CHAPTER FIVE

Next morning Jo left Paddy comfortably sleeping and went down to breakfast accompanied by Jenny. The night had passed without incident and Jo found herself unexpectedly refreshed. Morning in the Outback was miraculous; to be awakened by vigorous bird song, an impromptu performance that was overwhelmingly beautiful, the stream of air through the french doors, pure and invigorating, deliciously dry, an aromatic blend of gum trees, boronia and the good earth. She had to get up and explore at all costs. Jenny too had been lying awake entranced by the feathered orchestra, smiling at Jo across her small brother's sleeping form, so quietly they had dressed and gone downstairs.

Philippa was already seated at the table in the breakfast room, which housed a splendid collection of carved English oak pieces. Her bright head was clearly defined against the streaming bands of golden sunlight that struck through the window wall, but her hard topaz eyes within their spiky fringe of lashes suggested she wasn't all that pleased to have company.

'Good morning! ' she said, very much the lady of the house.

Jo and Jenny roused themselves to respond pleasantly and sat down at the enormous table.

'Ellen will be in presently, ' Philippa informed them. 'Sleep well? '

'Yes, thank you, ' Jo answered for both of them. 'We left Paddy to wake up in his own good time. He seems to be over whatever it was. '

'Perhaps you didn't feed him right! ' Philippa suggested, harking back.

'I'm dying to explore! ' Jenny said rapturously gazing out at the bush.

Philippa fairly frowned. 'Some areas of the house will be out of bounds! '

Jo looked up, surprised. 'Marsh said nothing about that. Where is he? '

Philippa gave a cool little laugh, her eyes bright with malice. 'You won't find Marsh sitting about idly this time of the morning. He's been up and about for hours. You have noticed the house is a show place. It has an extensive collection of antiques and valuable family heirlooms. Naturally children aren't encouraged to run through it! '

Jenny threw up her fair head so fast her thick plait swung. 'We have antiques at home! ' she said, incensed and quite out of harmony with the arrogant Philippa, who ignored her.

'Yes, it's quite a museum one way and another. You do see what I mean? '

'I'm responsible for the children, ' Jo returned quietly. 'Depend on me to keep them out of trouble. Actually they've been brought up to revere beautiful things. Their father is an architect. '

'Even so, they're children! ' Philippa flashed back with a tiny smile.

Jo swallowed, but was prevented from answering as two little aboriginal children wandered into the room, standing hand in hand just inside the door. They looked as enchanting a pair as one could wish to see, so totally identical they had to be twins, although they were in fact boy and girl disguised in the unisex T-shirt and shorts. Philippa glanced about sharply, blinked her eyes as though to clear them of an unwelcome vision, then gave a controlled clap of her hands.

'Shoo! '

'Oh really, they're not chickens! ' Jenny, greatly taken, danced out of her chair and up to the pair. 'Aren't you gorgeous? Like the little tintookies that run about the sandhills at night! ' The children stood their ground, looking up at her, their great liquid eyes filling their round shiny faces. Jenny bent and patted each one lovingly on the head exactly as if they were puppies. 'Hello there. I'm Jenny and that's Jo. '

'You'll have to wash your hands if you're having breakfast! ' Philippa warned with a virulent brand of hygiene.

Jenny rounded on her, looking curiously shocked, but was quelled by the look in Jo's green eyes. 'Who are they? ' she asked after a minute.

'Nara's brats! ' Philippa said casually, finishing off the last mouthful of bacon. 'Unwelcome too. Some white man left her stranded on the fringe of the desert. Marsh found them and brought them in. All three of them were starving. Nothing strange about that. '

'How shocking! ' exclaimed Jo.

'Little half-castes like Nara wander all round the place, ' Philippa continued with a chilling lack of humanity. 'She feels she's found a place here. '

'I certainly hope so, ' said Jo fervently. 'She's little more than a child herself. '

'Compared to you and me she's a thousand years old! ' Philippa said derisively.

'And I wouldn't like her lot! ' Jo answered quietly. 'The children are beautiful and they look very healthy. '

'You should have seen them when they arrived— covered in sores, all their bones sticking out. Jenny, do come away! ' Philippa broke off sharply. 'They have no business to be in here. I'll speak to Nara. Unlike most of her people, she doesn't know her place. '

There was a short silence and Jo shifted restlessly in her chair. 'I'd better go through and see Ellen. '

'It's all right, I'm here now. ' In a few seconds Ellen's calm drawl was translated into her sturdy reality. She was carrying two covered entree dishes and she put them down on the sideboard before turning to Jo and the children. 'Well now, how's everyone this morning? I see you've met the twins. '

'What are their names? ' Jenny flashed Ellen a quick, smiling look.

'Lula and Laurie, that's what we call them. Engaging little mites, aren't they? '

'I don't particularly like them in the dining room! ' Philippa pointed out curtly.

Ellen turned to look at her in a startled way then her motherly face flushed. 'I didn't realise, ' she said quietly, and put both her work-worn hands on the twins' shoulders, turning them about. 'Go on, children, go back to the kitchen. It isn't like Nara to let them get away from her. They must have wandered in when we weren't looking. '

'I'm glad they did! ' Jo uncoiled herself and walked over to the oak sideboard. 'They're extraordinarily attractive! ' She lifted the lids of the dishes and sniffed appreciatively. 'Nothing wrong with my appetite this morning. This looks delicious, Ellen. I like a good breakfast. '

Ellen turned to her with obvious relief, relaxed by Jo's natural manner and her beautiful bright appearance. 'I looked in on young Paddy this morning, ' she said. 'He was sleeping peacefully. '

'Yes. If only he comes down and has a good breakfast we'll know he's all right! '

'I've just been telling Ellen your plans for renovating her kitchen, ' Philippa said clearly, her motive apparent.

Jo, busy spooning cereal and peaches into Jenny's dish, looked up, rueful and embarrassed. 'You might have let me do that! '

Ellen touched her arm as if to say, That's all right. 'Tell me all about it after breakfast. I can do with all the help I can get. '

Jo looked into her pleasant, lined face seeking some sign of injured feelings. 'It's just that I've studied these things, Ellen. Please don't think I'm interfering. Such a very large area makes for a good deal of extra work, and I would like to show you what can be achieved to suit you better. '

'Then tell me when I've got a free minute, ' Ellen suggested. 'I'll be all ears. Now sit down and have your breakfast while it's nice and hot. Anything else you want, just ring. '

'I'll have some fresh tea! ' Philippa put in a little shortly.

'Well now, I'll go and get it. There's coffee for you, Jo. I remembered you like it! '

Jo gave her irresistible smile. 'Thanks, Ellen. I'm longing to look around the place. '

Ellen glanced down at the old-fashioned watch pinned to her uniform front. 'We won't see Marsh until lunch time, but you'll find plenty to occupy you. You could take morning tea down to the Ten Mile if you like. '

Very speakingly Philippa placed her empty tea cup down on its saucer and Ellen glanced about, dashed, then made off at speed.

'Really, Ellen gets slower and slower! ' Philippa drawled.

'Maybe she's overworked, ' Jo suggested.

'I've come to a different conclusion myself. She's simply getting older! '

Jo could feel herself getting angry. 'Marsh seems very fond of her, ' she pointed out rather helplessly against Philippa's distinctly cold attitude.

'You're telling me! The old retainer bit. I bet he's going to pension her off nicely! ' Philippa gave that tiny little smile again. 'I'm only biding my time before working on his staffing arrangements. '

'Oh, I'm sure you'll do a marvellous job! '

Philippa accepted this as a compliment. 'Tell me, what do you intend to do with the children all day? ' she asked.

Carefully Jo buttered her toast. 'Whatever we feel like. Routine lessons so they won't fall too far behind in their school work, then anything we think of. This is g. wonderful new world! '

'I can imagine you might regard it as such! ' She said dryly.

'Why not? ' Jo levelled a very direct glance. 'I'm city bred. This is all new to me. '

'I can't think you're particularly well suited to it, ' shrugged Philippa. 'It's a decided disadvantage not to be able to ride. '

Jo had a momentary sensation of nausea. 'I don't think it matters at all. Anyway, Marsh seems very keen on making it easy for me. I imagine he's a wonderful teacher! '

'And I wouldn't bother him if I were you, ' said Philippa, breathing more deeply.

'But I'm not you! ' Jo returned quietly. 'And I don't particularly want to be! '

Philippa gave a mirthless crow of laughter. 'Thank you. Just so long as we know where we are! '

Jenny put her spoon down and said in a half-strangled voice, 'I don't think I want this! '

'Oh, for heaven's sake, eat it! ' Philippa spat out impatiently. 'We can't have both of you sick. ' She wiped her mouth delicately and threw down her napkin. 'I don't think I'll bother with that tea. I'm going to ride out and join Marsh. Tell Ellen when she finally gets here. ''

'I'll tell her now! ' Jenny offered, and jumped up from the table, fleeing the room.

Jo was suddenly furiously angry. She didn't even hesitate to speak her mind. 'Please don't speak so sharply to Jenny! ' she said formally. 'You seem to be going out of your way to upset her! '

'Pity! ' Philippa returned fatuously. She stood up and drew away from the table, giving Jo a look of utter detestation.

'Marsh is very fond of them, ' Jo added sternly. 'He invited them here. '

'Oh? ' The rosebud mouth curled. 'And you're going to be the nasty tattle-tale? '

Jo looked up at the petite curvy shape wearing the same T-shirt and tight jeans as yesterday. 'Why should, I want to upset such a beautiful relationship? You just have to look out for me! '

Philippa sneered, 'Quite the tigress, aren't you? '

'It's my job! '

'Substitute mother? You're no chicken either! '

'You'll have to be fairly quick yourself. Unless I'm mistaken you're only about eighteen months younger. '

'But I'm very nearly there! ' Philippa pointed out smilingly. 'With all due respect, Miss Adams, we didn't need you here, yet you've " happened" to make yourself part of the household. It's a bit tricky, to say the least. To put it plainly, it doesn't suit me! '

'What a mercy you can't tell me to go! '

'No, ' Philippa returned with that same acid smile, 'I can't very easily do that, but I can warn you you'll be making a big mistake, if you try to cause trouble between Marsh and me. '

'You speak as though you're inseparable! '

, 'Practically. We have a different way of life out here, Miss Adams. Our property adjoins Malakai on the northeast border. One day Summerfield will be mine. Get the drift? '

'Oh, it's very clearly in focus! ' said Jo, torn between fury and amusement. 'Why get so uptight about me? '

'Because I think I'm dealing with a conniving woman! ' said Philippa, her topaz eyes narrowing.

'Well, ' Jo returned with dignity, 'is there another kind? '

Philippa took a moment to digest this and her pale skin flushed. 'You joke, Miss Adams, but I'm deadly serious. You'll take a great deal of the pressure off yourself if you remember Marsh is mine! '

'If you say so! ' Jo bent her head in quick deference. 'May I suggest you go out and find him? You're ruining my appetite! '

'I'm going! ' Philippa said tightly. 'It's a shame to waste yourself out here. You're so witty and all! '

'I like you too, incidentally, ' returned Jo.

'That's quite all right with me. Four weeks passes quickly. ' Philippa bent over, picked up her wide-brimmed hat and went out.

In another minute Jenny returned and patted Jo very kindly on the shoulder. 'Isn't she awful? ' she said.

'I'm sure deep down, she's quite nice! ' Jo said wryly.

'I think she makes Ellen feel a failure! '

'She does have a deflationary effect, yes, ' Jo conceded. 'Sit down, darling, and finish your breakfast. What would you like now? '

'Some scrambled egg, please. ' Jenny slipped back on to her chair. 'I'm going to play with the twins for a little while. Is that all right? '

'Of course. It will give me an opportunity to attend to Paddy. Once we've settled in we'll start lessons for an hour in the morning, then again in the afternoon. The last thing we want is to have you fall behind in your school work! '

'Oh, that doesn't matter! ' Jenny said carelessly. 'I'm pretty well on top of everything. Daddy told me to get out and enjoy myself. I do hope that's what they're doing! ' Anxious grey eyes looked into Jo's, seeking confirmation.

Jo's irritations with Philippa fell away from her. 'Don't worry, darling, ' she said lightly, 'they'll have lots and lots of wonders stored up to tell us about. Eat up now. Ellen wants us to take morning tea down to the Ten Mile, wherever that may be. '

Jenny gave a lighthearted peal of laughter, forking into the fluffy pile of scrambled egg. 'Oh, I should say ten miles away at the least. Do you think Paddy will be well enough to come? '

'In a few minutes we'll see. I've an idea we're going to have lots of adventures ourselves! '

Jo came down on the crossing with a warm glow of achievement on her face. Navigation wasn't her strong point, as she was endowed with the usual feminine capacity for misreading turn-offs, but that surely was the crossing, with only a few inches of water gurgling around the creek stones before racing away on either side to the deep billabongs.

The trip out from the homestead had been full of wondrous sights; the great vault of the sky shimmering above them, the blue dancing mirage, the grassy savannah strewn with paper-like daisies, grazing cattle, the great stands of trees, the distant loop of the river, the wide open spaces, hundreds and hundreds of miles of wide open country, the flocks of corellas that cloaked the branches of the river gums, the phenomenon of the Outback, the undulating flights of budgerigars, the tiny shell green parrots as they took dominion of the sky. It was a special happiness, nature, and it had great healing power, lightening Jo's heart so she could do little but accept her life as it was and even join with the children in singing about it. It was that kind of a morning.

Timber planks spanned the narrow creek crossing and she lined up the utility carefully. She had no real worry. She was an experienced driver and she had found the way. Only a few miles beyond was the Ten Mile, the mustering camp, and the men were waiting.

Paddy looked up into her face seeking an answer to his curiosity. 'What's that over there? ' he asked.

'Where? ' Only Jenny turned her head. Jo didn't want to be distracted at that time.

'It looked like a dog. It was huge! ' Paddy's voice suggested King Kong proportions.

It might have been a dingo! ' said Jenny, peering along the tree-lined creek bed.

'It looked more like a wolf! '

'I can't see anything! ' Jenny said, suddenly suspicious.

Jo still didn't bother to look. They were on to the planks now and Paddy suddenly grabbed her arm in alarm. 'Oh, please, Aunty Jo! It's there! '

Distracted, she lost control of the wheel. The utility tilted and the front offside wheel left the plank and sank in the sand. 'Just my luck! ' she wailed with self-pity.

'Didn't you see it? ' Paddy insisted.

'Paddy dear! ' Jo tried to remain calm. 'I suppose there are always a few dingoes about. '

'It wasn't a dingo, Aunty Jo. It was the horriblest dog I've ever seen—a blue-grey-black thing. I'm going to tell Uncle Marsh! '

'If we ever get to see him! ' Jo muttered grimly. She was roaring the engine and the wheels were spinning uselessly. She kept at it, to no avail. They were bogged; she was certain of that. The children stared at her, trying to read her mind.

'Can we get out? ' they asked.

'Not if there's that big dog out here. Are you certain you saw it? '

'What a nuisance you are, Paddy! ' Jenny said wrathfully.

Paddy's blue eyes filled with tears. 'I told you I saw it. Why don't we go and have a look? '

'Not on your life. It might decide to make a meal of us! ' As soon as she said it Jo regretted it, for the children looked about them too carefully.

'I tell you what! ' she said brightly, and turned the engine off. 'I'll get out and have a look at the damage. I've a feeling explanations are going to be useless. Uncle Marsh will probably have to pull us out. '

'It was Paddy's fault! ' Jenny complained, looking askance at the small uncomfortable bundle at her side.

'It wasn't anyone's fault! ' Jo said firmly. 'Maybe the big dog's. Suppose we give it a name? '

'How about Crocker? ' Jenny suggested.

'Why Crocker? '

'Isn't there someone called Mad Dog Crocker? '

'I'm not altogether sure. ' Jo slipped off her sandals and turned up the hems of her cotton slacks. 'Just sit here, and don't touch anything. ' She opened the door and stood down on the creek bed. The water was astonishingly cold. It even shocked the soles of her feet and the pebbles dug into her tender toes. She picked her way gingerly around the bonnet of the utility and inspected the partly submerged wheel. 'Oh dear, oh dear! Just as we were doing so nicely! '

Jenny put her head out of the window and screeched, 'Jo! '

The eerie fright in her voice was apparent, and Jo straightened up at once and looked over her shoulder to see what had startled the child. On the opposite bank, coming down through the trees, was a lone wild dog of such height and weight Jo could feel herself break out in a sweat of paralysis.

'Good grief! ' she gasped.

'Get back in the car! ' shouted Jenny with great presence of mind.

The dog was looking right at them, eyes gleaming, tongue lolling. It was a mixture of strains, staghound, cattle dog, Alsatian, dingo—a dangerous relic of the old days when pastoralists had imported deerhounds and staghounds to run down a number of things: convicts, wild aboriginals, kangaroos, foxes, dingoes. Some of them had been crossed with greyhounds and bloodhounds to produce the powerful Kangaroo dogs. This one Jo thought of as Crocker was a mixture of colouring;

black and tan on the head, blue-grey on the haunches, gold undermarkings. From its watching stillness it wasn't afraid of humans. Jo picked up a stone and hurled it, but it fell short of its purpose, for the wild dog circled a fallen stump, then padded purposefully into the water.

That was enough for Jo. She turned about and made a rush for the car, clambered in and banged the door.

'Press the lock down! ' she ordered Jenny.

'I already have. Now I'm going to wind up the window! '

Jo did the same, then pressed down hard on the horn as some effective means of combating the dog's menace. Paddy was trembling a little, staring intently, and Jo slipped her arm around him while continuing to press down hard on the horn. 'Uncle Marsh will hear us, and it can't get inside the car! '

'I've never seen a wild dog before! ' he said, torn between fright and excitement. 'Why is it here? '

'Don't ask me. Perhaps it wants a drink of water. '

'Why did it have to choose here? '

Jo said nothing, her hand cupping his small shoulder. Along the twisted track on the other side of the creek two riders were approaching. When they glanced away from the welcome whirl of dust and back to the dog again, it had disappeared.

'It's gone! ' Jenny dared to breathe. 'I'll wind down the window. It's so hot! '

'The horses must have frightened it, ' said Jo.

In another minute Marsh rode into the creek coming up alongside Jo's side of the utility and bending sideways in the saddle and lightly holding the reins, 'Well, if we're going to starve we might as well die laughing! ' he drawled.

'It could have happened to anybody! ' said Jo, meeting his black eyes beneath the cream brim of his hat. There were little silver sparks of light in the centre of darkness.

'Couldn't you have made a damper of something? ' she asked flippantly. 'I mean, it's a tradition in the bush, isn't it? Damper and billy tea! '

'But then we were expecting Ellen's scones! '

'I'm sorry. What else can I say? '

'How about the inevitable? You're a lousy driver! '

Philippa, astride a beautiful palomino, remained on the bank looking scornful, an expression that suited her well. Anyone who couldn't negotiate a simple creek crossing had no business driving station property, she seemed to say.

Marsh circled the utility, then rode back alongside. 'It shouldn't be too difficult getting you out, ' he commented.

'I've tried! ' Jo said sweetly.

His expression spoke volumes. 'Maybe you used the wrong method. '

'Listen, Uncle Marsh, there was this great big wolf! ' Paddy broke in excitedly.

'Not around here! ' Marsh threw him an indulgent glance.

'Be that as it may, I threw a stone at it! ' said Jo.

He bent his head sharply. 'What are you talking about? '

'It's gone now, but there was some kind of hound over there, ' she told him.

He looked away across the stream, then walked his horse towards Philippa. After a few moments' conversation she headed the palomino into the crossing to draw alongside Jo. 'You ought to take a few lessons in handling a ute, ' she said in a low, maddening tone.

'What in the world are you talking about? This is a small thing, surely? '

The topaz eyes glittered. 'The men are waiting for smoko. They work extremely hard and it's hot, thirsty work. '

'Then why don't you take it to them? ' Jo suggested.

'Exactly why I'm here. If you wouldn't mind tying the tablecloth around whatever Ellen has prepared. '

Jo got out of the utility again. She went around to the back, unclipped the canvas, spread the tablecloth and tipped the trayful of scones on to it, drawing up the edges and knotting them. She made sure there was no gaping hole, then she lifted the warm fragrant bundle and handed it up to Philippa, who was standing her horse unnecessarily close.

Philippa accepted it without a word and made back across the creek, nodding at Marsh, then heading off into the silent bush. Marsh by this time had tethered the big bay he had been riding and waded into the creek, looking with faint amusement at Jo's slacks. One leg was still rolled up, but the other had come down and the hem was soaking wet. 'Why don't you just stand out of the way? '

'It's in pretty deep. '

'How did this breathless incident occur? ' he asked.

Jo shrugged. 'Just one of those things! '

'I suppose you can't have everything! ' he said lazily. He climbed into the utility, said something to the children that made them laugh, then he turned on the engine. It fired immediately and the vehicle began to move.

It hadn't crossed Jo's mind to reverse and now she wondered, mortified, why she hadn't. Marsh simply shunted the vehicle back and forth until gradually the wheel inched up on to the plank again. The next minute it rolled up on to the other side and dry land. The children cheered and she considered she had been taught Lesson One. It would never have happened without Crocker. By the time she waded across they were all standing outside the utility and Paddy was pointing out the exact place the wild dog had come down on the creek.

Marsh's face was expressionless. 'Then we'll be able to pick up its tracks. '

'It may still be around! ' said Jo, not relaxing her stand of protecting the children.

'No. It will have moved off now. But it won't escape. We haven't had a case of a dingo moving so close in. '

'It wasn't a dingo. It was a mixture of half a dozen strains so far as I could tell—a shaggy-haired wolf dog with a lot of Alsatian in it. '

He looked at her closely, his dark eyes scanning her face. 'You're quite sure? '

'It was just as I've described! '

'Then God knows how its come this far. There have been reports, but that was months ago. It will be necessary to kill it. It could savage the calves. You go ahead. Follow the track through the trees. '

'Will you be all right? ' she queried.

He pushed his slouch hat back on his head, running a hand through the crisp wave at his temple. He looked vital and mocking and as Aunt Elizabeth had once said, far from ordinary. 'Are you worried? ' he drawled.

'To my moderate surprise, yes! '

'That's what I get for rescuing you. ' He glanced at the children and grinned, 'Ungrateful, isn't she? '

'I suppose I'd better say thank you, ' said Jo stiffly.

'You might have to say it over and over before the month's out! '

'Actually it was Paddy's fault! ' Jenny said fairly. 'He grabbed at Jo's arm. '

'Anyway, he's his old self this morning, that's the main thing, ' answered Marsh. 'Take the children along, Jo, and let them have morning tea with the men. They'll enjoy it. '

'And you? '

'I'll join you when I can. '

She looked around at this wild, untamed world, but she couldn't very well prevent him from doing what he had to. 'All right, then. Take care! '

'I did explain to you the way to go? ' he called after her dryly.

'I'll find it! '

She ushered the children into the utility, then turned about to look at him. There was a strength and a. vibrancy about him, an easy casualness, that provoked her. She had never really taken much notice of a man's physique before, but she was very conscious that he was superbly built; wide-shouldered, narrow-waisted, lean-hipped, the ripple of whipcord muscles just beneath the smooth, darkly-tanned skin. The silver glint of a medallion caught the sunlight. She wondered why he wore it, not knowing that his mother, reared a Catholic, had placed it around his neck as a protection after his father had been killed, insisting he wear it always. She didn't realise she was staring, but she had to come out of her trance as he swept off his hat, bringing it across his body in a theatrical bow. Even at that distance the air fairly crackled with electricity.

Jo tossed her head, flushing, and got into the utility, then she started up the engine and took off along the track with a dazzling burst of speed. She was in a strange state of mind, taut with a kind of excited energy. Contact with Marsh McConnell was proving distracting. He was a hard man to ignore. He looked magnificent on a horse and his hair in the sunlight had the polished gleam of ebony. She was startled she had noticed so much, and the memory remained.

Afterwards Jo was to wonder where the days went. They seemed to fly past on wings and they were quite outside her normal experience. Always a night owl, she now found herself rising with the birds, if only because the children did and retiring early to meet the physical demands of the next day. It took her less than a week to establish beyond any possible doubt that Paddy was indeed accident-prone, and as she said wryly to Ellen as she fished him out of the ornamental pond 'it gave her something to shoot for' keeping him on his feet. Paddy seemed to go through the day creating his own obstacle courses, but he was so lovable, so sunny-natured that even Nara didn't blame him when he let her pet snake escape.

Every morning after breakfast Marsh supervised her riding lesson and Jo, to her mounting pleasure and confidence, took to it naturally, though it would be many a long day before she became an expert like Philippa, who seemed to call in every other day on the radio transceiver. Lessons took up another hour, and the children were fascinated by the School of the Air broadcasts, listening far more intently, Jo suspected, than they ever did at their expensive private schools. After that they were free to cram in experiences as though they had to fit everything in in a few short weeks. With Nara as guide they went on nature studies and walks while she threaded the hours with the beautifully imaginative legends and the secrets and mysteries of her mother's people. When they picnicked or went swimming at any one of the tree-lined waterholes the twins came too, increasing the older children's pleasure, for like their mother the twins had some attraction impossible to ignore. Other days they watched the men mustering and cutting cattle, though tender-hearted Paddy didn't like the branding or the smell, but an impromptu meal over the camp fire always revived him, and the novelty of a mug of milked-down billy tea.

So far they hadn't slept out under the stars, but Uncle Marsh had promised and the children were determined to keep him to it. The trip into the silent hill country to see the sacred places and inspect the cave drawings he had ruled out until he could accompany them, and after the spring showers, he said, he would take them all out to the desert fringe to see the unending vistas of wild-flowers and the red pyramids of the sandhills. These experiences were invaluable and were treated as an important part of their education.

For the past few days the men were working closer in to the compound, but so far Crocker the wild dog had eluded capture. No stock losses were reported and no further sightings made. The dog could be anywhere on the vast property, and Marsh's instructions were to shoot it on sight. Wild dogs and feral cats created their own menace, and it was thought the staghound had gone deeper into the bush. The seasons had been good, so it couldn't have been short of food. Curiosity alone had led it in so close to camp.

With her days so full of activity in the pure fresh air Jo found herself sleeping deeply and dreamlessly at night. Even her subconscious refused to draw on her treasured memories of Blair. She saw now that her complete change of environment had come as a great blessing, and coping with the children, especially Paddy, left little time for moping or introspection. Blair belonged to Julie by choice. She would have to keep on saying 'No! ' to his memory until it too became habit. Maybe her lonely childhood had made her cling to him to the point of obsession. Little did she realise she was soon to be tested when she was far from prepared for it.

That particular morning all three of them were sitting on the white-railed fence watching Ned, the station horse breaker and something of a legend, 'talking' to one of the brumbies. Ned was an old part-aboriginal bushman and he had a considerable gift for entertaining his audience. Quite a few of the men had sauntered up to watch and Marsh too joined them for a moment, speaking briefly to Jo:

'I've some news for you. '

'Oh, what? ' She turned to smile at him.

The breeze caught at her hair and he put out a hand to tuck a strand away from her face. 'My mother and Julie are flying in for a few days. Julie wants to know can she bring her fiancé. '

Jo stared at him and her heart began to hammer. 'What did you say? ' Her voice rose so sharply Paddy rocked in astonishment and Marsh caught him round the waist and held him steady.

'Look at that now! ' he digressed for the children's benefit, temporarily ignoring Jo or giving her time to get over her shock. 'This is what we call horse psychology. It replaces the force you've seen. Ned is very successful at this—in fact he's the finest horse-breaker in this part of the world. You've seen both methods of breaking now. This one, if one has the gift for it, is vastly superior. Ned can ride anything in less than an hour. That's bareback and a wild horse from the range, and he can make any horse acceptable for normal stock work in a couple of days. '

'But he's just talking to them, Uncle Marsh! ' Jenny swung her face around. It had tanned to an entrancing light gold and she looked happier and better looking than she had done only a short week before.

'And that's how he does it! ' Marsh explained. 'It's a very gentle art. I practice it myself. In fact I'll show you tomorrow how I gentle a horse. I want to talk to Aunty Jo now. ' He glanced back over his shoulder and called to Barney, who came up at a fast trot. 'Look after the children, will you, Barney? I have some news for Miss Jo! '

'Will do, Boss! ' Barney grinned, and climbed nimbly on to the fence. Both children, having spent some time following him around, flashed a smile. They liked him and he had their full confidence, but evidently Paddy didn't have Barney's, for his wiry arm stayed protectively at the little boy's back.

Marsh looked back at Jo, registering the shock in her eyes. His own face tightened into something like formidability and he put up a hand to help her down, then led her some little distance away to the shade of the gums. 'No doubt you'll tell me in your own good time! ' she started out unfairly.

'Yes, the unforgettable Blair! ' he picked up the story, paying her out by ignoring her wretchedness. 'Do you want him to come? '

'Why would Julie want to bring him here? ' she demanded, genuinely puzzled.

'Believe it or not, she wants to be married from here. Surely you realised I was to give her away? '

'You do what you think best! ' she said bitterly, and turned away.

'I'd have staked my life you were forgetting him, ' said Marsh.

'I didn't expect him to follow me out here! '

'Turn around! ' he said curtly. 'If it's going to affect you so badly I'll say no. '

Vaguely she was aware that he had turned her and was holding her by the shoulders. 'I've no idea why you want to help me, ' she said flatly.

'I admire the way you're looking after the children, ' he said offhandedly. 'It's Aunty Jo this, and Aunty Jo that. Even Ellen has taken to it these days. I believe my nose is out of joint. I used to be their most attractive relation. '

'I'm nothing compared to you! ' she said absentmindedly. 'When are they coming? '

'Brace yourself, dear girl! ' He gave a very elegant shrug. 'The day after tomorrow—if you give the O. K. Well? '

Jo glanced up to find he was watching her closely like a cat watches a mouse, ready to pounce.

'It seems to me you're enjoying this! ' she said crossly.

'Why shouldn't I? ' he asked shortly. 'You're looking particularly delectable these days. '

As usual she ignored his compliments and he laughed gently, transferring his hands into his pockets. 'Maybe his presence will resolve a few things. '

Jo's spirits were visibly waning. 'I'll probably have nightmares tonight! ' she warned.

'Would you like me to call in on you? ' he asked suavely.

'If you did you'd get knocked back! '

'Come now! ' His brilliant eyes narrowed. 'You can trust me. As it stands now I've only kissed you the once! '

'Twice! ' she corrected sharply, and coloured despite herself.

Marsh made a soft jeering noise in his throat. 'Nothing more than a chaste peck. That simply doesn't count, but it's nice to know you remembered. '

Her green eyes gave him the speaking glance she reserved for him, glowing with exasperated challenge. She even had to admit that she revelled in their odd clashes, and it was surely strange. Like the children's, her skin had turned to gold and she looked anything but a woman suffering a heavy black burden of rejection. Her eyes, hair and skin gleamed with health and she looked beautifully slender and relaxed in her loose cotton shirt and tan-gold slacks.

'Maybe I'm treating you with too much delicacy, ' Marsh said dryly. 'After all, you're not a young girl! '

'And I'm not a thousand either! ' she cried, stung by the taunt.

He laughed again and she had to endure it, for he looked treacherously vital and masculine and he had really, when it was all said and done, carried her off. 'Let's call a truce! ' he said lightly. 'Come riding with me this afternoon. Nara can look after the kids for an hour or so. They can do a bit of painting in the garden and they like to play with the twins. '

'I don't know! ' Something told her to hesitate. He was really a very tempestuous man, for all the smooth facade. Too sharp for her palate—unique in a way. There was too much stir and challenge about him. He made her think, and she didn't want to. He could also make her feel, she had discovered to her horror and all too simply. He had to be treated with the utmost caution.

'I suppose there's no escape, is there? ' she said, looking poignant and passionate all at once.

'What from—me? ' he grinned.

'From life. '

'Why complain? You're doing all right. Now, are you coming or not? I'm a busy man. '

'Indeed you are! ' she agreed admiringly. 'It's come as an eye-opener to see exactly how hard you do work. '

'Don't tell me you thought I was useless? ' he said acidly. 'By the way, Ellen was having a bit of trouble interpreting your drawings. The thing over her head. What was that supposed to be? '

Jo frowned, caught up in the tricks of her trade again. 'That's a utensil rack. We'll have it especially made— everything arranged for her just where it's the most convenient. '

'Tell her! ' he said dryly. 'She thought it was a bit of nonsense like an outsized halo! '

'She deserves one, and she's enjoying the thought of the changes, don't you worry, ' Jo retorted. 'She spends so much time in the kitchen I'm going to make it the show place of the South-West for her. '

'We're all anticipating that! ' Marsh said blandly. 'I hope Leighton doesn't have any ideas! '

'Then consider, is it wise to let him come? ' she answered sharply, not liking the expression on his face. McConnell, the hunter.

'Depend on it, he'll be right under my nose. So will you! '

'The best laid plans go astray! ' she said perversely.

'You don't worry me, green eyes, ' he drawled. 'You don't even know yourself yet. I'll get one of the boys to saddle up Honey for you. We'll start out after lunch. '

'You're the boss! '

'I'm also the teacher. You're coming along fine! '

They watered their horses at an aboriginal well and Jo could see, in the distance, the rose red sandhills sharply outlined against the brilliant blue sky. The grassy, blue-flowered plains country resounded with bird calls, and they intended taking the narrow track down the acacia-lined gullies, the small lakes of clear water, to where the black swans nested and the brolgas performed their spectacular ballets. It was well over an hour since they had left the compound and the afternoon was passing in unusual accord; as though each of them had given a scared promise to call a halt on the verbal sparring that the interaction of their personalities seemed to demand.

Malakai was the kind of country that took hold of the heart. It could lead and direct lives, and Jo could see from the expression on Marsh's dominant dark face that an invisible, unbreakable cord bound him to it. The richness of bougainvillaea glowed even here, scarlet and pink and magenta, cassias spilled in warm golden showers and great greeny-grey stands of gums were dusted all over with powdery tassels of flowers. It was quite beyond human power to count the birds or the dazzling variety, and with so many lagoons they flapped and chattered and alighted all over, decorating the lignum clumps like huge brilliant flowers.

Marsh went out of his way to point out everything of interest; the huge area the Government geologists had assured him was rich in mineral deposits and which just happened to be on a prehistoric site; the fossilised rocks that held fast the skeletons of creatures from the great inland sea of prehistory; the places where he had found opal. They were travelling over country deep in native lore with many stone altars and sacred places for the getting of wisdom, hallowed ground, not understood by the white man. Apart from the birds there was a deep pervading silence like a Presence of Great Being hovering over his kingdom.

The peace was remarkable, and as Jo rode over the sloping grasslands she could feel it seeping right through to her heart. She had tried every tactic known to her to forget Blair, and Malakai seemed to be doing it for her. She hadn't thought it all through, and Marsh wasn't a man she could manage, but he was one with his land, a man trained to take over such an inheritance. Kangaroos and wallabies made shadowy movements in the long grass, but they didn't disturb anybody. Jo's only regret was that so far she hadn't seen one with a joey peeping out of its pouch.

The sun was well past its zenith when they rode down on the tree-shadowed swamp. Reeds and purple trumpet lilies fringed it round and up from the banks there were stands of wild flowering plum. Marsh took the horses' reins and tethered them to separate trees, then he joined Jo at the water's edge, looking downstream to where a black swan and her four fluffy white cygnets were gliding across the mirror-clear dark green stretch of water.

'How beautiful! I've never seen them in the wild! ' she said.

'This is one of their favourite havens. '

For a time neither of them spoke, seemingly content with watching the regal progress of the mother swan across the water. The river coolibahs were heavy in blossom, their barks shining reddish-brown in the golden-green light, spirit trees and guardians of the waterways.

Jo lifted her arms above her head and sighed blissfully. 'I'm deliciously tired. I hope I didn't do anything to displease you? '

He swung back and stared straight at her. 'On the contrary, you're a natural in the saddle. With some solid practice you'd be good and you wouldn't find it quite so tiring. Why don't you rest a while and I'll go hunt up some of our own native orchids. They're scattered all over, but they're not that easy to find. The scent was ~ clearer a few hundred yards back. They're beautiful and they keep a long time in water. They're supposed to possess some magic—Nara will tell you. You might be able to dry out the petals and crush them into a love potion. '

'Ever helpful? ' she commented, unsure of him, for his dark face had hardened. 'I'll call out to you if I need you. '

'I'm not going far! ' He gave a slight shrug. It seemed to be a characteristic and she realised she found it very attractive. 'You'll be able to see me all the way. I remember we found them here once in abundance. The perfume is not unlike the Queen of the Night. '

She listened with interest, holding her dark hair back from her face. 'Go and get it! ' she smiled.

'And don't you run away! '

Jo smiled at him and he gave her a quick nod of approval, moving with his long lithe tread back along the track. It was amazing, but she could have gone instantly to sleep. Sunlight fell muted on her face and the fragrance of the lilies made her sigh with pleasure. She stretched out on the dry sandy bank, put her hands behind her head and closed her eyes. She'd been up so early, at first light. It was really fantastic the way Paddy selected that hour for waking her with a hand on her face. If that method failed he usually pulled her ear as if he was ringing in the New Year until finally she came awake and pretty much in control of things. She had always been a slow starter, but then she had never lived with children before.

It was wonderful, this place. Leaves rustled above her head, softly swishing like a native chant. She was hovering on the brink of sleep, all her senses surrendering to a, delicious feeling of wellbeing. She would have to think of something to give Nara, a great big thank-you for the way she amused and stimulated the children and looked after them so well. A lovely little creature, Nara, with such an innocent beauty. How shockingly she had been treated! Marsh was really a very good man, and all the aboriginal people on his property looked to him as a natural leader. A lion of a man. Jo was coming to respect him herself.

When Marsh came back her dark lashes lay heavy and motionless on her cheeks. She looked rather fragile, far more vulnerable with her vivid, mobile face in repose, her thick shining hair fallen sideways and her beautiful mouth faintly parted. The silk shirt she wore lovingly followed the shape of her breasts and there was colour beneath her skin, a warm tinting of apricot giving depth to the golden tan. Marsh dropped down beside her, slid his arms beneath her and lifted her easily into his arms. His face if she could have seen it was that of a buccaneer—passionate, even violent, taking the woman he wanted.

She was dreaming as she hadn't done for weeks and she came out of it whispering languorously, even fretfully:

'Blair. Oh, Blair! '

Marsh reacted with a spurt of fury. His black eyes flashed, enough to send panic signals through any woman, and he tapped her cheek painfully.

'Wake up! ' he said distinctly.

She opened, her eyes, no longer abandoned to her dream, saw his face, and the melting settleness in her body was instantly transformed into a tense resistance. He didn't release her and the heat of his body was reaching her. On the bank beside him were a half a dozen overlapping bracts of beautiful orchids, white, cream and bronze-green, speckled with mauve. Their delicious spicy perfume flowered all around them.

'What's the matter? ' Jo was shocked by Marsh's expression and the lightning flicker in his lustrous eyes, not understanding the rage that stirred in him.

He mimicked her spellbound tone and swept on harshly: 'I'm not Blair. But I'm sure I'll do! '

'And I can tell you that's unlikely! ' Her dreamy look was clearing miraculously. If this was his mood she wasn't going to submit without a struggle. 'What's this supposed to be? ' She tried to wave her pinned arms to demonstrate. 'The seduction scene? '

'You've earned it! ' he grated. _s 'Great! I always knew you had a devilish streak! '

'Grow up! ' he said bluntly. 'And don't kick up a row. Your maidenly ways don't fit your face—or your shape! '

'So that's it? ' she said wrathfully. 'I'm a fallen woman! '

'You should have made sure I wasn't looking. Such talent! '

'And you've been paying me out ever since! '

'You understand, don't you? ' he demanded roughly, and now she found out he was violent too, because he was hurting her and not caring. Overhead a jewelled parrot flapped idly in the heat, then launched into flight seeking a quieter spot.

'Some day... ' Jo threatened, gritting her teeth, then suddenly she whimpered, 'Oh, you brute! '

'I've known worse relationships! '

'Tell me why? '

He shook his head. 'I'm concerned about you, Josephine. How many men have made love to you? '

'On present average, one! ' she returned acidly.

'That's what I thought. Leighton got in very early, almost like cradle-snatching, but you're a big girl now and you really need more experience. Otherwise how are you going to know when true love comes? '

'Why didn't you tell me it was going to be you? ' she mocked him.

'I've been telling you all along! '

'And here I was thinking Philippa was the only answer! '

'I didn't say I didn't like her, but you're something else again. '

He was controlling her easily and she went limp, feigning a weak urgency. 'Please, Marsh. I feel giddy. I think I'm going to faint. '

'Oh no, you're not! ' he said sharply. 'And don't you Please, Marsh me! You're going to open your mouth and whisper some of those endearments Leighton found it so easy to get out of you. '

'You don't know me very well, do you? ' she hurled at him, 'and I'm starting to get mad! ' Her body twisted against him, but it only served to arouse an unmistakable response. He put his hand over her mouth and held her thrown back against him till she quietened, then he took his hand away and crushed her mouth against his own, forcing it open and setting up a fantastic storm of feeling. Every nerve end was excitable, responsive, her dormant sensuality stirring too steeply to climb back. In some mysterious fashion she felt separated from her own mind, lost in his strength. He wasn't bothering to check this enravishment; his strong, beautiful hands cupped her breasts as though the shape and curve of a woman's body was exquisite, holding her to him almost slavishly though she wasn't even trying to get free. Though it was to agitate her afterwards, now she was wild and yielding, her skin overheated as though they were surrounded by a ring of fire.

'Who am I? ' he asked against her mouth.

Jo couldn't answer—she didn't have the breath. Marsh was offering her a sensual experience that promised complete forgetfulness, an enchanted drug. It was typical of him, as overpowering as the flowering wilderness. She had believed what she told him. She loved Blair. She had been conditioned to love him, but a whole range of experience had been denied her. Marsh was remaking her with the confidence of a master, proving her body a liar, covering her face and her throat and her breast in kisses so bold, so natural, it was like another dimension. Something beyond sex was driving him as if he wanted control not only of her body but her heart and her mind.

The blood was roaring in her ears. She felt stirred to the point of exhausted tears, her fingers ridiculously entwined in the crisp curls of his hair, her own mouth lingering on his throat. It was as shocking as it was unexpected, but it was happening and she had lost all direction. Even the golden sunlight was dimming...

'Jo? ' He was sitting above her, tilting her head forward.

'I'm all right! '

It took a few minutes for the weakness to pass and he looked searchingly down at her face. 'For heaven's sake! You've been kissed before! '

'You weren't kissing me, ' she pointed out sourly. 'That was a ravishment! '

'Don't be ridiculous! ' His black humour had passed, for he held up her chin indulgently. 'God knows what you'd claim if I did. I didn't hurt you either, though I came pretty close to it. It's really your own fault, falling asleep on the sand! '

From his eyes she knew that wasn't entirely the truth. 'I said something, didn't I? '

His white teeth snapped together. 'You were moaning very sweetly: " Blair, oh, Blair! " '

'And you went half mad with jealousy? '

'Don't kid yourself, lady. I resented his intrusion into my afternoon. What's with you, anyway? One minute you're trying to cut me down to size and the next you're fainting away in my arms! '

'I chose that way to make you let me go! ' she retorted.

'Liar! ' His magnificent black eyes were full of mockery. 'Do you even know what you want? You weren't pretending just then. I could have taken you at any time and you'd have let me. I know you, Josephine. You're a very fastidious girl, even old-fashioned, which I just happen to like. Can it be you've switched your affections? '

'No to all your questions! ' she said shortly. 'It was such a lovely day. What a pity to spoil it! '

He gave that elegant dismissive shrug again. 'Have it your own way. I can see you're winded! '

'Oh go to the devil! '

Some sharp lively movement behind them halted all talk. The horses waiting up on the bank swung their heads up, nervously pawing the grass. Marsh took his arm away, half turning, his narrowed far-seeing eyes ranging over the trees and the lacing vines.

'What is it? ' Jo was whispering, and suddenly everything seemed shadowy.

'God knows! ' Marsh came up swiftly, bringing her with him, his dark face sharp in her mind. 'I'd better investigate. Something's spooking the horses! ' His searching eyes found the outline of a sleek and heavy dingo bitch. He didn't even hesitate but hoisted Jo like a sack of feathers into the fork of a tree which she clung to, feeling her bruises. The whole thing added a bizarre touch, but now she saw it coming down through the trees and she sucked the air quickly into her lungs.

'Look out, Marsh, it's the staghound! '

He took a few steps forward, reaching for his hip knife.

The slobbering jaws were open and the tongue flicked the air around it. It stood above them watching intently, the dingo bitch commencing her descent.

'Don't move! ' he ordered under his breath. 'Don't do anything until I tell you. '

'Can't you reach the rifle? Maybe I can! '

'Don't move! ' he repeated, and the words blazed.

Jo sat bolt upright, her arms going limp around the tree. The dog was a killer of calves and small animals, but surely it wouldn't attack humans? Yet it was motionless, and the dingo kept edging in relentlessly. A trickle of sweat ran down between her eyes and she loathed having to sit there with Marsh on the ground, defenceless except for that knife.

'You need help! ' she said crisply.

'Don't be so blasted silly! '

'Thanks! '

She kept still, her legs drawn up, the perspiration breaking out on her body. Both dogs looked ugly, cunning and powerful, eyes avid and predatory, creatures out of another world. A long moment passed and she couldn't stand it. At least she could hurl some stones at the dingo, the lesser evil. The kangaroo dog looked absolutely vicious, powerful enough to hunt and tackle the big reds and the rock wallabies and rip anything that attacked it in half. Abruptly she let go of the branch and plunged to the ground, and at the very same moment the staghound hurled its great body right at her, succumbing to the dreadful instinct for blood.

Fear seared right through her, then pain. Marsh literally threw her away, so she went sprawling right out on the sand, turning his body like a shield, tensing to take the full impact of the dog's massive body. It hit him and they rolled right down to the water's edge, the dingo bitch howling and coming dangerously close in defence of its mate, the muzzle drawn back in the familiar vicious threat.

Jo acted instinctively, slowed down by having the breath almost knocked out of her, but she managed to wave her arms violently in an attempt to check the animal to caution. It hesitated and she sprang to her feet, picking up a heavy slice of bark and hurling it. The brute changed direction.

'Savage. You savage! ' she yelled, and it made away across the sand. 'Marsh! '

He was lying on his back covered in blood, frightened and bruised. She rushed down to him and fell on her knees, eyes averted from the staghound's fallen body.

'You bloody little fool! ' he said clearly.

Her eyes filled with tears and she bent down and kissed his mouth warmly, her eyes glistening, leaf green and highly charged with emotion. 'I think you're so brave! ' she whispered.

'I suspect you're the same! '

'Is it dead? '

'Don't look so mournful! ' he said dryly. 'It's kill or be killed. I wouldn't have liked to see you with a ravaged face! '

'But you're bleeding! ' she agonised, her voice muffled and distraught.

'I'd die for you, baby! '

'Would you, Marsh? '

He groaned and sat up. 'This isn't my blood, green eyes. I'm still alive, strong and healthy. It's wonderful to have you looking at me like that, but I can't allow you to suffer such wretchedness! ' He stood up and stripped off his shirt, hurling it backwards into the swamp. Jo's heart was beating furiously and she sat back on her ankles staring up at him. The silken bronze skin was without blemish, superbly taut, and she closed her eyes, quickening with a raw passion. It was a wonder he didn't notice it, because it was so strange. She couldn't seem to get up and she was trembling, deeply startled by her own feelings.

He looked down at her for a moment, black eyes searching, then finally he said: 'It's all right, Jo. Everything's all right. Come on, we'll go home! '

'Yes! '

The orchids he had gone to such trouble to collect for her were crushed to pulp. She still couldn't move, shaky with reaction, and he bent down and drew her to her feet, putting his arm around her shoulders and leading her back up the slope. Just a shoulder to lean on, that was all, but now she felt comfort, a deep sense of security that had her almost clutching him like he was something precious. From passion to comfort, both beautiful, the one ringed with fire, the other a quiet pulsing. He didn't seem at all strange to her, and he never would again.

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