Will.
Was it him who brought his daughter home that night? He recalled Edwina’s sickly demeanour the following day.
He would say nothing to Aiden or Edwina of the sergeant’s accusations. He needed time to decide what must be done and, while Hamilton thought on the problem of his daughter, he would wait and watch and see what morsels of truth were revealed by those he loved and once thought he could trust.
Chapter Nineteen
Two days later, Edwina nervously set the salver on the table next to where her father sat on the verandah and poured tea into a white-and-blue patterned cup. He’d been inordinately quiet at dinner the previous evenings and even Aiden commented on their father’s sullen disposition. An empty rum bottle was discovered outside as if pitched from the study window and a good part of the day he could be seen stalking around or inside the house. As if he were watching or waiting for something. Even Will detected a change in his employer for Edwina saw him skedaddle around the side of the stables mid-morning, saying something about having moved the cub the day before. No further opportunity arose to question Will about his nervousness and even Mrs Ryan was reticent when Edwina queried the cook about her father’s mood.
Having barely spoken to him since Monday, Edwina hoped his disposition was improved. She’d arranged his favourite lard biscuits in a circular design and as an added touch set a vase of wildflowers on the tray. Her indecision towards questioning her father about his business affairs had kept her awake most of the night. But her resolve was firmed the more she thought about his association with the Ridgeways and reinforced every time she looked at her rough-skinned palms. They were scratched today from the extra coil of barbed wire she and Aiden had run along the Ridgeway boundary early this morning.
Edwina waited patiently for her father to acknowledge her presence, perhaps note the extra effort gone into preparing the tray. It was a warm spring afternoon and Edwina focused on the grass wavering in the tepid breeze, the way the sunlight haloed the seeding tufts as a haze of silvery heat hugged the paddocks, causing the distant tree line to twist and warp. Edwina understood that her world would be altered following the conversation she planned to have. And for the briefest of moments she clung to the present.
‘Are you going to sit down, Edwina, or is it your intention to stand there like a statue?’ Her father didn’t look up from the pages of the book resting in his lap.
‘Will I pour for you?’ she offered, still standing.
‘No, thank you. Don’t you have something to do?’ He scribbled numbers in the ledger. ‘What about the rest of those insect eggs?’
‘Aiden and I put them out yesterday afternoon. Father, Mrs Ryan is wondering about the new well?’
‘Yes, yes. We’ll get to it.’
‘Perhaps Will should start on it tomorrow.’
His look was sharp and Edwina wondered what she’d said. She liked Will. And the liking was difficult to admit considering the circumstances under which they’d met. The thought of their shared impulsive kiss made Edwina blush but it was hard to deny her enjoyment of it. If ever there was an illustration of incompatibility for a young lady of her station, Will Kew was that person. And yet she would be sad when he left. He’d been a pleasing addition to the monotony of a life bordered by duty and shadowed by the movement of the sun.
Her father made another note with a stubby pencil. Edwina wondered what sums he analysed, pinching the inside of her wrist when she gave thought to the possibility of entering the study and reading his papers. It had taken most of the last two days to gather enough courage to speak to him and she knew it must be done before that courage failed her.
‘Father?’ she said softly, watching as Jed padded towards them to lie on the floor.
He added two lumps of sugar to his tea, blowing on the surface of the liquid. She was not unprepared. Firstly, she would outline her ideas for the property and then, if her father still refused to listen, Edwina had decided that she would leave the district and find employment where her contribution would not only be appreciated but also valued.
‘Father?’ said Edwina more loudly.
‘What?’ he snapped in reply. Clearly irritated, he closed the book and spread the linen napkin across a knee.
‘Father, I wanted to discuss my suggestions for the property. You said on Sunday that you’d read my notes so you know that I feel it would be a good idea if we purchased one hundred cows and two bulls next year and started a herd. We could run them on the country that’s being cleared once it’s grassed up. Even with an eighty percent calving rate, in two years’ time we’d recoup the initial outlay. If you –’
‘Enough, Edwina. Why can you not confine your thoughts to more womanly tasks? The management of a property does not fall to women. It is men’s business and men know best,’ he snapped.
‘So you won’t even consider it?’
‘It’s been considered. I discussed the matter with Aiden.’
‘And he of course said no, didn’t he, Father?’ asked Edwina. ‘That’s because he’s not comfortable or capable of doing anything beyond what we’re doing already, but –’
‘Enough,’ he replied. ‘I’m not interested in pursuing this conversation.’
‘Even if it means making more money?’
‘I will decide how we make our income and how it is spent.’
That was it then, Edwina decided. ‘If there is money enough, I would like to travel to Brisbane and become a secretary.’ There – she had said it.
In response he took a bite of a biscuit, the crumbs sprinkling the linen. He chewed slowly, pushing the dough back and forth from one cheek to the other.
‘There must be money for a rail ticket at least,’ she persevered, feeling the knot in her stomach grow, ‘because you’re doing business with the likes of the Ridgeways. And a family with forty thousand acres clearly has to have money. And Aiden told me that they owe you money. A very large sum, in fact.’
Finishing the biscuit, her father took another sip of the tea, placing the cup gently in its saucer. ‘You are very knowledgeable today, daughter,’ he answered pleasantly. ‘Do continue, Edwina. What else do you know?’ He turned to her for the first time. ‘Come now, you have obviously given some thought to this conversation.’
A thin eyebrow lifted as he spoke. It was tufted with thick grey hairs. Her father was ageing. She would reach out a hand and stroke the cracked leathery skin spotted with dark patches would the gesture not be waved off. ‘Yes, of course I have, Father.’ Edwina thought of the rehearsed words, of the way her features stiffened as she practised her speech in the mirror. ‘I am now twenty years of age,’ she explained with renewed effort, ‘with no immediate prospect of marrying.’
‘Go on,’ he encouraged, sipping the hot drink.
‘Well, I don’t think it is right to be worked day and night,’ she persevered. ‘Especially when every suggestion I offer regarding the running of the property is ignored.’
‘And?’
‘I am a young woman and yet I wait on you and Aiden hand and foot. I’m not allowed to go anywhere or do anything and I am yet to be presented in public life. It’s just not fair.’ When her father didn’t interrupt, she rushed on, ‘Especially when you have fancy clothes and rooms in town and important clients. Why, everyone else gets to do things like have nice dresses and go to the circus or perhaps even visit the seaside. But no, not me, I have to work like a hired hand. Look at me.’
Her father did indeed look at her. Edwina felt his thousand-yard stare boring into her from the worn but polished laced-up boots, trailing the length of her trousers, shirt and waistcoat until he reached the frayed collar and faded floral scarf tied about her neck. Edwina flinched under the harshness of his glare and busied herself by tucking a length of hair beneath a felt hat.
‘Yes, it was a pity you missed the circus. It was rather enjoyable. But you like those clothes, don’t you? I mean it was your choice to go about dressed up the way you do.’ He didn’t
wait for a response. ‘You’d be happy enough to wear them into Wywanna, Edwina, wouldn’t you? Incognito?’ A nerve above his upper lip twitched, jerking the mouth in a series of tight upward movements.
Edwina thought she would faint. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, Father.’ Beads of sweat formed on her brow. ‘But you know why I wear these clothes on the farm.’ The words sounded stuttery, like a child hiding the truth. Did he know about the circus? Surely not?
Her father narrowed his gaze and smiled pleasantly. ‘If you need new clothes you only have to ask.’
Of course he didn’t know. How could he? ‘That’s not what I mean,’ she answered with relief.
Her father poured more tea, studying the blackness of it. ‘This is a rather rushed decision, isn’t it, wanting to move to Brisbane? Anyone would think you were running away.’
‘I am not running away, Father. I simply want to make my own way in the world. Doing something I enjoy, that I know will make money. Where I will be appreciated. I do have a brain and I’d like to be able to use it.’
‘If you are unhappy with your circumstances, Edwina, then may I suggest you look to yourself for the reason.’
‘Myself?’
‘As a child you skinned mice, pegging them out on the ground to dry in the sun so that you and your brother had hides to trade for your silly games.’ He paused for emphasis. ‘You progressed to daring your brother to jump on our horses bareback and twice he broke his arm. Oh, and as for being forced to contribute to the family business, if I recall correctly it was you who whined when you weren’t allowed to come out riding with me. It was you who elected to dress like a man. You who were happy enough to work in the field alongside your family. And now you complain?’
Edwina was momentarily struck dumb that he could think so poorly of her. The days and weeks following her mother’s removal to the sanatorium remained embedded in her mind along with the sadness of the empty house. Of course she didn’t want to be left alone every day when the men went outdoors. Edwina had explained as much to her father and brother at the time. But for her father to assume that the days of toil spent under his direction was something that would continue on into adulthood was simply unfair, especially when the only contribution wanted of her was labour. Not once were her ideas or needs considered. She had to make him understand. ‘I –’
‘Have I starved you, beaten you or forced you to sleep out in the open? No.’ Her father’s face was growing puce. ‘I have protected you and your brother from the whims of society. From the modern ways of today’s world. And I may add what you are doing here is no different to what any other able-bodied woman does on a property in this district or any other for that matter.’
‘I’m sure the better families on the stations don’t have their womenfolk working the way I do. Anyway, maybe I don’t want to do it anymore. Maybe I’m tired of being ignored and running myself ragged when the property could be doing so much better than it is. Maybe I want a better life.’
‘A b-better life,’ he stammered in anger. ‘I have done everything humanly possible as a father to ensure your wellbeing and you have the audacity to question me about my business affairs and demand money for some inappropriate, foolhardy scheme. I agree that you no longer belong here on the farm. I have seen your discontent, bore witness to your outspokenness, but now I find my concern and disappointment at your ungratefulness goes beyond your petty complaining to the very heart of our reputation.’
Edwina blanched. ‘I, I don’t understand.’
‘Clearly you need the guidance of a husband, and do not worry, my dear, I have been doing my very best to find you one. For, in spite of your complaints, and my clearly insufferable treatment of you, I only desire your happiness.’
‘Then why will you not let me go away from here?’ Edwina’s hands curled into tight fists as her eyes moistened.
‘You can’t go gallivanting off to Brisbane, Edwina. It just isn’t done.’
Edwina stamped her foot loudly on the timber boards, the vibration rattling the teacup in its saucer. ‘Why not?’
‘Because it isn’t right. Young women of breeding must live by certain standards regardless of whether you’re inclined to do so or not. God, would that your mother were here. Unstable though she was, as a member of the weaker sex I’m sure she would know how to handle you for I am at my wits’ end.’ He stood abruptly, the linen napkin fluttering to the ground. ‘I am doing my best to find you a suitable husband, before you ruin this family and become unmarriageable.’
‘And is it very hard to find one for me, Father? Me being the daughter of a money-lender? I imagine it must be for we never entertain, and we are certainly held at arm’s length on the few occasions I’m allowed to accompany you to Wywanna. If it is too difficult, I tell you now to save yourself the trouble. I would rather be my own person than have my guardianship placed in the hands of another male.’
The slap caught Edwina squarely on the side of her face. She staggered backwards, tripping over Jed and landing heavily on the veranda. The dog howled in protest and limped away.
‘You are just like your mother, Edwina. Wilful and spoilt.’
Edwina got slowly to her feet, steadying herself on the wall of the house. A shooting pain was burning the side of her face.
‘I will find you a suitable husband,’ her father stated, retrieving the napkin and throwing it on the tea tray. ‘And you will marry. I promise you that. Did you think I wouldn’t find out about the circus? That’s right. I know all about it. You and that no-hoper, Will. I know he’s involved in this somehow. Sergeant Fredericks came here two days ago. Came here.’ He slammed a hand on the table, upsetting the crockery on the tray so that the cup overturned, spilling its contents. ‘Did you steal that lion?’
‘N-no, Father.’
‘Did Will?’
Edwina couldn’t lie, but if she told the truth she’d be implicated in the theft. ‘I don’t know.’
‘You don’t know?’ he yelled.
Edwina’s nose dripped blood.
‘Regardless of whether they find you guilty of stealing that blasted animal or not, there were witnesses, my girl. The damage is done. The gossipers will already know of your tawdry behaviour. So yes, I will try and find you a husband, and quickly before you can disgrace us further. Before you can ruin yourself, your brother and me.’
Edwina couldn’t breathe properly; she clutched at her stomach.
‘Oh do sit down and collect yourself, girl, before you create a spectacle. The men are coming.’
Edwina dazedly reached across the table to tidy the tea things as Davidson, Aiden and Will approached the house on horseback. The mark on her cheek clearly showed for Will took one look at her as he dismounted and stared furiously at her father.
No, she mouthed, having caught Will’s attention. Please, she pleaded through clenched teeth. Edwina blinked with the pain. Blood came away from her nose, dripped onto her blouse. Although clearly agitated as to the course of action he should take, Will kept his silence.
‘I say, Edwina,’ said Aiden, ‘are you alright? What happened?’
‘She fell,’ answered Hamilton. ‘That old dog’s always in the way. He should be put down. Now what news? You three arrived in a hurry.’
Davidson pointed to the north-east and the road that led towards the homestead. There was something moving in the distance. A trail of dust hung in the air.
‘Chinese, Mr Baker,’ said Will curtly.
Aiden was quick to continue. ‘We caught sight of them coming in from out east. There’s about fifteen on foot plus a wagon.’
‘A gang of Chinese, eh?’ her father stated, directing the comment to Davidson. ‘Excellent. Finally Mr Sears and his ringbarkers have some competition. And a wagon.’ Hamilton tugged at the waistband of his trousers, pulling them a little higher. ‘Well, they’ll have stores to sell. We could use some fresh vegetables to make up for that scraggly patch of yours, Edwina. And you must show them the oranges
in the stables as well. No point letting good food go foul, not when the almond-eyed celestials are keen buyers of what they can’t grow themselves.’
Edwina was beginning to feel cold and slightly dizzy, but she was aware of Davidson’s scrutiny. What did he think of the scene before him, she wondered, for the aboriginal alternated between staring at her and his employer.
‘You may get that new dress you’re hankering for after all,’ her father announced.
The visitors were getting closer. The drably clothed walkers were accompanied by two men on horseback and, behind this initial grouping, a wagon.
‘Clear the table, Edwina, and tell Mrs Ryan to make some tea for our guests. Well, come on, girl, get a move on,’ her father commanded.
Hands shaking, Edwina carried the tray to the kitchen. Inside the room was a furnace. The wood fire burned hotly and the scent of roasting meat hung heavily on the air. Mrs Ryan was in the process of peeling potatoes and the earth-encrusted vegetables vied for space on the table with cooling bread draped with muslin and a pan of freshly rendered mutton fat.
The cook didn’t take her eyes from the task before her. ‘You can take that lard out to the food-keeper. It’ll just as likely melt in here, along with me.’ The Scotswoman rubbed roughly at the vegetable in her hand and then with a mutter began to cut away the skin with a knife. The peel landed on top of a substantial pile of shavings and the incompletely skinned tuber was dropped from a disinterested height to land with a splash in a water-filled pot.
‘Mrs Ryan, can you please make some tea for –’
An Uncommon Woman Page 18