Page 65 of Taming Lady Temperance

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?”