Jewel In the North

by Tricia Stringer

  “Sell them if I can or find agistment.” William looked his father firmly in the eye. “I’d rather that than watch them slowly die.”

  “You will be gone from home a long time.”

  “Yes.” William shifted his gaze to Robert. “I was hoping you would come with me, Robert.”

  “Of course.” Robert’s face lit up with a grin then he glanced at his father. “If you can spare me, Father.”

  “There are enough of us here to look after the sheep.” Joseph clasped a hand on each of their shoulders. “It will be a difficult journey but if anyone can manage it you two can.”

  William felt pride at his father’s confidence in them.

  “Will you take Hegarty also?” Joseph picked up the mug of tea in front of him.

  “I hope he will agree to stay and look after the remaining cattle with Clem. Rex, one of the men from Yardu’s camp, has helped us out before. I was hoping he would come with us.”

  “I think you’re right. Clem can help Hegarty. The two of you with an extra stockman can manage the trek south. I may need to do the same with the sheep, but I will have plenty of help. I can afford to wait it out a little longer, see what the new year brings.”

  Robert rose to his feet. “When do we leave?”

  William grinned. “Slow down, little brother. There are things to be done first.” He looked back at Joseph. “I will go back to Smith’s Ridge tomorrow.”

  “Good. Let us enjoy one more day together as a family,” Joseph said. “Millie, I think we should have a picnic lunch.”

  Millie came and placed a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “A special day.” She beamed at William. “We could take the wagon and go further down the creek to the stand of big trees.”

  Beth and Ruth appeared beside their mother. Their hair tousled from sleep, they were momentarily silent as the adults made merry around them.

  The next morning it was a much more subdued group that gathered in the early light to farewell William and Robert.

  “Go safely, sons.” Joseph said solemnly as he shook their hands in turn.

  “Send word from time to time if you can,” Thomas said.

  William could see tears welling in Millie’s eyes as she clutched Matthew to her. Beside her the two little girls sobbed, imploring William and Robert not to go. He kissed his stepmother’s cheek and tickled Matthew’s chin then hugged his little sisters and turned once more to his father.

  They shook hands and William mounted his horse, leaving Robert to make similar farewells. To a chorus of goodbyes, the two brothers rode away from the house, towing with them a third horse loaded with Robert’s belongings and food from Millie.

  They were silent, William already thinking about what needed to be done to prepare to shift his cattle south, and Robert deep in his own thoughts.

  “I hope you won’t regret your decision to join me.” William finally spoke as they rode through the first of the gates between them and Smith’s Ridge. With no sheep in this part of Wildu Creek the gate was left open.

  Robert looked across at him, his face solemn. “Thank you.”

  “What for?” It wasn’t the response William had expected.

  “For taking me with you. There is little for me at Wildu Creek.”

  “There will be little at Smith’s Ridge if we can’t keep the cattle alive.”

  “But at least we will be doing something, rather than waiting and watching.”

  William nodded, thankful Robert felt the same way he did and pleased to have his brother as his companion for the work ahead of them.

  It was late afternoon when they had their first sight of the house at Smith’s Ridge. The smoke from the chimney wasn’t the only sign of life: there was a cart drawn up at the back of the house and someone moving around it.

  “Looks like Clem is making ready to leave,” William said.

  Clem was lifting the small cradle he had made into the back of the cart. He held up a hand in acknowledgement of their arrival. “Good to see you, Robert,” he said as William and Robert dismounted. “I hope it’s all right to borrow your cart, William?”

  “Of course.” William looked around, uncomfortable now after the gossip he’d heard. He only hoped it never reached Clem’s ears. “Is Jessie well?”

  “Yes, but anxious. Her time is still two months away but I would like to set off for Wildu Creek so she can be with the women.”

  “Jundala’s away visiting her people. She should be back in a week or so.”

  “Millie will take care of Jessie,” Robert said. “She’s looking forward to another baby to fuss over.”

  William looked around. “Is Hegarty here?”

  “No. He’s with the cattle. He expected you home soon so he sent me back to help Jessie.” Clem reached for the reins of Joseph’s horse. “Let me see to the horses. Jessie will want you to have a drink inside and try her latest cake.”

  William was sure the edges of Clem’s mouth twitched. “Thank you.”

  Robert was first down the path. He hadn’t tasted Jessie’s attempts at cake before.

  “There’s something else.”

  Robert kept going but William turned back to Clem.

  “Someone’s been around the bottom waterhole.”

  William raised his eyebrows. “Someone?”

  “A man who wears boots.”

  “Someone passing by wanting water?”

  “Bit out of the way for that. Whoever he was he dug a few holes and scratched around.”

  Irritation prickled William’s neck. “Fossicking?”

  “That’s what I think. The cattle messed up most of the tracks but I found where he tethered his horse. I’d say he was there some time in the last few days.”

  “Since Christmas?”

  “Maybe. I followed the tracks for a while. They were headed back towards the northern boundary.”

  “Prosser’s Run?”

  “Could be whoever it was came from that way.”

  “Does Hegarty know?”

  “I told him to keep a watch out.”

  “Good.” William took off his hat. Even though the sun was still hot the breeze through his wet hair cooled his head. “It will be just Hegarty to keep a watch for quite a while. Robert and I are going to take most of the remaining cattle south.”

  “They’re only going to die here.”

  William slid his hands around the brim of his hat. “I was hoping, once Jessie’s had the baby, you might come back and help him out. He’ll go crazy up there by himself and he’ll need supplies.”

  “When are you going?”

  “As soon as we can.”

  Clem shook his hand. “Once I get Jessie settled I’ll come back. Can’t have big old Hegarty starving to death.”

  “Thanks, Clem.”

  “You want me to unload this horse?” Clem ran his hands down the neck of the horse that had carried the pack and bags.

  “Put everything on the back verandah. We’ll sort it out. You go whenever you’re ready.”

  Clem started to untie the bags from the back of the horse.

  William held out his hand. “Thanks again, Clem, and good luck with the baby.”

  Clem gave it a quick shake then he grinned. “You’d better go in for some cake. Don’t want Robert to eat it all.”

  Twenty-one

  Hegarty and Robert waved William off from their vantage point on a rocky ledge above the waterhole where several cattle were drinking. The spring-fed hole was deeper on the far side, then it spread out in a large arc and along the creek until a bank of sand blocked it from ranging further down. The brothers had ridden to find Hegarty at first light. William had explained the plan and Hegarty had been in agreement. He and Robert would start rounding up the cattle they thought most likely to survive the journey south.

  William had questioned Hegarty but the older man had found no sign of the tracks Clem had followed. Cattle had tramped the ground around the waterhole and there was no longer any indication of human digging or
of their trail, but William was keen to look for himself.

  He pushed his hat firmly onto his head and walked his horse on, searching the ground as he went. The day was warm but puffy clouds drifted across the blue sky, helping to hold back some of the sun’s heat, and a breath of wind cooled his forearms below his rolled-up sleeves.

  There was a natural trail from the waterhole down the creek, across rocks and then between the lower hills to the gate in the fence between Prosser’s Run and Smith’s Ridge. William had avoided this part of the property for a long time, but today he rode with a mixture of hope and dread in his heart. Had the South African man, Becker, returned, or had someone else been looking around? And if it was someone else, who? And did it mean Georgina had been complicit in the search if the person had come from her property or had they simply followed the curves and grooves of the land over both properties? And what of Georgina? Had she listened to gossip and so thought him a married man? Is that why she had turned her back on him?

  So many questions played through his mind. By the time he reached the gate he had no answers and a dull ache in his temple. The gate was firmly shut. The ground around it was baked hard, with little plant life strong enough to survive on this windswept part of the hill. He could see no sign of anyone having passed this way in recent times. He looked in the direction of the stand of trees where he had tied the ribbon. From his position he couldn’t tell if it was still there or not. He was torn between wanting to check and knowing he must see to his cattle, but he had already wasted the best part of the day. He slid from the saddle. It was foolish but he couldn’t resist going to see. The ribbon had been a symbol of his love. Now he had some splinter of hope, he wanted the ribbon back.

  He opened the gate and walked his horse to the stand of trees. A flutter of movement caught his eye and there was the ribbon, faded and even more tatty now, but still firmly tied in the tree. He was startled by a gunshot. Big Red pulled back, and William reached up to pat his neck. He reassured the animal and turned his gaze in the direction of the gully, from where the shot had come. A second rang out. He tethered Big Red in the trees and set off on foot. Beyond the trees the barren terrain sloped sharply. William kept his head low as he climbed over the rocky peak that bounded the next gully. A shadow passed over him and he squinted up at a large eagle circling overhead.

  He lifted his head cautiously and took in the scene below. Three men stood around a dead cow. One was Swan, who worked for the Prossers. The other two had their faces obscured by their hats but from his clothes and stance one of them appeared to be Charles Wiltshire, and the third — William caught his breath. She might be wearing trousers like a man but it was Georgina Prosser.

  “Stand back please, Georgina.” The tone Charles used was commanding rather than tender. “Swan and I can deal with it.”

  Georgina put her hands to her hips. Her gaze lifted skywards as if she were saying a prayer and before William had time to duck away she had seen him.

  “William?” Her voice wavered.

  Charles spun around. “Baker? What are you doing here? This is not your land.”

  “I don’t believe it’s yours either, Wiltshire.” William stood to his full height. He glanced back at Georgina. “I was checking the fence line. I heard shots.”

  She took two steps towards him. “The animal had a broken leg. We had to shoot it. We’ll salvage what we can carry.”

  William saw longing rather than resentment on her face, but with Charles right there and Swan, he was in no position to speak with her. He thought desperately for something to say.

  “There’s been some damage to the fence,” he blurted.

  “Where?” She took another step closer.

  Charles glowered at him. Swan paid no attention; he was bent over the dead cow, busily working.

  “Near the gate. I can show you.”

  “There’s no need, Georgina,” Charles growled. “Swan and I can see to it later.”

  “But you’re busy here. I’ll be out of the way if I check the fence.”

  William thought there was a hint of mockery in her tone but Charles didn’t seem to notice.

  “Very well, but don’t be long.”

  This time William saw indisputably the flash of anger that crossed Georgina’s face. She clambered up the gully to stand beside him and without a backwards glance strode down the other side and off in the direction of the fence. He followed, desperately trying to think of an excuse for lying to her.

  She stopped in the shade of the first gum tree and waited for him to catch up.

  He came to a halt beside her, drinking in the green of her eyes, her pink lips and small upturned nose sprinkled with pale freckles.

  She looked back at the hill that hid the men from her view. “Not the way we had planned to celebrate the new year but we couldn’t leave the poor animal to the wild dogs and eagles.” She swept a strand of hair back from her face and smudged dirt across her cheek. William longed to reach out and brush it away.

  “Is that today?” He had lost track of the days since Christmas.

  “Tomorrow it will be the new year. The last of this century.” She looked back at him. “Which way?”

  William could only stare.

  A small frown creased her brow. “Where is the damage, Mr Baker?”

  The sharp tone of her voice broke the spell she had cast over him. Mr Baker, she had said.

  He took off his hat and looked her in the eye. “There isn’t any.”

  She lifted her chin. “Then why did you say there was?”

  “I wanted to tell you … well, I thought perhaps it was the gossip—”

  Georgina raised one eyebrow. “Please state your purpose, Mr Baker. I must get back.”

  “I’m not married.” William blurted it out and watched the disdain spread across her face.

  “You have brought me here to discuss your sordid living arrangements.”

  “Aah!” William pressed his hand to his head.

  Georgina flinched, watching him warily.

  “I have no living arrangements. At least not what you are thinking.”

  “How do you know what I am thinking?”

  “You’ve heard the gossip.”

  “I don’t listen to gossip. If you are referring to your liaison with your … the native woman you live with, I got that direct from my father, in a letter, before he died.”

  “The old bugger.”

  “I beg your pardon.” Georgina drew herself up and the light was back in her eyes. “If you brought me here to besmirch my father I won’t stay and listen.”

  “I don’t care what your father thought of me, Georgina, but it matters what you think.”

  He grabbed her hand. She snatched it back.

  “I’ve heard enough.” She made to move away.

  “No.” He put an arm to the trunk of the tree to block her path. “I need to clear the honour of my housekeeper, who doesn’t deserve the injustice of the story made up about us.”

  She continued to glare at him but at least she didn’t try to walk away.

  William dropped his arm. “Jessie, who is married to Clem, lives in the quarters at Smith’s Ridge with her husband and keeps house for Hegarty and me. Your father wanted to keep us apart. He probably started the rumour that had me married to our housekeeper … my shepherd’s wife.”

  “Your shepherd’s wife?” Georgina reached behind her for the trunk of the tree and leaned against it.

  “I’ve never looked at another woman since I asked you to marry me, Georgina. And I have never stopped loving you.”

  Her mouth opened in a small ‘o’ and her eyes glistened with tears. Above her head the ribbon fluttered. William took a small step closer and leaned towards her.

  “Georgina!”

  William frowned at Charles Wiltshire striding over and Georgina let out a small sigh.

  “Are you all right?” Charles took her hand. “What game are you playing, Baker?”

  William met Wiltshi
re’s baleful look with an equally menacing glare, clenching his fists at his sides. What was it about Charles Wiltshire that always made William want so much to punch the boy’s nose?

  “Simply rectifying some untruths. No doubt your family were involved in the spreading of the gossip.”

  Charles puffed out his chest. “I don’t know what you’re blathering about but you are on Prosser land and not welcome here.”

  “You’re not a Prosser so you have no say in it,” William growled.

  “We are very good friends. Since the loss of Mr Prosser, my father and I have been helping the ladies.” Charles shifted his hand to Georgina’s shoulder. “We are very close.”

  William ignored him and locked his gaze on Georgina. Her eyes were sad and her mouth opened just a little but she didn’t speak.

  “Swan has collected what he could from the dead animal, Georgina, and loaded the spare horse. We should return to the homestead or we will be late for the new year’s celebrations. Your mother will be worried.”

  Still Georgina remained where she stood.

  “I have to go away for some time,” William said quickly. “I’m taking cattle south. We leave tomorrow.”

  Charles gave a snort. “They’ll die before you get them there.”

  William ignored him. “Can I call on you when I return?”

  “You cannot,” Charles huffed.

  Georgina let out a sharp sigh and shook herself from his hold. Her white blouse draped softly to her waist where it was tucked into her trousers. The soft fabric rippled in the breeze and a lock of her red hair drifted to her neck. William drank in her beauty and ached at the sight of her bewildered look.

  “How long will you be gone?” she asked.

  “Several months at least.” William wished with all his heart he didn’t have to go and leave her.

  She darted forward and kissed him. He’d barely tasted the sweetness of her lips than she pulled away again.

  “I shall look forward to your return.”

  “What? Georgina, you can’t be serious.” Charles hopped from foot to foot.

  “We all have obligations.” Georgina gave William a look of such longing he wanted to take her in his arms right then, but she turned and walked quickly away.