by Margaret Way
Camilla flushed and backed away. 'Don't you think you're over-reacting?'
'Doubtful. You've told me twice I'm strange. You've also commented I'm like no one in the family. You don't appreciate the —inter-relation, was it?—between Ty and me. Is there anything else?'
'Well, surely you can understand the position I'm in?' Camilla queried.
'No, I don't. So far it's all a jumble. '
'Ty and I would have been married long ago, but for you.'
'A little more of us,' Morgan said, 'and I'll screech. What have I to do with the two of you?'
Camilla now picked up a pebble and pitched it at the ducks. Ty feels he has to look after you. It's worse now that E.J. has gone.'
'Leave the ducks alone. God forgive me for saying it, but it's a whole lot better without E.J. If you're trying to confuse me, Camilla, you're doing a great job. If Ty wants to marry you, he will.'
'You come first!' Camilla cried wrathfully.
Morgan thought about it. 'That's nonsense.'
'No, it's not, and I can't live with it. I see you as the one person who stands between us.'
'Because we share an inheritance?'
'You're too close.'
Morgan took a deep breath of the warm, shimmering air. 'What would you have me do? Move out of my own home?'
'Why not?' Camilla asked as if it were perfectly reasonable. 'You have all the money you could possibly want. Why do you want to be stuck out here when you could travel the world? You could meet people. You could let yourself acquire some sophistication. You seem to impress a lot or people, but all in all you've got a lot to learn You've already taken up too much of Ty's time. Why don't you go and find a man of your own?'
'If it's any business of yours, I plan to,' Morgan told her. 'When Pm good and ready. What did you hope to gain by this little chat?'
'Just a shade more co-operation.' Camilla laughed shortly. 'You don't appear to know when you're not wanted.'
Morgan shrugged. 'You're the expert! You're working too hard, Camilla. Leave it to Ty. I really don't appreciate getting this kind of flak, either. We're all Hartlands. You're the outsider, and let's face it, it could very easily stay that way.'
Camilla turned to stare at her, full mouth working. 'You're my enemy, aren't you?'
Morgan returned her gaze steadily. 'You're making it difficult for me to like you, but I certainly don't hate you. The thing is, Camilla, I don't give a damn about you. Ty can marry whomever he likes. I think I'm big-hearted enough to take it. I didn't want things this way, you know. I fully expected Jahandra to be mine!'
'And how is that'?' Camilla sneered. 'I couldn't see a man like Edward Hartland leaving the control of his entire holdings to little more than a child.'
'I still say he should have, but never mind. You're welcome to visit Jahandra whenever you like. I'll keep out of the way somehow. But I'm not taking off just to please you. Whatever progress you think you've made with Ty, let me tell you, as one who knows, he's a hard man to follow.'
'I love him,' Camilla said.
'Most women are dumb. About men.'
'Maybe you love him too,' Camilla suggested angrily.
'Actually, he makes me madder than anyone else I know. I don't know if that's love.'
Camilla picked up another pebble, this time hurling it far out into the lagoon. 'Sooner or later you'll have to go,' she pointed out. 'You couldn't be cruel enough to stay around and ruin some woman's life.'
'You mean when Ty's married?' Morgan asked.
'It would be very upsetting to have to vie for Ty's attention.'
'That doesn't apply to me,' Morgan said briefly. 'Ty's attention is more of a hassle. I'm not trying to divide you, Camilla. Heaven help me, I haven't even thought of it. Everyone notices the effect Ty and I have on one another. It's one of those things no one can explain. We can't do anything about it, either. As E.J.'s heirs we're tied together. The woman Ty marries will have to get used to that. I've been a victim ail my life, Camilla, but not any more. I'm new to power, but I'll get around to using it. I hope, wisely. One thing I won't do is give up what's mine. I believe I have the moral right to ask Ty to build his wife another home when the time comes. It should be simple on a million acres, Jahahdra is part of me. It's in my blood. . I won't let go.'
'It's impossible!' Camilla exploded.
'Why don't you talk about it to Ty?' Morgan suggested wearily.
'I'll never accept you, Morgan. Never.'
'Then be careful you don't ruin your chances,' Morgan warned her.
Morgan tried to forget her exchange with Camilla as she rode around Tyson's Landing, but it was impossible. It was a fantastic situation they were now all in. She couldn't bear to think about Ty with a wife. There were too many difficulties there, conflicts she was unwilling to face. Ty's lovemaking was like physical pain, commanding all her attention. Her relationship with him had always had its roots in attraction. The outward display of it she had abruptly withdrawn the summer she turned thirteen. What she felt for Ty was like a fatal disease. She would never be free of it until she died.
Camilla did have a legitimate point. No young woman, newly married, could expect to be happy knowing that she was going to share her home and her husband with another woman. What E.J. had done was sit them all on a powder-keg. Of course she could withdraw and forfeit her share of the homestead to Ty. Women were expected to do things like that since time immemorial. But Morgan felt more like putting up a real fight. How could she explain to anyone apart from Ty what the land meant to her? What Jahandra meant to her. Its hold on her was invincible. She could enjoy the cities for a time but, unlike the twins, she couldn't continue to exist happily there. It was the Outback that spoke to her; the spirit of the glowing red desert. Even Tyson's Landing, hundreds of miles to the north-east, shining emerald green under the tropical sun, was less sacred to her. Nothing in Morgan's eye could equal the powerful, poignant grandeur of the Channel Country. Either one was totally absorbed by it, or it was a profoundly strange and lonely place. Morgan loved it like one of the ancients. She had been fully initiated long ago.
Ty found her with the men as they took a break from the morning muster. He collected a steaming mug of billy tea and joined her where she was resting under the glorious canopy of a flowering acacia.
'Steven will be joining us Wednesday,' he told her, lowering his lithe, elegant body to the ground. 'Needless to say he and Susan are thrilled with the change-over.'
'As well they might be,' Morgan observed. 'Apart from the homestead being a wonderful place to live, this is a big step up the ladder for him.'
Her slight sarcasm had no visible effect on Ty. 'Steven's a good man, Morgan. You know that. We need family. People we can trust. Steven and Sue can be depended upon to do the job well. I wouldn't put just anyone into the homestead. My mother looks on it as her home. The place she grew up. All she has left of her parents. Like you, she cherishes the land. Perhaps not so exclusively or so passionately, but Tyson's Landing means a very great deal to her. Sue was born to our sort of life. She'll know how to look after everything.'
'Yes.' Liking Sue as she did, Morgan could scarcely disagree. 'The one who's unhappy around here is your girlfriend.'
'She's in Melbourne this week.' Ty narrowed his eyes against the rising hot vapour.
"Not Kerri Lockhart.' Morgan glanced coolly at him. 'The one who's been around the longest. Why don't you do Camilla a favour and give her a straight answer?'
'To what? I've forgotten.' he replied smoothly.
'According to her you've discussed marriage. According to you you should have been married to her by now. Doesn't that say something?'
'If it makes you feel any better I've never discussed marriage with Camilla. Various girls have crossed my mind from time to time. Camilla was a definite possibility, but in the end, I had to cross her off the list. Haven't you noticed what a bitch she can be? It's an education to hear her order the station staff about. Our station staff, I think t
hey'd ail take off if Camilla ever got control. She treats everyone not in her swish circle like dirt.'
Morgan nodded. 'Even so, you appear to enjoy her company. She's so ambitious you might be able to persuade her to adopt a less blatantly arrogant style. I think it's a permanent personality trait myself, but you never know.'
'Has Camilla been at you?' he asked.
'What's it worth to pass on the information?' Morgan set her empty mug down.
'A chance to be alone together.' he suggested, drily.
'Forget it.'
'I take it she's upset you in some way.'
Morgan sighed and leant her raven head back against the soft grey tree-trunk. 'My thoughts keep returning to a few things she said. Splitting the homestead between us has created many problems. Not the least, uprooting Cecilia. The twins don't seem to care. They're mad to get to Sydney in any case. You will marry and I can't see your wife accepting me.'
'Then I'll be forced to remain a bachelor.' said Ty promptly.
'Nonsense!' Morgan snapped. 'I couldn't count the number of women after you, and what about your successor?'
'That is a serious concern,' Ty agreed lazily, his eyes on her profile and the swan-like column of her neck. 'Why don't we face this problem when it arises?'
'Because it could arise tomorrow!' Morgan sat up and gave him a disgusted stare. 'It's all up to me, isn't it? I have to do the decent thing and move out. In the overall situation, I'm the expendable one. You must remain. I imagine, like Camilla, very many women would be put off by the idea of sharing their home with another woman. In a real sense I wasn't left half of Jahandra at all. Pressures are already mounting to get me out.'
'Have I asked you?' Ty questioned.
The point is, you're so one-track you could well expect someone like Camilla to accept a near-impossible situation. I'm not even elderly.'
'You sure ain't!'Ty drawled. 'Did I tell you you looked beautiful in Sandy's dress? I always knew you could look like that, I'll admit it would be risky having you around. More like having your own enchantress on the scene, but I know what Jahandra means to you. I would never ask you to live anywhere else.'
'You might if you fell in love.' She dipped her head.
'Are you telling me you think I don't know what love's like?'
'Do you?' She turned to stare into his azure eyes.
'Beyond your experience, elf.'
She looked away and shook her head, almost dissolving at his tone. 'What's to become of us, Ty?'
'Leave it to me,' he said simply.
That's easy for a lot of people, but not for me.'
'Let's ride,' he said, abruptly, standing up and extending his hand. Everything about him was bold, superbly self-assured. 'You'll be twenty-one in just over ten weeks' time. You haven't asked for it and probably would never get around to it, but I'm giving you a big party.'
Morgan was conscious of both pleasure and shock. 'Surely not! We've only just buried E J.'
Ty looked down his straight nose. 'E.J. had his say for the past fifty years. Three months is a fair time. Anyway, I'm far more concerned with you than a false mourning for E.J. He tried to conceal you from the world. I intend to show you off.'
Sydney was a world away, a great cosmopolitan city blessed with the most glorious harbour in the world, magnificent beaches, long hot summers for water sports, endless space, freedom and entertainments, and for Morgan an incredible world of shopping.
The twins ran her off her feet, thrilled to be outfitting her as her position demanded. Morgan went along with it all, determined to enjoy her stay. The penthouse overlooked a brilliant turquoise bay, picturesquely dotted with a flotilla of expensive yachts, and each morning they had their breakfast on the plant and flower-filled terrace, planning what they would do with the time.
'Say you'll come to the party tonight,' Sandra begged her. 'Rick said he'll call for us.'
'I'm off to Marcia's.' Morgan surprised them.
'Did she really invite you?' Claire asked sardonically.
'I invited myself. Not that she didn't ask when I said I was in Sydney for a few weeks. She wants to see you girls, of course. She suggested we all meet for lunch, but ihere are a few things I have to ask her on my own.'
'Such as?' Claire bit into a freshly baked croissant.
'You could call it private.'
'I've a feeling you're up to something, Morgan.'
Morgan ignored that. 'Why don't we take a day trip on the harbour? It's all terribly familiar to you, but not to me. It's a perfect day. Look at the water and the sky!'
'Rick is taking us out on his yacht at the weekend.' said Claire.
'No let's go today.' Sandra urged her twin. 'It's. Morgan's holiday, after all. You've no idea how happy I am we're all together. I wonder if Graham is going to send you more flowers today.' She gave Morgan a teasing look. 'Carnations, Monday. Roses, Tuesday. Orchids, Wednesday.'
'He's wasting his time.' Claire threw back her blonde head and laughed. 'He only met you Saturday. Now he's crazy for you. Allow us to take a little of the credit. You certainly pay for dressing. What's it like to be compared to—what was it, a flawless flower?'
'How did I have that effect, anyway?' Morgan asked carelessly, her eyes on the dipping yachts.
'Half your luck!' Claire moaned. 'Graham Ellis is considered quite a catch. Someone told me he's outstanding at corporate law.'
'I'm sure we could use him,' Morgan said mildly. If only Ty were here, she thought. Ty. Ty. She had the hollow feeling she was going to be haunted by him all her life.
They had a very happy day out on the harbour, enjoying the company of three Japanese girls, tourists who spoke excellent English and were at the start of an Australian tour which would eventually bring them to the Outback. Of course they were invited to stay at Jahandra if they found themselves in the general area, and names and addresses were exchanged. All the girls were university graduates and this was the year their parents had allotted them to see something of the world. Australia had been a long-time fascination for them and they were astounded at the amount of space. Morgan thought it would take them a very long time to relate to" the immensity of the interior. They had a wide range of musts and all were determined to nurse a koala. It was international exchange at its best. A stranger might have thought they were all lifelong friends.
The twins went off to their party and at seven thirty on the dot Morgan slipped into the back seat of her stepfather's Rolls. It was only a short drive to the Ainsley harbourside mansion. Marcia had told her they would be dining alone. Philip had a previous engagement confirmed weeks ago.
Marcia came down the stairway as a maid let Morgan in the door. At a slight distance she looked no more than twenty-five, at close range early thirties. She was in fact ten years older, but diet and the best of care kept her lavish good looks almost unimpaired. Marcia was petite like Morgan, very feminine, and a certain resemblance linked them, more of body type and grace of movement, and occasional-fleeting expressions.
'Ah, darling!' Marcia's lovely face lit up as she took in Morgan's polished appearance. 'How charming you look!' She allowed Morgan to peck her cheek, taking hold of her daughter's hands and inspecting her as though she were a model on parade. 'The twins have been at work on you, I see.'
'I think we've bought out half Sydney,' Morgan agreed lightly.
'Good. Good.' Marcia looked genuinely pleased. 'It's high time you started to capitalise on what you've got. The Hartlands are beautiful girls, of course, but they haven't got what you've got! You look perfect. Quite French. 'I'm so sorry Philip isn't here. He'd be so pleased to see you looking this way. You always did look less than your best when that old tyrant was alive. Come into the drawing-room, darling. We'll have a pre-dinner drink before Heaton calls us.'
'You look wonderful, Marcia, as ever.' Morgan followed her mother into the white and gold drawing-room. Marcia always had been fond of a lot of gilt.
'I wanted this to be very light and sunny.' Marc
ia explained, waving a small, enamel-tipped hand.
'You've certainly achieved your aim.' Morgan sat down in a very elegant Empire chair, painted white and gold and covered with white and gold embroidered silk. The floor was white marble, the walls a deep yellow moire, the paintings neo-classical; there were gilded side-tables, two marvellous chandeliers, white and gold overmantel and two gold and white winged creatures holding up a marble console. It was a very imposing, formal room and Morgan didn't like it. It looked as though no one had ever sat there before now.
Marcia, not perturbed or offended by Morgan's obvious wish to sit alone, sank down on a delightful curving sofa upholstered in the same yellow moire as the walls. She wore her favourite white—'White is such a flattering colour'—turning a bland face to her daughter 'I'm so sorry, darling, we couldn't be with you for E.J.'s funeral.'
'Please, Marcia.' Morgan gave a little laugh, 'you don't have to pretend with me. You hated E J. and even I've stopped crying. Death is such a terrible thing. I cried because he was such a lost, tragic man.'
'E.J.—tragic?' Marcia's delicate arching brows shot up in massive disbelief.
'How could he ever have felt good about himself?' Morgan asked. 'Don't you think it tragic to live a life without love?'
'Darling, I have Philip!'
'Whom you've never loved.' Marcia sighed deeply. 'Such a difficult girl you are, darling. You look marvellous. Please don't depress me.'
'Have you ever loved anyone, Marcia?' Morgan asked, feeling so crowded by doubts that she persisted.
'Darling, how stupid! I loved your father.'
'You never seemed to suffer when you lost him.'
'Oh, wake up!' Marcia apparently couldn't bear her daughter's searching eyes because she jumped up and walked to one of the tall, arching windows that led out on to the wide terrace. 'You were only a child.'
