The Potter's Lady

by Judith Miller

  Before taking a brief tour of the packing house, Mr. Bancock mentioned the pottery’s advantageous location near the river as well as the railroad. He was quick to point out that products created in his pottery bore an excellent reputation, and he’d be willing to have the pottery works continue to bear his name. There was eagerness in Mr. Bancock’s tone as they returned to the office, and Mr. McKay and his sister sat down to begin their examination of the books.

  When they had finished their review of the contracts and ledgers, Mr. McKay shook Mr. Bancock’s hand. “I won’t be making a decision today, Mr. Bancock. I’m returning to my home in Bartlett, where I’ll discuss our opportunities with my wife and her mother, who is investing in our new endeavor. But should we decide upon purchasing your pottery, we’ll have an offer to you within ten days.” Mr. McKay hesitated a moment. “Is there anything else you think I should know before we make our decision?”

  Mr. Bancock’s eyes shone with both sorrow and weariness. “Only what I told you about Rylan. Keep him as your second in charge, and you’ll do fine. He’s talented and knows the business. I’d be beholden if you’d do that for me.”

  Embarrassment seized Rylan. He appreciated Mr. Bancock’s endorsement, but being present during the plea for his job was uncomfortable. Besides, he didn’t want his employment to be a part of Mr. McKay’s decision.

  He forced himself to look at Mr. McKay. “Please don’t make your decision based on keeping me, Mr. McKay. If you have another plan in mind, I can find work elsewhere.”

  Ewan nodded and extended his hand. “Thank you, Rylan. I do not know what the future holds, but I count it a pleasure to have met you.”

  After bidding the McKays farewell, Rylan picked up the time sheets and handed them to Mr. Bancock. “Do you think their answer will be favorable?”

  “Who can say? One thing is certain: It’s going to be a very long ten days.”

  Chapter 5

  Bartlett, West Virginia

  Though it was difficult, Rose withheld her thoughts regarding the purchase of the pottery works on the train ride home. Ewan had said enough to let her know he was leaning toward the brickyard. And she truly could understand his desire to remain in a business he knew and understood. Still, she couldn’t help but think he would change his mind once he considered all of the ramifications.

  As the train chugged into the Bartlett station, Ewan mentioned the celebratory party that lay ahead. Rose did her best to appear excited, but being the center of attention didn’t appeal, especially after her unfortunate experiences at the galas hosted at the design school. She wished her sister-in-law would have consulted her before planning the party and sending invitations.

  Even if Laura had protested, Mrs. Woodfield would have insisted upon a celebration, and she wouldn’t want to offend Laura’s mother. The woman had been like a grandmother to the twins and her, even before Ewan and Laura married. She’d even insisted they address her as Grandmother Woodfield.

  The entire family had moved into Woodfield Manor when Laura’s mother suffered a terrible bout of pleurisy last winter. Laura wanted to help with her mother’s care, and Mrs. Woodfield longed to have the family with her.

  Rose leaned forward and looked out the window. Flanked by Mrs. Woodfield and Laura, Rose’s twin sisters, Ainslee and Adaira, stood on the platform just outside the depot door. “I was hoping they would have Tessa with them.”

  Ewan peered out the window. “I’m sure you’ll have more than enough time to get reacquainted with her once we arrive home. According to her nanny, our sweet little daughter has become quite a little handful.”

  “I would think that Beatrice could handle most any child. After caring for her seven sisters and brothers, it’s hard to believe one baby would cause her any problem.”

  “I believe she’s discovered there’s quite a difference between being a nanny and looking after your sisters and brothers.”

  Ewan and Laura had hired Beatrice Murphy, a distant relative, to act as nanny to the infant daughter they had adopted shortly after they wed. The child had been born out of wedlock to Kathleen Roark, Margaret Crothers’s sister. Unfortunately, the adoption had deepened an already simmering rift among family members, a disagreement that began when Uncle Hugh would not honor his word and make Ewan a partner in the brickyard.

  Hugh had been far more forgiving toward Kathleen’s mistake, but Margaret still blamed her sister for ruining the Crotherses’ reputation in Bartlett. This was a belief Rose thought quite silly, since Kathleen’s lying-in and Tessa’s birth had received less attention from the wagging tongues than had Margaret’s unforgiving behavior toward her own sister.

  A sure-footed conductor stepped down the aisle and announced the train had arrived at Bartlett station and would depart for Fairmont in fifteen minutes. Rose pinned her hat in place while Ewan gathered a newspaper and his hat.

  The moment Rose stepped down from the train, the twins rushed forward and nearly knocked her to the platform. She chuckled and wrapped her arms around them. “What happened to those etiquette classes the two of you were taking from Miss Pfingstel? I doubt she’d approve of such a rowdy greeting.”

  Ainslee giggled. “Miss Pfingstel isn’t anywhere near the train station, so we don’t need to worry about being scolded.”

  Rose leaned back and looked down at her sisters. “Is that how it works? You behave and use proper manners only when your instructor is present?” She shook her head, but her attempt to give the girls a reproving frown fell short, and she giggled along with them.

  After receiving a welcoming hug from both Laura and Mrs. Woodfield, they walked to the carriage while Ewan made arrangements to have the trunks delivered by wagon.

  The moment they’d settled in the carriage, Adaira turned to Rose. “Wait until you hear all the plans Laura has made for your party. We can hardly wait for tomorrow night to arrive.” She inhaled a gulp of air. “Laura said both of us are allowed to remain downstairs for the dancing if we’d like.” She glanced at her twin. “Ainslee said she doesn’t want to, but I’m going to stay up and enjoy the midnight supper.”

  Rose forced a feeble smile and glanced at her sister-in-law. “You really shouldn’t have gone to such trouble and expense. You know I’m not particularly fond of parties, especially when I’m guest of honor.”

  Mrs. Woodfield patted Rose’s hand. “Now that you’ve completed your schooling, it’s time to locate the young man with whom you want to share the rest of your life. Laura and I have made certain that invitations went out to a number of eligible young men who have moved to the area since you went away to school.” There was a lilt to her voice that set off Rose’s internal alarm. Though she knew Mrs. Woodfield wasn’t planning any sort of prank, the remark created the same wary feelings Rose had experienced when the girls at school had plotted against her.

  While the twins covered their mouths and tittered, Rose groaned inwardly. She didn’t want Mrs. Woodfield, or anyone else, seeking out beaus for her. Truth be told, a husband, or even a beau, was the last thing she wanted. She’d observed the reaction of the girls at school when a beau decided to move on to another girl. Most were unable to attend to their schoolwork for weeks on end. She didn’t want her future determined by finding the proper man. Instead, she wanted to help Ewan make a success of the Bancock Pottery Works.

  Of course, that would happen only if Ewan set aside his idea to purchase the brickworks. If she could win Laura and Mrs. Woodfield to her side, Ewan would surely change his mind. But first she would need to have the women give up their plans to find her a husband. That might prove more difficult than convincing Ewan to purchase the pottery.

  “With a move from Bartlett, I don’t think this is a proper time for me to seek a husband.” Rose allowed her gaze to travel between the two older women. “There may be some perfect fellow living in Grafton.”

  Ewan chuckled. “I believe our Rose took a liking to the young man who is Mr. Bancock’s assistant at the pottery works.” He sc
runched his right eye together in an exaggerated wink.

  “Oh, tell us about him,” Adaira cooed. “Is he quite handsome?”

  “What’s his name, Rose? Did he call on you while you were in Grafton?” Ainslee scooted to the edge of the leather carriage seat.

  Rose wrinkled her nose and glared at her brother. “I am not interested in Rylan Campbell except as an employee of the pottery works, should you decide it would be a good investment for the family.” She met Ainslee’s inquisitive stare. “No, Mr. Campbell did not call on me while we were in Grafton. And if he’d asked Ewan’s permission to do so, I would have given my regrets.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I do hope we’ve now come to an end of all questions regarding Rylan Campbell.”

  Her comment terminated any further questions about Rylan, as they’d arrived at Woodfield Manor. The twins clambered up the front steps of the house while the adults followed behind at a slower pace.

  Once inside the front door, Rose turned to Ewan. “Have you decided when we’ll tell Laura and Grandmother Woodfield about the pottery?”

  Ewan gestured to the two women. “Ladies, when would you like to hear our report about the pottery and the brickyard?”

  Rose didn’t miss the special emphasis he placed on the brickyard, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she waited for Laura or her mother to reply. She hoped they wouldn’t want to wait until after tomorrow’s party.

  When they hesitated, Rose inched closer to Laura. “Ewan promised to send word within ten days, so we shouldn’t wait long. Perhaps we could sit down after supper this evening?”

  Mrs. Woodfield smiled at her. “My, you are eager, Rose. I’m beginning to think Ewan may be correct in his assumptions about that young man at the pottery.” Before Rose could offer further objection, Mrs. Woodfield continued. “I think there should be plenty of time after supper, don’t you, Laura? We’ve done all we can toward preparations for Rose’s party until tomorrow.”

  Laura nodded and looked at her husband. “After supper is fine with me if Ewan doesn’t have any objection.”

  “I know better than to object when I’m outnumbered three to one.” He turned toward Rose, his lips curved in a half smile. “I’ll save my objections for when we actually begin our discussion.”

  Rose sighed. Had Ewan already made up his mind to purchase the brickyard? She didn’t want to believe her brother would come to a decision before listening to his wife and Mrs. Woodfield. Then again, maybe he believed it would be a simple matter to convince them the brickyard was a better choice. If so, she needed to be prepared. But a visit to the nursery would come first.

  Since their trunks hadn’t yet arrived from the depot, Rose set aside all thoughts of unpacking and hurried upstairs to the nursery. The sound of Tessa’s chatter tugged at her heart as she stood in the doorway and watched her creating a small arrangement with her wooden blocks. Pleased by her accomplishment, Tessa clapped her hands before glancing over her shoulder toward her nanny for affirmation. Rather than acknowledging the child’s accomplishment, Beatrice continued with her mending.

  “You’ve made a lovely structure with your blocks, Tessa.” Rose strode into the room and dropped to her knees beside the child. “You’re becoming such a big girl.”

  Upon hearing “big girl,” Tessa gave a firm nod. “I am big.”

  While she continued to interact with Tessa, Rose looked at Beatrice. “Our little Tessa is growing like a weed, isn’t she?”

  “I s’pose she is. Nothing surprising ’bout that. They all grow up and cause even more trouble.” She shook her head and jabbed her needle into the torn chemise. “I wish my own mam and da would have stopped at one instead of creating that brood of theirs that runs wild. Glad I am to be away from that noise and ruckus day after day. I’ve had me fill of crying babes, fightin’ boys who think they’re men, and lazy girls who don’t lift a hand to help with the housework.”

  Beatrice’s seeming lack of interest in Tessa and her comments regarding children surprised Rose. If she had no interest in caring for a child, why had she begged Ewan for the position? Was it simply to get away from home? Then again, perhaps Beatrice was merely having a bad day. On Rose’s previous visits home, Beatrice had doted on Tessa. No doubt being alone with a small child proved to be taxing day after day. Now that Rose was home, perhaps she could step in to help with Tessa and allow Beatrice some free time, but she’d first gain Laura’s approval. She didn’t want to overstep the minute she arrived home.

  “Lots of goings-on downstairs for the past few weeks. Quite a party the missus is planning for you.” Beatrice held up the chemise and sighed when she located another ripped seam. “I’ve stitched this chemise enough times to make a new one.” She looked up at Rose. “Hard to believe we both come over to this country from the same poor conditions.” Her gaze traveled the length of Rose’s figure. “Just look at you—all dressed in finery and educated, whilst here I sit mending the same chemise I’ve been wearing for the last five years and wiping slobber from a babe’s mouth.”

  Beatrice’s summation didn’t come as a complete surprise. Most of the relatives Uncle Hugh had brought over from Ireland hadn’t fared well. Mostly because Uncle Hugh had paid them meager wages and insisted they work for him until they’d reimbursed him for their passage to America. Ewan’s attempts to raise their wages had been futile. By putting off signing a partnership agreement with Ewan, Uncle Hugh continued to maintain full control of the money. And, upon his failing health, Aunt Margaret stepped into his position. A few of the relatives had managed to reimburse Uncle Hugh. They moved out of his housing and went to work at the coal mines. The rest continued to live in the company-provided housing and work at the brickyard.

  Beatrice knotted and cut her thread. “If your brother hadn’t married into wealth, I’m thinking you’d be wiping snotty noses and washing dirty diapers, just like me.”

  In spite of Beatrice’s sharp words, Rose was touched with compassion for the young woman. Beatrice’s assessment was correct: If Ewan hadn’t married Laura Woodfield, he would be drawing paltry wages working at the brickyard, and Aunt Margaret would be controlling their lives. The fact that Laura and Ewan had fallen in love and Laura’s mother had approved of the marriage had changed all of their lives for the better, especially since Uncle Hugh’s illness and death.

  “How would you like to attend the party tomorrow evening, Beatrice?” One evening of diversion wouldn’t change the young woman’s station in life, but it would permit her some time to mingle with adults and perhaps enjoy a few dances.

  “And what would you think I’d be wearing to your fine party, Miss Rose? My mended skirt and shirtwaist?”

  The sarcastic emphasis Beatrice had placed on Miss when she addressed her didn’t escape Rose’s attention, but she forced a smile and pressed on. Though she hoped it wasn’t true, Rose knew she might have had some of those same jealous feelings if she were in Beatrice’s position.

  “When Tessa takes her nap, come down to my room. We’re almost the same size. I’m sure there are several gowns in my wardrobe that would fit you perfectly. You could choose the one you like best, but there’s one of yellow silk that would be lovely with your red hair and blue eyes.” Rose held her breath, uncertain how her offer would be received.

  The tight lines around Beatrice’s lips relaxed, and her eyes softened. “You think the missus would agree? And if she did approve and if your dress fit me, who would look after Tessa while I was at the party?” She shook her head. “Nay. I’m not destined to ever enjoy fancy parties and such.”

  “Of course you are. I’m certain one of the twins would be willing to come to the nursery and sit with Tessa. Ainslee has already said she’s not interested in attending the dance. So long as there’s someone here in case Tessa wakes up, I’m certain Laura won’t object.” Rose’s excitement mounted as her idea took shape. Though it was a celebration in her honor, Rose had never been keen on parties. Seeing Beatrice attend would give her pleasure and make the e
vening more bearable.

  Beatrice gave her a slight nod. “So long as you make sure the missus doesn’t think I put you up to this. I can’t be losing my position here.”

  The wariness in her tone wasn’t new to Rose. Most of her fellow countrymen possessed a suspicious nature, especially when someone offered something unexpected. Like most immigrants, they’d been let down and betrayed often enough that they were slow to trust. Sadly, many were guilty of the same bad conduct themselves—sometimes directed toward outsiders, but sometimes aimed at their own relatives and neighbors. Rose had seen the behavior enough to understand Beatrice’s fear.

  “You can be present when I speak to Laura, if you like.” As soon as she’d made the offer, Rose wanted to pull back the words.

  While she wanted to ease Beatrice’s doubts, she now realized that having Beatrice present would place Laura in a difficult position. She silently chastised herself for extending an invitation to Beatrice without first speaking to Laura. Rose’s intentions had been good, but she’d been too impulsive. She could only hope Laura wouldn’t object.

  “Nay. You go and ask her and bring me word. I don’t want to be looking her in the eye if she says she doesn’t want the likes of me at her fine party.”

  Rose stooped down and gave Tessa a quick kiss on the cheek before she hurried from the room. Guilt knotted in her stomach as she hastened downstairs to the second floor. She should have taken time to defend Laura, should have told Beatrice that Laura would never look down upon her. Instead, she’d hurried down the stairs fearful Beatrice might change her mind and ask to come along while she spoke to Laura.