Chapter Thirty

Signing her name, Poppy put down the pen and glanced over the letter she’d just finished writing.

My dear Henry, it began. We were delighted to receive your letter and hear your news. Your new life seems so exciting compared to our dull old days here in Charleston.

Mr MacKinnon seems to be a most reasonable employer by your account and you are fortunate to be so well-placed in having obtained board with him.

Thank you for sending back Cam’s valise.

I was overjoyed to hear of Ben’s arrival in Stafford. We had thought an accident of some sort may have befallen him as he disappeared from town the very same night that horrible Captain Watkins drowned, and hadn’t been heard of since.

I must confess to being startled upon hearing of his marriage to Kathleen Fitzgerald, but again, this too has solved a puzzle as to her whereabouts.

Poppy’s attention wandered from the letter and she gazed at the fine carvings of New Zealand natives on the door panels of the writing bureau without really seeing them. She’d not only been startled to hear of Ben’s marriage to the pretty barmaid, she’d also felt more than a twinge of sadness — envy, even. Not because she’d harboured a secret yearning for Ben. He’d never been the great love of her life, as Cam had been, but she’d been fond of him and had to confess she’d found his adoration flattering.

Turning her attention back to the letter, she read on.

Please give our kindest regards to Ben when next you see him, also Kathleen.

Cam was delighted to know that Fong Hoy has not experienced any further problems with his sight. Please remember us to Mai when next you see her and pass on our good wishes on the occasion of her marriage.

Poppy had been relieved at this news. Now that Mai was married, she was no longer a temptation to Henry. If only she had been white …

The problem of servants continues to plague us. It is almost impossible to find any sort of servant, let alone a woman who is competent in domestic duties, hard-working and presentable. Last week we thought we had succeeded in finding such a paragon and engaged her on the spot, only to find her, on her first day of duty, serenading Ruby and David in the kitchen, the roast burnt to a cinder, and no sherry left for the trifle!

Cam flew into quite a rage and dismissed her at once, much to Ruby and David’s chagrin, as she had allowed them to help themselves to unlimited amounts of fruit cake and two bottles of lemon cordial whilst tipsy.

Nelly and Duffy are both well and send you their best wishes. Duffy remains something of a trial to dear Nelly. She was mortified to discover he had been visiting the widow who lives in the cottage behind them (she is new to Charleston) and complaining that he was hungry as his mother never cooked for him. The poor woman quite believed him and had been supplying him with meals for the past few weeks. Then one night last week she visited Nelly to give her a piece of her mind about her cruel treatment of her son. She was astounded to find Duffy sitting at Nelly’s table enjoying his second tea for the day!

Ruby and David often speak of the day their Uncle Henry despatched the rooster only to have it ‘return to life’. They both miss you very much.

Well, my dear Henry, I have exhausted my meagre supply of tidings. It only remains to bid you goodbye for now. We look forward to your next letter.

With fondest affection, your loving sister,

Poppy

Satisfied the tone of her letter gave no indication of her melancholy, Poppy folded the letter, resting it on the bureau as she took out an envelope.

It had been so wonderful when Henry had arrived from England. Despite the rugged, almost startling beauty of the colony, and the warmth and friendliness of the townsfolk these past seven years, a part of her had longed for home and it had been Henry’s presence that had made her aware of it.

She’d been so miserable after he left for Stafford. While not really understanding her misery, Cam had for a time been patient with her, but he’d had his own grief to deal with. Of late, he’d become so short-tempered she was practically afraid to speak to him. The most innocent remark could set him off into a mood.

Hearing his footsteps, she hastily addressed the envelope, tucked the letter inside and concealed it inside the bureau before closing the panel door.