Heart of the Country (28 page)

“Mother did most of it. She has an eye for embellishing.”

They looked around the Smiths' shearing shed, which had been turned in to a makeshift church. Branches of blue bush covered the rafters and stems laden with little ball-like yellow flowers stood in buckets around the shed. Eliza's family had lived in New South Wales before moving to South Australia and Eliza's equally sour mother had mentioned several times how the yellow wattle, as she said it was named, was much prettier in the eastern parts of Australia. This primitive variety, as she called it, looking down her nose, was far too strong of scent and made her eyes water.

Thomas cared little about that: the golden flowers would remind him of this special day for the rest of his life. They were in sharp contrast to the beautiful blue of Lizzie's dress, which in its turn highlighted the cornflower colour of her eyes. He prayed they would always be this happy.

“Time to serve the food,” Mrs Smith called.

“Come on, Thomas,” Lizzie said.

He groaned. His stomach was still in knots from the nervous tension of the wedding vows but he allowed her to drag him towards a splendid feast laid out on a table covered in a crisp white cloth. It was only mid-morning but the spring days were already proving warm and so it had been decided to have the ceremony first thing followed by an early lunch.

Just as when they gathered for the cut out after each year's shearing, the double wedding was a chance for fellowship and celebration. The neighbours came and all the women had been cooking for days. The table was laden with food. Cold sliced mutton, sheep's-brain pie, and potted meats sat beside potato and pumpkin pies, turnip mash, beetroot slices and melon pickle. One of Lizzie's famous wild peach pies was dwarfed by a two-tiered fruitcake. Eliza's mother had made it and brought it with her, and Mrs Smith had decorated it with the pale yellow flowers from another native bush.

Thomas reached for a plate just as Edmund did. His new brother-in-law's dark eyes glared back at him. Thomas held his look but let go the plate. He and Edmund had managed to avoid each other over the years except on family occasions like this. Thomas was happy to concede to the eldest son and keep out of his way this time. He didn't want anything to spoil the day but he worried the time would come when he and Edmund would lock horns again over something. When that time came, Thomas would no longer be prepared to retreat.

John Gibson had of course brought his harmonica and as soon as the food had been eaten the dancing began. Thomas swept Lizzie around the wooden floor, relishing the chance to hold her in his arms again. Edmund did the same with Eliza, although at arm's length and in a much more stilted fashion, and then everyone else joined in. Wick danced with another neighbour's daughter and Thomas was pleased to see the serious young man enjoying himself.

Before long they were all stopping for cups of water or sweet cordial. The older men were patting at their foreheads and necks with handkerchiefs, and the ladies used theirs to fan themselves. Thomas noticed Duffy had his flask as usual and Jacob and Isaac were taking swigs from it. Everyone was red faced from the dancing, regardless of what they were drinking.

Once he'd regained his breath, George called the bridal couples forward to cut the cake together. Lizzie and Eliza stood in the middle between the two men and each couple had a knife. No sooner had they completed the honours than Anne was cutting the cake into slices to hand around.

“I really don't think I could eat any more,” Lizzie said. She put a hand to her waist. “Mother has laced me in far too tightly.”

“It's perfect,” Thomas said. Each time he looked at her it was difficult to drag his eyes from the swell of her breasts above the low neckline. A surge of desire coursed through him. “We should be on our way soon if we are to be home before dark.” He was surprised at the throaty tenor in his voice.

“I must go and get changed then,” Lizzie said. “This dress is not at all practical for travelling by dray.”

Reluctantly, Thomas let go of her hand. Anne went with her, along with Eliza and her mother. The Smith men helped Thomas load the dray. It took them a while to organise Lizzie's assorted goods and chattels so that everything had a place. There was a small chest of drawers her father had made for her, a large trunk, wooden boxes, pots and pans and preserved foods, along with several small gifts from the neighbours. Thomas was beginning to think the Smiths thought him unable to provide for his new wife.

George took him aside. “Anne and Lizzie have been hoarding for this day for a long time. You'll just have to make the best of it. There will be nothing they'll leave behind.” He chuckled.

“Wick's going to stay the night here with us,” Jacob said with a wink.

Thomas could feel the extra heat in his cheeks yet again. Getting married was certainly a fiery affair.

“We'll send him back tomorrow.” Jacob nudged Wick, who broke into a shy smile.

There was a sudden burst of excited female voices and Lizzie appeared from the house, flanked by her mother and Eliza. The younger women carried one more small trunk between them and Anne a basket. Thomas hurried to help, thankful for the distraction. He fitted the trunk and the basket loaded with leftovers from their wedding feast into the dray and tucked the covering in tightly in an attempt to keep the worst of the dust out.

Finally, he lifted Lizzie up and climbed onto the bench beside her.

“One more thing,” George called.

They twisted on their seat to see him leading a young cow. There was a blue ribbon around her neck with a bell attached.

“A gift to the young couple from us,” he said and tethered the animal to back of the dray.

“You've been very generous,” Thomas said as George reached up to shake his hand.

“You look after our Lizzie,” George murmured.

“I will,” Thomas said and flicked the whip.

Farewells chorused all around them. They were setting off in the hottest part of the day but Lizzie had her umbrella and part of their journey would take them under the giant gums along the creeks. The carthorse set forth, pulling the dray, leaving the shearing shed and Lizzie's family behind them.

They had only gone a little way when Thomas realised she hadn't said a word.

“What is it, Lizzie?” he asked. “Are you sad to be leaving home?”

“No,” she said. “My home is with you now and not so far away.” She chewed her lip.

“What is it then?”

She kept her face forward and said in a soft voice: “I must confess to feeling a little bit nervous.”

Thomas threw back his head and laughed. “That must be a first,” he said.

Behind them the cow gave a soft moo and, accompanied by the jangle of its bell, they made their way home.

It hadn't taken long for Lizzie to get over her apprehension. The trip back to Penakie seemed not to take the time it usually did. Thomas enjoyed the sound of her voice and the realisation that he was no longer alone. Lizzie was his wife.

When they finally rattled and clanged their way around the last bend, their laughter echoed back to them along the creek.

Lizzie stopped abruptly as she looked up at the hut they were to share. “There's a man on the verandah,” she said.

Thomas followed her gaze. Sure enough, a man leaned against the verandah post in the shadows. At the sound of their approach he stepped out into the bright afternoon sun.

He had a broad-brimmed straw hat, a full beard, a belt at his ample waist and long leather leggings. Thomas grinned and waved. “It's Mr Browne,” he said and urged the horse and dray over the last piece of ground to the hut.

“Thomas.” AJ held out his hand as Thomas jumped to the ground.

“AJ. I didn't expect to see you. Each year you say you'll visit.”

They shook hands then AJ threw his arms out wide. “Here I am at last. I was beginning to think you and Wick were out bush, but I see you've been busy elsewhere.” He nodded at Lizzie.

Thomas turned. “Oh, yes … I'm sorry … this is Lizzie Sm–” He stuttered and stumbled over his words. “My wife,” he said and hurried around the dray to help her down.

“Well, well,” AJ said. “You have been busy. You didn't mention a wife last time we met.”

Lizzie stepped forward. “Hello, Mr Browne. Thomas has told me so much about you. It's wonderful to meet you at last. You must be tired from your journey. If you'll just give me a moment to get myself organised, I'll prepare some food.”

“Thank you, Mrs Baker.”

“Lizzie, please,” she said with the beautiful smile that Thomas could see was charming his employer already. “I'll have something for you to eat in two shakes of a lamb's tail.”

“And you must call me AJ. Please don't rush on my account. There's much for Thomas and I to look at and talk about.”

Thomas glanced from Lizzie to his employer. This was not the homecoming he'd planned, but there was nothing for it. “I'll take the cow around to the yards,” he said, and unhitched the animal. “Wick and I have made some additions to the holding pens you'll be interested to see.”

“I had a bit of a look while I was waiting,” AJ said. “I like the way you've used the bush to make a natural barrier on one side.” He strode ahead. Thomas followed with the cow in tow, giving Lizzie an apologetic smile as he left.

By the time they returned, Lizzie was just lighting the lamp. She had set some of the leftover potted meats on the table with some freshly baked damper and a pot of melon pickle. Thomas noticed the small trunk was by the bedroom door, but apart from that and the food, everything else they'd brought was still in the dray.

“Can I make you a cup of tea, AJ?” Lizzie asked.

“I'll just wash up first, if I may.”

Thomas snatched a cloth that served him as a towel from beside the door and followed his employer outside.

“How long have you been married?” AJ asked as they washed their hands in the rough bowl by the back door.

Thomas rubbed his hands vigorously on the drying cloth, not looking at AJ. He cleared his throat. “Since this morning,” he said.

“Good God, man,” AJ bellowed. “Do you mean to tell me I've arrived on your wedding night?”

“You weren't to know.”

“Give your wife my apologies. I've set my swag up among the trees. We have much to talk about but not tonight. I'll leave you in peace.”

“Please eat with us first.” Thomas put a restraining hand on AJ's arm. “Believe me, if I allow you to leave before you've been fed, I will get no peace.”

AJ looked at him a moment then slapped him on the back and laughed out loud. “You're a very wise husband already, Thomas. Very wise indeed.”

AJ ate with them. He kept up a constant conversation to match Lizzie's but he didn't stay long once the meal was over. He apologised again for interrupting their wedding night. As soon as he was gone Lizzie went into the bedroom and shut the door. Thomas stood in the kitchen totally at a loss. Was he to follow her? Should she have time alone?

He poked at the fire to make sure there would be coals for the morning. He shifted the rough chairs firmly under the table, rattled the front door and then the back to make sure they were securely shut. Finally he extinguished the lantern. The glow of the full moon shone through the small window, more than enough light for him to see by. He pulled the now dusty white shirt over his head and hung it on a chair.

The bedroom door creaked open.

“What are you doing, Thomas?”

“Nothing.”

A hand reached around the door. “Please stop doing nothing and come here.”

Thomas's heart sped up. He took her hand and stepped into the bedroom. Lizzie stood before him, a tiny smile on her lips. Her hair was loose and flowed over her shoulders where it met the white nightgown that covered her body, hiding all the curves her dress had promised.

“What now?” he asked.

Lizzie giggled. “Don't you know?”

“You have one up on me, Lizzie. You seem to know a lot about the male form but I know nothing of women.”

“Tosh,” she said. “I've had to mend a few broken bodies but …” She placed a hand carefully on his bare chest. His skin tingled at her touch. “Well, I've never seen a fully naked man before.”

Thomas's self-control was disappearing fast. He put his hand under her chin and tilted her head towards his. “We'll learn together then.”

Lizzie's eyes sparkled in the moonlight. He leaned in and covered her lips with his. The sweet softness of her mouth flamed his desire and he let out a small moan.

She pulled back. “Are you hurt?”

He grinned and shook his head slowly. “No.” He carefully eased the soft fabric from her shoulders. It slid to the floor. His gaze travelled down over her ample breasts and the rounded curves of her body.

She gave a little shiver. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her to the bed.

Desire made him want to rush but nerves, both his and hers, made him slow down. He nudged aside her hair and caressed her neck with his kisses. Gradually he moved lower to the soft skin of her breasts. She reached around him, drawing him closer, skin to skin. Her hands began to roam over his body, exploring as he was with her. They were gentle with each other, guiding and helping until they came together. The rhythm of her body matched his and they were one.

Afterwards they lay together, arms and legs still entangled. Lizzie traced a finger across his lips and down his neck to his chest. “Dearest Thomas,” she whispered. “I love you.”

Thomas kissed her again. “And I you, my sweet Lizzie.”

He inhaled the sweet scent of her and smiled into the darkness. Finally they were husband and wife. He felt like a man with the world at his feet.

Wick returned by midmorning the following day and AJ stayed on. Together the three men went off each day to look at the improvements Thomas had made and to check the sheep. AJ was pleased with the number of lambs, and the quality of the wool promised another good return after shearing.