The Potter's Lady (21 page)

Mrs. Woodfield chuckled. “Are you saying that too many cooks can spoil the broth, my dear?”

Rose smiled and gave a slight nod. “I don’t mean to offend, but—”

“No offense taken. I wasn’t going to offer any ideas about the design, but rather a method that might help the two of you develop a winning entry.”

Mrs. Woodfield’s comment aroused Rylan’s interest. “What kind of method?”

A look of satisfaction spread across the older woman’s face. “I think the two of you need to visit the Franklin Hotel in Pittsburgh so you have a better idea of the décor and style the owner has chosen for his primary hotel. Once you’ve seen the interior of the hotel, I believe you’ll be better able to decide upon your design.” She leaned back in her chair. Her eyes glimmered with satisfaction as she looked at her daughter. “Don’t you agree, Laura?”

Laura arched her brows. “The idea is certainly promising, but I don’t know how Rose and Rylan could possibly travel to—”

Mrs. Woodfield waved her daughter to silence. “I’ve already decided that you and I can accompany them and act as their chaperones. It’s a perfect plan. We could leave as early as tomorrow morning if Ewan has no objection.”

Ewan’s eyes shone with concern. “While I think your idea a good one, I don’t think Laura should be included in your travel plans. Even though she’s been feeling better over the past two weeks, I worry she may once again become ill while traveling. I don’t think it’s wise.”

Rylan had witnessed the strain Mrs. McKay’s recent illness had caused his employer. Over the past few months, Ewan had gone home more often than usual to check on the well-being of his wife, but he’d never mentioned the cause of her illness. And she certainly didn’t appear ill this evening, but he admired Ewan’s concern for his wife.

“I believe Ewan is right, Mother. While I am feeling quite well at the moment, I don’t think travel would be wise. You know how my health has faltered of late. I do well for a time, and then I must take to my bed.” She offered her mother a sympathetic smile. “I would very much like to join you, but I’m sure the doctor would also object.” She straightened her shoulders and looked at Rose. “I do think the idea holds great merit, and I see no reason why the three of you shouldn’t leave tomorrow.”

Mrs. Woodfield leaned sideways and patted her daughter’s hand. “You and Ewan are right. I thought perhaps the trip might be a nice diversion, but it could prove too taxing.” She sighed. “I do wish the doctor could discover what’s been ailing you.”

Rose cleared her throat. “Grandmother Woodfield’s suggestion that we depart tomorrow is impossible for me. I haven’t yet notified Joshua I’ll be busy on Wednesdays. I had hoped to tell him in person.”

“Ewan could explain, but I doubt you’d think that a good idea. I suppose we could wait until Thursday morning.” The older woman gave a slight shake of her head. “I cannot understand how that young man can be away from his business for a full day every week. With such a lackadaisical attitude toward his work, I won’t be surprised if I hear that Harkness Pottery has failed.” She passed an oval china serving bowl heaped with green beans to Ewan. “If I know Jeremiah Harkness, he has no idea his son isn’t tending to business six days a week. Has Joshua mentioned any progress with his father’s pottery when the two of you visit?”

Ewan spooned green beans onto his plate and then passed the bowl to Adaira. “You need not worry about Joshua or the Harkness Pottery. From what he’s told me, they are doing much better than we are. He says their production has increased since he took over, yet he still hasn’t impressed his father enough to get the office position he desires.”

Laura passed the bowl of mashed potatoes to Rose. “I simply don’t understand how he has increased production while you work so hard and have had little success in gaining new contracts. Somehow it doesn’t seem right.”

Ewan smiled at his wife. “He’s obviously won some fair-sized contracts, and I’ve not been successful with the bids I’ve submitted for various jobs.”

Rylan didn’t miss the hint of sadness in Ewan’s voice. He desperately wanted Mr. McKay to succeed. “Mr. Bancock always said that bidding required a little knowledge and a lot of God’s grace. If we can win one or two of the contracts we sent off today, we will be doing much better.”

“Then we shall be praying that you win those contracts. In the meantime, let’s forge our plans so that McKay Pottery wins the contract being offered by the Franklin Hotels.” Mrs. Woodfield directed her attention to Rylan. “Are you able to go to Pittsburgh on Thursday and be away for several days?”

He glanced at Ewan. “If Mr. McKay agrees that I can be absent from work.”

Ewan forked a piece of the pork roast onto his plate. “I have no objection to the plan or to Rylan being away from work for a few days. I believe it could help if the two of you see the interior of the hotel, but Rose should be the one who decides if the time is better spent working on designs or visiting the hotel.”

They all turned in Rose’s direction. “I think the time will be well spent visiting the hotel. On the way home, Rylan and I can discuss our ideas.”

Mrs. Woodfield beamed. “Excellent. Then we’re agreed. We’ll leave on the early train Thursday morning.”

When they finished dinner, Rose asked to be excused. She looked at Rylan as she stood. “Since we’re not going to be planning our designs until after the visit to Pittsburgh, I assume our session for tonight is cancelled.”

Rylan’s stomach cinched. He glanced around the table, suddenly feeling like an interloper at their dinner table. “I thank you for the fine meal, Mrs. McKay. ’Twas a pleasure joining your family, but I believe I’ll bid you all good-night. As Rose mentioned, our plans are cancelled for this evening, so there’s no reason for me to be here.”

Rose gaped at him. “Y-you’re welcome to stay, but since we aren’t meeting . . .”

Rylan shook his head. “I understand. There’s no need to explain.”

She’d made it clear. He didn’t belong.

Shame washed over Rose as she climbed the staircase and hurried down the hallway toward the nursery. Though it hadn’t been her intent, her curt comment had caused Rylan to feel unwelcome. The thought that she’d sent such a message to a guest in their home created a rush of bad memories. While in school, she’d experienced the sting of rejection and had promised herself she would never exclude others. But that’s what she’d done this evening. She hadn’t wanted to hurt him, but she had wanted him to leave. Mostly because they seemed to disagree about almost everything.

When they’d first met, she’d thought him handsome and quite charming, but their differing views had altered her opinion. While she couldn’t fault Rylan’s work ethic or his desire to have the pottery succeed, she abhorred his reluctance to remain open-minded.

Joshua had at least listened to her ideas and had even concurred with her suggestions. She had hoped he would immediately begin classes for the children in his pottery and institute some of her suggestions for cleanliness, as well. A few weeks ago when she’d inquired about progress, he said his father had forbidden the changes, citing cost as the reason. Joshua’s remorse, especially regarding the school, had been palpable. Though she regretted there would be no schoolroom in Harkness Pottery, Rose had appreciated Joshua’s desire for change and his compassionate attitude. He’d promised that once his father loosened his oversight, there would be changes at their pottery.

Rose opened the door to the nursery and waved at Tessa. The child had finished her dinner and pointed to her dollhouse. “Let’s play.” Tessa jumped up and hurried across the room.

Beatrice frowned, obviously annoyed by the intrusion. “I’ll need to get her ready for bed soon.”

Rose ignored the remark and joined Tessa at the dollhouse. She picked up several pieces of tiny furniture and placed them in one of the rooms. “I think we need to arrange the parlor with more chairs, don’t you?”

Tessa bobbed her head and gathered several of the small padded chairs and pushed them into the parlor.

“I thought you and Rylan was supposed to have some sort of meeting after supper. How come you’re up here instead?” Beatrice pinned Rose with a hard stare.

“We postponed our meeting until after we make a trip to Pittsburgh.” She arched her brows. “How did you know about my meeting with Rylan?”

The nanny hiked a shoulder. “Ainslee told me. She said you were doing some designs for a contest. I figured she didn’t know what she was talking about until I came downstairs before dinner. I’m thinkin’ that Rylan fella was feelin’ like a fish out of water and things didn’t go so well. That’s why you’re up here with Tessa and me.”

Rose shook her head. “No, that’s not it at all. We aren’t ready to begin creating the designs yet.”

“Why not? How do you know when you’re ready to draw something? Do you have to wait until y’er hit with a jolt of lightning or something?”

Rose chuckled. “No, but it does help to have some ideas in mind before you sit down and try to draw a design. This project is important, so we want to be sure we submit our very best work.”

Beatrice crossed the room and picked up several of Tessa’s wooden blocks. “What kind of contest is it that y’er entering?” She placed the blocks inside the toy chest.

The nanny’s curiosity surprised Rose. Never before had Beatrice shown any interest in the pottery or Rose’s work, but perhaps this was Beatrice’s attempt to establish a friendlier relationship. Though she didn’t go into great detail, Rose told her the contest was being sponsored by the owner of the Franklin Hotels.

Beatrice sat down and gave Rose her undivided attention. “That sounds excitin’. What’s the prize if ya win?”

As Rose revealed the prize, Beatrice rubbed her hands together and smiled. “That’s a mighty good reason to make the best drawings ya can. That money would sure come in handy.”

“The money would be nice, but the contracts would be even better. That’s the part of the prize that will help everyone working at the pottery.”

“Aye, that’s true enough. How’d ya come to hear about the contest?”

Rose mentioned the letter she’d received from Mrs. Fisk.

“So can anybody enter, or is it open to only certain potteries?” Beatrice leaned forward, her eyes glimmering with excitement.

“The entries must come from potteries able to produce the dishware, since the first prize is a contract to make all of the dishware for the Franklin Hotels.”

The girl nodded her head as if she understood, the glimmer still sparkling in her eyes. Did Beatrice somehow believe she could draw a design and win the cash prize?

“No one can enter simply to win the cash prize. All those who enter must verify they can produce the dishes.” Rose spoke slowly, still not certain Beatrice grasped the entirety of the process.

Once again she nodded. “Sure, and I understand, Rose. I know I cannot enter, if that’s what’s worrying ya. Even if I could make the dishes, I couldn’t draw a picture if me life depended on it. I was just dreamin’ about that prize money.” She leaned back in her chair. “What are you thinkin’ might be a good idea for your design?”

“We’re not sure. Grandmother Woodfield is going to escort Rylan and me to Pittsburgh so we can visit the main hotel and gather some ideas. We’ll be leaving on Thursday morning.”

Beatrice’s eyes opened wide. “That Rylan fella is going to Pittsburgh with you and Mrs. Woodfield? For sure, that’s quite a piece of news.” Her eyes clouded with a faraway look. “I’d like to see Pittsburgh one day. Maybe when I get married, I’ll go there with me husband.”

The remark surprised Rose. She didn’t realize Beatrice had a beau. “I didn’t know you were planning a wedding.”

“Not yet, but a lass needs to have her plans in mind, so when the right fella comes along, she’s prepared. What about you and Joshua Harkness? I bet the two of you are making some plans for the future, what with him traveling to see you every Wednesday.”

For someone who’d been eager to get Tessa ready for bed, Beatrice had certainly done a turnaround. “Right now, we’re not making any plans. I have no idea what the future might hold, but I do know we won’t be seeing each other on Wednesday evenings for a while.”

Beatrice startled at the remark. “Why’s that?”

Rose divulged her plan to curtail visits with Joshua while she worked on the designs. “I’m sure he can use the additional time to complete work at his own pottery. Though he doesn’t complain, I imagine being absent every Wednesday creates a hardship for him. This will give him a much-needed break in our routine.”

“You mean he won’t be coming to Grafton for a whole month? That’s a mistake, for sure. Not seeing a man for that long will lead to a wandering eye. You should give that idea some more thought.”

Rose chuckled and patted Beatrice’s hand. “No need to worry. I think our relationship will survive. If it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.”

W
hen the train arrived at the Grafton station on Wednesday morning, Beatrice was waiting near the entrance leading into the waiting room. At first she’d considered going inside. She’d even given thought to waiting on the platform, but eventually common sense prevailed. She knew Joshua would be unhappy she was anywhere near the railroad station, but she’d convince him that no one would question an inadvertent meeting between the two of them. And if any questions arose, she’d merely say she had been expecting a visit from one of her relatives in Bartlett.