The Potter's Lady

by Judith Miller

  She scooted closer. This might be her only chance to convince him she would be worth the loss of his family and society. “Isn’t your happiness worth more than all of those highfalutin folks?” When he opened his mouth to reply, she shushed him. “You could teach me the proper way to behave. Besides, who else is gonna help ya? Ya need me.”

  “Be patient, Beatrice. We can’t do anything that would tip our hand just yet.”

  Joshua didn’t miss the gleam in Beatrice’s eyes as she spoke the words “ya need me.” The two of them were enough alike that he knew what she was thinking. For the moment, he had to let her believe he would consider introducing her to his parents and making her his wife. If he didn’t, she’d refuse to gather more information about Rose’s designs.

  Beatrice was correct: He did need her. But only for now. Once she was no longer necessary, he would discard her like an old shoe. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it before looking into her eyes.

  “There’s no denying that even though we’re of different social classes, we do make a good match.” He dazzled her with a bright smile. “I do believe you’re right. My parents would accept you in time. My mother would never permit my father to disown me.”

  She leaned in and gave him a fleeting kiss. “You’ve made me the happiest woman alive. I can’t wait to see a ring on me finger so’s I can wave it under the noses of them that said I’d never amount to anything. I’ll bet a week’s wages that Rose will sit up and take notice. Can I pick it out?”

  “Pick out what?” He’d been only half listening while she’d rambled.

  She shoved her lower lip into a pout and nudged his arm. “Me ring, silly. I want to show you what kind of ring I want you to buy for me.”

  He longed to shout that he wouldn’t be buying her a ring, but he kept his anger in check. Today’s events had been like a never-ending nightmare, but he must remain unruffled. He needed Beatrice to keep his secrets.

  Beatrice did her best to convince Joshua he should escort her back to the house, but he finally persuaded her that it wouldn’t be wise. Someone might see them, and if word got back to Rose, it could ruin all of their plans.

  When they stepped into the hallway, he pressed several coins into her hand and nodded toward the back stairs. “Go down the back way and circle around. You can use this for a cab. There’s always one waiting close to the entrance.”

  “The least ya could do is walk me downstairs and make sure I’m safe until I get to the front street.” She tugged on his hand and was pleased when he yielded. It was going to take some strong persuading, but eventually Joshua would realize he was lucky to have her.

  When they reached the bottom of the stairway, she stepped outside and pulled him along behind her. Long shadows immersed them in the late-evening darkness. Beatrice clasped her hands behind Joshua’s neck and pulled him into a lingering kiss. He might want to forget her, but she was going to do everything in her power to make certain he couldn’t.

  When she lifted her head, he pulled her back against his chest, but she turned away and avoided his lips. “You should take me shopping for a ring very soon, don’t you think?”

  “I can’t put a ring on your finger until the contest is over. We don’t want to draw undue attention or suspicion.”

  “We both know the McKays will never believe you’d purchase an engagement ring for the likes of me, so I see no reason why I can’t tell them I’m engaged to a fellow back home who settled in Bartlett and works in the coal mines. They won’t know the difference.”

  “I suppose that would work. I’ll get an inexpensive ring at the general store down the street. Your beau in Bartlett wouldn’t be able to afford much more than a trinket. If you’re willing to settle for nothing more than a cheap bauble, I’ll see to it tomorrow morning. I can leave it with the young boy who delivers our meals.”

  Beatrice gasped and stomped her foot in the dirt. “I want a real ring. The kind you would buy for Rose McKay.”

  He cupped her chin in his hand. “Then you’ll have to wait. You could use a little more patience, Beatrice. Perhaps waiting on a ring will help you develop that quality.”

  She pushed aside his hand and stomped down the alleyway. When she reached the corner of the hotel, she glanced over her shoulder. Joshua obviously hadn’t been worried about her safety, for he’d already returned inside, but she wasn’t much worried, either. Instead of using the extra coins for a cab, she shoved them into her pocket. She’d walk home instead.

  Once back home, she circled around to the back door and climbed the porch steps. Before entering, she inhaled a deep breath. No doubt Mrs. McKay would be angry. She should have been back home two hours ago. It had been foolish to take the extra time to walk home, but she enjoyed having a few extra coins in her pocket. Besides, she could make up a story about why she couldn’t get back on time, and all would be well.

  By entering through the kitchen, she could go up the rear stairway. With any luck at all, Ainslee or Adaira had relieved Mrs. McKay, and there would be few questions to answer, at least until tomorrow.

  However, the moment she stepped inside the kitchen, she was greeted with chaos. Catherine all but plowed her over as she rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Get out of the way, Beatrice! I need to get water on to boil. The missus isn’t well. You best get upstairs and help with Tessa. Ainslee can’t get her to quit crying, and it’s making matters worse for the missus.”

  “So they’ve been lookin’ for me?”

  Catherine poured water into two large kettles and set them on the stove to boil. “Mrs. McKay was beside herself when you didn’t come back on time. She was set on staying with Tessa, but she couldn’t hold out any longer. She’s in a terrible condition. Mr. McKay had to carry her to bed and now is off to fetch the doctor.” Catherine shook her head. “It’s a sad day for sure.”

  Beatrice stopped and glanced over her shoulder. “Do ya think they’ll send me packin’ for being late?”

  “Quit thinking about yourself.” Catherine glared and shooed Beatrice toward the stairs. “Get up to the nursery and take care of Tessa so the missus has one less thing to worry her.”

  Beatrice tamped down the anger that roiled in her stomach. How dare Catherine speak to her that way! Even if Beatrice had never had any real training, her position as nanny was considered higher ranking than that of a cook.

  Once she and Joshua were formally engaged, she’d put that bossy cook in her place for good. She stomped up the stairs, the thought providing her with a smidgeon of fleeting pleasure along the way.

  She turned the doorknob and entered the nursery on tiptoe. Adaira sat in a chair outside Tessa’s sleeping room. When she entered, Adaira pushed up from the chair and folded her arms across her waist. Her eyes flashed with anger. “Where have you been, Beatrice? You were supposed to be back hours ago. Laura is terribly ill, and she sat up with Tessa when she should have taken to her bed.”

  Beatrice clenched her hands into tight fists, willing herself to remain calm and submissive to this girl who had once been no more than a starving urchin in their home country. Now that her brother had married Laura Woodfield, all of them thought they were above her.

  “I had a bit of trouble meself, not that you’d care.” She lifted her chin in the air and assumed a defiant position. She might have to show respect to the missus, but she’d not kowtow to Adaira or her sisters. Not anymore. Not when her future was secure with Joshua.

  “I didn’t doubt for a minute you’d have some excuse.” Adaira looked her up and down. “You appear just fine to me, but you can save your reasons and apologies for Ewan or Laura. I’m going to see if Ewan has returned with the doctor.”

  Beatrice stepped to the side and blocked Adaira’s path. “What’s wrong with the missus? I thought Mrs. Woodfield was taking her to see some doctor in the city.”

  Adaira paused and pinned her with a hard stare. “I’m not certain, but she’s been bleeding something terrible, and it won’t stop. She
should have been in bed hours ago.” Without waiting for a response, Adaira pushed Beatrice aside and strode to the door. “You’ll need to be here to care for Tessa until Laura is well. No more excuses, Beatrice.”

  Beatrice gritted her teeth and stared at the door until her anger at Adaira finally quelled. Thankfully, Adaira hadn’t asked Beatrice to expound upon the trouble that had caused her delayed return. Though Beatrice could weave a tale, she needed a bit of time to make certain the details aligned.

  A short time later the sound of voices in the lower hallway drifted up the stairs, and Beatrice hurried to crack the door. She turned sideways and pressed against the narrow opening, careful to keep her breathing shallow. The murmur of several voices melded together, making it impossible to gain a clear understanding of what was being said.

  Moments later, Mr. McKay’s voice could be heard above the others. “I intend to do everything the doctor has asked, but we need to pray for Laura. Rose, make certain you speak to the girls and ask them to pray, as well.”

  “It would be best if we take turns sitting with Laura so no one becomes exhausted. If she should awaken, we want to be alert and able to assist her.” Mrs. Woodfield’s voice was clear, but Beatrice didn’t miss the slight warble. No doubt the older woman was close to tears.

  Careful to stay in the shadows, Beatrice stepped into the upper hallway and peered over the railing. Mrs. Woodfield, Rose, and Ewan stood clustered together. Either Adaira was now in with Laura, or she’d returned to her room.

  The three of them continued to talk, but they’d lowered their voices and Beatrice could make out only a word or two. She longed to know exactly what had happened to the missus. News of Laura McKay’s medical condition could earn her a tidy sum from Margaret, but she’d want details.

  Beatrice plastered her back against the wall as the threesome parted. Ewan returned to the bedroom, Mrs. Woodfield ambled toward the stairway, and Rose stepped down the hallway toward the twins’ rooms. Before going more than a few steps, Mrs. Woodfield turned and glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll speak to the staff and tell them about Laura’s condition. Would you go upstairs and tell Beatrice? She’ll need to take full charge of Tessa unless Ainslee and Adaira are willing to step in and help.”

  The minute both women were out of view, Beatrice slipped into the nursery and ensured Tessa was still asleep, then entered her sleeping room and awaited Rose’s visit.

  The anticipated knock arrived only a few minutes later. However, it was Ainslee rather than Rose who tapped on her door.

  The girl’s complexion was rather pasty, and her eyes were rimmed in red. She quickly delivered Rose’s message, then added, “Most days I need to spend time at the pottery helping with the school, but I’ll do my best to help you. I know Tessa is going to miss having her mother coming in to visit during the day.”

  Beatrice gestured toward the chair in her room. “Sit down. You don’t look so good. I can see ya been cryin’. Is the missus all that bad?”

  Ainslee swiped the back of her hand across her eye and nodded. “Aye. The doctor says he thinks she may lose the baby.”

  “Baby?” Beatrice slapped her palm across her mouth. “Oh! I didn’t mean to be so loud, but I didn’t know the missus was expectin’. I thought the doctor didn’t know what was wrong with her, and she was going to some special doctor or some such.”

  Ainslee nodded. “Nobody knew for sure what was wrong with her, but now that she’s hemorrhaging, the doctor says he’s sure that’s it. Says it was likely because of the accident she had when she was young. She never was supposed to be able to have a baby, leastwise that’s what she told us, but it would be wonderful if Ewan and Laura could have a baby, don’t you think?”

  Beatrice nodded her agreement, although she was much more interested in passing the news along to Margaret than offering prayers for Laura. She’d prefer delivering the message in person, but unless Laura made a remarkable recovery, getting away for a visit would be impossible. Much as she disliked writing letters, she’d need to pen a note to Margaret this evening and secretly post it in tomorrow’s mail.

  Ainslee’s lip quivered. “I think Tessa would enjoy a baby brother or sister. I do hope God will answer our prayers for the baby and for Laura.”

  Beatrice offered as much sympathy as she could muster, but her mind raced with the prospect of Margaret’s reaction rather than Ainslee’s concerns for Laura.

  Margaret would be delighted to write and tell her sister, Kathleen, all about Laura’s inability to care for Tessa. And what if it turned out that Laura didn’t lose the baby? Margaret would surely spin a tale with that bit of information.

  Soon after Beatrice bid Ainslee good-night, she sat down at the small writing table and penned a letter to Margaret and then another to Joshua. There would be no need for him to visit next Wednesday. With Rose sitting at Laura’s bedside for hours at a time, Beatrice doubted there would be anything to report on the entries for the contest.

  When she’d finished the letter to Margaret, Beatrice sealed the envelope and traced her fingers across the address. Knowing Margaret, she’d leave no stone unturned in her efforts to bring Kathleen back to West Virginia. Once here, she’d convince her sister to lay claim to the little girl sleeping in the other room.

  For sure it would create quite a donnybrook if that should happen. Beatrice leaned back and reveled in the possibility that the split between the Crotherses and McKays would never be healed.

  Chapter 23

  Rose’s mind swirled with thoughts of all that must be accomplished before their departure for Pittsburgh. At times, the days seemed to drag at a snail’s pace, yet sometimes the hours ticked off at breakneck speed.

  Soon Laura would no longer need someone at her bedside every hour of the day and night, and Rose could return to the pottery. Fortunately, she’d been able to rely upon Rylan to bring her daily news of the progress on their entry.

  Although Rylan hadn’t been particularly pleased by the choice, they’d finally agreed to submit the design both Rose and Joshua had preferred. With Laura’s illness, it made sense to move forward rather than spend more time on further designs. Besides, Ewan had urged them to decide upon an entry so there would be time to make changes if they were unhappy once the plate and urn were fired.

  With less than two weeks until their design had to be received by the committee in Pittsburgh, she needed to cease making changes. But while she’d been sitting with Laura this morning, she’d decided upon an additional detail she would incorporate when she hand-painted and gilded the urn. Since she’d promised Ewan she wouldn’t make any additional changes, she decided against changing the drawing. While the extra gilding would improve the depth of the piece when painted, it wouldn’t prove outstanding in their drawing.

  Recently Beatrice had stopped by Laura’s room to inquire regarding Laura’s health as well as Rose’s progress on the designs. Rose had been astonished by the nanny’s enthusiastic praise for the drawing they’d chosen. Beatrice’s continued interest in the contest seemed a little odd, but Rose was pleased for any bit of conversation during the long days sitting at Laura’s bedside. Besides, Beatrice’s fervor had eased Rose’s concern that they’d rushed to a decision when they made their final choice.

  “Making more changes?”

  Rose started at Beatrice’s question and turned in her chair. “I’ve just finished, but I won’t be able to begin my painting on the urn until it has gone through all of the necessary drying and firing.” Laura was asleep, but Tessa managed to peer around Beatrice’s skirt and began to cry when she caught a glimpse of her mother.

  Still holding the drawing, Rose stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. She stooped down in front of Tessa. “Good afternoon, sweet girl. Did you have a nice nap?”

  Tessa extended her chubby hand toward Rose. After depositing her drawing on a chest in the hallway, she grasped Tessa’s hand. “Want to go outside?”

  Tessa’s curls bobbed as she shook her
head and tugged on Rose’s hand. As Rose stepped onto the back porch, Beatrice touched her arm. “Would ya be mindin’ too much if I took a minute to run back upstairs to me room? I’d like to get a ribbon so I can tie me hair up a wee bit.”

  “Of course. You go ahead. We’ll be fine for a few minutes.”

  Beatrice glanced over her shoulder to make certain no one was in sight before she picked up Rose’s drawing. Her heart pounded as she raced up the stairs to her room. Hands trembling, she knelt down and tucked the sketch beneath her bed, grabbed a frayed ribbon from her bedside table, and hurried back outdoors.

  A cool breeze drifted across the porch, and Rose lifted her hand to Tessa’s cheek. “I wonder if she should have a sweater and cap. It’s cooler than I realized.”

  “You may be right about that. I’ll take her back inside. Ainslee’s coming to stay with Tessa as soon as she finishes teaching a class at the pottery school. The weather might be better suited for an outing later this morning.”

  Rose stood and grasped Tessa’s hand. “Ainslee hadn’t mentioned she was helping you with Tessa. Will you be gone all day?”

  “Aye. It’s been some time now since I’ve been able to see me family, so I’m going to Bartlett for a short visit. I’ll be back on the train tomorrow.” She didn’t miss the cautious look that shone in Rose’s eyes. “Ainslee said she didn’t mind staying in the nursery tonight. I don’t think the missus would object, since I’ve not had even a minute to meself since the day she had to take to her bed.”

  They walked at a slow pace, Rose still holding Tessa’s hand as they continued toward the stairs. “I know it’s been hard on you not having any relief. I’m glad Ainslee agreed to help.”

  Beatrice offered her thanks, though she wanted to point out that the twins could have helped more in the past, as well. Instead, they continued to go and teach at the school. Both of them appeared pleased when Mr. McKay agreed they could wait until next year to go off to that special boarding school. Beatrice thought their decision foolish. Unlike her, they were content with their uneventful lives.