Dust on the Horizon (35 page)

“I have no need to employ you. My other staff will be suspicious.”

Jack shrugged his shoulders. “You'll work it out. You have a way of twisting the truth for your benefit.” He leaned in closer again. His brooding eyes focused on hers. “The problem is, Harriet, I don't trust you. So I will need to be nearby, keep an eye on things so that I get my correct share.”

Dread settled over Harriet like a cloak. She struggled to keep her brain focused.

“You must give me time to think of a suitable job, a reason for your presence. I will need to prepare my staff.”

“I am guessing it will be quite a shock for them when you employ a black man.” Once more his laugh was mirthless, his breath sour in her face. He stood back. “Very well. I have some unfinished business myself. I will need five pounds and I will be gone for two weeks. When I return you will welcome me as your new employee.”

“I have money inside.” Harriet picked up the candle, eager to be rid of him. As she stood her leg wobbled beneath her and Jack took her arm.

“Steady. I don't want any harm to come to my new partner.”

He guided her inside. She lit the lamp and took down a tin from the kitchen mantel. She kept a small amount of money there for housekeeping. Aware that he watched her every move she tipped the contents onto the table. Coins rolled in several directions at once. He slapped them to the table. She counted out nearly three pounds. He looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“I have a little more in the till.” She took up the candle again.

He followed her through the workroom and into the shop. She slid her hand behind the curtain at the back of the counter and felt for the tray. He took the candle from her and yanked back the curtain. There were two one-pound notes and an assortment of coins in the tray. It all added up to four pounds, eight shillings and three pence. She knew because she had counted it herself. Jack took the notes and then began to scoop out the coins.

“Please leave me something. I will need some money for the start of business tomorrow.”

He hesitated then let the curtain fall back into place. “I will be on my way now, Harriet.” He moved across to her shop door, drew the bolts then turned and gave her the candle. “I will be back in exactly two weeks to start our new partnership.”

He slipped out of the door into the darkness. Harriet pushed it closed firmly behind him and slid the bolts back in to place. She blew out the candle and peered through the glass panes but could see nothing in the darkness. Letting out a breath, Harriet leaned her shoulder against the door, weak with relief that he was gone. Then she remembered the window. She hurried back to her sitting room, slammed the glass shut and turned the lock.

What was she to do? Her eyes watered but she took out her handkerchief and dabbed them dry. Harriet had discovered at a young age she had little use for tears and had only succumbed to them a few times in her life. She was in a bind but there had to be a way out. Whatever it was she just hadn't thought of it yet.

How would she explain Jack's presence to her staff, to Henry should he visit? She had always avoided native people, now she had to take one into her shop. Damn Septimus and his bastard son.

She glanced across at Henry's portrait. There was nothing for it. She would have to ask for his help. She would have to tell him about Jack but she didn't want to commit her embarrassing tale to paper. No, she would have to travel to Hawker and tell Henry in person. If Catherine was in Adelaide they would have a better chance of speaking freely. Harriet didn't want her daughter-in-law burdened any more than she already was. She was also quite sure Henry wouldn't want his wife to know about her dead father-in-law's indiscretions.

Tired as she was Harriet began to make preparations. She would need to leave quite a list for Miss Wicksteed if she were to catch the following day's train to Hawker. It was two days travel there and two days back. She could only afford to spend a day with Henry. She would send him a telegraph to expect her on an errand of great urgency.

Twenty-nine

His mother had said March was a terrible time of year for a wedding but when Joseph took Millie's hand in the shearing shed at Wildu Creek, he didn't care that the morning was already hot and that sweat trickled down his back inside his new shirt. Millie was smiling her beautiful smile and her eyes were wide with delight and love for him. He felt the same way about her and that was all that mattered.

Reverend Masters had kindly detoured to Wildu Creek on his monthly visit to conduct Church of England services in the district and now read a bible passage on the virtue of marriage. The Reverend had been a little taken aback when he'd first met Millie but she'd quickly charmed him and assured him she, like Joseph, was devoted to their future together.

Joseph's family, under his mother's directions, had cleaned the shearing shed and decorated it with the few bits of greenery they could find. His mother had created an arch using the branches of trees for them to stand in front of. Somewhere she'd found some switches of tiny white flowers to weave around the branches and Millie wore a sprig of them in her glossy dark hair.

Behind them stood their family and a handful of close friends. Joseph knew they all harboured varying degrees of reservation about his marriage to Millie but he felt sure of their support none the less.

The Reverend lifted his hand in the air and said a prayer over them. “Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and did sanctify and join them together in marriage; Pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen.”

Behind them came a chorus of amens. Millie smiled up at him and Joseph pulled her gently into his arms and kissed her. They had only ever kissed during their rare moments alone. Joseph had been very careful that their developing relationship was virtuous – he knew they faced enough hurdles without adding to the gossip – but since Millie's return from her visit to her family it had been harder and harder to stop at a simple kiss. Now his kiss was passionate, as he felt his new wife respond. There were claps and cheers, and reluctantly Joseph released her except for the grip he had on one hand. They turned to face those gathered as the Reverend declared them the new Mr and Mrs Joseph Baker.

Esther and Violet rushed forward and flung their arms around them. Robert came too, pushing between them. Thomas and Lizzie hugged them both and then others lined up to congratulate them.

Between hugs Joseph noticed William still sitting on the chairs that had been placed in the shed for the service. Even though he was only ten he appeared to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Joseph caught his eye and winked. William gave a small smile in response and then he was lost from Joseph's sight as Binda and Jundala came forward, offering their congratulations.

Thomas clapped his hands and they all turned to look. “Please move down to the other end of the shed for some refreshments. The ladies have been cooking for days and Lizzie tells me there is some cool lemonade ready for you.”

Joseph took Millie's hand and leaned closer. “Happy?” he asked.

“Yes.” Once more her brilliant smile lit up her face. “Very.”

They moved to the other end of the shed where the big door was open and a slight breeze cooled their skin. Ellen came and hugged them both, her two little girls clinging to her skirts.

“I am so happy to welcome a new sister-in-law.” Ellen kissed Millie on the cheek. “The lace collar on your shirt is so pretty. It goes well with the flowers in your hair and I love the diamond pattern in your skirt. You make the prettiest bride.”

Millie glanced at Joseph. She was very confident when it was just them at Smith's Ridge but she was never one to be the centre of attention like she was today.

“I trust the groom meets with your approval, dear sister.” He deflected Ellen's attention.

“By far the handsomest man here.”

“You can only say that because you husband isn't present.”

Ellen's face turned serious. “I'm sorry Frederick couldn't be here but his work has taken him to Adelaide for a week. He sends you his very best wishes.”

“Thank you, Ellen,” Millie said.

Joseph wondered at his brother-in-law's absence. While Ellen had grown up with natives, Frederick had not been long from England and then had enjoyed Adelaide life before he married Ellen and they took up residence in Port Augusta. He was always very stilted with their native friends on his rare visits to Wildu Creek. Joseph suspected his brother-in-law wouldn't approve of his marriage to Millie. Frederick's trip to Adelaide may have been carefully timed.

“Do come and eat.” Lizzie came to drag them away to the big table that had been set up and was positively groaning with food. Violet took Millie's hand to show her the special floral arrangements she'd helped prepare to decorate the table.

“Thank you, Mother.” Joseph bent to kiss Lizzie's forehead.

“What for?”

“This.” He cast a hand towards the table then looked back at her. “And for everything.”

“You're welcome.”

“What are you two talking about?” Thomas slipped an arm around Lizzie's waist.

She reached up and gave Joseph's cheek a gentle pat. “Just wishing our son every happiness.”

Thomas thrust out his hand and shook Joseph's. “Yes, that's true, Joseph. I know I was … well a—”

“Doubting Thomas?” Lizzie looked up at her husband and chuckled.

“Well, you know we had misgivings, Joseph.” Thomas nudged his wife. “We both did.”

“Nothing against Millie, you know we love her already.” Lizzie's face shone with happiness.

“I understand.” Joseph nodded. Like Binda they had expressed their concern at a mixed marriage and the difficulties it might bring for Joseph and his family.

“Once we understood the depth of your love and commitment to each other your father and I would put no further obstacles in your way. Would we Thomas?”

Joseph gave his father a wry smile. He had been able to convince his mother quite quickly that he loved Millie but his father had taken a little longer. He suspected it had been Lizzie who had brought Thomas around. Joseph would have married Millie anyway but it was better that his parents had given them their blessing.

Lizzie linked her arms through those of the men. “Come on. Let's enjoy some of this marvellous food.”

It was a splendid spread, their wedding brunch timed to avoid the heat of midday and to allow Joseph and Millie time to ride home. After consuming more than his fair share Joseph found himself seated on a bench along the shed wall between his father and Timothy. William sat on Thomas's other side.

“We need to talk about the leases before you go, Joseph.” Thomas's brow was creased in a frown. “It's not that long until we have to put in our bid.”

“It is hard to imagine after all your hard work over thirty-five years that you could lose it all to someone else.” Timothy shook his head.

“We won't lose Wildu Creek.” Thomas sat back. “We have enough saved to ward off any other prospective lessee.”

“I'll be honest, Father,” Joseph said. “I don't know how I'm going to keep making the lease payments.”

“It's a struggle everywhere in the current climate. Our stock are being eaten out by rabbits and I shot a wild dog in the hills behind the house just two days ago. We rid ourselves of them in the past but the rabbits are attracting them and sheep are easy picking. Even the eagles are doing some damage.”

“It's the same at Smith's Ridge, only worse,” Joseph said. “And I've very little put aside.”

“Everyone's struggling from what I hear,” Timothy said. “Ellis Prosser's overseer was telling me just last week they were selling off cattle and the farmers on the plains are really doing it tough.”

“If there's no-one to bid against you, we could hold on to Smith's Ridge,” Thomas said. “I've a small amount I can put towards it.”

“I don't want you to throw good money after bad, Father. I would like to hang on to the place but not to the detriment of Wildu Creek.”

“But where would we live?” William's question reminded them all that the boy was listening to their conversation.

“It might not happen,” his grandfather reassured him. “But if it did you will always have a home here at Wildu Creek. It's big enough for all of us.”

“It is, Father, but not enough work for all of us. I've thought about this and I might have to take a team and cart wool and grain to keep food on the table.”

“I won't hear of it, Joseph. I'm not getting any younger and there's plenty to do. If you lose Smith's Ridge you will come to work on Wildu Creek.”

Joseph was aware of Timothy shifting restlessly beside him. Thomas was being kind but Joseph wouldn't be the one to displace Timothy who had worked for them for a long time. The way things were, Wildu Creek couldn't support another extra family for long. He didn't like the thought of it but if he couldn't keep his lease, he would have to find work elsewhere. How he would manage the children he didn't know. He looked over at his new wife who appeared to be in earnest conversation with Eliza. It might be that Millie would have to stay with the children to look after them. He couldn't ask his parents to take on any more.

“Damn those meddling fools in Adelaide.” Thomas slapped his knee. “The government and even the general public regard us as easy targets for increased taxes and extra charges just so they can balance their budget.”

“Goodness, what are all these serious faces about?” Lizzie appeared in front of them, smiling from one to the other. “It's time to cut the cake so we can all have a piece with our cup of tea.”

Joseph groaned and clutched his stomach. “Mother, we've eaten so much already.”