Mary's Guardian (20 page)

‘Well, that’s not how Marie sees it,’ Ellen said sadly.

‘Doesn’t she like Daniel?’

‘She likes him well enough, but he’s not her father, is he? And she thinks it’s disgusting that I’d think of marrying someone else. I suppose it’s only natural that she doesn’t want to think of her father being…replaced.’

‘No, a young girl’s not likely to understand that, I reckon. But she’ll get used to the idea, Ellen. It’s not for her to decide for you.’

‘No, but I think she might run off with this Robert Allen just to spite me.’ Ellen’s head dropped into her hands and she rubbed at her face, clearly agitated.

Mary put an arm around her and patted her shoulder. She could feel the chubbiness of her friend who had over the years become quite rounded. Ellen had always been a cheery soul and able to see the good and the positive in most things. It had been hard for Mary to watch her grieving for Joe these past months. Her face had been drawn, her eyes dark with sadness. If there was some happiness ahead for her in a marriage to Daniel Bridge – who from all accounts was a good man, hard working, sensible and kind – then Mary wanted that for her.

‘I hope she doesn’t do that, Ellen. But you can’t deny yourself a little happiness and comfort because Marie’s still grieving her father. It’ll pass. She’ll learn to live with it.’

‘I hope so, for I’ve made up my mind to go ahead. I’m tired and I still have three younger ones to care for…with or without Marie to help me. Not that she’s much help, mind. She’s a bit flighty at the best of times and the way she goes on about this Robert Allen, well, I doubt I can talk any sense into her at all. Daniel’s tried too, but that only made it worse. She thinks he’s only thinking of himself. And it’s not so, Mary. He’s very considerate of her…of all of my children. He doesn’t want to cause any hurt to them.’ With this Ellen began to weep quietly and laid her head on Mary’s shoulder.

‘There, there, love. This shouldn’t be a sad time. You’ve had enough of that. You should be able to be happy about this. Do you want me to have a talk to Marie? Maybe I could help her see your point of view.’

Ellen sniffed loudly and wiped her eyes. ‘Thanks, Mary, but I doubt that would do any good. It’s all right. I’ll talk to her again but in the end I can’t really control what she decides, can I? She’s only fifteen but these days they’re very obstinate at that age, aren’t they?’

‘You’re not wrong about that, love,’ Mary agreed, shaking her head.

‘So if she goes off with Robert then there’s nothing I can do about it. I have to think of the rest of us.’

***

Through the winter William and Dan found time to work together, mending some fences. They enjoyed each other’s company and liked to discuss the progress of the colony.

‘It does seem that there are more free men arriving these days. Surely it’s a good sign for the colony. It’s no longer just a dumping ground for convicts.’ Dan held fast to a post while William fixed it in place.

‘Even though it’s been a blessing in disguise for convicts like you and me,’ William added.

‘Yes, there’s no doubt that God has brought good out of bad for us, Will. But it hasn’t been so for all those who came as prisoners. I think with more free families coming now, it’s what the country really needs. And men with skills that can be used to build and plan better.’

‘Men like Francis Greenway, you mean?’

Dan chuckled. ‘All right, yes, men like Francis Greenway. And I know he’s an ex-convict who’s done really well for himself and for the colony.’

‘He’s a great example of the kind of men some ex-convicts are, Dan. I don’t think we should forget that. He was an architect in his other life and now Governor Macquarie’s put him in charge of designing all the new government buildings as well as schools and churches all over the colony. The country will benefit from men like him as much as any free settler.’

‘I agree, Will. All in all I have great hope for the future of this country now. And for the family I hope to have…with Elizabeth.’ He raised his eyebrows and smiled at Will, looking for his approval.

‘That’s what I like to hear, Dan.’ William nodded, happy to acknowledge that Dan’s future would include his daughter. ‘I want my grandchildren to be raised with plenty of hope and security. I know they’ll have better than we had. A better start. A better end.’

‘End? You’re not near the end of your life by a long shot.’

‘I’m twenty years or so older than you, Dan.’ William grinned. ‘I’m planning to be around a bit longer but only the good Lord knows when our time is up. Isn’t that right?’

‘You’ve been going to church regularly, Will. You’d know as well as me how the good Lord works.’

‘It seems to me we can only do our best to do what’s right and trust Him for the rest.’

‘That’s about it, Will. He started all this…creating mankind, I mean. And He knows how it’s all to end. He has a plan I believe. All we can do is our best in the small parts He’s given us. That’s what I think.’

‘Fair enough. I’m praying He gives us a hand along the way when it gets tough, that’s all. The way is never altogether smooth is it?’

‘I don’t think He ever promised that. But look how we’ve grown through the rough bits. Would you ever have imagined you’d live on the other side of the world from your beginnings, with a family of your own…and not too many years off being a grandfather?’

‘I would not, Dan. I have more than I could ever have imagined in my younger days. I’m very grateful for where we’ve come. But for goodness sake, let’s not mention grandchildren in Mary’s hearing just yet. Let’s take one step at a time, eh? I don’t think she’s quite up to thinking about herself as a grandmother yet.’

***

‘Here we are again, Will. Another wedding.’ Mary grinned up at her husband and blew at a feather that was hanging from her wide hat and blocking her view of his face. ‘It seems we were just here in April when Ellen and Daniel Bridge got married. Imagine getting hitched again at nearly fifty! I’m glad though. It’s been good for her. And she’s really moved up in the world as well, hasn’t she? Now she doesn’t have to break her back doing the washing for Daniel. Not as a domestic, anyway.’ She cackled softly and waited till William nodded distractedly. ‘I’m so glad to see her happy again. At least she was until her young Marie upped and married that Robert Allen a few weeks ago. And her just turned sixteen. Ellen was half expecting it, you know, but still, it’s a worry. He hasn’t given up his old ways, that one, if you ask me.’

‘What I’d ask of you right now is that you hold your tongue and concentrate on this wedding for a bit.’ William wound his arm into hers and patted her hand, his eyes still trained on the backs of the couple standing in front of them. ‘It’s our only daughter getting married now. Look at her. She’s so beautiful. And so happy. Doesn’t that do your heart good?’

‘It does, Will. Of course it does. I’m very excited for Elizabeth…now that I’ve adjusted to the idea. At least to the idea of her being a wife. But Dan’s a man old enough to be wanting a family right off. Do you really think Elizabeth’s ready to be a mother?’

‘Stop anticipating problems and give thanks that she’s happy. And that she has a fine man in Dan.’

William’s face beamed. His hair had thinned and his skin had darkened and spotted. His hands were gnarled and scarred. But his eyes were bright with happiness this day. His daughter would have a good life with Dan Jurd, of that he had no doubt. William no longer had to feel responsible for his daughter; just gratitude and hope. Now he could focus his attention on Thomas and Billy. He wanted to help them learn everything that would set them up for a good life. He reached out and patted Thomas’ head, noting that his eldest son was already up to his chest. The years had passed quickly and would continue to do so, he was sure. Before he knew it he’d be looking his sons in the eyes. He took the opportunity as he stood in the church to thank God for His goodness and petition Him for mercies in the future before he turned his attention back to the wedding service.

‘Will you, Elizabeth Douglass, take Daniel Jurd, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?’ There was a deep hush amongst the congregation as they waited for Elizabeth’s response to Reverend Cartwright’s solemn question.

‘I will.’ Elizabeth’s sweet voice rang out.

‘And will you, Daniel Jurd, take Elizabeth Douglass, to be your wife? Will you love and protect her for the rest of your lives, until death do you part?’

‘I will,’ Daniel responded strongly.

Soft sighs and whispered approval came from behind Mary and William as the couple exchanged rings.

‘Well, I suppose marriage at sixteen and a half to a good man is far better than what I witnessed last year when Ralph Malkins sold his wife off, isn’t it?’ Mary started to talk again, keeping her voice as low as she could. ‘I still can’t believe the woman actually went along with it.’

William nodded, his eyes still focused on his daughter. Her pale cream dress hugged her slight frame and fell softly from her waist, the lower edge gathering on the floor behind her. William thought she looked like an angel.

‘At least Reverend Cartwright didn’t go along with that union, did he?’ Mary went on. ‘Had them both before the Bench quick smart. Him sentenced to fifty lashes and three months hard labour in irons. Her sent off to Coal River for an indefinite time. Serves them right.’

‘Marriage is very important for the stability of the colony, lass. Not to be taken lightly,’ William whispered, still staring lovingly at his daughter as the service ended and she began to walk down the aisle arm in arm with her new husband.

‘So you’ll not be trying to sell me off then?’ Mary giggled.

‘Not likely,’ he said quietly, patting her hand. ‘Not unless I can think of no other way to stop you talking.’ He grinned at her and then turned back to Elizabeth, whose face was radiant, her lacy cap framing the fine features of her face. ‘A picture, isn’t she?’

Mary nodded, suddenly speechless herself as she focused on the glow of her daughter’s face and Dan’s proud and contented expression. She stepped into the aisle and hugged Elizabeth fondly and then kissed Dan lightly on the cheek. She took William’s hand and they followed the newly wed pair towards the light coming through the open exit to the church. When she squeezed his fingers William knew that she was acknowledging the peace in her heart about their daughter’s wedding.

As the wedding party emerged from the church and gathered together in the sunlight, young Thomas and Billy began dragging at the buttons which held their collars close to their throats.

‘Is it time for the supper yet, Pa,’ Thomas asked plaintively, fed up with standing about.

William put his arm around his son’s shoulder. His memory was jolted for a moment, taking him back to when he was Thomas’ age. It was a time when he could not have imagined having any other life but that on the streets of Lincoln, scavenging and stealing for enough scraps of food to survive. Even when he’d glimpsed something better resulting from his transportation to Australia, when he’d worked at farming until his hands bled, holding onto a dream of a decent living in this new land, he hadn’t fully been able to imagine being at this point in life. Here he was with a wife he adored, a beautiful daughter now marrying a fine young man, two sons who he was sure would do him proud and who would live a safe, productive and free life in a new country they could call their own. Australia had become their home, their haven, their future. William’s eyes filled with glistening tears.

‘It’ll just be a few more minutes, Thomas, and then we’ll be going to the Bridges for the supper.’

With that he dug into his pocket and pulled out a small, green cloth bag.

‘What’s that?’ Mary asked. ‘Have you bought Elizabeth something else? Do you think what I’ve made is not enough?’ Her eyes misted up.

William knew that Mary had spent the past two months embroidering a table cloth for their daughter. He had admired it on numerous occasions, told her it was the perfect wedding gift. Now, he could see that she was wondering if he felt the need to add something to it.

‘This is not for Elizabeth, my love,’ he assured. ‘It’s for you. For us, actually.’

‘Oh?’ Mary was mystified. She watched him open the bag slowly and draw out two shiny rings.

‘I asked Dan to get these when he went to Sydney to get his and Elizabeth’s wedding rings.’ His voice cracked a little and he swallowed. Mary was speechless. She looked up into his eyes and blinked with shock as he went on. ‘When we were wed we couldn’t afford these and you made us cloth ones. Remember?’ He waited till she nodded, still in stunned silence. ‘I always meant to buy you a real ring when I was able and though I should have done it years ago, somehow this seems the perfect time.’

He took her hand and slipped one of the rings onto it gently. ‘A moment ago I was remembering what we came from in Lincoln and I was giving thanks for the life we have here. A life I would never have imagined possible. A life we’ve made together. Who’d have thought that our English jailers would be doing us such a favour when they threw us aboard a transport ship and sent us to the other side of the world? Here, dreams I would never have dared to imagine have come true. And the most precious dream of all was finding you again, Mary, and having you for my wife. I couldn’t have born this journey without you. There’d have been little point. I want you to know how much it has meant for me to have you by my side.’ His voice was shaking now and a tear rolled from each of his eyes as he held her gaze.