Page 46 of The Pearl Sister
‘I do indeed, or rather, Idid.I learnt as a child when we went down to stay with my grandparents in Dumfriesshire. Some of the ponies were rather wild, coming from the moors, and I spent quite a lot of my time being thrown off. Why do you ask?’
‘I was just thinking how there’s nothing like a gallop to clear out the cobwebs. We keep a bungalow up in the Adelaide Hills with a small stable attached to it. How say you we go up there today? The air is clearer and cooler, and I think you would like it. Mama has given her full permission for me to chaperone you, by the way.’
They arrived up at the Mercer family bungalow two hours later. Having expected little more than a cottage, Kitty was amazed to see the low-lying house was nothing less than a one-storey mansion, set in lush gardens and surrounded by vineyards. She made a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, seeing the way the green hills dipped and rose around them. It reminded her a little of the Scottish Lowlands.
‘It’s beautiful,’ she breathed, meaning it.
‘I’m glad you like it. Now, let me show you the stables.’
Half an hour later, the two of them set out for a ride. As they trotted down the valley and onto a plain, Kitty chanced a canter. Taking the lead from her, Andrew kept pace, and Kitty laughed out loud in delight at the fresh air on her skin and the verdant green all about her.
When they returned to the bungalow, she saw a light lunch had been laid out on a table on the veranda.
‘This looks delicious,’ Kitty said, still panting from exertion as she flopped into a chair, and without further ado took a slice of bread, still warm from the oven.
‘There’s fresh lemon cordial for you too,’ Andrew offered.
‘Who made all this?’
‘The housekeeper here. She lives in all year round.’
‘Even though you told me on the way here you rarely visit?’
‘Yes. Father is very rich, and I intend to be too.’
‘I am sure you will be,’ Kitty said after a pause.
‘Of course,’ Andrew continued hastily, realising he had made an error, ‘it is not my main goal, but especially here in Australia, money can help.’
‘It can help anywhere, but I truly believe it cannot buy happiness.’
‘I couldn’t agree more, Kitty. Family and . . . love, is all.’
They ate the rest of their lunch in virtual silence, Kitty simply concentrating on enjoying her surroundings. And trying not to think of the probable reason for this outing.
‘Kitty . . .’ Andrew eventually broke the silence. ‘Perhaps you know why I’ve brought you up here?’
‘To show me the view?’ she answered, sounding disingenuous even to her own ears.
‘That, and . . . it cannot come as a complete surprise to you to know how . . . fond I’ve become of you in the last ten days.’
‘Oh, I am sure you would tire of me if you knew me for longer, Andrew.’
‘I doubt it, Kitty. As usual, you are just being modest. I have spoken to my aunt at length, a woman who has known of you for most of your life, and she could not find a bad word to say about you. In her eyes, as well as mine, you seem to be perfect. And, having already told my father and mother of my intentions, and them both agreeing . . .’
At this, Andrew stood up abruptly and came to kneel in front of her. ‘Katherine McBride, I would like to ask you to do me the honour of becoming my wife.’
‘Goodness!’ Kitty said after a suitable pause, which she hoped denoted ignorance of such a proposal. ‘I am shocked. I never thought . . .’
‘That is because you are who you are, Kitty. A girl . . . woman, in fact, who does not recognise her own beauty, either inside or out. Youarebeautiful, Kitty, and I knew the first moment I saw you that I wished for you to be my wife.’
‘Did you?’
‘Yes. I would not say that I am of a romantic nature, but . . Andrew blushed. ‘It was truly a case of love at first sight. And then,’ he chuckled to himself, ‘I knew that it had to be right when you showed such enthusiasm for the dinosaur footprint in Broome. Most girls wouldn’t even know what a dinosaur was, let alone be interested in its fossilised footprint. So, what do you say?’
Kitty looked down at Andrew, at his undoubtedly handsome face, then raised her head and surveyed the beautiful estate that this man would presumably inherit. Her thoughts travelled back to Leith and her father, who had professed to adore her, but then, because of what she knew, had banished her to the other side of the world.
‘I . . .’
