The Brickmaker's Bride (22 page)

Though he’d worked hard throughout the day and every muscle in his body ached, Ewan knew he would not be ex
cused from this evening’s party. No amount of cajoling would gain a pardon from his aunt. She expected to show off her new home in fine style, and there would be questions if Ewan wasn’t present, inquiries that would doubtless lead to talk about the brickyard rather than her garishly decorated mansion. And that would never do.

When he descended the stairs, he was pleased to see his sisters sitting in the parlor, each of them dressed in finery he’d never before seen. He stopped in the parlor doorway. “The three of you look lovely. I am guessing Aunt Margaret took you shopping.”

Ainslee stood and twirled in front of him. “She insisted on dressing Adaira and me in the same dresses, even though we asked for different ones. She said people think it’s darling to see twins dressed alike.”

Adaira curled her lip. “Maybe when the twins are babies, but not when they’re our age. I feel silly.”

Ewan grinned. “You’re not so terribly old, and you look very nice. Maybe if you stand on opposite sides of the room, no one will notice there are two of you in the same dress. As I recall, you used to enjoy using your matching appearance to play tricks on everyone.”

Rose stood and motioned to her sisters. “Come along. Let’s be on our way. Aunt Margaret will be angry if we’re late. She said we should all be at the mansion before the first guests arrive.”

Ewan glanced around. “So they’ve already dressed and gone?”

“Yes, they left about a half hour ago,” Rose said. “Kathleen asked to wait and go with us, but Aunt Margaret wouldn’t let her.”

The carriage ride to the mansion took only twenty minutes. Ewan pulled out his pocket watch when they arrived and checked the time. “We’re here fifteen minutes early, so we shouldn’t be in any trouble.” He followed the girls inside, where his aunt
was shouting commands to anyone who drew near. “Maybe it would be wise to hide somewhere until time for the party.”

The twins giggled and Adaira grasped his hand. “I know. We can go to the upstairs sitting room and watch out the window to see when the first carriage arrives.”

Ewan was more than happy to agree to the plan. After today’s events, he needed a bit of peace and quiet before joining the evening’s festivities.

L
aura walked down the stairs, surprised Winston had arrived so early. She hadn’t expected him for another half hour. Wearing his black tailcoat, heavily starched white shirt, low-cut black vest, and tidy white bow tie, he looked the perfect gentleman.

“You’re fortunate I’m not one of those women who is always late, or you’d likely become very bored waiting on me.”

“You look lovely, as usual.” His comment didn’t sound sincere, but she’d become accustomed to the disingenuous remarks he made to everyone—including her. “I thought we’d have time to visit for a short time before going to the party.” He grimaced. “I do dread spending an evening with those people.”

Laura slipped her hands into a pair of lace gloves. “Exactly who are you referring to when you say ‘those people’?”

Winston waved a dismissive hand. “All of them. I find their company boring, and I can’t imagine that Crothers woman has the slightest ability when it comes to hosting a dinner party and ball. Then again, perhaps it will provide an opportunity for a bit of laughter and a chance to hear how Ewan McKay plans to solve the dilemma of paying his banknote.”

Laura stepped into the parlor and sat down. “What are you talking about? Why would there be a problem with the bank? Ewan secured ample contracts for the brickyard to sustain itself in fine fashion.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard. As often as those McKay girls visit, I thought you’d have already heard the news.” Winston sat down on the divan. “You’re correct about the orders, but his uncle isn’t a very clever businessman, and that will likely prove to be McKay’s downfall.” Winston went on to explain what had happened at the brickyard and the contract clause that permitted seizure of the business with only a ten-day default.

“Surely the bank won’t attempt to seize the business if they’re only ten days late. I can’t believe Mr. Swinnen would do such a thing.” She straightened her shoulders. “You’re on the board of directors. You can speak with the others and convince them their money will be forthcoming.” She exhaled a small sigh. “I feel better already, knowing you’ll be able to help.”

“I’m not so sure I can do that, Laura.”

Winston reached for her hand, but she jerked back at his response. “Why couldn’t you? There’s no logical reason for the bank to move so quickly. It’s unfair.”

“Not according to the contract Hugh Crothers signed. He agreed to the terms, and the bank has every right—in fact, every obligation—to seize the brickyard if they can’t make their payment on time. The members of the board are required to protect the bank’s stockholders.”

“I think a word of assurance from you would help a great deal, Winston. If Ewan McKay was your friend, you’d do everything in your power to help. I know you would.”

“Ah, but it’s you that he’s befriended, Laura—not me.” His eyes flashed with spite before he looked down and tugged on the corner of his black vest.

On several occasions after the purchase of the brickyard, she and Winston had argued about the time she devoted to helping Ewan and Winston’s desire that she refrain from going to the yard. When Laura didn’t acquiesce to his request, he’d gone to her mother and planted the idea that her time at the brickyard could cause people to talk and possibly place a blot on Laura’s good name. When her mother didn’t immediately agree, he’d gone a step further and said he couldn’t marry a woman whose reputation might cast embarrassment upon him and jeopardize his political career.

Mother had done her best to convince Laura that any hint of scandal would end her future with Winston, but Laura hadn’t been swayed. She’d promised to help Ewan and refused to go back on her word. Now Winston was going to use his position at the bank to punish both Ewan and her.

“We’ve discussed this before, Winston. The time I spent with Ewan was to help acquaint him with the paper work and to show him how Father had run the brickyard. You’ve made our acquaintance into something it isn’t.”

“Acquaintance? I think it’s more than an acquaintance. I see the way he looks at you, and his sisters are over here all the time. Whether you care to admit it or not, there’s more going on than meets the eye. I’m no fool.”

“Is that what you think? That I’ve been making a fool of you? If that’s the case, why have you continued to court me?” Her simmering anger had reached the boiling point. “You’re even more controlling than I suspected if you believe I should refrain from visits with the McKay girls just because they’re Ewan’s sisters.”

Winston pushed his glasses tight against the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t say you were making a fool of me, and I certainly do not consider myself to be controlling, but I didn’t approve of
you keeping company with Ewan at the brickyard, and I think it unwise for you to form a bond with his sisters.”

“How can you be so callous?” Laura shook her head and frowned. “Have you considered what it must be like for those three girls to be living in a new country with no mother or father, their brother working long hours, and Margaret Crothers treating them like excess baggage?”

“No. I’ve given no thought to that at all, and neither should you. Those girls aren’t your problem, and they certainly aren’t mine. Let them spend their time with some of those relatives Hugh brought over here to work at the brickyard.”

“Some of those relatives you intend to put out of work! Have you taken into account how many people will be affected if the bank seizes the brickyard, Winston? There is much more wisdom in giving Ewan time so that he can fulfill the orders and pay the banknote than there is to seize the yard.”

Winston leaned back and looked down his nose at her. “You simply don’t understand the fine details of banking, Laura. There’s so much more involved, and I don’t want to tax you with the boring details. Suffice it to say, the die is cast. Unless Hugh Crothers or Ewan McKay can pay their banknote within ten days of the due date, the brickyard will be seized.”

He’d spoken to her as though she possessed little more intelligence than that of a gnat. “Then suffice it to say that I will do everything in my power to make certain the bank isn’t successful.”

He blanched, but before he could respond to the curt retort, her mother fluttered into the parlor. “Dear me, have I kept you waiting? I could have hurried along if I’d known.” She glanced back and forth between Winston and Laura. “Has something happened? The two of you look positively piqued.” Her eye
brows dipped low as she focused on Laura. “Is there something we should discuss in private before we depart?”

Winston jumped to his feet. “Not at all, Mrs. Woodfield. There’s no need for concern. Laura and I have a small matter of disagreement, but I’m sure we’ll be able to reach an amicable resolution before the evening’s end.”

Laura pinned him with a stern look. If he thought they were going to reach an amicable resolution, he’d be the one making all the concessions. There were few issues where she would go to such lengths, but saving the brickyard from ruin was one. She would not stand by and do nothing while the bank seized the brickyard.

Instead of taking Winston’s arm, Laura assisted her mother to the carriage and leaned close once they were seated inside. “We need to talk.”

Her mother gave a slight nod. “We’ll find time at the party. I hope this isn’t serious.”

Laura hoped her mother would align with her rather than Winston. Surely she wouldn’t support any action to seize the brickyard. Perhaps Mother could convince Mr. Swinnen to act in a reasonable and Christian manner. If not, all of Ewan’s dreams could be destroyed.

The dinner astounded Laura. Mrs. Crothers had seen to every detail, and the food had been sumptuous. From the chicken consommé that began the meal to the fruit trifle at the end, each course had been prepared and served with meticulous care. When they’d finished their dessert and coffee, Laura silently chided herself for thinking Margaret lacked the skill to carry off a dinner party for guests with such exacting tastes and expectations, for other than requesting addresses for the
invitations, Margaret hadn’t asked for any help from Laura or her mother.

Yet when they’d first met, Margaret had been clear that she’d never hosted large formal gatherings. The woman possessed hidden talents if she’d accomplished this feat without advice and with such expert ease, especially since her permanent staff consisted of distant relatives from Ireland, who’d likely never been charged with serving a formal dinner. Perhaps Margaret had befriended one of the other guests and requested assistance with the details.

As the men retreated to the library after dinner, Laura and the other women were escorted to a formal parlor, where a talented pianist treated them to music that ranged from Hermann Goetz’s Concerto no. 2 for Piano in B-flat Major to “The Blue Danube” and “The Man on the Flying Trapeze.” Laura learned from Mr. Swinnen’s wife that the pianist had traveled from Wheeling with some of the other guests attending the party.

Mrs. Crothers leaned close as the pianist completed her final selection. “Isn’t she wonderful? Mrs. Blount suggested her name to me.”

Laura arched her brows. “Really? I didn’t know you and Naomi Blount were acquainted.”

“I discovered it only takes a name dropped here or there among the socially elite before your own name becomes quite well known among those in the group.” The older woman’s lips curved in a cunning smile. “Please excuse me. I need to speak to Naomi and thank her for her wonderful suggestion.”

Laura stared after the woman. If determination could win her a place among the socially elite, Mrs. Crothers would soon be on the social register in the states of both West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Feeling no compunction, Laura waved Rose to the empty
chair beside her. No doubt Winston would be unhappy if he saw Rose visiting with Laura, but she cared not a whit what he might say. Rose’s dress of soft blue silk looked lovely against her pale skin and dark hair. “You look lovely this evening. The blue of your dress makes your eyes even more beautiful. Once the dancing begins, I’m sure you’ll have lots of fellows filling your dance card.”

The color in Rose’s cheeks heightened. “I don’t know how to dance very well, so I may refuse unless it’s a waltz. Kathleen taught me how to waltz, but our dances in Ireland are not the same as those here in America.”

“Who taught Kathleen how to waltz?”

Rose glanced around and then leaned a little closer. “I’m not supposed to tell, but it was Terrance O’Grady. He’s been in the country longer, and he’s learned quite a few of the dance steps.”

“I see. Well, it was kind of her to teach you. I’ll be sure to keep your secret. Next time you’re at the house, I’d be happy to teach you some new steps.” Laura squeezed the girl’s hand. “The dinner was quite lovely, don’t you think?”

Rose nodded. “I wish Aunt Margaret would have given Ainslee and Adaira permission to eat with us. They worked very hard completing every task Aunt Margaret assigned them and were sorely disappointed when she said they’d have to eat in the kitchen because children weren’t permitted at the party.

“Ainslee argued that it was Aunt Margaret’s party and she could let children be seated with the adults if she wanted, but Aunt Margaret would not change her mind. I’m happy we’ll soon have a house to ourselves. I think Ewan is pleased, too.”

Rose had spoken his name only moments before Ewan approached. “I see you’ve been keeping Laura company. I thought the women were to have some sort of entertainment while the men were in the library.”

Rose smiled up at her brother. “We did. There was a piano recital.”

Laura kept her gaze trained on Ewan while Rose detailed the happenings of the past hour. His usual good nature wasn’t shining through, and she wondered if the conversation in the library had revolved around problems at the brickyard.

Once Rose finished telling her brother how some of the women had joined in to sing the lyrics to “The Man on the Flying Trapeze,” Laura turned in her chair. “I understand there was a terrible mishap at the brickyard last night.”

“I’m afraid so.” Ewan ran his hand through his hair. “We lost two full kilns, which is a terrible blow. I don’t see how we’re going to make the bank payment within the allotted grace period. Uncle Hugh says I’m too quick to toll the death knell, but after talking to Mr. Swinnen in the library, I’m afraid that unless the good Lord grants us a miracle, we’ll lose the brickyard.” Ewan stepped around the row of chairs and sat down on the other side of Laura. “I tried to reason with Mr. Swinnen, but he wasn’t willing to hear a thing I was saying.”

Weariness gathered in shadowy pockets beneath his eyes, and she longed to say something to comfort him. “Maybe someone needs to point out that having the brickyard sit idle is going to have a terrible impact on lots of folks in Bartlett. There are men who gave up their jobs in the coal mines and others who’ve moved here for work. Now they’ll be without any means to support their families. The stores in town will suffer, as well.”

Ewan nodded. “You’re right. And we’ll be able to make the payment within six or eight weeks at the most, but Mr. Swinnen didn’t seem to care. He says the bank has to look out for the stockholders.”