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Authors: Judith Miller
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Mrs. Woodfield called to the driver to stop. Leaning forward, she extended her hand to Laura. “Give me the key and I’ll open the house. I’m sure it needs to be aired.”
Ewan didn’t care if the house was aired; he merely wanted to see the size and condition of the dwelling. If he could offer his aunt a good report, she might stop criticizing Uncle Hugh. Ewan needed his uncle’s attention to remain centered on the brickyard, not on building a new house.
Once they arrived outside the structure, Ewan stopped and surveyed the exterior of the house. “’Tis a fine dwelling. I can only hope that Aunt Maggie will agree and be satisfied until a new house that meets her every wish can be constructed.”
Laura strode toward the steps leading to a generous front porch. “I think I may have detected a hint of disdain in your comment, Mr. McKay.”
Ewan bowed his head. “Aye, and I do apologize for harboring and speaking unkind comments about my aunt. ’Twas not proper.”
“No apology needed. Your aunt made an unforgettable impression.” Laura waved him forward. “My mother and I bothhope to forge a friendship with her, since your family will be living nearby.”
Ewan mounted the steps. “I’m sure she’ll be eager to visit, to ask your advice about the best places to shop, and to inquire about the guests she should entertain. My aunt has a strong desire to be welcomed into fashionable society.”
Laura stopped outside the front door. “We will be pleased to help her. And if your aunt and her sister enjoy volunteer work, there are always positions to be filled.”
“I know you helped your father at the brickyard, but is volunteer work how most society ladies fill their days, Miss Woodfield?”
“We all try to do our part. I’m thankful for the life my parents were able to provide me, so I want to help others who have been less fortunate. I think most of the ladies want to do what they can to ease the suffering of others.”
“So what is it you do to help the needy, Miss Woodfield?”
“Since I enjoy children, I volunteer my time at the orphanage.”
Ewan’s lips lifted in a broad smile. “We have more in common than bricks, Miss Woodfield. To be sure, I think children are a blessing from God. I cannot imagine a life without children of my own, can you?”
His question hung in the air as Laura silently motioned him inside.
The area was large enough to greet several guests, though not nearly as large as the grand hallway at Woodfield Manor. A wide staircase boasting a hand-carved black-walnut banister rose from the left wall and a wide entrance led to the formal parlor to the right. Mrs. Woodfield had already opened the pocket doors, and Zeke was struggling to open some of the windows.
“Let me help with those. With all the rain, the wood has probably swelled a bit.” Ewan crossed the room and soon hadtwo of the windows open at the front of the house. Once Zeke had managed to raise a window along the side, a cross breeze soon drifted through the room.
Mrs. Woodfield inhaled a shallow breath. “That’s a little better, but it will be several hours before we’re rid of the stale air.” She waved toward Zeke. “Open the rest of these downstairs windows and then go up to the bedrooms.” Her forehead creased in a frown. “Maybe Zeke should spend the night here. He could leave the windows open, and it would be as fresh as a daisy by morning.”
“Now, Mrs. Woodfield, you know I don’t like sleeping anywhere but in my own bed.” The older man shuddered. “Maybe you should send Joseph. That young fella is always open to a bit of adventure. But me? I like my regular routine.”
“Then we’ll have Joseph come over.” Mrs. Woodfield turned to Ewan. “Would you like to begin upstairs or continue here on the main floor, Mr. McKay?”
“Down here is fine. I was wondering about the workhorses your husband used to operate the pug mills. Is there any chance you still have the
Ewan didn’t care if the house was aired; he merely wanted to see the size and condition of the dwelling. If he could offer his aunt a good report, she might stop criticizing Uncle Hugh. Ewan needed his uncle’s attention to remain centered on the brickyard, not on building a new house.
Once they arrived outside the structure, Ewan stopped and surveyed the exterior of the house. “’Tis a fine dwelling. I can only hope that Aunt Maggie will agree and be satisfied until a new house that meets her every wish can be constructed.”
Laura strode toward the steps leading to a generous front porch. “I think I may have detected a hint of disdain in your comment, Mr. McKay.”
Ewan bowed his head. “Aye, and I do apologize for harboring and speaking unkind comments about my aunt. ’Twas not proper.”
“No apology needed. Your aunt made an unforgettable impression.” Laura waved him forward. “My mother and I bothhope to forge a friendship with her, since your family will be living nearby.”
Ewan mounted the steps. “I’m sure she’ll be eager to visit, to ask your advice about the best places to shop, and to inquire about the guests she should entertain. My aunt has a strong desire to be welcomed into fashionable society.”
Laura stopped outside the front door. “We will be pleased to help her. And if your aunt and her sister enjoy volunteer work, there are always positions to be filled.”
“I know you helped your father at the brickyard, but is volunteer work how most society ladies fill their days, Miss Woodfield?”
“We all try to do our part. I’m thankful for the life my parents were able to provide me, so I want to help others who have been less fortunate. I think most of the ladies want to do what they can to ease the suffering of others.”
“So what is it you do to help the needy, Miss Woodfield?”
“Since I enjoy children, I volunteer my time at the orphanage.”
Ewan’s lips lifted in a broad smile. “We have more in common than bricks, Miss Woodfield. To be sure, I think children are a blessing from God. I cannot imagine a life without children of my own, can you?”
His question hung in the air as Laura silently motioned him inside.
The area was large enough to greet several guests, though not nearly as large as the grand hallway at Woodfield Manor. A wide staircase boasting a hand-carved black-walnut banister rose from the left wall and a wide entrance led to the formal parlor to the right. Mrs. Woodfield had already opened the pocket doors, and Zeke was struggling to open some of the windows.
“Let me help with those. With all the rain, the wood has probably swelled a bit.” Ewan crossed the room and soon hadtwo of the windows open at the front of the house. Once Zeke had managed to raise a window along the side, a cross breeze soon drifted through the room.
Mrs. Woodfield inhaled a shallow breath. “That’s a little better, but it will be several hours before we’re rid of the stale air.” She waved toward Zeke. “Open the rest of these downstairs windows and then go up to the bedrooms.” Her forehead creased in a frown. “Maybe Zeke should spend the night here. He could leave the windows open, and it would be as fresh as a daisy by morning.”
“Now, Mrs. Woodfield, you know I don’t like sleeping anywhere but in my own bed.” The older man shuddered. “Maybe you should send Joseph. That young fella is always open to a bit of adventure. But me? I like my regular routine.”
“Then we’ll have Joseph come over.” Mrs. Woodfield turned to Ewan. “Would you like to begin upstairs or continue here on the main floor, Mr. McKay?”
“Down here is fine. I was wondering about the workhorses your husband used to operate the pug mills. Is there any chance you still have the
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