At this her husband opened his eyes and looked at her then shook his head imperceptibly with a smile. But Ricky said, "Of course, Mrs Forrest. Come, Miss Elston."
Nell leaned back in the chair with a contented sigh as she saw the young couple go into the garden.
"But, dear Mrs Forrest," said Mrs Price, "whatever are you thinking of. Mrs Whitlaw is away. You told me so yourself."
"How silly I am," said Nell, "I mean Mrs Cross, of course."
Ricky led Jenny out along the path to the summer house, dropping the basket and shears on a garden seat as he passed. "But, the roses," protested Jenny.
"I don't think we should worry about them, Miss Elston. Mrs Forrest must have forgotten that it is far too hot to pick roses. I am sure she was just taking pity on us having to listen to Mrs Price go on and on."
"Yes, she is a trial isn't she?"
"I do hope it is not too hot for you to walk to the summer house, Miss Elston?" he asked.
"Not at all Mr English, I am quite used to the heat."
Ricky put her hand through his arm and led her along through the lovely garden. It was very hot and they were pleased to sit in the shade of the little house where they could catch some breeze.
Ricky turned to the lass. "Miss Elston, Jenny, I do love you," he said. She looked up at him. "Jenny, I would think it a great honour if you could consider marrying me. Would you?"
Jenny looked down and nodded her head sweetly.
"Oh, my darling, darling Jenny." Ricky lifted her chin and kissed her.
The small Forrest girls crept into the sitting room and tried to speak to their mother. "Girls, girls, where are you manners?" she asked. Amanda and Nellie said their polite pieces and then tried to whisper to Nell. "Hush, now, that can wait," she said.
The Prices were obviously about to depart and so the children had to be content to wait until the carriage drove off. Nellie was dancing on her toes and cried out, "Mama, Mama, do you know that Mr English is in the summer house cuddling Jenny. Isn't that awful?"
"He's kissing her as well as cuddling her, Mama," chimed in Amanda.
"How nice," said their mother, " I thought he might." The children were aghast.
Mr Forrest said, "It was all rather pointed, wasn't it dear? You are not usually as transparent as that." He chuckled.
"My dear, what else could I do. Those dreadful Prices just would not go and poor Ricky was almost exploding with impatience. I just had to do something. I don't think either of them heard one word of the silly conversation."
"Mama, did you want them to cuddle?" persisted Amanda.
"Of course dear. Now run along and see where they left the flower basket. I would think they would have left it on the first seat they came to. Run along and see who finds it first." The little girls ran.
"What a match-maker you are my love," said Mr Forrest.
"No dear, the match was already made. I just assisted a little. I must admit I was almost as impatient as they were." She turned to her husband, " You are pleased, aren't you, Edward?"
"Oh, yes, of course, Nell. I don't think she could have a better man. We are going to miss her though." He looked up towards the summer house. "I did think he would have consulted me first though."
"I daresay he would have, my love, for I heard him ask Barnes for you when he arrived and was quite non-plussed when he heard that we had those wretched Prices. So I just helped them along a little," Nell assured him.
"You certainly did. According to the children he didn't wait to consult me. Nell, I daresay dinner will be late now. How long will it be before they come down to earth long enough to realise that some men can be hungry?"
"I imagine it won't be long now, Edward. In any case you ate such a huge tea that you couldn't possibly be hungry."
"Well, I am. It must be romance that makes me extra hungry," he said with a grin, and slipping his arm around his wife's waist he led her back into the house.
Indeed they did not have to wait long but Nell did find the waiting tiresome as she wanted to see these two people she loved so much. She was so happy in her own marriage that she wanted the same for her Jenny, and over the past months she had become very fond of Ricky, feeling that he was an unusual and benevolent man, as well as being a good looking one who was well able to keep her Jenny in the style she was used to.
Ricky brought Jenny into the sitting room and announced that they were to be married. Jenny went over to Nell and they shed a few tears of happiness together.
"I thought you at least would have asked my consent, young man," Edward said, trying to look stern.
"You didn't need to, Ricky, Jenny is her own woman," said Nell.
"I am sorry, sir, I did mean to but Mr and Mrs Price were here and I did not have the opportunity."
"Pests, weren't they, son? That's all right, only next time do it in the right order," Edward slapped Ricky on the back, grinning. "My dear, I think this calls for champagne. I shall tell Barnes."
" I have already, Edward," Nell told him.
"What a managing woman you are, Nell. See what happens when you get married Ricky. Think hard before you take the plunge." Then turning to his wife he asked, "You told Barnes, Nell? When, may I ask?"
"At luncheon, dear. I thought we would need it."
"Well, I never," he said and the company burst into laughter.
Nell turned to Ricky and said, "I hope you can come back tomorrow, Ricky, when we have all got used to the excitement and we can talk about weddings and things."
"No, I am afraid I cannot, Mrs Forrest," Ricky replied, "I must return home tomorrow for I have much to do. But I will be back next weekend. This will give you and Jenny time to work out what we should do and when we should plan to do it. I hope that is all right?"
"How can you two bear to be parted for a whole week?" she asked, burbling with laughter.
"I know," Ricky said seriously. "But I will write, I promise, Jenny." They all laughed at this.
"Ricky, I don't want to hurry you but I think it would be best if we had an early dinner and you went on your way before it gets too dark, for you won't know your way in the dark and those lanes can be deceptive," Edward said.
"You are quite right, Ned," said Nell. "Do you think you know your way, Ricky? If you get lost you would ride around all night before you found your way home or even back here."
"Nell's right, Ricky. I think I'll get one of the men to ride back with you, at least as far as the pound, for there are several lanes that lead to the pound and the stock route and are quite confusing."
"In that case, sir, I would appreciate it if someone could put me on the right track. But, I must admit I do not want to leave early, but on the other hand I don't fancy a night riding up lots of lanes. I must get back to Sydney tomorrow for I have a few things that are needing my attention."
"Ring for Barnes, Edward, I must tell him to put dinner on early," said Nell.
Of course, the conversation at the table was about the engagement. The children, allowed to dine with the adults as it was early, were very ready to ask all about it.
Amanda, who was the elder of the two girls was fascinated and couldn't stop asking about what it all meant. "Does this mean that you will come and live here with us, Mr English?" she asked.
"No, it wouldn't, silly," said her mother. "Jenny is going to live in Mr English's house. Won't that be nice?"
"You mean Jenny would leave us and go away?" she asked anxiously.
"Yes, dear. Jenny will have a house of her own to look after."
"No, Mama," she cried,with many tears. "What will we do without Jenny? How would we do our lessons? You wouldn't take Jenny away from us would you Mr English?"
Poor Ricky was quite non-plussed over this, but Nell smiled calmly and told her daughter not to be so selfish and didn't she want what was best for Jenny. Jenny came into the picture by suggesting that the little girls might want to be flower girls at the wedding. This brightened things up again and the time was spent telling
the children all about weddings. The girls were appeased when they heard that they would wear pretty frocks that reached the ground. So the tears were turned to happiness in the discussion of where the wedding would take place and the whensoever and howsoever of it all.
"I'll go and tell Green to saddle up and go with you, Ricky," Ricky's host announced after dinner.
They were surprised to see Forrest's own mare saddled beside Ricky's, Nell calling to him asking the reason. "Well, on the way over to the stables, I thought, why shouldn't I go? It is a lovely evening and I would like the ride."
"Good idea, Ned," said his wife. "We could have done the same but it is a bit late to change into riding gear, isn't it, Jenny?"
"Yes, I suppose it is, Auntie." Jenny said reluctantly.
Nell laughed at her. "Never mind, Jenny. We'll all go next time when we think of it earlier."
They watched the men canter down the track and turned back into the house, chatting all the way and loving the prospect of all the arrangements to be made.
Edward Forrest rode with Ricky until he was certain he couldn't get lost and turned to canter back in the lovely summer dusk. "See you next week, Ricky, and many a one after that I'll bet." With a wave he was gone.
"Good to see you home and safe, Mr English." Ricky found Rob waiting for him on the verandah. "I thought I might go looking for you if you did not come soon, for I know how easy it is to get confused at the far opening of those lanes."
"That's very kind of you, Rob. But no worries. Mr Forrest saw me part of the way. So I found it quite easy."
"I might have thought he would do that, Mr English. He would see that you didn't take a wrong turn."
"He did indeed. I seem to have friends everywhere. Thanks Rob."
"What time do you plan to leave tomorrow? I think you said you would want to leave early." The man asked.
"Yes, I do have to get back to Sydney, but I thought I would get you to take me in to Windsor early enough for church at St Matthew's, then I can catch the coach to Parramatta in good time."
"Good," said Rob. "I can go to church myself and then drop you at the coach. It'll save you a walk."
"Thanks Rob, that would be good. Well, I'll see you in the morning."
Ricky let himself in through his own front door well before dinner the next day, and was greeted by a worried looking Mrs Keen. "Everything all right, Mrs Keen?" he asked.
"I hope so, Mr Ricky," she answered.
"You hope so? Come now, what is wrong?" By this time Ricky was getting worried, too.
"Well, it's Mr Will. He's in the studio. Please go and see him."
Without a word Ricky took the stairs two at a time, paused on the landing and walked quietly into the studio. He had expected trouble but the scene that met his eyes shocked him. There were pieces of drawings and paintings that had obviously been torn apart in anger. Will was sitting at the table and before him was a half full bottle of whisky and a glass. It was easy to see that he was very drunk indeed. He looked a little self-consciously at Ricky who asked, "What's all this Will? Since when have you taken to drinking?"
"What's it too you if I do?" he answered rudely
"It has a lot to do with me, as you must know. It's the sort of thing I hate and you know it. What's got into you, you silly fellow?"
"I'm drowning my sorrows. I can do that if I wanna," said Will belligerently.
"You don't look as though you have drowned much else other than yourself. In fact you look positively miserable," remarked Ricky. "What's got into you Will? This isn't like you."
"I'm miser...miserab..b.ble," Will at last got out.
"You look awful. I can't think it is giving you much pleasure. Will, really, are you all right?"
"Oh.h.h, Ricky I feel terrible." With that Will looked as though he was about to be sick, so Ricky turned tipped a bucket up depositing a lump of clay on the floor and handed it to Will.
"I think you'd better take yourself off to bed and I'll talk with you tomorrow when you've come to your senses."
Ricky looked at him distastefully and then helped Will sheepishly leave the studio and go to his bedroom. Ricky got rid of the evidence of the rather unusual day that Will had 'enjoyed'.
By the time Tad came for in dinner there was a certain amount of normalcy apparent. Ricky had time sit and think about Will's unhappiness before this but decided that he would tell Tad what had happened for Tad had always felt very responsible for the younger man. Until Tad had told of his recent experience with the Falconer-Meads there had always been a great deal of openness between them, even Amabel's appearance in Tad's life had not interrupted that.
Over dinner Tad told Ricky that he had told the Landons his news and that Mr Landon had called for Mr Falconer-Mead and Joshua on Saturday and had taken them to spend the day at his home. The visit had gone very well and Amabel, of course, had impressed the visitors.
Ricky, in his turn, told Tad about his proposal to Jenny and her acceptance of it. Ricky's experience with Will had somewhat dulled the news but on speaking of Jenny his heart glowed with happiness.
"This really calls for a celebration, Rick. Let's have a bottle of champagne? Won't Amabel be pleased about it?"
"Certainly tell her, Tad, but it is not to be announced as yet. The Forrests want to make a formal announcement at a ball. I must admit I will find it hard to keep it to myself for I really feel as though I could yell it from the housetops."
"Rotten you had to come home a find Will's trouble. But anyway let's have some fizz," said Tad.
"I don't think so, not tonight, Tad. Alcohol isn't my favorite thing of the moment. We'll celebrate later when a few things have settled down."
Ricky visited Will's room before he retired and finding him asleep went off with less worry. Neither did he speak to Will before he left for the store the next morning as he was still asleep but left a note for him saying that he would try to get home for lunch to be able to talk to Will, but if not, would appreciate it if Will could be home for dinner as Tad would be out and they could have an uninterrupted time together.
Ricky had to be content with that and went off with a heavy heart. Later as he went through the shop before luncheon he saw John Landon there. "Hello there, sir, wanting to buy my shop out?"
"Hello, Ricky. No, just wanting to buy a trifle for my wife, and I spied these pretty shawls. Do you think Mrs Landon would like this?" He held up a fine gossamer wool scarf in a lovely shade of pale blue.
"I cannot say that I am an expert in that field but I do think she would like it. Miss Fox would advise you much better than I. But they are a fine line that came in the last shipment and I think they will sell quickly when the ladies see them." Ricky called the attendant over to help his friend. "Mr Landon," he asked, " would you have time to talk to me for while? I have something I would like to share with you."
"Yes, I was about to go to lunch, Ricky. Why not come with me?" Mr Landon suggested.
"I'd rather not, sir, if you don't mind. I know what lunching is with you, I can hardly get a word in with all the people who see you and wish to speak with you," Ricky laughed. "But, I am on my way to order some sandwiches to be brought up to my office. Will you join me there?"
"Gladly, Ricky. I'll finish my purchases and come up then."
Ricky was able to tell John about Will without feeling disloyal to him for he knew that Will had always been a special concern to the man. He told him that he was pretty sure he knew what the trouble was and was rather at a loss to know how to cope.
"You mean about him not having a family and now it looks as though Tad has. Yes, I think you are right about that, and Tad feels it too."
"Does he? I didn't think Tad had noticed it when he told us about the Falconer-Meads."
"Yes, he did and not knowing what to say about it decided to leave it work itself out. Leave it to me, lad, leave it to me. I won't tell you what I'm going to do, I will let Will tell you but I have a scheme that I think will work."
"Y
ou're good to us, sir. But then you always have been. Do you really think there is something we can do?"
"Well, there is something I can do." With that he took leave of Ricky. Soon he was knocking at the door of Ricky's house. "Good morning Maria," he said. "Is Mr Will at home?"
"Yes, sir, he is."
"Is he is his studio?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll go straight up. No need to announce me."
Maria looked as though she would like to protest but decided against it as she knew Mr Landon was a close friend of the family.
John opened the door of the studio without knocking. Will looked up, a picture of misery. He stood up to greet John, "Hello sir, did you want to see me?"
"Yes, I did Will. Shall we sit down?"
"Would you like tea, Mr Landon?"
"That would be good, Will. I didn't have time for much lunch today."
"We'll go downstairs then, I'll call Maria."
John looked around him and saw that the studio was not its usual neatness. "What have you been doing here, son?" he asked.
Will turned his back on the room and leading the man out he said, bitterly, "I suppose Tad's been talking out of turn?" He stumped down the stairs.
"What's wrong, Will? Aren't you well? As a matter of fact you don't look very well. Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm all right. But tell me, Mr Landon, has Tad been talking about me?"
"No, I cannot remember that he mentioned you this weekend. You know that we had the Falconer-Meads out on Saturday and I have hardly had private speech with Tad. What is worrying you? What should he have said to me?" asked John, in all innocence.
Will ushered his guest into the living room and rang the bell for Maria. "Maria, bring tea for Mr Landon and me, please," he said when the maid appeared. "Please sit, sir, and I will tell you. I suppose I may as well before you see Ricky. He might and I don't think he understands."
"I think you are unfair there, my lad, for I think Ricky sees a great deal that neither you or Tad have credited him, now tell me what has happened? What's all the mystery?"
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