McTavish had left, but three other men from the Royal Society were visiting, one a mycologist who, if he was dubious that first night about dining with two native women, quickly realised his reputation would be made when he returned to England with their knowledge.

It helped that Mrs McKenzie was a brilliant cook, who taught Ethelred’s present cook — already well trained by Maria — a dozen recipes before she and her husband and Tiger left to buy their cattle.

Rose and Clancy stayed on with Ethelred for six months. By the end of that time the sadness in Ethelred’s eyes had become acceptance, and even joy as he preserved yet another unfamiliar specimen to send to England. Their stay reassured Clancy too, who had not even known he needed it.

His wife could not only happily live in a house, she enjoyed it — as long as she was not expected to cook. She also discovered Maria’s stock of catalogues from which a bushwoman could order everything from a ballgown to a chaise longue, a gardenia bush to a dozen pairs of strong boots or a Persian carpet.

Her first wish was for silk chemises like Mrs McKenzie’s, a blue and white striped dress, new moleskins, socks and six hair ribbons. Ethelred insisted on putting the order on his account, despite McKenzie’s offer to head into town with Rose’s bankbook, and Clancy’s assurance he could pay for all his wife needed.

‘I owe you ten guineas,’ said Ethelred, his eyes gleaming.

When the parcel arrived, there were gifts for all of them, shirts and more dresses and, to Clancy’s shock, a brooch of small diamonds for Mrs McKenzie and a string of pearls for Rose.

‘Every bride should have pearls,’ said Ethelred as Rose kissed his cheek. He hesitated. ‘Maria’s jewellery. Would you like it? I . . . it seems lonely, sitting in her drawer.’ He looked comforted when Rose agreed.

But Ethelred’s own loneliness was easing.

Rose and Clancy joined Tiger and the McKenzies only when Ethelred had welcomed yet another party of botanists. Bear Hill was gaining a reputation among the more adventurous in the Royal Society as the place to go to make fascinating discoveries but still dine like a gentleman.

The new mob was easy to handle. Starving cattle were more docile than when they gained flesh and temper. The Clancys made three more journeys with the McKenzies in the next decade. Benjamin was born on the banks of the Condamine, with Mrs McKenzie as midwife.