Read Online The Potter's Lady by Judith Miller - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Judith Miller
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already said she didn’t want to remain downstairs for the dance, so I thought it would all work perfectly. Don’t you agree?” She heaved a sigh and forced a smile.
“The idea is a bit unique, but I suppose if you’ve already extended an invitation, we can hardly tell her she isn’t welcome.” Laura glanced at her husband. “After all, she is extended family.”
Ewan’s brows knitted together. “Aye. Far removed but still family, I suppose.” He turned toward Rose. “In the future, you should speak to Laura before you extend invitations. I realize this is your party, but adding extra guests without permission is not proper.”
Rose mumbled her apologies and thanked Laura for her kindness before turning toward Ainslee. “Are you willing to look after Tessa during the dance? I’m sure she’ll be asleep, so you can read a book. I’ve brought home several you might enjoy.”
Her sister agreed to the arrangement as the maid entered the room with a layered peach cake for dessert. Rose clasped a hand to her midsection. “Oh, my favorite.”
Once they’d all been served, Rose dipped her fork into the moist confection and was thankful the delicious dessert created enough excitement to dispel further mention of her inappropriate invitation to Beatrice. When they’d all finished their cake, Ewan leaned back in his chair.
“I believe we have a meeting to attend, ladies.” He winked at the twins. “I’m sure the two of you can find something to occupy your time while we discuss some business matters.”
The girls were pleased to make their escape to the backyard garden. The scent of lilacs drifted through the French doors as the two of them departed. While Rose inhaled the familiar fragrance, she glanced across the table at Laura and realized her timing during supper had been ill conceived. After discouraging Mrs. Woodfield from writing a letter to Mrs. Fisk and extending an improper invitation to Beatrice, Rose wondered if she’d be able to win the two ladies to her side regarding the pottery. For sure, she hadn’t done anything to align herself with them during supper.
After they’d all taken their seats in the library, Ewan gave the ladies his impressions of the brickyard. “Since Rose didn’t accompany me, she’ll not have an opinion about the yard, but from what I’ve told you, I think you’ll agree that it would be an excellent investment. Mr. Trent is eager to sell, and I think I could get him to lower the price a little.”
Rose perked to attention. “But you told me on the train that Mr. Trent has no VerValen Machine and he’s never had any sizeable orders. If that’s the case, his operation would be too small to support the family or to secure contracts as you’ve managed in the past.”
Mrs. Woodfield arched her brows. “Rose is correct. You’d be able to contract only small orders that wouldn’t bring in sufficient income.” She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. “Then again, there’s no reason we couldn’t purchase a VerValen, is there?”
“My hope would be that if Mr. Trent would lower the price, we could purchase the brickyard and a VerValen for no more than the price originally set.”
“Do you truly believe he’d lower his price that much?” Mrs. Woodfield pursed her lips. “I can’t imagine a man so anxious to sell that he’d take a loss. If that’s the case, I wonder if there’s something he’s hiding. Did you have a look at his books, Ewan? What level of profit has he been making these past few years? Did he say why he’s selling?”
Rose’s shoulders finally relaxed. Until Mrs. Woodfield had asked her pointed questions about Mr. Trent’s profits and his reason for selling the brickyard, Rose was certain Ewan had gained the older woman’s allegiance. Now it appeared she wasn’t completely convinced.
After answering Mrs. Woodfield’s many questions, the older woman glanced toward the door and sighed. “I thought Catherine was going to bring
“The idea is a bit unique, but I suppose if you’ve already extended an invitation, we can hardly tell her she isn’t welcome.” Laura glanced at her husband. “After all, she is extended family.”
Ewan’s brows knitted together. “Aye. Far removed but still family, I suppose.” He turned toward Rose. “In the future, you should speak to Laura before you extend invitations. I realize this is your party, but adding extra guests without permission is not proper.”
Rose mumbled her apologies and thanked Laura for her kindness before turning toward Ainslee. “Are you willing to look after Tessa during the dance? I’m sure she’ll be asleep, so you can read a book. I’ve brought home several you might enjoy.”
Her sister agreed to the arrangement as the maid entered the room with a layered peach cake for dessert. Rose clasped a hand to her midsection. “Oh, my favorite.”
Once they’d all been served, Rose dipped her fork into the moist confection and was thankful the delicious dessert created enough excitement to dispel further mention of her inappropriate invitation to Beatrice. When they’d all finished their cake, Ewan leaned back in his chair.
“I believe we have a meeting to attend, ladies.” He winked at the twins. “I’m sure the two of you can find something to occupy your time while we discuss some business matters.”
The girls were pleased to make their escape to the backyard garden. The scent of lilacs drifted through the French doors as the two of them departed. While Rose inhaled the familiar fragrance, she glanced across the table at Laura and realized her timing during supper had been ill conceived. After discouraging Mrs. Woodfield from writing a letter to Mrs. Fisk and extending an improper invitation to Beatrice, Rose wondered if she’d be able to win the two ladies to her side regarding the pottery. For sure, she hadn’t done anything to align herself with them during supper.
After they’d all taken their seats in the library, Ewan gave the ladies his impressions of the brickyard. “Since Rose didn’t accompany me, she’ll not have an opinion about the yard, but from what I’ve told you, I think you’ll agree that it would be an excellent investment. Mr. Trent is eager to sell, and I think I could get him to lower the price a little.”
Rose perked to attention. “But you told me on the train that Mr. Trent has no VerValen Machine and he’s never had any sizeable orders. If that’s the case, his operation would be too small to support the family or to secure contracts as you’ve managed in the past.”
Mrs. Woodfield arched her brows. “Rose is correct. You’d be able to contract only small orders that wouldn’t bring in sufficient income.” She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. “Then again, there’s no reason we couldn’t purchase a VerValen, is there?”
“My hope would be that if Mr. Trent would lower the price, we could purchase the brickyard and a VerValen for no more than the price originally set.”
“Do you truly believe he’d lower his price that much?” Mrs. Woodfield pursed her lips. “I can’t imagine a man so anxious to sell that he’d take a loss. If that’s the case, I wonder if there’s something he’s hiding. Did you have a look at his books, Ewan? What level of profit has he been making these past few years? Did he say why he’s selling?”
Rose’s shoulders finally relaxed. Until Mrs. Woodfield had asked her pointed questions about Mr. Trent’s profits and his reason for selling the brickyard, Rose was certain Ewan had gained the older woman’s allegiance. Now it appeared she wasn’t completely convinced.
After answering Mrs. Woodfield’s many questions, the older woman glanced toward the door and sighed. “I thought Catherine was going to bring
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