The Brickmaker's Bride (8 page)

Her father had gone on to demonstrate the method he’d learned to use when anger began to take hold of him. The same movement she was now using to control her temper and her tongue. Though she liked to justify her temper by telling herself she’d inherited it from her father, she knew that wasn’t true. Resorting to anger was a choice that generally ended with poor results, another fact her father had explained to her years ago.

Laura’s temper didn’t flare when she was being wronged. But when she believed others were being treated unjustly, she was quick to anger. When the residents of western Virginia voted to pull away and form the state of West Virginia in support of the Union, she’d celebrated with her parents at a huge gathering in Wheeling, thankful to be among those who opposed the unjust practice of slavery. Her anger had swelled and she’d pressed local and state officials to action when the widows and orphans and returning soldiers of the War Between the States needed aid and none was forthcoming.

Although Mr. Crothers’s actions were insignificant by comparison, the man was attempting to take advantage of her mother. His tasteless scheming stuck in her craw.

How she’d love to tell Mr. Crothers that Charlie and Jack were more than any other person would offer once a contract had been signed. Instead, she tightened her lips into a thin line and continued the exercise with her hands.

Laura’s mother cleared her throat. “I believe the only other thing my daughter and I can offer you is a great deal of advice on how to make your brickworks successful.” Mr. Crothers’s mouth dropped open at the suggestion, but Laura’s mother quickly continued. “Before you hasten to tell me that what I’m offering is of little worth, let me explain something to you. While I’m sure both you and Mr. McKay are capable of operating a
brickyard, there is more to becoming successful than knowing how to burn excellent bricks. Laura and I can provide you with the names of men who are well trained in brickwork. We can also introduce you to my husband’s business contacts in Fairmont, Wheeling, Pittsburgh, and Allegheny City—men who decide from whom they will purchase bricks. And I’m sure Laura would be willing to provide your bookkeeper and timekeepers with any assistance needed until they’ve become accustomed to their positions.” Laura’s mother leaned back in her chair. “Does any of this sound appealing to you, Mr. Crothers?”

“Aye. There’s no denying we could use a bit of help securing contracts. If we can spend the winter months meetin’ with these men you mentioned, we could begin making money come spring. I do believe my wife would take to the idea of meeting some of the wives, as well.”

Laura flinched. Mrs. Crothers and her haughty attitude wouldn’t enhance Mr. Crothers’s opportunity to make a good impression and secure contracts. Then again, Mr. Crothers didn’t possess much refinement, either. Did her mother truly expect these meetings to go well?

“For these initial meetings, I believe Mr. McKay would be a better choice. I know you are the owner, but I sense that Mr. McKay possesses a greater degree of passion about the brickworks. His excitement is rather spontaneous, and I think he would make a fine impression upon these men.”

“And y’er saying I would not?” Mr. Crothers tugged on his vest. “There’s an insult if ever I heard one.”

Mrs. Woodfield twirled a handkerchief between her fingers, a sure sign her nerves were taking hold. At times it seemed her mother had become stalwart and strong, able to make difficult decisions and meet criticism without faltering. At other times, with only a word or two, men like Mr. Crothers managed to
obliterate all the gumption she’d acquired since her husband’s death.

Though she’d agreed to remain quiet, Laura couldn’t sit by and do nothing. “My mother would never intentionally insult anyone, Mr. Crothers. She’s merely offering you her very best advice, and you must admit that you and Mr. McKay possess very different dispositions.” She watched Mr. Crothers for any sign of offense, but seeing none, she continued. “Given Mr. McKay’s thoughtful temperament, Mother believes he would best represent your brickworks. Of course, you are not bound to take her advice.”

Her mother nodded in agreement. “Laura is right. You may do as you wish.” She inhaled a deep breath. “But I know I am correct about this.”

Mr. Crothers slapped his thigh and guffawed. “I think you may be as spirited as your daughter, Mrs. Woodfield.”

“I don’t believe that’s true.” The aroma of roasted beef drifted into the room, and Mr. Crothers lifted his nose in the air. Mrs. Woodfield glanced toward the dining room. “Would you care to join us for supper, Mr. Crothers? We haven’t completed our discussion, and Catherine will be unhappy if the meal is ruined.”

“I thank you for the invitation. ’Twould be my pleasure to join you. I’m sure the rest of my family will have finished supper and gone to bed by the time I return to Bartlett.”

Laura winced at his response. Did Mr. Crothers intend to remain and wear her mother down so she would relent and agree to return a portion of his money? If so, he didn’t know the women of Woodfield Manor.

E
wan hurried down the hotel steps and into the dining room, eager to visit with his uncle. After supper last night, he’d waited in the lobby, but when his uncle hadn’t returned by nine o’clock, Ewan surmised the older man had chosen to spend the night at their new house. He caught sight of his uncle seated at one of the dining tables and was pleased to see he was alone. Whenever Margaret and Kathleen were present, discussions regarding the brickworks quickly changed to talk of houses or furniture.

His uncle waved him into the hotel restaurant and motioned to an empty chair next to him. “Sit down, my boy. We need to talk.”

Before Ewan had settled in his chair, a waitress hurried to the table and filled his coffee cup while his uncle slathered a biscuit with butter. The man appeared in good spirits, a sign things had gone his way yesterday afternoon.

After swallowing a bite of the biscuit, he wiped his mouth. “One thing is for sure, Ewan: Business dealings with men are a lot easier than with women. I’m thinkin’ those two women had no need of a lawyer. They know how to fend for themselves.”

Ewan’s earlier optimism was now replaced by dread. His
stomach roiled and he swallowed hard to keep the acidic taste of his morning coffee at bay. He was sure to receive a rebuke for suggesting the meeting with Mrs. Woodfield. Yet to ignore the woman’s request would have been offensive.

“I’m sorry to hear you had a difficult time. So what do you plan to do? Meet with them again today?”

Uncle Hugh shook his head. “No need. I stayed last night, and we finally came to a meetin’ of the minds. There’s no way I’ll convince ’em they should be giving me some of my money back, but I managed to talk them out of two good horses for the pug mill.” He finished off his eggs and downed a gulp of coffee. “Also got ’em to give me names of experienced workers still in the area. Miss Woodfield agreed to help with the books and timekeeping for a spell. It took a bit of persuading, but she finally agreed we could take a look at all their records and contracts, too.”

Ewan didn’t mention that most of that had been offered to him yesterday. His uncle wanted him to think he’d come out ahead in the negotiations, and Ewan would let him. “Sounds like you struck a good deal, Uncle Hugh. There’s real value in having access to those contracts and business papers from the Woodfield Brickworks.”

His uncle stroked his mustache. “’Course there is. That’s why I went ahead and settled.” His uncle leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. “One more thing. They’re willing to give us introductions to some of the big businessmen up in Wheeling and Pittsburgh.” He grinned. “How’s that for twisting their arms? I don’t think they were real happy, but I insisted they take you along with ’em on their next visit. That way you can start to negotiate contracts before next spring. You’ll need to be back here once we begin firing the kilns, but there’s no reason you can’t spend some time away from Bartlett during the winter.”

His uncle had certainly put his own slant on the negotiations. He wondered what Mrs. Woodfield had said to convince his uncle. “So you don’t want to travel to Wheeling or Pittsburgh to meet with the contractors? You think it should be me?”

“Aye. That’s what I said, isn’t it?” He withdrew a paper from his pocket. “This here’s a list of clay cutters and other workers.” His uncle pushed the sheet of paper across the table. “We need to go and see about hiring as many of them as we can get. Thought you could begin today. The names with a check beside ’em are the men who still live in these parts.”

Ewan didn’t miss the fact that his uncle had switched from
we
to
you
when he mentioned beginning the process today. Now that he’d disclosed yesterday afternoon’s happenings, he seemed eager to depart. Likely because he didn’t want to answer any questions.

“Don’t leave just yet, Uncle Hugh. I want to ask about going to Wheeling with Mrs. Woodfield and her daughter. If you expect me to travel with them, I need to know when they’re planning to go and when we’ll meet with Miss Woodfield to go over their old contracts at the brickworks. It would be good to review those before I try to negotiate new contracts.” Ewan sighed. They needed to accomplish a great deal before they would be ready to begin production next spring. “There’s a lot to be done in a short time.”

His uncle hiked a shoulder. “There’s no denying there’s plenty of work, but I promised your aunt we could return to the house so she could make a list of things she’d be needin’. Once that’s done, I need not tell ya that she’ll be wanting to go shopping. Margaret will keep me busy. She’s unhappy enough that I didn’t manage to get her that mansion, but once she’s settled in the other house, I’ll be able to do more.” He chuckled and placed his napkin on the table. “Besides, that’s why you’re my partner.
I can depend upon ya to take over when I’m busy with other matters.”

Ewan inhaled a deep breath. “But I’m not really a partner yet. That’s something else we need to discuss.”

“Heavens above, you sure are one for complaining. You’ll be a partner as soon as the brickyard is turning a decent profit.” Hugh removed his pipe from his pocket and pointed the stem toward Ewan. “The quickest way for that to happen is to get yourself busy hiring some of these men, especially the clay cutters.” His uncle filled the bowl of his pipe with tobacco. “As for meetings in Wheeling and Pittsburgh with the Woodfield ladies, I cannot tell you what I don’t know. If we happen to see either of them while we’re out at the house, I’ll ask.”

Ewan nodded. “And ask them when we’ll go over the contracts, as well. That’s important, Uncle Hugh.”

“Aye.” His uncle patted his palm against his chest. “I’ll carry your many questions close to me heart and report back with the answers.”

Long ago, Ewan had become accustomed to his uncle’s bristly comments and learned he ought not compare the man to his own father. Still, Uncle Hugh’s sarcasm could occasionally cut to the bone. “If you expect me to do the work, then you need to make certain I have what I need. Otherwise you’ll not get the results you want.”

Uncle Hugh furrowed his brows. “Feeling a bit full of yourself this morning, are you?”

“I’m only saying what needs to be said. We both should be working to get the brickyard up and running. There will be more than enough time for shopping later.”

“Tell your aunt Maggie and see what she has to say about that. You can be sure I won’t be giving her that message.” His uncle pushed away from the table. “When you go to the livery,
ask the older fellow for directions. Miss Woodfield said some of the men live a distance away.” His uncle stood and glanced toward the stairway. “I need to go upstairs and fetch your aunt. Good luck. I’ll be looking forward to hearing a good report come morning.”

Ewan stared at the list, uncertain how his uncle expected him to return with a good report by morning. Unless these men lived within a few miles of the hotel, it would take at least a week to contact all of them. He pushed aside his anger and strode out of the hotel. Resentment would only blur his thoughts and slow him down, and he needed to keep moving. The thud of his heavy boots echoed on the wooden sidewalk as he rounded the corner of the hotel. He stopped short as he came face-to-face with Laura Woodfield.

She gasped and took a backward step. “Mr. McKay. I’m glad you were more alert than I, or we would have collided.”

As he looked into her sparkling blue eyes, his heart pounded a new beat. He wanted to say that colliding with her would be the best thing that could happen to him, but she’d think him an impolite fool. What kind of man would say such a thing? Especially to a woman he’d just met? He reined in his whirring thoughts and yanked off his cap. “I hope I did not frighten you too much.”

“No, I’m fine.” She pressed her palm down the front of her skirt.

A hint of jasmine lightly perfumed the air, the same scent he’d noticed the last time he’d been around Miss Woodfield. “Glad I am for that. I’m thinkin’ I need to slow down going around corners in the future.” He should let her continue on her way, but he couldn’t let her go—not yet. He tapped the pocket where he’d placed the list of possible employees. “I was on my way to the livery. Off to locate some of the workers on the list you
gave my uncle. I’m hopeful the stableman can provide me with directions for at least some of them.”

Her lips curved in a winsome smile. “I’d be happy to help. Perhaps we could sit down somewhere and I could write out directions for the men who live some distance from town.”

He plunged his hands into his pockets and tried to tamp down the thought that she might be attracted to him. She was a lady of social stature, and he was nothing more than a Scots-Irish immigrant with no land or money to his name.

Still, he could use her help, and he’d enjoy the added time with her. “We could go back to the hotel and sit in the lobby. There’s a writing desk you could use.”

“That would work perfectly.” She matched his stride as they walked the short distance and then entered the lobby. “I suggest you begin by contacting the clay cutters first. They’re the men you’ll need to hire immediately.” She glanced up at him as she sat down at the writing desk. Ewan pulled a chair next to hers. She withdrew a piece of hotel stationery from the drawer and said, “I’m going to write the names of the clay cutters and their addresses. I’ll do my best to list them in the most direct route so you don’t waste a great deal of time.”

She carefully penned the names and addresses, stopping occasionally to tell him of a worker who might live near one of the clay cutters.

“If there’s a hacker or an edger who lives nearby one of the clay cutters, you might do well to stop and explain that you’ve purchased the brickworks and are going to hire experienced workers in the spring. You could also ask to post a message at the general store. Mr. Lathrop keeps a board for that purpose.”

She glanced at him and her smile disarmed him. He needed to concentrate or he’d forget everything she said before he walked out of the hotel lobby. Ewan forced himself to keep his attention
focused upon Laura’s comments, but each time he looked at her lips, his thoughts took flight.

“Explaining the systems would be easier if we had the books in front of us.”

“W-what?”

“I fear I’m boring you, Mr. McKay. I was telling you about the bookkeeping system.”

“Aye, the books.” He bobbed his head. “I suggested my uncle ask you for a time when we could meet to go over the books and review your father’s contracts.”

“Aye. That he did.” Hugh’s voice boomed in Ewan’s ear. He jerked and turned to see his aunt, uncle, and Kathleen surrounding them. “I told Ewan I would speak with you, but I see he beat me to the punch.” His uncle squeezed Ewan’s shoulder until he flinched from the pain. “What have the two of you been talking about without me, my boy?”

“Only what we’ve already discussed, Mr. Crothers.” Laura tapped the piece of stationery. “I’m giving Ewan directions to the homes of the clay cutters so he can contact them today.” Laura flashed a bright smile at the older man. “When did you wish to meet and go over the contracts and books? I’m sure that’s foremost in your mind right now.”

Aunt Margaret spoke up before Uncle Hugh had an opportunity. “We’re eager to move out of the hotel, Miss Woodfield, and I’ve asked my husband to assist me for the remainder of the week. I fear there’s much more to complete than I had anticipated.”

His aunt’s air of authority didn’t surprise Ewan, yet she’d likely need to adjust her behavior if she expected to cultivate acquaintances among the upper crust of society. Otherwise, Mrs. Woodfield and Laura might think her too overbearing.

Laura dipped her pen into the ink. “That’s not a problem,
Mrs. Crothers.” She twisted to look up at Ewan’s uncle. “We’ll set a time to meet without you, Mr. Crothers. I don’t want to interfere with your already burgeoning schedule. I feel certain Mr. McKay will make time to go over the contracts and books.” Her lips tilted in a rather insincere smile. “Besides, there’s no need for you to be in the middle of things, since Mr. McKay will be in charge of contracting as well as hiring and seeing to the operations at the brickyard. Having to arrange for your presence will only slow progress, don’t you think?”

Uncle Hugh narrowed his eyes and stroked his mustache—a sure sign he didn’t know how to respond. “’Tis true I want progress, but I do not want to be left out in the cold.”

Laura’s smile broadened. “We will be sure to include you if winter arrives early. We wouldn’t want you to freeze.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kathleen appeared completely confused.

“Don’t worry yourself, Kathleen. I understand what Miss Woodfield is sayin’.” Hugh returned her smile, then slapped Ewan on the shoulder. “And my nephew knows what I’m sayin’, as well, don’t you, boy?”

His uncle didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he shepherded his wife and sister-in-law out of the hotel.

“Your uncle is an interesting man. I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone quite like him,” Laura said. “I hope you don’t think I was too forward with him, but I thought if someone else pointed out his misplaced priorities, he might see the error of his ways. He acts as though he’s no more than a silent partner.”

Ewan chuckled. “I don’t think you could ever call Uncle Hugh silent. Believe me, he’ll have his say about everything I do.”

“And when the brickyard is a huge success, I’m sure he’ll step front and center to take full credit. There are more than a handful of businessmen who act in the same manner. I’m
thankful to say my father was not one of them. There wasn’t a job in the yard he couldn’t perform if needed. I saw him do everything from cutting clay from the hillside to sitting up at night to keep watch over the fires in the kilns.” Laura handed Ewan the list of names she’d prepared.

“Thank you for this.” He nodded toward the piece of paper. “I agree that it’s a wise man who knows every measure of his business, but my uncle brought me along so he doesn’t have to worry about those details.”

Laura raised her eyebrows and pushed away from the desk. “I hope you don’t let him take undue advantage, Mr. McKay.”