The Potter's Lady (27 page)

She inhaled a deep breath before she lifted her hand and knocked on the door of room number four. At the sound of footsteps inside, she took a backward step and glanced toward the stairs. Best to be prepared for a quick exit if someone other than Joshua appeared.

When the door opened, she sighed with relief and pushed him aside. “Glad I am it wasn’t another beefy stranger opening the door to me this week.”

Joshua chuckled as he closed and locked the door. “I’m pleased to hear that you missed me.” He strode across the room, grasped her upper arms, and tried to pull her close.

She placed her open palms against his chest and pushed away from him. “Not so fast. We need to come to some sort of an understandin’.” When he tightened his grip, she pushed back with all her strength. “I mean it, Joshua. I’m tired of playing this game of ‘is he in the room or ain’t he?’ I’m sticking me neck out to get you the information you want, and you don’t even bother to show up.”

He released her with an angry grunt. The bed creaked in protest as he dropped onto the edge. “I don’t want to argue, Beatrice.” He crooked his index finger several times and curved his lips in a greedy smile. “Come over here, and I’ll make it up to you.”

“Nay.” She shook her head. “The only way you’ll be making it up to me is by lining me pockets with some money.”

He blew out a long sigh. “You’re always talking about money. I’ve never failed to pay for the news you bring me. Now come on over here and give me a proper welcome.”

She longed to rush into his arms, but she remained steadfast. “Payment first, then I’ll give ya a right and proper greetin’.” She glanced over her shoulder at the chest. “Is your money in one of these drawers?”

He jumped up from the bed, shoved his hand into his pocket, withdrew several bills, and slapped them atop the chest. “There! Take what you think I owe you and tell me your news. You can get out once we’ve finished our business.”

“You know I prefer me payment in silver coins, not paper money.”

“Your lack of trust in paper money is unfounded, Beatrice. If you want payment any other way, you’ll have to wait until I go to the bank. Now tell me what’s been happening. Have you managed to discover what design they’re going to use in the contest?”

With a sigh, she plopped onto the lone chair across the room. Before arriving, she’d been determined to withhold everything from Joshua until she had her money and a promise he’d keep her advised of his comings and goings, but nothing was turning out as planned. For the moment, she’d have to trust him, but when they left this room, she’d tail him to the bank and wait outside for her payment.

For the next hour, she told him what she’d seen and heard while browsing through the library in the office at the McKay home. The entire matter would have gone much more quickly had Joshua not continually interrupted her with questions that caused her to forget details that she was now required to add in a haphazard manner.

“So they’ve created numerous designs, but they haven’t made a decision on which one they’ll submit just yet?”

“Aye. That’s what I’ve said to ya. I think I saw about eight different ones, but I’m thinkin’ they’re gonna make all of them and see which one they like the most.”

Joshua raked his fingers through his hair. “This isn’t working out like I hoped. I need to see which one they’re going to enter in the contest. Did you copy any of the drawings?”

“What’s that y’er asking?” Beatrice snapped to attention, astonished by the foolishness of his question. “Do ya think I could have just pranced meself over to the two of them and said, ‘Hold up, Rose and Rylan. I’d like to make me a copy of these drawings for Joshua so he can best ya at the contest?’”

He pointed toward her and frowned. “I don’t welcome your mockery, Beatrice.” The censure in his voice and the anger flashing in his eyes instantly erased her smile. “I want those drawings. You’ll need to trace them onto tissue paper and bring them to me.”

“Just how do ya think I’m gonna be able to do that? The designs for the urns was real fancy with lots of squiggly lines and such. Besides, there’s too many for me to copy all of ’em. I told ya there’s at least eight different drawings.”

“I’ll have to think of something. Maybe I better go to the pottery this afternoon and see about visiting with Rose. Perhaps she’ll tell me if they’re close to making a decision.” He gave a firm nod of his head. “That’s exactly what I’ll do. I’ll go and see Rose. Maybe she’ll invite me for dinner tonight once she sees I’m in town.”

A buzz of jealousy whirred in Beatrice’s head like a swarm of angry wasps. She had hoped to return to the hotel this evening and have Joshua pay for a fine meal from the restaurant. Even if she couldn’t sit with him downstairs, they could share a meal in his room. Besides, it was more intimate being alone with him in his room. She needed more time to heal some of the angry words they’d exchanged.

“I thought we’d meet back here for dinner tonight, but it sounds like you’d rather be with Rose.”

“You know this is important, or I wouldn’t go.” He traced his finger along her pouting lips. “If she doesn’t invite me, I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

She waved him toward the door. “Come on, then. Best you get to the bank.”

Though he encouraged her to remain in the room until he returned with her money, she declined. “I’ll follow a ways behind and wait on the bench outside the bank so you can slip me the money on your way out. And don’t try to cheat me, either.”

Together they departed down the back stairs, although Beatrice waited in the doorway for a short time before following Joshua. After rounding the corner, she strolled along the board sidewalk and settled on a small wooden bench outside the bank. She turned with anticipation each time a customer departed the bank. Why was it taking so long? When Joshua finally reappeared, she heaved a sigh of relief and jumped to her feet. She hurried toward him, her hand extended.

He frowned and gestured with one hand, but she continued forward and grasped his arm. “Get your hand off me.” His lips remained in a tight line as he commanded her to release his arm.

She dropped her hold and was prepared to upbraid him but instead, turned and followed his gaze.
Rose!
What was she doing in town? Beatrice had barely formed the thought when Rose was at her side.

Glancing back and forth between them, she arched her brows. “I didn’t realize you two had become such good friends.”

Joshua shook his head. “We’re not friends. I was in the bank and . . .”

When he faltered, Beatrice smiled and completed the explanation. “I sat down out here to rest me feet for a wee bit before doing any more shopping. You know how tired a lady can get trying to find just the right piece of lace or fabric.” She dropped to the bench to emphasize her weariness.

“Since I don’t see any packages, I’m not sure why you would be so fatigued. Seems you may have had a wasted morning. Except for seeing each other, that is.” Rose’s lips curved in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure neither of you would consider your chance meeting to be wasted time.” She settled her gaze on Joshua’s arm for a moment—exactly where Beatrice had been clinging to him.

Beatrice popped to her feet like a jack-in-the-box that had been wound too tight. “Sure, and it was nice to see Mr. Harkness, but if you two will excuse me, I think I’ll be on my way. I’ve a lot of errands to complete before day’s end.” She gave a slight nod before she hurried down the street, with an empty reticule and a worried mind.

Rose forced a smile as Mrs. Woodfield came to a halt outside the doorway leading into the parlor. How was she going to get Joshua to leave?

The older woman glanced at the threesome—Rose seated between Joshua and Rylan—before she stepped into the room. “I’m surprised to see you, Joshua. Rose didn’t mention you were coming to town. What brings you to Grafton?” Before hearing his response, she turned to Rose. “Have you and Rylan completed your work?”

“No. There’s much to be done before we’re ready.”

Grandmother Woodfield was well aware they weren’t done with their preparations. She also understood the prior arrangement Rose had made with Joshua.

“Well, then, I’ll return to my original question, Joshua. What brings you to Grafton?”

“I know I agreed to give up my Wednesday visits, but then I decided to come to town unannounced and see if I could persuade Rose to spend a little time with me.”

Rylan shifted in his chair. “Unless I’m mistaken, you’ve already been in Rose’s company for several hours. Weren’t you in the decorating shop with her this afternoon?”

“You can’t fault me for wanting to be with her as much as possible while I’m in town.” He pinned Rylan with a scathing look.

“I must say I think it’s rather odd that you would simply appear and hope that Rose would have time to spend with you.” Mrs. Woodfield crossed the room and sat down on the divan. “A reasonable person would have inquired beforehand so he wouldn’t waste time. I assume you take time away from your own workday when you come to Grafton, Joshua. Or am I unaware of some business your family owns here in Grafton that requires your attention?”

Joshua glanced at Rose as though he hoped she’d rescue him, but she remained silent. Like Grandmother Woodfield, she wanted to hear why he’d appeared in Grafton today. Even after she’d attempted to dissuade him, he’d come to the pottery and had even managed to finagle a dinner invitation from Ewan. His presence in the decorating shop had been unwelcome and intrusive. He’d peppered her with myriad questions about her contest designs as well as the variety of decorating techniques used in the shop. In the end, his presence had been so distracting Mr. Wheeler had insisted he leave the shop after only an hour.

For the remainder of the afternoon, Rose’s thoughts had been a jumble as she’d attempted to recall the numerous events that linked Joshua and Beatrice.

In the past, she had chosen to ignore or accept without question the various explanations given by Beatrice and Joshua. She’d chosen to believe Beatrice when she said the letter from Joshua was merely to help her brother locate employment, and Rose had ignored Rylan’s comments about having seen the two of them together. Even after observing Beatrice clutching Joshua’s arm earlier that day, Rose’s reaction hadn’t been one of anger and betrayal, but rather one of surprise.

By afternoon’s end, Rose had reached the conclusion she simply didn’t care about Joshua as a suitor. She’d inhaled a deep breath as she departed the decorating shop, pleased by the recent revelation. Her relief, however, had been short-lived, for as she rounded the corner of the main building, she’d spied Joshua standing alongside Ewan with a grin on his face.

After several long moments, Joshua cleared his throat. “I don’t have any business endeavors here in Grafton, but we weren’t particularly busy at the pottery, so I thought it would be a good day to visit Rose.” He ended the remark with a weak smile.

“Seems to me you should be exceedingly busy.” Mrs. Woodfield met Joshua’s gaze. “From what I’ve heard, you’ve been quite successful gaining numerous contracts for your pottery.” She touched her fingers to the brooch fastened to her lace collar. “I would think your oversight would be much needed in Fairmont. As I recall, your father always maintained close supervision of his businesses. That practice has certainly benefited him. Don’t you agree?”

Joshua stretched his neck like a turtle emerging from its shell. “My father and I have very different methods when it comes to the operation of a business. I believe my own success will arrive much earlier in life.”

“Do you?” Mrs. Woodfield arched her brows. “Then it seems we all have something to learn from you, young man.”

Tessa grasped her mother’s hand as she came into the room with Laura. “Tessa has come to say hello before she goes upstairs to enjoy her dinner.” The discomfort in the room was palpable, and she glanced among the group. “Are we interrupting something?”

“Of course not, my dear.” Mrs. Woodfield extended her arms to the child. “Come give your granny a kiss, Tessa.”

Rose met Rylan’s inquisitive look with a shrug. She wished she could take him to the library and explain that she wasn’t responsible for Joshua’s dinner invitation, but she’d have to wait until later. In the meantime, she could only hope that Joshua would leave immediately after dinner.

R
ylan’s confusion heightened when he arrived for dinner and discovered Joshua sitting in the parlor. Though he’d seen him at the pottery earlier in the day, Rylan hadn’t expected his presence this evening. Rose had given her word that she would be free every evening until they completed their preparations for the contest. It now appeared her promise would hold true only on the Wednesdays Joshua didn’t appear in Grafton.

Throughout dinner Rylan swallowed his rising jealousy and remained silent except when asked a direct question. Mrs. Woodfield sat to his left, and while the dinner conversation continued, she leaned a little closer.

“You need not consider Joshua as competition for Rose’s affections, Rylan. I believe she views him as merely an acquaintance.” Rylan’s mouth dropped open at her remark. “No need to appear so surprised. I see how you look at her. Give her time, and she’ll realize, too.” That said, Mrs. Woodfield returned to the conversation swirling around the table.