The Potter's Lady

by Judith Miller

  When she’d finished her lunch, Beatrice strode past the front desk, graced the clerk with a smug smile, and ascended the staircase. Moments later she knocked on the door of room six.

  The door opened and Joshua frowned. “What took you so long?”

  His abrupt tone annoyed her. “Me? What about you?” She reached forward and with her palm on his chest, pushed him aside and strode across the room. She flopped down in the overstuffed chair and pointed her index finger at him. “We would’ve been together over an hour ago if you’d been in your proper room. When we was at the train station, I asked if you reserved your usual room, and ya told me yes. Then, when I go to room four and knock on the door, some old lady comes to the door making a ruckus. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear her down in the dining room.”

  “It’s not—”

  “And then I take meself to the front desk, and do ya think they’d tell me your room number? O’course not. That clerk had his nose so high in the air he woulda drowned if it started to rain.”

  “That’s enough!” Joshua’s shout caught her by surprise, and she pressed her lips together. “Are you going to spend what little time we have together barking at me?”

  “Nay, but so far this day has been as sour as a cup of vinegar.” She nodded toward the other chair. “Sit down. I got lots to tell ya.”

  For the next hour, Beatrice held Joshua captive with tales of what she’d learned from Rose the previous evening. “What’s that gonna do to our Wednesday meetings? There won’t be no excuse for ya to come ’round while she’s gone, and you’re gonna be missing your Wednesday afternoons with me. I may have to find someone else to occupy my time on me day off for the next month.”

  His eyes turned dark. “Don’t even think about seeing someone else. I don’t share.”

  “I could always meet ya in Bartlett. I need to go up there and see Aunt Margaret. I been neglecting my duty to her since I started meeting with you.”

  “What duty?”

  “Nothing much. She just likes to know what’s going on with Ewan and the rest of ’em. I wrote her a couple letters instead of going to see her, but my letter writing ain’t so good, and I know she’s got questions for me.”

  “I thought there was trouble between the Crotherses and the McKays. Wasn’t it Mrs. Crothers who refused to honor a partnership agreement at the brickyard when her husband died?”

  “Aye, that she did. Margaret’s one shrewd woman. She did Ewan out of his half of the business, and she’s been doing well since Hugh died. At least that’s what the rest of the family tells me, but she still bears a deep grudge against Ewan.” She gave a quick wink. “Tessa was born to Margaret’s sister, Kathleen. Illegitimate. Margaret was sure it would spoil her chances of being accepted by all them society folks like you and your family. She wanted Kathleen to suffer for her wrongdoing, but Ewan and Laura adopted Tessa and then helped Kathleen get a job of some sort in another state. Margaret was so furious she locked herself in her room for days. When Hugh died, she got her revenge against Ewan.”

  “So are you loyal to the Crotherses or the McKays?”

  She snickered. “I keep me a hand in both kettles. That way I never go hungry.”

  Joshua folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in the chair, extended his legs, and crossed his ankles. “If you get caught, you’ll do more than go hungry—you’ll starve to death. It’s always better to choose your side in an argument and remain steadfast. Sounds like Margaret Crothers could be a formidable adversary.”

  She shrugged, uncertain what those words meant. “You do things your way, and I’ll do things to suit meself. Margaret enjoys hearing the news I pass her way. And, just like you, she makes it worth my while to furnish her with a bit of gossip.”

  “Makes no difference to me, but I doubt you’ll be working for Ewan McKay if he ever finds out what you’re doing.” He rubbed his forehead. “I s’pose we could meet in Bartlett. My father owns several businesses there. If we’re careful, I think it can work, especially if you keep bringing me such excellent information.”

  She leaned back in the chair and smiled. “Tell me all of that news ain’t worth an extra bit of money in me pocket.”

  He stood, walked to the bed, and reached into his pocket. After peeling several bills from his money clip, he tossed them on the bed and winked. “That’s for the information and your time for the rest of the afternoon.”

  She smiled as she jumped up from her chair and lunged toward the bed.

  The next morning Rose and Mrs. Woodfield waited on the benches inside the train station. They’d been there only a short time when Rose stood and began to pace. The older woman looked up and gestured for Rose to be seated. “Do sit down. You’re making me nervous, and when I get nervous, I get a headache. I don’t want a headache before we even begin our journey.”

  “Where is he? He should already be here.” Rose plopped down on the bench and folded her arms across her waist. She’d told Rylan it was best to be early when traveling by train, as they sometimes arrived before schedule. Though she’d never known the trains to depart the station early, boarding as soon as the conductor permitted would guarantee a better seat.

  Mrs. Woodfield smiled and shook her head. “There’s plenty of time.”

  She’d barely uttered the words when Rylan burst through the front door of the station, carrying a small valise in his hand. His eyes shone with panic as he hurried toward them and came to an abrupt halt only inches in front of the bench. “Am I late?”

  Mrs. Woodfield shook her head and smiled. “If you were late, we wouldn’t be sitting here. Do sit down and catch your breath. The train isn’t due to arrive for another ten minutes.”

  Rose wasn’t quite as sympathetic as Mrs. Woodfield. “What kept you?”

  Rylan pointed his thumb in the direction of the pottery. “I stopped by work. I wanted to prepare the time cards for Ewan since tomorrow is payday.”

  Rose sighed. Ewan was more than capable of locating time cards and calculating pay. However, she refrained from voicing her opinion.

  “That was considerate of you, Rylan. No wonder Ewan values you.” Mrs. Woodfield gave Rose a sidelong glance. “Don’t you agree, Rose?”

  Rose frowned at the older woman. “I agree that Rylan is a good employee, but I don’t think he should have taken time to visit the pottery this morning. I’m sure Ewan could have completed the task.”

  “Aye.” Rylan said. “There’s no doubt your brother is smart and could do most anything in the office without my help, but if I can make it easier for him, then I wish to do so.”

  Moments later, the train chugged and hissed into the station, and the three of them boarded without further comment. Mrs. Woodfield chose seats that faced each other. Rose sat down beside the older woman, and Rylan took the seat opposite Rose.

  Soon after the train departed the station, the swaying motion rocked Mrs. Woodfield to sleep. Rose retrieved a book from her bag and pretended to read so she wouldn’t be forced to stare at Rylan.

  A short time later, he leaned forward and gestured toward the book. “I’m guessing your book isn’t very interesting.”

  She looked up and met his steady scrutiny. “On the contrary, I find it quite fascinating.”

  He chuckled. “You have yet to turn the page. I thought it might be a wee bit dry.”

  Heat spread across her cheeks to signal her embarrassment. “It truly is a fascinating book, but I can’t seem to concentrate enough to read at the moment.”

  “I see. Then maybe we can talk instead.”

  She closed the book and set it on her lap.

  “How was your visit with Joshua? Was he unhappy to learn you won’t be seeing him on Wednesday evenings?”

  Rylan had been amazed she would willingly cancel her weekly visits with Joshua, so his question didn’t overly surprise her. Though she hadn’t planned to discuss the details of her conversation with Joshua, there was no reason to withhold his reaction. “He was understand
ing. He did say he might visit on one or two of the Wednesdays, just in case there’s a little time when he can see me.” When Rylan shook his head and grinned, she continued. “I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. I am dedicated to this project and plan to devote all of my time to winning. We’ve been courting only since my graduation party. When we moved to Grafton, I didn’t have any expectation that he would continue to call on me. At this time, we’re no more than dear friends. I’ve told Joshua there won’t be time to see him, but—”

  “‘Dear friends’?” His voice crackled with disbelief. “I’m thinking a man who is willing to take a day off work each week and travel to Grafton is considering something beyond friendship.” Rylan tipped his head to one side. “I’d say maybe he’s got a weddin’ in mind.”

  She withdrew a lace-edged handkerchief from her pocket and blotted her face. She couldn’t be certain if it was the heat inside the railroad car or Rylan’s bold remarks that had caused perspiration to dampen her forehead and palms. “I can assure you that Joshua and I have no wedding plans. I have repeatedly told him that his business should come first at this time in his life, but if he chooses to come to Grafton each week, I cannot stop him.”

  Rylan shrugged. “That’s true enough, but does it not cause you to wonder a wee bit what he must be thinkin’ and why he’d make such a choice if it’s as you say and only to visit a friend?”

  “Are you intimating that I’m not being truthful with you? Because if you are, then—”

  “Nay. I believe what you’ve said, but it does cause a bit of wonder.”

  Rose frowned. “What causes a bit of wonder?”

  Rylan glanced at Mrs. Woodfield and lowered his voice. “If there might be some other reason he comes to Grafton. Something beyond his visits with you. Have ya ever considered that?”

  For the life of her, Rose couldn’t imagine what Rylan was thinking and why he was so interested in Joshua and his visits to Grafton. “He comes here to call on me, but he also spends time with Ewan discussing the pottery business. I’m certain you’ve seen him in the office from time to time.”

  “Aye.” A shock of hair dipped across Rylan’s forehead as he bobbed his head. “When your family first purchased the business, Joshua came to the office for brief visits, but I’ve not seen him darken the doorway for weeks now. What does he do until he comes calling on you is what I’m wonderin’. I’d think a man would become weary of sittin’ in a hotel room week after week, especially when there’s a later train he could be catchin’.”

  Rose had contemplated the same thing from time to time. So had other members of the family, but she’d never asked Joshua why he insisted upon the early train or why he’d constantly refused to stay at their home rather than the local hotel. He’d told her he didn’t want his weekly visits to become an inconvenience. She’d accepted his decision without further question.

  Before she’d digested his last remark, Rylan tapped the cover of her book to gain her attention. “Did he pay visits to you on Wednesdays when you lived in Bartlett?”

  She closed her eyes. His questions were becoming somewhat annoying. “No. Unless there was a special event, his usual day to call on me was Monday.”

  Rylan hesitated a moment. “And was Monday the day the household staff was off work?”

  Rose sighed. Why did he care about the staff and their workdays when the family was living in Bartlett? “Half of the help took their day off on Sunday and the others on Monday. Laura needed some of the staff to help if she had guests for Sunday dinner. Beatrice worked on Sundays, as well. That way she could lend a hand if Tessa became fussy during church service or if Laura entertained Sunday dinner guests.”

  Rylan continued to stare at her as if he expected something further. Was he waiting for her to answer his earlier question regarding Joshua’s activities on his Wednesday visits?

  A gnawing discomfort swept over her as she attempted to fill the silence that hung between them. “I think Joshua likely brings some of his paper work with him. His hotel room offers the peace and quiet needed to complete such tasks.” She was relieved when Rylan gave a brief nod and leaned back in his seat.

  In truth, she had no idea what Joshua did during the hours preceding their visits, but perhaps she should inquire when he next called upon her. Not having answers to Rylan’s questions caused Rose to realize she’d been negligent, and embarrassment weighed upon her. Proper etiquette was very clear: A woman should always express interest in a man’s opinions and well-being. Rather than inquiring about Joshua’s welfare, she’d been too busy discussing her work at the pottery.

  Once the contest was over and she and Joshua resumed their weekly visits, she wouldn’t be so remiss.

  Chapter 17

  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  As the train rumbled and hissed into various train stations to take on water and passengers, Rylan puzzled over Rose’s naïve acceptance of Joshua’s behavior. Did she truly believe he was hunched over a desk in his room tabulating figures or poring over bids and contracts every Wednesday? Undoubtedly Joshua had performed a wee bit of work from time to time. After all, there had been the bids he’d mailed while in Grafton. However, Rylan didn’t believe it was work that consumed most of Joshua’s time at the hotel.

  Rylan had hoped his questions might spark a degree of curiosity on Rose’s part, perhaps open her eyes to what he suspected was going on at the hotel, but she seemed convinced that Joshua was a decent man.

  He had wrestled with the idea of being forthright and telling her what he’d observed. He’d considered telling Ewan yesterday, but since he couldn’t speak with absolute certainty, he’d remained silent. If he told Rose and she confronted Joshua, he and Beatrice might offer some believable explanation as to why they were meeting. And they would surely deny the claim that he’d seen them kissing behind the hotel.

  Better to remain silent. He’d planted the seed. He would now pray that the seed would take root, for Rose deserved better than Joshua Harkness. They weren’t far from Pittsburgh when Mrs. Woodfield tapped the train window. “Take a look, Rylan. This is what the big city of Pittsburgh looks like.” She waited until he turned to the window. “Not what you expected, I’m sure.”

  “Nay. Even though it’s afternoon, ’tis difficult to see much of anything out there except a gloomy haze. Seems the fog should have lifted by now.” He leaned closer to the window. “Unless there’s a storm moving in.”

  “There’s no storm on the horizon, Rylan. Pittsburgh is a city of industry. Unfortunately, the businesses that support the residents of the area also create this murky pall, which is heavy enough to prevent the sun from breaking through.” She gave a small sigh. “In the foothills, we expect the sun to break through by midmorning, but folks who live here have no such expectation. The sun is seldom able to penetrate the shadowy layers that hover over Pittsburgh.”

  Rylan wondered what it must be like to never see the bright sunshine or the clear blue sky that draped the valley each day. For sure, he wouldn’t like to live in such a gloomy place. As the train pulled into the station, they gathered their few belongings and shuffled through the narrow aisle to step onto the platform.

  Rylan glanced about, expecting to be invigorated by the sights and sounds of the city. Instead, his spirits sagged. Even before they arrived at the hotel, the gloom encompassed and weighed him down. He prayed they would complete their business in short order, for he already longed to return to the fresh air and sunshine in West Virginia.

  As they stepped down from the hansom cab, Rylan studied the blond brick edifice that would be their home for the next few days. His gaze settled on the signage affixed to the pinnacle of the hotel. Through the bleak dreariness, he finally made out the words Franklin Hotel and wondered how many guests had overlooked the obscured marker.

  Rylan followed the two ladies into the hotel. As they approached the front desk, he glanced toward the stairway. “I hope our rooms are on one of the lower floors.”

>   Mrs. Woodfield chuckled. “There is an elevator, and bellboys will assist with our luggage, Rylan, so it matters little what floor we’re on.”

  “’Tis not the baggage that concerns me, Mrs. Woodfield. I’d like to be able to look out the window and see something besides the darkness that hides this city from view. I’m thinkin’ the higher I go, the worse it becomes.” He turned his attention upward.

  The older woman followed his look to the frieze of delicate blue and white flowers interlaced with gold ribbons that decorated the ceiling. “I believe the view of that ceiling makes up for the gloominess outside, don’t you?”

  “Aye, ’tis a work of beauty, for sure.” He narrowed his eyes and smiled as he read the intricate Scripture reference beneath the spray of flowers. Ephesians 2, one of his favorite chapters in the Bible. He turned, hoping to point out the intricate artwork and Scripture reference to Rose, but she had wandered into the large sitting room off the lobby.

  Mrs. Woodfield stepped close to the counter and leaned toward the desk clerk. “If possible, we’d like rooms on the lower floors please.”

  The slender man gave a slight nod that caused his spectacles to slip a notch. After tracing his finger down the ledger book, he looked up and smiled at Mrs. Woodfield. “I believe we can accommodate your request. However, your rooms will be on opposite ends of the hallway on the second floor. Is that acceptable?”

  “That will be fine.” She smiled at Rylan. “We’re in luck. The clerk located two rooms on the second floor.” With a quick nod toward the sitting room, she said, “Why don’t you fetch Rose? Tell her we’re going to our rooms, and ask her to join us.”

  While Mrs. Woodfield busied herself directing the bellboy, Rylan crossed the lobby and entered the sitting room. Rose appeared lost in thought and startled when he drew near. “Mrs. Woodfield wants you to join her. We’re ready to go to our rooms.”