The Potter's Lady (29 page)

She drew herself up to full height. “Nay, but I didn’t think you’d expect me to go without me supper, either. And in case it’s slipped your mind, ya never did pay me the money you owe me.” She grabbed her reticule, opened it, and sat down beside him on the edge of the bed.

He reached into his pocket and tossed the money atop the bed. Without a word, she scooped it up and tucked it inside. “So what did ya find out? Have they decided on a design?”

“They’re working on one more drawing tonight. If they don’t pick it, I have an idea which one they’ll choose. I told them which one was my choice, and I think Rose agreed. Of course, Rylan wasn’t committed to the one I liked. My guess is that they’ll make a decision by tomorrow or the next day and then produce the one they like.” He yanked off his tie. “If they don’t like it, then I’m sure they’ll create another. I can only hope they’ll soon decide.”

“No need to look so sad.” Beatrice reached for his lips and attempted to push them into a smile. When he jerked away, she frowned. “Don’t take yar anger out on me. I’ve been doing my best to help ya. I can quit doing me bit if you ain’t wanting me around.”

“I didn’t say I wanted you to leave. I’m going to need your help more than ever.” He massaged the back of his neck. “It’s been a bad evening.”

After a little prodding, Joshua related the evening’s events. When he had finished, Beatrice grasped his hand. “Don’t ya worry none. I’ll do whatever ya tell me. We’ll make sure you win that contest.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “I’m the kind of woman ya need. Rose would never be able to make ya happy. But me?” She leaned to the side and kissed his neck. “I know how to please ya.”

He turned toward her. Placing his fingers beneath her chin, he lifted her head until their eyes met. Her stomach quivered in anticipation, but he didn’t lower his head to kiss her. Instead he squeezed her chin between his thumb and index finger. “You know how to please me when I’m putting money in your pocket. Otherwise, I’m not so sure you’d be willing to do anything for me.”

Beatrice placed her palm atop her heart. “Now ya’ve really hurt me feelings, Joshua. Do ya think I care nothing for ya at all?” She lifted her hand and touched her finger to his chest. “I think it’s you that has a cold heart. I don’t think ya care about Rose McKay or about me. You were courtin’ Rose for what you’d gain if you married her, and the only reason you have anything to do with me is because I’ll do your bidding, for a price. Once you pay me, you can forget ya ever knew me.” She narrowed her eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re right. At least about Rose. She would prove to be a proper wife for me.” He touched Beatrice’s cheek. “But she would never possess your passion. A marriage to Rose would be dull. You, on the other hand, would make my life exciting.” He sighed. “But you would never be accepted by my family or by society.”

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.