“I’m glad they enjoy going with you,” her mother said. “I think I heard Zeke bring the carriage around. You’d better go, or he’ll be unhappy for the rest of the day. You know he dislikes waiting.”
Laura greeted Zeke as she stepped onto the porch. He appeared relieved when she said she’d drive herself. “I’m picking up the McKay girls, and we won’t have enough room for you to join us, Zeke.” She grinned. “I know you’re disappointed.”
“Yes, ma’am. Nothing I like better than sitting around waiting for young women to get done visiting, but jest this once, I’ll try to overlook being left behind.” He offered a wry smile as he assisted her into the carriage.
“In that case I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Laura laughed as she flicked the reins and waved good-bye.
The three girls were sitting on the porch swing when Laura arrived at the old house that had been her home as a young girl. She’d loved spending summer afternoons on that swing and was glad to see someone had taken time to give it a coat of paint and hang it for the girls to enjoy. The girls jumped up when she came to a stop, and the swing bounced for several seconds as they raced toward her carriage.
She leaned forward and glanced at the door. “Do you need to tell someone you’re leaving? I don’t want your aunt or Kathleen to worry over your whereabouts.”
Ainslee was the first to settle inside the carriage. “Aunt Margaret knows we’re going with you. Rose told her first thing this morning.”
Adaira followed close on her sister’s heels and bounded onto the leather seat beside her. “She has a headache, so she went to rest after lunch.”
“I think she’s glad we’re leaving. She said she’d be glad for the peace and quiet.” Ainslee giggled. “She says our chattering tires her out.”
Rose followed her sisters and stepped up into the carriage. “What sort of stories are they telling you?” She glanced over her shoulder at the twins and smiled.
“We just told Miss Laura that Aunt Margaret has a headache and is glad we’re leaving.” Ainslee scooted forward and leaned her head between Laura and Rose. “Uncle Hugh says the workmen will be snapping their suspenders for joy when they hear Aunt Margaret won’t be checking on them this afternoon.”
Laura couldn’t contain a burst of laughter. The twins were such a delight. They didn’t realize there were some things that shouldn’t be repeated outside of the family circle. On the other hand, if their uncle didn’t want his remarks repeated, he shouldn’t make them in front of his nieces.
Rose frowned. “Ainslee! No need to tell everything you hear.”
“Everything I said was true. You told me as long as what I said was the truth and didn’t hurt anyone, I didn’t need to worry about getting in trouble.”
“You’re not in trouble.” Rose sighed and looked at Laura. “Sometimes I feel more like a mother than a sister.”
Laura gave a slight nod. “I know it’s difficult, but you’re very good with the twins. They’re fortunate to have you.”
The few words of praise appeared to allay Rose’s concerns over her dual role with the girls. “Thank you, Laura. You always know exactly what to say.”
“I wish that were true. There are many times when I find myself at a loss for words.” The response had barely escaped her lips when she caught sight of Ewan standing near the construction site. “I didn’t know your brother was going to be here today.”
Laura’s ears filled with the roaring sound of her beating heart. Though she tried, she couldn’t control the surge of emotion that engulfed her when she was drawn into Ewan’s presence. After his parting words of disapproval last evening, she wondered how he would react to her this afternoon.
He turned as the carriage approached and stepped forward to help her down. “I see the girls have convinced you to entertain them again today.” He glanced at the twosome sitting in the back seat of the carriage.
“It’s my pleasure. They wanted to see the progress on the house, and since I’ve never been here, I was pleased to bring them. Besides, they’re going to help me at the orphanage afterward.” She lifted her gaze to the structure. “What wonderful advancement the workmen have made. It appears your aunt and uncle will be able to move into this wing very soon.” She shaded her eyes against the sun. “Or is there still a great deal of work to be completed inside?”
Ewan shook his head. “Nay, not in this section, but my aunt is determined the house is to be much larger, so several wings will be added before she’s satisfied.” Laura’s breath caught as he stepped closer and brushed her arm. “Aunt Margaret wants to be certain her house is the largest home in this portion of the state.” The twins and Rose had already proceeded toward the house when Ewan lightly grasped her elbow and directed her forward. “Come along. I’ll give you a tour.”
The area buzzed with activity, with all of the men scurrying to and fro like ants building a colony. “I see your uncle has hired additional help.”
“Aye. When he continued taking men from the brickyard and bringing them over here to work, we had a long talk. He said if I could find additional workers for him, he’d send any of the trained brickmakers back to the yard. I had good luck locating some freed slaves, who were pleased for the work. They’re good workers, and many have experience with construction. I even hired two fine carpenters who have carved some beautiful woodwork for the house.”
“That’s excellent, but I thought your uncle was overseeing construction of the house and you were charged with operating the brickyard. Has that changed?”
“Nay, but I think you know Uncle Hugh is sometimes brash with others. One of the carpenters and four other good workers threatened to quit, so Aunt Margaret decided I should step in and assist. I’m helping out here some of the time, and he’s at the brickyard more than he’d been in the past. I’m not so sure the men at the brickyard are happy, but I cannot divide myself in two. ’Tis bad enough that some of the relatives have left to work in the mines. I can only hope others don’t follow them.”
Laura could well understand the workers’ dissatisfaction with Mr. Crothers. His abrasive manner was enough to send the most dependable workers running for the hills. “With the brick orders you’ll need to fill for Mr. Bruce, as well as the orders for the proposed hotel in Fairmont, is it a wise use of your time to be here rather than the brickyard?”
“Nay. ’Tis a very bad idea.” He hiked a shoulder. “If I had the final say in things, I would be at the brickyard every waking hour, but my uncle is the owner, and he makes the final decisions.”
“I’m sure you’ll do an excellent job with both the house and brickyard. Your relatives know you’re a competent leader.”
Ewan gave her a sidelong glance. “The girls need me to support them, so I can’t walk away from all of this no matter how unfair.”
They continued toward the front of the house, where the girls were waiting. The black walnut double porches were almost an exact replica of the ones at Woodfield Manor. “I would not want the girls to suffer for any of the decisions I’ve made in the past or the ones I make in the future. I’ve prayed a great deal about the future, but so far I haven’t gotten any clear answers.” He smiled as Ainslee waved for them to hurry. “Enough of this talk. Let me show you the house. We can start in the basement.”
Laura surveyed the basement of the house, where quarried stone had been cut and mortared to form the foundation. The stones outlined the exterior of the house as well as the division of rooms in the lower area. A dividing wall and hallway were built to separate the areas into rooms, likely for food storage and work rooms for carpenters. There were three outside entrances to the basement. Perhaps Mrs. Crothers planned on using the rooms as living quarters rather than work rooms. There were also two sets of stairs leading to the interior of the upper level of the house.
Laura gestured toward the basement rooms. “Are these spaces where some of the hired help will live, or are they for storage?”
Ewan shrugged. “I’
m not sure what Aunt Margaret has decided about these rooms. This portion of the house was completed under Uncle Hugh’s supervision, although the bricks were made at the yard. The walls are four bricks thick from the basement to the attic. Some of our softer bricks were used on the insides of the walls, with hard bricks on the outside. The house should stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.” Ewan motioned to the twins. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Ainslee wrinkled her nose. “I think it’s cozy down here. Can’t we stay here and play for a while?”
“I suppose, but don’t open the windows.” Ewan furrowed his brow. “I mean it, Ainslee.”
As they were walking upstairs, Ewan explained that not long ago Ainslee had stacked some bricks that had been left in the basement and opened one of the windows. “The windows are hinged to open inward, so I didn’t notice when we left. A skunk got inside the house.”
Laura clamped a hand to her lips. “Oh no! I’m sure that didn’t sit well with your aunt.”
Ewan chuckled. “Nay. Worse yet, she blamed a worker, and if I had not discovered Ainslee was to blame, she would have fired the poor man.” At the top of the stairs, Ewan directed Laura to turn to the right.
“I notice a number of similarities to Woodfield Manor. I’m flattered your aunt wanted to replicate so many of the details of our home.”
Ewan chuckled. “My aunt is competitive. She wants this house to be similar, but much larger. That’s why she’s adding the extra wings. Fortunately for the girls and me, Uncle Hugh, Aunt Margaret, and Kathleen will move into this portion of the house as soon as work is completed.”
“From what I’ve seen so far, it appears that will happen soon.” The main stairway leading to the second floor had also been constructed of black walnut with a curving banister and intricately carved newel post.
“If all goes according to plan, we should be done soon. However, Aunt Margaret is unwilling to move in until the brown plaster is covered with plaster of paris and painted or papered.”
Laura concurred that the brown plaster made by mixing sand with pigs’ hair was unattractive, but it wouldn’t be enough to stop most people from moving into a house. The walls could be completed after a move. Ewan had spoken of living conditions back in Ireland, so Laura was surprised at Mrs. Crothers’s decision.
They walked through the door leading to the upstairs porch. “There’s a traveler’s room over there.” Ewan gestured to the west end of the porch. “The outer stairway at the west end allows access to the porch, but the room doesn’t have access to the interior of the house.” Ewan had thought the room unnecessary, but while staying at the hotel, his aunt had overheard two ladies discussing such a space being added to a house in Wheeling. The room was used to offer hospitality to travelers while also retaining privacy in the main house. Naturally, his aunt had insisted upon mimicking the idea.
“I’ve never before seen such a room, but I suppose if someone arrived that wasn’t well known to the family, it could prove useful.”
Ewan shrugged. “I doubt it will get much use unless one of the servants should request it. Given the location of the house, I doubt there will be many itinerants knocking on the door.”
Laura walked to the porch rail and looked out over the valley below. “This is a lovely spot for a home. The view is spectacular.”
“For sure, it is.”
Laura turned and met Ewan’s gaze. Her heart fluttered as he looked deep into her eyes, leaned toward her, and wrapped one arm around her waist. Without a word, he pulled her close, lowered his head, and captured her lips in a kiss that quickened desire in her until it melted her resolve to resist him. His kiss was intoxicating, and when he at last lifted his head, she leaned against his chest.
“This won’t work, Ewan.”
He leaned back and looked down at her. “We will find a way. I promise.”
Chapter 19
Ewan shoved his foot into his horse’s stirrup, then swung up and into the saddle. After turning the horse toward the brickyard, he once again asked himself the same question. Why had he been so bold? Over the past three weeks, Ewan had asked himself that question a thousand times. Though Laura had seemed to enjoy his kiss and had leaned against his chest and murmured his name, moments later she’d hurried away. No doubt she hadn’t believed him when he said they’d find a way to make things work, for only moments later she and his sisters were hurrying off in the carriage. He’d seen or heard nothing from her since. Now that Ewan had an understanding of the daily record-keeping process, as well as the financial and contract issues, Laura no longer came to the office.
He missed her visits, but Uncle Hugh had begun spending more time at the brickyard, so it was probably better she wasn’t offering to help. Ewan couldn’t be certain why Uncle Hugh’s recent suspicion of Laura had developed, but he assumed Aunt Margaret was involved.
He’d hoped to hear his aunt admit that she’d been wrong about Laura, but her feelings seemed to have intensified. However, she was planning an elaborate party to celebrate the completion of the first wing of Crothers Mansion, and she needed the help of the Woodfield women. The Crothers name wasn’t well enough known to receive an automatic acceptance from the cream of society, but a properly placed word from either Laura or her mother would ensure the acceptance of influential members of the upper class—people Aunt Margaret wanted to count as friends.
He tied his horse and strode toward the brickyard office before the first whistle sounded. Perhaps he’d have a chance to set the office aright before his uncle arrived. Over the past days, Hugh had been going over the books and leaving the office in a state of disarray. But when Ewan had attempted to help or offered to answer any questions, his uncle brushed him aside. He’d dug through the files like a woodchuck digging a burrow, though Ewan could never find a reason for the sudden interest.
He expelled a sigh when he caught sight of his uncle dismounting only a few minutes later. The man was seldom out of bed so early. Ewan picked up the record book containing the employee time records and strode toward the door as his uncle approached. He extended the book toward his uncle. “The first group of men will be arriving soon. Care to act as timekeeper today?”
His uncle tugged on his mustache and frowned. “Keeping time is not to my liking. You know I cannot cipher those fractions.”
Ewan remained in the doorway. “You don’t need to do anything except make a notation of when they arrive and when they complete their stint. Who was keeping time on the days when I was overseeing construction at your house?”
“I told each of the foremen to keep a log and give it to me at the end of each stint. They complained, of course, but they did it. A person standing watch up here at the top of the hill seems a bit silly to me.” His uncle brushed past Ewan and entered the frame building that served as the office.
“’Tis not a job for the foremen.” Ewan turned and followed him. “It won’t seem silly when the foremen lose track because they’re busy performing their duties and the workers complain because they’ve been shorted on their hours. We need every worker we’ve got down there, and I don’t want any problems because of timekeeping.”
His uncle dropped into one of the wooden chairs. “You worry too much, Ewan. Your cousins, Ian and Darach, are both good foremen who can do what’s asked of ’em, and so can the other foremen. Why pay them if they canna do what’s assigned? Besides, things are moving along just fine. The bricks are being shipped out on time and we’re not receiving any complaints about the quality. And we have two new VerValens and two more kilns. According to my figures, we’ve got about a hundred arches in those kilns, more than most brickyards. There are still a few yards in the Hudson River Valley that have more arches than we do, but we’ll catch up real soon.”
“I know Ian and Darach are both good foremen, but they can’t be expected to be foremen and timekeepers at the same time. And you need to remember those yards in the Hudson Valley have been in business much longer.” Ewan glanced over his sho
ulder. “We can wait to expand until we’ve been here a little longer. I want to be sure every load of bricks that bears our insignia meets with satisfaction. Word of mouth can make or break our business. We need to be careful. If we grow too fast, we may become sloppy.”
“There you go with your needless worrying again. Sit down and relax. The men can take care of things in the yard.” His uncle leaned back in his chair and pulled out his pipe.
Ewan didn’t sit down, but he moved closer and looked down at his uncle. “If you’re so pleased with the way things are going, why don’t we discuss my partnership? You said that once we were established and making a profit, you’d see to having the papers drawn up and we’d become full partners. I agreed to less pay and have worked long hours here at the yard to get this operation going, and you should not be forgetting I was the one who secured contracts that will keep us busy for at least the next two seasons. Our company is named C&M Brickyard, but the M does not mean anything until I am a partner. If you’re pleased with things, then I think we should speak about the partnership papers.”
“We’re doing well enough that the men do not need you watching over them like a mother watching over her wee laddies, but I said we’d be looking at a partnership when the company was making a profit. This company still has a great deal of debt, so no one in his right mind would think we’re making a profit.”
The muscles in Ewan’s neck tightened. He didn’t want to lose his temper, but his uncle’s reply came as a blow. When Uncle Hugh had signed for the bank loan, he’d used Ewan’s sisters as pawns. Because of Ewan’s deep desire to get the girls to America, he’d been willing to set aside his arguments over the bank loan, but he hadn’t expected his uncle to go this far.
Unless the company made great strides, it would be years before Ewan could consider a part of this company his own. His uncle’s wily ways hadn’t changed at all. The man had felt no compunction when he’d purchased the brickyard with money he’d won cheating Lyall Montclair, and he didn’t feel any right now. If it meant a greater share in his pocket, Uncle Hugh was willing to cheat Ewan out of his partnership until the debt was paid—and, who could say, maybe forever.
The Brickmaker's Bride Page 20
