Tears Of The Moon Part 23

'Unfortunate! I would say her timing was perfect. What if we were married? You'd be in gaol for bigamy ... ' I would say her timing was perfect. What if we were married? You'd be in gaol for bigamy ... '

'We're still getting married, Olivia. This might delay matters but I will fix it. d.a.m.n her, she's just after money ... '

'I don't think so, John ... '

'Don't think what? That she's after money?'

'That we should get married.'

'Olivia ... you can't be serious! We can't throw away our happiness because of this wretched ... intrusion.'

Olivia turned away from his anguished face. 'It's not just her being here ... it's the fact that you didn't tell me ... '

'I didn't know!'

'But you should have told me, we talked about your past. This is very hurtful. Of course I can't stay in the town.' Olivia stood up, suddenly decisive. 'I'll make plans to move. Fremantle. Hamish will go to school in Perth and I'll find something to occupy myself.'

'Are you crazy, Olivia? Don't be so rash. And what about Star of the Sea? It's half your company. You can't walk away from it.'

'I'll be a long-distance partner. If you'd rather buy me out ... '

'Olivia, stop this, please ... '

'John, I think it best if you leave me be. You aren't going to change my mind. You've hurt me deeply, I have to come to terms with this. It is all very ... difficult. And just how are you going to handle this publicly? What about my reputation? This will give everyone something to talk about.'

'Olivia, if that's what's worrying you, I'll make sure everybody understands the situation.'

'It doesn't change matters though, does it?'

'I'll get a divorce, and then we can go back to where we were.'

'No, we can never do that. And has she agreed to a divorce? "Why has she come all this way, if not to be with you?'

Tyndall had no answer and he mumbled unhappily, 'She only just arrived. I wanted to make sure you heard about it all from me first.'

'Oh, they're already talking about us are they? John, please leave.'

Tyndall moved towards her, his arms outstretched but Olivia shrank back. 'No!' She turned away from him, her face and body stiff and tightly held.

Looking wounded and dazed, Tyndall walked slowly from the office. Olivia heard him go, her heart breaking, swamped by the knowledge she might never again touch the man she loved.

The glaring light seared into Tyndall's eyes. He pulled his hat down to shade his face and found his vision was blurred by hot tears. He still thought Olivia's reaction unreasonable. Why should he have mentioned what was, to him, a brief incident in his past that he felt was of little significance? All he wanted now was to spend the rest of his life with Olivia.

A seething resentment of Amy drove him back to his bungalow. How dare she just settle in under his roof? She was a total stranger. He couldn't remember any treasured moments they'd shared. He had been lured by first-time s.e.x with a girl who knew more than he did. It never occurred to him at the time to wonder at her experience, but he simply lost himself in his own fulfilment and release with a willing and eager partner. After their hasty wedding, a mere formality, he recalled several blazing rows, tearful tantrums and a determination that he try to make a better life for them. What a load it had been on his bewildered twenty-year-old shoulders.

He slammed back into his house, bellowing for Rosminah. 'Where is mem?'

'Mem Amy resting, tuan. She make me unpack clothes, I no can say no, tuan,' she said miserably.

'Then start packing them again. She's not staying here.'

He banged on the door of the guest room and flung open the door when Amy coolly called 'Come in' as if she had been in residence for months.

She was sitting at the dresser, brus.h.i.+ng her long blond hair, a satin wrapper about her white shoulders. She gave him a coy look. 'You shouldn't barge into a lady's boudoir, Johnny. But then, you are my husband.'

'I've ordered Rosminah to repack your things. You're not staying here.'

'I'm your wife. The whole town must know it by now.'

'A bit of paper back in Ireland might say so, but that is all about to change. I want a divorce as soon as possible.'

'On what grounds? I don't want a divorce and you're going to look pretty foolish, not to say a blackguard, for treating me this way.' She turned back to the mirror and glanced at his reflection. 'And what did your ex-fiancee have to say?'

Tyndall simply glared at her. 'Amy, I want you out of this house. I will pay your expenses.'

'I know you will, Johnny. But nonetheless, I'm staying here. This is my home too, now.' She gave a tight smile but there was a malicious dare in her eyes that sent a s.h.i.+ver through Tyndall.

'Very well, I shall move into the Continental.'

'That seems an unfortunate waste of our money, Johnny. I shall be here a very long time. Why cause more gossip than necessary?'

He was silent for a moment. She had a point, but if he allowed her to stay, it was tacit acknowledgement of her rights as his wife. He had to think through his tactics. He turned and stormed out of the house, heading for the foresh.o.r.e camp.

Amy wasted no time in dressing. She had already learned as much as she could from the nervous Rosminah, and her enquiries on the steamer had given her sketchy details of the Star of the Sea Pearl Company. When she was ready, she selected a parasol and sent Rosminah to fetch transport.

Olivia's mind was racing from one plan to the next, mentally sorting through the tasks ahead of her. By concentrating on the immediate details of readjusting her entire life, she tried to stop thinking of the ultimate outcome of a new life without Tyndall.

The tap at the door caused her heart to stop. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She dropped the last of the files and ledgers into a box and sighed,' Come in.'

She swung around and stared in shock.

Both women frankly and silently a.s.sessed each other.

To Olivia, Amy looked out of place, overdressed, in her frilled white high-necked pin-tucked blouse, cinched waist and cream silk skirt swept up to one side in a ruched swathe. Lace-edged gloves matched the parasol and to set it off she wore a pert hat peaked at the back with a small feather and a glittery pin.

To Amy, Olivia looked unstylish and uninteresting. Olivia's simple lilac dress, sashed at the waist without the benefit of laced corset, hair looped at the nape of her neck with a black velvet bow and no accessories, indicated to Amy a woman who didn't care about keeping up appearances or wasn't in touch with the mode of the day. However, she conceded a grudging admiration for Olivia's natural beauty. Amy had to enhance her natural a.s.sets, Olivia did not.

'h.e.l.lo, I'm Mrs John Tyndall. You must be Olivia Hennessy.'

Olivia stiffened at the stressed 'Mrs'. 'Yes, I am Olivia Hennessy. Just what can I do for you?' She wasn't about to repeat Amy's name.

Amy rested her parasol against the wall and began to pull a glove from her hand. She was perfectly relaxed. 'I thought I should get to know my husband's business. Could you explain matters to me? Seeing as I'm now part of it all.' She gave a bright smile.

'I beg your pardon?'

'I'm Captain Tyndall's wife. Whatever he has is also mine. I'd like to see some of the pearls.'

Olivia flushed and tried to hold her temper. 'We don't keep pearls just lying around. Nor are they just picked up by the handful from the bottom of the ocean,' she snapped.

'Really? This is a pearl business, isn't it?'

'It's a pearl sh.e.l.l pearl sh.e.l.l business. I'm sorry, I don't have time to discuss this. There are plenty of other people who can explain it to you in simple terms. And, incidentally, I am fifty percent owner in the business. A business. I'm sorry, I don't have time to discuss this. There are plenty of other people who can explain it to you in simple terms. And, incidentally, I am fifty percent owner in the business. A working working owner, I might add.' owner, I might add.'

'Then I suppose that makes us partners, too.' The smile hadn't left Amy's face.

Olivia dropped all pretence of civility. 'There is no way you will be involved in this business while I'm a partner.'

'I'll see about that. But I do hope we can get along. Because I'm planning on staying here. With my husband.' She picked up her parasol. 'Good day to you, Mrs Hennessy.'

Olivia watched her sweep from the room. Then, quickly striding across the room, she slammed the door behind Amy with a crash. As her fury dissipated, she sank back into her chair feeling utterly defeated. She had now summed up Amy, which was no doubt the intention of the visit. She saw there was no way Amy was going to give up Tyndall or her position. Amy was avaricious and attracted to perceived wealth as much as to the man. Their relations.h.i.+p might well have been fleeting and orchestrated by Amy as Tyndall described, but it was obvious she had found a comfortable new status in life and would not give it up without a fight. And Olivia recognised that in a fight she was no match for Amy. Nor was Tyndall.

Olivia sent word for Ahmed to come and see her and she tensely explained her plans.

Ahmed had already heard about Amy from Tyndall and Toby's cousin, the porter. He wrung his hands in distress and shook his head. 'Oh, mem, this very bad news. She no good lady. Tuan say he send her away. Soon be all right. You stay, mem. We need you.' He gave Olivia a half smile. 'We like you, mem. You and tuan get married, later.'

'Ahmed, there is a small fair-haired obstacle in the way of that happening. And for me, once the trust between two people is broken, things can't be the same. I simply can't stay here while all this is going on. I have some pride, too, you know. And I tell you, Ahmed, that woman is trouble. Dangerous trouble.'

He nodded understandingly. 'I no like you go away. But maybe for little time, is best. How can Ahmed help?'

'I need two boys to help pack and move my things to the s.h.i.+p. I'll arrange for the house to be locked up. Minnie will keep an eye on things and I'll try to get Yusef settled as a houseboy elsewhere.'

'He and Rosminah bin plannin' to get married. Maybe he can work at Tuan Tyndall house.'

'Yes, I'm sure he'll have his hands full with madam-in-residence. I can't believe she has moved into his house. Well, actually I can now, having met her.'At the foresh.o.r.e camp Ahmed pa.s.sed on the news that Amy had already confronted Olivia, who was definitely planning on leaving on the steamer in two days' time.

Tyndall kicked the nearest chair. 'That d.a.m.ned woman. How dare she upset Olivia. Did you try and talk her out of going, Ahmed? Tell her we need her here for the business? I need her too, but she won't listen to me at the moment, I'm afraid.'

'Mem say this lady trouble. But you upset mem too, tuan. She say trust gone.' When Tyndall stayed silent, he shook his head sadly. 'This a bad business, tuan. Very bad.'

'Ahmed, I swear to you, I'm going to fix this mess. G.o.d knows how. It may take time, but I will get Olivia to marry me come h.e.l.l or high water.'

At sunset when Tyndall quit pottering about the luggers he had no clearer idea of how to remove Amy nor how to persuade Olivia to give up her wild idea of moving to Fremantle.

He trudged into the silent house with some trepidation, wondering where Amy was, and called the houseboy to fetch him a drink. He had thought of going to the Lugger Bar but couldn't face the questions he knew would come his way. By now the entire town was agog with the news. Amy had made frequent stops on her morning tour of the town to make herself known to shopkeepers.

The house was ominously quiet and he called for Rosminah, but the Chinese cook appeared instead. 'No here, tuan. Gone with mem. Help her carry up her t'ings.'

'Mem has gone?' Tyndall's heart leapt. 'Where has she gone?'

'New house, tuan. Mem ask why such little t'ings here in rich man's house. Rosminah tell her you move to new house after wedding.'

'What! She's gone to our new house?' She's gone to our new house?'

The cook nodded, edging backwards at the sight of Tyndall's outrage.

Tyndall charged from the house. This was too much. She was trespa.s.sing in the home that he and Olivia had designed together and planned to move into after their wedding.

He ran without pause to the bluff and stood outside the house panting. Olivia's trunks had been moved outside onto the verandah. Windows were open, Amy's sea chest was by the door, open and half-emptied.

Nearly choking for air with rage and exhaustion Tyndall surged forward, bellowing for Rosminah. The girl ran out of the door, clutching one of Amy's hats and a pair of her shoes.

'Rosminah, drop those,' he ordered, gasping. 'Get home at once.'

'Tuan, she say I must help her.' Tears started to tumble down her cheeks.

Tyndall s.n.a.t.c.hed Amy's clothes from her and said quietly, 'Rosminah, you are to have nothing to do with the mem. You do only what I, tuan, say. Understand? Now go home and stay there.'

'Really, Johnny, such a fuss. You're frightening the girl. There's no harm in her helping me, surely. How else am I going to get settled?' Amy appeared at the door, calm and sweetly reasonable.

Tyndall threw the hat and shoes at her feet and shouted, 'You are not moving in here!'

'But I'm already in, dear. I thought you wanted me out of the other house. This seems a very satisfactory arrangement.'

'Like h.e.l.l it is. I want you back on that steamer and out of Broome. Go to Fremantle and we'll negotiate from there.'

She gave a tinkly laugh like a patient mother with a recalcitrant child. 'But there's nothing to negotiate. As I'm your wife, my place is here and I don't for one moment expect you to see me starving on the streets of Broome. What would people say?' She settled herself in a chair on the verandah. 'Now, Johnny. Don't be difficult about this. I spoke to Mrs Hennessy today. I must say, she was rather ungracious, but she tells me she is moving to Fremantle, so that solves that matter doesn't it?'

Tyndall was speechless.

'By the way she told me she was a partner in your pearl business. I imagine you'll need me in her place now, seeing how things have changed rather.'

Tyndall stared at Amy, seeing her steel inside for the first time. He was aghast at how fast things were moving. And moving out of his control. His mind raced, desperately searching for some way to take command of the situation.

'Very well, Amy,' he said, finally, 'Stay here-for the time being. I will stay in the old house. As soon as I have sorted out the divorce and the settlement, you will be on your way.'

'Johnny, dear. When are you going to get it through that handsome head of yours that I am not going to give you a divorce. I am not going anywhere. You'll get used to the idea.' She gave a coquettish smirk. 'You'll find I'm not so undesirable as time goes on. I'm very good company. Or had you forgotten?'

'Yes, I had had forgotten ... all about you. And I have no desire to attempt to rekindle any sort of relations.h.i.+p. It's over, Amy. Dead and gone.' forgotten ... all about you. And I have no desire to attempt to rekindle any sort of relations.h.i.+p. It's over, Amy. Dead and gone.'

'We'll see, we'll see,' she answered affably, walking back to the door. Unruffled, she turned to him, all trace of the mock goodwill gone. 'Don't forget, I said I had doc.u.ments. And copies are lodged in Perth. You'll find changing the status quo status quo frightfully difficult. By the way, if you are going to be selfish about your staff, I'll have to hire more servants. Naturally all my expenses are being charged to you.' She swept inside and Rosminah sidled out, giving Tyndall a sympathetic look. frightfully difficult. By the way, if you are going to be selfish about your staff, I'll have to hire more servants. Naturally all my expenses are being charged to you.' She swept inside and Rosminah sidled out, giving Tyndall a sympathetic look.

For Olivia, the next two days pa.s.sed in a blur. The nights were a black hole she swam through in some mindless nightmare, waiting for the dawn, when the same reality faced her. She struggled to explain the dramatic change in their fives to Hamish.

The boy looked at her, puzzled, frightened. 'Why has this lady come here? Why didn't Uncle John send her away? He was going to marry you, and we were going to live together.'

'These things sometimes happen in life ... things don't work out the way you wanted. And sometimes grown-ups fall out of love and things ... change.'

'I don't think I want to be a grown-up.'

'Oh darling, I promise you things will be all right. You're going to have a lovely exciting time at a wonderful school in Perth, and I'll be close by in our house in Fremantle. On weekends we can do all sorts of interesting things.'

'What about Uncle John and Ahmed and Yos.h.i.+ and everyone?'

Olivia swallowed. 'You can come back ... school holidays ... we'll still have our house here.' She couldn't bear the thought of coming back, not while she was on the verge of fleeing. But she couldn't let Hamish think everything he knew and loved was being cast aside. 'Your father and I always planned to send you away to boarding school. This way, I'll be close.' Seeing his hurt, Olivia hugged him to her. 'Oh Hamish, just believe me and don't worry. You must trust me, darling.'

Toby and Mabel Metta were a constant support and help. They had agreed to transport Olivia and Hamish down to the steamer at the last possible moment to avoid her having to face too many people.

'Olivia, I beg you to think this through. Are you sure you simply aren't running away? Give John time to sort matters out,' pleaded Tobias.