Read The Brickmaker's Bride for Free Online

pleased to have the matter settled. No doubt, Aunt Margaret and Aunt Kathleen would be knocking on the front door of Woodfield Manor tomorrow afternoon. He hoped Margaret would extend the widow and her daughter every courtesy. Even with the help of servants, moving all of their belongings from the mansion would take time.
    And Aunt Margaret wasn’t known for her patience.

Chapter 4
    L aura greeted her mother as she entered the dining room. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” She touched her fingers to the soft brown curls that brushed the neckline of her lavender poplin walking dress. “My hair wouldn’t cooperate this morning. I don’t know who became more exasperated, me or Sally.”
    Her mother chuckled. “I would imagine Sally, since she was the one trying to tame those curls of yours. Unfortunately, it appears your chignon is not going to hold tight, but let’s eat breakfast. Sally can attend to your hair later.”
    Catherine bustled into the dining room. “How would you like your eggs, Miss Laura?”
    “No eggs this morning. I’m not particularly hungry, but I’ll have one of your biscuits with strawberry preserves.”
    The maid tsked and shook her head. “That’s not a fit breakfast, Miss Laura.” Catherine looked at Mrs. Woodfield for affirmation.
    “Catherine’s right. You need a more substantial breakfast, my dear.” Mrs. Woodfield looked at the maid. “We’ll both have poached eggs and sausage.”
    “No sausage. I’ll eat an egg, but no sausage. I didn’t sleep well, and I have the beginning of a headache.”
    Mrs. Woodfield leaned to the side and placed her palm on Laura’s forehead. “You don’t feel warm. I do hope you’re not coming down with something.”
    “I didn’t sleep well, that’s all. I couldn’t stop thinking about Mr. McKay and his advice. The entire visit seems so odd, doesn’t it? I don’t discount that he appeared sincere in his desire to be fair, but going behind his uncle’s back doesn’t seem right. I wonder if it’s some sort of plan they’ve concocted between themselves.”
    “I think you’re misjudging Mr. McKay, though his advice was a bit odd. Winston will be upset that I’m not taking his advice, but I’ve decided that if the Lord wants us to sell to Mr. Crothers, we’ll receive some sort of sign. Something that will give me a feeling of certainty before I agree to sell.” Her mother picked up a small china pitcher and poured cream into her coffee. “This won’t be the first time Winston and I have disagreed. He’s a good lawyer, but a bit too pushy. If you decide he’s the man you want to marry, make certain you don’t let him control you overmuch.”
    For most of her life, Laura’s mother had been easily swayed—especially by men. She had always bowed to her husband’s decisions. That’s what society expected. Women weren’t considered bright enough to understand business or politics, and if they had an opinion regarding such matters, they were expected to keep it to themselves.
    Mrs. Woodfield had held fast to those rules until the war. When her husband marched off to battle, she’d been forced to take charge. The change had proved difficult, and Laura had encouraged her mother and praised each decision. As time passed, her mother fully embraced her new role, and it appeared shewasn’t prepared to relinquish her decisions to anyone except the Lord.
    There was a touch of irony in her mother’s cautionary remark. “We’re not yet engaged, so I don’t think you need to worry about marriage any time in the near future.”
    Mrs. Woodfield arched her brows. “I believe Winston has already made up his mind that you’re the woman he wants at his side. No doubt you can expect a marriage proposal very soon. You offer what he wants in a wife.”
    “And what is that, Mother?” She arched her brows. Had Winston already expressed his desire to propose? Had he spoken to her mother?
    “You’d be the perfect wife to aid him in his political