Stone Country

by Nicole Alexander

  Connor crossed one leg over the other. ‘Annie gave you some type of plant concoction that kept you confused but mostly oblivious to the pain as well. I figured it was best you slept a while. So let me ask the question again, Ross. What on earth possessed you to go after Holder?’

  Ross reached for a cup of beef tea resting on the table by his bed. ‘I thought I could negotiate with him.’ He took a careful sip. ‘But I didn’t count on his friend bashing me senseless.’

  ‘It’s Jimmy you can thank that you’re still with us. Holder has notified the authorities at Pine Creek. You have to give the man some credit. A nasty knife wound to the thigh but that didn’t stop him from going straight to the coppers. He told me before he left that he was going to make sure that you and Maria were charged for the attack. But he won’t have any luck.’

  ‘Why’s that? We did attack him. But we had good reason.’

  ‘There’s no excusing what you did, Ross.’ Connor clasped and unclasped his fingers, forming a pyramid with his hands on the point of his knee. ‘It’s your word versus Holder’s. And apart from Maria, Jimmy was the only witness.’

  ‘And they won’t take what he says as evidence because he’s Aboriginal?’ asked Ross.

  Connor shook his head. ‘There’s no evidence to be found because Jimmy won’t give it. He’s related to Mick. Eustace said they had a big discussion over at Sowden’s camp about what happened and they decided that it was just a disagreement between neighbours. So that’s the end of it, at least the attack part.’

  ‘Where’s Maria now?’ Ross asked again.

  ‘I packed her up and sent her back to Darwin on the train. She’s staying with Howard Reece, the manager of the abattoir. I thought it would be safer,’ said Connor.

  Ross felt palpitations rise in his chest. ‘You sent her away? Why on earth would you do that?’

  ‘Why do you think? As it is, we cannae be sure Holder won’t waltz in here to finish the fight you started.’ Connor reached for a newspaper, passing it to Ross.

  Ross looked down the page. He read slowly, his focus blurred. The article gave a colourful account of the confrontation in the bush before going on to state the theory that the owner of Waybell Station and a young mixed-blood woman were having an affair. ‘Damn it.’

  ‘I particularly like the part where the editor points out that you’re a married man and Maria had been sold to Holder and you were trying to buy her back.’

  Ross folded the paper. All he could think of was Maria running forwards to stab Holder as the man lifted a boot to strike him in the same ribs Jimmy had just broken. If Holder had succeeded, he may well have punctured a lung. Maria had saved his life.

  ‘A bloke calling himself a civil libertarian is stirring the pot as well. And there’s been a lot of noise about the Allies signing that League of Nations agreement last year. The stopping of slavery features fairly highly in it apparently. None of this paints you or Holder in a particularly good light,’ said Connor.

  ‘I was trying to save Maria,’ said Ross in frustration. ‘How far has the news travelled, do you know?’

  ‘It’s gone national.’ Connor ran a stubby finger the length of his moustache. ‘That’s the wonderful thing about the telegraph line, it takes no time at all for news to get out. I read the paper in the pub at Pine Creek after I dropped Maria off. It was there that your father’s wire found me. I forwarded a telegram immediately, explaining how Maria had ended up here at Waybell and that you were trying to protect her. It’ll be managed, knowing your father. You’ll come out of this debacle eventually.’ The Scotsman rummaged in his trousers for tobacco, patting each of his pockets in turn.

  Ross moved to the edge of the bed, carefully dropping each leg until his feet touched the timber boards beneath. He winced. The pain was still there. ‘What a mess,’ he said.

  Having located his pipe, Connor filled it with tobacco but didn’t light it, electing instead to chew the stem.

  ‘Aye, it’s a pig’s poke, that’s for sure. I have to tell you, Ross, I’m starting to wish I’d never agreed to come to the Territory. You’re a Grant. You’ve got a pedigree that a man would sell his mother for, and everything’s been handed to you on a platter.’ Connor took the pipe from his mouth. ‘Me, well, I don’t have much of a reputation but what I do have I’d like to keep.’

  ‘I never wanted to put you in a difficult position, Connor.’ Ross moved unsteadily towards the window, where a blue haze filled the square of land and horizon. ‘We’re beholden to them now. To Sowden and Mick, Annie and Jimmy. The whole damn lot. Not to mention Parker and Eustace.’

  ‘Aye. They know how you feel about the girl. Not that they didnae before this. All the papers have is innuendo and gossip but one word to the contrary and it would take some explaining to clear your name,’ said Connor.

  Ross walked to the opposite wall, running his fingers across the tongue and groove timber, where even in daylight the outline of Maria’s body hung clear in his mind. ‘I need Maria, Connor.’

  The chair scraped noisily. Connor lingered in the doorway. ‘You dinnae need her. You want her. There’s a difference. So un-want her, Ross. You’re headline news. And your wife is on her way.’

  Chapter 36

  The thin line of smoke hung briefly in the air before a current snatched at it, muddling the white-grey stream against the sky. It had been there all morning. An intermittent signal that followed the approach of the riders. Now with the sun crossing the midpoint of the day, the outlying fire announced an arrival. Ross knew this by the tribe that had gathered a short distance from the house. They’d been waiting for the last half-hour, women and children lining the rutted track, giggling and talking, their faces turning repeatedly from the homestead to the timber from which the travellers were expected to appear. Last to join the group was Sowden, carried by two of his men and trailed by Annie. The manager was seated at the end of the line of his dark-skinned people, Annie’s protective umbrella held aloft above his head.

  Backing away from the stable door, Ross returned to his horse and resumed running the currycomb across the animal’s flanks. Though most of the men had left for the expected start of the wet season, Darcey’s anticipated visit had prevented any other departures. Ross drew the brush along Nugget’s hindquarters. He’d never been one for strife. Now he was surrounded by it. He thought of Darcey. How she’d been on their wedding day, dwarfed by a creamy whiteness and borne along the carpeted thoroughfare of the hall to the parlour for the brief reception. Ross couldn’t even remember what she looked like. Only recalled the silver ring purchased by Connor, which was too large for her finger.

  Why was she coming? It wasn’t just because of Maria. He’d since discovered that Darcey had been close to arriving in Darwin the week Holder had appeared unwanted on the property. Ross flicked Nugget’s ratty mane and left the stables, taking up a position inside the house fence. In the tin trunk, wrapped in an old shirt, were Alastair’s books. Safely hidden away.

  Connor was the first to appear through the trees, then Mick. Darcey followed, not in the loaded wagon with Toby but on a dark mare. At the beginning of the row of people she halted. Mick was quick to dismount, standing to the side of Darcey’s horse like a royal attendant as she neatly slipped from the saddle, her feet finding solid ground. If she was tired she didn’t show it. She moved slowly along the waiting line, greeting each person and shaking their hands, children and adults alike smiling as they called out the word ‘Missus’ in welcome. She was taller than Ross recalled, small-waisted and attired in close-fitting trousers, boots and a wide-brimmed hat. For some reason he’d expected her to be dressed in an extravagant coloured silk creation, as she was the first time they’d met. Across the heat-glazed dirt Sowden caught Ross’s attention, offering a slow bemused smile.

  Ross knew the manager had been waiting for this moment. Sowden fixed on Ross, and then gave a slow shrug. You’re just like me, the gesture implied, no better than me with your lover and wife. Ross opened t
he house gate, making his way back to the homestead veranda as children began milling about the new arrival.

  When the introductions were finally completed and Darcey had spent more than enough time talking with Annie and Sowden and meeting the remaining stockmen, including Eustace, Parker and JJ, who were all grinning like fools, she finally turned towards the house. She glanced neither left nor right. Her eyes were planted on where he stood. Ross tapped the floor impatiently with his boot as the crowd waited. There was a low hum of anticipation. He held out a hand as she approached him, clasped her cool skin in his and showed Darcey through the front door, shutting it firmly behind them.

  In the dining room she removed a pearl-decorated hat pin, drew the sunhat from her head and, placing it on the table, turned to him.

  ‘You have been busy, husband,’ she said, peeling off her gloves.

  Ross felt her scrutiny, saw the even set of her mouth, the cool detachment. His rehearsed greeting, curt as it had been planned, seemed pointless.

  ‘I didn’t know you could ride,’ was all he said in answer to her rebuke. Her skin was flushed. The porcelain paleness he recalled from their last meeting burnished by the sun. Her red-blonde hair now suited her better.

  Darcey helped herself to a glass of water from the water jug on the table. ‘You have quite the station here, Ross. Everyone seems very friendly.’

  ‘You’re a novelty,’ he told her.

  ‘To everyone, it seems,’ answered Darcey. ‘Mr Sowden wasn’t even aware I existed until recently.’

  ‘My personal affairs are no one’s business.’ They sat down at the table.

  ‘I thought when you sent that gift of the camphor box that there was some hope for us, but then you never answered any of my letters.’

  ‘I can’t be sorry if you had expectations,’ said Ross. ‘Anyway, that gift was not meant –’

  Darcey gave a choked laugh. ‘Only the expectations a new bride should rightly have of a husband, but then we’re married only by document. The legality of which is obviously meaningless to you. Still, I’m surprised at this relationship suggested by the papers. There is truth to the rumour, I suppose? There usually is with these things.’

  Ross refused to reply.

  ‘They say that you became infatuated with this girl of mixed blood.’ She took another sip of water. ‘It’s quite a story to be presented with when you’ve just arrived. You can imagine my surprise, reading about the account in a Darwin newspaper.’

  He was taken aback by her boldness. ‘Why are you here, Darcey? If it’s to ridicule me then you needn’t have bothered coming.’

  She played with the gloves on the table, moistening her lips. Ross knew he had caused her distress and had done so from the very beginning. He couldn’t help it. He’d never wanted her in his life.

  ‘Did my father assume I wanted you here? No doubt he thinks that the family reputation needs some bolstering. But your presence looks rather suspicious, considering the circumstances?’

  ‘This trip has been planned for some time.’ Darcey pushed the gloves aside. ‘But I gather either you didn’t receive my letters or chose not to read them. If you had, you would have known of my plans. Not that it matters now. Recent events make my coming here of even more importance. You only have yourself to thank for that. And if you think I have arrived here in the wilds unprepared, you should know that I’ve not been sitting in the parlour sewing since your leaving, if that’s what you imagined.’ She paused. ‘If you imagined anything at all of me.’

  She remained silent, and Ross knew that she was hoping for the even the scantest of kind words.

  ‘I was an adequate rider, but not skilled,’ she ventured, looking disappointed. ‘I knew little of Australia on arrival in this country and nothing of the Territory, nor life on a property. All of these things have been rectified during your absence.’

  Ross scratched his sideburn, which he’d taken to growing to hide the injury Jimmy had inflicted on him. ‘With what purpose? To make yourself a useful wife?’ He offered a crooked smile, trying to ignore the implication of her words. ‘You would have been better off staying in Adelaide, enjoying the many benefits my family can offer.’

  ‘I would gladly have remained there, especially once you became headline news, husband, except for one small thing.’

  ‘Which is?’ He held up his hands in mock amazement. ‘Don’t tell me there is something else more crucial than societal standing. That’s all it ever usually is with my family.’

  Darcey looked about the room, her expression not altering at the sparse surroundings. ‘It’s true that containing the scandal is of major importance. No family wants their name associated with such sordid goings-on. But there is another reason for my coming here.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘Your family wants an heir and I want a child.’ She poured more water, the liquid tinkling into the glass. ‘You have a duty to fulfil, which goes beyond your dislike of me, and frankly it is the one thing you can do, Ross, to make amends for the way you’ve treated me.’

  ‘Children? You came here for children?’ exclaimed Ross. Darcey flinched at his loud words. ‘I can’t take a lover. Even if I was inclined it would ruin me, not to mention the hurt it would cause your family. But neither do I intend to spend the rest of my life treading water.’

  ‘I can offer a divorce. An annulment. Whatever can be done to release us both from this situation. You would be well provided for.’

  At this, she pushed her chair back from the table, and he watched as she moved about the room. She reminded Ross of his father, always standing or walking when deliberation was required.

  Reaching the desk in the corner, Darcey turned to face him. ‘A divorce?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You expect a lot, Ross. Very well. I would consider what you offer, if you agree to what I ask. I’m older than you and regardless of the Grant desire for continuity I would like babies of my own. You would have to be the father. You owe me that at least.’

  He was at a loss as to how to answer her. How was it possible for a woman to have the gumption to ask for such a thing? Ross had forgotten what it was like to be in the company of a forthright woman. There was a spirit to Darcey but also a learned confidence.

  ‘How is my grandmother?’ he asked, delaying having to reply.

  ‘Well enough for her age, although I’ve heard she’s become quite agitated with what’s happened recently,’ she explained.

  ‘She shouldn’t have been told,’ argued Ross.

  ‘What a small place you’ve allowed yourself to inhabit, Ross,’ replied Darcey. ‘Why are you continually fighting to be anything other than what you were born to be? I know the truth of our union. That you only married me to ensure your inheritance.’ She moved towards him. ‘That’s what’s ailing your grandmother. In trying to bind you to the family she only succeeded in pushing you farther away. People only want to help you, Ross. Your family –’

  ‘You know nothing about my family!’ he yelled.

  Outside, dogs barked in response, a series of rapid yaps that soon died away in the afternoon heat.

  ‘This is a pretty mess for two people to find themselves in, isn’t it?’ She walked about the room again, running a finger across the pages of the ledger sitting on the table. ‘Do you love the girl?’

  ‘Yes.’ Ross was surprised at how readily his response came.

  Her shoulders stiffened. ‘Would you be prepared to give me a child?’

  ‘No.’ He wanted no further complications between them.

  Darcey turned at his reply. ‘You truly are all take and no give, as only the privileged can be.’

  ‘And coming from far more modest circumstances, you would know that for a fact, I presume?’ he retorted.

  A brief expression of sorrow crossed her features. ‘You’ve done a lot with this house based on Connor’s accounts of the place when you first arrived here. It’s a credit to you.’ She sat back in the chair. ‘I don’t want to f
ight with you, Ross. Let’s just agree to provide each other with what we both need. I want a child. You want to be free of me. When I have that child in my arms I will agree to whatever terms you wish.’

  ‘You’re prepared to raise a child alone?’ he asked.

  ‘I wouldn’t be alone. The child would be brought up in the Grant home.’

  Ross exhaled noisily. ‘You’ve discussed this with my grandmother, of course?’

  ‘Regarding the child, yes. I didn’t realise you’d be so keen to be rid of me. But I expect once a child is born your family would be happy for me, as the mother of the Grant heir, to stay on in the family home regardless of whether we were still married or not.’

  She was right. Darcey was assured of a secure future if there was a child. ‘So you’d be comfortable as a divorced woman?’ he asked.

  ‘Comfortable? No. Resigned to compromise? Yes.’

  ‘And if you remarried afterwards?’

  ‘Remarried? I’d not considered such a situation, but the child would retain the Grant surname,’ said Darcey. ‘If I were to move out of the Grant household in the future, any child you and I have will always be yours as well, Ross.’

  Darcey may have journeyed here on his father’s command but she’d arrived with her own agenda. A child in exchange for freedom. And if the arrangement ended in birth, what then? Becoming a father was something he’d never considered. He was caught. But he was also desperate. ‘Fine. I will do as you ask. Then you’ll do the same for me.’

  Darcey dipped her chin in acknowledgement.

  Ross never would have believed that he would be bargaining to go to bed with a woman. ‘I’ll come to you tonight.’ If he were given more time to think he might well renege.

  ‘Tomorrow, Ross.’ Darcey gave a shy smile. ‘I’ve been travelling for weeks. I’m tired.’

  Chapter 37

  As he hesitated outside the bedroom, Ross thought of Alastair and his brother’s passing love for the woman within. The three small shots of amber fluid he’d drunk did little to remove the anxieties circling in his mind. The idea of Alastair and Darcey’s love having been consummated years ago made Ross uneasy. As it always had. Darcey would forever belong to Alastair, as did everything else that his brother had cast aside the day he rejected his family. Ross was simply the custodian of the remains of someone else’s life.