by Jane Corrie
Her eyes went to Cal, and she studied him as he spoke to Luis on the subject of supplies to be taken out to the camp. Della noticed his strong jaw and the flash of his white teeth as he suddenly grinned at something Luis had said, and she felt a prick of jealousy towards Cora. The feeling was so sudden and so unexpected that she gasped and reached out hastily for her water glass, gulping down a few sips of water in an effort to quash this unwelcome discovery.
Cal's grey eyes rested on her for a moment before he said to Luis, 'I'm taking Della out to the muster tonight. If there's anything you want sent out, put it in my saddle bag.'
Della's cheeks went pink as Luis turned a smile in her direction, and she was furious with herself for not being able to accept either the smile or the casual statement Cal had made, with equanimity.
While Della prepared herself for the midnight ride out to the herd later that evening, she flayed herself roundly for acting like a lovesick juvenile in front of Luis, not to mention Call and prayed they would take her tell-tale flush as embarrassment—for what, she couldn't think—they could take their choice, just as long as they hadn't an inkling of her thoughts before Cal had mentioned the outing.
Choosing her warm tweed trouser suit, as Cal had told her to wear something warm to keep the cold out, for it could get quite chilly in the evenings in spite of the, heat of the day, Della dressed quickly, reflecting how nice it would be not to have to wear the interminable hat, and for once be able to let her hair fly out in uninhibited freedom.
At eleven-thirty she made her way to the back of the homestead, where Cal had told her the horses would be waiting, saddled, and ready for the ride.
Her thoughts were still on Cal as she walked through the dimly lit homestead. She had felt a little disappointed that he had excused himself after dinner, saying he had some office work to catch up on—muster times, he had explained with one of his devastating smiles, called for a slight change of routine and forced him to :work in the evenings.
This explanation had brought another twinge of jealousy to the forefront, as Della recalled that he hadn't made such an excuse when Cora was there, and normally spent most of the evening in the girl's company.
She told herself she was lucky in being able to see these little but important pointers, and was thus able to save herself much heartache. No matter how he smiled at her—or how attentive he had been that evening, and probably would be later, it was
plain to see where his affection really lay.
It was as if he was biding his time with Cora, as one would a backward child, waiting for the right time to take her in hand, and that time, Della thought, would come after their marriage. Della didn't even pity Cora for the lessons she had to learn from the inflexible Cal; he would be firm, but just, and because he loved her, would watch over her.
Hot tears pricked Della's eyes on this last thought. Watch over her—how many women longed for just such a man—even she ...
The evening breeze was cool and refreshing. As she left the side door and walked towards the tethered horses she could plainly see a little way ahead of her. Cal had been right; there was a moon, and it was as he had called it, 'a beaut', for Della now realised the word passed for lovely in outback language. She gazed up at the bright orb whose gentle light washed over the surrounding landscape.
'All set?'
Cal's warm deep voice spoke from behind her shoulder, making her jump, for she had not heard him approach. She nodded mutely. She was now a little embarrassed in his company, and found herself hoping to hear the familiar pounding of hoofs that heralded Cora's arrival.
However, it was soon apparent that Cora was not expected, for before Della realised Cal's intention, he had caught her round the waist and placed her on Moonglow's back, making certain the stirrup leathers were the correct length, then mounting Romano, he led the way out of the homestead grounds and towards the distant hills.
Although it was a long ride, Della, with the breeze playing over her face, and her hair swinging loose, enjoyed every minute of it. She had never been so far from the homestead before, and Cal's presence, although he said little, added to her contentment. There was no need for talk, for this was not a guided tour, and Della sensed that Cal was as content as she was just to savour the peace and beauty of the evening, and it seemed all too soon for her when in a low voice he told her to rein in as they reached a patch of scrub.
At first Della couldn't see where the camp was situated, but as Cal slipped off Romano's back a dim light was flashed towards them, and she saw the outline of several men lying beside a low but still glowing fire.
She was about to dismount when Cal said softly, 'Stay where you are; I won't be long.'
Della watched his tall straight figure stride off in the direction of the camp, and a few minutes later saw him outlined against the glow of the fire while he bent and spoke to one of the men.
Noticing the way he held his head slightly on one side to listen to what the man was telling him, she was reminded of the night of the dance, and how furious she had been with him, and she wondered what would happen if she ever had a head-on con-
frontation with him, for she had managed so far to hold her temper in check, particularly during the dinner sessions, when he persisted in forcing her into the fray and eventually siding with Cora on whatever issue was being discussed.
Supposing she did let fly at him? What, she wondered would be his reaction—surprise? Her lips twisted wryly. It was something she would never know, for she had no intention of forcing an issue with Cal on any subject, not only because she would come off worse in the encounter, but because of the things she might say when driven to extremity; things she hadn't even admitted to herself.
Her eyes followed the shape of his head, and although she could not actually see the dark hair that curled so tight to his head, she saw it in her mind's eye, and her fingers longed to touch those springy curls that were cropped so close.
The knowledge that she was in love with Cal came like a thief in the night, and while admitting the fact Della was forced to acknowledge a few others—heartbreak for one, and the misery of seeing him each day and trying to keep her heart out of her eyes—but worse than that; to have to watch him with Cora; to know that unless Cora changed her ways there could not be a great deal of happiness for him.
Luis, for one, would leave. Della could not but help noticing the difference in his behaviour when Cora was around. As for David—he adored Cal, for Cal was the nearest thing to a father, a real father, David had ever known.
Her miserable musings were cut short by the reappearance of Cal, and they set off again, this time to the left of the camp. A short while later they were steadily climbing a track, at the top of which Della could see a clump of trees, and for a moment she wondered if it could be Tic-tac Slope, but realised they had come much further than she and Cora had come on that first day.
When they had reached the top, Cal reined in and Della watched him dismount, but stayed in the saddle as before, until Cal told her to join him. Slipping the saddle bag off Romano, Cal gave him a gentle slap on the rump to direct him towards the verdant grassland beyond the trees, then to Della's consternation he reached up for her with a casual movement and plucked her off Moonglow, not giving her a chance of dismounting herself.
The feel of his strong hands that almost spanned her slim waist sent a tremor of excitement surging through her, and she knew keen disappointment when he released her gently as her feet touched the ground. If it had been Cora he would have held her close, she thought bitterly. With a moon like that above he couldn't have helped himself.
Della hated herself for these thoughts; they did not help her to enjoy what was left of the evening. She only knew she was desperately unhappy and that the man she loved was using her as John had used her. Dropped by one, and picked up by the other—all for ambition. One for position, the other for land—and neither for love!
Dully, she watched as Cal spread a groundsheet out under one of the t
rees, and when he gestured with a kind of old-world politeness that she should sit down on it she stared blankly at him, for a thought flashed .through her mind that made her mouth go dry and eclipsed all else. He wouldn't attempt to make love to her—would he?
It was sheer panic that made her say quickly, stand if you don't mind. Oh, is that the herd down there?—oh, yes, I can see them now.' She spoke in breathless haste, desperately trying to sound interested. 'Are they singing to them? I can't hear them.'
She felt rather than saw Cal stare at her, but absolutely refused to look at him. He could think what he liked, she told herself frantically, but she wasn't giving him the chance of making a fool of her. He might be willing to forsake love for land, and make do with her, but Della's pride wouldn't let him do it. No matter how much she loved him, she couldn't have lived with that—not with Cora's constant presence, for sooner or later Cal would hate her, and there would always be Cora waiting on the sidelines.
Della continued to stare down into the valley below, conscious that Cal was still watching her, and she tried to shut out the disturbing effect he was having on her.
With studied concentration she saw how the patches of moonlight washed over the panorama below them, and then she heard the music; it was coming from a spot directly below them, and she identified the instrument used as a guitar. The tune was the same as Cal had hummed on the way back from town, and as she listened the melody was picked up further up the valley. This time it sounded like an accordion, and soon the whole valley was pulsating with the haunting refrain.
Her eyes pricked; now she could understand what Cal had been talking about. It was another world; a timeless world where nothing changed and never would. Where men's puny troubles faded into obscurity—even hers. This was now—this was for ever.
Even the lowing of the cattle seemed to harmonise with the bitter-sweet melody, and forgetting her earlier fears, Della turned back to Cal. 'It's beautiful,' she breathed softly. 'Thank you for bringing me.'
She thought of Cora. Surely she ought to be here too? 'What a pity Cora isn't here,' she said, adding wistfully, 'I suppose she's used to it, though.'
Cal's harsh, 'Why should Cora be here?' came as a slight shock to Della. His words jarred with the peaceful world she had wandered into, lulled out of her sorrow for a brief space in time.
'I just thought ...' began Della lamely, not knowing quite how to put her feelings into words.
'Seems you do a mighty lot of thinking,' Cal cut
in, still in that harsh voice. 'Might be better if you let yourself go occasionally. I'd kinda like to see what's behind that wall you've built up round yourself.'
Della came out of her beatific state with a jolt, and gasped as the implication of what he had just said hit her. So he did want to make love to her! and he was furious she refused to play his little game.
As for building a wall around herself—he was perfectly right! and what was more, she would go on reinforcing that wall! Build it so high no man could scale it!
Forcing an indignant note into her voice, she replied, 'I'm sorry if my quietness bores you. I can't help the way I am. We can't all have Cora's temperament; but I can see how difficult it is for you to understand me.'
Cal appeared to take a step towards her, and Della had a feeling he wanted to shake her, but the movement was arrested as if he thought better of it.
'Worries you, does it, not being like Cora?' he asked blandly.
'Of course not!' snapped Della, trapped into a sharp reply. 'What I meant was, it appears to me you expect me to act the way she does, and if you haven't much experience of other women, I suppose I would puzzle you.'
'How do you think Cora would act if she sat down on that groundsheet with me?' Cal asked, a sight too casually for Della's liking.
Wondering whether the rays of the moon would betray her high colour, and fervently hoping not, she answered with more aplomb than she felt. 'I have no idea,' she said coldly.
'Oh, I think you have a very good idea,' Cal replied with a note of mockery in his voice. 'I think that's why you preferred to stand.'
By now Della was good and mad, but she bit the angry words back, unable to trust herself not to do precisely what he had advised her to do a few moments earlier—let herself go. 'Isn't it about time we went back?' she queried icily.
'Sure,' Cal answered laconically, and whistled softly for Romano, who appeared within. seconds of the call, closely followed by Moonglow.
As he strapped the groundsheet back on the saddle, Cal spoke again, this time in a voice so low Della could only just catch what he said. 'We'll play it your way for now, my girl.'
CHAPTER TWELVE
ALL through the silent journey back, Cal's words resounded in Della's brain. She was not sure whether he had intended her to hear them or not, but nevertheless she had heard them, and rather wished she hadn't; but forewarned was forearmed, and she was at least grateful for that.
One thing was certain now, and that was that Cal intended doing just what Cora had said he would do. He had no intention of releasing her from the marriage in one year—no, less than that, she reminded herself quickly, nine months now. It seemed incredible that three months had gone by already, and time had only seemed to lag when David's company had been denied her.
With regard to the agency she had hoped to start, that was a lost cause if ever there was one! Della knew she would hear no more of that. Cora wouldn't dare interfere again, not as far as the agency was concerned, but there were other more subtle ways of making Della's life miserable.
When the homestead came into sight she breathed a sigh of relief. The outing had turned out to be something of an ordeal for her, quite apart from the shattering revelation that she had fallen in love with Cal.
She dismounted at the same time as Cal, terrified he would repeat the action of helping her down, and as she turned to face him, she did not miss the sardonic twist of those firm lips of his, and knew he had correctly assessed the reason for her hasty dismount.
For one brief moment their eyes met, and Della felt her heart quicken its beat as she saw the strength of purpose in his; then it was replaced by a mocking look as he drawled, 'I'll tell Luis to serve a late breakfast tomorrow.' He then swung himself back into the saddle and catching Moonglow's reins, rode off.
The following morning Della was up earlier, if anything, than usual, having had practically no sleep during what had been left of the night.
Luis, after recovering from his surprise at her early appearance, asked, 'How did you like the serenading?'
Della's mind had not exactly been on the lullabies and she was forced to concentrate on his meaning before she answered, trying to sound jocular about it, 'Oh, it was quite an experience,' thinking miserably, In more ways than one.
'Regular bunch of nannies,' commented Luis with a grin, and Della attempted a smile, but it went sadly awry, and Luis gave her a hard stare. 'What's up?' he demanded. 'That Cora getting you down?'
Della bit her lower lip in an effort to stop herself from bursting into tears. What would Luis say if she told him it was not Cora, but his precious Cal?
'I guess I'm tired, Luis,' she said. 'I ought to have had a lie-in. I don't want anything to eat. A cup of coffee is all I need.'
Luis shook his head mournfully as he went back to the kitchen, leaving her in peace, and thinking Luis meant well, but she could have done without his kindness at that moment in time.
If Della was unable to take kindness, she was less able to cope with a smouldering Cora, who had learnt of the midnight ride.
'You didn't tell me about it, did you?' she threw at Della when she met her later that morning.
'I thought Cal would have told you,' answered Della wearily. 'I was surprised you weren't there.'
For a moment Cora was flummoxed. Cal ought to have told her, but he hadn't, and that made things worse. She retaliated with, 'Cal's busy—he probably expected you to tell me, but you conveniently forgot, didn't you?'
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nbsp; Della saw no point in answering, and turned on her heel towards the stables, hoping David would be there.
`If you're looking for your stable pal, you're out of luck,' shouted Cora, now beside herself with rage. 'He's been made to earn his keep for once. He's out on the muster.'
Della's lips straightened, but she kept on walking, knowing that if she stopped to bandy words with the other girl, it wouldn't stop at that; the temptation to slap that lovely haughty face would be too strong.
When she reached the stables, Della kept on going; there was no point now in collecting Moonglow, for Cora would be waiting for her, and the sight of her riding one of Cal's precious Arabians would only intensify her fury.
The path she took eventually brought her back to the homestead, and once inside, she thankfully shut the door that led to her quarters, behind her.
A short while later, she heard Cora's voice. It was slightly high-pitched, and she guessed she was taking some of her temper out on Luis, and waited for her to sweep into her rooms as she had done once before. Then a door was slammed and peace reigned, and a slightly surprised Della sent a silent thank you to' Luis, who had obviously held the fort for her.
A wave of tiredness crept over her, and she slipped her shoes off and lay down on the bed. Her thoughts were still on the furious Cora as she closed her eyes, and she was thankful David was out on the muster and out of reach for the time being, anyway.
It was late in the afternoon when Della woke, and dusk was on the point of descending. Wondering whether she had missed dinner, she glanced at her watch and found there was still half an hour to go before Luis would be serving up; time enough for her to have a shower and get changed before putting in an appearance.
The rest had refreshed her, and she felt even capable of handling one of Cora's tantrums; if she put in an appearance, that was, for she wouldn't have forgotten how Cal had excluded her from the midnight ride.