The woman inclined her head and after a word of parting, moved off. Samuel patted the hand on his arm. “Very well done, Esther. I could see her thinking that it wouldn’t do to argue with the doctor’s wife particularly when that doctor is a gentleman – even if many of the colonists do pride themselves on not caring about class distinctions.”
Esther laughed. “Sometimes there are advantages to rank.”
“But tell me, did I really promise to dine with you? I’m afraid my memory is slipping for I have no recollection of it.”
“I’m sure my husband mentioned it after he was here last time. Besides, didn’t you promise that you would dine with us the next time you were in town? Surely you haven’t forgotten that?”
“But that was when you lived in Newcastle.”
Esther used her other hand to tap his arm lightly with her fan. “I don’t remember it being just when we were in Newcastle. I’m sure the invitation was to dine with us in our home whenever you were in town. And now here you are in town.”
Samuel smiled. “Yes I am – if it can be called a town. And I thank you for your invitation.”
“And for coming to your rescue?” Esther teased.
“And for that too.”
Esther tapped him with her fan again. “After all, if you hadn’t agreed, my daughters would have been so disappointed.”
Samuel laughed. “I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy getting to know you and the good doctor better.”
Rhiannon’s Journal
January 2, 1831
We went to church today and heard Samuel preach. I wish I could describe how wonderfully he spoke. It was as if he were speaking just to me – as if he knew all the ugly things that I’ve said or thought – and was saying, “Rhiannon, it’s time to change. No more self-pity. No more blaming others. No more being self-centred. It’s time to put away those things and believe that God allowed what happened for a reason and that if you allow it, it will make you stronger and more like Him. But you have to confess that you were wrong and be willing to change.”
I can’t write it the way he said it. His words were … powerful … they touched my inner being in a way that could be felt but not heard. I know that sounds strange but there is no other way to describe it. I just know that what he said today was meant for me.
And then he finished with that verse. The one that I read all those months ago. I know now that it was meant for me then, just as it’s meant for me now:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I will not faint. I will not be weary. I will rise above.
February 1831
Chapter Twenty
Renton Sanford opened the door at the timid knock and looked at the two young pale faces before him. His patient had had a restless night and it looked as if he hadn’t been the only one. He wondered how long it had been since any of them had had a good night’s sleep.
“Mother sent us,” Rhiannon began. “She said –”
But Katie interrupted her. “Is he awake yet?” she asked.
The doctor shook his head. “But he was awake earlier and asking for food. That’s a good sign.”
Katie and Rhiannon looked at each other and then turned to look at the doctor.
“Can we see him soon?” Katie ventured to ask.
“I think so.”
“Really?” Rhiannon and Katie squealed simultaneously.
The doctor smiled. “Yes, really. Only for a short time of course, but I think he’s up to it.”
“When?”
The doctor drew out his pocket watch and looked at it. “Perhaps in an hour or two. After he’s eaten and been washed and changed.”
“So long,” Rhiannon moaned.
“You’ve waited this long already that I’m sure you can wait a little while longer.”
Rhiannon rolled her eyes, then laughed. “True. I’m sure we can wait a little while longer. But not too long.”
“Is there anything I can get ye?”
The doctor looked at Katie in surprise and then passed a hand across his brow. “Perhaps a cup of tea?”
“I’ll get Lola to get it.” Rhiannon put a hand on her friend’s arm. “I think I can manage that much. You go tell Eleanor the good news.”
Katie nodded in understanding. “Thank ye.”
It took Katie almost an hour to find Eleanor and when she did it took all her willpower not to scold her sister for wandering off by herself without telling anyone. For a few moments Katie watched as Eleanor broke twigs off a fallen tree trunk and threw them into the creek.
Sitting hunched over on the ground, her hair loose and falling forward over her face, her sister was the picture of dejected humanity. A slight stiffening of her spine was the only sign Eleanor gave that she knew she was no longer alone.
Clearing her throat, Katie spoke, “The doctor said we can see Kieran soon.”
A slight shrug of Eleanor’s shoulder was the only indication that she had heard. Katie started to walk away and then returned.
“Eleanor, can’t we please get along?”
Another shrug but Katie sensed rather than heard a sob escape her sister.
“I love ye so much. I understand that ye’re hurting and I want to help. Please don’t shut me out.”
“Is he really awake?”
“He has been. He woke earlier and asked for food and the doctor said that that was a good sign.”
“And we can really see him?”
“Yes. Soon.”
Eleanor turned and Katie’s heart smote her at the pain she saw in her sister’s face. She moved closer and sat down next to her but kept her hands at her side, unsure how her sister would react if she reached out and touched her.
“The doctor wants him to eat and get changed but then we can see him.”
Suddenly Eleanor threw herself into her sister’s arms. “I’ve been so scared. Ye all said that he would recover quickly after the accident but he didn’t. He didn’t,” she finished fiercely.
“No one realised at first that he’d suffered an injury to his brain. That first day he seemed fine. It wasn’t until the next day that the doctor realised he was seriously ill. But he’s recovered now.”
“I thought he was going to die. I truly did. And I’d already lost Ma and Da and ye.”
“Ye haven’t lost me.”
“But it seemed like it when ye went away. I didn’t understand why ye got sent away. Kieran said ye had done nothing wrong and that ye’d get a petition or something but ye didn’t. And I was so frightened. All the time. I didn’t know enough about cooking or running a household and it seemed that I could never do things like ye.”
Katie stroked her sister’s hair. “It seems to me that ye did just fine. Emily and Brennan are healthy. Kieran’s filled out – so yer cooking didn’t harm them any. And I’m sure ye coped with everything else just as I taught ye.”
“But there was so much I didn’t know.”
“But ye learnt it. Ye did well. I know ye did. And Eleanor, I’ve not had a chance to thank ye yet for the sampler ye sent me. The work was perfect.”
Eleanor blushed. “I worked hard on it just for ye. I wanted ye to be proud of me.”
“I was.”
“But ye didn’t say anything.”
“I’m sorry. I received it just a few days before getting news of Da’s death. And then not long afterwards ye all arrived and then we moved here and …” her voice trailed off as she realised that she’d hurt her sister in the same thoughtless way that Samuel had hurt her when he’d failed to say goodbye. She had told Samuel that she forgave him – and she had – but there had still been a niggling pain that he had allowed circumstances to crowd out other things that were equally important. Now she understood. “Eleanor, I’m so sorry. I really am. Will ye forgive me?”
“Of course.”
“Just like that?�
��
“It hasn’t been fun being mad at every one of ye.”
Katie laughed and hugged her sister close before releasing her. “I’m glad ye realised that. Now come on. I want to see that brother of ours and I suspect ye do too.”
“And I guess I should apologise to everyone else too.”
“It wouldn’t hurt and I suspect will help ye,” Katie held her hand out to her sister and helped her up.
“I was scared ye’d say that,” Eleanor moaned as they started toward home.
Katie laughed in response, then holding hands the two ran all the way back to the house.
Rhiannon’s Journal
February 8, 1831
Today while eating breakfast a letter arrived for Father. He read it silently, folded it and put it down, only to take it up again to read once more. Mother looked at him questioningly but Father only shook his head.
Father seemed distracted for the remainder of our time at table and didn’t even notice when Seamus spilt his milk over his lap. I don’t know why Seamus has to be so clumsy at times!
It wasn’t until all the dishes had been cleared that Father told us the contents of his letter. Father’s brother has died and Father is now Grandfather’s only legal heir. I feel sorry for Father and for Grandfather but it’s hard to grieve for an uncle I don’t remember. From all accounts he was not a nice person but he is – was – Father’s brother and so we must go into mourning.
Grandfather has expressed a desire to see Father before he dies. I think this shocked Father more than the news of his brother’s death. After all that has happened … after ostracising us and not having anything to do with us … now he wants to see Father. As Father has said, it’s a step in the right direction even if Grandfather still does not see the need to offer an apology. I think that would be so difficult for Grandfather.
There was also another letter that was almost overlooked due to the shock of the first communication. It appears that Seamus’s real father is dead – has been dead this past year. We now have no reason to fear Seamus being taken from us. After all we’ve been through it seems such an anti-climax.
On a happier note, Father has said that Kieran can get out of bed tomorrow. I can hardly wait!
“Girls, give him room,” the doctor announced as he assisted Kieran into the room and into a chair. Before he’d even had a chance to turn around, Katie had a stool under Kieran’s leg and Rhiannon was placing a cushion behind his head.
The doctor stood back and laughed. “If I’d known you were going to have so many willing nurses, I would’ve got you out of bed sooner.”
Rhiannon scowled at her father and then turned to Kieran. “It’s so good to see you up. How are you feeling?”
Kieran glanced at the doctor then back at Rhiannon. “I feel fine. Thank ye.”
“Can I get ye anything?” Katie asked. “Something to drink? Eat?”
“No. I’m fine. There’s no need to fuss.”
The doctor placed a pile of books next to Kieran’s chair causing both girls to look at him in surprise.
“I’ve been tutoring Kieran while he’s been in bed and he’s been a willing learner. We’ve decided to continue with his studies.”
“Really?” Rhiannon asked as she turned her attention back to Kieran. “For how long?”
“As long as it takes,” her father informed her. “He has a lot of potential and I’d like to see it cultivated. We’ve reached an agreement. I’ll tutor him and teach him what I know and he’ll work to the best of his ability.”
“So ye won’t be looking for a job?” Katie asked as she noticed with interest the flush rising up Kieran’s neck and face.
“He’s not strong enough to work. He can’t put too much weight on that leg yet. It’s going to take months to fully heal and I won’t risk him damaging the bone.”
“Where’s everyone else?” Kieran asked to change the subject.
“Brennan and Emily are at school. Eleanor’s having lessons with a local woman. And the others are with Lola.”
“Probably looking for insects and bugs, knowing Seamus. Honestly, the sooner he gets over his obsession, the sooner we can all breathe easier. Do you know I found a lizard in my room the other day and I’m sure it didn’t get there on its own,” and Rhiannon shuddered as the others laughed.
“I’ll leave you to your nurses,” the doctor announced, “and check on another patient. Yes, you’ve not been the only one,” he explained as Kieran’s face registered surprise. “Perhaps when I return, we can get you up walking. Between Katie and myself I’m sure we can manage it.”
“Really?” Kieran asked and Rhiannon clapped her hands.
“Yes. I think so. Just for a little while. We don’t want to overdo it but I think a short time will not do any harm.”
As the doctor left the room, Katie turned to her brother. “I’m just so relieved that ye’re all right. We were worried about ye there for a while.”
“I’m sorry, Katie, for what happened.”
“Don’t be silly. If ye hadn’t done what ye did, Seamus probably wouldn’t be here today.”
“Yes, and scaring us with his bugs,” Rhiannon added.
“Think nothing of it,” Katie assured him. “What is important is that ye’re getting well and will be up and about in no time at all.”
“But our plans. A job … I’m afraid we’re going to be dependent on charity a while longer.”
Rhiannon used the chair to pull herself upright so that she could look down into Kieran’s face. “It’s not charity when it’s family. And you’re family. You and Katie and the others and don’t you forget it.”
Kieran looked at Katie. “Is she always this bossy?”
“Worse.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “I think I’m going to like it here.”
March 1831
Chapter Twenty-One
It was the first time that the family had all been together since Kieran’s accident and it should have been a time of celebration but the doctor looked so serious that even the younger children were sombre.
Renton cleared his throat and glanced at his wife. At her nod he began. “I’ve booked passage to England for the end of the month. I have no choice but to return and sort out my family’s affairs.”
Katie clenched her hands in her lap and cast her eyes down. She, perhaps out of all the children, knew what was coming. Regardless of the fact that she had been pardoned and adopted she knew that she could not leave the colony until the original term of her sentence was up.
It was Eleanor who asked the question: “For all of us?”
“No. I’m afraid not.” There was a pause. “I’ve booked passage for five of us but there’s still time to change it.”
“But I thought we were meant to be a family.” Again it was Eleanor. “How can ye say we’re a family when ye’re not planning on taking us all with ye?”
Katie reached out to take hold of Eleanor’s hand but she snatched it away.
“We’re meant to be a family,” she repeated.
The doctor rubbed a hand across his brow. “We are a family. But Katie cannot leave the colony.”
“Then can’t ye wait until she can?”
“It will be another year before Katie can leave,” Esther explained. “This is urgent business that must be attended to.”
Again the doctor cleared his throat. “Believe me, I’m not happy about the timing. This family, my patients here – I don’t want to leave either but I have no choice. My father is dying and my brother apparently gambled away a large portion of the estate before his death. I need to go and sort it out. There’s no other way.”
“Who are ye planning to take with ye?” Kieran asked as Eleanor lapsed into a sulk.
“Well that’s not definite yet but I – we,” and he glanced at his wife, “were thinking that we would take Rhiannon and Moses and yourself.”
“Kieran! But he belongs to us.” Eleanor sounded angry.
“He belongs t
o all of us.” Rhiannon’s voice was quiet but firm. “We’re family now and it’s going to hurt whoever stays and whoever goes.”
The doctor nodded. “It’s not been an easy decision. But I would like Kieran to come with us so that he can continue with his studies.”
“And I can’t do that here?” Kieran asked.
“Not in Wallis Plains. Samuel is a gifted teacher but he hasn’t the time to devote to tutoring you. However he has mentioned a former tutor of his who lives in Sydney, so if you would prefer not to leave the colony, I could approach him about taking you into his home.”
“So he still wouldn’t be with us, would he?” Eleanor was struggling to take in all that the doctor was saying.
“That’s true. But you would see him more often. We’re planning on being gone at least a year. It will likely take us that long to make the return trip. I’m just hoping and praying that I will be able to conclude my business there quickly.”
“Ye’re not taking Seamus?” It was the first time that Katie had spoken since the doctor had called the family meeting.
“We thought about that but Seamus is very attached to you. As much as we’ll miss him – and we’ll miss all of you – we thought he would be better staying with you.”
“It will be hard to separate him from Moses.”
“It’s going to be hard to separate the family – not just Seamus and Moses. I thought of just going on my own but I’m reluctant to do that. Besides, I’d like Rhiannon to be seen by a London specialist. I don’t know if there’s any more that can be done for her but I’d like to be sure.” He looked around at each member of the family. “Believe me when I say that I’ve tried to think what is best for every individual.”
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