She scrunched the grass between her toes and smiled at the feeling one last time before turning towards the house and running up the stairs, feeling the carefree joy of summer at Greenshades embrace her.
She had completely forgotten about Jack and Rose in the fun of the day until that moment, when she landed on the enormous cream verandah and found herself face to face with them both. Jack’s stare caused Veronica to instantly regret leaving her towel by the pool as she stood before them, clad only in her new black swimsuit, her hair wild and loose from the impromptu ride.
And you thought having bare legs in a cart was bad.
She told her mind to hush for the umpteenth time that day.
Rose glared at her from beneath her white umbrella, her impeccable peach dress and white gloves seeming to recoil with her as she stepped back and snapped it shut. ‘Veronica. What a surprise. I thought you had decided you were too unwell to attend,’ she gritted out.
‘Hello, yes, well, I am quite fine now and…I couldn’t really miss my family Christmas.’ Veronica tried for calm defiance, but found herself bumbling. ‘So, you…you’ve arrived. Guess I’ll just be off to uh…change.’ She tried to exit gracefully but stubbed her bare toes on the step instead, tripping into Jack’s arms with force. There was nothing to stop the momentum as her body collided with his and she saw Rose’s expression contort to fury at the same moment as Jack’s hand landed on her breast.
‘Sorry!’ Veronica mumbled, disentangling herself, her face flaming. ‘The step,’ she added, looking back at it in dazed confusion, as if it had suddenly appeared there as a way of explanation. Rose glared and Jack gaped and Veronica decided to limp off with what little dignity was left, reflecting that greeting Rose by thrusting her chest into Jack’s hand wasn’t the finest way to let her know she’d decided to attend Christmas at Greenshades after all.
Rose was no fool. She knew that Veronica in a swimsuit was stiff competition, even for her. Especially when her would-be fiancé stood there grappling with the other girl’s bosom.
‘Veronica is such a pretty girl, isn’t she?’ she said casually.
‘Hmm? Oh yes, I suppose she is,’ Jack replied.
They were walking about the front lawns, which were refreshingly green and lush compared to the dry farming paddocks at home. The tiered waterfall sparkled in the midday sun and Rose stopped their stroll to watch it.
‘It’s a pity she doesn’t like me, although I thought, after the incident, she might have seen that there is something more to me than this.’ She picked up her pearl necklace and dropped it back against her neck, drawing his eye in the right direction, along with his feelings. ‘I believe I’m just not the sort of girl who ever makes female friends easily. They always seem to think I’m too…too…’ Her eyes began to well as she continued. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I try not to let it hurt me, but she so obviously dislikes me, and the way she looks at you…I think she and Pattie wish I’d never come along, and that you and Veronica…’ she dabbed at her wet cheeks with her handkerchief.
‘Of course they don’t wish that. Veronica isn’t like that, Rose. I think she just…doesn’t know how to talk to someone as sophisticated as you. Oh come now,’ he crooned as she continued to cry. He pulled her behind an enormous gardenia bush and held her close as she sniffled into his shoulder. ‘Just give them time.’
‘I just don’t know what else to do. I’ve tried to help out at the orphanage and visit with Mother and…and join in the fun around the piano. What else is there? I mean I even…you know…looked after her that day. Some might say I saved her life. I supposed at least then she might warm towards me a little.’
Jack seemed thoughtful about that. ‘Hasn’t she thanked you?’
‘No,’ Rose lied, pulling back and shaking her head. ‘It’s all right. I don’t expect any thanks. I’m just glad she’s all right.’
Jack held her hands protectively. ‘Don’t you worry. I’ll have a word with them, and soon they’ll get to know you better and grow to love you the way I do.’
‘What did you say?’ Rose stared at him, urging him on.
‘Surely you know how I feel, Rose,’ he began. ‘I think the time has come–’
‘Lunch!’ called Pattie, ringing the giant cowbell on the verandah and spying Jack and Rose across the lawn. ‘Hurry up there, Jack. It’ll get cold.’ Even from a distance both could feel the hostility Pattie sent Rose before heading back indoors.
‘See what I mean?’ Rose shrugged. ‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter. What were you saying?’ She lifted her face to him and gave him her sweetest, most encouraging smile.
‘Wait up, Jack, we’re putting bets on for this afternoon. Are you still in?’ Tom called, running across towards them.
Jack looked at Rose, exasperated.
‘Don’t worry, darling, we’ll continue this when you’re not so in demand shall we?’ She kissed him softly on the cheek, stroking his chin before heading for the house, feeling the relief wash over her. Soon there would be nothing to worry about.
‘Can I have a word?’
‘Better make it quick. I’m starving,’ Jack replied as Pattie chased after him towards the stables. She knew he would want to give Tilley a quick check before this afternoon’s race and she grabbed these few minutes while she could.
‘She’s looking strong,’ Pattie observed as they arrived and Jack gave the mare a once-over as she dipped her nose and nuzzled against him in welcome.
Jack nodded. ‘Pass me that brush, will you?’
She handed it to him and stood, trying to find some rare tact. ‘Jack,’ Pattie began, ‘I wondered if I could talk to you about Rose.’
‘Funny, I wanted to talk to you about her too.’ Jack glanced over and continued brushing.
‘I don’t know if you are aware of it or not but…she isn’t exactly…a nice girl.’
He paused and stared angrily at his sister. ‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’
Pattie frowned, kicking her toe at the stall.
‘Spit it out, Pats.’
‘The woman is a two-faced, lying pain in the neck!’ she blurted. So much for tact.
Jack glared at her.
‘And she is horrible to Veronica behind your back. Did you know she tried to forbid her from coming here?’
Jack looked momentarily confused. ‘I’m sure she was only worried about her health…’
‘She only worries about herself. She sees Veronica as a threat.’
Jack said nothing but Pattie sensed there was some level of admission there. So Veronica was competition. She pressed on. ‘She only pretends to like you, Jack. She’s just trying to trap herself a husband.’
‘Now you’re being ridiculous.’ Jack banged down the brush hard, causing her to jump.
‘It’s true.’
‘Are you quite finished?’
‘No,’ Pattie said firmly. ‘She isn’t…good enough for my brother and she never will be.’
Jack shook his head in disbelief. ‘You know, I really thought if I could talk to you about Rose you’d come to see what an amazing woman she is, but I can see now how wrong I was.’
‘She’s amazing all right…amazingly conniving.’
‘Watch it.’ Jack’s tone was low and Pattie stopped, recognising that she had pushed him too far. They faced each other, neither backing down.
‘I just don’t want you to be unhappy, especially when there is someone else who–’
‘Don’t tell me who to marry, Pats.’
‘But–’
‘Rose will be my wife, and, whether you like it or not, your sister. God help her. And if you don’t accept her then God help me, because you won’t be mine anymore.’
She watched him head back towards the house and realised Veronica’s tears had been well founded. They were losing Jack and the time to stop it from happening had long passed.
Lunch was a seemingly festive affair that day as the four families joined for the fi
rst time, though in fact not everyone at the table was in a celebratory mood.
Veronica avoided all eye contact, especially with Jack, taking her seat and attempting to slip into the background as much as possible. She had changed into a dark blue blouse and skirt, pulling her hair back tight and smooth, and felt safely back in conservative territory, although somewhat drab and dull compared to the warm epicentre that was Rose.
The latter seemed to have recovered her composure and was now holding court over the men nearby, charming them with her flirtatious comments and tantalising glimpses of cleavage beneath the soft peach gown. Meanwhile Alice was busily singing her praises at the other end of the table, retelling the story of the snake bite and Rose’s brave rescue. ‘And to think she managed to stop the venom spreading by making her own bandages! It really was quite ingenuous. You must be so proud, Dr Dwyer.’
Dr Dwyer looked across and tipped his glass. ‘Yes, quite. At least one of my children seems to have taken notice of my work over the years.’
An uncomfortable moment followed and Veronica felt for Iggy as he stared hard at the table.
‘I hear Ebony has an excellent chance at the races this afternoon,’ she said, forgetting to feel self-conscious around Jack and changing the subject.
Iggy lifted his eyes, looking surprised.
‘I’ve got two bob on him either way,’ Tom said. ‘Which reminds me, I think I might go down and give Tilley a pre-race brandy. Just to calm her nerves.’
‘Keep your devilish paws away from my mare,’ Jack said pointedly as the others began to laugh. Soon the conversation flowed easily again and Veronica turned to her mother, who sat beside her.
‘When do the children arrive?’
‘Tomorrow morning. I think Cook has outdone herself this year,’ Catherine said.
Vera could see that Catherine and Alice had thoroughly enjoyed their morning in the kitchen with Marjorie and ‘Cook’, catching up on all the news and laughing over old times. (Mildred was lying down in her room with the curtains drawn, shielding her aching head from ‘‘t’ hellish sun’.) With over thirty children, a dozen nuns and forty or so other guests due for the lawn party on the morrow, there was still much to be done. ‘We will be requiring your help this afternoon, ladies,’ Catherine addressed them.
‘But Clarkson has offered to drive us to the race,’ Mary protested.
‘The men work hard all year and can go on a drive if they please, but the young ladies are needed, I’m afraid,’ Catherine said in her gentle yet firm way.
‘Has he already arrived then?’ Clarkson Senior asked from the end of the table.
‘He’s just gone to pick up a friend from town, but he should be back soon,’ said Agnes.
‘Oh Daddy, it’s marvellous!’ Mary exclaimed.
The conversation turned to automobiles, the men excited by the prospect of seeing a brand new Sunbeam. Although cars were becoming more commonplace about town, many of the men still preferred to ride by horseback. Yet even this horse-mad company felt the excitement of having the fastest model of car in the world in their own backyard.
By the time Clarkson arrived they were all out on the front verandah waiting for him and he didn’t disappoint, putting on a dazzling show as he arrived with a flourish and a grin.
‘May I introduce the Sunbeam, winner of the French Grand Prix 1913 and freshly imported to sunny Greenshades to grace Mother’s lawn?’ Marjorie laughed as he continued. ‘Oh, and may I also introduce the importer of this fine automobile and a new friend of mine from good old mother England, Gregory Chambers?’
A large muscular man stepped out of the car, taking off his hat and revealing a head of white-blond hair, dramatic against his olive skin and white suit. He was impeccably dressed and made a perfect foil for Clarkson’s dark good looks. Veronica suspected they’d made quite an impression in town.
Introductions were made as Kevin set up his camera and took a photo of them all surrounding the car and afterwards everyone clamoured to take turns sitting behind the wheel. Veronica hung back and noticed Rose did the same, which was unlike her. Then she noticed her expression. Rose was frozen to the spot, looking at Gregory Chambers as if he were a ghost. And Gregory Chambers was staring straight back at Rose, although he didn’t seem surprised to see her at all.
Rose stood at the end of her bed, gripping the rail and staring out at the date palms as they bobbed about in the breeze. Funny, she thought. There’d been date palms outside the bedroom window of Gregory’s house in Melbourne too. She remembered watching the green and gold fronds dance at the precise moment that her life changed forever.
And now here they were again, waving their long, thin fingers. Changing her fate.
‘How did you find me?’
Gregory moved up to stand behind her. ‘I missed you too, Rose, or should I say I missed this.’ He grabbed her, turning her about and kissing her hard on the mouth. She resisted and he twisted his hands into her hair and pulled her close against his big frame.
‘Stop it.’ She pushed at him. ‘I thought…I hoped I’d never see you again.’
‘You say the words but your body says something else.’ He spoke against her mouth, kissing her again hungrily.
She felt herself weaken, then remembered and pulled away, distancing herself back against the door. ‘I don’t know how you found me but it doesn’t matter because I won’t go back to you, Gregory. It’s over. I told you before and nothing you say can change it now.’
‘Marry me, Rose.’ He closed in on her, holding her face between his hands. ‘Let’s just stop this nonsense and get married once and for all.’
She allowed him to kiss her, just once, and it felt familiar, echoing moments of stolen passion she’d tried to forget. He held her with a restrained forcefulness that made her shiver, her body on high alert to his touch.
‘You were a bad girl, running away like that,’ he whispered, kissing his way down her neck as she leant in towards him. ‘I don’t know how long it will take until you make it up to me.’
Then she remembered and opened her eyes, moving along the wall as he followed close, their breathing heavy with desire. ‘I can’t.’ She shook her head, desperately trying to gain back some control of her reeling senses. She couldn’t let it happen again. He would take her, then control her, and she would lose herself in the process. Gregory was an overwhelming force and she knew if she went back to him she would bend to his will and surrender more than her body.
He studied her for a moment, pinning her with his pale blue eyes, then smiled in a sudden flash of white teeth against brown skin. ‘You can and you will,’ he instructed.
‘You…you ask for too much.’
‘Yes, but this time I’m willing to pay, Rose. This time you can be the wife and the whore.’
‘Don’t call me that!’ she flashed at him.
‘You know you want me to,’ he whispered and she felt a damning rush of desire. It was so wrong but it felt so good to give in and let him take charge. Maybe she could let him do this. Maybe he could just rescue her and take her away.
‘I’ll give you everything your greedy little heart desires. The estate in London, the house in Melbourne, the family name. Marry me, Rose. Be my woman.’
He reached into his pocket and presented her with a large yellow diamond set in a platinum ring.
Rose gasped. It was exquisite. ‘You’re serious…’
‘Very.’
‘I can’t, Gregory…you…you take me over…’ Images of him looming over her the last time they were together flashed through her mind. The day she’d feared him. He was both powerful and dangerous and it excited her and terrified her at the same time.
‘So give in,’ he instructed, his breath against her ear as he reached for the door behind. ‘I can never give you up now, Rose.’
The latch clicked behind him and her legs gave out as she collapsed on the bed. Now there were two ways out and time was closing on the deal. She had to make her move.
Eight
By the time the men returned and washed up for dinner that night the women had prepared the feast for the pavilion party the next day, as well as an informal dinner.
The night’s fare was buffet style, mostly consisting of cold meats, pickles, breads and an assortment of fresh fruits from the orchards. Tradition dictated that the family Christmas was held now, before the greater number of guests arrived on the morrow. Marjorie also insisted on an informal concert every year, and delighted in the news that Iggy was an accomplished pianist. He was in fine form, having won the race on Ebony in a close finish against Jack on Tilley, and was itching to play.
Clarkson Senior got the ball rolling after dinner by handing out various costumes and masks, this year choosing Tom and Mick to perform the first number of choice. Seeing as they were already dressed as gypsies thanks to their host, they sang a version of ‘The Gypsy Rover’, interspersed with impromptu ‘readings’ throughout. These included the prediction that they had an ‘inkling’ Pattie’s legs would grow so long she would turn into a gigantic squid and that Alice would divorce and marry a certain rooster and become queen of England. This was followed by an almighty performance by Clarkson Senior, Dr Dwyer, George Murphy and Kevin who sang ‘Danny Boy’ in strong, rich voices. Kevin interspersed the singing with sweet variations on his violin before the whole group eventually joined in.
Veronica watched Jack sitting next to Rose, who had donned a princess crown, his arm around her as he sang along in his beautiful voice. Rose’s fingers fidgeted somewhat nervously with the string of pearls at her throat and Veronica wondered at it. Perhaps she was expecting a Christmas proposal. Veronica felt sick at the thought of that cold heart beneath the pearls beating against Jack’s warm loving one for the rest of his days.
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