Where Rainbows End

  He stepped forward and scooped up the mound of gold flecks and deposited them on the weighing scales behind the counter. He grabbed the piece of paper and began to collect things from shelves and stack them in a box he found from amongst the general confusion of his shop.

  Amused, Pippa grinned as she watched him throwing the goods around like a spoilt child. She’d ruffled his feathers and found she enjoyed it. His cool veneer had cracked under the pressure of a business rival. She would enjoy this challenge. ‘I see you don’t offer credit. I think I shall in my store.’

  Marshall paused in measuring tealeaves into a small sack. ‘You’ll be ruined within a week if you do.’

  ‘I’ll have conditions, don’t worry.’

  His grey eyes darkened to flint. ‘You don’t frighten me with all this talk. It’ll take you months to set up, find suppliers and money to invest—’ He stopped, aware that none of those issues bothered her. Marshall tossed his head. ‘Good luck to you, then.’

  She inclined her head regally. ‘Thank you. Though, of course we could become partners instead.’

  Silence stretched between them for so long that for the first time Pippa became aware of the town noise outside the building; wheels squelching in the mud, horses snorting, men talking, a dog barking.

  ‘You want to be my partner?’ Marshall said the words slowly, as if savouring them on his lips.

  ‘Indeed. I believe it is a wise proposition, suitable to both our needs.’

  ‘You have no idea of my needs,’ he whispered in a tight, controlled voice.

  Pippa looked into his eyes and shivered. The blood pounded in her veins. ‘I think I do.’

  ‘Don’t play with me, woman. You will get burnt.’

  ‘Nonsense.’ She waved him away like a bothersome fly, trying to appear calm and worldly when the whole time her heart pounded like a threshing machine. ‘We’ll be good for each other. We both have what the other needs.’

  ‘Are you certain about that?’

  She forced herself to laugh and sound light-hearted. ‘Absolutely. I have the money to expand and you have the know-how. We can build bigger, better shops and make lots of money. Can you resist the opportunity to make more money?’

  ‘The gold won’t last forever. I’ve seen it happen before, one minute there’s a thriving town and the next minute there’s nothing but weeds growing in the empty streets and the only place that’s full is the churchyard.’

  ‘Then we’ll follow the gold.’

  ‘I thought you had other business to do here?’

  ‘I can do both.’ She turned and faced the door to watch the happenings in the street. She needed a moment to compose her racing thoughts. On entering this dilapidated store, her life had changed, but in what way she wasn’t quite sure. She felt alive with the excitement of adventure. Closing a business deal always affected her like this, however this time there was the added pleasure of meeting Marshall. She would get her men for the valley, but she would also get much more …

  Chapter Twenty

  Inside the inn, boisterous men sang ditties and raised their jugs to celebrate their strikes. Others huddled together in corners, strategising their next claim, and those without hope stood miserable and alone, snarling at stray dogs and people alike. All this noise reverberated against the inn’s thin walls, nearly drowning out normal conversation. Pippa managed to hear most of what Marshall said by leaning in close.

  She still tended to smile at the absurdity of talking business with this man in this strange town.

  After yesterday’s meeting, they had met again this morning at the store, where she immediately began talking business. At first her straightforwardness and large ideas startled him, alarmed him.

  ‘So what do you think?’ she asked him after explaining her visions and grand plans of expansion and product monopoly. She’d been up all night thinking of nothing else.

  ‘I’ll not rush things.’

  She sat back in a huff, her eyes narrowing. ‘I’ll not wait patiently for you to make up your mind. This is a good offer. You would be mad to refuse it, but if you do, be warned. I’ll not ask again and I’ll make sure I take the majority of your customers.’

  He held up a hand. ‘Steady on.’ Shaking his head, he eyed her as he drank a mouthful of ale. ‘Are you always so impetuous?’

  ‘I go after what I want, yes. However, I am no fool.’

  ‘I never doubted that for a moment.’

  ‘Marshall, why do you hesitate? I can have money sent to me, and within a month we could have travelling stores going out to all the smaller digs. At the same time we can build a better store here and—’

  ‘What about your home, your family?’

  ‘They’ll understand. My mother is aware I run the business to suit our needs and rarely questions my decisions. Besides, I’ll send some men home to help them out.’

  ‘It’s not safe for you to stay here alone. Single women are scarce around these parts. People will talk and—’

  ‘And think of me as something I’m not, like you did at first?’ She smiled cheekily.

  ‘Pippa!’

  Gil marched up to her and pulled her off her chair by the wrist.

  In an instant Marshall was on his feet, but refrained from taking a step forward. He looked from her to Gil’s angry glittering eyes.

  ‘Gil.’ She swallowed. ‘I didn’t expect you.’

  ‘Obviously,’ Gil snarled like a dog with a bone. ‘Did you honestly think I wouldn’t follow you?’

  Marshall swore silently. He fished in his pockets for coins and threw them onto the table to pay for their meal. ‘I’ll leave you two alone.’

  She tugged her wrist out of Gil’s hold. ‘No, Marshall. Let me explain—’

  Gil jerked, his expression incredulous. ‘Explain to him? What … about me? How about explaining to me why you slipped away like a thief in the night?’

  His shouting had quieted the room. All heads turned their way, as it was rare for those with money to make a scene.

  She wrung her hands, tortured that she had upset him so much. ‘Gil, I know—’

  Marshall held up a hand. ‘Miss Noble, perhaps it’s best if you go outside with your friend and talk without having the entire room privy to your words. I’ll pay the landlord.’

  Swinging away from her, Gil snatched off his hat and glared at him. ‘Who the hell are you, anyway?’

  Pippa placed a hand on Gil’s arm. ‘Gil, this is Marshall. We were discussing business—’

  ‘Business?’ Gil scoffed, sneering in Marshall’s direction, tapping his hat against his leg. ‘Don’t be naive, Pippa, I’ll wager the last thing on his mind is business!’

  Sighing, Marshall ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Look, I don’t care whether you believe us or not, but business is the reason we are here together.’ He turned to Pippa. ‘If you think you are safe with this man, then I’ll leave and see you in the morning. Good night.’

  She nodded, her eyes sending her thanks. ‘Come, Gil. We’ll go out into the stable yard to talk.’

  Once outside, Pippa checked to see if they were alone. The stable boy was nowhere in sight, but a man, smoking, leant against the stable door on the other side of the yard. She went to the farthest corner, where the inn’s lights didn’t reach but moonlight lit the area sufficiently.

  Gil had every right to be angry, but he’d made a spectacle of them both. Lord knew what Marshall would think of this.

  Abruptly, Gil pulled her against his chest and his mouth imprisoned hers. Startled, it took her a moment to gather her wits. Then the shock gave way to anger and she wrenched her mouth from his and stared at him. He released her hastily as though she burnt him and flung himself away.

  Pippa heard his harsh breathing above the muted sounds from the inn. She placed her fingertips to her lips and realised her hand shook. Gil had kissed her. No, not kissed. That was never a kiss. That was a stamp of authority.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Gil murmured without turni
ng around. ‘I shouldn’t have done that. It was wrong, but I was incensed beyond reason.’

  ‘I don’t blame you for being angry, but don’t ever do that again. You don’t own me, Gil.’ Pippa swallowed, hating this awkwardness between them and knowing she caused it.

  ‘Why did you do such a foolish thing?’ He bent to retrieve the hat he’d dropped. ‘Did you think I wouldn’t worry? What did you expect from me?’

  ‘I thought you’d take Augusta back to Melbourne, or some town that had better shelter than a tent.’

  In the shadowed light, his gaze locked with hers. ‘Yes, I took Augusta back and found her a doctor, but the whole time I was twisted inside with agony that something might happen to you and I wouldn’t be there to help. Have you no thought of anyone but yourself?’

  ‘I didn’t mean to—’

  ‘I nearly killed my horse trying to get here, hoping against hope that you were safe! I had to leave Augusta in Melbourne with Mick, of all people. Have you no feelings towards her?’

  ‘Of course I do! I would never want to harm her. Gil, please understand—’

  ‘Understand?’ He laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the yard. ‘I’ve never understood you, Pip. As God is my witness, I doubt I ever will.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ It hurt to hear him speak like this. He, of all people, knew her best, for they were the same type – impulsive and risk-taking. Yet his admission added to her inner argument that marriage to him or anyone would be unwise.

  He sighed and his tiredness and guilt ripped her anew. She wanted to reach out to him but no longer believed she had the right. He’d withdrawn from her and she became frightened, because without his friendship, she’d be lost.

  ‘Since you have a champion at the ready, I’ll return to Augusta, and when she’s well enough, we’ll go home.’

  She nodded, unable to speak to heal his hurt.

  Gil dusted off his hat. ‘I’ll visit your family. What do you wish me to say?’

  Pippa swallowed. ‘Nothing. I posted a letter this afternoon. I explained what I was doing.’

  ‘So you do know what it is you are doing? That surprises me.’

  ‘Don’t be cruel, Gil. It’s not your nature.’ She fought the urge to cry. She hated to feel any weakness, but he was like a stranger to her now.

  ‘You will not return with me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And the men?’

  ‘I’ll find them and send them to the valley.’

  ‘Don’t do this, Pippa, please. Don’t get mixed up with that man.’

  ‘It’s business, Gil, you know that. It was you who taught me how to conduct business so well.’

  ‘Then I’ve made a grave mistake.’

  ‘Don’t say that. You gave me purpose and advice when I needed it most. From that very first speculation that returned us a sound profit, you’ve been by my side.’

  ‘But not in this …’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘Me, too.’ He turned to stare at the inn as a door opened and the innkeeper threw out a bucket of water. For an instant Gil’s face was illuminated by the lamplight spilling from the doorway. Pippa stifled a gasp at the pain etched on his strong, handsome features.

  ‘Gil …’

  Slowly he turned to her again, his face once more in shadow. ‘Please don’t stay here, Pip. I’ve never begged anyone in my life, but I’m begging you now to not stay here.’

  ‘I must.’

  ‘Why? I’ll get anything you need, you know that. All you need to do is ask and I’ll give you whatever you wish for.’

  ‘I know, but I don’t want to ask you for things. I want to get what I need by myself.’

  ‘Marry me, Pip.’

  Stunned, she stared at him, frustrated that she couldn’t see his face better.

  He grasped her arms and pulled her closer. ‘I mean it. Marry me. I love you and we’ll be happy, I promise. I’ll give you everything. Let us return home and marry and raise fine sons and daughters.’

  Pippa raised her hand and touched his cheek, her heart breaking for this wonderful man. ‘I cannot, Gil. You mean too much to me. We can’t let marriage spoil that.’

  ‘It wouldn’t.’

  ‘Yes it would, only you cannot see it.’ Her voice broke as she tried to make him understand. ‘You’d not give me the freedom I need.’

  ‘That’s not true.’ His throat convulsed. ‘Please, Pippa.’

  ‘I don’t suppose I’m ready for marriage. Perhaps I never will be.’ Her voice dropped to a whisper.

  ‘I don’t believe that for a minute.’

  She shrugged one shoulder.

  ‘Return home with me and we’ll discuss it.’

  ‘No.’

  Gil swore violently. ‘Why stay here?’

  ‘Something compels me to stay in this shanty town. I cannot explain it. I know I can make money here.’

  ‘Money isn’t everything!’

  ‘Spoken by someone who has always had it!’

  ‘Pippa, please.’ He stroked her cheek with one finger. ‘I know you’re independent—’

  ‘It’s not just about being independent, it’s …’ She sighed, finding it difficult to express something she couldn’t find words for. ‘You don’t understand …’

  ‘No more, Pip.’ He bowed his head. ‘I can bear no more. I’ve waited for you to give me the opportunity to ask you to marry me, but I’ve left it too late. What a fool I am. You don’t want me as anything but your friend, like a brother, perhaps. Whereas I … I’ve wanted you as my everything, my friend, my lover, my wife, the mother of my children.’

  ‘Oh, Gil.’ A tear trickled down her face. ‘I never knew you felt that way. I didn’t suspect your feelings were so strong. I thought you saw me as a sister, as a friend.’

  His eyes widened. ‘Are you blind? I have a sister. I want a wife.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘You know my feelings now. Does it make a difference?’ He banged his hat against his leg and she couldn’t answer him. He sighed. ‘No, I didn’t think so.’

  ‘I wish I could give you what you want, Gil.’

  ‘Thank you. However, we both know I’m not enough for you. You want excitement, stimulation. You thrive on adventures. I’ve tried to be your companion while I waited for you to see me as someone other than your cohort, but it’s obvious you’ll never want me the way I want you.’

  ‘I never gave you reason to see me as anything other than a friend. Did I ever encourage you to believe I would one day be your wife?’

  ‘No, but I felt we got along so well, spent so much time together, had the same interests, that it would be a natural conclusion to our friendship.’ He looked away. ‘After your father’s death I thought you’d need me, need a husband. Instead you wanted me only to help you try to destroy Lindfield.’

  ‘I’ve not been looking for a husband, Gil, not after Grant.’

  He gave a mocking laugh. ‘I’ve been the biggest fool.’

  She reached out to touch his arm, but he jerked away. ‘Gil …’

  ‘Perhaps your new business partner will provide you with something I cannot. I doubt he’s looking for marriage, so it should suit you admirably.’

  Pippa clenched her hands. ‘Don’t throw away our friendship with insults!’

  ‘Don’t you see? I cannot be just a friend any more!’

  Ice-cold dread trickled down her spine. ‘What are you saying? That we will no longer mean anything to each other?’

  He stiffened. ‘That’s correct.’

  ‘But I … I adore you.’

  ‘As a brother, a friend.’ He shrugged, uncaring. ‘It no longer matters. I’m done. I can’t wait for you any more, Philippa Noble.’ He picked up her hand and kissed it softly. Straightening, he smiled in the dim light. ‘Goodbye and good luck.’ Taking a deep breath, he spun on his heel and marched across the yard and through the gate.

  Frozen in mind and heart, Pippa watched him go, unable to speak or move or
think.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The noise from the hammering and sawing hurt Pippa’s ears, but she put up with it because it meant advancement towards making a considerable amount of money. In the cool April weather, she navigated the construction site and entered the building. The new store was being erected behind Marshall’s original shop, which had been demolished two months previously.

  The men gave her a nod of acknowledgment as she went by, holding her navy blue skirts above the sawdust on the floor. The shell of the building had been completed three days earlier and carpenters laboured on fitting out the inside. With a critical eye, she studied their workmanship, pleased to find no fault. Working hard to ensure this business expanded and became a success helped to keep her thoughts from Gil.

  She still couldn’t accept that their friendship had ended so abruptly and painfully. In the six months since his hasty departure, she had swung between tears and anger whenever she thought of that night behind the inn. Many times she had begun to write him a letter only to throw it in the fire. How could she put into words the feelings she didn’t quite understand herself?

  Going into the back room, Pippa gave herself a mental shake. She couldn’t think of all that now. She stepped over a few planks and slid past the supply crates stacked to the ceiling. Marshall leant over a table stuck in the corner, studying the papers that littered it.

  Stepping beside him, she noticed the map. ‘What’s this?’

  ‘I heard news this morning that two men found gold here.’ He pointed to a spot an inch north of Ballarat. ‘It’s five miles away, perhaps six. The strike happened last week and somehow the men have kept it a secret until now.’

  ‘You think we should send a cart up there?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Marshall rolled up the map and placed it to one side before pulling another sheet of paper out from under a pile. ‘I’ve already sent word to Tom to bring the wagon over. We can have it loaded before noon and Tom can make a start this evening. We’re not sure about the road, but he should arrive before nightfall.’

  Pippa took the list from him. ‘If we send Tom north, that will mean we’ll be late with the southern run. We can’t let those men down. They are relying on us. If we don’t arrive tomorrow as planned, they’ll come into town and shop at the first store they come to, which is that establishment on the edge of town.’ She bristled at the mere thought of their new threat. Someone had put up a tent at the side of the road leading into Ballarat and sold all manner of things from it. Not only was this recent competition taking trade from them while the new shop was being built, they were undercutting their prices.