An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden

by Margaret Way

  It was still better for her mother and Craig that they know nothing of her whereabouts, lest Colin wreak his vengenance on them.

  The front door chimes sounded through the little cottage she called home. She almost ran to the door, a spontaneous smile playing around her lips.

  Evan stood outside, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans with a linen jacket on top to add a more formal touch. “Hi!” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “Ready?”

  They were off to a little ceremony to bring closure to what was possibly Koomera Crossing’s biggest mystery. The interment of little Estelle Sinclair.

  “More than ready,” she answered. “I’ll just grab my handbag.”

  “Tell me, what do you think about all this stunning development?” he asked as they drove away.

  “Estelle’s is an extraordinary story. I think we’ll have to accept the fact Sarah is psychic.”

  “She’s certainly different. That Sinclair place is a thoroughly disturbing house. It has a definite aura. I often wondered why Sarah chose to live there when she returned to town. I know Kyall was very much against it, but she was adamant. You stayed there for a couple of days—anything that went bump in the night?”

  “Could be, but I missed it.” Laura shook her head.

  “Estelle’s ghost has been seen on and off for the past hundred years.” He gave her a sceptical glance.

  “Not by you?”

  “I’m obviously too much the sceptic. Things have to be proved. The paranormal isn’t exactly my area of expertise. In fact I’m dumbfounded by Sarah’s story.”

  “The girl’s bones have been found and DNA-tested,” Laura pointed out. “The whole town of Koomera Crossing is turning out to see them interred. Hopefully it will bring closure to the town and to the Sinclair descendants.

  “Sarah had told me her story. The house had been built in the late 1870s by a colonial architect named Robert Sinclair. His eldest daughter, Estelle, a pretty blonde girl of twelve, had simply vanished into thin air. A massive search had failed to discover any trace of her. The broken-hearted family had packed up and returned to Adelaide; Estelle’s fate had never been known until Sarah went to live in the house and her strange experiences began.”

  “I never liked the idea of Sarah wandering around there,” Evan said. “But Sarah was born and bred in this town. She knew the local folklore better than most. The Sinclair homestead was always thought to be haunted.”

  Laura looked out at the vividly coloured landscape. “It certainly sends off vibrations, I can’t deny that. Sarah thinks she was meant to go there, even as she questioned her own motives for staying. On one occasion she told me she was standing on the verandah, waiting for Kyall to arrive, when her mind was flooded by images. She saw a girl drowning. She saw her long blonde hair. The waterhole and the boulders rising out of it. Most terrifying of all, she saw a man.

  “She told me she felt incredibly frightened, as if she was being drawn into another reality. She could feel the nerve-jittering shock right through her body. She wanted to pull out of the images but they wouldn’t let her go. Another time it was a dream so detailed that when she woke up she was able to identify the exact lagoon. When they were children she and Kyall used to ride all over the countryside exploring.”

  “The whole thing is baffling,” Evan had to concede. “Slightly uncomfortable to most people, I suppose, though there’s little doubt certain individuals have ‘powers’ and others have paranormal experiences. The atmosphere surrounding the house was probably conducive to setting Sarah off.”

  “She says she’s a doctor, not a clairvoyant. She has no wish to be. What happened to her happened. There’s no everyday explanation. Sarah convinced Kyall to have the waterhole searched. We all know the rest. Divers found the child’s remains.”

  “I would have thought the Sinclair descendants would have taken them back to Adelaide but obviously they’ve all agreed Estelle will be buried here at Koomera Crossing.”

  Laura took a breath. “Sarah said she’d been raped and murdered.”

  “Laura, we have no means of knowing that.” He tossed her a searching look. “It was a dream, after all.”

  “A dream that turned up Estelle. The murderer went free, despite a thorough investigation.”

  “I’m sure Sarah wouldn’t have wanted to come face to face with him,” he said wryly.

  “Except there’s a twist. She saw his face, his features.”

  “Time is fleeting, Laura,” he pointed out dryly. “Had this man lived, he’d be around one hundred and fifty.”

  “All right, all right. It’s an amazing story, all the same.”

  Evan frowned suddenly. “I assume Sarah looked through all the old records?”

  “I never asked.”

  “Having taken it this far, perhaps Sarah should look into it further. The whole thing’s so damned odd.”

  Laura smiled. “I expect Sarah is fully occupied with her wedding. It’s just over a week off.”

  “A great day! I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Everyone is.” Laura laughed. “She has her beautiful young daughter to attend her.”

  Evan nodded. “A miracle in itself. Have you decided what you’re going to wear?” He was seized by a vision of how she would look as a bride.

  “I expect I’ll have to wear something I’ve already got.”

  “Why’s that?” He studied her profile, as he did when she lay sleeping at night.

  “I was a bit late to ask the town dressmaker—who’s simply marvelous—I’ve seen her things—to run me up something,” she explained wryly.

  “Let me see…I don’t actually have anything in my wardrobe one could properly call wedding finery. Why don’t we take a quick trip to Brisbane?” he suggested. “I could organise a charter flight to the nearest domestic airport. We’d have to stay a night, of course. Maybe two. What do you say?”

  He glanced at her, thinking she’d be thrilled. Instead her lovely white skin had gone even whiter.

  “What’s the matter?” He knew his tone was taut but he couldn’t help it. He thought he had managed to seal off all the anxieties that swirled around her.

  “Evan, it would cost too much money.” She tried to put him off. She dared not show herself anywhere near the State capital.

  “I think I can afford it. What’s upsetting you? Ah, let me guess. The dreaded doctor is in Brisbane?” He fought against his disappointment and anger. “Hell, it’s taken me months to find that out.”

  “I never said he was.” Sick panic ran down her spine.

  “I’m afraid you say nothing about your background. You do realise even if your doctor is having difficulty tracing you I’d have no difficulty tracing him?”

  “You wouldn’t!” Her heart leapt to her throat.

  “Why so shocked. I thought you realised ours is no casual affair. Not for me.”

  “Evan, it’s not casual for me either.” Her eyes clouded.

  “No, but there are some issues to be worked out. Clearly your doctor friend is at the top of the list. Is he married? Are you his mistress? Has he put off divorcing his wife? Are you angry about it?”

  She could hear the impatience and frustration in his voice. “Evan, I love being with you.”

  “At the same time you’re contemplating returning to this man. Oh, don’t look out of the window. That’s about the size of it.”

  “I don’t feel the same about him any longer,” she protested. “I want to be rid of him.”

  He took his eyes off the road long enough to stare at her in consternation. “Heavens, Laura, you’re talking like you’re already married to the guy. I don’t feel like battling a shadow. I think the two of us should confront this man. Obviously he’s been able to dominate you.”

  She bit her lip hard. Trying to rid herself of her fear of Colin was an excruciatingly difficult process. At his worst she was quite sure Colin could threaten her life. Perhaps threaten Evan’s? She could be putting Evan in danger at this
very moment.

  “The painful fact is he did dominate my life, Evan, but that’s all over. You can be absolutely sure I’ll never go back to him. I don’t want you to meet him either, but I think you will.” Her voice was full of trepidation.

  “Good,” he said shortly. “Your doctor holds no fears for me. I’ll make it my business to see he presents no threats to you. For your sake, I’m being as patient as I know how.”

  “I’m so grateful for it.”

  He loved her too much to continue a conversation that clearly upset her, no matter his frustration. “What about Sydney?” He returned to a much more pleasant subject. “Melbourne, if you prefer?”

  “Are you doing this for you or me?”

  “For both of us,” he said, giving her a reassuring smile. “It just occurred to me I’d like to help you pick out your dress.”

  “What a wonderful idea—considering it’s you I want to look beautiful for.” Her face lit to radiance.

  “Then it’s a date.” He’d come too far. Everything depended on keeping Laura safe.

  During the ceremony for Estelle Sinclair many a towns-woman dabbed away tears, while the descendants of the Sinclair family standing staunchly together were visibly affected. This discovery of their young ancestor was more than any of them had ever dreamt of.

  They had talked to Sarah about her experiences in the house built by Estelle’s father. She had told them everything she could, meeting not with scepticism but with an almost religious acceptance that Estelle’s spirit had reached out to her.

  This had been a terrible tragedy in the history of the Sinclair family. They all agreed they had gained much comfort from the fact she’d finally been laid to rest.

  Evan and Laura stayed in one of Sydney’s finest hotels, with balconies looking out over the glorious blue expanse of the Harbour. Evan had booked them discreetly into separate but adjoining rooms. Laura would talk about paying her share later. She didn’t have a glimmering of knowledge about Evan’s wealth, but gradually she had begun to see he had no worries whatever with money.

  They had limited time, but they had already managed to tour the city and the famous Harbour. Not that Laura hadn’t seen it all before, but the time she spent with Evan put her experiences on a different plane. Everything made such an impression on her it was almost as if she were reborn.

  They had dinner that first night at the restaurant of her choice. It wouldn’t have been the first choice of most young women bent on enjoying all the city had to offer. It was exclusive, and the food was always superb, but in the main it was an elegant haunt for the kind of people who liked and expected privacy. If one wished to be seen, or preferred more razzle-dazzle, one went elsewhere. Laura’s fervent wish was to be anonymous—for very obvious reasons.

  It was not to be.

  They were sitting back sipping coffee when a tall, thin, very distinguished-looking man, with sharp blue eyes and a thick shock of platinum hair, paused at Evan’s shoulder. He leaned over and pressed it.

  “My dear Evan! How absolutely marvellous to see you. People told me you’d gone into hiding.”

  Ever alert for trouble, Laura looked quickly at Evan, surprising a curious expression on his face. Nevertheless he stood up, radiating his own authority. “Wonderful to see you, Sir David.” He flashed his illuminating smile, reaching for the older man’s extended hand. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

  “Well, you have, my boy. You’ve turned into your father. Quite extraordinary! I always thought you favoured Marina’s side of the family. And this beautiful young woman?”

  He looked down with interest at the seated Laura, clearly charmed by her appearance. She had gone to a lot of trouble that evening to appear more sophisticated. She was wearing a silver sequinned top with a black brocade skirt, silver earrings, silver bracelet. She looked very beautiful, very expensive. She had managed to achieve the sophisticated look she was after.

  “Forgive me,” Evan said smoothly. “Laura, meet Sir David Ashe, one of our most distinguished diplomats. Sir David, this is a close friend of mine, Laura Graham.”

  “Delighted to meet you, my dear.” The bright blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as Sir David bowed over Laura’s hand. “Evan, I’m in Sydney for a few days,” he said as he straightened. “I wonder if we could meet for an hour or so for some serious conversation? If that doesn’t interfere with your plans? We simply have to catch up.

  “All right, all right…” He waved an acknowledging hand at a group clearly waiting for him in the foyer. “I must go. Friends. I’m supposed to be meeting someone Very Important. What about tomorrow some time at the club?” Sir David glanced back at Laura for her okay, which she gave by gently smiling.

  “I don’t see why that can’t be arranged, Sir David.” Evan took hold of the older man’s elbow. “I’ll walk along with you, if I may. Back in a moment, Laura.”

  “Pleasure to have met you, Laura,” Sir David called as he was spirited away.

  So what was that all about? Laura was left to ponder. There had been nothing remotely nervous about Evan’s manner. He obviously knew Sir David Ashe well, as Sir David knew him and his family, but she couldn’t help realizing Evan hadn’t wanted the conversation to continue.

  Marina? Evan’s mother’s name? Marina wasn’t all that usual as a Christian name. Laura’s brain began to tick over. A few quite famous Marinas came to mind. And then there was Marina Kellerman, the concert cellist. She remembered seeing her perform the Elgar once, but that had been years ago, when she was a student. As far as she knew Marina Kellerman had retired, or she was teaching. She could easily find out.

  But then why should she? It would be like spying on Evan. One thing she did know—his real name wasn’t Thompson. Probably, had Sir David continued talking, she could have found out quite a lot. She recalled Sir David’s opening remarks about people telling him Evan had gone into hiding. One would think it would be easy to open up to someone one was in love with, yet they both clung to their secrets. The past was so powerful.

  Afterwards they took a taxi to the Opera House, strolling along the waterfront of Bennalong Point, the peninsula jutting out into the Harbour. Many people were about: tourists, families, young couples enjoying the balmy night and the salt breeze off the water.

  The Sydney Opera House was one of the great buildings of the world, designed by the Danish architect Joern Utzon. It was all lit up, its two “sails” made of overlapping shells glittering under the lights.

  There was a symphony concert on that evening in one of the halls, Laura knew. A ballet by a major ballet company in another. Opera in a third. Evan had asked her if she’d like to go along to any one of them but she’d declined, not wanting to risk exposure. Many of Colin’s circle thought nothing of jetting down to Sydney for a special performance.

  She was quiet on the way back to the hotel, giving way to introspection. Evan too seemed slightly withdrawn, which seemed ominous to her, though he was as solicitous as ever helping her out of the taxi.

  At her door she hesitated, painfully aware of his body, separate from hers.

  “I’ll say goodnight, Evan. That was a lovely evening.”

  “Don’t go away.” His eyes were jet-black with desire. “Where’s your key?”

  “I’m fine.” She half turned from him to look in her evening purse.

  “No, you’re not. Give it to me, Laura.” As he said it he put his arm around her waist and pulled her in tight.

  “Don’t go away,” he said again as he looked down at her. They were inside the room and she backed against the door.

  How could she feel so low when only an hour ago she had been so high she soared?

  Guilt was with her now, and the feelings of being trapped in a mesh of lies and half-truths. A prison of her own making.

  “What is it? Tell me?” Hunger obliterated everything. He began to kiss her, one hand pressing her head to him, the other encircling her body, his mouth moving, seeking, drinking, all over her face. />
  She nearly fainted with the ecstasy, clinging to him now.

  His mouth kept moving. Down along her throat. His strong arm half lifted her from the ground to bring her somewhere near his own height. She could hear the soft groan at the back of his throat at the pleasure she was giving him. His hand touched her breasts, shaping them through the thin sequin-encrusted chiffon. Fire shot through her. It was a miracle the chiffon didn’t go up in flames.

  “You can’t possibly go away from me,” he muttered. Then in one surge of emotion he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

  “Do you love me, Evan?” she asked, her heart in her eyes.

  “You’ve changed my whole world.” He bent over her, kissed her parted mouth. “Let me show you.”

  Very gently, slowly, he removed her evening shoes with the little diamanté buckles, then her skirt and her cobweb-thin black tights. She stayed quiet as he did it, her heart racing so fast her short gasps ruffled the gossamer fabric of her bodice.

  “What are you doing here with me?” he asked. His voice was sensuous, his eyelids heavy with the weight of desire.

  “Falling in love.” She said, staring back at him.

  “You want to be with me, don’t you?” His arm supported her as he drew off her silver top as gently as one might undress a baby.

  “I adore you. How long does it take to fall in love, do you think?” She lay back on the bed, her body perfect in a filmy black lace bra and briefs.

  “Less than a minute?” He turned to strip off his jacket, throw away his royal blue silk tie, while she watched him in fascination. His chest was so broad. Powerful.

  He came back to the bed, leaned over her. The pressure to make love to her was building, expanding like great wings in his chest. Her fragrance rose into his nostrils. He could breathe it in on his pillow. She was all the woman he could ever want, yet despite all his nurturing she was keeping things from him—as indeed he was keeping things from her. It had to change if their relationship was to go where he fervently wanted it to go.