Dear Plutocrat

by Anne Hampson

  Absently Kate nodded. Had she forgiven him for that? she asked herself, recollecting that, at the time, she vowed she never would do so.

  'Yes,' musingly as she stared into space and the vision of Mark and Cherry came before her eyes… looking at one another, and the smile appearing on Mark's stem face. 'We did consider him pompous and insufferable, didn't we?'

  Lin was yawning and, rising, she stretched, not troubling to answer Kate's question. She bade Kate good night and moved across the room.

  'Good night, Lin. I shall be saying my prayers tonight, no matter how tired I am.'

  'So shall I,' responded Lin fervently as she turned at the door. 'Our Cherry's had a narrow escape.'

  It was not until they entered the dining-room later in the day that Kate and Lin realized that James had also stayed the night at High Creek Downs. It was one of his men who had found the plane, and James had come on in the wake of the ambulance, anxious to know how the couple were. He would then have driven home again, but Mark would not hear of it, and so he was there when the girls went in to dinner, and he looked up at Lin, a most odd expression in his eyes. Lin glanced away and, sensing her embarrassment, Kate began talking. She and Lin had been into Cherry's room, but she was asleep. They had asked permission of the nurse before entering Paul's room. He was brighter by far than Cherry had been last night, but he grimaced as he moved under the bedclothes. He was fine, though, he assured them, adding that he would be up the following day.

  'How's Cherry?' he asked, appearing to avoid Kate's gaze. 'Nurse won't let me get up, not even for a few minutes, so that I can go in to her. I'd tell the girl to go to the devil, but I've got Mark tyrannizing over me as well.'

  'Cherry's asleep, but she looks a little better than she did last night.' Kate stared at him, but his head was still bent in a way that concealed his eyes from her gaze. 'Was it very dreadful when you realized you'd have to land?'

  'Not at first. I could tell by the sound of the engine that something was wrong and I decided it would be prudent to land. Cherry was marvellous,' he murmured, seeming to wander off as recurring memory brought back the scene. 'She's so calm—you'd never have thought there was an emergency. No panic, no inquiries, even, just calm unhurried suggestions as she looked about, helping me to find a landing-place. You've no idea how she helped… and yet she did nothing, really, except that her whole manner was soothing, and her suggestions practical… so very practical…'

  He became silent in thought and the two girls looked at one another, neither finding the slightest difficulty in visualizing the scene, with Cherry speaking in her customary unhurried way. There would be no urgency about her, no excitable cries of fear to add further to the pilot's troubles. Inwardly, her heart might be beating rather abnormally, but Cherry would not by word nor look allow her companion to guess at this. Paul would have had to know her much, much better before he was able to guess instinctively that Cherry could be just as emotionally affected by a situation as anyone else. Kate and Lin knew this, since they had been Cherry's friends for such a long while.

  Kate was musing on this scene in Paul's bedroom when, after dinner, Mark and his guests went out on to the verandah for a sundowner. James had found himself a chair close to Lin; his head was bent to hers and he seemed to be saying something which affected Lin deeply. Making another attempt to get Lin to work for him? Kate fell to wondering if Lin would accept in the end, hoping perhaps that James would eventually come to care for her. They certainly made an attractive pair as they sat there, both rather tough types, and giving the impression of being eminently suited to one another, in every sort of way. And Lin would make such a wonderful mother to his daughter, because although she was undoubtedly a stickler for discipline in school, she had a soft side to her which always came to the surface if a situation should occur where a child required sympathy and understanding.

  The four of them had been sitting some time, chatting together or in pairs, when James and Lin rose from their chairs and announced their intention of taking a stroll before turning in.

  'You don't mind?' James politely inquired of Mark.

  'Of course not, James.' Mark's eyes followed the pair until they became a single silhouette melting into the purple mist of night. 'I wonder if she will accept him,' came the cool comment as Mark brought his gaze back to Kate.

  'Accept him?'

  'Didn't it strike you as strange that James should come back here, after the couple had been found?'

  The couple. It seemed an odd way of putting it.

  'No—that is, I never gave it a thought. And neither did Lin,' she added, totally unprepared for what was to come.

  'James was under the impression that it was Lin who was in the plane with Paul.'

  Kate blinked; the incredible truth was beginning to seep through. She said dazedly, as if forced to move by gradual steps towards the finale:

  'Why should he have gained that impression? Didn't you tell him, over the air, that it was Cherry?'

  'I didn't speak to him personally. I gave instructions to one of the men to get in touch, while I was dressing. The man didn't know which girl had gone with Paul, but he did know it was one of the two who worked for him. James then asked if the name was Lin, and the man said yes. He was in a hurry, he told me afterwards when I questioned him about it, and he didn't think the name mattered anyway.'

  'So-so James came here because he was worried about Lin?'

  'Rather more than worried,' with a wry smile and followed by a silent moment of recollection. 'Before he went to bed he told me what he'd been through since hearing of the missing plane and believing Lin was in it. Apparently he'd asked Lin to work for him—' Mark cocked her a sidelong glance. 'But you knew that, I suppose?' and when Kate nodded, 'It was only when he believed Lin to be in danger that he realized he cared for her and that his offer of work had actually stemmed from something more than anxiety over young Emma's welfare. You see,' Mark went on to explain, 'James had never looked at another woman since the death of his wife and he always felt that he never would. I rather think it was an attitude of mind with him, a determination not to take another wife, rather than the more logical attitude of accepting that time really does heal. He cared deeply for his wife, no doubt about that—but from the conversation we had before we went to bed this morning it's very clear that he loves Lin; and that means he'll make her a good husband.'

  A long silence followed, broken only by the faint cry of a dingo a long way off. Kate said at last:

  'Lin will accept him, I know she will.' She looked at Mark and went on to explain the reason for Lin's refusing the post of nanny. 'She didn't say so outright, but she hinted that it would be too much of a strain to live in the same house with James—and him not caring anything at all about her.' Kate fell silent suddenly, aware all at once that this conversation was bordering on the intimate; that was, it bore no resemblance to any previous conversation which had taken place between Mark and herself.

  Mark obviously missed this as he continued to speak in the same vein, talking about a probable wedding very soon and then saying, an odd inflection in his voice:

  'You're going to miss Lin when she leaves High Creek.'

  Kate nodded, but went on to express her satisfaction that Lin had found so charming a husband.

  'Cherry and I can manage,' she added, and then, a little deprecatingly and with a deliberate avoidance of his eyes, which she knew would gleam with amusement, 'There isn't sufficient work for three of us in any case, not with our small stock, and with the house being all made ship-shape now.'

  Before Mark could comment on this the other couple returned.

  'Congratulations,' said Mark dryly on observing their expressions. 'I hope you'll be very happy.'

  Lin blushed—which was not like her at all—and James produced a rather sheepish grin.

  'You guessed why we went off—which was understandable in view of what I'd told you earlier.' He had also told Lin of his deep anxiety about her, Kate realized, f
or she evinced no sign of puzzlement at these words.

  'Congratulations,' offered Kate, reaching out a hand to grasp that of her friend. 'I'm so glad for you both— Yes, I also knew what to expect. Mark—Mr. Copeland has been telling me all about it.' The slip caused her some embarrassment and she went red, Flickering Mark a glance from under her lashes, she saw that he was regarding her with a set and steadfast gaze.

  'Mark will do,' was his surprising response, and a smile touched the fine outline of his mouth. 'Anxiety such as we've all been through usually results in a dispensing of formalities.'

  CHAPTER TEN

  The news of the engagement between James, the wealthy grazier, and Lin, the penniless pommy employed as a kitchen hand by Paul, soon spread to the far-flung neighbours over the air. Messages came in to Kennilong Downs—congratulations and wishes for the happiness of the couple—and these James passed on to his fiancée. Lin had at first been perturbed, and faintly contrite, at the idea of leaving her two friends. But she was soon reassured, Kate saying that, inwardly, they had all known that one day their ideal partnership must come to an end.

  'We knew marriage must come into it eventually, Lin, and naturally we've been prepared for a break—even though none of us has ever mentioned it. It isn't as if we're never going to see one another again. We'll be meeting quite often, in fact.' Yet secretly Kate saw the end approaching rapidly, for there was no doubt at all in her mind that Cherry and Paul were also in love. At first she had wondered if Mark were interested in Cherry, but now it was obvious that all he had ever felt for her was kindness, and also respect because of her calmness right at the start and on subsequent occasions. Never had Cherry become heated with him… not like Kate, who had so many times allowed him to see her temper. Cherry's feelings had obviously gone through a change during that frightening experience when she and Paul had faced death, together out there in the hostile bush. They had waited several hours for the rescue party to find them, hours which must have seemed like days or even weeks. Much can happen in a situation such as that… and much had happened, both Paul and Cherry realizing that what they had felt for Kate and Mark respectively had had no real depth.

  Of course, neither Cherry nor Paul had as yet given the slightest indication that an engagement would be announced, but Kate felt convinced that her conclusions would soon prove to be correct. And if Cherry left High Creek also then there was nothing for Kate to do except sell out to Mark and return to England. Cherry and Lin would remain firm friends, but Kate knew she herself must gradually fade from their thoughts, reappearing only at times like birthdays and Christmas, when they would all communicate and give each other all the news.

  Naturally the little entertainment planned by Cherry did not take place, but all three girls attended the gymkhana at Kennilong Downs. Cherry was unable to ride of course, and Kate did not manage to put up much of a show against the superb skill of Harriet Courtenay. However, much to Kate's surprise Mark congratulated her on her riding; Harriet was there at the time and, catching her expression, Kate fairly gasped at the hostility in the other girl's eyes. Later, as they were all taking refreshments between events, Harriet's attention became fixed upon Paul and Cherry, sitting with the crowd, but obviously intent only on each other. Watching Harriet, Kate saw her eyes narrow, move slowly from Paul and Cherry to Lin and James, and then to Mark and finally to Kate herself. The narrowed eyes became narrower still, closing almost to slits. What on earth could the girl be dwelling on to produce an expression like that? wondered Kate. Her face seemed to become so harsh—malicious even; her whole being appeared to be enveloped in hate.

  If Kate could not come up to the superb quality of Harriet as a horsewoman, Lin certainly could, and it was with a spiteful sort of pleasure that Kate stood by the rail watching the event which in the end left Lin and Harriet as the only two contestants.

  'Lin's pretty good,' drawled Mark, appearing at Kate's side, and although his tone lacked evidence of any great enthusiasm, such enthusiasm was undoubtedly present as he watched the two girls battling away for the prize. Kate would never have believed she could be so tensed, but it seemed so important that Lin should win, just to give this arrogant girl the set-down she deserved. Lin must be the victor; Kate felt sure of that, and yet the suspense was awful. 'What's wrong?' Mark wanted to know when Kate clutched the rail so tightly that her knuckles shone through her skin.

  She tried to relax, a rather light laugh escaping her.

  'I want Lin to have the prize, naturally,' she answered, throwing him a frank look. He smiled; the fan lines spread out from those deep blue eyes; the firm hard mouth was softened as the smile lingered before becoming more pronounced. The pride was there, in that finely-etched face, and so was that inherent quality of hauteur… but there was a new quality too, a quality which Kate could not fathom. What she did know was that Mark Copeland's power over her emotions was stronger than ever, that his magnetism was something that would affect her long after their last goodbye was said.

  'The best woman will win,' he observed, returning his attention to the riders. 'Lin must have had a great deal of practice?'

  Kate nodded.

  'She'd rather ride than anything else. She spent most of her money on riding—until, as I said, the cost became too high.' Mark said nothing and Kate spoke then without thinking as she told Mark of Lin's hopes that she would be spending most of her life in the saddle once they all came out to Australia. Then Kate stopped, flushing as a broad smile of sheer amusement broke across her companion's handsome features.

  'Riding around among the great herds of cattle, eh?'

  Biting her lip, Kate glanced away, watching the two competitors again. Mark brutally repeated his question and with a small sigh of resignation Kate admitted that what he said was quite true—Lin had in fact expected to find herself riding round among the great herds of cattle.

  'We all thought it was going to be great fun,' Kate ended on another tiny sigh.

  'And hasn't it been fun?' curiously after a small hesitation.

  'It has, as a matter of fact. What I really meant to say was that we all believed we were going to have an easy time of it—but you know that already.'

  'I suppose I do,' he answered thoughtfully, then fell silent, his eyes on the contenders for the prize, and the honour of winning. Hitherto Harriet had been acclaimed the best woman rider among the whole of the graziers, but now she was faced with the most formidable opponent of her riding career and she was having to fight every inch of the way. The entire gathering seemed to be tensed now, and the gaily dressed women were silent, watching and waiting, to see what was to be the end of this contest. Lin received admiring exclamations from the crowd, but Harriet did too. Her horse was a magnificent jumper, but so was Lin's, so the winner must succeed on her own skill alone. Several times Harriet managed a swift glance in the direction of Mark and Kate, but her attention was still with her riding. She seemed, though, to be losing her temper, thought Kate with a frown as she saw the girl's face harden. If she should allow her temper to rise then defeat would assuredly be hers. And it was. Applause was deafening when at long last Lin was declared to be the victor. Harriet was furious, riding off without so much as a glance at her opponent. Kate sent Mark a sidelong glance; his face was a study, totally unreadable.

  Lin joined them after a while, James having already done so a little earlier, and the four went off to the refreshment tent. Paul and Cherry came along quite soon and, after examining their faces in turn, Mark glanced at Kate. She knew what he was thinking: that she herself had expected to have all Paul's attention. He had said that had it been Paul who kissed her out there in the bush she would have liked it well enough; he had declared that she was attracted to Paul. And now, she supposed, he was wondering how she felt about this situation which was rapidly developing between Cherry and his brother. Perhaps he was feeling a little sorry for her, thought Kate.

  How little he knew…

  None of the other events taking place excite
d so much interest as that between Harriet and Lin. What was certainly exciting the interest of this fashionable gathering of Outback squatocracy was the very situation on which Kate had been allowing her own mind to run. It was impossible that it could be missed, since Paul either had Cherry's hand in his, as they strolled about, or had his arm across her shoulders as they stood watching the events. And just as the couple were getting into the homestead car in which Mark had brought them all to the gymkhana one elegant young woman with more daring than the rest actually said:

  'Am I mistaken, Paul, or is there a possibility of a double wedding shortly?'

  'There could be,' was his pleasant reply as his brother let in the clutch and the car glided smoothly away.

  So that was that, mused Kate as she sat in the back with her two friends. Cherry was fidgeting with her hands, which was not at all like her. Plainly she was troubled about Kate's future and immediately on their arrival at High Creek a discussion broke out, with both Lin and Cherry offering to put off their marriages in order to remain a little while longer with Kate.

  'At least until the farm is showing a profit,' said Lin, but immediately shook her head. 'You can't live alone, even then,' she frowned, glancing at Cherry. 'I'm not getting married at all!' she declared, and in spite of the way she felt Kate had to laugh.

  'Don't be silly, Lin. I shall be all right.' Kate would not mention anything about selling out, not just yet, because she had no wish that her friends, at what should be the happiest period of their lives, should be made to feel that they were responsible for Kate's having to return to England. And that was certainly how they would feel. 'Could you really go to James and tell him you weren't marrying him?' she added with another laugh, and automatically Lin shook her head. But the two girls continued to be troubled for some time until in the end Kate managed to put a stop to it all by saying that, if there was any more nonsense, she would go to Mark immediately and sell him the property.