by Darry Fraser
‘He most certainly was not,’ Georgie cried. ‘Don’t say anything more, Kate. And Conor himself—he—we—’ She could not bring herself to tell Kate of her brother’s condition in the marriage bed, to tell her that their marriage was one based on convenience for both of them.
‘I don’t see any bodices torn.’ Kate glanced at the discarded nightdress. ‘Nor bodily harm done to you. You are certainly not screaming your head off.’
Georgie felt her face flame beet-red again.
‘Perhaps you should admit it to yourself, Georgie,’ Kate continued serenely. ‘I do not hold it against you that you have very strong feelings for this man. I suggest you sort them out.’
A knock on the door forestalled Georgie’s protest. Deborah struggled in with an empty bath, and Mrs Dawson followed with two large buckets of hot water. Both women were silent, keeping their eyes averted as they dumped water into the tub.
Georgie and Kate watched. ‘That’s all I need, Deborah,’ Georgie said, an imperious tilt to her chin. ‘I won’t need you for my bath.’
‘Mrs Foley, your hair … ’
‘I’ll call for you if I need help.’
Mrs Dawson glanced at Georgie sympathetically, then she looked at Kate Forrestor as though about to speak.
‘It’s all right, Bess. There’s no need for you to worry. There was nothing amiss,’ Kate said, kindly.
‘I’m sorry if I let you down, Mrs Foley. He is such a forbidding sort of man.’
Georgie snorted in frustration and Kate stepped in again. ‘Nothing dreadful happened to Mrs Foley. It’s really quite all right.’
Mrs Dawson nodded and left the room.
‘You see, Georgie? No amount of denial will erase what’s in their minds. But one word out of line from them and you dismiss them—is that clear? Into your bath,’ she ordered.
Georgie climbed into the shallow hot water and soaped her body quickly. Kate sat with her. ‘There is an acceptable way out of this predicament, and one that needs careful thought so that as little scandal as possible will be involved.’
Georgie soaped some more, her lips pressed together.
‘So, what do you intend to do?’ Kate prodded.
‘Nothing. I won’t be here when he returns—if he returns.’
Kate laughed. ‘Of course he’ll return—no doubt about it.’
‘I shall go away. Today. This morning.’ Her decision made, Georgina climbed out of the bath. Between her legs she felt tender and a little swollen, and her body tingled in memory of the event.
‘And just where will you go?’ Kate asked, holding out a large fluffy towel.
‘The closest place I own, Kate. Port Fairy. But I don’t want him to know that, and find me.’ Georgie wrapped herself in the towel and patted herself down.
‘My dear.’ Kate frowned. ‘It should be obvious he won’t need me to find you.’ She watched as the younger woman dropped the towel, donned the robe and began to pace. Georgie stopped in front of the open wardrobe.
‘Oh, he won’t come anyway. He’s—he’s had his way. Men like him don’t come back for—’
‘Don’t say anything unsavoury, dear. And if he won’t come back, then why should you leave?’
Georgie was pulling clothes from the wardrobe in handfuls and tossing them onto the unmade bed.
‘Take stock, Georgina. You simply can’t run away. You have responsibilities. The Carriers—you know you wanted to learn about them and take some control—’
‘And you know as well as I do, Katie Forrestor, that Angus and Mr Wardle will have none of that, much less the men, whom I have never met, who work for me.’ She stood with hands on her hips as she faced her sister-in-law. ‘I’m not so stupid that I should just go ahead and beat myself against a stone wall.’
‘Then for heaven’s sakes, marry the man. I’m sure he was honourable enough to offer marriage.’
‘Him? Honourable?’
‘Georgina. I have no doubt he offered marriage.’
Georgie huffed. ‘An honourable man would not connive into my bed and expect to own my company and property by default.’ She grabbed a linen shift and wriggled into it then checked the drawers for a pair of bloomers. ‘There is the law.’
‘Connive.’ Kate raised an eyebrow. ‘You know by law he can’t own anything already yours before your marriage. I’m sure he knows that, too.’
Georgie drew on the pants and tied the drawstring at her waist. ‘And yes, he offered to marry me—or rather, told me we would marry. There is no way he will force me into this—’
‘My dear girl. It is our belief—Angus and I—that this would be an excellent opportunity.’
‘Opportunity?’ Georgie smoothed the shift over her underwear. ‘I want to make my own decisions. I have the means now to take—’
‘Yes, you have the means, now,’ Kate interrupted, coming to her feet, and wagging her finger. ‘And it is only because my brother decided to lift you out of the mire of that dirty little homestead on that muddy river.’ Her voice had hardened. ‘If it were not for my brother, you would be still there.’
‘I would never,’ Georgie cried. ‘I had already left there.’
‘Yes, with Dane MacHenry after you.’
‘No, no, no. You’re wrong—he was going to Melbourne. Oh Katie,’ Georgie cried, and slumped onto the bed. ‘I never meant to hurt you and Angus, or Conor’s memory. Things were not as they seemed for us—’
‘I don’t need to hear. The possibility of Dane MacHenry asking for your hand in marriage has been discussed. It will solve the problems of the Carriers. He might not own them if he marries you, but he will be able to run them, perhaps save them from ruin.’ Kate patted a hand to her hair and straightened. ‘You already know the business is not a responsibility Angus wishes to take on, regardless of the fact that Conor was my brother. I simply am not interested in it, and Angus has our own business to look after.’ She folded her arms. ‘If you don’t sell—and quickly—as trustees of the company, we will recommend a sale to the highest bidder.’
Georgie’s mouth dropped open. ‘Are you saying that—even now—as Conor’s widow, I have no control?’
‘Precisely. You have a majority but there will be no support.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘No, you don’t understand. Dane MacHenry’s offer for the Carriers is unexpected but welcome. Agree to sell. Or marry Dane MacHenry, especially after last night. You might just have to.’ Kate swept out of the room, saying over her shoulder, ‘I will be downstairs in the parlour with Angus.’
Georgie sat on the little stool in front of her dresser.
You might just have to.
That could not happen. She pushed Kate’s words aside and gazed at her reflection. She didn’t look any different after the heady night, but then again, she wasn’t sure she should. If the night’s events had changed her life forever, would there be evidence of it in her face … a knowing, or—?
Whatever luxurious feeling she had woken with was now gone, dissipated in the heated words of her argument with Kate. How could Kate, Conor’s sister, think she should marry again, and so soon after Conor’s death? Just who was the hypocrite now?
She had the grace to lower her eyes so her own embarrassed reflection was not staring at her.
Dane’s words echoed in her head. It’s not only the Carriers I’m after.
Jacaranda. He wanted the homestead back. Of course he did.
What would be so bad about that? Dane had told her Conor had won the place at a game of cards. Certainly, she could right that wrong and give it back to Dane. However one did that.
Angus would know. But would Angus help her if she refused to sell the Carriers?
She tapped her fingers on the dresser and glanced at her reflection again.
Georgie would tell Angus she’d agree to sell the Carriers to Dane MacHenry. However, she would also sign Jacaranda back to Dane, just as she’d asked Conor to do. She would return his home to its rightful ow
ner, whichever way that could be done. That would do it—of course it would! Then Conor’s businesses would be free of his dishonourable actions.
Then she would sell the house at Port Fairy. She would leave this colony forever and go into New South Wales. She would start another life, never speak to these people again. She would buy a small holding, build stables, begin a stud program, breed the finest horses in the districts.
That’s what she would do. That’s exactly what she would do. She would finally be free to be her own woman—independent, with money.
She chose a gown she could fasten in the front. She raced down the stairs to call Deborah. And as she dashed into the parlour looking for her, she found Kate and Angus talking together over tea.
Angus rose to his feet, his best stern look on his face. ‘Georgina, I believe Katie has—’
‘No need, Angus,’ Georgie said and held up her hands in defeat. ‘No need to say anything, please.’
Angus shook his head tiredly. ‘Georgina.’
‘I will sell the Carriers to him. For whatever he offers. But not the homestead. I want to sign Jacaranda back to him and the family. I don’t want that on my conscience. It was not appropriated morally and I’m not comfortable about that.’ She did not look at Kate.
‘Well, we would have to look—’
‘I will only ask this one thing of you—of you both.’
Kate and Angus exchanged meaningful glances and both began to speak.
Georgie held up her hands again. ‘You can force me to sell, so I will not fight it. Just let me deed him the homestead. I believe I have some rights.’
Angus looked at her. ‘You’ve upset yourself, my dear Georgina, you’re quite flushed.’ He sighed heavily. ‘I can’t begin to say I understand this troubled relationship between you and MacHenry, but if that’s what will satisfy you, we will need you to sign the relevant documents. You will not be able to leave in that case until—’
‘I’ll not be manipulated any longer, Angus.’ She stood to her full height. ‘I will not sell Jacaranda to Dane MacHenry, I will deed it back to him, even if I have to find another solicitor to ensure that happens.’
Kate gasped. It was Angus’s turn to hold his hands up in defeat. ‘All right, Georgina. I had no idea you felt this strongly about it. And we apologise—’ he nodded towards his wife, ‘—for any discomfort we may have caused you. We believed it only in your best interests.’
‘Do you know, Angus,’ Georgie said, flicking a heavy lock of her loose hair over her shoulder, ‘that for the whole of my life, I have apparently been the cause of, and the target of, much discomfort? From my mother’s early death, to Papa Rupert’s taking me back to England and then returning me to the colony and placing me at the MacHenrys’ home, to my marriage to Conor to—to this.’ She paused. ‘Never once have I been allowed the luxury of making my own decisions.’
After a moment’s silence, Angus said quietly, ‘Perhaps you lack the forethought required.’
Georgie threw her hands in the air. ‘Forethought? I have not had the courtesy of being asked my wishes from any of you. I have been told I must go, must stay, must marry, must sell, must marry again, stay, sign … Forethought? I have no need of forethought.’
‘Don’t get yourself upset, dear,’ Kate said, glancing between her sister-in-law and her husband.
Georgie rounded on her. ‘Too late. You are Conor’s sister.’ She swept past Kate to stand at the mantle and faced them both, hands on hips. ‘You were the one who insisted I go to all your bloody tea parties. What did you think I was going to do? Call in a brigade of men to entertain me?’
Kate’s hand flew to her mouth.
‘Georgina,’ Angus snapped.
‘Not a brigade, dear. Just one man. It was very clear to me.’
‘I married Conor to be a part of his life, not a part of his mantelpiece.’ She tapped out a staccato beat on the shelf over the fireplace. ‘You cannot say I have done anything wrong by him.’
‘Until last night,’ Angus said, accusation loud in his voice.
‘You have no right to comment.’ She watched Angus bluster at that. ‘Please. Please let us not argue any longer. As of today, the conversation is closed.’
Georgie turned on her heel and left the room. The look of thunder on Angus’s face and the frown on Kate’s were clear in her mind. She only vaguely heard the Forrestors leaving the house, the sound of their carriage departing drifting through her bedroom window.
She would go to Port Fairy and live there until her chattels were disposed of. It was one decision she could make that no one could deny her. She would rest there, away from Melbourne, away from the Forrestors and the reach of Dane MacHenry. She would regroup, become calm and focus on her new path.
Manning was summonsed to visit the bank on her behalf, with a scribbled letter requesting funds be placed at her disposal in the Western Districts. She sent Mrs Dawson on her way with a generous amount in cash. Manning was also to arrange for Buttons to buy horses on her behalf and have them delivered and stabled close by her new house in Port Fairy.
Deborah would accompany her and pack everything she was told to.
It would all take time to eventuate, but things were in motion. Her way, her will. With her belongings attended to, and Manning’s assurance of the bank’s support, she settled down for her last night in Conor’s house. As she lay down to sleep, she remembered her first night here. It seemed a long time ago, somewhere in the distant past. Time had sped by.
Dane MacHenry had been pushed from her mind during the hectic activity of the day, but that night, with his scent still on her bedclothes, she wept, desperately wanting to see him again.
In the morning, with renewed vigour and self-recriminations for her girlish weakness, she stood on the polished steps of the great house that had been hers for such a short time. She looked up at the imposing front door.
This old life is over.
Again.
Twenty-Nine
Dane read the scrawled note left for him by Miss Deborah Browne. He looked up at Angus Forrestor. ‘Port Fairy,’ he told the solicitor. ‘I had the servants keep me informed. A shilling to sweeten the exchange.’
Angus leaned over his desk and raised his eyebrows. ‘We knew. She told Kate as much. What do you suggest?’ He pushed a cigar box across the smooth leather top of the bureau to the men opposite him.
Dane declined the offer. ‘I’m not preying on a rich young woman, Angus. I want her for my wife, regardless of your brother-in-law’s companies. I do admit I want Jacaranda back. This is where my partner, Mr Cawley comes into things.’ He indicated the man sitting on his left. Reuben inclined his head, a small smile on his face as he reached for an aromatic cigar.
‘Mr Cawley,’ Angus acknowledged. ‘My wife is a very good friend of your mother’s.’
‘Yes, sir. I have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Forrestor at one or two of my mother’s many afternoon teas.’ Reuben lifted his cigar in a salute.
‘Ah yes, the many afternoon teas.’ Angus chuckled. ‘Actually, I believe the subject of our conversation here today called them “bloody afternoon teas”. My sister-in-law is not averse to colourful language.’
Dane recalled his own experience. ‘She is not.’
Angus took a cigar himself and sat back. ‘So, you have a company ready to purchase the Carriers and Jacaranda.’
‘A subsidiary of the Cawley Group,’ Reuben began, ‘Melbourne Lands & Holdings, will purchase the carriers, and Jacaranda will be purchased as a separate entity by Capital Properties. If necessary, we can then sell each off at will.’
‘I told Georgina I wished to buy the Carriers,’ Dane added. ‘You told me she agreed. We had not managed to discuss Jacaranda in time.’
Angus nodded at Dane, tapping his fingers gently on the desk top. ‘But you will be buying back your homestead, Dane. I believe no money exchanged hands when the deed was transferred to Conor.’
‘I am prepared to buy it back.
It is at a much reduced price and I can no longer afford to wait.’
Angus was happy to let him do so, happy that Dane MacHenry would not know from him that Georgina had naively offered it on a deed transfer only. Her girlish suggestion was bad business. The other shareholders would not have agreed to it, he knew.
He pushed the sale contract across the desk. The purchase price listed on one included the Carriers and the office at Echuca. The other, Jacaranda Homestead. The deal would take some time—they would have to contact Georgina, and then have a solicitor look over the papers for her—but she would sign. Angus was thankful to rid himself of the tiresome burden once and for all.
Damn Conor. Angus wished many times that Conor had willed it all to charity and left Georgina to her own devices. No doubt the silly woman would have forgotten this women’s rights nonsense and fallen into MacHenry’s arms more than willingly.
Reuben Cawley dipped the offered quill into the inkpot and signed the advance papers on both contracts.
Dane and Reuben rode back to the Cawley family home in South Yarra, where they took tea with John and Angeline. John Cawley was especially interested in this new business the younger men had acquired. Neither he nor Angeline were under the impression that it was all for the makings of profit.
‘So, the confused and widowed Mrs Foley has flown the coop.’ Angeline looked almost gleeful.
‘Not for long. She will have to come back.’ Dane held his glass up for more rum. Bloody afternoon teas. Reuben poured.
‘Such confidence,’ Angeline commented.
‘It is as much a matter of family, as business,’ Dane said. ‘My family.’ He wondered if Angeline found his comment cryptic. He doubted it. He knew by his mother’s letter that she and his sister were settled in the lodgings he had found for them in Swan Hill, had found a private tutor for Elspeth to complete her finishing, and that they were comfortable and even happy. Elspeth had met a nice young man, so his mother had said.
His mother had also mentioned the emergence of an old suitor of hers, a Mr O’Rourke. She was keen to have Dane meet him, and wanted to determine a date to do so at his earliest convenience. It sounded as if his mother was quite taken with this Mr O’Rourke. Perhaps it would mean some happiness for her. He must make time soon to travel to Swan Hill.