The Convict and the Cattleman (29 page)

“It isn’t because of an obligation. I love you, Bridgit.”

She stilled at his words. A thrill rolled down her spine, but it was squashed by doubt. Her thoughts seemed sluggish. Those three words should have made her feel cherished and treasured. Instead they left her confused. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

Jonah’s expression was earnest. He lifted the ring. “I’m sorry I put you through that. I don’t know how to make it up to you, but if you’ll give me the chance, I’ll try. We’ll be a real family.”

Bridgit’s heart leaped. It was what she wanted all over again and this time it was tainted by more than the threat of another woman. He took her hand and placed the ring on her palm.

“I won’t force you to say anything. If you decide you’d rather leave Laurie Lark, I’ll support that decision. Think about what’s best for you.” Jonah folded her fingers over the ring and left.

* * * *

Although Bridgit knew her dress was pressed and neat, she fussed with the ties at the bodice and stood to avoid wrinkling her skirt. She couldn’t think of any way to prepare for meeting the constable and dreaded recounting the story for him. Her stomach churned at the thought. Though the evidence was in her favor, what did the law enforcement care if one convict was murdered? They were likely more concerned about Mrs. Burbank’s jewelry.

Shortly after dawn, Jonah knocked on the door. Dressed neatly in moleskin trousers and a crisp white shirt, he looked ready for a day at a gentlemen’s club rather than escorting her to face the peace officer. His hair was mussed, some pieces standing on end as though he hadn’t been able to keep his hands out of it. He’d missed a small patch of hair on his cheek when he was shaving.

He offered a tight smile. “Sleep well?”

Shadows beneath his eyes suggested he hadn’t. No use lying about it, as she’d tossed and turned all night. “I didn’t.”

Part of it was worry about talking to the constable. The other part was missing Jonah at her side and wondering if she should stay with him or take her chances at the Factory. She couldn’t imagine a life without him, couldn’t fathom turning away and leaving Olivia. Her love was seated in the station and the people who lived there, particularly its handsome owner. Walking away would be ridiculous.

He reached out, then drew back. “Thomas Server came to see me this morning. He brought some things for you.”

Jonah held out a water-stained letter with faded writing on the envelope and a rectangular document with a wax seal. “A letter we believe is from your brother, and this.”

She took the letter, crushing it, forgetting how she’d longed for word for months. Her eyes were riveted to the thick document he offered. “Is that–”

Jonah smiled. “A conditional pardon. Signed yesterday morning by the lieutenant governor.”

Bridgit’s knees went weak. She gripped the door facing and forced herself to breathe. “How?”

“I have some clout with the governor’s office. They’re granting very few pardons these days for convicts who haven’t served most of their sentence. I’m afraid I couldn’t get an absolute pardon, but I expect you can find a reason to stay in New South Wales.”

She looked up at him, unable to form a coherent sentence. When she didn’t speak, his hopeful smile faded.

“I’ll give you a moment to read the letter and you’ll want to tuck this away somewhere safe.”

He passed the pardon to her and she saw his hands were shaking as much as her own. A dream come true, something she hadn’t expected to see for years. The events of the last couple of days threatened to overwhelm her. “Thank you.”

The paper seemed fragile, almost unreal. She stumbled to the bed and placed the pardon on the quilt, reading through it and running her fingers over the signature releasing her into freedom. She read it twice before she remembered Collin’s letter.

A pang struck her heart. She couldn’t return to Ireland under the terms of amnesty. The chances of ever seeing her siblings again were still small. How she wished she could share the good news with them in person. The well-worn paper envelope tore and a single page fell onto the bed.

Sloppy, childish handwriting that was unmistakably Collin’s greeted her eyes. Smudged and faded after the trip along the coast of Africa and across the Indian Ocean, it looked to have seen rough weather. She cherished every stroke of the pen as she remembered Collin’s rough voice and the sorrow on his face when the gaolers forced her onto the
Margaret
.

May 16, 1840

Dear Sister,

My hopeful prayers this letter finds you well. Rest assured Donovan, Bonnie, and I are all fit enough. I am saving money and by the end of the year, I hope to have enough for the three of us to set off soon. Don will work as a cabin boy on the ship and I will help in the galley. We’ll be together again, Bridgit. Hold on to hope, do not let it fail you. I believe a long voyage and a strange continent can be no more trying than what we have here.

Your brother,

Collin

Bridgit’s eyes welled at the news. Her brother, just seventeen, had made a difficult decision. Working on a ship ensured the family would be fed and it would cut back on the cost of their voyage, but they’d chosen harsh work. He was correct; the chances of them dying at sea were no worse than the poverty they faced in Dublin.

Would she recognize them a year after they said good-bye at Kingston Port? Would they know her? Collin would be pleased when he learned she was free. They could start new lives here. Excitement flushed through her veins. The Maddens together again!

The realization that although she was free, if she didn’t accept Jonah’s proposal, she’d be homeless, dampened her enthusiasm. He claimed to love her, had secured her release, but would he want two more children and a half-grown boy under his roof?

Jonah cleared his throat and Bridgit refolded Collin’s letter. He’d given her the freedom to choose what she wanted for her future. There was no longer any fear of returning to the Factory.

She met his gaze.

“It’s not bad news?” Jonah’s eyebrows drew together. “From your brother?”

“It’s difficult to say. Collin is planning to bring the children to New South Wales.” She clutched the letter tighter. “The crossing can be dangerous, but he’ll take good care of them.”

“Here?” His eyes widened and a smile turned his mouth up. “I’m happy that you’ll reunite with your family, love. I know you missed them.”

“I suppose it’s fortunate the journey takes so long. We’ll need a place to live, somewhere for Collin to work. There are many details.” Her head swam as she realized everything was turning around.

His smile faded. “You won’t stay at Laurie Lark?”

Hope renewed. “All of us?”

“And any relatives who want to tag along. Anything to get you to marry me.” His dark eyes softened. “I’ll move the Blue Mountains if you want. Drain the ocean. Give you the world.”

She gestured at the pardon. “You did this for me. Bought my freedom.”

His face pinched. “I didn’t buy anything. Some money was exchanged, yes, but not because I want you to belong to me. Not as master and servant.”

“You thought I betrayed you.”

“I’m human, Bridgit. I can’t promise not to make mistakes. What I did put you in danger, but when I realized you might not return, I felt as though I’d lost everything.”

She saw the worry, the real fear he’d suffered.

“Stay with me. We need you.” His voice was soft, filled with anguish. “
I
need you.”

She hated the anxiety darkening his eyes. She let her fingers caress his cheek. She’d been alone, faced uncertainty and knew she might have ended up in a situation much worse. They had Charlotte and Rob to thank for giving them a reason to come together, even at a sad cost.

“I’ll stay. I love you, Jonah.” She drew the ring out of her pocket and held it up.

A fresh smile formed on his lips. He took the golden band and slipped it over her finger. “I love you too.”

Epilogue

October –1841

Bonnie tugged Bridgit’s skirt. “Can I hold him, Bridgit? I’ll be careful.”

“Of course you can. Sit in the rocker while I finish changing his nappy.” Bridgit smiled when she heard the runners on the chair clack against the wood floor, signaling her sister’s eagerness. Pins secured, she lifted Elijah from the table. He yawned, revealing toothless pink gums. His chubby face turned toward her breast when she cradled him to her chest.

She settled the baby in Bonnie’s lap, looking down at the pair of them. A sight she’d once believed she’d never witness. Outside, Coalface tore across the yard with Collin on his back. Three lengths behind him, Jonah and Donovan rode double on the black gelding.

Family. Bridgit’s heart lightened at their appearance. Charity entered the room, smiling at Bonnie and Elijah. Olivia, fresh from a bath, stretched her arms out.

“Mama.”

“Hello, darling.” Bridget crossed the room to accept her niece’s embrace. Dark, damp curls framed Olivia’s heart-shaped face. “Your hair is pretty.”

Charity kneeled by the rocking chair and stroked the baby’s face. “Looks likes Eli is up and well-rested. I suppose we should round up the boys for dinner. Aggie said it will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

Bridgit grinned. “Farjana is watching the wee ones tonight.”

Charity’s brow crinkled. “Whatever for?”

“Jonah asked Phil to dinner. We thought it would be nice to have another adult at the table.”

“It has nothing to do with Phillip’s relentless attempts to woo me away from servitude?” Charity tilted her head. A reddish-brown ringlet fell across her face. “The man is incorrigible.”

“Oh, no. I assure you it’s entirely about reinforcing Donovan and Bonnie’s manners.” She tried to keep a straight face, but failed.

Charity gave her a doubtful look. “Only if Farjana insists. You know I cherish every minute with Olivia and Eli.”

“You might have some of your own to cherish if you’d give a certain jackaroo a chance.”

“With all of Laurie Lark conspiring to pair us up, it seems futile to refuse.” Charity rose and barely hid a smile. “I suspect dinner will lead to a long walk under the stars. I hope he has something more interesting than cattle to talk about this time.”

Jonah’s boot heels thumped on the stairs and he joined them. Dust coated his clothes and the wind disheveled his hair. “Four of my favorite ladies and a handsome boy.” He tussled Bonnie’s golden locks. “Run down and check on your brothers. They’re supposed to be washing up. Charity, if you wouldn’t mind taking Eli and Olivia to Farjana? I need a moment with my wife.”

His eyes never left Bridgit’s face. The intense gaze burned a slow path through her, lighting her with desire. As Charity ushered Bonnie out of the room with Eli against her shoulder and Olivia’s dainty hand tucked in hers, Jonah embraced Bridgit.

“Sometimes I still can’t believe that brood is ours. They’re much better behaved than Charlotte and I were.” He grinned. “Thank God for Charity.”

Bridget smiled up at her husband. “I’m sure your constant preening over your son and the continual praise you heap on my siblings and your niece have nothing to do with it.”

“Maybe a bit.” He glanced out the window as he tightened his arms around her. “It seems like a miracle sometimes.”

She rested her face against his broad chest. “For me, as well.”

His hand stroked over he hair. “Tonight makes a year since you joined me at Laurie Lark. Any regrets that a stone-faced, sour-tempered grazier came to your rescue?”

She knew he meant Martha’s attempt to tear them apart. In the end it brought them closer together. With Farjana and Charity helping them raise the children, and another young convict woman named Aggie who’d replaced Martha as cook, things seemed perfect. Bridget looked up at Jonah.

The day he had taken her away from the Factory was a distant, bleak memory.

“Nary a one, my love.”

Allison Merritt

History has always held an allure for Allison Merritt. Stories about pioneers, cattlemen, and the people bold enough to conquer untamed lands have fueled her imagination since childhood. She attributes her love of history to hours of playing
The Oregon Trail
on an old Apple computer and reading Louis L'Amour novels. When the idea for The Convict and the Cattleman formed in her mind, she embraced the opportunity to write a romance novel set in a different kind of frontier. The characters may have traveled different roads getting to the Land Down Under, but they embody the same values and principles as Allison's ancestors in America.