He gave his address as care of the Stanthorpe Post Office. It took their party nearly a month to reach the town, a month of ambling cattle hooves and Mrs McKenzie’s cooking (she still had not yet managed to teach Rose how to make an edible damper).

That month was one of the happiest times he had known. He still had not even kissed Rose. But neither hid their love in the glances between them, nor was there any need to hide it from the McKenzies or Tiger, who like so many in this land where men greatly outnumbered women, a relic of the convict past and the mass male immigration of the gold rushes, had accepted he would never marry, and had no condemnation for a man who married someone of a different race and culture.

Two letters waited at Stanthorpe. He opened his father’s first.

No salutation, and two lines only.

If you do this, I have no son, nor will have. If you set foot on my land with a native, I’ll set the dogs on you. E. Clancy.

He stared at it, unbelieving. And then, suddenly, believing all too well. In his years with the McKenzies, he had forgotten the depth of his father’s contempt for the native people of this land. He had also forgotten the single-mindedness of Ezekiel’s desire to make the Clancy name accepted in society. Ezekiel had achieved that once with Flora’s help. Nevertheless he might accept a wife with no aristocratic connections these days, but he would never accept Rose.

Clancy screwed up the paper, then tore it up instead, so no one could read it if they were looking for paper to write over again. He opened the second letter, then realised that even if the envelope was addressed to him, the contents were not.

My Dear Miss Rose,

I cannot tell you of my joy that my dear brother-in-law has finally found a woman who meets his heart, as my beloved wife met mine. I beg that you will visit us as soon as you are wed and stay as long as you are able. Clancy says that you know all manner of plants. He may even have mentioned to you my passion for them. My friends and I will be enthralled at finally having the chance to converse with someone who knows the native species. I am sure you can explain much to us.

Yours, with every congratulation,

Ethelred Fitzharris

Clancy grinned. That should do it. He stared at it a little longer, trying to contain his joy, then went to buy Rose — and Mrs McKenzie — dresses for the wedding.

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Grandma’s Best Biscuits in the Universe

Mix 250g butter, melted, with 250g brown sugar, then 2 eggs. Add 360g plain flour, 350g white choc chips, 350g dark choc chips, 1tbsp vanilla essence. Bake spoonfuls at 200˚C till pale brown. They will crisp as they cool.

ROCK FARM, NEW SOUTH WALES, 1986