The Brickmaker's Bride (14 page)

The answer wasn’t what Ewan had hoped for, but his uncle
was right. This wasn’t the time or place for the discussion. Still, it seemed there was never a time his uncle was willing to give Ewan answers. He followed his uncle into the parlor. He should have held his tongue. His outburst had accomplished next to nothing. Granted, his uncle had said he’d bring the girls to this country, but he’d said that before. Ewan wanted a definite date. Even more, he wanted to be there when his uncle sent the money for passage. But the money wouldn’t be sent until they’d secured a loan. And a loan wouldn’t be obtained if his uncle continued to insult Winston Hawkins.

Ewan strode into the room, determined to offer an apology to Winston, but his aunt and Kathleen waylaid him. His aunt grasped his arm in a viselike hold as Kathleen stepped to his other side. Margaret nodded toward the musicians. “You and Kathleen, along with your uncle and me, are going to show our guests how to dance the Circassian circle.” She gestured to Uncle Hugh, who was speaking with the musicians.

Ewan glanced at their guests, who had all moved to the sides of the room to watch the performance. If he’d been in the brickyard teaching one of the men how to fire a kiln or mold a brick, he wouldn’t have minded being the center of attention. But standing in front of everyone and performing a dance was another thing entirely. He inhaled slowly and hoped he wouldn’t make a misstep. His uncle would enjoy making the fool of him in front of their guests.

Ewan grasped his uncle’s arm. “We need more than four people to create a circle big enough to perform the dance. Why don’t I see if there’s another couple or two who will join us?”

Hugh addressed the guests. “My nephew thinks we’ll be better able to teach the dance if we can have two more couples. Are there any volunteers?”

Two brave couples stepped forward. After giving them brief
instructions, Hugh waved for the fiddlers to begin. The eight of them joined hands in a circle and, keeping time with the music, stepped forward until they met in the center and then stepped backward. While the men remained in the outer circle, the ladies stepped forward and as they stepped back, they crossed their arms and joined hands with their partners, circling in place several times. While continuing to hold their partners’ hands, they re-formed the large circle. After circling the room two times, they continued to repeat the steps.

Although the volunteers missed a few of the steps, they performed admirably, and when Uncle Hugh motioned for the musicians to cease playing, the crowd applauded.

Hugh smiled and waved to the crowd. “Come, now, and give it a go. I’ll call out the movements during the first dance to make sure you remember what to do.”

Kathleen glanced toward the far side of the room. “Do you mind if I dance with Terrance O’Grady? He asked me earlier, and I told him I would.”

Ewan released Kathleen’s hand. “Go ahead and enjoy your dance. I would not want to be the cause of a lady breaking her promise.”

Kathleen hurried across the room toward the young man. Terrance’s face creased in a smile as she approached, and Ewan watched the two take to the dance floor. He’d been surprised to see Terrance at the party. Ewan didn’t know the man well, but he’d talked with him on a couple of occasions. They’d first met at the livery where Terrance worked, but had talked only a few times since then. The family didn’t have the social standing or money that would have enticed his aunt to send them an invitation. Besides, he hadn’t seen Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady this evening, only Terrance.

While the guests continued learning the dance, Ewan circled
around the room to the punch bowl and helped himself to a cup of the cranberry drink. He’d barely lifted the cup to his lips when his aunt bounded to his side.

“What is Terrance O’Grady doing here, and why aren’t you dancing with Kathleen?” Her eyes flashed like hot embers on a dark night. She nudged his arm hard enough that his punch splashed onto the linen tablecloth, but she seemed not to notice. She narrowed her eyes and continued to stare at him. “Well? Answer me.”

“I have no idea why Terrance is here. I didn’t extend any invitations for the party. If you didn’t invite him, I suggest you ask Kathleen or Uncle Hugh.” Ewan picked up a napkin and blotted the tablecloth.

“I told you to dance with her, so why is she out there making a fool of herself with Terrance?”

Ewan turned toward the dance floor. “I don’t think she’s making a fool of herself. Terrance is an expert at the Circassian circle.”

His response further fueled her anger. “You know what I meant with my question. Why is she dancing with him instead of you?”

“Kathleen said he asked her to dance earlier in the evening, and she agreed. If you have further questions about Terrance, you need to speak to your sister, not me.” He gently touched her arm. “You might wait until after the dance is over. I know you’re concerned about Kathleen making a fool of herself, so I wouldn’t want you to interrupt the dance and embarrass yourself in front of the guests.”

His suggestion was met with a hard look. If Ewan could have warned Kathleen, he would have, but there would be no opportunity. Margaret was standing at the edge of the dance floor, prepared to swoop to her sister’s side the minute the music stopped.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

Ewan spun on his heel to discover Laura standing behind him. “There are many things I enjoy much more than parties, especially one at which my uncle insults the guests and my aunt is angry with her sister and me.”

Laura stepped closer and Ewan poured her a cup of punch. As he handed her the cup, he allowed his hand to linger on hers longer than necessary. She glanced across the room to the area where Winston stood talking to some of his political friends and then turned back to Ewan. “I know about your uncle’s insults, but why is your aunt angry? I haven’t seen you commit any social blunder.”

He grinned. “My aunt wanted me to dance with Kathleen the entire evening, but Kathleen is more interested in dancing with Terrance O’Grady, a man who doesn’t meet my aunt’s expectations for her sister.”

Laura leaned a bit closer. “Then perhaps she shouldn’t have invited him.”

“That’s just it—she says she didn’t. I have a feeling Kathleen invited him without my aunt’s knowledge.”

“Terrance seems to be a nice young man, and it appears Kathleen is enjoying his company. Perhaps your aunt should let time take its course. She may only push them closer together if she objects too much.”

“I am sure that could happen, but my aunt does not take kindly to advice, especially from me.” He took the empty cup from Laura’s hand and placed it on the table. “May I have this dance, Miss Woodfield? While I was unfamiliar with the steps at your party, I do know how to dance a proper Circassian circle. I promise I won’t step on your toes.”

As they stepped onto the floor, she took hold of his hand. And his heart, as well.

March 1869

W
inter’s frozen fingers continued to wrap a tight hold on the Tygart Valley River as March arrived. Laura had told Ewan of past years when the weather would surprise them, and almost overnight the frozen hillsides would thaw and birdsong would fill the air to announce the arrival of the new season. How he prayed that such would happen this year, too. The winter months had been long, and though he’d escaped to the brickyard office as often as possible, his only major accomplishment had been arranging a meeting at the bank.

Ewan wanted his sisters on board a ship to America as soon as possible, and Uncle Hugh insisted a loan was needed to pay for their passage. After hearing Uncle Hugh’s remark, Ewan had determined to do everything in his power to ensure his uncle secured the necessary loan.

They’d met earlier that morning. Convincing Frank Swinnen, president of Bartlett National Bank, that Uncle Hugh would prove to be an excellent candidate for a loan had been no small
feat, but Winston had been surprisingly helpful. He’d even suggested the bank loan a greater sum than Uncle Hugh had requested. Ewan had done his best to stand firm against that idea, but the lure of extra money had proved too great an enticement for his uncle. The sum Mr. Swinnen finally offered Uncle Hugh was much more than they needed for the VerValen machine and for the purchase of passage for their relatives.

The change in the banker’s decision had seemed strange to Ewan. When they’d first arrived, Mr. Swinnen had been reluctant to make any loan at all. To subsequently agree on a much larger loan made no sense. There had to be something they weren’t aware of in the paper work, but when Ewan objected to the additional funds and asked for time to read the contract, his uncle had ordered him out of the meeting.

Ewan had looked to Winston for assistance, but he’d simply shrugged. “Your uncle is the one who is taking out the loan. His signature is all that is needed.” His lips curved in a thin smile. “No need to worry, Ewan. Your uncle is the one responsible for repayment of the loan, not you.”

During the buggy ride home, Ewan quizzed his uncle at length, but to no avail. Unwilling to accept the refusal, Ewan followed his uncle into the library. “I want to see the bank papers, Uncle Hugh. I have a right to see them. If I’m going to manage the business and one day become a partner, I need to know about the debts you’re creating.”

“You’re not a partner yet, so you need to quit acting like you have a right to know everything I say and do.” Hugh dropped into one of the leather chairs and glared at Ewan. “You made me look a fool in front of that banker.”

“I don’t know how I made you look like a fool. I only stated what he already knew. If we had needed more money, we would have asked for it at the start. Did you give any thought as to why
he would offer extra? What he did makes no sense. I’ve never heard tell of such a thing.”

“And you’re an expert on banking practices, are ya?” His uncle pulled his pipe from his jacket and pointed it at Ewan. “That banker took a liking to me and was trying to give an extra bit of help.”

“We had no need for that much, and you should have told him so. I don’t like the idea of starting out the business with so much debt.”

“You’ll just have to work a little harder. Besides, having the extra money allows us a little cushion in case those contracts don’t come in as quick as you think. If that happens, you’ll be thanking me for borrowing the extra money.”

Ewan sighed and shook his head. “Can I read the bank note you signed, Uncle Hugh? I’m afraid there’s something wrong with the way this was done.”

His uncle yanked the papers from his jacket and tossed them at Ewan. “Have a look at them, but it will change nothing. My name has been signed and witnessed, so there’s no going back.”

His uncle filled his pipe with tobacco while Ewan began his examination of the paper work. Line by line, he read each word of the contract. When he came to the portion regarding security for the loan, he gasped. “Why did you agree to let them have the brickyard, all of the equipment, all of the acreage, and the house as collateral for the loan?” He traced his finger along the next line of the contract, and his unease was replaced by mounting anger. “You agreed that if we are so much as ten days late on one payment, they can seize everything. Everything!”

He stood and shoved the paper in front of his uncle. “Look at this.” He rapped his fingers against the page. “Did you bother to read this clear through? You’ve done the same thing as before—you signed before you knew what you were agreeing to.
Did you learn nothing the first time? Wasn’t Aunt Margaret’s ire enough to make you more careful?”

His uncle’s eyes flashed with anger. “I read it, and I know exactly what it says. I objected at first, but Mr. Hawkins said there was nothing to worry about. The bank didn’t want to own the brickyard. It’s all a formality so they can make their books balance. Something about needing to have more collateral than the amount of money they loan so they have a correct audit or some such thing.” He scratched his head and laughed. “I didn’t know what all that meant, but it sounded right. Besides, I’m a gambling man, and I figured I’d place my bet on you making a go of things at the brickyard. You said you want a partnership, so now you’ll be working for it.”

“I was working for it before you put us so deep in debt.” Heat climbed up the back of Ewan’s neck. How dare his uncle place him in this position? The future of the entire family rested on his shoulders. “Tell me, Uncle, what would you do if I decided to walk away and leave you with this debt you’ve created? Could you negotiate contracts and manage the brickyard? Did you give any thought to the possibility I might leave you and go off on my own?”

His uncle leaned back and rested his elbow on the armrest of his chair. “I gave it about this much thought.” He inched his thumb and forefinger apart by only a hairsbreadth. “I know your sisters are too important for you to try to strike out on your own. I’m the only way you’ll get them over here. If they had to wait for you to earn enough money working at some brickyard, they’d all be spinsters before you could pay for their passage. And you forget that I’ve had enough years in a brickyard that I could run one if I had to.”

His words stung Ewan’s ears like pelting sleet on a winter day. Years of gambling had taught his uncle to use the vulnerabilities
of others in order to win, and he’d learned to do that well. His uncle held Ewan in his grip. Like it or not, he wouldn’t leave. His sisters were more important than his uncle’s foolish business practices. Though Uncle Hugh had brushed off any concern regarding the late-payment clause, the provision caused Ewan immense anxiety. Being able to secure contracts and acquire enough income to make the payments on time would be left to him alone.

If he could keep his uncle’s hands out of the till, the brickyard would succeed. Making bricks would be easy. Controlling his uncle could prove impossible. Only time would tell. Right now, he needed to reach an agreement with his uncle and get his sisters on a ship from Ireland.

“I want the money to secure passage for my sisters and the other relatives who want to come and work in the brickyard. Before you spend the money on anything else, I want their passage to America.” Ewan grasped the armrests of his chair. If his uncle didn’t agree, Ewan was prepared to argue. He would not leave this room until the matter was settled.

His uncle snorted. “I do not know what’s gotten into you, boy. You act like we’ve taken up positions in opposite corners of the boxing ring.”

“Sometimes that’s how I feel. You promised to bring my sisters over here, but they’re still in Ireland. You promised to make me a partner, but now you say we need to be operating at a profit before that can happen. You sign a contract that could cause us to lose the brickyard and all your acreage and home if we’re late with one payment. None of these things make me feel that we’re angling for the same prize.”

His uncle took a deep draw on his pipe and stared at Ewan from beneath hooded eyes. “There’s a wee bit of truth in what you’re saying, but once I have your word that you’re not going
to run amuck on me, we’ll get the family over here, just like I promised.” His uncle blew a smoke ring that circled over his head like a lopsided halo. “Do I have your word that you’re going to stay and manage the brickyard and make us some money?”

“You have my word that I’ll do my best to make the brickyard a success, but I want your word that you’ll make me a partner.”

“You have my word. When the business is making a good profit, I’ll make you a partner.”

Ewan didn’t question what a “good profit” might be. For now, he was more interested in his sisters and their future. “I want you to make the arrangements for my sisters by the end of the week. I want at least two of our male relatives to escort them, and I want them booked on a steamship, not a sailing ship. And do not book them in steerage. They should have a cabin, so they have some privacy and are not accosted by the sailors or other passengers.”

“Would you like their meals served on silver serving platters?” His uncle shot him a wry grin.

Ewan grinned in return. “I would not object. I’m sure my sisters would be pleased to receive such fine treatment.”

His uncle guffawed. “I am willing to put them in a small cabin, but that’s as much luxury as I afforded my wife and her sister. I would not be hearing the end of it if your sisters’ accommodations were better than what I purchased for my wife.” He pushed up from his chair. “I’ll ask Mr. Hawkins to make the travel arrangements for the family. I’m sure he can easily handle all of the details.”

Ewan was sure he could make the arrangements as well as Winston, but he didn’t argue. If his uncle wanted to pay the lawyer for handling the matter, so be it. “I want them here within six weeks.”

“If train and ship schedules permit, Ewan, but let’s not ask
the impossible. I will tell Mr. Hawkins to do his best to get them here as soon as possible.”

Unwilling to take a chance that his uncle would use any delay tactics, Ewan gestured toward the desk. “I’ll write a letter to the girls today and tell them to prepare for their journey. And I’ll be certain to check with Mr. Hawkins about the arrangements, as well. Are you sending for all twelve of your cousins and their families?”

His uncle shook his head. “Only ten. Byron and Robert don’t have any experience working in the brickyard. I can bring them over later.”

“They can earn their keep trucking off the pit and wheeling brick while they’re being trained for the more difficult tasks. We always need men to do the heavy work, and both Byron and Robbie are strong fellows.”

His uncle held a match to the bowl of his pipe. “Aye, and both of them have lots of hungry mouths to feed. At last count they each had six. By now, I’m guessing they each have another wee one or at least another one on the way. The passage for them, their wives, and their families is more than they’ll ever be able to repay me.”

Ewan frowned. “They’re family, Uncle Hugh. Is it fair you leave them behind and bring only the others?”

“Nothing in this life is fair, and the sooner you learn it, the better off you’ll be. If the brickyard makes lots of money and we pay off our debt, then I’ll reconsider. We have to be careful with the money—isn’t that what you said?”

Strange how his uncle had ordered Ewan out of the room and signed for the loan on his own, but now referenced the obligation as “our debt.” His uncle had a way of twisting most anything to his own advantage.

“We do need to be careful with the money. After you pay Mr.
Hawkins for travel expenses for the family, the balance should be placed in the business account. We can purchase the additional machinery and hold the remainder of the funds for a time as a safeguard until we begin receiving payments on our contracts.”

“Aye, but first you must get the contracts.” His uncle wagged his finger at Ewan. “We’ll see if those friends of Mrs. Woodfield keep their word once you show them some of the bricks made in our brickyard.”

Dread settled across Ewan’s shoulders like a heavy yoke. His uncle would be present, but the burden to succeed would rest upon Ewan.

As the weeks passed and late April arrived, winter loosened its stronghold and spring made a glorious entrance into the West Virginia hills and valleys. The weather signaled a time of new beginnings and provided a promising foundation that would shape their future at the brickworks. So long as they weren’t hindered by heavy spring rains and flooding, Ewan was confident he could develop the brickworks into a company with an even stronger reputation than it had carried under the Woodfield name.

They’d reopened the yard at a slower pace than normal so Ewan could learn the abilities of the men as well as any differences in how they performed their work. While seeking to purchase a brickyard, he’d visited enough yards to know that practices in this country didn’t vary much from those in his homeland

Soon they moved into full production, with many of the men walking long distances along moonlit paths or through dew-drenched fields to arrive before the final morning whistle sounded in the cool spring air. The horses would already be
harnessed to the pug mill, walking in an unending circle, their movement forcing sharp blades to cut through the mixture of clay and water in the giant tub until it reached the perfect pliable texture needed for the molds the VerValen machine stood ready to fill.