A Mother's Shame (25 page)

‘Ah, here we are,’ Josh said after a while as an open-backed carriage pulled by two tired-looking horses trotted towards them. ‘It won’t be long now, ladies, and you’ll get to meet the rebel of Mama’s family.’

Maria would have liked to ask him what he meant, but knowing that it was not her place she remained silent as Josh helped them all up onto the seats. The luggage was strapped to the back, and then after being given directions, the driver climbed into the seat and they set off slowly up the steep hill leaving the pretty little port with its cerulean blue seas behind them.

On the way Josh pointed out different plants and flowers, and Kitty listened enthralled.

‘That is a cactus plant over there – look. It thrives here because of the warm dry climate.’

Kitty studied the prickly green leaves and the vivid pink trumpet-like flowers.

‘And that there is funnel, and over there are wild orchids. Those on that side are wax flowers, very common here, as are those Blue Gum and Golden Wattle trees.’

He then went on to tell them that until quite recently, Tasmania had been known as Van Diemen’s Land, and they listened intently.

It seemed to take forever for them to reach the top of the hill and Maria began to worry about the poor horses but at last they made it and the countryside was spread before them in all its glory. It was like something Maria had read about in fairytales. Green and lush and so beautiful it almost took her breath away. Wild rhododendrons grew in profusion on either side of the rough dirt track, thick with blooms, and the scent of flowers hung heavy on the air. There were vast areas of woodland and streams that sparkled in the sunlight.

‘Uncle Freddie’s ranch is about four miles away,’ Josh informed them as the horse picked up speed. ‘And I’m sure you’ll like it.’

They all fell silent then as they admired the passing countryside and there was nothing to be heard but the buzz of insects and the sound of the horses’ hooves. They passed a waterfall cascading down into a pool so clear that they could see right to the bottom of it and Maria would have loved nothing better than to take her clothes off and scramble into it – not that it would have been a very ladylike thing to do, of course, but the thought made her smile all the same.

Another two miles further on, the horses suddenly slowed and Kitty’s eyes stretched wide with pleasure at her first sight of a kangaroo as it hopped across the lane in front of them.

‘Would you just look at that little Joey in her pouch,’ she screeched excitedly. ‘Ain’t it clever? Why, it’s a shame we humans can’t have a little sack o’ skin on our bellies fer the same purpose. It would beat havin’ to carry the babies about all day, wouldn’t it?’

Josh beamed at her pleasure. Kitty had really come out of her shell since leaving England and in no way resembled the shy, downtrodden girl they had taken from Hatter’s Hall. Her hair was now streaked with gold from the sun and she had regained a little weight following her illness, which suited her. But it was her eyes where he saw the greatest change. They had lost their haunted look and now sparkled with delight.

Poor child, he found himself thinking, for even now what future could she have? She was an orphaned bastard brought up in a mental asylum – and who would want her when they discovered that? But then the Colonies were a place for new beginnings, where different rules applied. She might thrive here. He turned his attention to Isabelle, who was sitting quietly with her parasol shielding her from the sun. She had spoken scarcely two words the whole morning, and even though he felt the change in his sister was for the better, it was taking some getting used to.

And then finally he allowed himself to peep at Maria. She still had dark shadows under her eyes and her clothes hung loosely on her now, but he hoped that this would change once they reached his uncle’s ranch and she could get some decent food inside her.

They continued in silence, each of them enjoying the picturesque landscape, and then at last as they reached the top of yet another rise Josh pointed down into a valley.

‘There is Uncle Freddie’s ranch.’

All eyes turned in the direction of his pointing finger and Maria’s face lit up brighter than the sun that was shining down on them.

The homestead, which looked enormous even from a distance, was nestled deep down in a valley surrounded by lush green fields where fat sheep were contentedly grazing. Maria was sure that there must have been hundreds of them. The house was a long, one-storey building surrounded by a white picket fence, and like the rest of the buildings they had passed it was made entirely of wood. People were rushing around like ants and even from this distance Maria could see that the majority of them were black. They were no doubt the local indigenous people employed by Uncle Freddie to help run the sheep-farming business.

As the carriage began its descent into the valley, Maria peered out, intent on not missing anything. It took quite a while to coax the horses down the steep incline, even when all the passengers jumped down to walk until they were back on level ground, and she soon realised that the ranch was much further away than it had appeared to be. But then this whole place was enormous, as she was fast learning.

Eventually the horses drew to a halt in front of a long verandah that wrapped right the way around the wooden structure. A wooden swing, which would offer shelter from the sun, stood to one side of the door, and Maria saw that all the doors and windows that were visible were open and draped in fine mosquito nets.

As Josh approached the house, tired and sweaty from the long journey, a small female figure dressed in an emeraldgreen crinoline suddenly pushed aside the mosquito net on the main entrance and darted onto the verandah with a broad smile on her face.

‘Esperanza!’ Josh hurried forward to hug the woman and they spoke for a while in a language that Maria did not understand. The woman was clearly not English, but she was without doubt one of the most beautiful women that she had ever set eyes on. Her skin was olive-coloured and flawless, and her hair, which cascaded down her back, was coal black and curly. Her eyes were dark too, and as Maria watched her she suddenly turned her attention to the women in the party and smiled a radiant smile that revealed small white teeth.

‘Ah, Isabelle,’ she said now as she came forward with her arms outstretched, merely glancing at Maria and Kitty. ‘Your uncle is working on the land. He did not expect you until later.’ She waved her hand vaguely in the direction of the fields behind her that seemed to be full of sheep and then urged, ‘But come. You must be tired and thirsty. I shall have Binda prepare you some refreshments.’

She helped Isabelle down from the carriage and as Maria fell into step with Josh behind them, she whispered, ‘Who is she?’

Josh grinned. ‘Well, if you remember, I told you that Uncle Freddie was the rebel of the family. Esperanza is his mistress.’

Maria’s eyes almost popped out of her head. ‘What? You mean they . . . they live together and they’re not married!’

‘That’s about the long and short of it,’ he chuckled. ‘Although it isn’t for the want of Uncle asking her. He’d marry Esperanza tomorrow if she’d have him, but she seems to be quite happy as she is and they’re totally devoted to each other. They’ve been together for years and have two children, whom I’m sure you will meet in due course.’

‘Oh.’ Maria gulped, for she couldn’t think of anything more to say. She was well aware that back home it was accepted that the gentry had mistresses, but they didn’t live together openly with them; the women were usually set up in some small establishment where the men discreetly visited them. Obviously things were very different in Tasmania – and who was she to question them, after just losing a child out of wedlock?

By now they were entering the ranch-house and Maria looked about with interest as Kitty stayed close to her side, apparently overawed at her surroundings. Just like the outside of the building the inner walls were made entirely of wood, but the furnishings might have come straight from the rooms of a palace; and Maria couldn’t help but be impressed. Velvet-upholstered settees on spindly gilt legs were set here and there with tiny occasional tables at the side of them, and a large marble Adam-style fireplace that would have graced a stately home stood against one wall, not that Maria thought it would be needed very often. Fine Turkish rugs were strewn across the highly polished floorboards and oil paintings aplenty adorned the walls. Maria assumed this must be the sitting room as she and Kitty followed Esperanza and Isabelle into the room beyond. In here, a fine mahogany table took centre stage, surrounded by a dozen matching chairs with cabriole legs and embroidered seat-covers. A matching sideboard stood nearby, over which hung an enormous mirror. For a moment, Maria was speechless.

It was then that a small round woman bustled into the room and Esperanza said, ‘Ah, Binda. Our guests have arrived. Would you prepare them some tea, please? Englishstyle of course.’ She grinned at the visitors, then, saying, ‘I know how fond you people are of your tea, so Freddie has had some shipped out for you, enough to last for a few months at least. We prefer coffee here, but then each to his own.’ Then more discreetly she addressed Maria and Kitty, suggesting, ‘Perhaps you would like to go through to the kitchen with Binda and take your refreshments there?’

Josh looked uncomfortable but Maria was happy to go with Kitty and soon they found themselves in a very splendid kitchen. A large range stood against one wall, and copper pans, which gleamed in the sunshine that poured in through the open back door, were suspended from a thick beam above it.

The black woman smiled at them and gestured towards the large oak table in the centre of the room. ‘You sit down, yes?’ she said pleasantly and although Maria and Kitty would have loved to have a wander around, they did as they were told.

It was whilst they were sitting there that two very lovely, well dressed children charged into the room, stopping dead in their tracks to stare curiously at the visitors.

Binda instantly spoke to them in a language that neither Maria nor Kitty could understand, and the boy, who looked to be about nine or ten years old, stepped forward and solemnly extended his hand.

‘How do you do,’ he said formally. ‘I am Alfonso and this is my sister Rosa.’

With their thick black hair and deep brown eyes, Maria instantly guessed that these must be Esperanza’s children, and she thought that they were both exquisite. The little girl, who hung back shyly behind her brother, looked to be about six or seven and Maria smiled at them. A lump formed in her throat as she thought of her own little sister back at home.

‘I am very pleased to meet you,’ she told them. ‘My name is Maria and this is Kitty.’

‘We knew you were coming,’ Alfonso told her importantly. ‘Papa told us, and Aunt Isabelle and Uncle Josh are here too, aren’t they? But you are not going to be staying here. Mama has had the guesthouse made ready for you.’ His face dropped a little then as he confided, ‘Mama has told us that we must not come troubling you and making a nuisance of ourselves.’

‘Oh, I’m sure you could never be nuisances,’ Maria assured him gravely with a smile in her eyes. ‘And as far as I am concerned, you are welcome to come and see us whenever you choose.’

‘That would be very nice, thank you. But of course we are with our tutor for much of the day doing our lessons. Mr Brady lives in a small dwelling not far from the guesthouse so I am sure you will meet him at some stage. Papa says education is very important. Can you read and write?’

‘Yes, I can,’ Maria told him and he looked mildly surprised as he glanced towards Binda who was busily laying a tea tray while the kettle boiled on the range.

‘Most of our servants cannot write,’ Alfonso confided, then addressing Kitty he asked, ‘Can you?’

Kitty blushed. ‘Just a little bit. Maria here has been teachin’ me on the journey.’

‘Ah, then that is good.’ Alfonso flashed a smile and Kitty’s heart melted. She had a feeling that she would get along with these two just fine, even though the little girl appeared to be much shyer than her brother.

They then spent another half-hour pleasantly drinking tea and eating freshly baked griddle scones until Joshua appeared in the doorway.

After the children had greeted him he told Maria, ‘It seems that you and Isabelle are to stay in the guesthouse along with Robbie McPhee, Uncle’s right-hand man. He’ll make sure that all the heavy jobs are tended to during your stay. You and Kitty are free to take care of Isabelle. Are you happy with that arrangement?’

‘Perfectly,’ Maria assured him, secretly relieved that she would not have to be too close to him. She knew that it would be unwise in the circumstances.

They said goodbye to the children, who were reluctant to let them go, and in no time at all they were in the carriage again heading for the guesthouse.

‘Is it very far?’ Maria enquired as the vehicle slowly rolled along the rough track.

‘About a mile or so, I should say, but don’t worry. Robbie will be there and if you should need us he can be back here for help in no time.’

Maria sat back to enjoy the scenery and soon enough a small guesthouse came into view. It was nowhere near as big as the ranch-house, but charming all the same. Again the main structure was made of wood and it had a verandah at the front. To one side was another building that Maria guessed must be the stables, and beyond that were a number of large outbuildings surrounded by trees. Shelter for the sheep in inclement weather, perhaps?

Isabelle was looking tired and drawn by now, and had not uttered so much as a single word since leaving her uncle’s home, so Maria was relieved that they had finally arrived so that she might rest.

Josh helped them all down and together they went into the smaller dwelling, which proved to be surprisingly spacious inside.

‘Nearer to Isabelle’s time, Binda will be coming to stay with you so that she’s on-hand to deliver the baby,’ he informed Maria as he began to carry their luggage inside.

When Maria raised an eyebrow he grinned. ‘Don’t look so worried. I think Binda has delivered more babies than we’ve had hot dinners, Alfonso and Rosa included. Isabelle will be in very safe hands and should she need a doctor, Robbie will ride into town to get one.’