Ricky

by Sheila Hunter

  Now that Mr Landon was listening Will began to feel that after all he didn't want his friend to know just what he had been doing.

  "Come on, Will, tell me."

  "I daresay I'm not very proud of it, Mr Landon. I wouldn't have mentioned it but I thought Tad would have told you. I..." Just at that moment Maria came in with the tea so Will had to wait. "Thank you, Maria. Serve Mr Landon, will you?"

  When the girl left Will started again, he seemed to take a deep breath and said in a rush, "I got drunk," he said defiantly. Then told of Ricky's home coming and what had happened when he saw Will.

  "A bit unusual for you, wasn't it, Will? Not the normal thing, was it?"

  "No, sir, I've never done it before, and I can't say that it did me much good," said Will wryly. "I'm a bit sorry now."

  "Anything in particular worrying you, son?" John asked kindly.

  Will looked a bit ashamed and said, "I was very upset about Tad's new relatives."

  "That's not like you to show jealousy about anything Tad does, Will. I am surprised that you would be upset about any happiness that Tad might have."

  "But, Mr Landon, you don't understand. Ricky knows who he is and now Tad does. I still don't know who I am. It's not fair," Will burst out.

  "Good heavens, Will. I'm surprised at you."

  "I said you wouldn't understand," Will said sullenly.

  "Now listen here, Will," said John sternly, "you say you don't know who you are. I say you are Will English. Someone I have watched grow to a man I respect and feel a great deal of affection for. I am surprised at you and can't believe what I am hearing."

  "But you don't understand," Will protested.

  "Look here, young fellow, who found you and dragged you off the street?"

  "Tad, sir," Will said reluctantly.

  "What did Tad do when he first brought you in?"

  "He...he gave me some food." Will was beginning to feel silly.

  "He had a lot to share, didn't he?"

  "No, he didn't," came the soft reply.

  "What did he do next?" came the curt question. "Remember! for I am sure you do. I do and I am proud of him."

  "He shared his clothes." By this time Will was hanging his head. "But he knows who his father was, and I don't?"

  "For goodness sake, Will, pull yourself together. What was Tad last week when he didn't know who his father was? Was he any less than he is now?"

  "No, sir, of course not."

  "And if you never find out who your father was will it make you any less than you have been? Think, man." Landon shot at him.

  "No," came the miserable reply.

  "Will," John said more kindly, "don't think I don't know what you feel, I do. I will tell you that I too have tried to find out about you boys, and I have never been able to find out a thing. It didn't matter to me who your people were, I judged for myself and I never found anything in any one of you that I have disliked. I always have and always will judge a man as I find him and not who his parents were. I have known people with fine families who I would not give house room to and some who have had a family to be ashamed of who I have a great deal of time for. Do you really think it matters?"

  "It does to me, Mr Landon. I would love to know whether my people were decent folk. That's all."

  "Yes, I understand that, but remember one thing, Tad will never be able to prove his relationship to the Falconer-Meads. He will always wonder who he is for there is no proof, as you must know."

  "But he knows who he is, even with no proof, Mr Landon. He apparently looks like them."

  "Oh Will," Mr Landon said, "Will you are being unfair. Don't you think he wants proof, too. He will always wonder."

  "Wonder?" Will threw to the man, " even if he has no proof he will know his mother wasn't a prostitute, and what if mine was?"

  "Who says his mother wasn't a prostitute? Maybe his father was Falconer-Mead's son, but who can prove who his mother was? Who is to say he wasn't result of an alliance his father had with a street woman? Don't you think he is afraid that something like that happened? For goodness sake grow up, Will, and don't act like a spoilt child."

  Hearing this Will looked up startled. "I didn't think of that, sir. You don't believe it do you, Mr Landon? How rotten if you do."

  "Of course I don't, Will, I am sure he is their legitimate child. I am only telling you that he has and always will have a slight doubt in his mind. He would like proof just as much as you do. Now for goodness sake have sense and a bit of sympathy." John leaned back in his chair and looked at the lad, who had been quite stunned at this conversation. "What a sensitive young man he is," Landon thought, "so thin, dark and frail." He said, "Can I say what I came to say or are you too upset to think straight, Will? Shall I come back another time?"

  Will looked up, "I am sorry, sir. I guess I have been selfish. I could only look at it my way. Yes, I daresay you came to tell me something. I'm sorry. I thought Tad must have asked you to see me. Please do tell me."

  "Well it will give you something to think about, Will, so perhaps I shall tell you."

  "What is it, Mr Landon? Something I can do for you?" Will said eagerly.

  "You know I have always wanted to send you to Paris to paint. Well, I have just heard of an opportunity that I don't think we can miss. Mrs Landon's brother Robert Cummins has just been posted to the embassy in Paris. He is a very pleasant man. I don't know his wife, but I do know her family and like them. I think it would be an opportunity to go while they are there. What do you think? Eh?"

  Will was taken aback, just sitting there staring at his friend. "Well, I never," he said, "I always knew you wanted me to go, sir, but I must admit I have never thought deeply about it. But I don't think I would like to live at an embassy, sir, it sounds a bit formal. "

  "No, I never intended you to, lad. But they could keep an eye out for you and they would be someone who you could turn to if you need. Think it over and talk it over with Ricky and Tad and let me know your decision."

  "You've rather set me back on my heels, pinned my ears back and all that, Mr Landon. I'm just beginning to realise what a fool I've been. Thank you for coming, I'm sorry you had such a rotten reception from me." Will was looking very sheepish.

  "Take my advice and speak to Ricky about it unless you have already. He is really the one you should listen to."

  " But he doesn't seem to be around nowadays as often as he was and I daresay I have blamed him for that and I don't know why I should for he has a right to his own life. It's just that property, sir, he does spend a lot of time there and will do so more."

  "You'd better sit down and think your life over my boy. I imagine you have felt rather neglected of late with Tad always haunting my home and Ricky with those schemes of his. I believe he has bought that place on the Hawkesbury. When I saw him about a month ago he told me he was thinking of it, but I thought he might have another interest out there, too."

  "Oh, do you think so, sir? He does spend a lot of time at the Forrest's home," said Will innocently.

  John Landon chuckled at this and said, "I presume you think he has Miss Elston in his sights, eh Will?"

  "Well, I wouldn't be too surprised, he was rather bowled over when he first met her. Do you know anything about her, Mr Landon? Is she good enough for Ricky?" Will asked anxiously.

  "I doubt if anyone would be in your eyes, Will, but whether we like it or not, I daresay Ricky will make up his own mind.'

  "I suppose so."

  "Will, if Ricky is serious about Miss Elston, he might be prepared to listening to my project with more calmness than if it had been at another time. I know he has never been keen about you leaving his protection and I am afraid this last episode of yours would not help. So if you do wish to go, approach the whole thing maturely. Show him you will be quite able to look after yourself. I have great faith in you Will. I always have."

  "You are very kind, Mr Landon and I'll try to do as you say. But I must admit your proposal is a bit daunting. Paris is
a long way away from home."

  "Yes. Well you think it over carefully."

  "Thank you, sir, I will."

  Ricky had hoped to be home early but was not able to manage it. However he did eventually drive away from the office. He had little time to give to the problem he was to face but now as he drove through the quietening streets he was able to think. He did not like the prospect of facing Will but face him he must. It was not the problem of Will being upset about Tad, but, the fact that Will could so easily turn to alcohol when a problem arose. Seeing that heredity was the flavour of the moment he wondered whether this had been the trouble of either or both of Will's parents. Ricky had been hurt and sorry that had happened, and he was far from experienced in dealing with such. Drink had never had any pull for him and he had been amazed that it was the thing that Will had turned to. Perhaps he had been neglecting the lad of late. He made up his mind that he must remedy that in the future.

  However it was a brighter Will than Ricky could ever have imagined who greeted him on his return. A subdued and sorry looking young man but one with a better attitude than he expected. Will followed Ricky to his room and asked if he might speak to him right away. Ricky was reminded of a chastened school child who knew punishment was on the agenda and the quicker it was over the better the child would feel.

  He said, "Yes, Will. I was going to speak to you after dinner but if it can't wait. Fire ahead." Ricky sank down into one comfortable chair beside his bed and he motioned Will to take the other one.

  "Ricky, you look fagged to death. Perhaps I should wait until you have dinner."

  "It has been rather a difficult day, Will. But go on, I'm all right," replied Ricky.

  "Mr Landon came to see me this afternoon, Rick," said Will.

  "Did he, by jove?" Ricky opened his eyes wide, thinking that his friend had not wasted time.

  "Yes," continued Will, "he made me feel terrible."

  "No worse than you felt last night, I hope, Will?" laughed Ricky.

  "Oh, Ricky, I am so glad you can laugh at it. It isn't really funny, you know, at least I don't think it is, but I am glad you are not mad at me."

  "No, Will, I am not mad at you. I can see why you are upset but I am very disappointed that you turned to drink when something worried you. Why didn't you tell me?"

  "But you weren't here, Rick. Anyway, I suppose I must have been ashamed of myself deep down. That's what Mr Landon thinks anyway."

  "Do you mean you told Mr Landon what happened?"

  "Yes, I did. He was very understanding, Rick, but he made me realise what a selfish brute I was and that I was being jealous of Tad. I hadn't thought of it that way. I can see it now."

  "Will, I knew when Tad told us that you were thinking about your own folks. I know it is hard but you do realise don't you, that Tad will never be certain that he is the right grandson?"

  "Yes, but I didn't, Rick. I didn't think there was any doubt about it, I didn't think anything could be more distressing than not knowing anything, I can see now that half knowing can be worse than that," said Will pensively.

  "I am glad you see it and understand it," Ricky said.

  "But, I didn't until Mr Landon pointed it out to me. He is a great gun isn't he? And do you know he tried on his own to find out who our people were Rick. Did you know that?"

  "I didn't know, but I would have been surprised if he hadn't, you know, Will. He invested a lot in us, I hope you realise."

  "I can't say I did. I am learning a fearful amount today. I guess it is a good thing I got drunk, it was worth it."

  "For goodness sake, Will, don't get that idea. Nothing is worth repeating that exercise. Promise me you won't do it again?"

  "You needn't worry, I'm not likely to do that again. Sorry, Rick. Any way I haven't told you what Mr Landon came to see me about and I'm most anxious to."

  "What was it?"

  "Mrs Landon's brother is at the embassy in Paris and Mr Landon thinks it would be a good time for me to go there and paint. He thinks that Mr Cummins would help me. What do you think?"

  "Crikey, that's a surprise."

  "Yes, I thought so too, but he's always been wanting me to go, so, I daresay we shouldn't have been. Surprised, I mean," Will said.

  "No, he always had it in mind. It takes a bit of thinking about doesn't it." Ricky hesitated before adding, "Will, I have some news, too. I would have told you last night but I couldn't. I am going to get married."

  "Great, Ricky. Miss Elston, I gather. Congratulations old boy."

  "Come on you'd better get ready for dinner, I can see a long evening ahead of us to talk over lots. Tad will be here, too."

  CHAPTER 16 And then there was Dimity

  Mr and Mrs Forrest, with Jenny, came up to Sydney to arrange the ball which they were planning to hold when the engagement would be announced. They were finding it difficult to find a venue as the season was late and Christmas was very close. They had an almost fruitless search, for really Sydney did not boast of many places in which a fashionable ball could be held. They had almost decided on the room at the Royal, and were discussing this with the Landon's, when Mrs Landon said, "Oh, John, let's have it here." At first the Forrests would not hear of it, but their protests were quickly put aside.

  "Nell, you had better let Sadie have her way, for once she gets an idea, as well we know, she will not give up, until you give way. So for a little peace please give in quickly." This brought a laugh and the decision was made.

  It was not to be a very large dance, only fifty couples, and so the Landon ballroom was most suitable. Jenny soon found that the Landons were very happy to take over many of the arrangements which she and Mrs Forrest had been worried about achieving.

  "We have so recently had Amabel and Tad's ball that all we have to do is repeat the orders for everything," said Sadie Landon. "The girls will help, won't you, my dears?"

  "Oh, yes, mama, we had so much fun with Amabel's didn't we?" said Harriet.

  "You see, Nell, you need not think about it at all, I have three good secretaries here and I will work them very hard. They do know how to work, believe me."

  "She is a terrible taskmistress, Mrs Forrest. You should see how she makes us work at the hostel," put in Amabel. Then turning to her parents she said, "Mama, Papa, why don't we have Jenny to stay here until the ball and then we can do everything together."

  "Oh, no I couldn't, but thank you very much all the same, I must go back to the children," said Jenny. "Thank you very much for the thought, Amabel."

  Nell Forrest cut in, "Oh Jenny that is a lovely idea. It is so close to Christmas anyway that the children will love having extra holidays. In any case, my dear, we shall have to get used to not having you around, won't we, Ned?"

  "Yes, we will miss our grown up daughter. I wish I could be annoyed at Ricky but I'm afraid we like him too much, even if he does take our Jenny away from us."

  "You must tell us about your new home, too, Jenny," said Amabel.

  So the conversation then turned to wedding dates and the new house that Ricky planned to build at Elizabeth Bay. They had studied plans for several weekends and had decided on a fairly large house that could be added to, as, and if, the English family increased. It was to be a two storied home in an acre of ground and had all the modern comforts that Ricky could think up. The block was gently sloping and with the house on a rise it would have a pleasant view of the harbour.

  The girls decided that it would be a good idea to walk to the land to see it when the day became a little cooler for it was not far away from the Landon's own house. Then John suggested that they all go, saying, "It is good walking, ladies. Ricky took me to see it and I think you can manage all right, but we could drive if you would rather."

  In the end the young ones walked and the four older folk drove, as the roads in the colony were still often either very dusty or very wet. They didn't attempt to walk over the land but were happy to look at it from the road. Jenny was able to point out where the house would be
and tell how its aspect would be best to catch the summer breezes and be sheltered from the southerlies. It was all much admired, Jenny looking very wistful when thinking of setting up her own home and she wondered how successful she would be. Ricky seemed to her so perfect that she wondered whether she would be able to live up to his standard. It didn't occur to her that Ricky was thinking just the same about her.

  Before the Forrests left they had decided that Jenny should remain with them at the Royal until their return home and for the next three weeks she would stay with the Landon's. Nell and Edward would return two days before the ball.

  "I feel very mean leaving everything to you, Sadie. I seem to be walking away from my responsibilities," she said. "It is not what we planned, you know."

  "I know, dear," said Mrs Landon, "John tells me I am a very managing female, don't you, John?"

  "She certainly is, Nell. If I didn't have Charles to back me up, when he is home from school, I would be thoroughly hen-pecked," he replied. "Aren't you sympathetic, Ned?"

  "Yes, I am in much the same boat, old chap. Women all round me. And James isn't old enough to stand up for me, yet. I must remember to train him to back me up in everything."

  Their women folk all laughed at this and told them they had nothing to complain about. "Besides, you both look very happy about it," replied Sadie Landon.

  So Sadie and the girls had a great deal of fun planning and choosing materials for gowns and having them made with a great deal of speed. The Landon's seamstress was not able to cope and so they employed two others to help. These women had things done so quickly and so well that Jenny decided to use them to make some other frocks while she had the opportunity.

  "I need many more dresses now, Mrs Landon," she said, "for at home I don't need such fine ones, but here in town I will need them."

  "You certainly will, Jenny. I am glad we have the opportunity for you to get them. Simpkins and her sister seem to be quite capable and have some lovely ideas haven't they?"

  "Yes," she replied. "I suppose I will need a seamstress when I get married. I would like to have someone like that for I am sure there will be much to do."