[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Dan shook Grayson s hand. I am led to believe that you have a
sizeable property, Mr. Grayson?
Blue Water is of good size, yes. However, as a man of business, you
would understand that because of the size, it brings its own problems.
I do understand that. Dan nodded.
-148-
Kitty McKenzie s Land
In fact, I came here today to invite Miss McKenzie to a picnic on my
property the day after tomorrow. Of course, you are now all invited. It is
to honor the arrival of my parents and brother. They are here for a short
stay.
This news startled Kitty and she stared at Grayson, comprehending
just how little she knew of him. She didn t expect to hear him speak of
his family. Indeed, she never gave it a thought he would even have one.
He always gave her the impression that he was one man alone, solitary
and aloof. Someone reserved and detached from all family love. Suddenly
another thought entered her head. Was he married? There was no
mention of a wife at any time.
Thank you, sir. That is most decent of you. Is it not, Kitty?
She forced a quiver of a smile. Um, well, there is a great deal to do
here, Dan. I am not sure whether it is possible for me to go, but you
must accept.
Come now, Miss McKenzie. One day away from here would not see it
go to ruin. The day will be an enjoyable one, I promise you, Grayson told
her, but Kitty caught something in his voice that sent shivers along her
skin.
I agree, Kitty. You work too hard and a little pleasure is sure to do
you good.
Very well& she acknowledged with a small nod. Though, she was
not happy about it and refused to look at Grayson. If you will excuse
me, gentlemen, I must be about my business. As she walked away, she
knew his pewter gray eyes watched her. Never had one person been able
to unnerve her like he did.
With each turn of the cart s wheels, Kitty s stomach churned. She
stared straight ahead determined to control her strung nerves. She had
-149-
Anne Whitfield
no wish to know Grayson better nor did she want to visit his beautiful
home. Obviously, no one understood how much this day would cost her.
They did not appreciate that a day surrounded by wealth and style would
destroy the fragile grip she held on her emotions. Did they not know how
humiliating it would be for her to be back into the lifestyle she had been
born into but had lost, first by her parents death and then for a second
time by Benjamin s? She could not do it. She did not want to be shown
what she could not achieve.
Her own property would never be grand. In fact, Kitty wondered
whether they could even last another year. She couldn t expect Dan to
spend more money on cattle and improvements to the property without
guarantee of a profit. The land was dreadful. She admitted that now. The
soil was not good for cattle or crops. It was too swampy and they would
always need more, better grazing land to keep the cattle in good
condition. It would take time to clear her whole property of trees for
grazing. Kitty was fighting a losing battle to keep positive about her
future. It hurt to think Ben s last gift was not a very viable one.
It s not much further, miss, just over that last rise. Jessup broke
into her thoughts.
The well-formed road carved through the bush most successfully. No
ruts or holes dominated this track unlike the one to her hut. It seemed
that a bevy of workers spent endless hours filling holes in the road after
the rains. Behind her came the excited voices of Joe and Clara. Dan
talked quietly to Rosie. Alice and Connie had stayed behind with the
babies, for they knew the invitation was not for them. They were working
class. No matter how much Kitty argued the point she was friendly with
the Freemans, Connie still refused to attend.
Jessup slowed the cart on the summit of a large hill. There was an
opening through the trees and for a spellbinding moment, spread out
before her, lay the huge expanse of Blue Water Station. About a mile
away stood the main buildings of the homestead. Winding through the
-150-
Kitty McKenzie s Land
valley bottom some distance from the house was the Orara River, from
which the homestead derived its name.
My, that is a grand sight, Dan said, leaning over to Kitty.
Yes, it is, Kitty replied, smitten by the vision below.
Jessup flicked the reins, moving the horses on. Kitty concentrated on
the scene peeking between the trees. At the bottom of the hill, open flat
fields stretched out around them.
Traveling nearer to the main hub of the station, they passed many
buildings, windmills and holding yards. Closer still, they passed farm
buildings, workmen and cottages with women and children going back
and forth. Then, they turned off the dirt roadway and traveled along a
white, gravel driveway. Large pine trees lined its route like sentry
soldiers. The shade they gave was a wonderful relief from the spring
sunshine.
Kitty s party grew quiet as they absorbed such splendor. The long
drive weaved through beautifully landscaped gardens. The flowerbeds,
neatly trimmed, each held a magnificent array of roses, gardenias and
azaleas. Lush green lawns swept through the gardens and away out of
view, glimpses of stone statues and fountains tantalized Kitty, making
her want to investigate this garden of Eden.
The prestigious house made of sandstone blocks loomed before them.
It simply took Kitty s breath away. Dormer windows punctuated the
roofline. A wide, deep veranda with wrought iron lace work, the same as
on the upper floor, surrounded all sides of the house. At intervals along
it, opened cedar French doors led out from individual rooms. Fine, white
lace curtains billowed gently in the slight breeze. Chairs and small tables
lined the walls with each tabletop holding a pot of vibrant geraniums.
Four wide steps made of the same sandstone as the house swept
down from the veranda in line with the central dark, wooden double
doors. In front of them, Jessup pulled the horses to a halt. An elderly
-151-
Anne Whitfield
servant, dressed in a service uniform of dark blue, stood at the bottom of
the steps. She wore no mobcap or apron.
Welcome to Blue Water Station. I am Mrs. Morris, the housekeeper.
Mr. Grayson has informed me to tell you that the party is being held [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl karpacz24.htw.pl
Dan shook Grayson s hand. I am led to believe that you have a
sizeable property, Mr. Grayson?
Blue Water is of good size, yes. However, as a man of business, you
would understand that because of the size, it brings its own problems.
I do understand that. Dan nodded.
-148-
Kitty McKenzie s Land
In fact, I came here today to invite Miss McKenzie to a picnic on my
property the day after tomorrow. Of course, you are now all invited. It is
to honor the arrival of my parents and brother. They are here for a short
stay.
This news startled Kitty and she stared at Grayson, comprehending
just how little she knew of him. She didn t expect to hear him speak of
his family. Indeed, she never gave it a thought he would even have one.
He always gave her the impression that he was one man alone, solitary
and aloof. Someone reserved and detached from all family love. Suddenly
another thought entered her head. Was he married? There was no
mention of a wife at any time.
Thank you, sir. That is most decent of you. Is it not, Kitty?
She forced a quiver of a smile. Um, well, there is a great deal to do
here, Dan. I am not sure whether it is possible for me to go, but you
must accept.
Come now, Miss McKenzie. One day away from here would not see it
go to ruin. The day will be an enjoyable one, I promise you, Grayson told
her, but Kitty caught something in his voice that sent shivers along her
skin.
I agree, Kitty. You work too hard and a little pleasure is sure to do
you good.
Very well& she acknowledged with a small nod. Though, she was
not happy about it and refused to look at Grayson. If you will excuse
me, gentlemen, I must be about my business. As she walked away, she
knew his pewter gray eyes watched her. Never had one person been able
to unnerve her like he did.
With each turn of the cart s wheels, Kitty s stomach churned. She
stared straight ahead determined to control her strung nerves. She had
-149-
Anne Whitfield
no wish to know Grayson better nor did she want to visit his beautiful
home. Obviously, no one understood how much this day would cost her.
They did not appreciate that a day surrounded by wealth and style would
destroy the fragile grip she held on her emotions. Did they not know how
humiliating it would be for her to be back into the lifestyle she had been
born into but had lost, first by her parents death and then for a second
time by Benjamin s? She could not do it. She did not want to be shown
what she could not achieve.
Her own property would never be grand. In fact, Kitty wondered
whether they could even last another year. She couldn t expect Dan to
spend more money on cattle and improvements to the property without
guarantee of a profit. The land was dreadful. She admitted that now. The
soil was not good for cattle or crops. It was too swampy and they would
always need more, better grazing land to keep the cattle in good
condition. It would take time to clear her whole property of trees for
grazing. Kitty was fighting a losing battle to keep positive about her
future. It hurt to think Ben s last gift was not a very viable one.
It s not much further, miss, just over that last rise. Jessup broke
into her thoughts.
The well-formed road carved through the bush most successfully. No
ruts or holes dominated this track unlike the one to her hut. It seemed
that a bevy of workers spent endless hours filling holes in the road after
the rains. Behind her came the excited voices of Joe and Clara. Dan
talked quietly to Rosie. Alice and Connie had stayed behind with the
babies, for they knew the invitation was not for them. They were working
class. No matter how much Kitty argued the point she was friendly with
the Freemans, Connie still refused to attend.
Jessup slowed the cart on the summit of a large hill. There was an
opening through the trees and for a spellbinding moment, spread out
before her, lay the huge expanse of Blue Water Station. About a mile
away stood the main buildings of the homestead. Winding through the
-150-
Kitty McKenzie s Land
valley bottom some distance from the house was the Orara River, from
which the homestead derived its name.
My, that is a grand sight, Dan said, leaning over to Kitty.
Yes, it is, Kitty replied, smitten by the vision below.
Jessup flicked the reins, moving the horses on. Kitty concentrated on
the scene peeking between the trees. At the bottom of the hill, open flat
fields stretched out around them.
Traveling nearer to the main hub of the station, they passed many
buildings, windmills and holding yards. Closer still, they passed farm
buildings, workmen and cottages with women and children going back
and forth. Then, they turned off the dirt roadway and traveled along a
white, gravel driveway. Large pine trees lined its route like sentry
soldiers. The shade they gave was a wonderful relief from the spring
sunshine.
Kitty s party grew quiet as they absorbed such splendor. The long
drive weaved through beautifully landscaped gardens. The flowerbeds,
neatly trimmed, each held a magnificent array of roses, gardenias and
azaleas. Lush green lawns swept through the gardens and away out of
view, glimpses of stone statues and fountains tantalized Kitty, making
her want to investigate this garden of Eden.
The prestigious house made of sandstone blocks loomed before them.
It simply took Kitty s breath away. Dormer windows punctuated the
roofline. A wide, deep veranda with wrought iron lace work, the same as
on the upper floor, surrounded all sides of the house. At intervals along
it, opened cedar French doors led out from individual rooms. Fine, white
lace curtains billowed gently in the slight breeze. Chairs and small tables
lined the walls with each tabletop holding a pot of vibrant geraniums.
Four wide steps made of the same sandstone as the house swept
down from the veranda in line with the central dark, wooden double
doors. In front of them, Jessup pulled the horses to a halt. An elderly
-151-
Anne Whitfield
servant, dressed in a service uniform of dark blue, stood at the bottom of
the steps. She wore no mobcap or apron.
Welcome to Blue Water Station. I am Mrs. Morris, the housekeeper.
Mr. Grayson has informed me to tell you that the party is being held [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]