The Brickmaker's Bride (26 page)

O
ver 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?”

Adaira shook her head. “Nay, we were telling the truth. I told Laura about Kathleen crying all the time.”

Laura’s mother stepped into the aisle and grasped Ewan’s arm. “I was hoping for an opportunity to speak with you and Kathleen. Laura and I have an idea that might prove helpful to all concerned. I was going to invite you to come for lunch, but since Kathleen isn’t here, perhaps you could bring her for tea this afternoon. I trust she isn’t ill?”

“Nay, not ill. Just a wee bit sad.” Ewan gestured for Rose to take the twins to the rear of the church. “She feared she would break down and cry during church and make a spectacle of herself.” He glanced at Laura. “I would be very pleased to come to Woodfield Manor for tea. I’m sure it would cheer Kathleen, as well.”

“Tea at Woodfield Manor, is it?” Margaret Crothers had approached as silently as a fox stalking its prey. “Was this an invitation to the entire family I’ve just heard?”

Laura’s mother didn’t hesitate for even a moment. “I’m afraid today’s invitation is only for a select few, Mrs. Crothers.”

Margaret glared at Ewan. “I see my sister has decided to remain at home rather than show her face in church. She should know that she can’t hide her sin much longer. Soon it will be evident for all to see.”

“Aye, that’s true enough, Aunt Margaret. But even if she could cover her mistake, I’m sure you’d not let her forget.” Ewan’s words cut through the air with an icy chill, and his aunt marched out of the church without a backward glance.

Hugh gave a slight nod to Laura and Mrs. Woodfield, then patted Ewan on the shoulder. “Don’t provoke her too much, Ewan. If we don’t openly disagree with your aunt, perhaps she’ll have a change of heart and realize even she has made mistakes from time to time. Besides, I wouldn’t want her urging me to evict you and the girls from your house.”

Ewan grunted. “I hope you wouldn’t consider anything so drastic, Uncle.”

“I’m not sayin’ I would, but it would be best to tread lightly around your aunt Margaret. There’s been no calming her since she found out about Kathleen.” He glanced toward the doors at the rear of the church, sighed, and marched off.

Ewan hadn’t expected Kathleen’s objections. For the past half hour, he’d done his best to assure her that Mrs. Woodfield wasn’t going to say or do anything to embarrass her. “She said she and Laura had an idea that might be helpful to all of us. You trust Laura, don’t you?”

Kathleen wiped her eyes and bobbed her head. “Yes, but I barely know her mother. I don’t think I want to discuss my condition with her.”

“I think you’ll feel better if you get out of the house for a while. I’m sure it will be a pleasant hour. It’s not good for you to sit in your room and brood.” He lightly grasped her elbow and directed her toward the hallway. “I’m going to insist you come with me, just this once.”

She walked out the front door, still sniffling. “I can hardly refuse, since you’ve been good enough to let me come here and stay with you.”

He disliked being forceful with Kathleen. Most of her life, she’d had someone pushing her one direction or another, which was probably why she’d been so easily swayed by Terrance O’Grady. Instead of gaining a voice now and objecting to tea at Woodfield Manor, he wished she would have gathered her strength to say no when Terrance had come sneaking around and taking advantage, but there was no need to dwell on that.

What had happened couldn’t be undone, and Kathleen would have to make the best of the situation. Perhaps by the time the wee one arrived, Margaret would soften her ways. If not,
Kathleen was going to have to make some difficult decisions regarding her future and that of her babe.

Since the weather had cooled, Ewan suggested they walk the short distance to Woodfield Manor. He hoped it would give Kathleen time to compose herself before they arrived.

Kathleen came to a halt when they neared the front porch of the Woodfield home. “Is my face splotchy?”

Ewan looked down at her and smiled. “Nay. You look fine, Kathleen.” He grasped her elbow as they mounted the steps. Her shoulders were as rigid as a board. “Try to relax. These are friends, not enemies. I think Laura and her mother want to help you.”

They hadn’t yet crossed the porch when Laura appeared and opened the front door. “Welcome! We’re so glad you agreed to come for tea. Do come in.”

The tension in Kathleen’s shoulders eased when Laura reached for the girl’s hand. “It’s kind of you to invite us. I didn’t want to intrude, but Ewan insisted. He said you and your mother want to talk to me.” She leaned a little closer to Laura. “Does she know about the baby?”

Laura nodded. “She does, but it’s fine. There’s no reason to worry about Mother.”

A short time later as they were drinking their tea, Mrs. Woodfield settled her gaze on Kathleen and gently proposed she move into Woodfield Manor for the remainder of her confinement. “As time progresses, you can decide about your future. Laura and I will be glad to help in any way we can, and my physician will see to your care. Besides, Rose has her hands full with the twins.”

“You’re right,” Kathleen agreed. “It isn’t fair to burden Rose, and even though Ewan says it doesn’t matter, I know it’s improper for me to live in the same house with him. I’ve already done enough to bring shame on the family. I don’t want to do
any more harm by injuring Ewan’s reputation.” Bright pink colored her cheeks.

Ewan leaned forward and rested his arms across his thighs. “You do not need to worry yourself about me, Kathleen. You make your decision based upon what you want to do. If you think you’ll be more content at my house, then we’ll not worry about what anyone has to say, but if you’d like to come here to Woodfield Manor, then I’ll bring your few belongings from my house and gather the rest from your sister and deliver them. Whatever you decide is fine with me.”

Kathleen looked back and forth between Mrs. Woodfield and Laura before she finally turned to Ewan. “I think it would be best for all of us if I stayed here with Laura and Mrs. Woodfield.”

Ewan gave a slight nod. “If you’re sure that’s what you want.”

Kathleen forced a feeble smile. “I think it’s best for all of us.”

“Then I’ll go home and get Rose. Together we can go to your sister’s house, pack up your clothing and other belongings, and bring them back here before nightfall.” He glanced at Mrs. Woodfield. “Is that arrangement fine with you?”

The older woman gave a firm nod, and once they’d finalized their plans, Laura escorted Ewan to the front porch. “I’m so glad Kathleen decided to stay with us. I know Mother will see that she has the best medical care. Mother sometimes seems a little brusque, but she’ll make certain Kathleen is well settled and as happy as she can be, given the circumstances.”