Pearls of the Past

by Judith Johnson

  “They seemed happy enough last night. And pleased don’t say as long as it lasts. Perhaps Jacqui was lonely in that rambling home with only their two little ones for company and Vic at work all day. Now with both Rusie and me coming to live here she won’t need to go back to her family so often.” She turned to looked at the man who owned her heart. “You won’t object when I feel I would like to visit my parents, will you?”

  “Of course not.”

  Corrie raised her eyebrows.

  “Oh, I see. So I should accept Jacqui will want to go back to Darwin occasionally.” Britt chuckled. “You really have turned my world upside down, and I find I’m loving it.”

  “So can I ask about the other diary you mentioned?”

  “That is for your Da’s eyes only, sweetheart.”

  * * * *

  Loving his Corrie as he did, and knowing the deep love she had for her grandfather, Britt knew the heart-wrenching words he’d privileged himself to by reading his Grandmother Katharine’s personal diary. It would never be divulged by him.

  Katharine and Thomas had found themselves in each other’s arms, resulting in a passionate conclusion that had brought a sense of betrayal and guilt. Thomas needed sympathy and comfort from one he admired after the death of his wife, his son already lost to him in boarding school under his wife’s parents’ supervision. Katharine, having a compassionate heart, offered him solace.

  Thomas never entered the home of his friends again, leaving his friend Peter bitter, labeling his friend ungrateful, never to understand why Thomas had deserted him.

  Thomas never knew Katharine had carried his daughter for seven months, the little girl being stillborn. Grandfather Peter was bitterly disappointed, always wanting a daughter in his treasured wife’s image.

  Britt’s hand lifted Corrie’s face to his, letting his lips capture her soft mouth for a moment, understanding his silence had been overlong with his thoughts.

  “If your Da cares to tell you what’s in that diary, that is his decision. However, the other large, blue diary, I would like you to read. It’s my grandfather Peter’s, which contains information that will interest you. Your Da and Victor’s grandfather helped rescue my Grandfather Peter from a coastwatchers’ outpost right under the Japanese’s nose. He was suffering from malaria and bound his mouth tight around a stick so his teeth couldn’t be heard chattering by the soldiers patrolling outside the cave where he was holed up.”

  “Da rescued him? Does Victor know about this?”

  “I wouldn’t think so, very few of the old islanders speak of the war. But I intend to share that little bit of history with him.”

  “Your two families have always been close.”

  “Closer than I ever guessed judging by the pieces my Da entered in that same diary. It appears my father wanted to marry Vic’s cousin. They were only kids. They were parted. Maybe that’s why my parents were never meant for each other. Not like us. This is a match made in heaven, Corrie.”

  “You say the nicest things.”

  He moved to cover her. “I aim to please.”

  “But not before you tell me of the romantic story about Lady B.”

  Britt chuckled as he rolled on to his back. “I first saw her beating up Albany Channel and I told Vic I was going to buy her. Four years later, two days before my eighteenth birthday, I rang my Da and told him I’d found my present in Townsville harbor and asked him for the rest of the deposit to buy her. I changed her name to Lady Beautiful. You see the Lady is a tradition started with the pearling lugger, Lady Jade, and is part of all our ship’s names. And those rust-stained sails you fell in love with—they’re the fourth set she has worn. I have them specially dyed.” He turned his head to her. “Is that romantic enough?”

  Corrie touched her lips to his. “Very. You are a darling.”

  “The sun’s dipping, so we’d better be off, but before we leave...” His body covered hers, molding her softness to him. “I’m going to miss you.”

  Corrie’s body stiffened with alarm. “But you’re coming with us?”

  “Try to stop me, but as we don’t share a room at home, we won’t be sharing in Cairns or Sydney. I’m not giving Russella any cause to embarrass you. Now, you may think that’s peculiar seeing we’ve spent the last three days like this, but this is our special paradise, no one knocking on doors, no phone, our bed, your glorious body totally relaxed...” He groaned loudly, his shoulders hunching, his face becoming tortured, he gasped, “Come with me, darling.”

  And they rode the wild wind to the heavens.

  Chapter 14

  It was almost midday when they dropped Russella and Matt off at Rusie’s home to be greeted with open arms.

  “I can only hope my reception will be equally friendly at your place,” Britt said.

  “Why shouldn’t it be?” Corrie asked quietly.

  “I’m nervous. Never met a lover’s parents before.” With Corrie’s catch of breath echoing, he grabbed her hand. “I didn’t mean that to sound like it did. This boy’s a bundle of nerves. Forgive me? Are you all right?”

  “I’m strung rather tight. It was hard enough explaining why I was on Endeavour Island to my parents. You understand why I couldn’t make a second call and simply blurt out over the phone about us, don’t you? I’m concerned for Da as well, and what we have to tell him.” Her hand eased from his. “We’re here, through the brick archway. Our home backs onto my uncle’s.”

  Britt drew to a stop before a two-story, red brick house with white trim. Two elegant potted topiary bay trees stood either side of the broad flagstone steps, guarding the carved leadlight paneled door. He turned to look down into her face that had become so dear to him. The conversation they’d just had was the most they had spoken since they had taken off from Cairns. He had tried hard to ignore this fact, but now it was no longer possible.

  “Would you rather I didn’t come in now? It might be easier for you to explain with me not there. My hotel is only a short drive. You can give me a ring later.”

  Her stricken face swung to him. “I... Oh, let’s get this over with!” She went to grab for the handle of the car door but Britt’s hand was there before hers.

  The silent treatment he had received from Corrie and her current attitude had anger rising in Britt. “Is that what I’ve become, a case of expediency? Are you regretting what has happened between us?”

  “I. I. It all seems so...so very far away.”

  “I’m not. I’m here, Corrie, right beside you, loving you more than ever.” The next words he had to utter became an effort he had no wish to repeat, “Do I leave?”

  “No! Oh no!”

  “The closer we got to Sydney, the quieter you became. You seem to withdraw. You’ve hardly spoken a word to me. What’s bothering you?”

  “Please don’t think I’m silly, but I have this awful feeling that I’m somehow caught between two different worlds. I look at you dressed in that lovely suit, the business man, and I can’t seem to find the man I swam naked with and made love to all afternoon.” Corrie looked down at her agitated fingers. “I’m being irrational, aren’t I?” Britt lifted her hands, his lips caressed the cold fingers and her soft gray eyes looked at him with pleading. “Would you kiss me, please?”

  “Thank God!” he whispered.

  Her trembling mouth was crushed under his as his anxiety found release. His hand thrust into her cascade of hair, holding her face to his, the sweet moistness of her mouth drowning his tongue, driving him to the point of desperate frenzy. His eyes lifted to see two people standing at the top of the steps watching them.

  “Corrie,” he mumbled against her hot, wet mouth. “I think your parents are watching us. If it is them, I think the introductions may be a lot easier. You don’t usually kiss men like this, do you?” He let his hand slide from cupping her head and, drawing back, Corrie slipped her arms from his neck, her face full of panic. “I love you, remember that,” he murmured. He unclipped her seatbelt and opened her door.<
br />
  By the time Corrie was standing on the flagged driveway Britt was there beside her. Then she was running up the broad steps to form a tight threesome Britt felt totally excluded from. But wouldn’t this be natural? He had no right, no right whatsoever to feel rebuffed for she was their only child, clearly a child of the middle years as both of them were gray-headed. He could see she was a treasured possession, and it didn’t make his task appear any the easier as he intended taking her thousands of miles away from the warm, safe cocoon they provided.

  He would never receive their blessings.

  “I’m home,” Corrie announced. Her mother touched her unconfined hair. “I know, a new me.” She laughed happily then hugged her parents again. “There’s someone special I want you to meet. Please be happy for me, I love him very, very much.”

  Corrie swung around to face Britt, and her hand extended to him. He likened her action to a lifeline being thrown, and he took it, his long, eager strides bringing him to stand beside her.

  “I’d like you to meet my parents, Andrew and Anna Nelson. Mum and Dad, this is Britt Hendricks.”

  “Hello, young man,” her father said. It was a welcoming voice, making Britt review his previous conclusion. “This hardly seems the place to hear all the news when we have a comfortable lounge inside.”

  Britt followed Corrie and her parents inside to enter an elegant lounge room. Britt had barely sat down on the velvet sofa when he erupted to his feet again. He took two long steps away, needing to show he was man enough to do this without Corrie’s support.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Nelson.” The words came out gruff with agitation, but he was a nervous wreck. He knew he needed Corrie beside him or he would make a hash of this important request. He sat back down beside her, his agitation more than evident. His hand grabbing for Corrie’s, he cleared his throat then spoke quickly, “I love your daughter and always will, and ask for your blessing for Corrie and I to marry. I hope I’ve phrased this correctly?”

  Corrie came to rescue him from his torment. “He’s had no practice. Oh, what a stupid thing to say!” Her face flamed bright red.

  “So this is your first marriage?” Corrie’s father asked.

  Corrie jumped right in. “That’s what I meant,” she said.

  Her words negated the need for Britt to reply, but he squeezed her hand with gratitude, and answered anyway. “I intend for this to be my first and last, Mr. Nelson,” he said, not totally comfortable under Andrew Nelson’s direct, challenging gaze.

  “I thought you did rather well,” her mother stated, which took the edge off of what could develop into an inquisition if her father continued. “I may call you Britt? You see, Britt, Andrew didn’t have to face that trial by fire, did you, dear?” It was a gentle reminder, said with tenderness. “My parents were at rest in Belgium.”

  “You love her?” her father asked.

  Britt looked into Corrie’s flushed face. “For always.”

  “We’ve never questioned Corrie’s judgment before, have we, Mother? We won’t start doing so now. Welcome, Britt.” Andrew extended his hand and Britt gratefully took it with both hands.

  “Thank you, and believe me, I can understand your concern.”

  “Andrew, we must have some champagne somewhere,” Corrie’s mother said from the confines of her daughter’s arms.

  “Righto!”

  * * * *

  The four stood with glasses raised in a toast to Corrie and Britt’s happiness.

  “What, drinking champagne without me?” came a gruff question from the doorway.

  Corrie spun around. “Da!”

  “My God!” he exclaimed, one hand coming to clutch his chest, the other reaching out for support, and Corrie was instantly there.

  “Andrew, get Russell!” cried Corrie’s mother.

  “Don’t fuss!” The gasped words stopped his son. Looking at Britt, he demanded, “Who the hell are you, young man?”

  “This is—” began Corrie.

  “Let him answer!”

  Her Da had never before spoken to her in that tone of voice, and her gaze flew to Britt. His green eyes were narrowed, his face set, but he didn’t look surprised.

  “Peter Christiaan Hendricks’s grandson. Britt Hendricks.”

  Da swore, the words shocking Corrie and her parents, for he never swore. “Dutchy!” he said.

  “I understand he was known by that nickname.” Corrie couldn’t believe the evenness of Britt’s voice.

  “I thought I was seeing a ghost. But you weren’t surprised? You know you are his double.”

  “I’ve been told that many times, but our eyes differ, green versus blue.” Britt turned to the drinks tray to splash brandy into a glass then came to say, “I think you should sit down.” As Da lowered into a chair, with the help of Corrie, Britt crouched in front of him and placed the glass in his shaking hand. “There’s more to come.” He nodded to the glass. “You should drink that.”

  “I thought there could be.” The gnarled hand lifted the glass, dispersing with its contents. “Now first up, what’s this drinking champagne mean?”

  “Your granddaughter has consented to marry me,” Britt said with a slight smile.

  “Well, blow me down! My shady past has really caught up with me.”

  “Unkind I know, but I’m grateful for your past. It brought Corrie to me.” Britt’s hand stretched out, and Corrie clung to it as she knelt before her precious Da.

  “Love this rogue, do you?”

  Corrie nodded. “But he’s not a rogue.” She smiled.

  “Has to be. He’s a bloody Hendricks!”

  Britt inclined his head then grinned.

  Da gave a quaff of laughter and leaned forward to clap him on the shoulder. “Do you think I might need more medicinal brandy before I hear what else is to come?”

  “Would you prefer to wait?”

  “Now that it’s started, let’s continue,” Da said with resolution, stretching his glass to Corrie’s father, indicating it was to be refilled.

  “I’ll get my attaché case,” Britt said, then left the room.

  When the door closed behind Britt, Corrie’s father turned to Da. “This Peter Hendricks, was he an associate of yours in the Torres Straits, Father?”

  “He was my best friend, son.” Remorse clouded Da’s voice as he contemplated the glass in his hand. His three loved ones asked no more questions.

  Within minutes Britt was back, and Corrie’s father suggested, “I think you should have some privacy, Father. Corrie, help your Da to the study.”

  Corrie opened the paneled door to the study then came to take Da’s arm, guiding him to the armchair beside the tall reading lamp. She watched Britt undo the black case and take out the three large diaries, plus the detached cover of the Bible that had given up its secret. The secret that Britt had replaced with only a minute corner visible.

  Britt also placed a small tapestry diary on the adjacent desk. It was the one Britt had said was only for her Da to read. “I’ll make some tea. Would you like that, Da?” she asked gently.

  “I would, but delay that a minute. Now, what have we, young man?”

  “This is Pieter Andre Hendricks’s diary. He was my great-great grandfather. He was part of the circumstances that has come full circle and why I’m asking you to read these. After you finish that diary. I would suggest this should be next.” Britt’s fingers eased the tiny, exposed corner of the tissue-thin contract a little further from its hiding place.

  “Do you know what all this contains, Corrie?”

  Corrie looked at him with a steady gaze. “I’ve read part of the first diary and the contents hidden in the Bible. Britt insisted.”

  “She refused at first. You see, we both had some misgivings about opening the locked chest that contained these. At one point I suggested I should bury it at sea because Corrie was so adamant against exposing the contents, but in the end, we decided to open it. I had the opportunity to read significant sections of the documents bef
ore she did. I explained she had a duty to her family to also read them.”

  “A stickler for doing the right thing, are you?”

  “I try. At times I fall short.” He aimed a slight smile at Corrie.

  “Now I really would like that tea, and you, Britt, I would like you to remain here while I delve into the shady past.”

  Corrie left the room, and when she returned with the tea, Da, who was engrossed in his reading, lifted his hand in acknowledgment. Britt, with his chin cupped in his hands, his eyes on her Da, gave her a quick smile before she slipped back through the door.

  She met her mother at the bottom of the stairs. Corrie had picked up her suitcase from where Britt had placed it. “Britt isn’t staying?” her mother asked.

  Corrie explained he had made a booking at a close by hotel.

  “Would you like me to invite him to stay? It seems inhospitable not to do so when we have three other bedrooms available. After all, Russella’s young man is staying with them, and as you are engaged to Britt, I can’t see the sense in him staying elsewhere.”

  “Russella doesn’t know we’re engaged. Britt insisted on asking you both first before we bought a ring. We can tell them tonight. I believe we’re all invited over for dinner.” Corrie turned to look down the hall to the back door. “Where’s Dad? He hasn’t gone to tell Uncle Russell what’s going on in the study, has he?”

  “Corrie, you know what a private person your father is. He feels it’s up to Da to tell your uncle of anything important, not him.” It was a gentle rebuke from her mother and Corrie accepted it.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m aware of what Da is reading...well, some of it. It’s so sad.” Corrie looked down the hall again. “You both like Britt, don’t you? Neither of you have asked any questions about him, like where he works, or how old he is. But I’ll tell you so you can tell Dad. He owns a large trading, pearling, and transport business, and probably more that I’m not yet aware of. So he’s rather well off, which Da is finding out right now. He’s greatly admired by everyone on Endeavour Island, and no doubt elsewhere. He’s thirty-nine, and I so want you to like him. He makes me happy.”