"I think not, Morton. You're a logical man, but as a boy, you were often unreasonable. Perhaps I was wrong because I'm only an ordinary human being, not a sage. If I was cruel, I earnestly beg you to forgive me." She reached out, taking his hand. "I've always had the most devoted love for you, and I could have never been deliberately cruel to you."
The reserve gone from his eyes, he shook his head as he squeezed her hand. "No, you weren't cruel, Mother, and I love you as well. And perhaps you aren't a sage, but I've never known anyone with more wisdom."
The frank exchange had resulted in a rapport that Alexandra had never been able to achieve with him when he had been younger. Their relationship seemed suddenly much closer and intensely pleased her. As they continued talking, she asked what had gone wrong with her brother's business affairs. Morton explained, giving examples of the misfortune and errors in judgment that had brought about Creighton's bankruptcy.
The subject changing to his business activities, Morton told Alexandra that he had recently added more apprentices to his staff and intended to move into the unused second floor of the building so he would have office space for an accountant and other employees. He added that one of the employees was his legal advisor, John Fitzroy. Astonished and amused, Alexandra explained that John had tried to court her years before, and Morton laughed heartily as he remarked that he was happy the man was not his father.
"Indeed," Alexandra agreed, smiling, then changed the subject. "It's always given me great pleasure to hear of your successes, Morton, and I'm delighted over how your affairs are proceeding." She pointed to a rock on his desk that he used as a paperweight. "But it appears you could afford a prettier ornament. Why do you have that stone?" As he frowned reticently, she quickly added, "Or would you rather not discuss it?''
Morton hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the doorway. "No, I'll tell you about it," he replied quietly. "It could affect my over-all financial situation in ways that you should know about. But I must ask for your absolute silence on the subject. You must tell no one else."
Puzzled and curious, Alexandra agreed. Morton then talked softly at length, explaining about the gold ore, and then why he had to wait instead of pursuing the opportunity immediately. While she was astounded over the discovery of gold, Alexandra's thoughts quickly moved past that.
Of far more importance to her was that his confiding in her meant that she had finally gained his unqualified trust. In additionand paradoxicallyshe had a vague idea of how she could use the discovery to persuade him to widen the scope of his life beyond an obsessive pursuit of wealth.
"That is certainly most remarkable," she said when he finished. "You could teach patience to a cat watching a mouse's hole, Morton, but you would unquestionably risk too much if you proceeded immediately."
"Far too much," he agreed somberly. "If this turns out well, I intend to allocate a percentage to Uncle Creighton. Meantime, the chemist doesn't know where the ore came from, so only you and I know all the facts. I'm sure you understand the need for absolute silence on the subject."
"Yes, of course. I'm very pleased by your confidence in me, and you may be sure that I won't betray it. Also, I consider it very generous of you to allocate a share to Creighton. When you begin ordering equipment and other things, you must proceed with great care."
The change in subject was carefully chosen as Alexandra thought of a way to help him. Morton replied that he had been unable to think of how to order the necessary equipment from England without arousing at least some curiosity about what he was doing. Alexandra suggested that she order it for the station, then he could secretly take possession of it. Delighted with the idea, Morton enthusiastically accepted her offer.
The conversation proceeded until well into the afternoon. It brought great pleasure to Alexandra for the atmosphere between her and her son remained warmly harmonious. But he was still Morton, much quicker to take offense than her other children, and for the present she spoke of nothing that would be controversial.
Morton thoroughly enjoyed her visit, and was reluctant for her to leave as they went to the door. Promising that she would see him many times while in town, Alexandra held him and kissed him. For the first time, he hugged and kissed her with unrestrained affection. Then she drove toward the house that had once been her father's.
As the buggy moved through the late-afternoon traffic, Alexandra pondered another reason she had for wanting Morton to adopt a conventional lifestyle. For years, she had realized that when Dierdre finished school, her daughter would need an alternative to returning to the isolation of the sheep station on a permanent basis. One had been to live with Creighton's family, but events had eliminated that. However, Morton was easily able to afford a luxurious household where Dierdre could live.
At the house, the carriage gate was closed, with a chain and lock on it. An old caretaker came down the drive as Alexandra stepped out of her buggy, then hastily unlocked and opened the gate when she identified herself. He gave her the keys to the house and brought her buggy through to the drive, and Alexandra went up the path toward the front door.
The house was musty, and the hem of her dress raised dust from the floor. In the dim light through the shuttered windows, the furnishings were bulky, formless masses under their canvas covers. Her footsteps stirred echoes that whispered back through the silent rooms. The house was like a tomb in more ways than one, and Alexandra felt the lingering presence of departed loved ones whom she had returned decades too late to see.
Going upstairs, she went into her old bedroom. She looked in the cabinet where she had kept her pistol, which could have changed the entire course of her life had she taken it with her on the day she had gone to Camden Park. On balance, however, she had no regrets. Even though Enos Hinton blighted her life, in all other respects it was boundlessly rich and rewarding, filled with purpose, joy, and love.
Alexandra opened the window, then took the canvas cover off a chair. Sitting at the window and looking out at the garden, she pondered how to proceed about what she had to do. Near sunset, when she closed the window to leave, she had decided. Previously, she had intended to remain in Sydney for only a short time, returning to the station well before Catherine had her baby, but now she realized she would have to stay longer.
During the next few days, she saw Morton and talked with him at least briefly each day in between attending to numerous other things. Their discussions continued to be pleasant and cordial, centering on his business affairs most of the time. Once he mentioned Clara Tavish again in a half-joking manner, apparently wanting to talk about her and dispose of the subject, but Alexandra turned the conversation to other topics.
In addition to her daily visits with her daughter, Alexandra went to the school one afternoon for high tea with Dierdre and her friends. An enjoyable occasion, it illustrated the cosmopolitan atmosphere at the school. Dierdre's friends included students from Britain and Australia, as well as a lovely Anglo-Indian girl from Bombay and a French girl whose father was a wealthy trader at Papeete, Tahiti.
Early one evening, Alexandra called on the Baxters, who received her with warm hospitality. While talking with them about Catherine, Alexandra stated the truth in telling them that her own family had been immeasurably enriched by having the young woman among them. When Alexandra left, taking with her the letters they had written to Catherine, the Baxters were happy and completely satisfied that their daughter had a good home.
Among her other activities, Alexandra had discussions with the printer about Adolarious's sketches and explanatory notes, and saw samples of the work done by the bookbinder who would finish off the volumes. In addition, she called on her niece, Melissa, whose courtesy had a cool overtone, but she invited Alexandra to visit on any Sunday, which her sisters and their families always spent together.
Then one afternoon, Alexandra called on Clara Tavish. Clara paled as she opened the door, recognizing Alexandra and fearing a confrontation. Leading the way into the parlor, Clara nervou
sly commented that the situation was extremely awkward.
"Yes, it is," Alexandra agreed as she sat down. "But with good sense and good will, we should be able to overcome that."
Relieved at Alexandra's cordial manner, Clara smiled wanly. "Please let me explain my circumstances, Mistress Kerrick. When I met your son, I was recently widowed with three children. I was on the point of being evicted from my home, with no money or prospects for obtaining any."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. In the public gardens one day, you met a teen-age girl who represented herself to be Lady Dierdre Augusta Juliana Hanover. Well, she happens to be my daughter, Dierdre Kerrick."
"Your daughter?" Clara gasped, amazed. "Yes, I see the resemblance now, but I was sure she was who she said, Mistress Kerrick. She was so absolutely believable, and so utterly charming as well."
"Dierdre is a charming girl," Alexandra agreed. "And her imagination is exceeded only by her ability to be convincing. In any event, she told me about your circumstances, which she learned about from a school friend."
Clara sighed heavily, nodding. "Yes, there is nothing about my life that is secret, Mistress Kerrick."
"Indeed. Your children are fed and clothed, but your relationship with Morton will be greatly to their disadvantage as they grow older."
Clara promptly agreed, but pointed out that she had no alternative. As the conversation continued, Alexandra appraised Clara's personality. She decided that she could trust Clara to say nothing to Morton about the conversation. Then she explained that she intended to try persuading Morton that he should end his relationship with Clara.
"I've come to talk with you," Alexandra continued, "so you won't mistake my intentions and think that I would disregard your needs. If Morton agrees to do as I ask, I will see to it that he settles an amount on you that will be sufficient for you and your children's welfare."
Clara was thrilled, smiling joyously as she exclaimed that all of her problems would then be at an end. Alexandra cautioned her against saying anything to Morton about it, and Clara emphatically agreed to remain completely silent on the subject. Her purpose achieved, Alexandra talked a little longer with Clara, then left.
Prepared to talk with Morton about Clara, Alexandra knew it would be best if he brought up the subject himself, as he had before. When she saw him that same day, he said nothing about it, nor did he on the following day. As she waited for him to mention it, Alexandra continued visiting Dierdre daily and attending to business affairs.
In discussions with the broker who sold the wool from the station, the factor who shipped supplies each spring, and the head of the drayage company that transported the wool and supplies, Alexandra worked out ways to avoid minor difficulties that had developed from time to time. She wrote and dispatched a letter to Sir Geoffrey Bodenham in London, informing him that the book of etchings made from the sketches would soon be published, and telling him of the latest news concerning her family and Australia in general.
While she was looking at type faces for the book at the printer's office, the printer made an interesting offer. He said that there should be a ready market in England for a book about the outback, and he would share the costs of publication if she would undertake to write such a book. Having enjoyed working on the explanatory notes for the sketches, Alexandra replied that the idea intrigued her and she would give it full consideration.
When she talked with Morton again, Alexandra told him what the printer had said. He encouraged her to accept the offer, adding that he would subscribe for a substantial number of copies of the book. Then he finally mentioned Clara Tavish again and said he was sure that Alexandra disapproved of the situation.
"You're an adult, my dear," Alexandra pointed out. "What you do doesn't require my approval. However, you are taking unfair advantage of that poor woman's financial straits, which isn't worthy of you."
"Am I?" he mused. "I've never looked at it that way, Mother."
"You should, because others do. I presume that you intend to eventually marry for money or position, or preferably for both."
"Yes, do you disagree with that?"
"I would rather you married for love, but that's irrelevant. My role is to help you in whatever way I can to secure your objectives, not to make your decisions for you. To that end, I advise you that a woman who can bring you money, position, or both will be from a family that will take a very dim view of your situation with Mistress Tavish."
Morton frowned as he pondered, then nodded. "Yes, that's true," he agreed. "I'll have to give that some thought."
His tone suggested no intention of changing anything soon, but Alexandra knew she had said enough for the present. Reserving her most compelling argument until the subject came up again, she began talking about the poor state of affairs between Morton and his cousins. She pointed out that any prospective bride's family would regard his relationships with his own kin as a guide to how well they would get along with him.
"What would you have me do, Mother?" he asked. "As long as they treat me like a stranger, then I'll do the same."
"You should, my dear," she assured him, patting his hand. "And for my part, they can sulk forever. My only concern is the effect it might have on you, and it most definitely can, you know. Because of that, I'd like to smooth things over, if you have no objection."
"I have no particular objection," he replied grudgingly. "But I don't intend to make overtures to them."
"I don't think you should, Morton. But if they wish to be cordial, you could be generous toward Melissa's and Amanda's husbands in their affairs as merchants in the town. If your cousins want to be on good terms with you, it would be easy enough for you to guide profitable business to Gilbert and Harrison, wouldn't it?"
Morton reluctantly agreed, and Alexandra was deeply gratified as another step in her plans fell into place. She was certain she could convince Melissa and her sisters to change their attitude. Then, if she could persuade Morton to establish a household, he would have relatives around him as well as four women to oversee social activities for him. Having accomplished more than enough for one day, Alexandra immediately turned to lighter subjects, leaving Morton in a cheerful mood when their conversation ended.
The following Sunday afternoon, Alexandra went to Melissa's home and met with the reception she had expected. All four of the sisters were there, as well as two of the sisters' husbands and children. In an atmosphere of forced courtesy, the setting was uncomfortable, the parlor crowded and noisy, and none of the adults making an effort to control the children.
The conversation was rife with innuendoes about Morton, as well as money in general. Weak tea the only refreshment, Melissa apologized and said she was unable to afford anything more. She also excused the noise that the children were making, remarking that her household allowance was insufficient to hire a nurse or a maid. As the hints continued, Alexandra smoldered and waited for the right opening.
It came when Leona, the most outspoken of the sisters, commented on the small amount that Morton had paid her father for the house. "How much should he have paid, Leona?" Alexandra asked mildly.
"Well, certainly more than he did," Leona replied indignantly, "considering that Father taught him his profession. If I had money for a dowry, I could have long since married the man of my choice."
"The transaction was the sale of a house, not the provision of a dowry for you, and Creighton taught Morton nothing. From the outset, Morton went his own way, in a more aggressive fashion than Creighton ever did."
"Aggressive?" Leona echoed, lifting an eyebrow. "From what I've heard, I think ruthless would be closer to the mark."
"Leona," Alexandra said in a soft, acid voice, "I will endure your impertinences, but I shall not listen to slander about my son."
Taken aback by Alexandra's tone and icy glare, the young woman flushed in confusion. "I beg your pardon, Aunt Alexandra," she apologized. "I meant no slander, and it's natural for you to defend Morton. However, it does seem that he could have do
ne more to help Father."
When others agreed with her, Alexandra interrupted them, brusquely telling them that what had happened had been inevitable. "Most of Creighton's income was from investing in ship cargoes," she pointed out, "but that has now been eliminated by a marine insurance company in the town. Creighton would have refused if Morton had simply offered to give him money, and that would have been the only solution. And as all of you well know, Creighton is far from the only one who has gone bankrupt."
Except for the noise the children were making, an uncomfortable silence ensued, then Melissa spoke up, "Well, we love Father, and I think our view of what happened is understandable, Aunt Alexandra."
"None of you love your father a whit more than I love my brother, and your viewpoint is incomprehensible. You say you're in need, yet you've deliberately offended a wealthy relative. And if the firm of Hammond and Kerrick ever revitalizes, you'll be your father's heirs, you know." Alexandra turned to the two men. "Your conduct is the most illogical of all, because you must realize that Morton is in a position to help your businesses."
The men exchanged a startled glance, then Stephen admitted that he had made a mistake in not adequately demonstrating his fond regard for Morton. Harrison echoed the same sentiments, and the attitude among the four sisters also underwent an abrupt change. The parlor quieted when Dora herded the children outside to play, and the two men left hurriedly for the nearest inn, returning a few minutes later with a bottle of sherry.
The atmosphere became pleasant, the conversation warmly cordial over glasses of sherry. The sisters inquired about their mother and father, then with equal interest about the Kerricks. Alexandra left after another hour, everyone emphatically urging her to call on them again at her convenience.
Alexandra's visit produced immediate effects. Stephen and Harrison arrived at Morton's office the next morning to pay their respects. In addition, he happened upon Leona and Dora while he was going to the coffeehouses, and both of them were very amiable toward him. He told Alexandra about it when they talked later in the day, adding that he had made business arrangements that the two men would find very profitable as time went on.
Outback Station Page 40
