“Jesus,” said Zachary, watching the men linger with their hackles up.
O’Reilly pointed his pipe at him. “That will be fine. You pray, me and the others, we’ll make your steam engine and pay off those loans.”
“Dyer and Spencer are so far true to their word with the financing,” said Zachary.
O’Reilly rested a hand, heavy as an anvil on his shoulder. “Dyer, no. I don’t trust him. And if you think Spencer says so, it’s as dubious as Moses coming down the mountain with a block of stone in his hand and his forehead glimmering with the truth.So, get to the point because it is impatient I am, and Chen can’t seem to shut up once. I’m offering you a head start against wind and tide.”
“Don’t get carried away over a loan. And Chen doesn’t talk unless he has to.”
Amidst the men, Zachary stepped up on a box and asked all of them to listen. “Mr. Li, will you translate to your men?”
Irish and Chinese surrounded him albeit to their sides. “I am sure you all recognize what a serious disadvantage it would be to have the wrong people made privy to our ideas before we’ve brought them to completion. Such an error, gentlemen, could cost every man here an enormous profit. I’m sure I can rely on your discretion.”
“Did you say profit share?”
Unheard of for a business owner to share his profits, Zach knew the idea would fascinate them.
“That’s right. There will be a percentage of profits distributed to every man for his work. That comes with responsibility. No thieving. No giving any outsiders any information on what we are working on. Being aware of spies. Coming to work on time, not missing any work days, working long hard hours, making deadlines, and most importantly, working together in a harmonious fashion. I hired each of you for your talents. You must realize each other’s talents to make this endeavor come to fruition. Can I count on you?”
“Well done,” beamed Elizabeth. As the men dispersed, Mrs. Merriweather and Fiona also nodded their approval.
Zachary stepped down. “It’s not an easy task. Over the weeks, I’ve encountered numerous nightmares. Supplies, especially iron, are slow to get to them. “I’ve procured a great number of orders due to my salesmanship skills yet have been unable to produce one steam engine, producing angry customers by extending deadlines. I must streamline time-consuming andlabor-intensive operations. Trouble-shooting last details on the engine is endless.”
A vein pulsed in his neck. “The worst problem is getting the men to work together. The divide is wider than the Great Plains. The Chinese distrust the Irish, and the Irish hate the Chinese. Work done by one faction is booby-trapped by the other.”
O’Reilly brought his eyebrows together over the bridge of his nose. “The Irish are quick to find fault and quicker with their fists. Mr. Li said a cheery ‘top of the morning’ and a brawl broke out. What’s more they refuse to eat the food Madam Li’s providing. “Misunderstandings have come deliberate and innocent. We cannot control the way people interpret ideas when they refuse to control the words and tones they convey. It is unfortunate that one wrong word or negative tone can change the meaning of an entire utterance and start a war.”
Mrs. Merriweather said, “Is there anything I can do?”
“I appreciate the gesture, Ma’am. If I can’t get the men to stop fighting, I’ll never get one engine out the door.” Zach ran his fingers through his hair. “Delays. Delays. Delays. Impossible to do it all alone. I’m drowning in postponements and rising debt.”
O’Reilly gazed out over the factory. “Patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Hopefully something will happen to bind them together.”
“We’ll need a miracle.”
Chapter Sixteen
The Spencers had arrived at Abigail Merriwether’s ball, their wraps taken from them and waiting patiently to be announced. Her mother abhorred Abigail for her unconventional approach and invitation of all kinds of the talented working class. This fact alone intensified Elizabeth’s fondness of the wealthy widow, so atypical of the elite.
“Elizabeth, I think the effect of your gown is too coquettish for elegance,” said her mother as they stood at the top of the receiving line before entering the ballroom. “What do you think, Louise?”
Proficient at availing her opinion, Louise pursed her lips. “I disagree. I find her gown boring.”
Louise was an expert at summoning her envy and pride, cultivating an imaginary and furious rivalry, with a passionate vehemence to see Elizabeth fail.
“Look at Louise. Her gown fits perfectly,” lectured her mother.
Elizabeth paused in front of a gilded mirror, finding the image of a woman a with a décolletage low, rounded and off-the-shoulder and within taste staring back at her. Nipped at her natural waistline, the red silk gown hosted seed pearls sewn intothe bodice, fine Chantilly lace trimmings, and elaborate draping skirts that enhanced her assets. The evening ahead promised to be lackluster.
In the receiving line, Mrs. Merriwether pulled Elizabeth aside. “I have some interesting guests this evening.”
For two days, she had not heard from Zachary Rourke since she toured his plant. Oh, how she wished he would be in attendance, but he’d be hip-deep in building his engines and labor disputes.
“Mother.” Louise clapped her hands together in a prayerful pose. “I saw a matched sapphire necklace and earring set at Tiffany’s. Could you buy it for me?”
“Anything for my darling, perfect daughter.”
The orchestra struck and the cavernous room became alive with music and laughter.
