Page 45 of The Pearl Sister
‘Happy New Year, Miss McBride. I wanted to ask . . .’
Kitty saw the anxiety on his face. ‘Yes?’
‘Would it be all right if I called you Kitty from now on?’
‘Why yes, of course.’
‘Well, I do hope that in 1907 we can continue our . . . friendship. I . . . that is, Kitty . . .’
‘Happy New Year, my boy!’ Stefan interrupted their conversation as he slapped his son on the back. ‘I have no doubt at all that you will do me proud in Broome.’
‘I will do my best to, sir,’ Andrew replied.
‘And happy New Year to you too, Miss McBride. You have been a delightful adornment to our family Christmas.’ He leant forward and kissed Kitty warmly, his handlebar moustache tickling her cheek. ‘And I’m sure we both hope that you may decide to extend your time with us in Australia, eh, boy?’ Stefan gave his son an obvious wink before moving on to offer his other guests New Year felicitations.
Andrew swiftly excused himself to go in search of his mother and Kitty wandered onto the veranda in search of some cool air.
Instantly, she was swept up from behind by a strong pair of arms and twirled round in circles, then finally lowered back to the ground.
‘Happy New Year, Miss McBride, Kitty . . .Kat . . .yes, that nickname suits you perfectly, for you are feline, light on your feet and far cleverer, I suspect, than most people give you credit for. In short, you are a survivor.’
‘Am I?’ Kitty’s head was spinning and she steadied herself. She looked up at Drummond. ‘Are you drunk?’
‘Hah! That’s rich coming from you, Miss Kitty-Kat. Perhaps a little, but people tell me I’m an affectionate drunk. Now, I have something to say to you.’
‘And what might that be?’
‘You must know as well as I do that plans are afoot to make sure you join our family on a more permanent basis.’
‘I . . .’
‘Don’t pretend you have no idea what I mean. It is quite obvious to everybody that Andrew is in love with you. I have even heard my parents discussing it. Father is all for it; Mother – for whatever churlish female reason – less so. But given that my father’s word goes in this house, I’m sure it won’t be too long before a proposal is forthcoming.’
‘I can assure you that no such thought has crossed my mind.’
‘Then you are either full of false modesty, or more stupid than I took you for. Naturally, as the eldest, he gets the first shot at you, but before you decide, I wanted to throw my hat into the ring and tell you that, for a woman, you have a number of qualities which I admire. And . . .’
For the first time since Kitty had known him, she saw uncertainty in Drummond’s eyes.
‘The thing is this.’ Then he took her in his arms and kissed her hard upon the lips. Whether from shock or sheer pleasure, Kitty did not immediately pull away, and her entire body proceeded to melt like a knob of butter left out in the Australian sun.
‘There now,’ he said as he finally let her go. Then he leant down to whisper in her ear. ‘Remember this: my brother can offer you security, but with me, you’ll have adventure. Just swear to me that you won’t make a decision until I’m back from Europe. Now, I’m off to The Edinburgh Castle to celebrate until dawn with my friends. Goodnight, Miss McBride.’
With a wave, Drummond left her on the veranda and headed to the back of the house. As she heard the pony and cart trotting out of the gate, Kitty moved her fingers tentatively to her lips. And relived every second of the pleasure she had felt at his touch.
* * *
Kitty did not see Drummond the next morning – he’d gone early to the steamer to supervise the loading of the trunks. Kitty handed over the letters that Stefan Mercer had kindly said he would post to her family when he reached Europe.
‘Or in fact,’ he said with a wink, ‘I may even go and deliver them personally. Goodbye, my dear.’ He kissed her on both cheeks. Then, with the household waving him off, he climbed into the carriage.
Kitty ate breakfast alone with Andrew, as Mrs McCrombie was taking hers in her room and Edith had gone to the dock to wave her husband and son goodbye. Given the various conversations that had taken place yesterday, she felt uncomfortable sitting there with him. He seemed unusually subdued.
‘Miss McBride . . .’ he said eventually.
‘Please, Andrew, we agreed you must call me Kitty.’
‘Of course, of course. Kitty, do you ride?’
