“Yes, she’s here, and I believe she needs your support.”
“You don’t know my daughter as well as you think, Mr Baker. Georgina has made it quite clear she doesn’t need me for anything.”
Mrs Prosser began to turn away. He put a gentle hand on her arm and she glared at him.
“We … well at least Georgina was having a baby, but she lost it before Christmas.”
Mrs Prosser put her hand to her mouth.
“She has been so sad, and our overseer’s wife is with child and I think that makes it even more difficult. It would be so good for her to have a mature woman who understands these things I don’t, to help her.” William’s words came out in a tumbled rush. “She needs you, Mrs Prosser … she needs her mother.”
He dropped his hand. Mrs Prosser continued to stare at him.
“I have a big family,” he said. “I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you both to not have each other in your lives.”
Still the older woman didn’t speak. She shook her head and William felt the bravado he’d been holding onto slide away. In the distance he heard the sound of the dance band warming up.
He put out his arm. “I’ll escort you back.”
“Thank you,” she said, but she didn’t take the arm he offered. “I am not staying for the ball. I find these events rather lonely these days.” She locked her gaze on his. “It’s not easy to lose a child, Mr Baker. Both my sons are dead, of course, but I also had babies who came much too early. If Georgina would like to see me I am staying at the Temperance Hotel. I will be there until the end of the week.” She turned and walked away, her head held high.
William didn’t know what to feel. He had permission from his mother-in-law, but now he had to convince Georgina to swallow her pride too.
The next morning there was no time to think on arranging meetings. Tired as they were from dancing half the night, they were up early to ready the horses for the day’s events. Georgina had brought Bella and a dark chestnut called Carmody, who looked half carthorse and half racehorse, and who could produce great speed. He surprised everyone, including William, by carrying Georgina first over the line in the last event of the day, which had been a kind of obstacle course with a sprint at the finish.
“Well done, clever wife,” he said as they led both horses back to the yard reserved for them. Georgina had two first-place ribbons and a third.
“It’s these two who are clever,” she said, patting first Bella and then Carmody. Georgina’s laugh cut short. “What’s she doing here?”
They both stopped and the horses did the same. William looked towards the yard to see Mrs Prosser sitting on a blanket over a bundle of hay. It was where he and Georgina had shared a picnic lunch earlier in the day.
“Georgina,” he cautioned. “She has come to see you. Please be civil.” William watched his wife carefully, wishing he’d had time to prepare her for the meeting, but realising that might have only made things worse. Perhaps Mrs Prosser arriving unannounced was the best way forward. He reached for Bella’s reins. “I’ll see to the horses. You speak with your mother.”
Georgina’s lips pursed.
“You have lost a child, my love.”
She gasped and tears instantly welled in her eyes. He felt like a monster but he knew she had to make the peace.
“You both understand that loss. Don’t shut each other out any longer. There must be a way forward from here.”
“William,” she whispered. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks. “I can’t.”
He put both sets of reins in one hand and his other arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Yes you can, Georgina. I’ll come with you.”
He walked her forward. They were slow steps and they came to a faltering halt in front of her mother.
Johanna took one look at her daughter’s grief-stricken face and held out her arms. To William’s great relief, Georgina fell into them.
Forty-one
July 1901
William braced himself against the biting cold of the mid-winter morning. It had been a struggle to crawl from his swag; he’d slept little. Around him there was no other movement. The natives were under their furs in their shelters. He had slept close to the camp cooking fire, which he was sure had been the only thing to stop him freezing to death.
Yesterday he had brought supplies from the store he had finally completed at Smith’s Ridge. He knew food was scarce for the remaining natives. As for everyone else, it was a difficult winter. Even the rabbits had all but disappeared.
William led his horse away as the sun turned the sky a lighter shade of grey overhead. He pushed one gloved hand into his coat pocket and led Big Red around the ridges and down the gullies. He came to the edge of a dry creek bed, where he mounted and continued on his way. He had one more stop to make before he returned home. He’d been gone over a week and longed for Georgina’s arms and the comfort of their bed.
He hadn’t been to the bottom waterhole for some time. He’d insisted Albie leave his post overlooking Wiltshire’s claim when the winter turned so bitterly cold. Now he was so close he decided to call past himself.
He came to a halt at the sight of Binda and Jundala walking towards him leading a horse loaded with bags. Both had coats; Binda’s was similar to William’s but Jundala’s had been made from animal skins, and her feet were bare. Binda lifted his hand in a wave as they came to a stop. William dismounted.
“Are you heading to the camp?” he said as he reached them.
“Yes. We are visiting on our way to Jundala’s country.”
William smiled at the grimfaced woman. “How are you, Jundala?”
“I am well.”
“I hope you find your family the same.”
She indicated the horse Binda had by the reins. “We have purchased some supplies from your store for them.”
“Good.” He was glad many could benefit from his idea. “I have spent the night with your people, Uncle Binda.”
“Georgina told us your plans. We hoped our paths would cross.”
“Have you checked the springs along the creek?” Jundala looked beyond him to the hills.
“All is well up there.”
“What about the bottom waterhole?” Binda asked.
“I am on my way there now.”
“The men are more determined miners than you thought.”
“It appears so but at least they are nowhere near the true source of the original diamond. The top waterhole remains untouched.”
“For now.” Jundala’s tone was harsh and she did not meet his look.
“I said I would not touch it and I have not. Uncle Binda’s family will continue to have access.” William shuffled from foot to foot. The cold seeped beneath his jacket.
Binda murmured something and Jundala glanced briefly at William. Her expression softened. She nodded.
“Let us continue.” Binda reached out to shake William’s hand. “Safe travels.”
“And you.” William watched for a while as Binda and Jundala made their way on along the edge of the creek bed. He was sorry his exuberance over the idea to channel water from the higher country had caused friction between him and Jundala. He hoped time would make it right again.
Big Red snorted and shook his head.
“Time to be on our way, fellow.” William mounted and set off again.
There was no sign of life as he rounded the last bend and took in the camp sprawled from the bank to the creek bed below. He gripped the reins tighter at the sight of the fully fenced waterhole and the scattered signs of human occupation. These men had little care for the land they were camped on.
He rode closer, keeping the fence between him and the waterhole. Both man and horse lifted their heads in surprise as a chap burst from one of the tents on the bank opposite, a rifle in his hands.
“Stay where you are,” he bellowed.
William stared and then the hackles rose on his neck. “Wiltshire!”
“Baker?” Charl
es lowered his gun then just as quickly raised it again. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking my waterhole.”
“I have a legal claim to it so you can get on your way.”
William glanced around. He took in the remains of the fire, the small pile of wood, the sagging second tent. There was an air of desolation beyond that of the cold day. “Where are your men?”
“That’s no concern of yours.”
“Not prepared to stay through the winter, I’d warrant.” William looked Charles up and down. From the distance he could see his hair was dishevelled and his usually clean chin sported a beard, albeit a patchy one. “How are you enjoying tent life, Charles? Find any diamonds to keep you warm?”
“Get on your way, Baker.”
William climbed down from his horse. “I might light a fire for my billy and enjoy some of my wife’s cake.” He stepped closer to the fence. “Your claim is on my land.”
Charles thrust out his chest. “But it is my claim.”
“Perhaps it won’t be so easy to access before too long.”
“If you’re referring to your wife’s reunion with her mother, that won’t change anything. Johanna is happy for me to travel over her land.”
“But for how much longer?”
Charles staggered down the path to the creek bed and to the edge of the waterhole. William could see his face clearly now. His skin was grey and eyes red rimmed.
“I know what you’re up to Baker,” Charles spat the words at him. “Trying to get your mother-in-law on side so you can take over Prosser’s Run.”
William shook his head. “Don’t judge me by your standards, Wiltshire. I’ve only encouraged the reunion because a mother and daughter should be friends.”
“Ha, that’s what you say.” Spittle dribbled over Wiltshire’s lips.
A thick bank of cloud passed over the sun and the day felt colder. William glared at Charles a moment, then thought of Georgina waiting for him at home. He mounted Big Red and rode away without a backwards look.
It was midday by the time he reached the welcome sight of home. He was chilled to the bone and looking forward to the warmth of the fire and some of Georgina’s soup. They’d lived on soup that winter. Even though sometimes it was lacking in ingredients it was at least warm.
“William.”
He turned back from his gate to the sight of Jessie hurrying towards him, her new baby strapped to her chest and Haji on her hip. Lines creased her brow.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was about to hook up the cart.” She came to a stop in front of him. “Georgina went out for a ride first thing this morning and she hasn’t returned.”
William’s heart gave an extra thud. His first thoughts were of Charles but there had been no sign of Georgina there.
“Did she say where she was going?”
“Not really but we waved her off and she was headed north.”
William turned back to Big Red.
“Wait. You must be exhausted. Come and have some bread and hot soup first.” Jessie gave him a wan smile. “I’m sure she’ll be all right. And you’ll be better with something in your stomach.”
William’s stomach did indeed ache with hunger. There was sense in her words. “Thank you,” he said and followed her back to her cottage.
“I’d have asked Albie to go but he went with Clem this morning.” Jessie offered him a mug of delicious-smelling soup. “It’s kangaroo tail. Georgina and I made it together yesterday.”
William took a careful sip but it was the perfect temperature and he felt its warmth doing him good straight away. “Has she been all right while I’ve been gone?”
“Yes. It must be difficult for her with our Sally.” Jessie’s hand rested on the head of her new daughter. “But she has been happy. As cheerful as anyone could be in this frightful cold.”
“That’s good.” They had talked about their mixed feelings of sorrow and joy when Jessie’s little girl was born at the start of winter. They both longed for a child of their own but had determined that Clem and Jessie’s children would fill the void in the meantime. He swallowed the last of the soup and picked up the hunk of warm bread she had cut for him.
“Take these.” Jessie held out a jacket and a blanket. “Do you have the makings of tea with you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. It’s so cold. Georgina might enjoy a hot drink before you bring her home.” Jessie gave him an encouraging smile. “I’m sure she’ll be all right. Something’s held her up, that’s all.”
In spite of Jessie’s brave smile he couldn’t help the worry that wormed inside him as he hurried out the door and across the yard to where Big Red waited.
The bellows of the cow filled the frosty air and made Georgina’s heart race. She had helped to deliver many calves but this one was proving difficult. It had become stuck and mother and baby were in danger. The only thing for it was to pull the calf from the mother but Georgina had been trying for some time and she hadn’t been strong enough to do it.
She kicked at a rock in frustration. It was certainly not what she’d planned for her morning. It had been a miserable cold winter so far and for the last few days she’d been cooped up in the house. That morning the freezing wind that had raged across the bare plains for days had finally abated and she had resolved to take Carmody for a ride. It had been a refreshing escape but the biting air had just decided her to turn for home when she had come across the struggling cow.
She stood hands on hips and shook her head. She’d brought little with her. A flask of water and a hat she’d not worn. She’d also dug around in the saddle bag and found a length of rope there from some earlier expedition; it was giving her an idea.
She lifted her gaze from the forlorn cow to her horse, and ran her hand down Carmody’s stout neck. “I need your strength, boy. We will have to do this together.”
She took the rope from her saddle and tied one end of it around the small leg protruding from the mother. The other end she tied to the pommel of her saddle, then she positioned herself at the back end of the cow. “Now, Carmody,” she said. “Back up.”
The horse lifted his head, one eye fixed on her as if he thought she were crazy. “Back up,” she commanded. He took a step backwards and then another. The rope strained, the cow bellowed and the calf remained firmly where it was.
Georgina wiped hair from her eyes with the back of her hand and braced herself. “Back up,” she said again.
Carmody pulled, Georgina rotated the calf, the cow contracted, and all at once the calf slithered out to land in a steaming heap at her feet. She bent to remove the rope and stepped back to let the mother take care of her newborn. The cow nudged and cleaned until it staggered up on its wobbly legs.
Georgina let out a sigh. Her breath puffed around her in a mist. The sun was hidden behind a thick bank of cloud and instead of getting warmer the day was colder than when she’d left home. A shiver went through her. She was filthy and damp.
“Georgina!”
She lifted her head at the call. Relief flooded through her at the sound of William’s voice.
“Up here.”
She waved as he came into view, so pleased to see him.
“Are you all right?” He was down from his horse as soon as he was close.
She moved towards him. “Of course.” She waved a hand at the new family. “Had to help these two.”
William wrapped her in his arms as he looked over her shoulder. “You’re freezing,” he said. Then he let her go and studied her at arm’s length. “And you’re covered in muck. Take off your jacket. I’ve brought a spare and a blanket.”
Georgina shuddered as the cold hit her and slipped her arms gratefully into the fresh jacket he held out for her.
“I’m pleased you’re here,” she said. “But how did you know to come?”
He wrapped her in the blanket and held her close again. “When I got back to the homestead, Jessie was about to come looking for you. You
’d been gone a while, she said. I took a guess you usually ride up to the first ridge.”
Georgina shivered in his arms. In spite of the extra layers she felt chilled to the bone.
He guided her to a fallen log. “Sit here,” he said. “I’m going to light a fire and make some tea to warm you before we return home.”
Georgina huddled into the blanket while William worked, grateful for his presence. Carmody would have got her home, but she would have been frozen to his saddle. Further away the cow tended to her calf. Georgina’s heart ached at the sight. Once more the loss of her own baby overwhelmed her. She put her head to her knees inside the blanket to hide her tears from William. Even though there would be more babies she would always hold a place in her heart for that first child who didn’t live long enough inside her.
William’s arm went around her and she lifted her head to see flames crackling in a little fire, the water tin nestled on the edge.
“This is the coldest winter I can remember,” he said. “Once the water has warmed a little you can use some to wash your hands.”
Georgina looked down at the filth plastered to her skin.
He grinned. “At least you’ll be able to put your gloves back on.”
Georgina nestled her head against his shoulder, so thankful for his warmth and his strength. Being with William in this country was all that mattered.
Something soft brushed her cheek.
“What’s that?” William asked, batting at his own cheek.
She sat forward and looked up. He was doing the same. Georgina pulled her dirty hands from the blanket and lifted them. White flakes touched her hand then instantly became droplets.
“Snow.” She looked at William, whose eyes were wide. She sprang up. The blanket fell away and she spread out her arms. “It’s snowing.”
He was instantly beside her, wrapping them both in the blanket. “Well,” he said. “I would never have believed it. Snow on Smith’s Ridge.”
Georgina laughed, a warm feeling inside her despite the freezing air.
Huddled together they watched as the rugged terrain around them was coated in a white layer, which quickly turned to slush.
Jewel In the North Page 35
