradford explained as he made the introduction.

Paddy nodded. “Pleased ta meet ya, Captain. How can I be helpin’ ya?”

Captain Bradford removed his hat and surveyed the surrounding area. Paddy didn’t know what the man was looking for, but he waited patiently. Mr. Houston had taught him to be patient with their customers—especially the military, for Mr. Houston believed these men needed to feel they were in control.

Glory’s Pride nudged Paddy with his broad nose, and Paddy turned to pat the horse. “Just a minute, boy,” he murmured in a soft voice.

“We’re interested in seeing the horses you’re to deliver to the academy in the spring,” Captain Payne finally told him.

“I do na recall ya ever doing such a thing before. Is there some problem?”

“With the
Houston
horses? Of course not!” Bradford declared. “We’ve merely begun a new procedure that includes reviewing the stock approximately six months prior to delivery.”

Paddy thought the idea a waste of their time, yet who was he to argue with these military men. If they wanted to see the stock, he would give them what they wanted. “Simon! Harry! Michael!” he shouted.

The three men came running from different directions, all lurching to a halt in front of Paddy. “I need the horses scheduled for spring delivery to West Point brought into the far corral.”

“All of them?” Simon asked.

“Aye, all of them.”

“Gonna take a little while. Some of them’s out in the far pastures.”

“We have all day,” Captain Payne said.

Paddy signaled for the men to round up the horses before turning his attention back to the visitors. “Could I interest ya in a cup of coffee or some tea? Me sister and her husband live here on the property, and I’m sure she’d be happy to have a bit o’ company.”

“That’s a kind offer, but we were planning to talk with Mr. Houston. Is he about?” Bradford inquired.

“I do wish ya would have sent a telegraph or written before ya made yar visit. I could have let ya know Mr. Houston is in Mississippi, sir. I do na have an exact date for his return. However, he has left me with the authority to oversee the operation of the farm.”

The two men exchanged a glance. “What business could Mr. Houston possibly have in Mississippi? Off searching for some new breed of horse?” Bradford inquired with a chuckle.

“Family matters,” Paddy replied simply.

Captain Bradford directed his puzzled gaze at Paddy. “Family? Houston isn’t from the South. He told me his parents hailed from England but he was born and reared in this part of the country.”

“ ’Tis
Mrs
. Houston that has roots in the South,” Paddy explained, uncertain how much information he should be parceling out to these men.

Bradford led his horse to the corral and glanced over his shoulder at Paddy. “Do you mind if we turn the horses loose in your corral while we talk?”

“Sure and that would be fine. Let me unsaddle them for ya.”

“Since Mr. Houston isn’t here and it’s going to be a while before your men return with all of the horses, perhaps we should have that cup of coffee you offered earlier,” Captain Bradford remarked.

“Aye. If ya’ll follow me, it’s only a wee stroll from here. There’s a bit of a nip to the air, but I imagine you gentlemen are accustomed to being out in all types of weather.”

Paddy quickly unsaddled the mounts and turned them into the corral before joining their owners. He was careful to observe the men’s actions as they walked toward Rogan and Kiara’s house. Although he could have entertained them in the main house, where Maisie would have been more than willing to serve the officers their coffee, he would feel more comfortable in Kiara’s home. And something told him he needed to level the playing field. He feared there was more to this visit than merely assessing horseflesh.

“How has your business been faring these past months?” Captain Payne inquired as the men settled themselves in the parlor.

Paddy didn’t know if the captain was simply making polite conversation while they awaited their coffee or if he was on a fishing expedition and hoped to elicit vital information of some sort.

“As well as can be expected, I suppose—can always be better, don’t ya know,” he said with a grin.

Payne hunched forward in his chair. “These are difficult times. The North is suffering particularly hard, and I imagine it won’t be long before the South succumbs to the economic downturn also. We’ve all been forced to take monumental steps in order to preserve our financial security. Even institutions such as West Point have been dramatically impacted by this latest panic. No doubt you’re suffering the same consequences—certainly nothing to be ashamed of. After all, the purchase of horses is something a man can delay until there’s a turnaround in the economy.”

They were playing a game of cat and mouse—waiting for him to say the wrong thing, yet Paddy didn’t know what the wrong thing might be. Mr. Houston always said to play your cards close to your chest and above all, don’t speak unless you speak the truth.

“ ’Tis true most are sufferin’. The bank closures are difficult for all and that’s a fact. Ah, here’s our coffee,” he said as Kiara came into the room. He was thankful he could turn their attention to something other than his reply.

Captain Bradford settled back on the divan with his cup of coffee and riveted his steely eyes upon Paddy. “Have you had any purchasers renege on their contracts?” he inquired boldly.

“I would na discuss your contract with others, sir, and I can do nothing less for our other patrons. I’m sure ya understand—’ twould be improper to do such a thing. But if it’s additional horses ya’re needin’, I do na think I can be of assistance.”

“I think I can take that statement to mean that your business has suffered very little. Apparently, like us, your clients pay six months in advance of delivery or have managed to find another method to meet their obligation.”

Paddy took a gulp of his coffee and placed the cup on the table. “Ta tell ya the truth, gentlemen, I’m not a man who enjoys playin’ games with words. I prefer spending me time with those horses you’ve contracted to purchase. And there’s nothin’ I’d like better than to go out riding one of them. So understand me when I say that I do na mean to insult ya, but I’d like ta know just what it is ya’re wanting. I don’t believe you came all this way just to take a wee look at the horses.”

Captain Bradford chuckled. “You’re right, Paddy. We know we can always count on excellent horses from this farm. You and Mr. Houston have never disappointed us—in fact, you always exceed our expectations. Unfortunately, we’ve come today because we need to renegotiate our contract with Mr. Houston.”

“Renegotiate?” Paddy’s heartbeat quickened. “The West Point contract is valid for another two years. What is it ya’re hoping to renegotiate?”

“Much like every other institution in this country, West Point is suffering from the poor economy,” Captain Payne explained. “I’m pleased to hear that at least your business hasn’t felt the impact. Hopefully, that will work to our advantage.”

Paddy inwardly cringed. He’d been cautious in his conversation, yet it seemed he’d given them enough facts to use against him. These men were shrewd. Moreover, they had a history of negotiating contracts, while he had none. He could send for Albert Cameron at the bank or even McKinley Wainwright, yet he doubted they would strengthen his position. In fact, such a tactic could weaken his ability to negotiate—especially if they didn’t agree with his opinion on how to handle the situation.

“You gentlemen have taken my words and attempted to twist them to yar advantage. Just because we have no additional horses ta offer does not mean we’ve not been hurt by the financial crisis or that we are in a position to rewrite our contract with the academy. I understand that with the banks closed, ya’ve likely na been able to transfer the money for the horses, and we have no problem with that.”

“This is more than a matter of transferring funds,” Payne said. “And while I understand you must protect the interests of this business, given the difficulties we’re suffering at West Point, it is imperative that we receive the horses at a lesser price. Now I realize lowering the selling price of your animals isn’t something you’re anxious to do. However, we simply have no choice.”

Paddy stared at him. “No choice? Of
course
ya’ve got a choice, Captain. Ya can honor your contract and if ya can na do that, ya can do the respectable thing and tell me ya can na purchase the entire herd ya’ve contracted for. We’re not anxious for that to happen, but we’re better off to sell our horses elsewhere.”

Bradford stood up and began pacing in front of the divan. “The fact of the matter is we
need
all of the horses.”

“But ya can na afford them. So tell me how many ya can pay for and that’s what we’ll deliver to ya come spring.”

“West Point has done an excellent business with you in the past,” Bradford pointed out. “I would think you’d be willing to accommodate us this one time.”

“Then let me ask ya this, Captain Bradford. If I delivered all but ten of the horses you contracted for, would ya hand me money for a full herd? Would ya be thinkin’ it didn’t matter because I’d always met the terms of my contracts in the past? I do na think that’s what would happen, yet it’s exactly what ya’re asking of me.”

Bradford ceased his pacing and turned to face Paddy. “You are correct. I would not pay you for goods I did not receive. You, however, hold the power to help us equip men who will one day serve this country.”

“I know ya’re thinking I have no sympathy for yar situation. Nothing could be further from the truth. I wish there was some way I could help, but I can na sell the horses for less,” Paddy replied quietly. “The truth is that the academy already receives the horses for less than anyone else we contract with—and I should na be tellin’ ya that, but ’tis a fact. The profit we make on your horses is marginal at best, and we can na afford to be giving the animals away.”