The Potter's Lady (22 page)

Never before had she dared to meet Joshua’s train, but today was different. All night she’d worried he might not come or that he’d catch a later train. Only once had he failed to arrive on the early train, but with her luck, it would happen again today. She needed all the time she could squeeze into today’s rendezvous. Unless she could convince Joshua to continue his visits to Grafton each Wednesday, she wouldn’t see him for another month. She didn’t think she could survive without her Wednesday meetings with him, and she wanted the extra money he furnished her. Caring for a two-year-old simply didn’t provide the excitement or money she craved.

When Joshua stepped onto the brick sidewalk outside the station, Beatrice hurried toward him. His forehead creased with concern when he caught sight of her. “What are you doing here?” He scanned the area and then looked over his shoulder. “Someone could see us.”

His harsh tone implied anger, but she ignored the warning and stepped closer. Once he understood the importance of her news, his attitude would change. “I wanted to make sure I got to see you today. I have something mind-bogglin’ to tell ya, and since I might not see you for a month, I decided to take me chances and come to the station.”

He motioned her to a small alcove at the far end of the station. “What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t you see me?”

“There’s far too much I have to tell ya to stand out here in the open. I’ll meet you at the hotel in half an hour. Did you reserve your usual room?”

He nodded. “Come up the back stairs and knock on the door.” When she turned to depart, he grasped her wrist. “You haven’t found someone else to occupy your day off, have you?”

She curved her lips into a tempting smile and traced her fingers down the sleeve of his suit jacket. “How could I find anyone who could take your place?”

He shot her a warning look. “You couldn’t. I’ll see you in half an hour.”

She remained outside the station until he was out of sight, then made her way across the railroad tracks and eventually wound through town. After a stop at the general store, she walked past the livery, the smell of hay and manure now heavy in the air. As she turned onto a path leading to the rear of the hotel, her stomach rumbled. She hoped Joshua had ordered lunch delivered to their room when he checked in.

As she rounded the corner of the hotel, she turned toward the sound of footfalls and crackling undergrowth. Her breath caught when she spotted Rylan Campbell on the path behind the livery. She ducked her head and fled inside the back door of the hotel, her heart drumming beneath the bodice of her green print dress. He didn’t appear to have seen her, but she couldn’t be certain.

She raced up the steps and knocked on the door with a stenciled number four on the center panel. “Joshua! Hurry and open up. It’s me, Beatrice.”

Moments later, the door creaked open. An old lady with white hair piled high on her head stared at Beatrice through narrowed eyes. After directing a scathing look at Beatrice, the woman glanced over her shoulder. “Henry! There’s a girl here looking for someone named Joshua. What’s this all about?”

Beatrice backed away from the door and waved her hand. “I have the wrong room. No need to bother your husband.” She hastened away from the doorway and down the stairs before the woman could create a commotion that might draw other hotel guests into the hallway.

Once she reached the foot of the stairs, she circled around and stepped into the small alcove below the stairway and inhaled a deep breath. What was the matter with Joshua? She’d specifically asked him about his room. Did he think she’d be amused by his antics? If so, he was sorely mistaken.

After a moment to compose herself, Beatrice marched down the hallway and approached the front desk. Her frazzled condition was further aggravated when she discovered the hotel clerk absent from his post. When she could find him nowhere in sight, she continually pressed her palm up and down on the bell in rapid succession. The incessant dinging brought the clerk running to the desk.

He rushed behind the counter and grabbed the bell from beneath her hand. “How may I be of assistance, miss?” He held the bell tight against his chest and glared at her.

Beatrice didn’t flinch. “If you’d been at your desk, I wouldn’t have had to ring. I need the room number for Joshua Harkness. He registered a short time ago.”

The clerk shook his head. “We don’t give out the room numbers of our guests unless they advise us to do so.”

Beatrice narrowed her eyes until they were mere slits. “Then check for his instructions, because he’s expecting me.”

“There’s nothing written by his registration.” He looked down his nose at her. “I cannot give you his room number.”

Beatrice blew out a long breath. “He’s a friend of mine, and either ya tell me his room number, or I’ll take meself up those stairs and knock on every door until I find him.”

“I can’t allow you to do—”

“Beatrice! Are you here to enjoy lunch on your day off?”

She whirled around and found herself face-to-face with Rylan Campbell.
Blimey!
Now what? She stepped away from the counter and hoped the clerk would be thankful she was out of his hair for the moment.

“Aye. Sometimes I like to enjoy a bite when I come into town.” The tightness in her voice alarmed her. If she didn’t relax, he’d know she was up to something. “What about you? On yar lunch break from the pottery?”

He nodded. “They usually have creamed chicken on biscuits on Wednesdays, so I stop by sometimes. If you haven’t eaten, you should try them.”

“I’m not so sure I’m all that hungry.”

“If ya change your mind, you might ask to be seated with Joshua Harkness. I saw him enjoying the chicken and biscuits while I was in the dining room.” He arched an eyebrow. “You do know Joshua, don’t ya?”

She could feel the heat climb up her neck and spread across her checks. No doubt her creamy complexion was now sporting bright red splotches. “I shared a few dances with him at Rose’s party when she lived in Bartlett, and I’ve seen him at the house when he comes callin’ on Rose.”

How did Rylan know she and Joshua were acquainted? She tried to recall if Joshua had ever mentioned Rylan. Her mind raced as she tried to sift through all that had happened since that first dance with Joshua, but the two of them had talked about lots of things. She simply couldn’t recall, and that was enough to make her nervous.

When Rylan made no move to leave, she nodded toward the dining room. “I best get into the dining room and order me lunch.” She forced her lips into a smile, gave a slight wave, and walked into the dining room.

Instead of approaching Joshua, she gave a slight nod as she walked past him and sat down at a nearby table. She ordered coffee and a sandwich rather than the special. Chicken and biscuits didn’t hold any great appeal. Before her order arrived, Joshua approached her table, slipped a note atop her napkin, and left the dining room. He’d printed Room 6 on the paper.

When she’d finished her lunch, Beatrice strode past the front desk, graced the clerk with a smug smile, and ascended the staircase. Moments later she knocked on the door of room six.

The door opened and Joshua frowned. “What took you so long?”

His abrupt tone annoyed her. “Me? What about you?” She reached forward and with her palm on his chest, pushed him aside and strode across the room. She flopped down in the overstuffed chair and pointed her index finger at him. “We would’ve been together over an hour ago if you’d been in your proper room. When we was at the train station, I asked if you reserved your usual room, and ya told me yes. Then, when I go to room four and knock on the door, some old lady comes to the door making a ruckus. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear her down in the dining room.”

“It’s not—”

“And then I take meself to the front desk, and do ya think they’d tell me your room number? O’course not. That clerk had his nose so high in the air he woulda drowned if it started to rain.”

“That’s enough!” Joshua’s shout caught her by surprise, and she pressed her lips together. “Are you going to spend what little time we have together barking at me?”

“Nay, but so far this day has been as sour as a cup of vinegar.” She nodded toward the other chair. “Sit down. I got lots to tell ya.”

For the next hour, Beatrice held Joshua captive with tales of what she’d learned from Rose the previous evening. “What’s that gonna do to our Wednesday meetings? There won’t be no excuse for ya to come ’round while she’s gone, and you’re gonna be missing your Wednesday afternoons with me. I may have to find someone else to occupy my time on me day off for the next month.”

His eyes turned dark. “Don’t even think about seeing someone else. I don’t share.”

“I could always meet ya in Bartlett. I need to go up there and see Aunt Margaret. I been neglecting my duty to her since I started meeting with you.”

“What duty?”

“Nothing much. She just likes to know what’s going on with Ewan and the rest of ’em. I wrote her a couple letters instead of going to see her, but my letter writing ain’t so good, and I know she’s got questions for me.”

“I thought there was trouble between the Crotherses and the McKays. Wasn’t it Mrs. Crothers who refused to honor a partnership agreement at the brickyard when her husband died?”

“Aye, that she did. Margaret’s one shrewd woman. She did Ewan out of his half of the business, and she’s been doing well since Hugh died. At least that’s what the rest of the family tells me, but she still bears a deep grudge against Ewan.” She gave a quick wink. “Tessa was born to Margaret’s sister, Kathleen. Illegitimate. Margaret was sure it would spoil her chances of being accepted by all them society folks like you and your family. She wanted Kathleen to suffer for her wrongdoing, but Ewan and Laura adopted Tessa and then helped Kathleen get a job of some sort in another state. Margaret was so furious she locked herself in her room for days. When Hugh died, she got her revenge against Ewan.”

“So are you loyal to the Crotherses or the McKays?”

She snickered. “I keep me a hand in both kettles. That way I never go hungry.”

Joshua folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in the chair, extended his legs, and crossed his ankles. “If you get caught, you’ll do more than go hungry—you’ll starve to death. It’s always better to choose your side in an argument and remain steadfast. Sounds like Margaret Crothers could be a formidable adversary.”

She shrugged, uncertain what those words meant. “You do things your way, and I’ll do things to suit meself. Margaret enjoys hearing the news I pass her way. And, just like you, she makes it worth my while to furnish her with a bit of gossip.”

“Makes no difference to me, but I doubt you’ll be working for Ewan McKay if he ever finds out what you’re doing.” He rubbed his forehead. “I s’pose we could meet in Bartlett. My father owns several businesses there. If we’re careful, I think it can work, especially if you keep bringing me such excellent information.”

She leaned back in the chair and smiled. “Tell me all of that news ain’t worth an extra bit of money in me pocket.”

He stood, walked to the bed, and reached into his pocket. After peeling several bills from his money clip, he tossed them on the bed and winked. “That’s for the information and your time for the rest of the afternoon.”

She smiled as she jumped up from her chair and lunged toward the bed.

The next morning Rose and Mrs. Woodfield waited on the benches inside the train station. They’d been there only a short time when Rose stood and began to pace. The older woman looked up and gestured for Rose to be seated. “Do sit down. You’re making me nervous, and when I get nervous, I get a headache. I don’t want a headache before we even begin our journey.”

“Where is he? He should already be here.” Rose plopped down on the bench and folded her arms across her waist. She’d told Rylan it was best to be early when traveling by train, as they sometimes arrived before schedule. Though she’d never known the trains to depart the station early, boarding as soon as the conductor permitted would guarantee a better seat.

Mrs. Woodfield smiled and shook her head. “There’s plenty of time.”

She’d barely uttered the words when Rylan burst through the front door of the station, carrying a small valise in his hand. His eyes shone with panic as he hurried toward them and came to an abrupt halt only inches in front of the bench. “Am I late?”

Mrs. Woodfield shook her head and smiled. “If you were late, we wouldn’t be sitting here. Do sit down and catch your breath. The train isn’t due to arrive for another ten minutes.”

Rose wasn’t quite as sympathetic as Mrs. Woodfield. “What kept you?”

Rylan pointed his thumb in the direction of the pottery. “I stopped by work. I wanted to prepare the time cards for Ewan since tomorrow is payday.”

Rose sighed. Ewan was more than capable of locating time cards and calculating pay. However, she refrained from voicing her opinion.

“That was considerate of you, Rylan. No wonder Ewan values you.” Mrs. Woodfield gave Rose a sidelong glance. “Don’t you agree, Rose?”

Rose frowned at the older woman. “I agree that Rylan is a good employee, but I don’t think he should have taken time to visit the pottery this morning. I’m sure Ewan could have completed the task.”