The Potter's Lady

by Judith Miller

  “Then we’ll put it on the back of the plate. If we win, maybe Mr. Franklin will prefer it on the front even if it makes the design a bit lopsided.”

  “Rylan, I get nervous simply thinking about the contest. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to wait for the event.”

  He grinned. “Then I’ll have to do my best to distract you.”

  Beatrice made a hasty retreat to the nursery, smiling as she ran up the flight of stairs. Earlier, her worries had escalated tenfold when she discovered Rose searching for the drawing, but she’d seemingly allayed any mistrust on Rose’s part. If all went as planned, the deception would even be rewarded with a few extra coins in her pay next week. While most folks might think her not overly smart, she’d recently been able to fool several people who considered themselves quite shrewd.

  There wouldn’t be an opportunity to visit Bartlett anytime soon, but she’d pen a letter to Margaret. The older woman would be disappointed to hear that Laura had lost her baby. Not that Margaret cared about the McKays or their feelings. Rather, she would be saddened because Laura’s latest medical problems didn’t fit into Margaret’s scheme. Margaret had hoped the child could be used to drive a wedge between her sister and the McKays. They would doubtless love their own child more than Tessa. Even her foolish sister Kathleen would realize as much. Once she planted the seed in Kathleen’s mind, she would convince her sister to assert her claim to Tessa and remove her from the McKay home. Margaret had relished the idea. This act would create pain for Ewan and his family and repay him for a portion of the difficulties she’d suffered after Ewan left her to fend for herself at the brickyard following Hugh’s death. Of course, Margaret didn’t consider that her own actions had been at the heart of Ewan’s departure. Nor did she ponder the impact it would have upon Tessa.

  Beatrice had mentioned that fact on one occasion, but her comment had been met with such fury, she’d never again touched upon the subject. Now that idea would have to be laid to rest—and Margaret would not be happy.

  Beatrice poised her pen and prepared to write. She wouldn’t dwell on Laura’s condition; a brief mention would do. The thrust of this letter must dwell upon the contest. After all, if the McKays didn’t win the pottery competition, their financial situation would be significantly worsened. That alone should please Margaret. And Beatrice had certainly done her bit to make sure the McKay Pottery wouldn’t win.

  Chapter 26

  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  Late September 1872

  The final days leading up to the contest proved frantic. The entrants had been sent rules that required their drawings arrive at the Franklin Hotel in Pittsburgh one week prior to the event. Ewan declared their submission should be hand delivered to avoid the possibility of damage or late delivery and had sent one of their trusted employees by train with the drawings. All contestants would personally transport their items to the hotel the day before the awards ceremony. The judges would then evaluate the urns and plates, checking for quality, judging how closely the pieces had been balanced in color and design, and determining if the submitted pieces were a true representation of the submitted drawings.

  Although the doctor had declared Laura was making fine progress, he refused her request to join the family for the journey to Pittsburgh. Catherine and Sally had agreed they would remain at the house and see to Laura’s needs.

  They each took their turn bidding Laura good-bye before departing for the train station. Rose remained along the foot of the bed when Beatrice came into the room, carrying Tessa in her arms. She held the child forward to kiss her mother. After a tight embrace, Laura looked up at Beatrice. “Are you certain you want to make this journey with her? The two of you could stay here. I’m sure Rose will be busy and won’t mind if the youngest member of the family isn’t present.”

  “Nay, we don’t want to be left at home. We’ll have us a good time, won’t we, Tessa?” Beatrice chucked the little girl beneath her chin and smiled. Tessa bobbed her head in response. “Wave good-bye so we can be off to the train.” Beatrice lifted the child’s arm, and Tessa dutifully waved at her mother as she was carried out of the room.

  Rose came around to the side of the bed, leaned down, and kissed Laura’s cheek. “Do pray for us while we’re gone. Rylan and I have worked so hard on these designs.” Her smile faded. “If we don’t win, I don’t know . . .”

  Laura grasped her hand. “The Bible teaches we are to cast our worries upon the Lord, for He cares for us. I think you should try to remember that over these next few days. Even if you should lose the contest, I know that God has a plan for our family, and He cares for us much more than we could ever imagine.”

  Rose squeezed Laura’s hand in return. “I know you’re right, but I’d still be pleased if you’d pray that we win.”

  Laura chuckled. “Better yet, why don’t I pray for God’s will? If you don’t win, I’m sure God will provide another way.”

  Rose nodded, but her level of assurance wasn’t firmly set. She and Ewan had gone over the books and cut every available cost. They’d attempted to win contract after contract, all to no avail. Winning this contest would establish their name in the pottery business, and she’d been praying they would win.

  Rylan had agreed to meet the McKays at the train station, and when they arrived, he was waiting. Rose didn’t miss the glimmer of anticipation that shone in his eyes. Nor did she miss the flicker of displeasure that wiped away his smile when he caught sight of Beatrice carrying Tessa in her arms.

  She approached and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Are you unhappy we’ve included Tessa in the trip?” She squeezed his arm. “You need not worry about her creating a distraction. Beatrice will attend to Tessa’s needs throughout the journey. I promise.”

  “I’m not worried about Tessa. You know I enjoy time with her. It’s Beatrice that causes me concern. Did she ask to come along, or was it your idea?”

  Rose shrugged. “I had nothing to do with the arrangements. I didn’t find out until the plans were already made. But why does it bother you that Beatrice is with us?”

  “I know I probably shouldn’t think ill of her, but I don’t trust her. Often she seems to be in the middle of things where she doesn’t belong, and I question her motives. I don’t understand why she wouldn’t prefer to stay at home rather than come with your family. Both she and Tessa would be more comfortable at home, aye?”

  “I suppose they would, but maybe she just wants to be included and feel that she’s a part of the family.”

  Rylan snorted. “I don’t think she wants to be a part of the McKay family. I think she has her sights set on other pursuits.”

  Before Rose could question him further, Ewan herded the group onto the train. Throughout the journey, Rose did her best to remain calm, but thoughts of losing the contest continued to plague her. How she wished she hadn’t pushed Ewan to purchase the pottery. The brickworks would have been less work, they’d not be worrying about future orders or paying bills, and their livelihood wouldn’t now depend upon winning a contest. She shivered at the thought of how much would be determined by this competition.

  Though Rose thought they should stay in rooms at a less expensive hotel, Mrs. Woodfield had insisted Ewan reserve rooms at the Franklin Hotel. As they entered the hotel, she tsked when Rose once again mentioned the expense. “You are entering a competition to win the contracts for Mr. Franklin’s hotels. To book our rooms in another hotel would be a discourtesy to him.” She patted Rose’s arm. “You need not worry. I’ve told Ewan that I will be pleased to cover the expenses of this journey. It will be well worth the cost to see you and Rylan win first place.”

  Rose forced a smile. Rather than relieving her anxiety, Mrs. Woodfield’s comments created a heavier burden.

  Once Ewan had completed the registration, the clerk handed him the room keys. “I have a message for two members of your party.” He held an envelope in the air. “It is addressed to Miss Rose McKay and Mr. Rylan Camp
bell.”

  A lump the size of a walnut lodged in Rose’s throat, and fear cinched a tight hold around her midsection. Surely it was something to do with the contest, but they’d already received the rules and instructions. Nothing related to the competition was to occur until tomorrow.

  Rylan stepped forward and retrieved the envelope. He drew close to her side. “Shall I open it?” She nodded. They gathered in a small cluster and waited while he withdrew the piece of stationery and scanned the message. “This says we’re to meet with members of the committee this evening for a brief interview.”

  “This evening? The rules said—”

  Rylan passed the message to her. “I know, but it’s clear they want us to meet with them this evening.”

  Rose’s fingers trembled as she reread the message. “What can this mean? Do you think our entry wasn’t completed properly?”

  Beatrice shifted Tessa to her other arm. “How’d they know you was staying at this hotel is what I’m wonderin’.”

  Mrs. Woodfield turned toward the nanny. “Because they contacted the hotel and asked if we were registered here. Personally, I would think every entrant would be a guest in this hotel during the contest.”

  “Truly? Well, that’s an interestin’ bit of news, now ain’t it?”

  Mrs. Woodfield arched her brows. “I don’t know why you’d find it so interesting.” She didn’t wait for a response. “I think we should all go upstairs and unpack so we’ll have time for a leisurely dinner before Rylan and Rose attend their meeting.”

  The twins wrinkled their noses at the suggestion, and Ewan waved them forward. “You two go and unpack and then come to my room. I’ll take you to see a few sights before supper. If you like, we can ride the funicular railway to the top of Coal Hill, where you can look down on the city.”

  Adaira clapped her hands. “I don’t know what a funicular railway is, but I want to go.” She grabbed her sister’s hand. “Come on, Ainslee. Let’s hurry and unpack.”

  Ewan arched his brows. “Anyone else interested in a ride up the hillside? The view is spectacular.”

  Mrs. Woodfield shook her head. “As I said, I plan to unpack and rest, and I’m sure Beatrice needs to put Tessa down for a nap before dinner.” She glanced at Rose. “I think you and Rylan should go along with Ewan and the twins. Otherwise, you’ll do nothing but pace the room and worry. It will be good for both of you.” She waved Rose forward. “Come along, now. Our bags have already been delivered to our rooms. You can freshen up and be on your way. You can show me which dress you want to wear this evening, and I’ll make certain to have it pressed for you.” Rose obediently followed the older woman across the lobby and down the familiar hallway to their room. “It appears we’ve been assigned to the same room we had on our last visit. I believe that’s a good omen.”

  Rose unpacked and advised Mrs. Woodfield of her selections for tonight as well as for tomorrow. “I think I need only shake out my dresses, and any creases will fall out. Besides, Sally isn’t along to press your clothes or mine.”

  Mrs. Woodfield chuckled as she assessed Rose’s choices. “You’re right, but I still know how to press a gown, my dear. I didn’t always have a maid to take care of my needs. You go along and meet the others.” She traced her fingers across her forehead. “And please cease your worrying, Rose. The only thing it does is cause wrinkles.”

  Rylan was waiting in the lobby when Rose arrived; moments later the twins and Ewan arrived. Any other time, her sisters’ excitement would have been contagious, but today she longed for a few moments of peace and quiet.

  She tugged on Rylan’s arm. “Couldn’t we stay here?”

  “Why? So you can reexamine the details in the frieze and decide our design is a failure?” He grinned. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice you staring at it earlier?”

  “I promise I won’t look at the frieze or analyze our design, but I’m worried about this meeting with the committee.”

  “And that’s exactly why we need to keep busy outside the hotel. Worrying isn’t going to help.”

  She sighed. “You’re the second person who’s said that to me within the past half hour.”

  “Then I’m thinking that means you should heed the advice.” He gave her a broad smile as he escorted her out the ornately carved front doors of the hotel.

  Along the way, the twins peppered Ewan with questions about the city. When they arrived at the site of the funicular railway, their mouths dropped open.

  Ainslee grasped Ewan’s arm, and her eyes opened wide as she peered at the steep track that would carry them up the hillside. “We’re going to ride on that? I’ve never seen such a thing. What if it breaks loose and we fall?”

  “It won’t fall, Ainslee. Did you see all the people getting off? It has to be safe.” Adaira gestured toward the barren hillside. “What happened to all the trees, Ewan?” She leaned closer. “It’s quite ugly.”

  They stepped inside the small station, and Ewan nodded. “This area is known for coal mining, and they’ve stripped away all of the trees and brush. That’s why the area up there is known as Coal Hill.” He pointed to the top of the incline.

  Adaira stepped inside the small wooden car that would carry them up the six-hundred-foot hillside. “How many people will fit in here?”

  “The sign where I paid for our tickets says it holds twenty-three passengers.”

  Ainslee shivered. “I hope it’s just us. If there aren’t too many passengers, it will be less likely to break down.”

  Adaira ignored her sister’s remark. “Coal Hill isn’t much of a name for a village. You’d think they would have chosen something better than that.”

  “They’ve renamed it Mt. Washington, but folks still call it Coal Hill. Many of the people who live up at the top of the hill work for the coal mines.” The car slowly began its ascent, and Ewan pointed toward a broken-down switchback stairway that zigzagged up the hillside. “That’s how the men who lived in Coal Hill but worked in Pittsburgh used to get down the hillside. Before that, they had to slip and slide down steep, narrow paths, even in the rain and snow.”

  They peered out the small windows as the cable tugged their car up the mountainside. “Look! There’s a car coming toward us.” Ainslee clutched Ewan’s arm. “It’s going to run into us! I can’t look.” She hid her face in the sleeve of Ewan’s jacket.

  Ewan placed his hand on her cheek and lifted her head. “There’s nothing to fear. That car is on the track coming down. Both cars must run at the same time so that they counterbalance each other, but they can’t possibly strike each other.” He pointed out the opposite window. “See that other track? That’s for the other car. We’ll pass close to it, but there won’t be a collision.”

  Ainslee lifted her head but remained close to Ewan. Undaunted by the operation, Adaira moved to the other side of the car. “I want to yell ‘hello!’ to the people in the other car. Do you think they’ll hear me?”

  Ainslee glowered at her sister. “I think they’ll believe you’re daft.” She looked at her brother. “How fast do you think we’re going?”

  Ewan shrugged. “I’m not sure, but it’s probably moving as fast as a horse at a good trot. Hard to tell for sure, but we’re not going very fast.”

  “Well, I’ll be glad when we get to the top.” Ainslee scooted a bit closer.

  “Don’t forget that we have to come back down, Ainslee. That will be even more fun. Just think about the car going down the hill and if the cable would snap.” Adaira swung her arm in a giant sweep. “Whoosh, and we’d be gone.”

  Rose shook her head. “That’s enough, Adaira. You don’t need to frighten her any further.” She grasped Ainslee’s hand. “We’re all fine, and this is supposed to be an enjoyable time. When we get to the top, we’ll look down, and you’ll be able to see all of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, as well as the point where the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers converge. It’s quite a lovely sight when it’s clear.”

  Rylan nodded. “Ay
e, but I think we’ve as much chance of finding a clear day in Pittsburgh as we do of seeing a leprechaun dancing about with a pot of gold.”

  Rose nudged him and grinned. “No need to dash any hope she has for a wee bit of enjoyment.”

  When they reached the top, they all proceeded into the station and then to a small overlook, where they could view the city. Ainslee smiled and pointed toward the city. “Look! We did get a clear day. The view is beautiful.” She held fast to Ewan’s arm as her gaze traveled back toward the tracks and the small car now beginning its descent. “I wish we could walk down that stairway you pointed out on the way up.”

  Ewan shook his head. “That stairway would be more dangerous than the ride back down.”

  A short time later, they boarded the car and slowly made their descent down the hillside. They hailed a hansom cab and were only a short distance from the hotel when Rose glanced out the window. Her breath caught, and she grasped Rylan’s arm. “Was that Joshua Harkness?”

  He leaned toward the cab window to gain a better view, but they’d already passed by. Rylan shook his head. “I didn’t see his face, but I doubt it was Joshua. Why would he be in Pittsburgh?”

  Ewan leaned back against the cab’s leather upholstery. “Because his father’s offices are here and his family’s home is now in Pittsburgh. I’m sure he’s in Pittsburgh quite often.”

  Rose considered the comment. Perhaps Ewan was right, but she secretly wondered if Joshua had arrived to attend the exhibition that would be held prior to the announcement of the contest winners. He was, after all, the owner of a pottery, and his appearance at the event wouldn’t be unexpected by other pottery owners. His father might even have suggested Joshua attend. She hadn’t seen him since she called a halt to their courtship. His presence during the competition could prove to be rather distracting and uncomfortable.

  Chapter 27

  Dinner had been a waste of time and money, at least as far as Rose was concerned. She’d been somewhat surprised that no one else had been plagued by the same indigestion that had affected her since they’d returned from their outing. With their mysterious meeting so close at hand, she’d expected Rylan to be somewhat afflicted, but he’d eaten dinner as though he didn’t have a care in the world. After dinner she returned to her room. The others remained in the lobby while Mrs. Woodfield inquired about tickets for a play or a musical she could attend with the twins.