And Those Who Trespass Against Us

by Helen M MacPherson

  "Where the hell have you been," Catriona demanded, hands on hips. "Do you ever listen to anything I say? Didn't I tell you to wait at the Connor place? I told you if it became dark I'd come for you. But no, such a sensible idea clearly wasn't good enough for you, was it? I rode over there last night only to have Mrs. Connor tell me you had left on dusk. Dusk, Katherine, when it's getting dark for God's sake! I've been up most of the night as have a number of the men from nearby farms waiting to form a search party. And you ride up here like if you've been to town and back, instead of being away God only knows where all night!"

  For once Catriona's anger had the opposite effect. Rather than react, Katherine composed herself by first tying the reins of the horse to a nearby tree and checking the brake of the wagon. "I'm sorry. I know now I should have listened. I was taken by the bushrangers."

  Catriona's hands clenched into fists, and her lips formed a narrow line.

  "However, I'm all right."

  Katherine looked past Catriona's bristling figure to the men standing behind her.

  "Gentlemen, thank you for offering to help look for me. I'm eternally grateful and very touched. As you can see, I'm back and unscathed. Now if you'd like to move into the kitchen, I'm sure I can prepare some breakfast for all of us." The men shuffled back inside the house, seemingly grateful to put some distance between themselves and the two women. Katherine walked up the steps, briefly meeting Catriona's angry blue eyes. "This is not the end of this, Catriona," she quietly said.

  "You're damned right it isn't!" Catriona forced her words through gritted teeth as she followed Katherine into the house.

  Despite her fatigue, Katherine prepared breakfast for the group while politely answering the questions from the town's police constable. No, she didn't recognise any of the people who had abducted her. Yes, she'd been treated well because she cooperated in ministering to an injured man. Sorry, but she couldn't lead the constable back to where she'd been, due to her being hooded during the journey. Frustrated that the bushrangers had again escaped his grasp, the constable sat and sullenly ate his breakfast.

  THE GROUP WAS barely out of eye and earshot when Catriona turned to Katherine. "Inside, now!" She grasped Katherine's arm and propelled her into the study and strong-armed her into an armchair.

  Despite her attempts to check her temper, Catriona knew she was losing the battle. "Do you have any idea what sort of danger you were in last night? You could have been killed or injured and left for the dingoes to finish! Bushrangers are not some romantic vision you may have inside that crazy head of yours. They're desperate men."

  Katherine took a deep breath and exhaled. "Firstly, I'm an adult, not a child, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk to me as if I was a child. And, secondly, as you've already heard, I wasn't in any danger. They needed help. The leader stayed with me all night, so I doubt any of the men would have thought the risk of assaulting me worth the reward."

  "That's great. The leader spent the whole night with you! And who protected you from him? Your damned habit won't protect you from everything." She placed her hands on the arms of the chair Katherine was in, effectively trapping her. "For God's sake, you could have been raped!"

  Katherine cryptically smiled. "I had nothing to fear from the leader. And, as for the leader raping me, that's extremely unlikely. The leader was a woman, something I neglected to tell the good Constable Ford."

  Exasperated Catriona stepped back and vigorously rubbed her face. "Man, woman, or well trained monkey--I don't care! You can't go running off to help someone without leaving some sort of message."

  "Have you been listening to me? I didn't run off. I was abducted! Between my hands being tied, a hood placed on my head, and fainting, I had no time to leave you a note!" Katherine rose from the chair and stood near Catriona at the mantel. "Be reasonable, for heaven's sake. You can't always be looking after me, ensuring I'm safe. I have my own responsibilities to the families of the district."

  As Catriona gripped the mantelpiece, the cloth of Katherine's habit lightly brushed her arm. She looked away, fearful of being betrayed by the raw desire rippling through her.

  "I know last night couldn't have been easy," Katherine softly said. "What you need to understand is I need my freedom as much as you do yours. To come and go as I please, without taking you away from work on the farm. If you can't respect that then I'll have to seek a place in town."

  Catriona turned, her tortured eyes seeking Katherine's. She took Katherine's hand in her own. "I'm sorry if you think I'm smothering you. I didn't mean for you to feel that way. You must know I care for you. I'd hate to see you come to harm in a place you're still learning about. I--I...," she searched Katherine's face, suddenly at a loss for words. Shaking her head, Catriona released Katherine's hand and walked out of the study, silently closing the door behind her.

  KATHERINE REMAINED RIVETED to the place by the mantel where Catriona left her, the words spoken by Mary the previous evening reverberating in her mind. She looked down at her trembling hand. When Catriona touched her hand--she'd felt her body begin to warm with a fire from deep within, like it had the previous night with Mary. Shaking her head in an attempt to unravel her thoughts, she left the study and went to her room.

  Chapter Seven

  MRS. MONTEITH PASSED a plate laden with soggy cucumber sandwiches to Katherine. Katherine's stomach lurched. She would never get used to them. Why did her hostess insist on serving them when it was so hot? "Thank you." She held up her hand. "I don't think I could eat another bite."

  "But, my dear, you're wasting away. Are you sure you're being well treated at Gleneagle?" Mrs. Montieth took the plate and placed it to one side. She conspiratorially leant toward her. "I heard what happened after your kidnapping," she whispered. "Miss Pelham's outburst--such horrendous vulgarity."

  "Miss Pelham wasn't entirely at fault. I failed to listen to her sage advice and paid the price for my impetuosity." Katherine could only imagine what her life here would have been like had Mrs. Monteith or anyone from the committee met her at the train. Katherine inwardly shuddered while she finished her tea. She'd never have been allowed to travel unescorted within a stone's throw of committee homes, let alone roam the district.

  She glimpsed the clock on the mantelpiece. "My heavens, is that the time?" Katherine rose. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. But, sadly, I must be on my way."

  "You've only just arrived," Mrs. Monteith protested.

  "The Lord's work is never done." Katherine resolved herself to ask God's forgiveness for such a blatant white lie.

  "Of course," Mrs. Montieth spluttered as she walked Katherine to the door. "Maybe next week you can stay longer."

  AS SHE DROVE the wagon toward the greater part of town, Katherine's thoughts lingered on the silent truce negotiated between her and Catriona regarding her over-protectiveness and Katherine's demand she not be mothered as if she were a child. As a result, the two now very rarely spent the whole day together, both freely absorbed in their own work.

  Despite Catriona's outburst on the day of her return, Katherine felt the disagreement had strengthened their friendship. Of an evening, over dinner, they still found time to talk about the day's activities. That was the time she enjoyed most--when Catriona was least guarded. Yet there were occasions when she felt Catriona held her at arm's length and this confused Katherine. Then there were moments when she caught Catriona staring at her in an unfathomable way, as if she were measuring her against someone else. She concluded Catriona was comparing her to the way Sister Coreen cared for the families of the district. Katherine carefully manoeuvred the wagon to a stop outside Susan's store.

  "Hello there." Susan made her way around the counter to close the front door of the shop. "Can I offer you a cup of tea?"

  "Oh please, no. I've spent the past hour being plied with milky tea and soggy cucumber sandwiches by Mrs. Montieth."

  Susan made a face. "I'm glad I'm not you." The two shared a laugh. "Honestly, you have the p
atience of a saint."

  Katherine sighed. "I know I must visit them, despite the fact I feel we have literally nothing in common. Still, they provide at least some amount of support to the less fortunate."

  "So, you're not moving in with one of them?" Susan asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

  "Now I know you're making fun of me. Certainly not. I prefer where I am and the friendship I have with Catriona and, indeed, you. You both provide such an invaluable insight into the district."

  Susan lightly touched her throat. "Thank you. I'm very honoured to be your friend."

  "I don't know what it is but you and Catriona understand me so much more than possibly any one else I've known, including my mother."

  "Didn't you have friends in the convent?"

  "No one I could call as such. Most of the nuns were either old women, who'd been in the calling for a lifetime, or painfully shy teenage novices, neither of whom offered any opportunity for close friendships. Prior to that, I could have counted my close friends on one hand. At least with you two we share similar interests.

  Susan cleared her throat. "Yes, well some at least." She looked over as the shop door opened. "My work is never done. I promise I'll pay you two a visit, and then we can sit down and talk without interruption.

  "That would be lovely." Katherine made her way toward the door. "I'll see you then, or next time I'm in town."

  CATRIONA JOTTED DOWN the most recent amount of rain in her farmer's almanac. "That's about the same amount as last time." She placed the pencil on the table and flicked through the almanac's pages. It had rained the day Alexander left. She checked the date and her eyes widened. That was six weeks ago. It wouldn't be long before he returned.

  She tiredly rubbed her hand across the back of her neck. How am I going to tell him? She glanced to the delicate water colour of Coreen that she'd painted for him when he told her of their engagement. She believed that with Coreen he'd finally found something to live for, rather than merely existing. She could only hope that Katherine was present to help her break the news. Catriona sighed. Oh Katherine, if you only knew how much I need you.

  Reminiscing on the morning of Katherine's return from the bushrangers, she shuddered at how close she'd come to telling Katherine the truth--that she cared for her more deeply than she had for anyone in a long time. Since then, her continual restraint had meant many restless nights, her dreams filled with thoughts of Katherine. She was at least thankful for the stone walls of the house and her closed door. For she was sure, that more than once, she'd awoken calling Katherine's name.

  "I can't go on like this. It's time I spoke with Susan. I'll head in tomorrow. After all, Wednesday's usually a quiet day in the store."

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING after a quick goodbye to Katherine, she headed in to town, to the only other person she had confidence would keep her secret. She cast her mind back to the first time she and Susan had met and began a friendship that had steadily grown over the last three years.

  SUSAN'S INITIAL ARRIVAL had caused its own share of excitement, consternation, and curiosity. She'd arrived without a husband, carrying only her luggage, and accompanied by a quiet Chinese woman. What surprised the townspeople the most was how Susan had bought the local mercantile shop outright, and with cash--a feat rarely seen in the town. She then proceeded to launch a full-scale expulsion of years of slow-moving and useless stock. Once that was accomplished, she cleaned and repainted the store. Restocking it caused a great deal of interest with the local community. For the first time the mercantile catered to men and women. There were bolts of cloth, soaps, and perfume not normally seen that far from Sydney. Susan also cleaned and repaired the ramshackle laundry at the back of the store, which was run by the Chinese woman who'd arrived with her.

  Catriona immediately liked Susan, who remained unperturbed by her blunt manner and men's clothes. She spent quite a lot of time helping her at the store, while at the same time attempting to strike up a friendship with the quietly spoken Me Lin.

  One day Catriona came into the store to find the main counter unoccupied. Presuming Susan was out the back having lunch, Catriona walked around the counter and into the kitchen, where she found Susan in Me Lin's arms. Aside from Adele, she'd never seen two women in an intimate embrace.

  Shocked, Catriona stumbled backward, desperately hoping they hadn't heard her, only to trip on the kitchen rug and awkwardly fall. The couple, interrupted by the noise, instantly separated.

  "Are you alright?" Susan helped Catriona to a chair.

  "I--I'm fine," Catriona managed, as Me Lin quietly left the room.

  Susan pulled a clear glass bottle of Moscatel and two glasses out of the kitchen cupboard. She wordlessly poured two measures and passed a glass of amber fluid to Catriona. "This might help."

  Susan took a sip, placed the glass on the table, and looked at Catriona. "I expect you're confused by what you saw. I wouldn't be surprised if you felt the need to never speak to me again. But I'd like to explain something. Sometimes people can be happy with their own company, like you, for example. Most of the time women are happier finding a man to share the rest of their life with. Occasionally this isn't so, and people find happiness with their own." She placed her hands flat on the table. "I'm one of those people, as is Me Lin. We were both married. But neither of us ever before had the kind of happiness we've experienced together. I'm aware of how the town and society would view our relationship. But we're happy, and I suspect there aren't too many people who can say that.

  "I'd never want to jeopardise our friendship. If you can't countenance my private affairs, then I'll understand. If so, then all I ask is that you go and do so in silence. Such news in a town like this would force me to move again, and I don't want to have to do that."

  Catriona felt her tears fall. "I thought it was only me and Adele." She put her head in her hands. She was remotely aware of the scraping of a chair and Susan's arm encircling her shoulder.

  "Oh, Catriona, it isn't only you. What happened between you and your friend?"

  "She was my governess and we fell in love. My mother found out." Catriona sniffled. "She called Adele all sorts of terrible things and told her to leave, and told me I'd be doomed to hell if I ever lay with a woman again."

  Susan softly stroked her back. "I don't know what to say."

  Catriona rubbed her eyes. "I don't care what my mother said. I'm not interested in men. But out here it's so difficult. I've never found anyone else. I thought we were the only ones. It's been so hard not having someone to talk to."

  Susan smiled. "And now you have me. Rest assured, if you ever need to talk then I'll be here."

  Susan's offer was one Catriona had rarely taken up, but she would today.

  RELUCTANT TO GO directly to the store, Catriona instead filled her morning discussing crops and the latest harvesting devices at the farmer's cooperative, before visiting the town blacksmith, Robert Young.

  "But Miss Pelham," Robert protested, "I only re-shod your horse last month. I don't think he'd need to be re-shod so soon."

  "He stumbled a day ago. I want to ensure nothing was caught in his hind hoof. Can you check it for me?"

  "Of course I can." He raised the horse's hind hoof and inspected it. "It's the least I can do, given what you've done for my mother and father, when times were tough."

  Catriona deprecatingly shrugged as she leant against the foundry shed. "Is there any news of late?"

  Robert wiped the hoof pick against his leather apron. "The constable's beside himself with all the recent bushranging activity. Mind you, I think the bushrangers will be well gone before he can catch them."

  The two shared a laugh and Robert stood. "Two days ago I shod a man's horse. He came from Weewaa. He said he'd seen Father Cleary there."

  Weewaa was only thirty miles away. Not more than two day's ride. He must be on his way home, Catriona thought. She reached into her pocket. "How much do I owe you?"

  Robert smiled. "When you charge me for your ge
nerosity, then I'll do the same."

  Catriona nodded her thanks and headed toward her real reason for today's visit to town. She walked through the mercantile's front door and silently acknowledged Susan who was busy discussing cloth with Mrs. Greystone. The conversation amused Catriona. Despite the fact that Susan worked in the store, in terms of relative wealth, both women were on reasonably equal footing. Despite this, Mrs. Greystone continued to treat Susan like she was one of her house servants rather than a businesswoman of means.

  "And the flour my cook bought from you last week." Mrs. Greystone clucked her tongue. "Substandard. She can do nothing with it."

  "Maybe it's your bloody drunken cook," Catriona murmured.

  Mrs. Greystone's head turned ever so slightly toward Catriona, and yet she continued to ignore her. "Make sure the next bag is better." She tossed money on the counter, picked up her parcel and, without a goodbye, left the store.

  Susan folded the rest of the bolt of cloth. "Good morning. Do you think your comment could've been any louder?" She returned the cloth to its compartment.

  "I don't know how you do it. You always manage to remain so polite with those women. I certainly couldn't. In fact I probably would've ended up strangling her with the bloody cloth." Catriona laughed at the thought of seeing Mrs. Greystone throttled in blue watered silk.

  Susan shared the joke. "You can't make money by choking your customers. Word gets around, you know."

  "And her comment about the flour. She's got a drunken cook, that's all." Catriona scratched her head. "Mind you, her cook's not the only one who's had problems with your flour."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Katherine tried her hand at cooking the other day. She cooked a batch of scones. It took four spoons of jam and two cups of tea to get one down. I suggested we could leave them out the back, to pitch at the occasional crow and she yelled at me."