The Potter's Lady (35 page)

“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.”

T
hough 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 tell 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?”

“Yes. Eight o’clock will be fine.” Rose stood, and together she and Rylan departed.

They’d not gone far when she heard the sound of muffled footsteps behind them. Rylan glanced over his shoulder and then came to a halt. Rose turned to see Joshua approaching, his eyes flashing with anger as he drew near. “Don’t think I’m going to permit you to speak to Beatrice alone before she goes into that meeting. What’s her room number?”

Rose tipped her head to the side. “The fact that you are so interested in speaking to Beatrice only confirms what we already believe: The two of you have joined together and stolen our design.”

Joshua glared at her, and Rylan wedged himself between them. His jaw muscles twitched, and Rose squeezed his hand. She didn’t want the two of them to end up in a fistfight in the middle of the hotel.

She tugged on his hand. “Rylan, we only have half an hour.”

Joshua continued to follow them until they reached the lobby. Still clutching Rylan’s hand, Rose stopped near the stairway. “If you don’t cease following us, I’m going to go to the front desk and request that you be removed from the hotel until it’s time for the meeting, Joshua.”

His complexion had turned a deep red, and the vein along the side of his neck bulged. “Just like you, I’m a guest in this hotel, Rose, so I don’t think they’re going to toss me out on the street.”

“Joshua! I’ve been looking for you.” All three of them turned to see Jeremiah Harkness stride toward them with purpose in his step. After a quick greeting to Rose and a nod toward Rylan, Mr. Harkness patted his son on the shoulder and smiled. “Why is it I had to discover you’d entered Harkness Pottery in the contest being sponsored by Franklin Hotels?” Mr. Harkness didn’t wait for his son to answer before continuing on. “And why aren’t you staying at the house with your mother and me? I stopped at the front desk and discovered you’re registered here at the hotel.”

Joshua swallowed hard. “I-I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Well, you have! If one of my friends hadn’t shown me a list of the entries and wished me good luck last evening, I would never have known. Which one of the designers created our entry? I want to hear all about it.”

Rose smiled at Joshua. “Yes, Joshua, do tell your father—and us—who designed your entry.”

Joshua glared at her before turning to smile at his father. “We’ll talk later, Father. Right now, I have to prepare for a meeting with the committee judges.”

Mr. Harkness wrapped his arm around Joshua’s shoulder. “You come with me. We’ll find a quiet place to sit, and I’ll help you prepare. I’m sure you can use some sound advice. Now that you’ve advanced this far, I don’t want you to lose this contest.”

Rose and Rylan turned and hurried up the stairs, thankful Mr. Harkness had provided them an escape. When they neared the top of the stairs, Rose gestured toward the hallway leading to Ewan’s room. “Please go and tell Ewan we need him to come and care for Tessa. That will give me a little time to talk to Beatrice before we go back to the meeting room.”

Rose’s heart pounded as she approached the door leading into the suite. There was little doubt Beatrice was shrewd. Rose would need to be careful how she approached the nanny. One misstep and Beatrice would rush to Joshua’s aid.

When Rose entered, Beatrice was reclining against the velvet-covered cushions that decorated a pale green chaise in the sitting room. She looked up from an old copy of
Godey’s
Lady’s Book
. “Look what I found in the lobby.” Keeping her finger between the pages, she lifted it for Rose to see. “The desk clerk said I could bring it to our room to look at.” She hiked a shoulder. “I don’t care if it’s old; I like looking at the fashions.” Her eyebrows arched a tad. “How come you’re here? Mrs. Woodfield said you had a meeting and would be busy this evening.” She didn’t wait for a response. “If you come to check on Tessa, she’s fine. Already asleep for the night, and glad I am for that. Been hard keepin’ her entertained in this place.”