‘Why, that is all settled, too.’ He beamed. ‘Six hundred acres at a very reduced price. I am extremely satisfied. The Governor has hinted he may even call on us one day when he travels that way. I’ve saved a considerable amount—’
‘Where?’ Pippa butted in, frustrated at his lack of important details.
‘Where?’ Their father blinked in surprise, then laughed at his omission. ‘Oh, in the south-west, an area they call the Southern Highlands. It has the best climate, I’ve been assured. We will be situated between a village called Berrima and an area called Mandemar or some such. I’m afraid it’s primarily bushland, but we’ll soon have it cleared. There is another small town close by, Mittagong, I think it’s called, or was, apparently it’s been changed to honour the good Governor.’
‘Berrima. Mandemar. Mittagong. Don’t they sound strange, but charming,’ declared Hilary.
‘The Governor issued me with a list of requirements. The land has to be stocked within a certain time and it’s vital that we grow our own food.’ Gerald’s knees creaked as he stood and escorted them from the room. ‘If we have surplus, we can sell it at the markets or the government stores will buy it.’
‘We shall need help, Father. We’re not farmers,’ Hilary said as they ascended the stairs.
‘Yes, I will advertise for labouring men.’
Pippa’s mind raced with plans. ‘It was prudent of Cousin Lindfield to loan us his husbandry books. Plus, we can study the books I bought in London.’
‘Actually, the Southern Highlands area is where one of those authors lived. Sutton Forest, I do believe it’s called. The Governor mentioned it as we spoke about the area.’
Surprised, Pippa nodded. ‘Why, yes! Mr Atkinson wrote An Account of The State of Agriculture and Grazing in New South Wales. This is excellent news, Father. With such talented men already living in that area, we shall have help at hand. We must call on him.’
Gerald patted her hand. ‘He died some years ago, my dear. However, the Governor did mention many other families there. We shan’t be completely friendless.’
‘That will please Mother.’ Hilary smiled.
‘I shall soon see if they are amiable, for I am to leave for the south-west in two days.’
Pippa spun to face him. ‘Aren’t we all to go?’
‘There is no need at this stage, my dear.’ At the door leading to their rooms, he paused and kissed their cheeks in turn. ‘I must go now. I am to meet a man whose name was given to me on very high recommendation. If he is suitable, then he will be our overseer.’ Gerald moved towards the stairs.
‘Father, wait!’ Pippa hurried to him.
Turning, he gave her an indulgent smile. ‘What is it, poppet?’
‘I must come with you to meet this man and to go to the Southern Highlands.’ She raised her chin in readiness for his refusal, but she could argue her point better than most men. ‘Remember what we agreed upon?’
Her father’s gaze slid away. ‘Pippa, you know your mother does not like you being a part of my business interests. It isn’t ladylike.’
She stood with her hands on her hips. ‘You promised. Back home in England you promised I would be included in everything concerning our new life here. I won’t let you go back on your word.’
‘Come, Pippa, do not make a scene,’ Hilary urged.
Gerald gestured towards the door. ‘Yes, go in to your mother—’
Pippa glared at him. ‘We agreed that I would persuade Hil and Mother to emigrate without them putting up too much of a fuss and in return you would let me have a say in the business. Well, I did my part, so now you must honour yours.’
‘Yes, but—’
‘You said Hilary and I will inherit the stud, therefore it is only prudent that we have a say in how it is built and run.’
‘But—’
‘You once said you would never treat us as silly, mindless women.’
His bushy eyebrows rose. ‘I resent that you think I do!’
She softened her stance. ‘Then don’t, Father.’
‘Very well.’ He let out a breath. ‘I see I must honour our agreement. There is no use in arguing with you, though your mother will not like it.’
‘Mother will get used to it.’ Pippa grinned and kissed Hilary goodbye.
‘Are you certain you aren’t tired from your journey this morning?’ he tried one last time.
‘Positively bursting with energy.’ Slipping her hand through her father’s arm, she led him back down the stairs.
They caught the Sydney to Parramatta mail coach. Situated some fifteen miles south, Parramatta had grown rapidly since its foundation not long after the British First Fleet’s arrival in the country.
Pippa’s second outing on the hot dusty roads did not discomfit her; even if it had, she wouldn’t have admitted it to a living soul. The adventurous spirit inside her made each journey enjoyable. There were not enough hours in the day to experience all this novel country offered, but, by God, she would try!
The coach pulled up in the wide main street outside the Dog and Bone Hotel and they alighted.
Gerald wiped the sweat from his brow with a limp white handkerchief. ‘I’ll enquire inside the hotel. He should be there.’
‘Perhaps I’ll wait in the shade, Father.’ Pippa stepped under the spreading branches of a thick gum tree beside the hotel.
‘Mr Noble?’ A tall man wearing grimy working clothes made up of the usual moleskin trousers, pale shirt, and wide-brimmed hat left the hotel and approached them.
‘Yes, yes, indeed, er … Mr Robson, is it?’ Gerald held out his hand.
The man shook it. ‘Rob Robson. Pleased to meet you.’
‘Robson, this is my daughter, Miss Philippa Noble.’
‘Mr Robson.’ Pippa nodded and held out her hand.
‘Pleased to meet you, Miss Noble, but please call me Robson, that’s all I answer to anyway.’ He smiled and strong white teeth shone from a dusty but handsome face.
‘Shall we find somewhere to eat?’ Gerald offered his arm to Pippa. ‘I am absolutely ravenous.’
‘Please forgive my state of dress, sir.’ Robson grimaced with embarrassment. ‘I have just arrived in town from the country and have not had time to bathe.’
‘Maybe we could look at the shops while Robson changes, Father?’ Pippa scanned the street and saw a small eatery across the way and suggested they meet him there in half an hour, after they had stretched their legs and taken a look around the town.
Upon entering the small restaurant, they made their way over to where Robson sat. The scent of soap and the touch of a razor blade had replaced the dirt and dust. He wore a cheap suit of grey woven cloth instead of the filthy riding clothes. His dark brown hair, now visible without the hat, was clean and combed.
They ordered their meal and talked of the state of the colony. Pippa listened to Robson talk of his work history. His responses pleased her. So far he showed intelligence.
‘So your family has been in the colony for over three weeks, sir?’ Robson placed his teacup back on its saucer.
Gerald swallowed the last of his cake. ‘Yes, and this morning I acquired my land. It is in the Southern Highlands, do you know the area?’
Robson sat back and smiled. ‘Yes, very well. I worked for some time on a land grant near Sutton Forest. It is a very fine area. The climate is excellent, with good rainfall, and the grazing is of superior quality, once the land is cleared.’
‘We are placed somewhere between the village of Berrima and Mandemar,’ Pippa said. ‘Have you been there?’
‘Yes, Berrima is an admirable township, but small.’
‘Not as large as Parramatta, then?’ Pippa asked, pushing away her empty plate.
‘No, Miss Noble, not half the size of this town.’
Gerald wiped his mouth with his napkin. ‘I leave in two days to meet with the surveyor who is currently in the area. I want him to survey my land as soon as possible. I need to start building immediately. It is im
perative the stud becomes viable at the earliest opportunity.’
‘First things first, sir, if you don’t mind me saying.’ Robson chuckled. ‘You’ll be wanting a home built? Unless, of course, your family is to remain in Sydney?’
‘No, we are not!’ Pippa turned to stare at her father.
Sighing, Gerald nodded to Robson. ‘Yes, a home must be at the top of the list.’ He gave Pippa a look that spoke volumes. ‘You should have been a boy.’
Chapter Three
‘It’s absolutely dreadful! The middle of nowhere, that is where your father wishes us to live.’ Esther stormed about her small bedroom in full steam in spite of the early hour. ‘Well, I’ll not go and neither will you, Hilary.’
‘Mother—’
Esther swung to glare at Pippa. ‘Don’t talk to me! You encourage your father’s ridiculous ideas.’
Hilary looked pained. ‘Mother, that is not true.’
‘What if something should happen to them?’ Esther beseeched Hilary. ‘I shall be left alone with only you in this strange land. It cannot be borne.’
Pippa and Hilary sat on either side of their parents’ bed. Pippa hid her impatience at her mother’s selfish behaviour and took her hands. ‘Please listen, Mother, all will be well. I promise.’
‘You care nothing for my wants,’ her mother spluttered. ‘You are self-interested like your father.’
Ignoring the performance – she’d seen similar all her life – Pippa took a deep breath. ‘I will make an inventory of all that we need for the new house. Father has declared you will not need to leave Sydney until the house is built and furnished. Will that not be satisfactory?’
‘Indeed it will not,’ snapped Esther, pulling away from Pippa. ‘Your father has no concern for my wishes for staying here in town. Here at least there is some aspect of civilisation. But out there, in the wilds, we’ll be murdered in our beds, you mark my words. I just want to go home!’ Exhausted by her outburst, Esther flopped onto the bed beside Hilary and cried into her handkerchief.
Hilary shrugged her shoulders at Pippa and patted their mother’s back.
‘I have to finish packing,’ whispered Pippa, which only increased her mother’s tears.
Pippa left the room and crossed to the bedroom she shared with Hilary. A carpet bag was on the bed and a partially packed trunk sat on the floor. From the wardrobe she took out stout riding boots. She sat on the bed, slipped off her house shoes and placed them and the boots in the trunk. After closing and locking the lid, she tugged on her soft kid boots. She checked her appearance in the mirror atop the washstand as she pinned on her wide-brimmed straw bonnet. Her stomach fluttered in excitement and she gripped her hands against her chest. She couldn’t help grinning at her reflection. Adventure, at long last!
A slight knock at the door announced Cissie. The maid stepped into the room, carrying a freshly laundered towel and nightdress. ‘’Ere, miss, I’ve just got these things to go in your bag.’
‘Thank you, Cissie.’ Pippa smoothed the skirt of her green and brown checked dress and blew out the candle she’d lit before dawn. ‘Pass me my reticule and gloves, please.’
‘All set, miss?’ Cissie looked close to tears. ‘You’re very brave, miss.’
‘Nonsense, Cissie. We’ll be perfectly safe.’ Pippa smiled. ‘Can you take the bag down and ask the hotel boy to collect the trunk?’ She walked to the doorway. ‘Oh, and Cissie? Do take good care of Mother and Miss Hilary. They will need your help while we’re away.’
‘I’ll take care of them, miss, never you fear.’
In the sitting room, her father pulled the straps tight on his leather satchel. ‘Ready to go, my dear?’
‘Yes. Ready.’
‘Good. Robson has the wagon waiting and the stable boy is holding the gig.’ Gerald placed a few papers from the table into the breast pocket of his coat. ‘You would not believe the amount of provisions Robson has put on that wagon, but he says it will all be needed.’
Esther came out of her room with Hilary behind her. ‘Dearest, must you go? Can you not send the man you have hired in your place?’
‘Now, my flower, we have been through this before.’ Gerald kissed her forehead to prevent any more of her objections, then kissed Hilary’s cheek. ‘Come, Pippa. The sun is rising.’
‘When will you return?’ Esther demanded as she followed them down the staircase to the street and the waiting transports.
‘Three to four weeks, my dear, as I’ve said many times already.’ Gerald climbed up into the gig as Robson handed Pippa up beside her father.
‘Three to four weeks!’ Esther’s face reddened with frustration. ‘I’ll never forgive you for abandoning me, Gerald, never. Of all the things you’ve done to me, this is the worst.’
Hilary came close to the gig and took Pippa’s hand. ‘Be careful, won’t you? Come back safe.’ She wiped her tears. ‘We’ve never been apart so long before.’
Pippa leaned down and kissed the top of her head. ‘I’m sorry to leave you behind,’ she whispered, glancing at their angry mother.
‘No, you are not.’ Hilary chuckled.
Pippa laughed. No, she wasn’t sorry. She straightened her shoulders as the dawn’s pink and gold light filtered over the rooftops. Her excitement burned like a fever inside her. She could not wait to begin this journey.
The weather, which had been hot and dry, turned cool. Slate grey clouds blocked the sun as they trundled through the streets of Sydney and headed south-west. Knowing they had a long journey ahead, Pippa settled back against the cushion Hilary had placed on the seat for her comfort and watched the passing scenes.
Their first stop was the settlement of Liverpool, some twenty-two miles from Sydney. Pippa tightened the shawl around her shoulders and gazed with interest at the few shops lining the main street. She pointed out a small, brick church with its surrounding graveyard to her father.
At the far end of town they stopped at a small inn, busy with trade. While the horses were watered, Robson rummaged through a canvas bag at his feet and produced a muslin-wrapped meal. He hurriedly took a bite from a buttered slice of bread. ‘We made good time, despite the load on the wagon. Your Clydesdale mare has done well, Mr Noble. She has an easy gait. Ginger didn’t like her at first, but she’s calmed down now.’
‘Indeed, yes, very well done. She was a good buy. I’m well pleased.’ Gerald glanced at the angry-looking sky. ‘You think it wise we only spend a short time here? My daughter needs to freshen up.’
‘The horses need a rest, but yes, sir, a short time only.’
Pippa and her father went inside the inn while Robson attended the horses. After drinking tea to quench their thirst and wash away the road grit in their mouths, they re-emerged to find the weather worse. A fierce wind howled down the street, sending whirlwinds of dust into their faces.
Robson pointed to the black, furious sky. ‘Sir, we need to get going if you want to make it to Camden before this storm hits. We might have to stay the night there instead of going through to Picton.’ He looked in Pippa’s direction, but didn’t meet her eyes.
Pippa, holding her hat on with one hand, raised her eyebrows at him. ‘Be assured, Robson, that I am quite able to make this trip without complaint.’ He knew nothing of her stamina, but she would show him.
Gerald helped her onto the seat. ‘I don’t want to spend more time on the road than I have to. We’ll carry on to Picton, Robson.’
Pippa adjusted her skirts and secured her parasol under the seat. The wind threatened to blow it out of her hands.
‘Very good, sir, but we cannot tarry. The Razorback Mountain Range is hazardous at the best of times and only a fool would consider taking the journey at night.’
The threatening rain held off, but the cold wind chased them all the way to Camden. They paid the bridge toll and crossed the Nepean River before driving on through the wide main street.
Pippa looked around at the town that buzzed with people, many rushing to finish thei
r business and be home out of the foul weather. She tapped her father’s arm and pointed up the hill to the left. A large church was in the process of being built. It held a commanding position. More churches and small chapels, plus quaint cottages and shops, dominated the immediate vicinity.
‘It’s a shame we don’t know the Macarthurs.’ She chuckled. ‘We could stop for tea.’
‘I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time, dearest, before we are known and have so much company you’ll be spoilt for choice.’
‘I’m very impressed, Father. Camden is more civilised than I expected.’
Gerald snorted. ‘I doubt John Macarthur would have wanted it any other way, my dear. It’s a legacy to him and his family. His sons do much for the area, I’ve been told.’
She remembered the history of the infamous man who had stirred up trouble within the fledgling colony years ago. However, Macarthur also contributed greatly to the foundation of the colony’s wool, wine, and wheat industry, one of the many pioneers who had the courage to strike out and be counted. For a moment, Pippa forgot the awful weather and dreamed of her own desire to carve out a future in this untamed land.
As they ventured from the centre of town, they followed the curve of the Great South Road and headed south towards the jutting line of mountains called Razorback. As they passed the entrance to Macarthur’s Belgenny Farm and Camden Park House, large raindrops fell.
Gerald shifted his position and flicked the reins. ‘Get out the sheeting, Pippa, and cover yourself.’
It took her a few minutes to unfold the canvas sheet and drape it over the both of them. The wind rose to a howl accompanied by more rain.
Robson called out between claps of thunder and, as they halted the gig, he climbed down from the wagon and rushed over to them. ‘I think it best if we turn back, Mr Noble. We can spend the night in Camden.’
Where Rainbows End Page 3