And Those Who Trespass Against Us (8 page)

Katherine stared at Catriona, aware of the petulance of their situation. Catriona was riveted to her spot, chin slightly forward and eyes afire. It's all right for you, Katherine inwardly huffed. You can afford to buy a hat, and replace it whenever you want. I'd be lucky to even afford the ribbon to go around the hat. Katherine couldn't help but be angered by Catriona. Coupled with this anger was a frustration that Catriona, with her family wealth, could afford to adopt such a position, while she, with hardly any more to her name than a handful of pounds, couldn't.

Catriona broke her gaze. "You're right Susan. I've more important things to do than to stand around and crowd your store. As for Sister Flynn, she has an appointment with the gentlewomen of the town, one which I'm sure she'll enjoy. I'd hate to keep the ladies' committee waiting. Sister Flynn, if you'll follow me."

With a nod toward Susan, Catriona strode out of the store, seemingly oblivious to whether Katherine followed her.

CATRIONA TOOK GREAT delight seeing Katherine struggle with her habit as she got onto the wagon. Allowing Katherine to haul herself up unaided and somewhat unceremoniously was inconsiderate, but she couldn't help herself. She didn't like to be bested by anyone, especially someone new to the town.

"
Thank you
for your help." Katherine looked straight ahead. "I must refine my skills in getting in and out of this wagon." She straightened her tunic. "It's something everyone should learn to do by
themselves
."

Damn it if she doesn't make me feel like a child, Catriona fumed. My actions were petty, but she deserved it. Catriona stopped. She sounded like a bloody spoilt child. Masking her emotions, she cracked the whip a little too liberally beside the horse, to urge it forward. The result was a spooked horse, causing Katherine to hang on.

KATHERINE REMAINED TIGHT-LIPPED during the journey through town, electing to occupy herself with viewing the structures left standing in the main street. The two remaining buildings were also made of stone. One was a bank--its door blown away by the storm. In the place of what must have been two beautiful arched windows were black holes. The building now resembled a blind man, open-mouthed in shock. The next building, unlike the previous, had bars where windows normally would have been, signalling its use as some form of law enforcement structure.

At the end of the street, Catriona steered the wagon around a group of bedraggled trees. She guided the horse toward a structure which surprisingly hadn't suffered the brunt of the storm. The house was an imposing, garish two-story residence, and looked completely out of place in the Australian countryside. Made mainly of red brick, it possessed an iron lace verandah on both levels. Catriona guided the wagon up the gravelled semicircular driveway, halting at the front entrance.

Katherine had barely pivoted in her seat to get off the wagon when Catriona was on the ground beside her, hand extended. "I don't understand," Katherine quietly said. "You let me struggle at the store, but not
here?
"

"I don't mind some people seeing the more cantankerous side of my nature. But I'll be damned if I'll give a bunch of interfering, beak-nosed old women more fuel for their fire." Catriona motioned with her hand. "Please let me help you down."

She placed her hand into Catriona's gloved one and was gently assisted from the wagon. "Thank you." Katherine's hand lingered in Catriona's. "I expect that's as close to an apology as I'm going to get."

Catriona cleared her throat and removed her hand. "I'll leave you in the hands of the ladies' welcoming committee. There's still a lot of work which needs to be done in town." Catriona consulted her fob watch. "If you don't mind I'll call for you again at, oh, about four-thirty?"

"You mean you're not coming in? Given you and your brother's affluence, I thought you'd be welcomed by such a committee. In fact I'm sure the ladies won't be concerned by you joining them. And, besides, what am I going to talk to them about for such a long time?"

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Catriona's mouth. "I'm sure you'll think of something. As for my staying, to be honest, I wouldn't be caught dead in this viper's nest of gossips. Nor would they welcome my presence. Mind you," she wickedly smiled, "it would be worth it to see the look on their faces. Maybe not on your first visit though. I'm afraid you must go alone. They don't approve of me and I don't approve of their patriarchal attitudes." She placed her timepiece back in her pocket. "We're in Australia, not the mother country, and every person is the same, or at least should be. They should have the right to live their lives as they see fit."

Katherine opened her mouth but then noticed the front door of the house open. The sight of the woman at the top of the stairs was enough for Katherine. "I'm not quite sure what's going on and I'd like some sort of explanation," she whispered. "Now is clearly not the time. I don't like being a pawn in anyone's game and I'd like some answers. And, I don't think four-thirty is such a good idea. Three-thirty will be a better hour to head for home before it's too dark." Katherine hurried to finish as the woman strode down the stairs to greet her.

"Three-thirty it is then." Catriona pulled herself on to the wagon, not waiting to acknowledge the elderly woman, who was also doing her best to ignore Catriona.

Katherine turned toward the woman.

CATRIONA DIDN'T LOOK back. Her mind lingered on Katherine's actions in the store. Katherine's white knuckles, when she had clutched the hat, belied the obvious control she had over her emotions. Catriona crookedly smiled, admiring Katherine's ability to control her anger, which was something she'd never managed to master. Katherine's control reminded Catriona of a mid-twenties version of her first tutor. With the exception of her deep green eyes, Katherine's emotions couldn't be read, something Catriona found frustrating. She shook her head and negotiated the horse and wagon around the corner, and out of sight of the house.

"HOW DO YOU do, Sister? My name is Mrs. Muriel Greystone. Welcome to our quaint part of Australia. Please come inside out of the sun and meet the other ladies. It's far too hot for a lady of
your
breeding to stand too long in such heat." Not waiting for a response, Mrs. Greystone placed her hand under Katherine's elbow and guided her toward the home.

The house was the first ostentatious demonstration of wealth Katherine had experienced since arriving. Despite this, she couldn't help but think it looked out of place in this town. They paused at the foot of the stairs as Mrs. Greystone abruptly instructed a man, who could only have been the gardener, on what flowers she wanted in the epergne at the evening's dinner table.

Momentarily left to her own thoughts, Katherine reflected back on Catriona's actions when they arrived. She was relieved that Catriona had reverted to calling her by her first name, but she wondered why this committee didn't approve of her. She was obviously well respected by the people they had met in town and those she worked with yesterday.

Katherine was ushered into a sizeable entrance hall where another five similarly-dressed women waited. She felt like she'd walked into a setting where time had stopped, along with the reality of the outside world. The tight-laced, narrow-waisted outfits of the women were clearly inappropriate for such hot weather. The ladies were adorned in fashions which were out of style even
before
Katherine had entered the convent. Yet, strangely enough, what they were wearing suited them. She nodded politely during her introduction to each of the ladies. After this, she was marshalled into the parlour, where tea and cake awaited them.

The ladies were polite, if not overly so, while they probed for news of "The Old Country". They were keenly interested in the current fashions, of which Katherine couldn't be of any great help. She provided them with as much information as she could, excusing her lack of up-to-date knowledge due to her calling, where fashion wasn't at the forefront of her daily life.

Katherine was relieved when the conversation steered toward topics she was able to discuss. She happily answered questions regarding her trip to Australia, the weather, and how Sydney was faring.

"I must profess," one of the ladies said as she dabbed her mouth with a white napkin, "I haven't travelled to Sydney in such a long time. In fact I think the last time I visited was for my coming out."

Katherine politely nodded. That must have been a very long time ago.

One of the ladies patted Katherine's knee. "I'm so sorry we couldn't properly meet you yesterday, my dear. We had planned such a lovely reception. With that ugly storm, well..."

Katherine dismissively waved her hand. "I completely understand. You must have been terrified." She stifled a laugh at the nodding heads and widened eyes.

Mrs. Monteith reached forward with her gnarled hand and grasped another slice of cake. "So, where are you currently residing?"

Katherine smiled at this social game. She hadn't played it since entering the convent. They'd seen Catriona drop her off. It was only reasonable to conclude that she was staying with her. "I am currently staying at the Pelham estate." She tried to make Catriona's house sound somewhat grand.

Mrs. Greystone patronisingly patted her hand. "It's merely a property, my dear. We very rarely regard all but the most affluent of homes on the land as anything more than a property. Never mind. How could you have known what we call it here? Do you intend to move into town once it's regained some semblance of order?" Mrs. Greystone gestured to the gathering. "I'm sure one of our ladies would be honoured to accommodate you."

Katherine was stuck in a situation she didn't care to be in. If she said yes, then she wouldn't be able to help those she'd come all this way for. And what would Catriona think? She offered her home without a second thought. Katherine hadn't seen any of
these
ladies yesterday making a similar offer. It would be terribly impolite to move into town. Yet how could she say no without causing offense? She hit upon a solution and her face brightened.

"Thank you for you most gracious offer. However, I believe it is more prudent for me to stay where I am. I am most aggrieved by the loss of Sister Coreen. And there are a number of her papers and personal items out at the property which must be sorted through, prior to them being returned to her family in Ireland. As a fellow sister, I feel I should be the one to do this. So, at least until the return of Father Cleary, I believe it best that I reside out there." That wasn't that far from the truth. There
were
personal items of Coreen's, as well as letters which needed to be written to her family and to the Mother Superior in Ireland. By the looks on their faces though, she deduced it wasn't what these ladies wanted to hear.

The room suddenly fell silent. The women seated around her exchanged worried glances between them. Why were they so keen for her to leave Catriona? Katherine sensed asking such a question wasn't a good idea and, in turn, elected to remain silent.

"It's very touching that you place your responsibilities of caring for your fellow sister's meagre belongings to the forefront. Such a move is most Christian," said Mrs. Cross. "Unfortunately the environment at the property is far from one of a Christian household. My dear, I feel it is our responsibility to advise you the young Mr. Pelham is currently seeking a father for the purposes of performing marriage vows for him and Sister Coreen. He's obviously not yet aware of her passing."

"I appreciate your concern and honesty. Miss Pelham has advised me of the situation between Mr. Pelham and Sister Coreen." Katherine sensed the formal use of Catriona's name was more appropriate for this gathering. "You must understand this makes it even more important that I should be the one to see to her papers and belongings. Can you imagine the shock for her family, or the Mother Superior, in finding something which could only bring heartache to those back home?"

"Sister," Mrs. Cross replied, "I believe the situation between Sister Coreen and Mr. Pelham is the least of your troubles. I feel you may be badly influenced by Miss Pelham."

Finally Catriona had been directly referred to by the gathering. Katherine was puzzled by what sort of influence Catriona might possess. Despite her curiosity, she decided to play dumb, which wasn't hard, particularly given she had no idea what they were talking about. Looking at Mrs. Greystone, she tried to put on the best confused look she could muster.

"Er, as you can see she dresses very differently and entirely inappropriately for a woman with the assets she and her brother possess," Mrs. Greystone said, her wrinkled face flushed. "She's too old to be wearing the clothes of a tomboy. It's time she was married and starting her own family."

So she doesn't fit the mould of what you all demand of a woman. Katherine admired Catriona for her refusal to surrender to the yoke of convention. She wished she could do the same. Sensing tact was again called for, she carefully replied, "Do not overly concern yourself about her influence on my dress as I already have my habit. My calling does not allow me to wear trousers. As for her unmarried state, I expect she has had plenty of suitors and is yet to find one she wishes to spend the rest of her life with. I am sure you would all agree such a choice should not be made lightly."

"You see that's just it," Mrs. Cross interjected. "She has never had a suitor. She prefers to seek out the company of males to discuss the cost of wheat, or compare the latest new machinery. Her actions are
entirely
inappropriate for a woman of her upbringing. Her mother would roll in her grave..." She suddenly stopped, and raised her teacup to her lips.

"Ladies, I thank you for your concern." Katherine attempted to look pious as possible. "However I feel it is most un-Christian-like to speak about someone who is not here to appropriately respond to your queries. If I feel my presence is not suited to the Pelham property, then I will reconsider your magnanimous offer." Despite her efforts to make it clear as politely possible the subject was now closed, it didn't assuage the number of questions Katherine had. Just how old was Catriona, and how had she managed to escape marrying anyone? These were questions only Catriona could answer. But how could Katherine broach them?