When Bob came running to her as Walt’s cart appeared, the
butterflies that had inhabited her stomach since early morning turned to
full-blown nerves and her hand shook as she stroked the dog’s ear. As Walt
pulled the horse to a stop, he saluted her before climbing down. “Well, here’s
a nice surprise. I thought you would be waiting at home.”
“I was ready early and as it is such a nice sunny afternoon I
thought I would stroll along to meet you,” she lied, sure that he would guess
the real reason.
“It is a pleasant afternoon, isn’t it? Where would you like
to go on this fine day?” He bent to lift Bob up to place him in the back of the
cart and then offered a hand to assist Faith onto the bench seat. “Thought Bob
would be safer up here with us as we might be going a bit faster than usual,”
he explained as Faith straightened her bonnet and then her skirt.
“Good idea. I have no idea where to go, Walt, I will leave
the choice to you as I seldom go further than the main street to be honest.”
Faith thought a while as he clicked the horse into a slow trot, then added, “I
would like to see the diggings, perhaps at Bowden that I have heard lodgers
talking about. Oh, and could we go past the site of the stockade?”
“Your wish is my command, madam. Good choice.” He sent a grin
her way.
Faith’s heart felt so light she thought it might fly from her
chest. In all her years she had never shared a drive with a young man, and the
thrill of sitting beside Walt made her want to shout for joy. It did not take
long to reach the place where what was called the Eureka Stockade took place.
Nobody would believe that a battle occurred there, as it now seemed a peaceful
spot. “It is hard to believe that so many men died that awful night. I heard
that one of your uncles was involved in the fight.”
“Yes, that’s a fact. He was severely injured.” Walt heaved a
heavy sigh. “’Twas almost six years to the day and he has never recovered.
Still mines in the hope of striking it rich. Was your Pa involved in the
battle?”
“No. We came up here from Melbourne and I think he had ideas
of finding gold, but then decided to open the lodging house.” Faith gazed at
the trees waving in a slight breeze. “My Ma does not talk about him now, but I
do have memories of their arguments because she considered him too lazy to try
his hand at digging. Did you ever meet Peter Lalor, the man who organised it
all?”
“No, but my uncle has spoken of his regard for the man. Shall
we continue with our ride?”
“Of course.” Faith settled back after reaching behind her to
pat Bob. “He has grown a little since you first got him. Do you think he will
get much bigger?” she asked, simply for something to say to hide her foolish
nervousness.
“Who knows? As I have no idea of his parentage, it is a
waiting game.” Walt sent a grin her way. “I am so glad you agreed to this
outing, Faith. What did your Ma say when you told her?”
Faith swallowed. Should she tell him the truth of the matter?
“I told her I was visiting Florrie,” she blurted as her cheeks flamed. “My Ma
has some funny ideas, and I was not sure how she would react if I told her I
was spending time with you.”
Not sure if his chuckle meant that he thought her stupid or
not she remained silent until he said, “That there is the quartz crushing
battery.” He pointed to the collection of small structures that had been
erected a few years earlier. “If we continue to the top of the hill, you can
see the digs and the river below, and we will stop to stretch our legs.” Saying
that, he continued upwards following the path. Once or twice, he sent a wave to
a miner who was either working or sharing a drink with someone.
“It’s a hard life, is it not? Do many of them make a
fortune?” she asked, holding onto her bonnet that threatened to blow away, for
the wind grew stronger as they climbed higher.
“I don’t suppose they would let on if they did. We hear
stories of the ones who make it and end up wealthy, but they keep it close to
their chest. Whoa, Matilda,” he pulled the horse up for they had reached the
peak of the hill. “Shall we rest here awhile? Bob would like a run.” Glancing
about, he added, “and there’s a patch of grass for my girl to pick at.”
Faith was still smiling at the name he had given his mare,
which she found endearing. “That would be nice.” She waited until he came
around to hand her down. As he placed her on the ground, it seemed he held her
around the waist for longer than he needed to. This brought their faces to
within an inch or two of each other and Faith licked her lips as she stared up
at him, wondering if she imagined the small groan that left his lips before he
released her.
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