The Lace Balcony (76 page)

Molly was so thrilled she stood on tiptoe, but froze in the act of attempting to kiss the cheek of her future mother-in-law. Vianna sensed the reason. Molly's mother was in service to Felix's mother, and even on such a day of joy as this, entrenched class barriers were difficult to break down.

Vianna was taken by surprise. It was Albruna who crossed the barrier, leaning down to kiss the bride's cheek. ‘In one hour you will be my daughter. I believe my son has chosen well.'

She crossed to the door in a rustle of lilac silk. ‘I shall inform my husband you have chosen him to give you away.' She inclined her head towards Vianna. ‘I leave you in good hands, Molly'.

•  •  •

In the gazebo, Mungo stood shoulder to shoulder with Felix before the table that separated them from Magistrate Kennedy, standing splendidly adorned in his Masonic robes. From inside the house came the sound of music being played on the pianoforte by one of Albruna's music students.

Mungo noted Felix's extreme pallor and the way his hands twitched with nerves as he repeatedly removed his watch to check the time. Mungo remembered that it was his role to keep the bridegroom's spirits high.

‘Don't panic. It's fashionable for brides to be late.'

‘An absurd custom, designed to make bridegrooms anxious,' Felix snapped. And a moment later asked, ‘Do you think it's going to rain?'

‘It wouldn't dare, mate. Not with Mrs Less running the show.'

Mungo checked the faces of the guests seated on either side of the aisle. He was pleased but not surprised that for once both Felix's mother and his own appeared to be exchanging a few polite words.

I trust Will's happy about what the day has in store.

As if on cue he felt a slight breeze. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the reason. Felix stood at his left shoulder. Will Eden stood to his right. His expression was serious as befitted the occasion, but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Despite the iron shackles in evidence beneath his trouser leg, his boots were polished to a high shine. Will was as immaculate as prison garb would allow.

‘What are
you
doing here?' Mungo whispered. ‘
I'm
the best man.

‘I thought you and Felix could use a bit of support.'

‘Glad you could make it,' Mungo lied.

‘I have fresh details about that once in a lifetime opportunity I told you about.'

Will passed them on in brief – then disappeared.

Mungo decided that Felix, who was looking as miserable as a convict on a treadmill, needed to be distracted. ‘Hey, Felix, I've been hearing a lot of talk lately about those amazing entrepreneurs, the Henty Brothers, who've taken up land down south, west of Port Phillip Bay. And it seems there's a bloke called John Batman in Van Diemen's Land who's got a fantastic plan to go behind Governor Bourke's back to form a syndicate to cross Bass Strait and take up land at Port Phillip Bay. It mightn't happen for a year or two, but you and I – we'd make a fortune if we signed up early.'

Felix looked wary but was intrigued enough to ask, ‘Who told you that? I've heard rumours. But it's a mighty risky business. And quite against the law.'

‘I've had it on the very
highest
authority. You and I could make a killing – financially speaking of course. And my source should know what he's talking about.'

Felix looked testy. ‘I trust your source is more reliable than the one you used for that previous fool proof plan of yours – to buy a Pacific island that turned out to have been blown up by a volcano. That bright idea sent you to Moreton Bay, remember?'

‘A totally different kettle of fish,' Mungo assured him. ‘This land
exists.
It's part of this Colony. This Batman bloke already has big landowners and wealthy colonists in Van Diemen's Land lined up. There's also a huge tract of land they intend to call
Australia Felix
. Now if that isn't a happy omen, what is?'

Mungo saw the spark of interest registering in his brother's eyes. ‘Well, I guess it won't hurt to explore the idea. But this is hardly the perfect time. I'm taking on the added responsibility of a wife.'

‘Chances like this don't grow on trees, Felix. If you want to come on board with me well and good. If not, I'll make my own fortune solo. Just you watch me!'

Mungo felt pleased that he had planted the idea in fertile ground.
The timing was perfect. He felt sure he could swear his father to secrecy and give him the chance to join him in plans for the future city of Melbourne.

The pianoforte inside the house dramatically changed volume. Albruna's student was putting his heart and soul into the wedding march. Heading towards them from the far end of the garden was the wedding party.

Vianna.
Mungo's pulse raced. Tall, slender and ethereal, like a golden-haired Botticelli nymph, she was breathtaking, in a peach-coloured gown that matched her bouquet and bared her shoulders, as she led the way towards the gazebo.

Magistrate Kennedy stood waiting, conscious of the dignity of his office but pleased to be performing the duty he most enjoyed – officiating at weddings.

Mungo felt a rush of pride to see Kentigern L'Estrange in the role of father of the bride, his back ramrod straight, his eyes fixed on his sons as he approached them with Molly on his arm.

Felix stared in wonderment at Molly, as regal as a princess in his mother's wedding gown. A gold locket glistened through the cloud of her tulle veil.
Today's Felix's big day. No need to tell him my mother made that veil – for
my
bride.

The sight of that veil triggered the memory of Vianna in the loft, covered by that same veil, naked except for his scarf tied around her neck.

I reckon that night will be the last thing I remember on my deathbed.

Mungo glanced at the assembled guests. He recognised the faces of assigned men and women he hadn't seen since his childhood. He exchanged a meaningful smile with Sadie, the big-bosomed girl who had given him good cause for gratitude. She happily passed the babe to those who wanted to cuddle it, including Cockney George, who evidently made a risqué remark, setting off Sadie's earthy laugh.

The bridal party's measured steps had brought them halfway down the path. The lights of the Chinese dragon splashed colours over Vianna's hair. She looked more like a goddess than a woman. Her hair was piled high on the crown of her head, allowing stray locks to tumble around her shoulders. It gave her a subtly wanton
look that suggested that his woman had just been to bed and made love – very very well.

Mungo sighed.
If only . . . !

Biased as he was about Vianna, the bride was the magnet of all eyes.

Mungo had no need to take a muster to know that every assigned female shared the dream of marrying a decent man, if not for love then to be mistress of her own domain, even if it was simply a shack in the bush. He suspected each girl saw herself in Molly's shoes, walking towards the fulfilment of that unlikely convict dream of ‘marrying up'.

Molly has scored first prize – the Master's son and heir.

Felix's gasp was audible when Vianna drew back the bridal veil to reveal his bride smiling at him.

Magistrate Kennedy in his voice of authority asked who was giving the bride away – to which Kentigern L'Estrange responded firmly, ‘I am', then stepped back to take his place beside his wife.

Mungo recognised Kennedy's speech had been adapted from political speeches he made when standing for election. Kennedy loved the limelight. He abandoned the brief formula of the civil service. Instead he praised ‘The Land we Live in – Australia', lectured on the sanctity of marriage and the duties of husband and wife and their responsibility to raise children to be free-born Australian citizens.

Mungo had a strong urge to check his watch. This speech was cutting into his plans for the evening. Standing behind Vianna, he whispered an aside.

‘To hear him you'd think he was the one, not Captain James Cook, who raised the British flag on Australian soil. I wish he'd get to the meat in the sandwich.'

‘Shoosh. You seem more nervous than Felix.'

I've got damned good reason, girl.

As Kennedy droned on, Mungo glanced longingly at the nape of Vianna's neck, remembering the thrill of his discovery of her most vulnerable spot. He only had to kiss her neck and he could change her mood from denial to the red-hot passion that had carried them through that night in her bed.

I wonder if any best man in history ever bedded the bridesmaid before the bride and groom had signed the register?

That lovely fantasy switched to paternal mode at the sight of Toby holding the ring cushion as if it were an offering to the gods.

Mungo was philosophical.
I reckon God has an odd way of doing business. Here's this great little kid, conceived in a random moment of lust with nothing between Maria Navarro and me beyond ‘a good time was had by all' – and money.

Yet here I am standing beside the one woman I'd give my right arm to saddle with a parcel of kids – and fate has denied us the privilege. Vianna's so hurt and proud she won't believe it's
her
I want – come what may.

Mungo was jolted back to the job at hand when Toby nudged him to place the two rings on the velvet cushion.

Toby politely whispered to the Magistrate, ‘The small ring is for Molly, Sir.'

‘Thank you, son, I often get confused which is which.' Kennedy's response drew broad smiles.

Toby was listening intently to every word of the service.

‘What do you think of the kid?' Mungo asked Vianna with barely concealed pride.

‘Bright, intelligent with a heart of pure gold.'

‘Yeah, he's got everything going for him, except a decent mother and father – but I'm working on that.'

Magistrate Kennedy arrived at the moment all were waiting to hear. ‘I now pronounce you man and wife. That's your cue, Felix, to kiss the bride.'

Felix bent his head to kiss Molly, his eyes closed, his smile a reflection of heaven on earth.

Mungo seized the moment. He passed to Toby the bouquets that were in Vianna's custody, placed his hands firmly on her shoulders and kissed the nape of her neck – putting all his love into that desperate kiss.

‘What on earth are you doing? I'm not the bride!' Vianna gasped, but her knees buckled and he needed to grasp her waist to hold her upright.

‘I do things my way,' he said huskily.

With complicit smiles, Molly and Felix took a step backwards hand in hand, leaving Vianna and Mungo face to face with Magistrate Kennedy.

‘Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to witness a
second
important family occasion.'

Vianna flushed with anger as she hissed at Mungo, ‘If you think I'm going to be tricked into marrying you, Mungo Quayle, you're crazy!'

Mungo glanced at Jane and Sandy. Their faces mirrored his own feeling of resignation in the face of defeat.

Oh well, it was worth a try. I'm now down to my final card.

Mungo turned to Vianna and tried to smile while he said the words through gritted teeth. ‘Can't hang a man for trying. But I must have been nuts. You're like a weathervane in a hurricane.'

‘Well, I'm not changing my mind about
you
!'

‘Your loss. Have the decency to stick around for what comes next.'

Magistrate Kennedy peered over the top of his spectacles as solemnly as if ready to pronounce the death sentence.

‘I take it I am not to proceed with the second wedding – today?'

Mungo and Vianna answered simultaneously, ‘Never!'

Magistrate Kennedy made a smooth recovery. ‘In that case we shall proceed to the next cause for family celebration. During my long years of friendship with Kentigern L'Estrange I have witnessed the exemplary example he has set as a father in rearing his beloved son Felix. And so now –'

Kentigern cut across his speech. ‘
Sons
, Kennedy. I am the father of
two
sons. Felix – and Mungo.'

Kennedy looked slightly flustered. ‘Quite so.
Two
sons.'

Mungo was stunned. So were the guests.

Felix reached across and hugged him. ‘And about time too, my brother.'

Mungo saw his mother was smiling through her tears.
I don't believe it. Father has at last publicly acknowledged me as his son. That's all Mam ever really wanted.

Sandy Gordon looked as satisfied as if the world had been set to rights. Much to Mungo's surprise Mrs Less gave him her silent nod of approval.

Good God, she's the one behind all this!

Vianna's face momentarily softened. ‘I know what this means to you, Mungo.'

Kennedy reclaimed their attention. ‘We will now proceed with our second cause for celebration. Step forward, lad.'

Toby accepted the scroll the Magistrate handed him as gravely as if he had been given the Ten Commandments. ‘This document records that your
true father
has legally given you his name. From this day forward you shall be known by law as Toby Mungo Quayle.'

Vianna rocked slightly back on her heels then with a glance at Mungo, she bent and kissed Toby's cheek. ‘May I be the first to congratulate you, Toby Quayle.'

Jane was laughing and crying and there was a spontaneous burst of applause as Toby was engulfed in one hug after another.

The Magistrate gestured for silence. ‘Bear with me. I know you are all ready to drink the L'Estrange cellar dry – but first I have a surprise announcement to make.'

He made a dramatic gesture to Albruna L'Estrange – then to everyone's astonishment to Jane Quayle.