The Potter's Lady Read Online Free Page A

an inch higher. “Whether Mr. McKay has registered with us or not is not a matter we would discuss with—”
    “Did I hear someone asking for Mr. McKay?”
    Rylan spun on his heel. “Aye, that you did. Are you Mr. McKay?”
    “I am. And who might I be talking to?”
    Rylan’s gaze traveled between a man with chestnut brown hair and a young woman with deep blue eyes and a beautiful smile who stood at his side. Was the lovely young lady his wife?
    He tore his gaze away and faced Mr. McKay. “My name is Rylan Campbell, sir.” He hesitated a moment, uncertain what he should do. At this point, there was no way he could heed Mr. Bancock’s order. Mr. McKay was staring at him with arched brows, obviously expecting to know more than his name. Rylan cleared his throat. “I work at Bancock Pottery.”
    A flash of recognition shone in Mr. McKay’s eyes, and he gave a quick nod. “And you’ve come to see what time I plan to visit the pottery, am I right?”
    “Aye. Right you are.”
    Mr. McKay rested a hand on Rylan’s shoulder. “I’m glad you appeared, Rylan. My sister and I were planning to leave for our visit with Mr. Bancock right now. ’Twould be appreciated if you’d show us the way.”
    The young woman nudged her brother’s arm. “And may I present my sister, Rose McKay. She’s quite eager to see the pottery.”
    “Nice to meet you, miss.” Rylan tried to keep from staring, but her eyes lured him in like a magnet. His sister. Not his wife. Relief washed over him, but he’d better focus on the job at hand and not the girl in front of him.
    He turned toward Mr. McKay. “I hope you won’t be disappointed. It’s a fine pottery. I’ve worked there since I was a young lad. And you won’t find a more honest man or better employer than Mr. Bancock.” He needed to quit rambling. Mr. Bancock wouldn’t approve.
    “That’s good to know. I hope our late arrival hasn’t caused undue concern for Mr. Bancock, but we’d also scheduled a visit to the brickyard, and the rain caused a delay of our tour of the yard.”
    They stepped outside, and Rylan directed them down the wood sidewalk, looking for the best place for Miss McKay to cross the railroad tracks without stepping in too much mud. All the while, his mind was racing. Why had they been at the brickyard? Rylan had heard Mr. Trent was hoping to sell the place.
    He sucked in a gulp of air. “Were you looking to buy Mr. Trent’s brickyard, Mr. McKay?”
    Rylan held his breath as he awaited the answer. Surely if Mr. Bancock knew Mr. McKay was visiting other companies in the area, he would have told Rylan. No doubt Mr. Bancock would find the news distressing.
    “I’m giving it some consideration. My family and I currently live in Bartlett where I operated a brickyard. Before that I worked in many a brickyard in Northern Ireland.” He offered his arm to his sister as they started across the railroad tracks. “What about you, Mr. Campbell? Is it Ireland you call home, as well?”
    Rylan shook his head. “Nay. I consider this country my home, though my parents came here from Ireland. They crossed the ocean when I was a wee babe. From what they tell me, I nearly died on the ship, but I don’t remember any of it.”
    “Well, glad I am that you arrived safely. Too many of our countrymen perished on those ships.”
    As they continued toward the pottery, Rylan’s thoughts remained fixed on the knowledge that the acquisition of the Bancock Pottery was much more tenuous than he had imagined.

Chapter 3
    U pon Rylan’s return, Mr. Bancock’s lips formed a deep frown. The pottery owner hadn’t wanted Mr. McKay to know he was eager to sell. Seeing the visitor alongside Rylan meant only one thing to Mr. Bancock: He’d lost his ability to bargain from a position of power. Rylan couldn’t dispute the fact that Mr. Bancock might have more difficulty negotiating now. But that difficulty would arise more from Mr. McKay’s interest in the Trent Brick Works than