Quilt or Innocence by Elizabeth Craig Read Free Book Online Page A

were ordinarily meant for a utilitarian purpose. It’s old. But it’s not
just
old. It’s antique. If I had to guess, I’d say this quilt dates back to the Civil War period. And it’s in amazing shape—there’s no fraying on the binding at all. It must have been carefully stored.”
    Felicity and Amber could only stare at her.
    “Um . . . did I mention that Mama was an art curator?” asked Piper in the silence.
    Felicity frowned. “I thought it was just
plain
old.
Regular
old. So you’re saying, Beatrice, that it’s
valuable
old?” She gave the quilt an appraising look. “If it’s valuable, Judith, I’m going to have to rethink this. You know how I’m trying to build up my savings for the retirement home.”
    Judith moved with lightning speed to snatch up the quilt, but Beatrice smoothly blocked her, carefully rolling the quilt and putting it back in the bag. She handed the bag to Felicity, who held it tightly against her. “The only thing to do,” said Beatrice briskly, “is to have Felicity reconsider the arrangement now that she knows the quilt’s value.”
    Judith’s face was white with fury. “I’m sure you’re wrong about the quilt’s value. This is a reproduction of an antique quilt that’s cluttering up Felicity’s house. She’s trying to downsize and I’m doing her a tremendous favor by taking it off her hands . . . She told me so herself.”
    Beatrice said, “If it’s not valuable, then you won’t mind if she thinks it over for a few days. Don’t kid yourself that you were trying to help Felicity unclutter her house. A real friend wouldn’t have been so quick to grab the quilt. I think you know exactly how valuable that quilt is—and were hoping Felicity and Amber wouldn’t realize it. No, you were
counting on
the fact that they wouldn’t.”
    Amber glared at Judith through narrowed eyes. “So you were going to cheat Mother out of her quilt. I was wondering why you’d suddenly do something nice. It was completely out of character for you to actually act human. What were you planning on doing with the quilt? Selling it to the highest bidder on eBay? Or did you already have an interested buyer?”
    Judith smirked. “What do you
mean
, what
was
I planning to do with the quilt? I’ve
still
got plans for the quilt. After all, it’s mine. It’s gorgeous and historic and was given to me, fair and square, by the owner herself.”
    “But it’s not in your possession,” said Amber with a short laugh. “And I hear that possession is nine-tenths of the law.”
    Judith said, “I’m sure the quilt will end up with me, though. Your mother isn’t someone to go back on her word, is she?”
    “No,” said Felicity in a firm voice, standing stiffly. “No, I’m not. But I won’t be taken advantage of, Judith. I’ll sleep on it and then we’ll work out what to do with the quilt tomorrow. I didn’t know its value and I can use the extra money.”
    Judith looked scornfully at Felicity. “I should have known you’d go back on your word. And stop acting like a hard-luck case by moaning about needing money. The reason you don’t have any money right now is because you don’t have any money sense at
all
. I know you lost all your money to some con artist with a pyramid scheme.”
    Posy said quietly, “There’s no point in getting ugly about it, Judith. It’s a gorgeous quilt, but I’m sure you don’t want it under these circumstances.”
    Judith snorted. “Posy, you’re stirring up trouble because you’re upset at losing your shop.”
    Beatrice heard a startled cry of consternation from the quilters. Posy’s face turned white. “Judith, you said we’d talk about it.”
    Judith raised her hand peremptorily. “I’m all done talking. I’m a businesswoman, Posy, and I’ve got to think about my business instead of giving friends charity. I’ve got a tenant who is interested in moving into the space and is willing to pay me more rent for it. It’s time for you to