Chapter Six

“Kitty, you mean you went with Rufe Cavanagh alone, without anyone else? Just the two of you?”

“Oh, Mother, this is Australia, we’re not in England now. I’m sure it’s quite acceptable here. After all, we were out on the road all the time, in full public view. And if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have found this wonderful little house.”

“And you’ve actually paid a month’s rent on it? Without me seeing it?”

“Yes, I didn’t want someone else to come along and take it. The North Shore is very pleasant; you’ll love it. And Mrs. Walters will leave the furniture just the way it is for us. It’ll suit us perfectly. We’ll take a cab across tomorrow so you can have a look, and I told her we’ll move in within the week.”

“Well, you certainly haven’t wasted any time. How did you come to find it?”

“We were just driving along and there was a sign out the front saying it was for rent. I knew as soon as I went inside it would suit us perfectly. Now all we need is to find a servant to take with us. I asked Mrs. Walters if she knew of anyone but she didn’t.”

Bella seemed to forget her annoyance. “I wonder if Mary would know of someone.”

“What a good idea. We’ll ask her. Actually, I passed her on my way in, and I thought she looked upset, as if she’d been crying. I wondered if she might’ve had bad news.”

“I hope not. At any rate, she’ll soon be in. We’ll ask her then.”

Mary knocked on the door shortly after, her usually bright face unsmiling.

Kitty came straight to the point. “Mary, we’re wondering if you might be able to help us. We’ve taken a house at Neutral Bay and we need a housekeeper. Do you know someone who might be interested in working for us? A friend or relative, perhaps?”

Mary’s eyes widened. “Why, miss, how strange you should ask me that today. It so happens I’d be happy to come with you. I’m looking to find another position myself; if you think I’d suit you.”

“I thought you seemed happy here. Has something happened to upset you?”

“Nothing in the hotel, but my young man and I have had a falling out, and I’ve a mind to go elsewhere.”

“Can you cook, Mary?” Bella asked.

“Yes. I’m used to running a house. I can do everything that needs to be done.”

“Very good. We’ll pay you an extra ten shillings a month to compensate for leaving the main part of town. Will that suit you?” Kitty asked.

“Oh, yes, miss. That’ll suit me fine.”

“We want to move as soon as possible.”

“I’ll give my notice in straight away.”

“Very well. Come back and see us as soon as you’ve done that and we’ll make the final arrangements.”

“That’s a most generous offer,” Bella told Kitty when Mary had left the room.

“I haven’t forgotten what it’s like trying to make ends meet, have you?”

“Indeed not.”

****

The move took place a few days later. Rufe had taken on the responsibility of seeing them safely installed in the new house. He arranged the hire of a large carriage with two men, which duly arrived early on the appointed day. He supervised the loading of their belongings, and traveled with them to Neutral Bay to make sure all went smoothly for them.

Bella smiled as she saw him directing the men, for all the world as if it was his own move. “A man can never resist taking over,” she whispered to Kitty “They all think we’re helpless. But he’s really been such a big help.” Seeing the men carrying the large trunk into the house, she left Kitty alone in the dining room and hurried into the hall to show them where to put it.

Kitty was lifting a basket onto a table ready for unpacking when a hand covered hers. Startled, she looked up to meet Rufe’s gaze.

“Let me take that. It’s too heavy for you.”

Kitty saw a flash of attentiveness in his eyes. Her heart thumped as she relinquished her hold.

His gaze held hers as he took the basket and placed it on the table. “You’ve got a smut on your face; let me get rid of it for you.” He took a snowy handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her cheek. “That’s better.” He replaced the handkerchief in his pocket then let his fingers slide gently down her cheek. “It’s too pretty a face to have a blemish on it.”

Kitty’s cheek tingled beneath his touch. She drew in her breath as he took a step closer.

“Kitty—” The door opened as one of the men carried another basket into the room.

“I’m told this belongs in here, mate.”

Rufe stepped back and turned. “Yes. Just put it here, alongside this one.”

Kitty started to unpack the basket on the table, hoping the action covered her confusion. She felt sure he had been about to kiss her; she had seen it in his eyes. And she had wanted him to. Very much. And she was sure he knew.

At that moment, Bella bustled in to report that the men had finished unloading, and the carriage was ready to leave.

“Then I must leave with them,” Rufe said. “It would be a long trip back to town on foot. I’ll call and let you know as soon as I hear anything from my agent up north.”

“Thank you so much, and for all your help today. I don’t know how we’d have managed without you,” Bella told him.

“It’s my pleasure. I’m sure you’ll be very comfortable here.” He turned to Kitty with a warm smile. “Kitty, we must resume that discussion some other time. Good day, ladies. I’ll see you again soon.”

****

Two days later, Rufe knocked at their door again. His face was grave as Mary showed him into the morning room where they were both sitting.

He came straight to the point. “Mrs. Morland, I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.”

Bella’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh no. Not Robert?”

“Yes. It’s about Robert.” His voice was heavy.

The color drained from Bella’s face. “Is he…dead?”

“I’m afraid so.” His eyes were full of sympathy. “I’m so sorry.”

Kitty stared at him, her eyes wide. She felt faint. She wanted to scream but she couldn’t, no sound came.

Bella sat as if turned to stone.

Kitty forced herself to stand and crossed to kneel beside her mother, putting an arm around her. “What happened?” she asked Rufe through stiff lips.

“I had a cable from my agent and it seems a claim was registered in Harry Mulligan’s name. The three of them were working the claim, which was quite a long way upstream from where the main diggings were. They were quite isolated; there were no other miners anywhere near their site.” He paused and took a deep breath. “They were attacked and killed by hostile natives.”

“No! Oh no. Robert, poor Robert.” Despair wrenched Kitty’s heart as tears welled in her eyes. “What a terrible way to die.”

“They wouldn’t have suffered long.” Rufe spoke gently. “Death would have been quick.”

“Where is Robert’s grave?” Bella’s voice was lifeless as she looked up at him with anguished eyes.

“I’m afraid there is no proper grave site.” He paused to take a deep breath. “You see, it was a day or so before they were discovered, and it was necessary to bury them immediately, where they were found.”

Kitty felt a terrible pain stabbing her heart. She put her face in her mother’s lap and sobbed, deep, heart wrenching sobs.

Bella stroked her hair, staring ahead with dry eyes. “Thank you for coming to tell us, Mr. Cavanagh.” Her voice held no trace of emotion as she sat, unmoving except for the hand that stroked Kitty’s hair.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am to be the bearer of such terrible news. My agent will cable me again when he’s had another talk with the local police. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from him.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cavanagh.”

Kitty still sobbed.

Rufe’s face was bleak and his voice full of compassion as he asked, “What can I do for you, Mrs. Morland?”

“I don’t think there’s anything, thank you.” Bella spoke calmly. “I’m so grateful for all you’ve done so far. I think…” She lowered her eyes as she stroked Kitty’s hair again. “I think we probably need to be alone for a while now.”

“Of course.” He moved to the door. “I’ll come back tomorrow, but if you need me, for anything at all, just send word.”

Bella inclined her head in acknowledgement.

****

Mary stood close by in the hall as Rufe left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

“Look after them, Mary. They’re going to need it. They’ve had some bad news.”

“Oh, dear. The son, Robert, is it?”

“Yes.”

“Is he dead?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Oh, the poor ladies. How terrible for them.”

“Yes. I’ll be back again tomorrow, but if you think they need me before then, just send me word and I’ll come straight away.”

“Right you are, Mr. Cavanagh. I’m glad they’ve got someone to rely on; all alone they’ll be, now. He was their only family.”

“I know. Take care of them, Mary.”

Rufe was filled with sadness for them as he rode back to town.

****

Bella seemed numb. She sat in her room, dry-eyed and silent, staring into space. Mary brought her a cup of tea.

“Thank you, Mary,” she said tonelessly.

When Mary came back later, the tea was sitting where she had put it, cold and untouched.

Dinner was a silent affair. Bella looked at the plate but made no attempt to touch her food. Kitty pushed her food around and tried to swallow a mouthful but felt it would choke her. Finally, she pushed her plate away. After dinner they sat in the sitting room, still without talking, and retired early.

The next day they both remained in their rooms all day.

Rufe called, bearing a large bunch of flowers, but he refused to have them disturbed.

“I’ll tell them you called,” Mary told him, as she took the flowers.

“Thank you. And I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Breakfast next morning was no better, the food left untouched on their plates.

As they rose from the table, Kitty looked at her mother, pale and silent, and for a moment she put her grief aside. She took Bella by the arm. “Shall we walk in the garden for a little while?” she asked.

Bella shook her head. “No, I think I’ll just sit for a while.”

Kitty’s heart ached for her, but then she retreated into her own grief.

****

The next morning the two women were still sitting silently in their chairs when Mary entered the room. She paused inside the door, looking at them, her face showing concern.

Moving to a table, she picked up a framed photo of a young man who stood holding the bridle of a horse, a smile lighting his face. She turned to Kitty with the photo in her hand.

“Is this your brother Robert, Miss Kitty?” she asked, looking at the photo.

“Yes, that’s him,” Kitty replied. Standing, she came over and stood beside Mary, gazing sadly at her brother’s likeness.

“He was handsome, wasn’t he? He looks so nice; I bet he had a really nice way with him.”

“Yes, he did.” Kitty sighed. “He was always so patient with me when we were children. He was my big brother and I thought he was wonderful. I used to follow him around. He never got cross with me, like a lot of boys would have. And when we were older, we used to ride together.” She put out a finger and traced his figure through the glass, then stroked the horse’s image. “That was his horse, Major.”

Turning, Kitty spoke to Bella. “Do you remember how we used to ride together on Hampstead Heath, Mother? Such good times we had, I’ll never forget.”

Bella sat like a wax figurine.

Mary looked at Bella then back to Kitty. “It’s important to have good times to remember, Miss Kitty, makes him feel not so far away, somehow, doesn’t it?”

Kitty swallowed before replying. “Yes, it does.”

Bella’s hands gripped the arms of the chair, her body stiffened. She threw back her head; her neck arched, and from her mouth came a long, thin wail, the scream of an animal in pain. “Why? Why? Why Robert? First Charles, now Robert.”

Kitty flew across the room and put her arms around her.

Bella turned to her and gripped her arms. “I can’t bear it.”

The fierceness of her grip made Kitty wince.

“Both gone. I can’t bear it.” She dropped her head against Kitty’s breast and wept great tearing sobs that came from deep within her.

Kitty cradled her mother, rocking her like a child, her own tears mingling with Bella’s.

Mary looked at the two women sharing their grief. She drew a deep breath, then left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

****

After their tears were all spent they sat, each busy with her own thoughts. Finally, Bella roused herself. “We must let Mrs. Nash know what’s happened, I’ll write to her this afternoon. She needs to know; she will be so distressed. She obviously cared deeply for her brother.” She paused. “It’s so hard not even to have a body. I think I’d feel better if we could bury him, with a proper service.”

Steel bands tightened around Kitty’s chest. “I know. I feel the same. I wonder if it would be possible to find where they were buried?”

“I don’t suppose so, when it’s so far away, in such a wild place.” Bella sighed, and her fingers twisted her beads. “And, Kitty, I suppose we must consider our position. What are we going to do now?”

Kitty shook her head. “I really can’t think what we should do for the best, at the moment. I just feel so sad, to think that whatever we decide to do, we won’t be sharing it with Robert. We probably need to do what we’d planned, find some sort of business, something to support us.”

“But what? It won’t be easy on our own.”

“No, I know. But we’ll manage. Don’t worry about it just now.”

“Our resources won’t last forever.”

“I know.” Kitty’s heart contracted. “Leave it to me, Mother. I’ll find us something.”

But she wasn’t as confident as she sounded. Had she brought her mother all this way only to fall into hardship again? What could she do?

****

Kitty tried to force herself to think of their future but logical thought eluded her. Fragmented memories of their childhood chased themselves around in her head, leaves scurrying and spinning in an autumn wind. Robert whistling to the dogs as they walked across the heath, running with her along the beach on a visit to the seashore, racing their horses alongside each other, wind streaming past them, laughing with the sheer exhilaration of it. And Robert, comforting her after their father’s death, trying so hard to be strong, trying not to show his own grief.

Kitty realized how much she had been looking forward to seeing him again, how all her thoughts of their bright new future in Australia had been bound up with his presence, with them all being together again. It seemed as if her chest must burst with the pain of it all.

Rufe called again that afternoon and this time they received him. Mary brought tea and while they sat over it, Rufe encouraged them to talk about Robert, about the life they had shared back in England. Their sadness was heavy in the room. When he rose to leave, he promised to let them know as soon as he heard again from his agent.

Kitty walked with him to the door. There he turned and took both her hands in his. “You must let me know if there’s any way at all in which I can help.”

“You’ve been most helpful already.”

He kissed her gently on the cheek, then left.

Sadly, she watched him ride away. It had been a brotherly kiss, a friendly gesture.

She had mistaken his intentions when they had been alone before. It would have been a comfort to think someone loved her.