Dust on the Horizon (37 page)

Flora began to lift the plates of cold mutton, potato and pickles from the tray.

“Leave it.” Henry flicked his hand at her. “We can manage.”

Perhaps because of his abruptness, Harriet pulled herself up and gave Flora a charming smile. “Thank you, Mrs Nixon, this looks most appetising.”

Henry followed Flora to the door and shut it firmly once she was through. He shook his head. His plans to take up a lease were fading fast. If his mother kept having to pay off this Aldridge fellow there would never be an end to the money he would take.

Harriet had arranged the plates and cutlery on the table. He sat at the place she'd set for him at the head.

“I'm sorry, Henry. I had hoped to keep all this from you.”

“What a burden it must have been, Mother. And you've worked so hard all your life. Jack Aldridge is not our family and yet he will drain us of money.”

“Not only that, he insists I find work for him.”

“What? Where?”

“In my shop.”

Henry's fork clattered to the plate. “What kind of work?”

“He wants to keep an eye on things. He doesn't trust me. The only work I can think of is some kind of doorman and parcel carrier. He's strong. He could be of use when we take delivery of fabric and other heavier items.”

“No, that cannot happen.” Henry couldn't believe she was considering such an option. “What will your clients think?”

Harriet clasped her hands, her food untouched. “I have no other option. Better I have a half-caste doorman then he tell everyone he's your half-brother and that he witnessed my … my involvement in your father's disappearance.”

“This is so unfair. You didn't murder my father.”

“But Jack Aldridge was right. I've thought of it many times myself. If I had fired a warning shot, the natives probably would have let Septimus go.”

“Or come at you while you reloaded.”

Harriet shook her head. “There's no point in going over the past. Jack Aldridge is part of our present and there doesn't appear to be any way to be rid of him.”

Henry picked up his cutlery and began to eat. Harriet stared at her food.

“I really had big hopes of picking up one of the pastoral leases.” Henry was speaking to himself as much as his mother. “There are a few which Ellis Prosser and I believe will become available. The current lessees won't be able to afford to continue.”

“You already have several investments in the district.” Harriet reached across and put a hand on his arm. “I had hoped you would move back to Adelaide.”

He smiled at her. “One day, Mother.”

Harriet sighed and took up her fork. “Why would you want one of these leases? If their current occupants aren't managing them what makes you think you can?”

“I've had a lot of help from Ellis Prosser. His advice has always been wise. I have land on the plains but if I had some in the hills I could move stock around, perhaps cattle like Ellis instead of sheep. Often the hill country gets rain when those on the plains don't. Ellis would find me a good overseer. One of the properties we've had our eye on is right next door to his. Smith's Ridge is—”

Henry stopped at Harriet's gasp.

“Smith's Ridge?” She frowned. “That was the name of your father's property. I knew it was somewhere out in this northern country but I had no idea where.”

“It's a day's ride by horse. Longer in a cart.” Henry tried to get his head around what she was saying. “How did father end up with it?”

“I knew little of your father's dealings but after his death I did discover he had wronged the family who originally invested in the lease. I returned the lease papers to the family. I've no idea if they took up the option.”

“There are no Smiths there now.”

“That wasn't the name.” Harriet put a finger to her lips. “It was Baker.”

“Joseph Baker.” Henry nearly choked on his mouthful of food. What a terrible day this was. Now he discovered a property that could have been his had been given to the odious Baker.

Harriet reached across to pat his back. “Not Joseph, his name was Thomas.”

“The father? He has the lease next door to Smith's Ridge.”

“Yes that's right.”

Henry flopped back in his chair and put his hands to his head. Prosser had only said recently that he was confident Baker didn't have the resources to renew his lease. They'd discussed it at length. Prosser had his eye on a property in the ranges north of Hawker. He had gone off the idea of taking on Smith's Ridge himself since his son had been speared but he was happy to support Henry's bid to gain the lease.

Harriet placed her cutlery neatly on her plate. “Perhaps that's our answer.”

Henry sat up. “What?”

“My idea is a long stretch but it could work. It would keep him out of sight but still where you could keep an eye on him.” Harriet's hand lifted to her bare neck then dropped. “It would mean pooling our resources and presenting it to him in such a way that he would be tempted.”

“What are you talking about, Mother?”

“Jack's inheritance.”

Henry shook his head. “I don't understand you.”

“Let him work Smith's Ridge.”

Henry pushed back his chair and started pacing again. Smith's Ridge was part of his plan but not one he had intended sharing with a bastard half-brother. He came to a stop in front of Harriet who was watching him closely. “Jack has no money except what he's extorting from you. He can't take up a lease.”

Harriet leaned forward. “But we could and he could manage it.”

“Are you saying we give him the property?”

“Not give but we will work it out so it looks that way to him.” She smiled. “There will be provisions of course, clauses that he won't understand. He doesn't read well. There is much to be sorted out but it could just work.”

Henry scowled at his mother. “I don't want him anywhere near my family.”

“I am also your family.” Harriet's eyes flashed with anger. “I have put a lot of money into your ventures. If Jack works for me and continues to blackmail me, not only will my business suffer but you will get not another penny.” She tapped the table with the palm of her hand as she said the last three words.

“Damn Jack Aldridge.” Henry struggled to keep his simmering anger in check. He slid back into his chair, rested his elbows on the table and pressed his fingertips together as if in prayer. Perhaps Harriet's idea would make the best of a bad lot. Somehow they could insist Jack stayed out of sight at Smith's Ridge. Much better than allowing him to work in Harriet's shop and siphon off her money. Money that was Henry's inheritance, not Jack's.

He stroked his chin. “There's no guarantee we would win the lease.”

Harriet's gaze changed. She looked at him with eyes full of hope. “There must be other properties? I can put up the money.”

“We would have to sort out a lot of things.”

“I know a lawyer who is a good customer.” Harriet was smiling now. “He buys for his mistress as well as his wife. I am sure he would help and be discreet.”

Henry studied his mother. Her quick gaze was locked on his, her cheeks pink with anticipation. “Are you sure you want to do it this way?”

“I have no other option.” Harriet drew herself up in her chair. “And I'm prepared to pay whatever it takes.”

Henry covered his surprise. She made it sound as if she had access to a lot more money than she'd ever let on before. He nodded his head slowly up and down. “Very well, Mother. We will send Jack Aldridge to Smith's Ridge. And then we will work out how to be rid of him … permanently.”

Thirty-one

It was an odd group that arrived at Wildu Creek on a cold winter's morning: Joseph, Binda and William herding the last of the good Smith's Ridge breeding stock, and Millie, Jundala and all the children with the cart and wagon loaded with their possessions. The cow and extra horses trailed behind.

They'd left Smith's Ridge three days ago and Joseph had given no backwards glance. The journey was slow with the stock and he and Millie had made it a kind of holiday for the children. They ate what Binda caught for them and sat around the campfire each night singing until the littlest ones fell asleep. It had been a happy time considering, but with their arrival at Wildu Creek came the start of new responsibilities.

Joseph looked towards the creek and what his mother called their outdoor room, the scene of many happy family events. The canvas that was usually strung over his father's more recent permanent structure had been put away for winter but the outdoor furniture he'd crafted was still scattered under the tall gums. A little way from there was the wooden hut that had been the first house Thomas had built and where Timothy and his family now lived. The newer stone house was on slightly higher ground giving the verandah a good view of the creek and the lower land stretched out before it. Joseph's mother and Eliza stood on the verandah waving a welcome.

His spirits lifted a little. In some ways it was a relief to be back here at Wildu Creek. He hoped it would mean they could leave the sadness of Clara's death, the failure of keeping Smith's Ridge, behind them and make a fresh start. Of all of them Millie deserved that. Clara's memory was strong at Smith's Ridge.

“We didn't expect you would make it this soon.” Lizzie had crossed the yard towards him. “Your father is checking sheep up on the back ridges.”

“We left a day early.” Joseph had to shout to be heard over the animals and excited children.

“We've been camping, Grandma.” Esther's voice was the loudest although Robert was fast matching her with his funny warbling tone.

“We will yard these animals.” Joseph turned his horse to follow Binda and William who were herding the sheep towards the holding yards of the Wildu Creek shearing shed. Jundala was already leading the cow towards the small paddock that had been fenced for Lizzie's cow and, with Lizzie and Eliza taking the children from the cart, Millie was seeing to the horses. He kept his gaze on his wife until the buildings blocked his view. Yes, he had so much to be thankful for.

A short distance from the shearing shed Joseph reined in his horse and dismounted. Where once there'd been a patch of bare ground there now stood a long low hut.

Gulda came to meet him. His hair was greying but he still had the same cheeky smile Joseph had known all his life.

“Welcome home, Joseph.” Gulda drew him close in a warm hug. “It's good you've come.”

No sooner were they apart than Gulda was pulling his pipe from his pocket and filling it with tobacco. Joseph inhaled the smell as the older man lit up. Gulda had only taken up smoking after a shearer had given him a pipe a few years ago. Now he rarely went anywhere without it although Daisy had banned him from lighting it in their hut after he burned the last one down with his discarded match.

“I hope so.” Joseph lifted his hat and swept his hair back from his face. “What's this?” He waved a hand towards the hut.

“Mr Tom been wanting to make a hut for shearers. With you coming he decided to get a move on.” Gulda's grin widened. “Timothy, me and Mr Tom made it. Very good, hey?”

“It certainly is.” Joseph walked towards the hut.

His father had been talking about building something for the shearers to camp in but as it would be used only once or twice a year it had never been a priority. The hut was long and had a verandah stretching right across the front with all doors opening on to it. Joseph looked inside the first room. It was the biggest with windows and a fireplace and a door in the back wall.

“Plenty of room in there.” Gulda blew another puff of smoke into the air. “These other rooms are for beds.”

He opened a door and Joseph stuck his head inside. The room was big enough for a double bed or two singles and not much more. There was one small window in the opposite wall.

“There's plenty of rooms.” Gulda waved his hand towards the last three doors then clapped a hand on Joseph's shoulder. “It's good and strong. Good house for your family.”

“It certainly is.” Joseph felt a small sense of relief. He had wondered how they would all fit into his parents' house. At least his family had somewhere of their own to live.

Gulda leaned against a verandah post and puffed on his pipe. “Mr Tom glad you're coming. Daisy and me, we're going away for a while. See her family in north country. We'll be gone many months.”

Joseph wondered at that. Gulda and Daisy often went away but they didn't stay away for such long periods.

“Both our Tommie and our Rosie have new babies.” Gulda pulled his pipe from his mouth, a distant look in his eye. “We're going to spend time with family.”

“I'm glad for you.” Joseph shook Gulda's hand again. “I'd better help get these sheep penned. Thank you for all you've done.”

He went back to his horse, gave Gulda a wave and set off for the yards.

That night Joseph sat by the fire with his parents in his old home. Millie had retired early with the children and he had promised he wouldn't be long. He was weary himself but he wanted to spend a few quiet moments with his parents.

The day had been exceptionally busy. By the time Thomas had returned home the animals were yarded and the furniture unloaded. Everyone had helped Joseph and Millie make the shearer's hut into their home. Their bed had been set up in the first of the bedrooms. The boys were in the room next door then the girls and Mary had the last of the bedrooms. Gulda had helped Binda make a bush hut close to his own. They had all shared a stew for dinner from Lizzie's huge pot that had been simmering over the fire all day. For the time being everyone was settled but Joseph knew it wouldn't stay that way.

“Thank you for building the accommodation.” He looked up from the flames. “Although I don't know where the shearers will fit when they come.”