by Margaret Way
'Hi!' Sandra, the spokeswoman called. 'You've got so much life in you, you make Claire and me feel like wax dummies.'
Morgan's face softened, they looked so lovely. 'Some dummies!' she said wryly.
'You're not happy, are you?' Sandra asked in a low voice.
Morgan leant back against the white wrought-iron balustrade. 'Did you expect me to be?'
'At least E.J. made you rich. That's a start.'
'Try to understand, Sandy,' Morgan said fervently. 'I am the only grandchild. I should not have been passed over.'
'Oh, why do you love the land so much?' Claire wanted to know. 'It's a dreadful thing to see you racing around the station like a jackeroo. And look at your clothes! Do you know you've got a button missing from your shirt?'
'I'll sew it on tonight.'
'Why don't we just split?' Sandra suggested. The three of us. We could have a marvellous time in Sydney, Melbourne, head up to the Gold Coast. It's glorious! Hundreds of people. Plenty of life. We know all the right crowd. They're always begging us to bring you, Morgan.'.
'What's so great about having a ball?' Morgan asked quietly. 'True friends are hard to find.'
'You need some life, Morgan,' Sandra insisted. 'You're getting too reclusive out here. Look at your hands, and don't try tucking them away. You aren't a man. You shouldn't want a man's job. I figure I could turn you into a ravishing creature. Let's head off to the big smoke, and do some shopping. You've never had a decent thing on your back for as long as I can remember. When E.J. zonked out so suddenly, Mamma went crazy trying to find you something to wear. Not that we've got anything your size! Why don't you open up to us, Morgan? We really care about you.'
Morgan nodded. 'E.J. kept us deliberately apart.'
'Why do you suppose he did that?' Claire asked. 'I mean, it was a bit much, wasn't it? After all, cousins usually stick together. We wanted you to come to our school, but E.J. made sure you went somewhere else. We used to brood about it for hours. Whatever happened to him to make him so sour on the entire female sex?'
'Not having met his mother, I wouldn't know.'
'Hon,' Sandra said promptly, 'I suppose this sounds like I'm completely on my brother's side, but I'm not. I'm a female. I have a heart. But do you really want to take over? I don't understand it myself. You think it's easy making all the tough decisions? The right decisions? Can't you imagine all the endless frustrations of a girl trying to do a man's job? Not just any man, a man born to take control. Though they never did anything else but fight, Ty would seem to be the obvious choice. He'll keep it all together. It's of vital importance he should. We know you're a whole lot brainier than us. Claire and I aren't set on big careers. We genuinely love our life as it is. Our family is wealthy. We have an established social position. One day not too far off, we'll marry. Probably we'll choose husbands we've known for years. What is it you want to do?'
Morgan had no hesitation. "I want to serve in the capacity for which I was trained. I was reared to believe I was my grandfather's heir. It's not overwhelming ambition. It's my right. Can't you see that?'
Claire groaned. 'Don't for God's sake go into that feminist stuff. It's depressing, I know, coming off second best, but don't you believe in your heart that Ty is the natural heir? Speaking as objectively as I know how, I would have to say Ty has a far higher status than you. He's brilliant, he's impressive, bursting with ideas. Damn it, Morgan, he's just the sort of man you'd expect to rule the earth. I'm not saying it because he's my brother and I love him dearly. Ask anyone in the entire Outback. Ty's the man. He's as prominent on the scene as ever E J. was. It's tradition, don't you see? The man is the boss and I for one don't want to fight it. There's more to life than working your butt off. There's travel, romance, dancing, parties, family. You'd look marvellous in the right clothes. You're so highly individual. You could create such an image. We could create such an image. You couldn't be more unlike us physically. Instead of twins, we'll make up a trio! What do you say?'
'I say I intend to try to reverse E.J.'s will,' Morgan told her firmly.
'Listen, Morgan,' Sandra said kindly. 'Give yourself a break. Don't fight Ty. So you two strike sparks off each other! It doesn't mean that he doesn't care about you. God damn it, he loves you. I know it's difficult to believe, but he cares about you, Morgan. A lot. Your fortune, our fortune is all tied together. Ty is a whizz at business administration. Why do you really suppose E.J. left him in control? Not to spite you, though he was a pretty spiteful character—in this case it was his deep feeling for his own empire. All that he had built up. Giving you the upper had would tend to restrict Ty. Ty makes restrictions fade away. In a contest, you would be bound to get hurt.'
'Except I am not being given the opportunity to be put to the test. I agree Ty has earned a great deal of prestige and respect, but bypassing me is not justified. 'I can do the job and I feel I can do it well.'
'Oh, come off it, Morgan.' Claire sighed deeply. 'You're not the dynamo Ty is. We know you've run the place as E.J. got older, but lately Ty has been making all the big decisions.'
'How is that?' Morgan challenged, eyes brilliant.
'Ask Ty. He has all the evidence. Men are strange creatures. Every one of them. When it really comes down to it, they'll trust a man before they ever trust a woman. Even women trust men more, Face it, Morgan, it's a man's world. A few women have their moments, but it's not easy on them. Some opt for careers over marriage and motherhood, but then they get to mid-life and realise something terribly important is missing. My advice to you is to accept this. It would have been ghastly if E.J. had not taken care of you, but he did.'
'What, splitting the house down the middle?' Morgan laughed without humour.
'And that's another thing. None of us wants to be separated from Ty. He's the sun we all circle round. How are we going to stay on at Tyson's Landing with him here? We're a close, loving family. Mamma would be lost without Ty. She depends on him so much.'
'So why don't I go to Tyson's Landing?' Morgan suggested derisively.
'Can't we live together?' Clare asked tentatively.
'My ego demands I'm the boss,' Morgan pointed out laconically. 'How stupid of me not to realise you would all miss Ty.'
'I couldn't stand it!' Clare wailed.
'How glorious to be so blinded by love!'
'Oh, come off it, Morgan,' Sandra said. 'It would be too much to have to go back to Tyson's Landing on our own.'
'Take your brother with my blessing.'
Conversation came to a halt as Cecilia walked out on to the veranda. 'Aren't you going to have breakfast, dear?' she asked Morgan. 'It's really not a good idea to miss it. There's nothing of you.'
'What there is is tough!' Morgan went forward so that Cecilia could kiss her. 'I don't feel terribly hungry.'
'Nevertheless I've asked Cook to serve breakfast out here. It's so very beautiful looking out over the garden. It's a credit to you, Morgan.'
'I think we should do the place up,' Sandra said. 'This could be a real showplace. You're so clever, Mamma.'
Cecilia turned. 'Aren't you forgetting, darling, this is Morgan's home?'
'Don't forget Ty,' Morgan said, looking at Cecilia directly.
'Can't we all sit down?' Cecilia gestured Morgan into a chair. Her voice was as soft as usual, but full of a long- established command and authority. 'E.J.'s will created a few problems, to say the least. I understand very well how you feel, Morgan.'
'Forgive me, Cecilia. I don't think you do.'
Cecilia shook her magnificent golden head. 'One day I'll tell you how my family came to lose Tyson's Landing. A few years later my father died. Of heartbreak. You're very young, Morgan. I want you to know you're not the only one who has known suffering and confusion. I know you're a clever girl. I know your abilities haven't even begun to be tapped, but the fact of the matter is you couldn't begin to command the same amount of respect as my son. In rearing you as a boy, E.J. has almost alienated you from your own sex. You were
reared to have grand, not to say impossible, expectations. Not the reality of good prospects. Some field a young woman of ability could excel at. You were bred to believe you could take over large-scale responsibilities, in many ways a hazardous life. Men die in our way of life, as you know. Had it been truly necessary, perhaps you could have made a go of it. For a time. But, Morgan, the stress would have worn you out. Men do have a tremendous high-energy output. Look at Ty. Look at you with those dark shadows under your eyes. There are very real differences between the sexes, dear. Not only biological. I think it's high time you took your proper place. You have a great deal to offer, I know. If only you and Ty could work together. We ail acknowledge your brain and your intuitive good sense, but as you must know running a pastoral empire is just one of those jobs best left to a mm. It would take you a very long time to grow into the image of power. And do you really want that? Can't your contribution be on the human side? There is so much you can do as a Hartland. You know I have many projects dear to my heart. We have a responsibility to help others. I could certainly do with your help. You don't have complete control, Morgan, but you will have tremendous say in all Hartland operations.'
'Oh, yes,' Morgan said drily, I'll have my say. But who will listen?'
'Ty is a far cry from E.J.,' Cecilia pointed out. 'Ah, here's Cook, with your breakfast. Henry would like to have a word with you before he goes back.'
When Morgan looked into the study she found Henry seated behind E.G. massive desk, going intently through some papers.
'You wanted to see me, Henry?' she asked, taken by the whole tragi-comic situation.
'Please, Morgan, come and sit down.' Henry stood up and came around to the leather chesterfield. 'There are some small things for us to talk about, business, but mainly I wanted you to know that I had no idea your grandfather had added that codicil to his will.'
'I'm going to fight it, Henry,' Morgan said promptly.
Henry brought his long fingertips together. 'My dear, you won't win, but you could split the family.'
'How do you know I won't win?' Morgan's green eyes rested on Henry suspiciously.
'It would never come to court. E.J. knew what he was doing. Most people would agree Ty is the logical choice. That includes most Outback families, you know. There would have been outrage had E.J. not provided for you in an appropriate manner, but acceptance will be evident as soon as the word gets around. Ty is enormously respected, as you know. Which is not to say you are not an exceptionally able young lady. No one could fail to recognise your intelligence and your obvious beauty, but you can't overlook Ty's force. He's not yet thirty but he's a man to be reckoned with. You have no such reputation and it would take you a very long time to build one up. Consider trying to reach tough cattlemen, buyers, dealers, competitors. You would have to work tremendously hard just for them to recognise the brain behind the face. Can't you see some of them roaring with laughter when they're confronted by a young woman of your seeming fragility? They won't see the grit underneath. They won't even look.'
'Resistance. Resistance. I know, Henry. It all sounds very reasonable and convincing, but Ty could just as well back me! Ty has got into the habit of command. One might say it's inbred.'
'It seems that way. You think E.J. made a wise decision, don't you?'
Henry patted her hand., At first I was affected by what I saw as E.G. treachery, but I've slept on it, Morgan. I'm very fond of you both. You and Ty. If you would only stop feuding you could mesh beautifully. It would be interesting to see that happen. You could divide up responsibilities. Act more effectively in allowing each other natural ground. It could make for a much easier and pleasanter life. You work too hard. So does Ty. Men die earlier because of stress. You could be a tremendous help to Ty, as he wants to be to you, yet you do everything in your power to try him. E.J. threw up barriers. He couldn't easily countenance the affection you had for Ty. To put it in a nutshell, he was jealous. He always saw Ty as his rival. He wanted to isolate you and he did. Except things changed when he knew he was dying. He had to leave his empire to the one he judged the stronger."
'What comfort! Ty and I have been rowing for years, now he has chained us together.'
'Maybe he recognised you would make a great team.'
'Does a team go to war?' Morgan asked. 'Why was E J. such a hard, hard man? You knew him better than all of us, Henry. Why was he so desperately unlovable?'
Henry considered. 'Because love passed him by. He was treated cruelly, you know, as a child. His stepmother was a beautiful woman, but from all accounts she had a mean soul. Robert was the apple of everyone's eye. E.J. was brilliant, but Robert had all the charm. Afterwards E.J. never mastered handling affection. He couldn't communicate his emotional needs, either. In the end, the stony mask became the face. That was his tragedy.'
'But we all suffered.' Morgan said bleakly, 'Look at what he did to my mother.'
'Ah, yes, your mother,' Henry said carefully. 'You haven't seen much of her, have you?'
'To be completely honest, Henry, she doesn't particularly care to see me. Not every woman oozes mother love.'
'It's a mystery to me. I'm sure we're overlooking something vital. Marcia was completely intimidated by E.J. He was very stern and domineering with her. Your father showed a lot of courage marrying her when E.J. ran everyone's life. Cecilia, of course, was a Tyson. One of our oldest landed families. E.J. had an Ogilvie picked out for your father. It was all about business, you see. Furthering his empire. And it goes on. Louise Ogilvie is trying desperately to arrange a marriage between Ty and her eldest—what's her name?'
'Camilla. I wouldn't want to share my house with Camilla Ogilvie, though she's just the sort to join the family.'
'I doubt that she would want to share her house with you.' Henry coughed drily. 'The ideal arrangement would be for you and Ty to get married.'
'Out of the question.' Morgan reacted violently. 'Could you really see Ty and me together?'
'Now that you ask, I could,' Henry answered mildly. 'It seems to me, if you would allow yourself, you could pick up where you left off. I recall a time not all that long ago when you hero-worshipped Ty.'
'He was a lot nicer then,' Morgan pointed out bluntly.
'Ty hasn't changed.' Henry said. 'Now, if you could come around to the desk, I have a few papers I would like you to sign. Now that your grandfather has gone I'll go into complete retirement. If you take my advice — and, Morgan, I am devoted to you—you will allow your affairs to remain in our hands. My son Richard is the senior partner. He has been handling the bulk of Hartland affairs for some time. Richard is extremely able. He is also very loyal and trustworthy. A lawyer in the finest tradition. So many young people these days go into law for the money. I can't agree with it at all.'
Ty himself flew Henry to the point where he picked up a commercial jet to fly back to Sydney. Bernie Adams was shipped out, silent but unrepentant, on the regular charter flight bringing in freight to the station.
'So what did he do?' Sandra asked, agog. 'I thought he was shaping up well.'
'So did he,' Morgan shrugged. 'I don't suppose you and Claire want to chase up brumbies in the morning?'
'Brumbies!' Sandra threw up her hands dramatically. The things that excite you, Morgan. How did you come by that reckless streak?'
'The job has to be done. I can remember the time when you two used to love a gallop.'
'Not after brumbies; they're too cunning.'
'We have to go after the lead stallion. It's lured two of the station mares away already. There's a big herd roaming, smashing down fences, drinking the precious water, eating more than a domestic animal. Some of them we might be able to domesticate, but the rest! They're worse than donkeys.'
'And they're dangerous, Morgan. Have you spoken to Ty?'
'I'll be damned if I'll speak to Ty,' Morgan told her shortly. 'Hudson and the boys know I'm coming.'
'You're still going to have to check with Ty. Remember, my girl, he's on the job
already.'
'And I was on the job long before him.'
'Morgan.' Sandra sighed, 'you're awful!'
Cecilia did not interfere in any household arrangements, so dinner was served according to long-standing ritual. E J. had been a sparing eater all his life, but he had insisted on being served prime Hartland beef every night in various guises. Fish and fowl were not for him, but rare beef and plenty of home-grown vegetables, nary a pudding or dessert. No delicious calorie-laden gateaux, no sumptuous ice-creams with sauces. Fresh fruit was tolerated, and a cheese platter to finish off the always superb dry red wines.'