The Brickmaker's Bride

by Judith Miller

  Laura gasped. “A hovel? You’ve obviously forgotten we’re going to the home where my family lived and entertained for a number of years.”

  Mrs. Woodfield chuckled. “You can’t seem to keep your foot out of your mouth, Winston. I do hope your shoe leather is tasty.”

  Before Ewan could answer the knock, his uncle rushed forward and opened the front door. He leaned forward and, with a sweeping gesture, bid Laura and her mother entry. When Winston stepped across the threshold, his uncle grasped the younger man’s shoulder. “Glad I am that you weren’t the first man to arrive.”

  “Uncle Hugh!” Ewan nudged his uncle’s arm.

  Hugh lifted his shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “No need to rile yourself. I was only referring to Mr. Hawkins’s time of arrival. As you can see for yourself, it would not have been good if he’d appeared earlier and made first footing.”

  Winston immediately glanced in the hallway mirror and straightened his jacket. “Is there something unusual about my appearance this evening?” His eyes shone with a hint of concern as he turned and looked to the ladies.

  “My uncle is only joking with you, Winston. In our homeland, there is a tradition on Hogmanay called ‘first footing.’ The first man to cross the threshold is supposed to have dark hair,” Ewan said.

  Hugh nudged Ewan with his elbow. “That’s not the whole of it. First footing requires the first visitor of the New Year to be a tall, dark, and handsome stranger and come bearing a gift of coal to bring good luck for the coming year.” His uncle broke into a hearty gale of laughter. “At least you’re tall, but you do not have dark hair, and I’m not sure there are many lasses who would call you handsome.” He glanced at Winston’s hands. “And you did not bring me a lump of coal for good luck, so you see why I’m pleased you were not here to make first footing.”

  Winston’s jaw twitched. “I was not aware of your ridiculous customs. In this country, coal is not considered a gift for good luck. Instead, it is placed in the Christmas stockings of children who misbehave. I’m sure someone must have placed coal in your Christmas stocking this year, Mr. Crothers, for your manners need much improvement.”

  Undeterred by Winston’s brusque reply, Hugh clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “You’ll enjoy living your life a bit more if you do not take offense at every word that’s said, my boy. I’m only having a bit of fun with you.” Uncle Hugh gestured toward the other room. “Come on in, all of you, and have some refreshments. The music and dancing will begin in a wee bit.”

  Though Winston’s jaw continued to twitch, he escorted the two ladies into the adjacent room. Ewan grasped his uncle by the elbow and nodded for him to move down the hallway, where they couldn’t be heard.

  “Are you trying to ruin your chances for a loan at the bank?” Ewan clipped each word through clenched teeth. “Quit insulting Winston. You need his good will if you’re going to get a loan from the bank in town.”

  Hugh shook off Ewan’s hand. “I do not need you telling me how I can act in my own home. The only reason you’re worrying about the loan is so there’s money enough to get your sisters over here, not because you’re worried about me being able to purchase more machinery.” He punched his index finger against Ewan’s chest. “And that’s the truth of it, so don’t be denying it to me.”

  Anger bubbled in Ewan’s chest. His uncle could have gone to the bank before now, but he’d put off his visit after Ewan had mentioned passage for his sisters. “Not just my sisters, Uncle Hugh. We’ll need more workers in the brickyard come spring, and the war has left this country with a shortage of men. Many who survived have already gone to the mines to make a living. They want work that will give them wages all year long, so unless you’re willing to do tha—”

  “Don’t be preaching me a sermon about my business, boy. I know as much about the problems finding workers as you do, but I’ll not be paying wages during the winter months. If they choose to kill themselves in those coal mines, so be it.”

  His uncle’s quarrelsome attitude only fueled Ewan’s anger. “If we don’t have men to work in the yard, then you’ll not make any money. I can’t promise bricks if I don’t have men to make them.”

  As music began to drift from the other room, his uncle’s features softened. “Come on, now. It’s time we joined our guests and enjoyed our party.”

  Ewan remained in place, blocking his uncle’s path. “I don’t want to begin the year without a promise that you’ll bring my sisters and some of the other relatives over before spring, Uncle Hugh. And I want your word about when I will become a true partner.”

  His uncle stroked his jaw. “’Tis not the time or place for this kind of conversation, Ewan, but we’ll get it settled soon. I’ll get your sisters and the other relatives over here like you’re asking.” Using his forearm, he pushed his way past Ewan. “Come, now, let’s go into the other room and show these people how we celebrate the New Year.”

  The answer wasn’t what Ewan had hoped for, but his uncle was right. This wasn’t the time or place for the discussion. Still, it seemed there was never a time his uncle was willing to give Ewan answers. He followed his uncle into the parlor. He should have held his tongue. His outburst had accomplished next to nothing. Granted, his uncle had said he’d bring the girls to this country, but he’d said that before. Ewan wanted a definite date. Even more, he wanted to be there when his uncle sent the money for passage. But the money wouldn’t be sent until they’d secured a loan. And a loan wouldn’t be obtained if his uncle continued to insult Winston Hawkins.

  Ewan strode into the room, determined to offer an apology to Winston, but his aunt and Kathleen waylaid him. His aunt grasped his arm in a viselike hold as Kathleen stepped to his other side. Margaret nodded toward the musicians. “You and Kathleen, along with your uncle and me, are going to show our guests how to dance the Circassian circle.” She gestured to Uncle Hugh, who was speaking with the musicians.

  Ewan glanced at their guests, who had all moved to the sides of the room to watch the performance. If he’d been in the brickyard teaching one of the men how to fire a kiln or mold a brick, he wouldn’t have minded being the center of attention. But standing in front of everyone and performing a dance was another thing entirely. He inhaled slowly and hoped he wouldn’t make a misstep. His uncle would enjoy making the fool of him in front of their guests.

  Ewan grasped his uncle’s arm. “We need more than four people to create a circle big enough to perform the dance. Why don’t I see if there’s another couple or two who will join us?”

  Hugh addressed the guests. “My nephew thinks we’ll be better able to teach the dance if we can have two more couples. Are there any volunteers?”

  Two brave couples stepped forward. After giving them brief instructions, Hugh waved for the fiddlers to begin. The eight of them joined hands in a circle and, keeping time with the music, stepped forward until they met in the center and then stepped backward. While the men remained in the outer circle, the ladies stepped forward and as they stepped back, they crossed their arms and joined hands with their partners, circling in place several times. While continuing to hold their partners’ hands, they re-formed the large circle. After circling the room two times, they continued to repeat the steps.

  Although the volunteers missed a few of the steps, they performed admirably, and when Uncle Hugh motioned for the musicians to cease playing, the crowd applauded.

  Hugh smiled and waved to the crowd. “Come, now, and give it a go. I’ll call out the movements during the first dance to make sure you remember what to do.”

  Kathleen glanced toward the far side of the room. “Do you mind if I dance with Terrance O’Grady? He asked me earlier, and I told him I would.”

  Ewan released Kathleen’s hand. “Go ahead and enjoy your dance. I would not want to be the cause of a lady breaking her promise.”

  Kathleen hurried across the room toward the young man. Terrance’s face creased in a smile as she approached, and Ewan watched the two t
ake to the dance floor. He’d been surprised to see Terrance at the party. Ewan didn’t know the man well, but he’d talked with him on a couple of occasions. They’d first met at the livery where Terrance worked, but had talked only a few times since then. The family didn’t have the social standing or money that would have enticed his aunt to send them an invitation. Besides, he hadn’t seen Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady this evening, only Terrance.

  While the guests continued learning the dance, Ewan circled around the room to the punch bowl and helped himself to a cup of the cranberry drink. He’d barely lifted the cup to his lips when his aunt bounded to his side.

  “What is Terrance O’Grady doing here, and why aren’t you dancing with Kathleen?” Her eyes flashed like hot embers on a dark night. She nudged his arm hard enough that his punch splashed onto the linen tablecloth, but she seemed not to notice. She narrowed her eyes and continued to stare at him. “Well? Answer me.”

  “I have no idea why Terrance is here. I didn’t extend any invitations for the party. If you didn’t invite him, I suggest you ask Kathleen or Uncle Hugh.” Ewan picked up a napkin and blotted the tablecloth.

  “I told you to dance with her, so why is she out there making a fool of herself with Terrance?”

  Ewan turned toward the dance floor. “I don’t think she’s making a fool of herself. Terrance is an expert at the Circassian circle.”

  His response further fueled her anger. “You know what I meant with my question. Why is she dancing with him instead of you?”

  “Kathleen said he asked her to dance earlier in the evening, and she agreed. If you have further questions about Terrance, you need to speak to your sister, not me.” He gently touched her arm. “You might wait until after the dance is over. I know you’re concerned about Kathleen making a fool of herself, so I wouldn’t want you to interrupt the dance and embarrass yourself in front of the guests.”

  His suggestion was met with a hard look. If Ewan could have warned Kathleen, he would have, but there would be no opportunity. Margaret was standing at the edge of the dance floor, prepared to swoop to her sister’s side the minute the music stopped.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  Ewan spun on his heel to discover Laura standing behind him. “There are many things I enjoy much more than parties, especially one at which my uncle insults the guests and my aunt is angry with her sister and me.”

  Laura stepped closer and Ewan poured her a cup of punch. As he handed her the cup, he allowed his hand to linger on hers longer than necessary. She glanced across the room to the area where Winston stood talking to some of his political friends and then turned back to Ewan. “I know about your uncle’s insults, but why is your aunt angry? I haven’t seen you commit any social blunder.”

  He grinned. “My aunt wanted me to dance with Kathleen the entire evening, but Kathleen is more interested in dancing with Terrance O’Grady, a man who doesn’t meet my aunt’s expectations for her sister.”

  Laura leaned a bit closer. “Then perhaps she shouldn’t have invited him.”

  “That’s just it—she says she didn’t. I have a feeling Kathleen invited him without my aunt’s knowledge.”

  “Terrance seems to be a nice young man, and it appears Kathleen is enjoying his company. Perhaps your aunt should let time take its course. She may only push them closer together if she objects too much.”

  “I am sure that could happen, but my aunt does not take kindly to advice, especially from me.” He took the empty cup from Laura’s hand and placed it on the table. “May I have this dance, Miss Woodfield? While I was unfamiliar with the steps at your party, I do know how to dance a proper Circassian circle. I promise I won’t step on your toes.”

  As they stepped onto the floor, she took hold of his hand. And his heart, as well.

  Chapter 13

  March 1869

  Winter’s frozen fingers continued to wrap a tight hold on the Tygart Valley River as March arrived. Laura had told Ewan of past years when the weather would surprise them, and almost overnight the frozen hillsides would thaw and birdsong would fill the air to announce the arrival of the new season. How he prayed that such would happen this year, too. The winter months had been long, and though he’d escaped to the brickyard office as often as possible, his only major accomplishment had been arranging a meeting at the bank.

  Ewan wanted his sisters on board a ship to America as soon as possible, and Uncle Hugh insisted a loan was needed to pay for their passage. After hearing Uncle Hugh’s remark, Ewan had determined to do everything in his power to ensure his uncle secured the necessary loan.

  They’d met earlier that morning. Convincing Frank Swinnen, president of Bartlett National Bank, that Uncle Hugh would prove to be an excellent candidate for a loan had been no small feat, but Winston had been surprisingly helpful. He’d even suggested the bank loan a greater sum than Uncle Hugh had requested. Ewan had done his best to stand firm against that idea, but the lure of extra money had proved too great an enticement for his uncle. The sum Mr. Swinnen finally offered Uncle Hugh was much more than they needed for the VerValen machine and for the purchase of passage for their relatives.

  The change in the banker’s decision had seemed strange to Ewan. When they’d first arrived, Mr. Swinnen had been reluctant to make any loan at all. To subsequently agree on a much larger loan made no sense. There had to be something they weren’t aware of in the paper work, but when Ewan objected to the additional funds and asked for time to read the contract, his uncle had ordered him out of the meeting.

  Ewan had looked to Winston for assistance, but he’d simply shrugged. “Your uncle is the one who is taking out the loan. His signature is all that is needed.” His lips curved in a thin smile. “No need to worry, Ewan. Your uncle is the one responsible for repayment of the loan, not you.”

  During the buggy ride home, Ewan quizzed his uncle at length, but to no avail. Unwilling to accept the refusal, Ewan followed his uncle into the library. “I want to see the bank papers, Uncle Hugh. I have a right to see them. If I’m going to manage the business and one day become a partner, I need to know about the debts you’re creating.”

  “You’re not a partner yet, so you need to quit acting like you have a right to know everything I say and do.” Hugh dropped into one of the leather chairs and glared at Ewan. “You made me look a fool in front of that banker.”

  “I don’t know how I made you look like a fool. I only stated what he already knew. If we had needed more money, we would have asked for it at the start. Did you give any thought as to why he would offer extra? What he did makes no sense. I’ve never heard tell of such a thing.”

  “And you’re an expert on banking practices, are ya?” His uncle pulled his pipe from his jacket and pointed it at Ewan. “That banker took a liking to me and was trying to give an extra bit of help.”

  “We had no need for that much, and you should have told him so. I don’t like the idea of starting out the business with so much debt.”

  “You’ll just have to work a little harder. Besides, having the extra money allows us a little cushion in case those contracts don’t come in as quick as you think. If that happens, you’ll be thanking me for borrowing the extra money.”

  Ewan sighed and shook his head. “Can I read the bank note you signed, Uncle Hugh? I’m afraid there’s something wrong with the way this was done.”

  His uncle yanked the papers from his jacket and tossed them at Ewan. “Have a look at them, but it will change nothing. My name has been signed and witnessed, so there’s no going back.”

  His uncle filled his pipe with tobacco while Ewan began his examination of the paper work. Line by line, he read each word of the contract. When he came to the portion regarding security for the loan, he gasped. “Why did you agree to let them have the brickyard, all of the equipment, all of the acreage, and the house as collateral for the loan?” He traced his finger along the next line of the contract, and his unease was replaced by mounting anger. “You agre
ed that if we are so much as ten days late on one payment, they can seize everything. Everything!”

  He stood and shoved the paper in front of his uncle. “Look at this.” He rapped his fingers against the page. “Did you bother to read this clear through? You’ve done the same thing as before—you signed before you knew what you were agreeing to. Did you learn nothing the first time? Wasn’t Aunt Margaret’s ire enough to make you more careful?”

  His uncle’s eyes flashed with anger. “I read it, and I know exactly what it says. I objected at first, but Mr. Hawkins said there was nothing to worry about. The bank didn’t want to own the brickyard. It’s all a formality so they can make their books balance. Something about needing to have more collateral than the amount of money they loan so they have a correct audit or some such thing.” He scratched his head and laughed. “I didn’t know what all that meant, but it sounded right. Besides, I’m a gambling man, and I figured I’d place my bet on you making a go of things at the brickyard. You said you want a partnership, so now you’ll be working for it.”

  “I was working for it before you put us so deep in debt.” Heat climbed up the back of Ewan’s neck. How dare his uncle place him in this position? The future of the entire family rested on his shoulders. “Tell me, Uncle, what would you do if I decided to walk away and leave you with this debt you’ve created? Could you negotiate contracts and manage the brickyard? Did you give any thought to the possibility I might leave you and go off on my own?”

  His uncle leaned back and rested his elbow on the armrest of his chair. “I gave it about this much thought.” He inched his thumb and forefinger apart by only a hairsbreadth. “I know your sisters are too important for you to try to strike out on your own. I’m the only way you’ll get them over here. If they had to wait for you to earn enough money working at some brickyard, they’d all be spinsters before you could pay for their passage. And you forget that I’ve had enough years in a brickyard that I could run one if I had to.”