Lucas rocked back in his chair, helped himself to another Coopers, and raised his feet back to the railing as he contemplated how best to set about the process of seducing Ella.
Chapter Twelve
On Sunday, once again, Jonnie and Jack worked hard until all eight openings were cut out. Jack was allowed to screw the hinges on, and between them, they hoisted the boards back in place. With sturdy ropes they could be hauled up and tied. Ella provided sandwiches and cool cordial throughout the hot day, and by teatime when it was finished, Jack rushed off for evening service with his parents.
Ella had handed him an envelope which contained five pounds. “Gee, Miz Ella, that’s grand. Thank you.”
She did the same with Jonnie as he was leaving.
“Aw, shucks, Ella!” His face turned blood red. “That’s more than I earn in…well, it’s mighty generous of you.”
“You worked hard for it.” She looked at him, a smile curving her mouth. “Will you tell Lucas?”
Jonnie pulled his ear lobe. “I’m not too sure. Any mention of you or this place tends to make him mad as a hornet.”
Ella laughed. “Good. Make sure you tell him then.”
»»•««
Monday morning dawned cloudy with a slight chill in the air, and Ella dressed quickly. It was a good day for bottling, previously hot work when the boiler was going.
She’d already started by the time Coralee and Jack arrived.
“Oh, my!” Coralee exclaimed. “What a difference in here even with the boiler on!”
Ella grinned. “I’m thrilled with it.” She turned to Jack. “Your idea saved the day, young man.”
He blushed furiously, picked his apron from the peg and set to work loading the boiler.
“Oh, by the way. Nearly forgot.” Coralee pulled an envelope from her pocket. “This was under the stone at the gate.”
Ella thrust the envelope under her bib. She’d seen the small stamp of a bull’s head on the corner of the envelope and knew exactly where it had come from.
While the bottles were filled, Ella took out the paste and brush. “Come look at the new label,” she called. “Doesn’t it look good?”
On the dark blue background edged in gold, a half lemon and lime dripped juice.
Beneath the picture in bold lettering: ‘Woomba’s Premier Juices.’
“My, it makes my mouth water!” Coralee giggled. “Sure looks attractive, Ella.”
“Mm. Enticing,” Ella said. Automatically pasting, she found it hard to concentrate. The letter felt like a hot water bottle against her midriff.
Lucas.
With one crate filled, ready to start on the next, the thought arose that she’d burn the letter—not even read it. Yes, that’s what she’d do.
Decision made, Ella sighed with relief. No need at all now to worry about what he had to say. “Mint iced tea?” she called out.
Coralee and Jack nodded their thanks and Ella strode over to the house.
In the kitchen she poured two large cups of pre-boiled cooled mint water into the big pitcher along with the juice of two lemons, a spoonful of tea leaves, and a bowl of chipped ice from the box. She scattered a few fresh mint leaves on top and stirred the contents. Putting the spoon down and taking the envelope from beneath her bib, she studied the neat writing, the bull in the corner, before ripping it open.
»»•««
The three worked until lunchtime when all the juice for the day had been bottled, labelled, and crated. Jack loaded the cart and Ella climbed in, ready to set off for town.
“As soon as you’ve cleaned the press, go home,” she told Coralee and Jack. “It is far too hot to work any longer than noon today.”
Coralee, emptying the boiler, her face flushed red, smiled. “Won’t argue with that, Ella. It’s a humdinger today, and another’s expected tomorrow. We’ll be in early, hey Jack?”
Riding slowly down the lane, Ella pulled out the note and re-read it.
Dear Ella,
I must apologize for my behavior the last time we met. It appears to have provoked your anger.
If I caused you any distress it was unintentional and I wish to make amends.
Would you therefore allow me to buy you dinner at the Railway Hotel on the ninth of December?
There is to be a trio playing, dancing, and a spit roast.
I sincerely hope your answer will be yes.
Your good neighbor,
Lucas Helm
Ella tucked the letter into her bag. She really did want to see him and accept his offer, so should she retrieve her acceptance letter to Robert from the hotel? On the other hand, what harm was there in letting him know she was already booked for that night?
The thought of his pique over a refusal from a woman brought a smile to her face. She leaned forward and stroked Star’s rump. “I am so stubborn,” she said. Her thoughts swung to her mother who had considered stubbornness a dark trait, but Ella had argued that the writer Jane Austen hadn’t considered it so. She had written that stubbornness meant not being frightened by the will of others, which was how Ella viewed it too.
It took a couple of hours for her cart to be unloaded, empty bottles collected, and payments made to her, which had to be deposited at the bank, and empty bottles had to be collected, after which she drove to Dorothy’s.
Oh, my goodness!” Ella laughed aloud as she neared the cottage. Dorothy sat astride a large two-wheel machine trying to steady herself as the engine sputtered into life. She waved to Ella and with a loud, “Oh!” set off down the brick pathway disappearing behind her cottage.
Ella jumped from the cart, secured an alarmed looking Star beneath a tree with a block of sugar to settle him, and ran in the direction Dorothy had taken. In the garden at the back Dorothy sat triumphant, still astride the machine.
“Did you see that?” she called. “I actually managed to stay on the darn thing for the first time.”
“Oh, Dorothy!” Ella couldn’t stop laughing. “It’s just wonderful.”
“Isn’t it? And now that I’ve almost mastered the brute I shall have Adelaide agog.”
“What a marvelous sight that will be.”
Dorothy disentangled herself to hug Ella. “It’s lovely to see you, my dear. Come inside and I’ll make a pot of tea. I’m parched.”
While Dorothy made tea, Ella brought her up to date with Woomba.
“We’re so busy I need more bottles, and I’ve had some lovely labels made. Here, I brought one along for you.” She took a bottle from her bag.
“My word! How professional it looks. You have certainly taken that little business and shaken it by its horns. But then of course I knew you would. You’re becoming quite the talk of the town.”
“Oh?”
Dorothy laid out cups and saucers. “Don’t look anxious, dear. It’s only in a good way. Most folks are surprised a young woman alone has achieved what you have. I think too, that there is quite a bit of envy. You run your own business and are accountable to no one.”
“But so did you!”
“Ah, Ella, there is a difference. I’m a sixty-odd-year-old with grey hair and many wrinkles.” She laughed. “Need I spell out the comparison?”
Ella blushed. “You are a very handsome woman still. Oh.” She took a sip of tea. “I almost forgot to mention, I had eight openings made in the side of the barn. It makes such a difference.”
“I can imagine. Who did that for you?”
“Jack and Jonnie…you know, Lucas’ hired hand?”
“I know.”
“They worked hard. It was completed over the weekend.”
“Ah. Good. Very good.” Dorothy laid her cup in its saucer and said, “And so to important things. What news of Lucas?”
“Well.” Ella fingered her neck. “Do you recall the day of the market when you gave me the jug of wine, potent stuff, I have to add?” She laughed nervously. “Anyway, when I arrived home I was amazed. Lucas had taken the liberty of calling at Woomba. He was waitin
g for me.”
Dorothy’s eyebrows rose.
“I know. I thought, what a nerve? He said he couldn’t find any cordial in town, which I don’t believe for a minute, but Dorothy we shared the wine and I think both of us became a little inebriated, as I said, it’s strong stuff…” Ella stopped, placing her cup down. It rattled on the saucer.
“What is it, Ella?”
Ella looked at her. “I know I can talk freely with you.” She caught her lower lip in her teeth. “It’s…oh, I am so very confused by my feelings for him, Dorothy! He really could be the man of my dreams, but not if all he wants is my land. We did,” she added shyly, “become a little carried away that evening, but luckily I came to my senses in time and after a few short words between us he went home. The following morning, acting impulsively I posted no trespassing signs on my boundaries.”
“Oh dear. He won’t have liked that at all, Ella.”
“I’m sure you’re right. So knowing it will have angered him what I find strange is that a note arrived apologizing for, well, his behavior and asking me to a dance at the Railway Hotel! Why do you think he would do that?”
Dorothy looked thoughtful. “I have no idea, but there is a saying, something along the lines…There is more than one way to skin a varmint.”
“Ah!” Ella said. “Weakening my defenses, you mean?”
“Exactly. I really don’t understand men, Ella.”
»»•««
By the time Ella was on her way home her thoughts were in turmoil, recalling Dorothy’s parting words.
“Give Lucas another chance,” she’d urged. “Ask him outright why he wants to rekindle the friendship—what his motives are for inviting you out to a dinner dance. They’re perfectly reasonable questions to ask, Ella.”
Were they, Ella wondered as they ambled along? In England a woman would never dream of confronting a man in such a way, but here things were different. And Dorothy had spoken the truth when she’d pointed out that Lucas, a prosperous man, certainly wasn’t after Ella’s money. “If,” she’d added, “it still is the dratted water supply he’s after, then you need to know. Once you do your mind will be clearer.”
The thoughts flustered Ella. Deep down she knew what she wanted more than anything. After their passionate embrace that night, she wanted him. All her vows and protestations about remaining in charge of her own destiny went by the board when she recalled the bliss she’d felt in Lucas’ arms.
What pleasure, she asked herself, is there in being an independent woman? No one to say hello to at the start of a new day, no arms to hold you at night, and certainly no chance of ever suckling your own child at your breast.
She clicked the reins. “Come on, Star, let’s get home.”
»»•««
The following morning, awake before dawn to an already warm day, Ella dressed quickly. The lean-to had to have its weekly rake out and she wanted it done before work started in the barn. Usually a job for Jack, today, in what promised to be more of the same scorching temperatures as the preceding day, she needed him to help with the bottling so they could all be finished early.
Light had begun creeping over the horizon in dashes of vivid orange as Ella made her way down to the paddock, the excited sound of the birds’ dawn chorus accompanying her. Marmaduke and Star, standing together against the railings, barely gave her a glance, though their nostrils quivered, ears pricked, knowing food was on the way.
After filling their trough, Ella began raking and shoveling the old straw and droppings into the small barrow and wheeled it around the back for Jack to distribute some other time among the flower and herb beds. By the third barrow her arms ached. She tipped the contents close to the pile of rotting branches. I must, Ella thought, make time to move this lot. Blowing up onto her perspiring face, she leaned on the upturned barrow, and as she did, felt a quick hard thud against her lower shin. A pain, like that of a hot needle stabbing, made her yelp, and she jumped back, horrified to see the three-foot-long snake slither away, back under the wood.
“Oh, God. No!” Ella pulled up her skirt to see a small trickle of blood had already started running onto her foot from the puncture wound. Within seconds her head felt fuzzy and she sank shakily to the ground.
Tiger snake…Lowland Copperhead….what was it?
It was hard not to panic but Ella knew she must remain calm, keep the bitten limb below heart level, and apply light pressure higher up. Already her skin had gone cold and clammy, she felt nauseous, and her heart had started racing, classic signs she knew of a venomous snake bite.
Coralee and Jack. Oh, where were they?
She cried out, calling their names, but her voice was weak, lost in the air. Hoisting her skirt up she squeezed her leg gently just below the knee with both hands, but her strength was failing rapidly and she feared losing her grip. Dizziness washed over her in waves. She felt as though she was floating. Her hands loosened and she toppled over to the side.
And it was there, with her ear pressed to the ground, that she felt the vibrations, the shaking of pounding feet, and then the merciful sound of voices entered her consciousness. There before her was Coralee, her face tight with anxiety.
“You’ve been bitten, Ella. What was it?”
“Don’t know.” Ella moaned. “Fetch Lucas,” she whispered.
“Go!” Coralee yelled at Jack. “Quick as you can.”
“Sit up, Ella,” Coralee ordered. “You can’t lie down. Come on! We must get you up.” Wriggling into position behind her, she wound her legs around Ella, propping her against her chest. “When did it happen?”
But Ella, fast giving in to the sensation of drifting away, couldn’t answer.
“Oh, God,” Coralee whimpered. “Hurry up, Lucas!”
From what seemed miles away, Ella heard the shouting.
Lucas.
“Thank heavens,” Coralee cried. “He’s here.”
Even in her semi-conscious state, Ella was instantly aware of his closeness, the solid, dependable presence of him as he bent over her leg.
“Ella,” he urged. “Stay with us. Open your eyes.”
Dazed, she looked at him.
His face betrayed no panic. Only his voice showed concern. “What was it?”
“Brown, small scales,” she whispered breathlessly.
“Tiger snake, Lucas?” Jack asked, his face white.
“Think so. Luckily it appears to have made only one puncture. Can you see it there? You were fortunate, Ella, hopefully your skirts saved you from the full effect of the poison, but I’m going to have to cut it.”
Ella nodded and her head sank to her chest.
Lucas tore a strip of Ella’s petticoat, took out his penknife, and wiped the blade on the cotton several times. “You’re going to have to hold her leg very still, Jack,” he said. “Can you do that?”
“Coralee, I need you to bandage her leg above the knee, but only lightly.” He handed her the strip of petticoat.
Ella’s eyes fluttered open.
“Be brave, Ella,” Lucas said.
The incision hurt. Ella bit on her lip and clutched Coralee’s arms. She would not cry out. Vaguely aware of the warm trickle running down her leg, she then felt the moisture of Lucas’ mouth as he sucked and spat, sucked and spat. Her head rolled and a small moan escaped her. She heard Lucas’s urgent whisper to Coralee, “We need something…anything …Potassium perman…”
“Lucas.” Ella could barely speak. “Blue kitchen cupboard.”
“Okay. Shush now, no more talking.” Lucas picked her up, rose easily to his feet with her in his arms, and her head lolled onto his shoulder.
“Could get used to this,” she murmured.
“No talking, I said.” But Ella remembered seeing a small smile curve his mouth before she closed her eyes.
Inside the house, Lucas took her through to the bedroom, propped her up with pillows, and sent Coralee to the kitchen. “It’s probably labelled Condy’s fluid,” he said to her. “Bring wat
er and a cloth. And Jack, go and make sure everything’s all right in the barn, lad. Ella’s going to be all right.”
“Am I, Lucas?” Ella watched his face.
“I’ll be honest with you. Either one of the snakes I mentioned can inflict a fatal bite, but as I said, there’s only one puncture hole so hopefully you didn’t get the full effect. Where was the darn thing?”
“Behind the lean-to,” she said weakly. “Debris…still there.”
“I’ll send Jonnie round to sort it later. For now, I want you to rest.”
Coralee returned with the potassium mix and Lucas applied it sparingly. “I’m not entirely convinced this stuff works, but seeing as we haven’t anything else it will have to do. Hopefully with you keeping her upright the venom didn’t travel. She doesn’t feel quite so clammy, what do you think, Coralee?”
Ella smiled, feeling Coralee’s warm, dry hand on her forehead.
“Better, but her heart is still racing.”
“Laudanum…cupboard…small dose should fix it,” Ella whispered. “My mouth is so dry, Coralee.”
Coralee returned with a small brown bottle and a glass of lime juice. Lucas took the bottle, unscrewed the top, and tipped two drops into the juice. He sat on the bed beside Ella and held her while she drank.
“Sleep well,” he said. And just before his arm moved away and Ella was about to slide into sleep, she thought she felt something soft touch her forehead.
»»•««
When Ella opened her eyes, the curtains had been pulled against the afternoon sun, though light streamed through where they swayed in the breeze from the open window. She lay quietly, cool and calm, though her shin throbbed dreadfully. Raising her head, she saw Lucas sprawled in the chair opposite the bed. He was watching her.
“Hello.” He rose and came to the bed. “How are you feeling?”
Ella struggled upright. “I’m good.” She smiled. “At least I think I am. The clamminess has gone and I feel as though my heartbeat has returned to normal. That,” she said as she shuddered, “was a horrible experience, Lucas.”
Australian Odyssey Page 11