Chapter Twenty-Four

Patrick Reilly was in love, really in love, for the first time in his life. There’d been plenty of women in his life, too many. All the money he’d gained from the gold fields had been spent on women, fast women, and high living.

But he’d never met anyone like Mary. Just being close to her was enough to make him go weak. She was everything he wanted in a woman, pretty, smart, even a bit sassy at times. And he wanted to marry her. But she was as straight as an arrow. And devoted to ‘her ladies’. He had to tell her the truth.

****

Kitty was surprised to see Mary looking troubled as she entered the sitting room where she and Bella were taking tea.

“Mrs. B, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“What is it Mary?”

“Patrick Reilly has asked me to marry him. And I’ve agreed. But he’s told me a story that doesn’t reflect well on him, but he said he couldn’t ask me without telling me about his past. And because it’s about how he comes to be here, I need to tell you, too.” She took a deep breath. “It seems he came here to ask for a job because someone asked him to find out what happens here, and to let them know.”

Kitty was shocked. “Why would anyone be interested in what we’re doing here?”

Mary shook her head. “That’s what I asked him, but he didn’t know.”

“Perhaps we should ask him ourselves. Will you ask him to come in please Mary?”

Mary nodded and returned in a moment, ushering Patrick into the room ahead of her.

“I believe you have something to tell us,” Kitty prompted him after he was seated.

He twisted his hat in his hands. “The fact is I’ve got in with rather a bad lot since I left the goldfields. But I didn’t realize they were a gang of bushrangers, not at first anyway.” He swallowed. “And one day when I’d had too much to drink, I took part in a hold-up. Only once, and no one was hurt. The driver laid aside his rifle without a fight when he realized he was outnumbered, and the people inside the coach handed over their valuables soon as they saw the pistols. It seemed like a lark when I was drunk, but once I sobered up I didn’t feel good about it, and I’ve never done it since. And I’ve told them I won’t ever be involved in anything violent again.”

“How does this affect us? How do you come to be here?”

“I know I was a fool, and I’m ashamed of it now, but I was at a loose end and I listened to one of them, a smooth talking fellow, who promised me easy money. I should’ve known better, but when he told me the boss wanted me to come here and ask for a job, and report back on the household, it seemed like money for jam, and I agreed.”

“And why are you telling us this astounding story now?”

Patrick took a deep breath. “Because I’ve met Mary, and I want her to marry me, but I’d told her all my time had been spent on the goldfields. I never mentioned highway robbery, and I don’t want us to start a life together with lies between us. So I had to tell her the truth. And I don’t want to go back with that gang. I just want to marry Mary, if she’ll have me, and earn an honest living.”

Kitty bent her head and pressed her knuckles into her eyes, her mind in turmoil as she went over the incredible story.

“Do you believe Patrick is telling the truth?” she asked Mary finally, lifting her head.

“Yes, Mrs. B. I do.”

“I see.” Kitty knew that Mary’s loyalty was not in question, but if this scoundrel had somehow wormed his way into her affections, perhaps her judgement was faulty. After all, he was a self-confessed highwayman.

Bella leaned forward. “I recognize you. Aren’t you the man who dived into the water with Mr. Morgan, trying to find Mr. Barron, on the night he was drowned?”

“Yes, Mrs. Morgan, we tried really hard to find him, but he wasn’t down there. I reckon he must’ve been swept away straight off. The current was something fierce.”

Kitty was taken aback that this was the same man. “It was very courageous of you to do what you did, Patrick.”

Patrick shrugged. “It wasn’t anything. I was nearby when Mary came racing out looking for help. I only did what anyone would have done.”

Kitty warmed to the young man. He hadn’t tried to use his actions that night to help him in his present situation. “It was more than that, but let’s leave it for now.” She paused to collect her thoughts. “I find your story most extraordinary. I’m not going to comment on your activities before you came here, that’s between you and Mary. I want you to know I’ll be doing nothing about it. Many people make mistakes and it’s not for me to judge you.” The picture of herself leaving Arnold’s study with a pocketful of diamonds sprang into her mind. “What I am concerned about is the fact that someone has asked you to report on the happenings in this house.” She paused and shook her head with a frown. “Why could anyone else possibly be interested in what we do?”

A look of relief came over Patrick’s face when he realized she was not going to report him to the police, but he shook his head at her question. “I’ve no idea.”

“But who asked you to do this?”

“It was the leader of the gang I was with, but he got his orders from his boss. The big boss.”

Kitty frowned. “The big boss? You mean there was someone else higher up who gave orders?”

“Yes, sometimes. He bought the stuff from them.”

“Do you know who it was?”

“I do as a matter of fact; he’s the one who talked me into joining the gang in the first place.”

“Do you know his name?”

“Only his first name. Eddy.”

“Do you know anything else about him? Does he come from around this way?”

“No, I met him down in Sydney. But he’s English. He hasn’t been out here very long, he said.”

A sudden suspicion almost took Kitty’s breath away. “You’ve spoken with him yourself, have you?”

“Yes.”

“What does he look like?”

When he finished telling her, Kitty felt faint. His description fitted Craddock. And she remembered Craddock’s first name was Edward. It had to be him. So he had traced her after all. But what were his plans? She steadied herself with an effort. “Can you tell us anything else, Patrick?”

“I’m afraid not. That’s all I know.”

“What have you told him so far?”

Patrick shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I passed on the news when Mr. Barron drowned. And again that you went down to Sydney, and that you’d come back.”

“And that’s all?”

“Yes.”

“How did you get the news to him?”

“One of the boys comes to the bar in the Plough Inn every two weeks and if I’ve got anything to report I go and meet him there.”

“So you only meet him if there’s something to report?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Thank you Patrick. I needn’t keep you any longer. I might need to speak to you about this later. And I don’t think we have to mention it to anyone else. I think it’s best if we keep it all to ourselves, don’t you?”

“Yes, I certainly do. Thank you, Mrs. Barron, you’ve been most understanding.” He paused. “I suppose you’ll be wanting me to leave now, will you?”

“Do you want to leave, Patrick?”

“No, I like working here. I enjoy cutting the timber.”

“Then you should stay.” She looked across at Mary, who sat through it all without speaking. “Do you still want to marry him, Mary?”

Mary nodded. “Yes, as long as he promises never to have anything to do with anything or anyone criminal ever again.”

“Oh, I do, believe me,” Patrick said emphatically.

****

That night, Kitty wrote to Rufe and gave him a full account of Patrick’s story. A telegraph came back from him three days later:

Letter received, will contact you as soon as possible.

It was signed simply ‘RC’.

Kitty was on edge, wondering how Patrick’s revelations would affect their plans, if at all, and whether she would hear from Craddock. But a month passed with no news. Then, on a day when she felt she could stand the suspense no longer, she heard the sound of horses outside and a few moments later Mary opened the door to the sitting room.

“Visitors for you, Mrs. B,” she announced. “Mr. Cavanagh and a Mr. Bradshaw.”

Kitty sighed with relief. “Show them in please, Mary.” She rose from her chair as they entered the room, feeling ungainly and trying to pretend composure. “Mr. Cavanagh, I’m pleased to see you.” Mrs. Barron, might I present John Bradshaw,” he replied formally, introducing his companion. “We’re here to carry out the plan we discussed in Sydney.”

“How do you do, Mr. Bradshaw. Please take a seat, gentlemen.” She indicated the chairs but Rufe shook his head.

“If you don’t mind, we’ll get straight on to choosing the site.”

Kitty stifled her desire to ask him questions. “Certainly,” she replied, “I take it you’ll be staying overnight?”

“Yes. If that’s convenient.”

“Of course. Then I’ll see you later.”

****

When they returned, Kitty looked enquiringly at Rufe. “Have you found what you’re looking for?”

“Yes. There’s a spot close to the river, in a clearing, that’s ideal for our purpose. The flood washed the surface away and left rock formations exposed. It’s perfect.”

“So what happens now?”

“We’ll work tomorrow to make the site look genuine, then we’ll leave, and in a few weeks we’ll send a wagon with mining implements and so-called miners. Now, about this letter you sent me. You said you believe Reilly’s story?”

“Yes, I do. I can see no reason why he would have made up such a story. And he wants to marry Mary.”

“Is he genuine about that, do you think?”

“Yes. I do.”

“If he’s telling the truth, then it makes our plan simpler.”

“In what way?”

“Instead of having to get the news out there, and make sure it reaches the right ears, we simply have Reilly pass the information to his contact, then Craddock will hear it from his henchmen. But first I think Bradshaw and I should talk to him ourselves.” He turned to his companion, who had been silent up to now. “Don’t you think so?”

Bradshaw nodded. “Yes. Definitely. And it would help if we have someone else on the place working with us.” He turned to Kitty. “Is there someone among the men that you trust completely?”

“Jack Morgan, my manager.”

“You’re sure?”

Kitty smiled. “Perhaps you should ask my mother.”

A faint flush tinged Bella’s cheeks as she replied. “You can be perfectly sure, Mr. Bradshaw. Mr. Morgan and I are married.”

Bradshaw nodded. “In that case, I trust your judgement.”

Rufe turned to Bella. “So it’s Mrs. Morgan now, that’s wonderful news. I hope Morgan realizes what a lucky man he is. I look forward to meeting him and congratulating him.”

“If you’d like to meet him, he’ll be here this evening.”

“I look forward to it. As well as meeting him, he might well become an ally in our plans.”

“I’m sure he would wish to help in any way he can.”

“And Reilly?” Rufe turned back to Kitty. “Can I talk to him without the rest of the staff knowing?”

“I’ll find out when Mary is expecting to see him again, she can bring him in. That way no one will know. They’re known to be walking out together.”

“Excellent. Can I leave it to you to arrange? Tonight if possible.”

“Yes. I’ll see to it.”

****

Kitty organized a meeting for that night between Rufe, Bradshaw, Jack Morgan, and Patrick Reilly. Afterwards Rufe professed himself satisfied with both men’s integrity and told Kitty their plans were now firmly formulated.

“We’ll finish what we have to do here tomorrow, and in a couple of days Reilly will let slip to one of the other men that Mary has told him we’ve been here to take geological specimens from the site, that there might be diamonds here. All very hush-hush, of course. It’ll be enough to cause speculation and might well start a rumor.”

The next day Rufe and Bradshaw went out early.

All morning, Kitty moved aimlessly from room to room.

“Do come and sit down,” Bella admonished her. “You’ll tire yourself out. Remember the baby is due any day now. You need to conserve your energy.”

“Oh, Mother, don’t fuss. I don’t feel like sitting down. I need to be doing something.”

Bella put down her needlework and looked long and hard at her. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel fine, just fine. Full of energy, in fact.”

“Hmm. And how is the baby?”

“She’s fine, too. Very active, in fact.”

“I see.” She picked up her sewing again. “You might be closer than you think.”

“I’m just restless, that’s all. I really want to be out there, watching what they’re doing.”

But it was not until they all sat down to dinner that night that Kitty had a chance to talk to them.

She waited until the two men finished their soup and were waiting for their main meal before she raised the question uppermost in her mind.

“So, did everything go according to plan today?”

“Yes,” Rufe replied, “everything is now in place for the next stage.”

“Which will be…what?” queried Bella.

“You’re going to be invaded by a mining gang. I’ll instruct them to disrupt things as little as possible, but I’m afraid it’s going to cause some upheaval to your lives. They’ll be fairly self-sufficient, but they’ll need to clear some land around the site to set up their tents. They shouldn’t disturb you too much, because they can go into Bulahdelah for food supplies. In fact, the more people who get to know they’re here, the better, we want to spread the word around.”

“Will you be coming back with them?”

“Not at first. But I will come back after they’ve been digging for a while. That’ll be the time to reveal that you have diamonds here. Hopefully to create some interest in the right quarters.”

Kitty’s heart beat a little faster with excitement as she thought that perhaps, if Rufe’s plan worked, the Arnolds might at last be brought to justice. And also because it meant she would see Rufe again. Not that there was much point to it, for he was obviously in love with Irene. His impersonal attitude to her since his arrival confirmed this. After all, why would he want her, a widow carrying another man’s child, someone who had sent him away from her on two occasions? No, he had found solace with someone else. But still, she would enjoy seeing him again.

She did not sleep well that night, partly from discomfort, it seemed the baby kicked incessantly, and partly because her mind buzzed with thoughts of Rufe and his plan, and Rufe and Irene. She woke the next morning feeling tired, and upon emerging from her room she found the men had breakfasted early and were ready to leave. Bella stood talking to them, obviously saying her goodbyes.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Barron,” Rufe said, offering her his hand.

Kitty felt a little chill as she took it; he was behaving so formally toward her, as if the past counted for nothing. “It’s been my pleasure, and I hope our plan is successful,” she replied.

As Rufe and Bradshaw rode away, Kitty and Bella watched from the verandah until they were out of sight, but Rufe didn’t turn around.

As she turned to walk inside, Kitty felt wetness between her legs, and when she looked down a pool of water was forming around her feet. “What on earth…?”

Bella gasped. “Your water’s broken.” She took Kitty by the arm. “Come on now, let’s get you ready. Into the bedroom. I’ll send for the midwife.”

****

Rufe and Bradshaw separated shortly after they left Bulahdelah, Bradshaw to return to Sydney, Rufe to visit his stores on the goldfields.

Rufe was happy with the salting of the ‘mine’ at Redwoods. Bradshaw knew his job all right, and they worked well together, and with Jan van Mayen. Their plan had been carefully worked out, and he had confidence in bringing it to a successful conclusion.

He knew Kitty longed to bring George Arnold to justice. Kitty. How did he feel about her now? He pictured her as she had been this morning, standing in the hallway to bid him goodbye, with her swollen belly and dark circles beneath her eyes. A surge of tenderness swept through him at the thought. Tenderness, not desire. She was still the same person she had always been, and yet she was not the same. How did he feel about this new Kitty? He sighed. He really didn’t know.

And now he was on his way to the goldfields, and Irene would be waiting for him.

He had not seen her since the end of their holiday in Sydney, when she returned to her inn, and he had begun preparations for the planned salting of the ‘mine’.

A small group of trusted miners was now also waiting for him, to be told that all was in place to begin their work. Seeing Irene at the same time would be a pleasant interlude. His mind was divided on whether he was being fair to her, continuing to see her, knowing he had no serious intentions toward her. However, he eased his conscience by reminding himself that she was the one who had said, ‘no strings attached’. She had set the rules. He enjoyed her company, and sharing her bed even more so, and she seemed happy enough with that situation. After all, she was intent on building up her business. She confided in him that she would soon be in a position to sell the inn and move into something better, perhaps a smart hotel in a country town as a first move toward the hotel in Sydney or Melbourne that was her ultimate goal. No, she didn’t want the ties of a serious relationship any more than he did.

He patted Banjo on the neck. “Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing her again,” he told him, “and there’ll be a good feed and a dry bed for you, too, old fellow, so we’d better get a move on.”

****

Irene had fretted for days with disappointment when she realized she was not pregnant after their visit to Sydney, and then lived in a state of apprehension that she might have lost Rufe until she heard from him, telling her when he would be arriving again. She calculated the days and realized that it would be perfect timing. This time she must make sure.