“I’ll admit this evening’s events have given me a lot to think about. After hearing Mr. Lofton tell about his past and the changes he’s made, I was feeling my own shame for having left Ireland with Lyall Montclair’s money in my pocket. Maybe that’s why things have gone awry with the brickyard.” He arched his brows. “Do you think that might be true?”
The horses continued their slow gait along the dirt road. “There’s no way of knowing, but I’m certain our situation was worsened by your gambling and the hiring of Rudy Banks.” Ewan had given thought to the incident regarding Lyall Montclair, as well. Still, there was no way to be sure if his uncle’s behavior had truly caused their problems at the brickyard. However, Ewan could at least use this moment to emphasize the ill effects of gambling. “There’s nothing good that comes from gambling, Uncle Hugh. I’m hoping that what’s happened has finally brought an end to your time at the gaming tables.”
“I told Mr. Lofton I’d do my best to stay away from gambling in the future, but I can’t say it will never happen again. I can’t explain what it’s like for me, except to say that there’s a real sense of excitement when the wager could end in financial disaster. If you’ve never had the experience, you can’t understand what it does in here.” Hugh placed his fist against his chest. “Your heart beats so fast and hard you think your chest will explode, and then when you win . . .” He expelled a long breath. “There’s no greater thrill.”
Ewan had hoped the problems at the brickyard would be enough to break his uncle’s gambling habit, but hearing him talk about his love of the gaming tables only served to deepen Ewan’s concern. Gambling had a stranglehold on his uncle, and along with prayer, Ewan would need to keep a close watch over his uncle and the business.
“Come back to the house with me before you go home, and we can give Margaret and Kathleen the good news. It will be more enjoyable if you’re there when I tell them.”
Though he would have much preferred to part ways at the fork in the road and head for home so he could share the news with Rose and the twins, he didn’t want to deny his uncle’s request. If Ewan was to see changes in his uncle, he’d need to be accommodating, even when it wasn’t convenient.
“I can’t stay long. I promised Ainslee and Adaira I would be home before they went to bed.”
“Aye. We’ll give them the good news as soon as they greet us at the front door.” They rode in silence for the remainder of the distance to Crothers Mansion. A short time later they dismounted and tied the horses near the front of the house. Hugh strode up the front steps and entered the front door, with Ewan following close on his heels.
“Margaret! Kathleen! Where is everyone?”
Fia peeked around the corner of the kitchen, then hurried toward them, her eyes wide with fright. “The missus and Kathleen are upstairs. They’ve been having a terrible row. I don’t know when I’ve ever seen the missus so angry.” Fia cowered, as though she expected Margaret to appear at any moment.
Hugh expelled a long sigh. “I’m sure there are plenty of times I’ve seen her temper flaring far more than it is tonight, Fia.” He waved toward the stairs. “Go up there and tell them Ewan and I are down here and we have good news to share with them.” When she hesitated, he frowned and stomped his right foot. “Go!”
Fia scuttled up the steps like a frightened rabbit with its ears laid back. The sound of high-pitched voices drifted down the steps, followed by clattering footfalls as Fia returned at breakneck speed. “The missus says they’ll be down straightaway and you best be prepared for some bad news to go along with any good news you have for her.”
“You should thank the good Lord you’re still single, Ewan. If you ever take a wife, you’ll soon discover nothing is ever the same. Truth is, there’s no end to the commotion a woman brings to your life.” Hugh raked his fingers through his dark hair. A door slammed upstairs, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. Moments later, the two women came down the stairway. Margaret first and then Kathleen. Their faces were blotchy and their eyes swollen. There was no doubt they’d both been crying.
At the bottom of the stairs, Margaret gave her sister a slight push toward the parlor. “Go on in there and tell your brother-in-law what you’ve done to disgrace this family.” When Kathleen didn’t move, Margaret grasped her sister’s arm and directed her toward the other room. “I said, go into the parlor!”
“It appears there’s a bit of a problem, and I’m thinking I should go home so the three of you can talk in private.” Ewan took a backward step toward the door.
“Stay right here, Ewan.” Margaret’s shrill voice echoed in the wide hallway. “You’re a part of this, too.”
Ewan didn’t know what part he might have in the argument between Kathleen and Margaret, but making any further attempt to leave would only make matters worse. He looked at Hugh and shrugged as they followed the two women into the parlor.
Margaret pointed to the hallway. “Close the pocket doors, Hugh. I don’t want Fia or any of the other servants hearing this.”
“Do you think they’ve not already heard you screaming at me for the past hour, Margaret?” Kathleen reached for her handkerchief and blotted her eyes.
Margaret’s shrill voice could be heard as clearly as a screeching red-tailed hawk, but Hugh did as he was instructed and closed the doors leading into the hallway.
After taking a position in front of the large windows covered with specially made brocade draperies that darkened the room even on the brightest summer day, Margaret folded her arms across her chest. She glared at Kathleen, her face now contorted with anger and disgust. “Tell them how you’ve shamed this family.”
Kathleen pulled her shoulders together and hunched forward, appearing to wilt before their eyes. “I’m going to have a baby.”
She’d spoken so softly, both Hugh and Ewan had to lean forward to hear her. Hugh remained silent, obviously uncertain what he should say, but Ewan moved to the divan and grasped Kathleen’s hand. “You’re sure?” She nodded. “Is Terrance the father?”
“Of course Terrance is the father.” Margaret stomped forward and came to a halt in front of the divan. “And you took her over there to be with him, Ewan. What were you thinking?”
Kathleen turned toward Ewan. “It didn’t happen the night you took me to meet Terrance, but she won’t listen to me.”
“Shouting and pointing blame will do none of us any good, Margaret.” Ewan squeezed Kathleen’s hand, hoping he could transmit a bit of strength to the trembling woman. “I’m sure Kathleen is feeling enough remorse without all of us adding to her heartache.”
“I know this is not the best of circumstances, Kathleen,” Hugh said, “but there’s been many a wee one born to a couple before they’ve been married for nine months. Folks forget these things and the child is loved no matter when it arrives. Have ye already talked to Terrance and made some arrangements for a preacher to perform a quiet weddin’?”
Hugh’s kindness stunned Ewan, and his compassion created a new flood of tears from Kathleen, which surprised him even more. “There’s no need for more tears, Kathleen. Uncle Hugh is merely suggesting a quick wedding would be best.”
Tears streamed down Kathleen’s face as she looked at her sister, who stood before them with her hands perched on her hips. “Go on. Tell them.” Margaret glowered at Kathleen.
“Terrance won’t marry me. He’s already engaged to a girl who lives in town.” Her voice quivered. “They were courtin’ before I ever met him, but I didn’t know about her until I went to town with Laura.”
Ewan sparked to attention. “Laura? How did she become involved in this?” And why hadn’t she mentioned it to him this evening when they’d been alone in the garden?
Kathleen explained how Laura had taken her to meet with Terrance and offered to help in any way she could. “I made her promise she wouldn’t tell anyone.” She glanced at her sister. “I didn’t want Margaret and Hugh to hear this from anyone else.”
Margaret sn
orted. “Not that it makes it any easier hearing it from your own lips. I can’t believe my own sister would find herself in this horrid situation. Ever since we arrived, I have worked very hard to establish a good name so that we would be accepted in the proper social circles. Now, with your unseemly behavior, you’ve managed to wipe out everything I accomplished.”
“I doubt everyone is so small-minded they’ll consider Kathleen’s impropriety a reason to banish you from their parties and sewing circles, Aunt Margaret.” Ewan forced a smile.
“Easy enough for you to say, Ewan. You can distance yourself from all of this.” She waved her hand toward Kathleen, then moved to a nearby chair. “She lives under our roof, so Hugh and I must bear the embarrassment of her unseemly conduct.”
Each time Margaret spoke, Kathleen’s weeping intensified until Ewan could no longer bear the situation. “I have a solution to your problem, Margaret.”
“What’s that? Are you going to marry her? That would be the gallant thing to do. I’ve thought the two of you should marry since before we sailed from Ireland.”
Ewan shook his head. “Marrying Kathleen might be the gallant thing to do, but I don’t love her and she doesn’t love me. The marriage would be unfair to both of us. However, I’m going to take Kathleen home with me. She can stay in her old room, and she’ll have Rose and the twins to keep her company.”
Margaret’s face creased in a haughty sneer. “It isn’t proper for her to be staying in the home of an unmarried man. That would only give rise to more rumors and gossip.”
“Rose and the twins are there, so I don’t think anyone would find it unusual for me to stay there.” Kathleen’s voice hitched and immediately sent her into a bout of uncontrollable hiccoughs.
Margaret snapped open her fan and waved it at a frantic tempo. “This is all too much for me. I feel as though I might faint.” When no one responded, she glared at her husband. “Did you hear me, Hugh? I said I feel faint!”
Hugh tugged on the end of his mustache and pierced her with a stern look. “Anyone who has enough breath to shout isn’t about to faint, Margaret. Now, gather yourself together and quit acting like you’re the one in trouble. It’s Kathleen who’s faced with a problem, not you.” He turned to look at Kathleen. “I say if you want to go and stay with Ewan, that’s fine, but the decision is yours.”
“It is not her decision. I’ve already told her that I don’t want her living under this roof bringing any more shame on me.”
Ewan shrugged. “If you’ve already told her to move out, then you should not be offering objection to her living with my sisters and me. This is your sister and she’s in need of help. If you don’t want to give it, then I will.” He released Kathleen’s hand. “Go and fetch what you’ll need for tonight, and you and Rose can return tomorrow to gather the rest of your belongings.” The three of them sat in silence as Kathleen departed the room.
Moments later, Hugh shifted in his chair and frowned at Margaret. “Sure and you’ve taken the wind out of my sails. I come home thinking to tell you that an agreement has been reached to save the brickyard, and I’m greeted by nothing but angry words and a family divided.”
“Did you expect me to keep all of this to myself?” Margaret returned her husband’s frown.
“I know better than to think you’d keep bad news to yourself.” He shook his head. “Remember what I told you, Ewan—there’s no end to the commotion a wife brings to your life.”
Before Margaret could respond, Hugh stood and stalked out of the room.
Chapter 26
Over breakfast Sunday morning, Laura detailed Kathleen’s plight to her mother. “When Margaret disowned Kathleen and ousted her from Crothers Mansion, Ewan immediately came to her aid. She’s staying with him and the girls at the old house.”
Mrs. Woodfield stirred a dollop of cream into her steaming coffee. “While I commend Ewan’s kindness, I’m not certain living with him is the best decision for Kathleen.” She took a small sip of her coffee and blotted her lips. “Ewan and Kathleen are not related by blood, and there could be talk that would lead to suspicions the child is his. You know how people enjoy weaving together a few strands of gossip and passing it on as fact.”
Laura’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such an uncharacteristic reaction from her mother. “What would you have him do, Mother? Leave her out in the cold of winter to fend for herself?”
The older woman pursed her lips and tsked. “Of course not. You know I’m not prone to such uncharitable actions, my dear, but I think there is a better solution to this situation. To have her live with Ewan and the girls is, simply said, not proper.”
Laura was eager to hear her mother’s proposal. She hoped it wouldn’t consist of a plan to move Kathleen to some distant foundling hospital until the child was born. The young woman had already suffered being rejected by Terrance and disowned by Margaret. If Kathleen now had to endure the thought of being sent away, Laura doubted the girl would survive. She simply didn’t have the inner strength to be alone at some distant institution during her confinement.
Her mother spread orange marmalade on her toast and then lifted her gaze. “I believe the best thing is to have her come here and live with us. She can use the largest of the guest rooms at the far end of the upstairs hallway, where I believe she’ll be quite comfortable. Any members of the family who want to visit her may do so, yet there won’t be any question of impropriety.” She sat back and beamed at her daughter. “Well, what do you think of my idea? It’s a good one, is it not?”
The thought of moving Kathleen to Woodfield Manor hadn’t crossed Laura’s mind. Yet she couldn’t deny the solution was perfect. “Yes, Mother, it’s an excellent idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself.”
Her mother chuckled. “I’m glad you didn’t. Once in a while, it’s good to let us older folks have an opportunity to solve problems. We can speak to Ewan and Kathleen after church this morning, and I’ll notify Dr. Balch that we’ll have need of his services. He can come to the house so Kathleen won’t have to make trips into Bartlett.” Her mother rubbed her hands together. “Oh, I do think this is going to be perfect. Kathleen will be well cared for, and she can then make plans for the future without interference from Margaret.”
“But we must be careful, Mother. I don’t want to force Kathleen to come here against her will. It must be what she wants. If she’ll be more comfortable remaining with Ewan, then promise you won’t attempt to persuade her otherwise. Kathleen has been pressured enough by her sister. I don’t want her to think she’ll receive more of the same from us.”
Her mother pushed away from the table. “You’re right. Though I don’t think Rose should be burdened with looking after Kathleen, it must be Kathleen’s decision. I don’t intend to force my idea upon her.”
Laura followed her mother into the hallway and carefully arranged her hat.
Disappointment etched her mother’s face when they entered the church. Ewan, Rose, and the twins were seated by themselves in their regular pew, but Kathleen was nowhere in sight. Laura assisted her mother into their pew and sat down beside her. “Do quit looking about, Mother. Kathleen isn’t here.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “I’m merely attempting to see who is sitting in the pews behind me.”
Laura grinned. “The same people sit in the same pews every week, Mother. We both know you’re looking to see if Kathleen is somewhere at the rear of the church. She’d be sitting with Ewan if she were here. I imagine she’s afraid if she attended, Margaret might cause a scene.”
After craning her neck to gain a better view, her mother nodded toward the pews along the west side of the church. “I see Margaret and Hugh aren’t sitting in their regular pew. They’ve moved over to the other side of the church. I do hope it isn’t because Margaret wanted to distance herself from Ewan and the girls.”
The pastor entered and gestured for the congregation to stand. Throughout the service, Laura stood and sat down on cue,
but her thoughts weren’t on the preacher’s words. Instead, they hopscotched among Ewan, Kathleen, Hugh, Margaret, Winston, Ewan’s sisters, and her mother. So much had happened in such a short time that it was difficult to digest. She hoped that the problem between Kathleen and Margaret wouldn’t affect the brickyard in any way. It had taken a great deal of finesse on her part to suggest Herman Lofton as a possible solution to the financial problems at the brickyard, and she didn’t want anything to ruin this opportunity to set things aright. Ewan didn’t deserve for his hard work to end in failure.
Yet she didn’t believe Margaret Crothers was farsighted enough to understand that the problems she created between Ewan and Hugh could lead to her own financial downfall as well as destroy the woman’s hopes of becoming an accepted member of polite society. Whenever things didn’t go her way, Margaret’s desire for reprisal seemed to outweigh her vision for the future.
When the church service ended, the twins wiggled around Ewan and headed back toward Laura. Adaira was the first to arrive at her side. “Did you know Kathleen has come to live with us?”
“I did. Does it please you to have her?” Laura straightened the bow fastened to the neckline of the young girl’s dress.
Adaira shrugged. “She cries all the time, so it isn’t much fun. She didn’t want to come to church this morning because she thought Aunt Margaret would be angry with her.” The girl ducked her head. “I think Aunt Margaret will be fuming when she finds out Kathleen stayed home. We’re not supposed to miss church unless we’re sick, and I don’t think Kathleen is sick.”
Ainslee came alongside Laura and took up where Adaira had left off. “I don’t think she’s sick, either, but Ewan says she has some kind of problem. When I tried to talk to her, she started to cry, so Ewan said we shouldn’t bother her with our questions.”
Before Laura could respond, Ewan approached with his gaze fixed on his twin sisters. “Are you two busy telling tales?”
The Brickmaker's Bride Page 26
