Keziah was on her knees weeding the herb garden with little Yosie at her heels playing with a toy cart. When she looked up to see Jake striding towards her leading Horatio she was furious to find her hands were trembling. It was her first sight of him since he had stormed out three weeks earlier.
He looked healthy enough, clean-shaven with freshly pressed clothes, his washed hair shining in the sunlight. Keziah felt her heart racing, first with relief that he was all right, next with anger that he didn’t appear to have suffered one little bit during their absence.
Jake’s tone was cool. ‘We’re driving over to the Doc’s for a meal. Get the children scrubbed up. Don’t want them to look like urchins.’
Without waiting for her answer he marched off to the stables.
Keziah flew into action, double-checking the children’s clothes and grooming. Her blue dress was the only one small enough to fit her well but that was dripping wet on the clothesline. She belted in an old dress with a sash. She paused at the mirror before knotting a fresh scarf around her head, feeling a faint sense of pleasure to see the tufts of hair on her head had begun to form tiny curls. On impulse she discarded the false braid and drew a few strands of new hair from under the scarf to frame her face. She pinched her cheeks to increase their colour. Then for protection against the nervous ordeal ahead she added her grandmother’s silver amulet. Janet Macgregor would be the first female to see her since her release from the Factory. Keziah wanted no pity.
Jake yelled from the driver’s seat of the vardo. ‘I haven’t got all day to waste!’
Keziah ignored him, choosing to gently prise Yosie from her step-daughter’s arms.
‘I’m so proud of you, Pearl. You’ve been a great help to us, but today I want you to learn to be a little girl again.’
Keziah looped the child’s skinny plaits into bunches of blue ribbons to disguise her large elf-like ears. She was startled when Pearl threw her arms around her and released all her childhood pain in a confused torrent.
‘My real mama didn’t want me. She left me with the nuns at Christmas and all the other girls went home. Mama told me I was an ugly duckling. The boys are beautiful like you. I wish you could love me too, Mama, but I’ll always be plain.’
Keziah heard Jake yelling, ‘Hurry up, it’s boiling hot out here!’
She called back from the doorway, ‘We’ll be out in a minute!’
She knew Pearl’s anguish must be dealt with here and now. She felt it like a physical pain inside her own breast. If only I could win her trust, I could heal her.
She propped Yosie in his highchair and gave him the toy boxing kangaroos Daniel had carved for him. Then she sank down on the floor and drew Pearl into the circle of her arms.
‘Listen, you’ve got it all wrong. From now on I am your mama – always. When Mama Jenny went to Cape Town she signed a piece of paper giving you to your papa because he could never be happy without his little princess.’
Keziah swallowed the truth. Sold her to Jake for thirty pieces of silver is more like it.
Pearl was listening too intently to cry. Keziah pressed on.
‘You are just like me, Pearl. When I was five my mother left me with my papa. I never saw her again. I know how sad you feel inside but your family and all the people who love you know what a truly brave little girl you are!’
Pearl’s eyes shone and Keziah kissed her cheek. ‘Never forget. Papa and I love you three children equally.’
On impulse she drew Pearl to the mirror and transferred her silver amulet to her neck.
‘My grandmother gave me this to protect me. Now I give it to you, my daughter. See? What’s this silly idea you’re plain? Look how beautiful you are! It’s like magic. You believe it and it happens. Tell the mirror, “I am Pearl – beautiful, clever and kind. I am a princess.”’
The moment Pearl whispered those words her mirror image smiled back.
‘Hey, who’s the beautiful princess?’ Jake asked when Pearl ran out to the vardo. He jumped down and lifted her up beside Gabriel, leaving Keziah to clamber up unaided.
‘What kept you girls so bloody long?’ he hissed at Keziah.
‘Secret women’s business!’ she said. Little Yosie gave her a blissful smile as a damp patch spread across her skirt. No time to change him. Jake was a volcano ready to erupt.
• • •
Jake was pleased to see the welcome committee lined up on the veranda of the Haunted Farm. Leslie and his new Scottish ticket-of-leave gardener wore their kilts. Janet stood stiffly to one side, an apron covering her housekeeper’s dress. Jake was relieved by the spontaneous way she gathered Keziah in that wordless warm embrace exchanged between ex-prisoners.
The children ran to the garden where their own party had been set up for them. Janet took one look at the damp patch on Keziah’s skirt and took her into the kitchen to sponge it down and iron it dry.
During the meal Jake and Leslie kept the conversation flowing to cover the awkwardness of Keziah’s lack of response. Jake’s frustration found a safe outlet in his attack on Norfolk Island’s new superintendent.
‘Five minutes in power and Major Childs has destroyed Alexander Maconochie’s prison reforms. The Scot was so enlightened and humane naturally the bloody authorities had to sack him.’
Leslie Ross was in full agreement. ‘Aye, I dinna hold with mutiny but this is one time when prisoners would be justified in taking the law into their own hands.’
Jake saw Keziah flinch at this reminder of her own downfall and cursed himself for raising the subject. Jesus wept. I’ve done it again.
He was grateful when Janet covered his gaffe by drawing Keziah away to the kitchen garden to identify an unusual herb and the Doc carted Jake off to his study.
Leslie lit his pipe before saying obliquely, ‘Your bairns are welcome to stay here for as long as it takes, lad.’
‘You know me, Doc. Don’t believe in miracles. And time’s running out.’
‘I havena had a proper chance to evaluate Keziah’s condition since her homecoming.’
‘Don’t pull your punches, Doc. She won’t see you or any other quack.’
‘What’s wrong with Keziah may well be a combination. Trauma over Iago’s death. The brutality of life in the Factory. Plus a state of depression some women suffer badly after birthing a babe. I’d prescribe something, but I dinna doubt she’d nay have a bar of it. In my opinion Keziah’s built up a barrier to protect herself from something.’
‘Me!’ said Jake with a bitter laugh.
Leslie Ross looked discomforted. ‘I am not convinced I am entirely free of guilt. At the time of her trial I gave her wine and tea laced with laudanum to prevent her condemning herself. The problem is that laudanum can have diverse effects. It makes some patients free of pain or melancholia. Others appear drunk, lucid, energised, even free from the need to sleep for days at a time. It can subject them to extraordinary dreams and hallucinations. I may well have contributed to her present mental state. I have never before treated a patient like Keziah. Even in her normal life, the lass appears to be in contact with other worlds.’
‘Yeah, Kez claims she sees ghosts. And has dreams about the future.’
‘Does she know what lies ahead of her today?’
‘Blood oath, no!’
Through the window Jake saw his guests approaching.
Nerida and Sunny Ah Wei were led by a much taller young Murphy. Mac Mackie followed uneasily behind Polly Doyle and George Hobson. Leading an anxious-looking Daniel, Bran Penrose took giant strides, beaming from ear to ear. Berrima’s Reverend Parsons brought up the rear wearing a snow-white surplice over his cassock.
Jake went out to meet them and saw Keziah emerging from the kitchen garden. At the sight of the guests she looked ready to bolt, so he hooked his arm securely around her waist to prevent her escape.
‘Gabe and Pearl wanted to hold off Yosie’s naming till your return. The Rev knows I don’t believe any church mumbo jumbo, but I’ll never forget how he ferried my letters to you.’
The reunion hugs were warm, but when Keziah saw the approach of an elegantly dressed couple, she turned on Jake in horror. ‘How could you do this to me?’
Jake only had time for a quick word. ‘Gabriel wanted me to invite him, but the lady’s a surprise to me too. She used to live in Bolthole Valley. But remember, I’ve never seen her before!’
Caleb Morgan clasped Jake’s outstretched hand with every appearance of genuine warmth. ‘I can’t tell you what your kind invitation means to me, Jake. May I introduce Mademoiselle Liliana du Pont.’
Jake bowed to the red-headed fashion plate in apricot silk and realised from Keziah’s fixed expression she had guessed this was Lily Pompadour, the prostitute who’d sent him money for a thoroughbred horse.
His manner was faultless. ‘Delighted to meet you, Mademoiselle.’
‘Liliana. Caleb’s told me so much about you, I feel we’re already close friends.’
Jake had a vivid flash of Lily riding him in bed, naked except for his hat. ‘Any friend of Caleb’s is a friend of mine,’ was his polite reply.
Jake smiled at Lily to give her confidence that her secret was safe with him. They both knew the risk she took in coming here. She quickly checked all the men’s faces to see if any were former clients. Evidently Jake was the only one.
‘Liliana has only recently left her convent school,’ Caleb explained. ‘So the ways of the wicked world are all very new to her.’
‘My daughter, Pearl, went to a convent.’ Jake added sincerely, ‘My word those sisters give young ladies a thorough education.’
Sisters. Lily almost choked trying to hold back her laughter. She slipped her arm through Caleb’s but her eyes smiled at Jake.
Just when Jake thought Lily was safe, their host descended on them.
Jake covered quickly. ‘Doc, this is Mademoiselle Liliana du Pont. Caleb Morgan’s friend from Melbourne Town.’
Leslie Ross didn’t bat an eyelid. He welcomed Caleb as an old friend and allowed himself to be introduced ‘for the first time’ to the girl that Jake knew full well the Doc had routinely examined each week at the Four Sisters to prevent venereal disease. Liliana smiled up at the Doc in gratitude when he shepherded her and Caleb on a tour of the grounds.
Alone with Keziah, Jake said quickly, ‘It’s not what you think.’
Keziah said coolly, ‘Your past is no concern of mine.’
Jake tried to think of a fitting answer but gave up. He flinched when a heavy hand lobbed on his shoulder. Jesus wept! Not the bloody arm of the law again?
He spun around to face Isaac and Molly Andersen at the head of the phalanx of his eight blond Viking brothers, ranging in age from seven to twenty-five. They were flanked by his tomboy sister, Miriam, looking uncomfortable wearing her Sunday best – a dress.
Jake stumbled over the introductions. Keziah looked overwhelmed. Even Jake was lost for words.
It was Molly Andersen who saved the day. She opened wide her arms and hugged Keziah to her bosom.
‘My new daughter! Bless your heart for giving me three beautiful grandchildren. Where are the little darlings?’ Molly hooked her arm through Keziah’s to steer her away.
Jake could not believe his ears when he heard his mother’s next words.
‘Welcome home, Keziah love. I know just how you feel. I was bloody glad to see the rear arse of the Factory myself, a right bugger of a place! You’re a brave lass taking on my son. Jake’s a good lad but swears like a trooper, he does. You’ll be needing to keep a tight rein on him.’
Isaac Andersen studiously examined the sky with a farmer’s keen eye. ‘Well, I’ll say this for you, son. You picked a good day for it.’
‘Could you sink an Albion with me, Pa?’
‘I could at that, seeing as your mother’s fully occupied, thanks be to God.’ His father hesitated. ‘Good to see you again – son.’
Jake drew his arm around his father’s shoulders. ‘I reckon this proves that yarn about prodigal sons, eh Pa?’
• • •
Under a eucalypt canopy, the Rev stood before a trestle table covered with a snowy altar cloth adorned with a brass cross and arrangements of orange and scarlet bottlebrush blossoms.
Jake’s sister, Miriam, and Leslie Ross made their vows as godparents to little Yosie. When the Rev splashed the boy with water to make the sign of the cross, Yosie thought it was a new game, so he dipped his hand in the font and splashed the priest in retaliation.
Jake beamed and muttered, ‘That’s my boy!’
When it was Pearl’s turn to be named there was a halt in the proceedings until Father Dennis Declan came charging down the path, prayer book under his wing as he hurriedly donned his vestments. His first handshake was with the prison chaplain.
‘Good day to you, Fred. Sorry I’m a tad late. I was called in unexpectedly to give the last rites to an old lady who decided she wasn’t quite ready to meet Our Maker.’
The Rev’s quiet aside caused Father Declan to throw his head back in shared laughter at some private ecclesiastical joke.
When Jake offered them each a whisky, Father Declan gave him a friendly punch on the arm.
‘Good to see you settling down into family life, Jake. So your daughter’s chosen to become one of my flock. Not an atheist like your good self, eh?’
‘I’m not one for bobbing and scraping, Father, as the Rev here knows, but the little ones like all that stuff so they’re free to choose whichever way they want to do the holy bit.’
As Jake escorted Father Declan towards the altar, the priest put in a quick word. ‘I’ve always said it, lad. You’re a joy to watch in the ring. We’re planning to build a church hall in Tagalong. Could I be tempting you to come out of retirement?’
‘I’d be in it like a shot, Dennis, but I promised my woman I’d never fight again.’
Jake felt a lump in his throat at the sight of Pearl wearing Keziah’s silver amulet with the new white dress he had bought her for the occasion. The focus of all eyes, she looked like a little flower that had finally blossomed.
Polly and Mac came forward to be her godparents.
Father Declan never missed a cue. ‘Well Mac Mackie, have you scraped up your courage to make Polly Doyle an honest woman?’
Mac flushed scarlet, so Polly said tartly, ‘All he has to do is ask!’
Mac finally managed to say the words. ‘Righto. Polly, how about it?’
Polly’s freckled face turned pink. ‘All right. I’m not doing nothing next Saturday if you get a special licence.’
Jake whistled between his fingers from sheer relief and everyone cheered. He looked to see if there was any reaction from Keziah. At least she was smiling in Nerida’s direction.
Gabriel was the last child to be named. Jake felt great pride in his little Rom as the boy escorted his second mother, Nerida, to the altar. Her hands rested on her swollen belly, clearly announcing that she was carrying Sunny Ah Wei’s firstborn.
The chaplain knew Nerida’s history and put her at ease. ‘Keziah said you brought Gabriel into the world, Mrs Ah Wei. The lad could have no more appropriate godmother.’
‘That little gubba’s like a son to me,’ Nerida said firmly.
Jake tensed as he watched Keziah’s reaction when Caleb Morgan strode through the throng to join this group at the altar. Jake was quick to block any disapproval.
‘Blame me. I asked him to be Gabe’s godfather. You have to give Caleb some role to play in public with his son.’
Outmanoeuvred, Keziah showed a flash of anger. ‘I’m not Jenny. I don’t stop Gabriel loving whoever he wants to love.’
Jake felt a glimmer of hope. ‘Good on you, girl!’
• • •
Daniel smiled encouragingly across at Keziah on the other side of the garden, relieved that she appeared to have passed unscathed through the ordeal of her first public appearance since her release from prison. He circulated amongst the guests feeling a familiar sense of ambiguity in his role as Keziah’s husband. He had designed the blueprint for all their lives and never regretted their ménage. It had given him a deep sense of family for the first time in his life. A loving bond with a woman and children he would otherwise never have had. And the right to share Jake’s friendship on a comfortable daily basis. He glanced around at all their mates. Ah, but there’s the rub. How many of them suspect I’m living a lie? That some day my other secret life could end in the death penalty? Only Keziah and Jake accept me for what I am. And even Jake shies off that subject.
He poured another drink to give himself courage before making his way to Jake. ‘You’re playing your cards damned close to your chest today, Jake.’
‘All will be revealed in five minutes, mate.’
Daniel decided to force the issue. ‘Well I’ll lay my cards on the table right now. I’ll soon be heading off to Sydney Town. Thanks to Jonstone I’ve got more commissions lined up.’
‘Good for you but that doesn’t mean you’re leaving Sarishan Farm for good?’
‘No. I’ll not run out on Keziah again or you. Not until you don’t need me anymore.’
Jake’s eyes held him with a level look. ‘We’ll always need you, mate.’
‘Likewise,’ said Daniel. He tried to lighten his tone to keep his deeper feelings in check. ‘But you know me. Art is my mistress. I’ve got to follow whenever she beckons.’
Jake nodded. Daniel saw he was relieved to be back again in shallow waters.
Jake had something else on his mind. ‘What say we have a drink, Dan? I’m just about to make my big announcement. You know me. I’d rather fight thirteen rounds with a crocodile than put things like that into words.’
Things like what? Daniel wondered but he just said, ‘Make mine a double, mate.’
Daniel smiled as he watched Jake swagger to the bar. He was reminded of those words Keziah had once said to him. We can’t help who we love.
• • •
The whiskies had been sunk. The hour had come for Jake to bite the bullet. He jumped up on a bench, a fresh drink in hand.
‘My thanks to the Doc for his legendary Highland hospitality. Even an agnostic like me can see that our mates the Rev and fighting Father Declan did a great job today. A man’s lucky to have a mob of friends like you lot. You stick like bloody glue to Dan, Kez and me no matter what strife we get into on the wrong side of the law.’
Mac whistled through his teeth until Polly Doyle elbowed him to be quiet.
‘Speaking of the law,’ said Jake, ‘I just heard on the grapevine that Will Martens has done it again. He escaped from gaol in Van Diemen’s Land and was last seen heading towards a ship setting sail for America. Here’s to freedom, Will!’
Everyone cheered but Jake knew in his heart that the end of the road for Will was Norfolk Island.
Jake turned serious as he raised his glass in Pearl’s direction. ‘My little princess is back where she belongs, thanks to my Yankee mate, Benjamin Rogers, who couldn’t make it here today. How do you say thanks to a man who tracked down your lost daughter?’ Jake touched his silver belt buckle. ‘And then gives you his own good-luck charm?’
Jake took a deep breath. ‘I brought you here today to tell you the good news.’ He turned to the priests. ‘Don’t get too excited. Nothing to do with your bible!’
Both priests exchanged a grin.
Jake glanced significantly at his mother, Molly. ‘My last bender is long gone. I’ve decided to get serious about breeding thoroughbreds.’
Despite the cheered response, Jake kept his expression blank.
‘I’ve made some tough decisions for 1845. After Doc’s famous Hogmanay celebrations, I’ve agreed to start the new year by working for twelve months at Ogden Park. Jupiter’s Darling baulks at servicing mares. Terence Ogden reckons I’m the bloke to solve the problem and help him raise another generation of champions.’
He saw Daniel frown at this unexpected news, knowing Ogden Park was too distant for Jake to remain living at Sarishan Farm. Jake glanced across at Keziah but her face was a mask.
‘The money Ogden pays me I’ll sink back into Sarishan Farm. I’m bloody lucky young Dick Gideon will run the place with Bran’s help. My partner Dan will balance the books.’
He gave a nod in George Hobson’s direction. ‘Thanks to George his
Glaswegian giant Sholto’s just landed his ticket-of-leave, so Sholto’s gunna work between my farm and Ironbark. Me? I’ll be pretty much out of sight, out of mind.’
Jake glanced across at Keziah who was now deathly pale. Was that a good sign or bad?
‘I want to thank Dan Browne and Bran Penrose for being my left and right arms through all my troubles. Our lawyer mate, Joseph Bloom, couldn’t make it today.’ He nodded at Keziah. ‘He sends you his best wishes. He’s in Sydney Town fighting to keep some other poor bugger out of the sturaban. But when I tell you all it was Joe who drew up this deed I’m holding, you’ll know it’s bloody watertight. It signs over to Bran Penrose and his heirs full title to the forge acres. Here mate, you earned it!’
Bran’s eyes were suspiciously wet, so Jake hurriedly resumed his speech. ‘I can’t do nothing for Dan. He’s been lined up to paint Jonstone’s gentry mates, and you know how many of them there are!’
After the cheering died down Jake continued. ‘For Yosef Jakob Andersen Browne, here’s something important to his mama.’
The silence was loaded with expectation as he crossed to where Daniel was endeavouring to restrain Yosie. Jake eyed Daniel steadily, his words deceptively casual.
‘I can see you’ve got your hands full there, Dan. So how about I do this for you?’
Jake tied a red ribbon around the toddler’s neck. ‘There you are, my little Rom. This proves your father acknowledges his son.’
Daniel smiled his gratitude that the truth about their ménage was not right out in the open, even though none of them doubted it was accepted by their closest friends.
Jake saw Keziah biting her lip. Was it to conceal her pleasure or annoyance? Any reaction from her would be bloody something.
He overheard his pa whisper, ‘Molly, what’s going on? Jake is the boy’s father, isn’t he?’
To which Molly hissed back, ‘And who are we to ask bloody awkward questions? Never been churched ourselves and raised ten kids and all.’
Jake knew that the conclusion of his speech could also be interpreted in different ways.
‘As for my mate Keziah Browne, it’s no secret I think Daniel’s a lucky man. I want you to raise your glasses to celebrate Keziah’s ticket-of-leave. She’s got big plans she’ll tell you in her own good time. End of speech! Now, let’s drink the Doc’s cellar dry.’ Jake raised his glass in a toast. ‘To the land we live in! Australia!’
• • •
Keziah felt shaken and confused as all heads turned expectantly to her at the end of Jake’s speech. She grabbed hold of Daniel’s arm.
‘What on earth did Jake mean? What big plans?’
‘Search me,’ he said glumly as he walked away. ‘You’re the psychic.’
Caleb Morgan appeared at her side, his expression serious. ‘I am honoured to be Gabriel’s godfather. We can at least keep in contact due to that relationship, Keziah.’
‘Jake’s idea, not mine,’ she said quickly. Yet she felt oddly anxious at the sight of Liliana du Pont crossing the lawn to enter the house alone. She wondered if Caleb knew his ‘French’ mistress had once worked in a brothel. Had Lily managed to fool him? Or was he simply playing the game, pretending to accept her ‘convent education’?
Keziah saw Caleb was studying her intently. ‘Liliana’s damned good for me. There’s no stopping her when she’s set her mind on something. Would you believe she’s determined to see me elected in politics?’ He paused. ‘I found adventure in this colony where I least expected it. So why am I haunted by the John Donne sonnet I recited to a beautiful Romani girl?’
‘Please stop, Caleb. I’ve hurt enough people who don’t deserve it.’
‘Allow me to say it once more, Keziah. “I must love her, that loves not me.”’
Caleb tenderly kissed her hand then backed away with a wry smile.
Keziah fled across the lawn in confusion, overwhelmed by the unexpected events of the day and her anxiety about the night to come. She was drawn to an isolated part of the old rose garden where the sound of the guests’ voices was remote. She saw a young woman dressed in an Empire-line gown had found solace on a garden bench. Her eyes held a look of indescribable sadness.
Keziah felt suddenly cold. ‘Are you waiting for someone?’
The girl did not speak. Yet Keziah mentally heard her words. ‘My love. Padraic.’
A rush of terror almost overwhelmed her. A mulo! This was Maggie Barnes, who had suffered at the hands of her wife-beating husband until the young convict Padraic murdered him to set her free. Keziah knew her Puri Dai had sent this mulo to her for help.
Who am I to condemn a murderer? She led Maggie to the well. Padraic was waiting for her. Joy softened his haggard face when his lover slipped into his arms.
Fighting her fear, Keziah closed her eyes and prayed desperately to The Del, Shon, the gaujos’ god the Father, Gentle Jesus, her Puri Dai and whoever else might be listening.
Please don’t punish Padraic and Maggie anymore. Set them free to be together.
She opened her eyes to see the lovers walking into the bush, Maggie’s head resting on Padraic’s shoulder. They paused to smile at her, then slowly dissolved into the sunlight.
Keziah was trembling violently as she ran back to the house. Where was Jake?
• • •
Jake stood in the Doc’s sitting room. All the guests were in the garden, save one. Lily posed elegantly in the doorway. She crossed to him in a rustle of apricot silk, very sure of herself.
‘Caleb treating you right, Lil? If he isn’t, I’ll sort him out for you.’
‘You haven’t changed. Still running away from your own problems?’
‘Not this time. Got dumped again. That’s the way it goes.’ He knew they had unfinished business. ‘I’m glad to see you happy, Lil. Caleb’s a lucky man.’
‘You and I were very good together, Jake, but I saw the writing was on the wall. You talked about Keziah in your sleep.’
‘I could never give you the life you want, Lil. You deserve the best.’
‘I had the best, Jake. He got away,’ she said softly. ‘But he gave me a priceless gift. Made me believe in myself. Taught me I could walk away from Bolthole Valley and make a success of a new life. And I will, Jake, you just watch me!’
Gracefully she drew his head down and kissed his mouth. ‘Be happy, Jake.’
Her gown rustled softly as she returned to the garden. To Caleb Morgan.
Jake looked across the room to see Keziah framed in the opposite doorway. He was determined to outstare her. Keziah finally broke the silence.
‘Leslie says you arranged for the children to sleep here tonight.’
‘Dead right,’ he said. ‘You are coming with me.’
He saw the panic in Keziah’s eyes. Now she knew the truth. Today was just part of his plan. Ahead of them lay the night of reckoning that Keziah could no longer escape.