Fires of Change (The Fire Blossom Saga)

by Sarah Lark

  “What are you trying to say?” Carol asked. Her voice broke.

  “Well—please, Carol, don’t be angry. But my mother thinks—my parents—the thing about the dowry—”

  “Oliver!” Carol was trying to stay calm. This couldn’t be true. She needed confirmation, and he’d have to say it. “Oliver, are you trying to say that you don’t want to marry me anymore?”

  Olive nodded, relieved. “Yes. Yes, exactly. I knew you’d understand. And I’m really terribly sorry. I—honestly, I love you, I—”

  Carol’s hands clenched into fists, but she stopped herself right before she lost her temper. Perhaps not all was lost. “Oliver, we’re already engaged. We celebrated our wedding night early, don’t you remember? If you love me, then marry me. It doesn’t matter if your mother thinks I’m not good enough for you, or how important the dowry is for your father. Butler Station is a large, rich farm. A few hundred sheep more or less won’t matter!”

  “But I can’t. The party in Christchurch—” Oliver bit his lip.

  “We don’t need a party in Christchurch!” Carol cried. “All we need is a justice of the peace. Stay here tonight, and we’ll ride into town tomorrow or take the boat. By the way, we have our own boat; you could even row us there if you want. Then we’ll officially be man and wife, the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

  “My parents would disinherit me,” Oliver said.

  Carol shook her head. “That’s nonsense, Oliver! You’re their only son. They probably couldn’t disinherit you even if they wanted to. They would come to terms with it quickly, believe me.”

  Oliver shook his head. “No. No, I can’t. And it would be unfair to Jennifer Halliday.”

  “Jennifer Halliday?” Carol asked in confusion. The Hallidays in Southland had not only three sons but also a daughter.

  “Mr. Halliday discussed it with my parents when he was here last year. He said he was looking for a husband for—for Jennifer. And my mother just wrote to him.”

  Carol stared at the man she loved in disbelief. “They immediately looked for a replacement for me? And you agreed? You feel responsible for her, a girl that you don’t even know?”

  “She’s supposed to be pretty,” Oliver murmured.

  Carol’s hand rose of its own volition and landed hard on his cheek. The blow left a mark. Oliver touched his face and gazed at her in complete confusion.

  “You’re crazy!” he said. “I never wanted to believe it, but my mother thinks—well, she always said that here at Rata Station things were somehow deranged. And now—I’m sorry, Carol.”

  Oliver turned to go. Only then did Carol realize that Georgie’s boat was still tied up at the pier. Oliver had actually asked him to wait. The boatman was staring at Carol. She had doubtlessly just given him plenty of fuel for the gossip-hungry settlers in Christchurch. When Carol’s gaze met his, he lowered his eyes sheepishly.

  Carol considered shouting something after Oliver, perhaps threatening him. She could pretend that she was pregnant, which fortunately, she wasn’t. But then she decided to remain silent. He wasn’t worth the effort, not even the effort of a lie. None of the Butlers were worth anything.

  Carol kept control of herself with an iron hand until she reached Linda in the kitchen. Then she broke into a flood of tears.

  “We’ll have to go to Mamida and Kapa in Russell, after all,” Carol said once she’d finally calmed down. She had cried for almost an hour.

  Linda had held her sister tight, all the while fighting back her own tears. It wasn’t just Carol’s world that had crumbled. Another hope had also been destroyed for Linda. Now there was no chance Fitz could join them at the Butlers’, and it was unlikely that he’d want to go to her parents on the North Island. Fitz would go on his way, wherever the wind carried him, and she would lose him. Unless . . .

  “I’m going with Fitz to the gold rush,” Linda said.

  It was rare for Carol and Linda to fight, but now a dam broke.

  “You can’t go gallivanting around with a man you’ve only known for a few months!” Carol shouted. “And Fitz is undependable, Lindy. He’s a con man!”

  “Half of Christchurch believes he’s a marriage swindler, after me for my money,” Linda shot back. “And what happened yesterday? He proposed to me, just when I’d lost everything. He’s not only dependable, Carol; he’s my rock!”

  Carol slapped her forehead. “You call that a proposal? Did he fall on his knees and beg you to spend the rest of your life with him? No, Linda, he asked if you happened to want to accompany him on his next adventure. The man’s had three jobs just since we’ve known him! He tries anything, talks his way out of trouble, he lies—”

  “The Maori call that whaikorero,” Linda said.

  “Do they?” Carol said, scoffing. “The art of beautiful words? Our Maori workers were calling him ngutu pi . . .”

  Ngutu pi meant a braggart, someone who talked nonsense to make himself look impressive.

  “Fitz is a decent man!” Linda insisted. “I just know it.”

  Carol took a deep breath. A sharp retort was on the tip of her tongue, but she bit it back. “That’s what I thought about Oliver too,” she said, and rubbed her temples. “You have to make up your own mind, Linda. But you can’t just go to the gold rush as a single woman. You know what people say about those places. Thousands of men, grubbing in the dirt. A paradise for tricksters and hell for the desperate. The only women there are—” Carol blushed.

  “Couples and families went to Otago, too, after gold was found,” Linda argued. “Just think of Miss Foggerty and the Chatterleys.”

  Carol twisted her tearstained handkerchief and bit her bottom lip. “Families and couples. That’s what I mean. Linda, I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t like Fitz. But if you really want to go run off with him, then he’ll have to marry you first.”

  Chapter 27

  Linda had no idea how to get a real marriage proposal out of Joe Fitzpatrick. She finally decided to try a picnic. There was no reason for her or Carol to work on the farm anymore, so she gave the foreman the day off and invited him for an excursion.

  “That’s the way to do it!” Fitz said. “Enjoy your last days on the farm. We’ll celebrate the future, Lindy!”

  Linda nodded. She didn’t feel the slightest inclination to celebrate, but perhaps things were about to change. In any case, the day started well. Linda led her friend to a clear lake in the foothills of the highlands. The sun drenched the Southern Alps in golden light, mirroring their image in the still water and warming the two lovers as they stretched out on the blanket after their meal.

  It made Linda feel sordid and calculating, but she allowed Fitz to touch her more than she ever had before. At first, she was afraid of losing control when she allowed him to stroke and kiss her breasts. But Fitz kept himself in check and charmed her again with creative, amorous play. With great ceremony, he removed one of Cat’s last bottles of wine from one of his saddlebags.

  “Don’t be angry, darling. I filched it. Or did you want to leave it for Jane?”

  Fitz filled two glasses, but didn’t drink from his immediately. Instead, he dipped a finger in, drew wet lines across Linda’s breasts, and then kissed them away. At first, Linda was shocked, but then she laughed. She felt set afire as he licked the wine out of her navel and gently stroked her mound. Finally, something exploded inside of her, and Linda felt this was how it must feel to give yourself up completely to your beloved.

  Afterward, Linda gathered her courage. As Fitz lay next to her, leaning on his elbows and tickling her with a piece of grass, she finally broached the subject.

  “I’ve been considering if perhaps I really should come with you to the gold rush.”

  Fitz stopped his game and sat up. Before Linda could continue, he pulled her up into his arms.

  “That’s my Lindy!” he cheered. “No more moping around, no more complaints. You’re coming with me, and we’re going to make you rich! I will bury you in gold, Linda Bra
ndmann!”

  He kissed her again and played with her hair.

  Linda took a deep breath. “Carol thinks that I can’t go to Otago as Linda Brandmann.”

  Fitz let her go, looking puzzled. “What do you mean? Do you have another name?” But then the old familiar grin overtook his features. “Hell, you want to marry me? Your sister railroaded you into proposing?”

  Linda nodded, embarrassed. She was blushing all over her body.

  Fitz laughed loudly. “And I always thought Miss Carol couldn’t stand me!”

  Linda lowered her eyes. “If you don’t want to . . .”

  She wasn’t prepared when Fitz grabbed her by the waist and then rolled with her over the grass, laughing.

  “You better believe I do! I’ve never really thought about getting married before, but it’s something that should be given a try, isn’t it?”

  Linda swallowed, torn between elation and trepidation. “Marriage is forever, Fitz.”

  Fitz kissed her. “Until death do us part,” he quoted. “I know, sweetheart. I was just having a little fun. Good, when shall we do it? I should take the next boat to Christchurch and arrange the ceremony, don’t you think? So we can tie the knot before we have to leave Rata Station.” He grinned. “We’ll take to the road in a few days, and we don’t want to be traveling together in sin.”

  Linda attempted to sound triumphant when she told Carol about her engagement. But she couldn’t disguise the bitter aftertaste that Fitz’s initial reaction had left her with. Of course she was happy. He had never wanted her for her money. Instead, he was marrying her now that she was poor, and doing so enthusiastically. Linda just wondered if there shouldn’t have been a little more talk about love. Had Fitz ever really told her he loved her? She pushed the thought aside. He didn’t have to say it. He showed it.

  Carol congratulated her sister. “We’ll have to telegraph Mamida,” she said. “And we have to tell her about Rata Station. We have to tell Mara, too, if the Redwoods haven’t already. I hope she won’t make a fuss about having to go to the North Island after all.”

  Linda nodded. “There’s nothing else left for her to do; she has to see that. In any case, Jane won’t let her come within bowshot of Eru. Pity that he’s still so young. Otherwise, he could disobey Jane and marry Mara. Then Rata Station wouldn’t be completely lost.”

  Ida telegraphed back immediately, horrified by Jane’s behavior. But her lawyer in Russell couldn’t tell her anything different than Carol and Linda’s attorney in Christchurch had told them. Karl selling his share of the farm had been an unlucky coincidence. With the Jensches as partners, Jane wouldn’t have been able to throw the sisters out. But now, Ida had no influence. She could only comfort Carol and Linda, and urge them to come to Russell as soon as possible.

  I’m so incredibly sorry, she wrote, knowing full well she’d have to pay the telegraph station a small fortune to send such a long message. We were all so happy at Rata Station, and you were all our children. No one could have imagined that selling our share of the farm could endanger your inheritance. We thought it was clear that Rata Station would belong to the three of you in the end. Now, through Jane’s unforgivable scheming, your inheritance has been reduced to our little house in Russell. But we can all live here too. You are welcome at Korora Manor. This is your home, and once you’ve arrived, we’ll make plans for a new start. I love you, and in spite of all the adversity, I am thrilled about having you here. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Mamida.

  Karl was traveling again, so the sisters couldn’t get his point of view. After his return, he and Ida had planned to come to Carol’s wedding. Of course, they wouldn’t be able to come to Linda’s. Fitz had managed to get the prescribed waiting period shortened from two weeks to three days.

  Ida also sent a telegram to the Redwoods and instructed them to send her daughter to the North Island immediately.

  Two days later, Mara appeared at Rata Station, accompanied by Laura Redwood. She was moody and sullen, but had her belongings packed and was obviously ready to obey her mother. There was nothing else she could do. Laura and Joseph wouldn’t have allowed her to stay against Ida’s will.

  Laura, as spirited as she was, got into a fierce argument with Jane. In the name of the Redwoods, she revoked all future collaboration for sheep breeding. It didn’t bother Jane very much. Her new, combined sheep farm would be one of the biggest in the country, and largely self-sufficient. And if it wasn’t, Jane would have her choice of sheep barons to work with.

  “She’s still going to need her neighbors,” Laura told the sisters, her eyes still aflame.

  Then she bid them a tearful farewell. Linda hadn’t invited the Redwoods to her wedding, too embarrassed that there would be no reception. The young couple simply couldn’t afford it, even though Linda wasn’t completely penniless. Carol had sold Fancy’s last puppies and had shared the money with her. What was more, Ida sent another telegram to say that the money she’d paid in advance for Carol’s reception at the White Hart could of course now be used for Linda’s. Fitz immediately began planning a celebration, but Linda could only shake her head.

  “Fitz, we’ll need that money for household supplies! We can’t just squander it on luxury and then set off without even a blanket and cooking pot. You can’t rely on finding gold our first day in Otago!”

  The two of them finally agreed on a small family dinner at the White Hart. Fitz undertook negotiations with the hotel keeper in his usual winning manner, and somehow convinced the man to give back the full balance of Ida’s down payment. It was enough to buy a covered wagon that Brianna could pull, and the most essential supplies.

  The evening before Jane’s deadline and one day before the wedding in Christchurch, they were all ready to leave. Carol, Linda, and Mara were startled when Fitz brought out the last two bottles of wine from Cat’s stash.

  “I’d like to keep one of them,” Linda said. “For the day when—if—they come back.”

  “If they come back, we’ll be drinking champagne!” Fitz declared as he filled the glasses. “You can’t carry a wine bottle with you to Otago. And you certainly don’t want to leave it here for Jane.”

  So the sisters drank, though without being able to enjoy it much. They were sitting for the last time in Cat’s once-cozy kitchen, which now looked as though it had been plundered. Linda and Carol had taken all of Cat’s and Chris’s little keepsakes. There were a few Maori rugs, some little statues made of jade and soapstone, and a few pieces of jewelry. Linda still had Cat’s medallion necklace, having scarcely taken it off since the shipwreck. She also loaded the pots and pans into their covered wagon. It wasn’t much of a dowry. Cat had never liked to cook very much, and had left most of the meal preparation for the family and farmhands to Ida.

  After the first glasses had been emptied and Fitz and Mara had proclaimed their hunger, Carol and Linda put bread, cheese, and cold meat on the table. Just then, they heard a knock on the door.

  Linda sighed. “I hope it’s not more neighbors wanting to tell us how sorry they are. I know they mean well, but today it would just make me cry.”

  Over the past few days, all their friends and neighbors had come to Rata Station to proclaim their outrage and solidarity. Jane had never been popular, but now no one had anything good to say about her. Linda sometimes felt real pity for Eru. If the young man hadn’t inherited Jane’s smugness and ignorance, it wasn’t going to be easy for him with the Sheep Breeders’ Association.

  Fitz got up to open the door, and Linda noticed his startled reaction. Then she heard a deep voice outside, and Fitz let in a tall young man in the uniform of a British soldier.

  “Lieutenant Bill Paxton is here to see Carol,” Fitz said.

  Carol stared at Bill with her mouth open.

  Bill Paxton bowed formally. “Of course, I am also here to visit Miss Linda,” he said, correcting Fitz. “I’m on the way back from Campbelltown, and I have a few days’ leave before I rejoin my regiment in Taranaki.
I thought I’d pay a call and see how you’re doing.”

  Fitz raised an eyebrow. “Not exactly a direct route.”

  Bill smiled boyishly. “Caught me, Mr.—what was your name? I admit, I went a bit out of my way.”

  “Lieutenant Paxton helped us a great deal after—after we lost Chris and Cat,” Linda explained. “Mr. Bill, this is Mr. Joe Fitzpatrick, my fiancé. We’re getting married tomorrow.”

  Now it was Bill who looked confused. “You’re getting married, Miss Linda? Wasn’t it Miss Carol who was engaged?” He smiled. “To the most envied man on the South Island, by the way, of course followed quickly by you, Mr. Fitzpatrick.”

  Fitz made a gesture of self-depreciation. “Call me Fitz,” he said cheerfully.

  “My engagement was broken,” Carol said, blushing.

  A look of amazed joy crossed Bill’s face, which he immediately suppressed.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “The wedding was meant to take place in a few weeks, wasn’t it? Isn’t that what you wrote in your letter? I hoped I could be here to offer my congratulations.”

  “You’re cordially invited to my wedding,” Linda said. “But there won’t be a very big celebration. A lot of things have changed here. Do you want to tell him, Carol, or shall I?”

  Carol and Linda briefly told him about Jane’s takeover of Rata Station, revealing more about their family history than they had previously. Bill didn’t react with shock, but with honest sympathy.

  “So you’re going to the North Island?” Bill asked. “If you don’t mind, I’d be delighted to accompany you. The journey to the North Island isn’t completely safe at the moment. Even if you will, of course, be under the protection of Mr. Fitz.”

  “Fitz and I aren’t going to the North Island,” Linda said. “We’re headed for the gold rush.”

  Bill looked from her to Fitz in surprise. “You’re taking your young wife to the west coast?”