The Potter's Lady

by Judith Miller

  Rose’s palms were perspiring when Rylan arrived at the door to escort her downstairs. “You may have to be the one to answer their questions. I’m certain my voice will tremble.”

  He grinned and offered her his arm. “I don’t think there’s any reason to be concerned. They may have asked to meet with all of the contestants this evening. Something unexpected may have caused them to change the rules.”

  She inhaled a deep breath. “You’re probably right.” When they arrived in the lobby, she tugged on his arm. “We should stop at the front desk and ask where the meeting room is located.”

  “I did that after dinner. It’s here on the first floor.” He nodded toward a hallway that veered off to the left. “We go down the hallway, and the room is the second one from the end on the right side.”

  Rylan’s confidence and the fact that he’d taken time to locate the meeting room in advance helped to ease Rose’s jitters. She held tight to his arm as they continued on their way. They’d gone only a short distance when she squinted and stared at a figure sitting in a chair near the end of the hall. She squeezed Rylan’s arm and nodded toward the gentleman. “There must be other contestants scheduled to meet with the judges this evening.”

  “You see? We’re not the only ones, so there’s no reason to worry.”

  As they drew closer, she came to an abrupt halt. “That’s Joshua sitting outside the doorway. What’s he doing here?” Her words hissed in the dimly lit high-ceilinged hallway.

  “I have no idea. Suppose we go and ask him.” Concern lurked behind Rylan’s grin and renewed her apprehension.

  Joshua looked up as they approached. “You have a meeting with the judges?”

  Rose nodded. “What brings you to Pittsburgh? Are you visiting your family or waiting to go to dinner with one of the judges?”

  He snorted. “I don’t know the judges. That wouldn’t be proper, now would it?”

  Her stomach did a flip-flop as his words seeped into her consciousness. “Wouldn’t be proper because . . . ?” She let her question hang like laundry swaying in an afternoon breeze.

  “Because just like you, I’m a contestant. For me to be acquainted with one of the judges would be highly improper.”

  Joshua’s response and his sly smile both angered and alarmed Rose. Not once had he indicated he planned to enter this contest. Her thoughts raced back to his visit when they’d revealed their drawings to him. Back then, he’d avowed he wasn’t going to participate in the competition. Had he been lying, or was this retaliation because she’d rebuffed him as a suitor?

  Rose frowned at him. “You told us you weren’t going to enter the competition. When did you change your mind?”

  He shrugged and nodded toward the empty chair. “Do sit down, Rose. It may be a while before the judges call us in.”

  “Us?” She glared at Joshua. “You think they are going to speak to all three of us at one time? Why would they? Do you know why we’ve been summoned?” Rose dropped into the chair, uncertain her legs would continue to hold her. Joshua’s presence and arrogant attitude created a suffocating sensation that left her breathless. “Are all of the contestants meeting with the judges this evening?”

  “I’m not privy to that information. Maybe some of us didn’t properly fill out our entry forms and they’ve summoned us to clarify our applications.”

  Not for a minute did Rose believe his explanation. She’d been exceedingly careful while filling out their paper work. Surely they would have been notified prior to receiving the final rules if their applications had been improperly submitted. She peered down the hallway, hoping to catch sight of other arriving contestants, but there was no one in view.

  She startled when the door opened and a white-haired gentleman with a bushy mustache peered at them and then squinted at a paper he held in his hand. “We would first like to visit with Rose McKay and Rylan Campbell.”

  Legs trembling, Rose walked into the room, Rylan following close on her heels. The man who’d come to the door took his place behind a table with four other men, all dressed in dark suits.

  The man sitting in the center of the group motioned to two chairs on the other side of the table. The area had likely been used as a gathering place for gentlemen to meet after dinner, for the smell of stale cigar smoke remained heavy in the room. “Please take a seat.

  “I am Mr. Caldwell, the chairman of this group of distinguished judges.” His smile appeared more obligatory than genuine, but Rose was certain her own smile probably looked much the same. He settled his gaze on Rose. “I assume you are Miss McKay.” When Rose nodded, he looked at Rylan. “And you are Mr. Campbell.”

  Rylan nodded. “Aye, that I am. May I ask the reason for this meeting, sir? We carefully reviewed the rules, and there was no mention of any private meetings the night before the winners are announced.”

  “That’s true, but it seems there’s some irregularity in your submission, or I should say in the submission of McKay Pottery.”

  “Irregularity? What sort of irregularity are you speaking of?” Rylan’s brows drew together. “We were careful to follow all of the rules.” He glanced at Rose for affirmation.

  “Indeed, we were.” She nodded at him.

  “Let me get to the heart of the matter. Your submission and the submission made on behalf of Harkness Pottery are very similar. So similar, in fact, that we believe something improper has occurred.” He sighed. “While we are quite impressed with your design, we won’t award a prize to a dishonest entry. We thought it would be best if we questioned all parties involved. We hope to determine who actually originated the design.”

  Rose scooted forward in her chair. “If you would be willing to place both designs before me, I believe I can elaborate upon my drawings and how our idea developed. In addition, I am willing to submit to any other evaluation you would like to conduct. Like you, I want the truth to be revealed.” Mr. Caldwell unfurled the two submissions, and she gasped when she viewed the fake entry. Rose tapped her finger atop the drawings she and Rylan had submitted. “I assure you, these are the urn and plate designs of McKay Pottery, and the others are an imitation of what we’ve submitted.”

  “And how do you think such an imitation could have been created, Miss McKay?” He glanced back and forth between the drawings. “You must admit they are very similar, and for two potteries to submit entries that are so similar seems an impossibility.” The other committee members all shook their heads in agreement.

  Rose’s thoughts whirred. She had no idea how it could have happened. Thankfully, Rylan answered for her. “Unless the design was copied. I can assure you these are the originals, and they were drawn by Miss McKay.” Rylan nodded toward the fake drawings. “We’ve never before seen those, but I would guess they were submitted by Joshua Harkness on behalf of Harkness Pottery.”

  “Well, yes. I’m sure you met him in the hallway moments ago.” Mr. Caldwell glanced down at their application. “And while I appreciate your argument, Mr. Campbell, we need more than your word that these drawings are the originals. I’m sure Mr. Harkness will tell us the same thing. Don’t you agree?”

  “Aye. If a man would steal someone else’s work, I do not think he would hesitate to tell a falsehood.” Rylan extended his hand and touched Rose’s arm. “Tell them about the design and let them ask Joshua how he decided upon his design.”

  Rose forced a weak smile and inhaled a deep breath. She leaned forward and pointed to the bouquet of flowers in the center of the design. “As you know, Mr. Franklin requested designs that would be cohesive and also convey the elegance of his hotel. We visited the hotel, and Mr. Campbell was drawn to the beauty and simplicity of the frieze in the lobby, as was I.” Rose continued to carefully explain how she and Rylan had developed their design. She touched her finger to the Scripture that was carefully detailed along one edge of the gold ribbon. “You will notice that this is not included on the other drawing. That’s because it was a last-minute decision on our part, and no one else
knew we had added that Scripture reference except Rylan and me. Perhaps you could ask Mr. Harkness how he happened to decide upon his design. See if he can point out that he intended to incorporate elements of the frieze. And if he claims this to be his work, surely he could draw a quick sketch. I know I would be happy to do so.”

  “I would also tell ya that Mr. Harkness had a look at our design before it was entirely completed. He visited at the home of Miss McKay and asked to see our designs. At that time there were several sketches, and we had not yet decided which would be our final choice. However, this is the one that he chose as his favorite.”

  Mr. Caldwell frowned. “Why would you show Mr. Harkness your work when you know that he owns a pottery and would likely submit an entry?”

  Rose shook her head. “He said he had no interest in the contest, as his pottery had been inundated with orders.” She hesitated and could feel the heat rise in her cheeks. “Mr. Harkness was courting me for a short time, and I didn’t want to appear rude.”

  Mr. Caldwell stroked his chin. “I see. Well this certainly has become a rather complicated matter.”

  After the men inquired a bit further, Rose and Rylan were asked to wait in the outer hallway. “We’ll speak with Mr. Harkness. Afterward, we’ll visit with all of you prior to making our final decision.”

  If Joshua was nervous, he kept it well hidden. His smug smile as he rose and entered the room was enough to set Rose further on edge. Perhaps Joshua had some other trick up his sleeve he planned to use in an attempt to sway the judges.

  Rose glanced at the chairs and with an air of resignation dropped into the one nearest the door. Rylan stepped around her and sat down in the empty chair. “As much as I dislike Joshua Harkness, I didn’t think he would do anything as vile as this. He truly has a cold heart and no conscience. I think he had already decided to enter the contest when he asked if he could see the designs.”

  Rose sighed and nodded. “Given all that we’ve seen in there, I have to agree. Still, I don’t know how he could have drawn such a similar design after seeing ours only one time, and that was a mere sketch before we’d added the colors and final touches.” She tipped her head to the side. “Of course, that probably accounts for the fact that some of his coloration is different and the fact that he doesn’t have the Scripture included on his.”

  Rylan shifted in his chair. “I think he intentionally has some differences in his design. He could hardly submit the exact same products. Still, he’s brazen enough to offer something so similar that the judges were startled by the resemblance of the two entries.”

  “So was I!” Rose twisted around to face him. “I know he doesn’t have artistic ability. It’s something we’d discussed in the past. I do hope they’ll ask us to sketch something. At least it would reveal he has no talent.”

  “That’s true, but I’d like to know how he managed to copy the drawing.” Rylan slapped his hand to his forehead. “The day you couldn’t find it—remember? Was it gone for only a short time before Beatrice returned home and said she discovered it in the hallway?”

  Rose scrunched her forehead as she carefully recounted the events of that day. “With all that happened to Laura, I don’t recall ever looking for the drawing until the following morning.”

  Rylan nodded. “So it could have been gone and you wouldn’t have known it.”

  “Gone where?” Her mouth gaped. “You think Beatrice took it and copied it?”

  “Nay. I think she took it to Joshua and he copied it. The two of them have become very good friends, and I think Beatrice would do anything Joshua asked of her.”

  Rose’s hands trembled and tears blurred her eyes as she thought of Beatrice and Joshua conspiring against her. “How dare they do such a thing!”

  Rylan reached out and gently thumbed away a tear that had settled beneath her eye. “I did not want to tell you, but I feel it’s best that the whole truth come out. I’m sorry to have made you cry.”

  “I’m not crying because I’m sad. I’m crying because I feel like such a fool.” Her stomach clenched as she remembered introducing Beatrice and Joshua at her party. She’d been trying to extend kindness to Beatrice. To think she would do something that would be so injurious to the McKay family as well as all the workers in the pottery was difficult to comprehend. However, Rose had been surprised at Beatrice’s interest in the competition. She’d asked more questions about the contest than she’d ever asked about the pottery, or anything else for that matter. Rose inhaled a deep breath. “Even if I accept the likelihood that Beatrice took the drawing, I don’t know how Joshua could have copied it. Beatrice went to Bartlett on her day off. I don’t know how she could have traced it while she was there visiting her family.”

  “You may be right, but who’s to say she really went to Bartlett? She could have gone to Fairmont and met Joshua, or he could have traveled to meet her in Bartlett. Either way, I believe the two of them worked together.”

  Rose considered his comment. “I agree that Joshua couldn’t have produced that drawing after merely looking at my sketch for a few minutes. Besides, he looked at several others at the same time. Even I would have had difficulty remembering the details of that one sketch, especially after viewing several completely different drawings. And I don’t believe Beatrice is bright enough to contrive this plan on her own. All in all, we may have difficulty proving exactly which one is at fault.”

  Rylan’s features tightened into a deep frown. “They are both at fault. I wouldn’t be surprised if he attempts to lay the blame at Beatrice’s feet, but he’s the one who submitted the entry. If he attempts to say she gave it to him and professed it was her work, we can counter and say he surely must have recognized the design as one he’d seen in your library. After all, he was aware Beatrice works for your family. Besides, you can have her appear and speak to the committee. I’m sure her loyalty to Joshua will falter if she realizes she’s been found out.”

  “Or she’ll believe he will give her the sun and the moon if she proves her allegiance to him.” Rose removed her handkerchief and blotted the perspiration from her forehead. “I truly can’t believe this is happening to us.”

  Rylan turned and enveloped her hands in his own. “I think we should ask God to protect and guide us during this meeting.”

  Together they prayed that the truth would shine forth and the committee would absolve them of any wrongdoing. They didn’t go so far as to pray Beatrice or Joshua would be punished for their wrongdoing, but Rose fervently hoped the committee members would at least offer a strong censure for their unscrupulous conduct.

  The time ticked by, and Rose glanced at the door. “I wonder what Joshua is telling them.”

  Moments later, the latch clicked open and Rylan clasped her hand. “I think we are about to find out.”

  Chapter 28

  Though she knew her behavior was inappropriate, Rose clung to Rylan’s hand as they entered the room. If she hadn’t held on to him, she wouldn’t have had the strength to walk the length of the room and stand before the members of the committee. Their dour appearance caused her to squeeze Rylan’s hand. What were the judges thinking? Had they already passed judgment in Joshua’s favor?

  As he’d done before, Mr. Caldwell gestured to the chairs. “Please be seated.” He cleared his throat. “We have talked at length with Mr. Harkness, and he avows the drawing he submitted is original and solely his own design.”

  Rose turned sideways in her chair. “Joshua Harkness! You are as bold as brass. How can you sit in front of these men and tell such untruths? You saw my sketch, you told me you weren’t going to enter the contest, and now you present this committee with items so similar in style and design that it casts aspersion on our entry.”

  Joshua looked at her as though eyeing a pitiful stray cat. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

  Rose gritted her teeth. “The gentleman doth lack a proper answer.” She glared at him. “I don’t need quotes from Shakespeare. I want you to te
ll the truth, and I believe the truth is that you and Beatrice worked together. She took the drawing from my home, brought it to you, and you traced my original.”

  Joshua paled at her retort. “W-w-where would you come up with that idea?” He glanced over his shoulder toward the door.

  “Don’t worry. Beatrice isn’t waiting outside in the hallway, but she is upstairs in her room. If need be, I’ll go and get her. I’m certain these gentlemen would be more than willing to question one more person. They do, after all, want to get to the truth.” Rose turned toward Mr. Caldwell. “Isn’t that correct?”

  Although Mr. Caldwell appeared somewhat bewildered, he nodded. “Who is this Beatrice?”

  “She is a nanny employed by my family to care for my young niece. I believe she’s become quite enamored with Mr. Harkness and the two of them have formed a liaison of sorts.”

  “Perhaps it would be helpful if we spoke to the nanny. Miss McKay, would you do us the favor of asking her to come downstairs?” He hesitated a moment. “If it would not be inconvenient for the child or your family, of course.”

  Rose nodded. “I’ll see to the arrangements, but it may take a bit of time. I believe my sisters and the baby’s grandmother have departed for the theatre, but her father should be in his room. He’ll be more than happy to look after her while you speak with Miss Murphy.”

  “Why don’t we adjourn for half an hour? I don’t want to rush Miss McKay.” Mr. Caldwell clicked open his pocket watch. “Let’s all be back here, seated, and ready to begin by eight o’clock. Will that work for you, Miss McKay?”