continuing his walk. ‘You will find it less taxing. And if we are honest with ourselves I think you will agree that the upper echelons of society are what you aspire to. In truth I have little need of such things anymore. All of our preening and amiable conversation has been for Angus, after all.’
Claire smelled the pungent aroma of tobacco as Hamish stuffed his pipe, lit it and inhaled deeply. They were standing beneath the branches of a spreading gum tree, the muted pinky-blue of dawn creeping over the countryside. ‘How can you say that?’ Claire’s face was white, her features stiff with exasperation.
‘Because there is something far more important than respectability. However, you are a woman,’ he spoke a little gentler, ‘and as such God divined you to see virtue in matters of little consequence.’
She bit her knuckle, glad of the half-light. What had watered this cold wedge which had so recently grown within her husband?
‘Once Luke has left with the mob, may I suggest a little sojourn,’ Hamish stated between puffs of his pipe. ‘I thought perhaps a trip to the Blue Mountains to escape February’s heat; then some sea air.’
Claire thought back to Luke’s revelation, how his own mother Rose was not yet dead when Hamish became her unknown benefactor. ‘You will be joining me?’ Despite the mortification of the expected answer, Claire needed to know.
Hamish smoothed his moustache. ‘No. You will take Angus with you. He will be attending the Kings School at Parramatta.’
Claire shuddered inwardly at the calmness with which her future was being decided. Did he really have no affection for her anymore, not even as the mother of his son and heir? Or was her current tendency towards melancholy making her presume the very worst. The very worst, she repeated silently; if the heir was no longer at Wangallon, what need was there for her?
‘Many of the landed board their sons at an early age,’ Hamish continued. ‘The advantages are numerous. Apart from the educational and sporting benefits, the boys mix with the sons of other wealthy pastoralists, forming lifelong friendships with those of a similar social standing.’ He paused and looked at her directly. ‘That alone should make you agreeable.’
Now he was ridiculing her values. Dragging her feet up the verandah steps Claire attempted to formulate some last drastic retort, yet she could think of nothing that would wound him. He was beyond the understanding of mortal men. Claire lifted her head proudly as she walked towards the main door. There standing in the doorway was Angus. His face was pale.
‘Mother?’
Angus’s mouth opened, fat tears began streaming down his distorted face to roll across his cheeks and lips. ‘Mother?’ His violet eyes searched Claire’s face. ‘Father? W-what will I do in the city? What about Wallace and Lee and –’
‘This will be the making of you,’ Hamish explained. ‘Now stop blubbering.’
‘I’m not going,’ Angus cried out, stamping his foot. ‘I’m not going and I’m not leaving Wangallon.’
Hamish closed the distance between his son in three large strides. Removing his leather belt he doubled it and flicked it across the palm of his hand. ‘You will quell your predilection to disobedience and accept your good fortune.’
Claire watched the adamant stance of her son and thought of his recent attempts at riding his horse. The boy had shown his determination that day.
Angus squared his young shoulders. ‘Never,’ he retorted as his father approached him, belt in hand. He turned on his heel and quickly ran inside.
‘Please don’t take Angus from me,’ Claire pleaded as Hamish furiously looped his belt back around his waist. ‘If you ever cared for me and I know you did once, don’t take my one consolation, please don’t send him away. Think about how he will pine, please think about –’
‘This is ridiculous. The boy will benefit greatly from such an undertaking.’
Claire tugged at his jacket. ‘I was schooled here, as was Luke. We could employ a tutor as you did then.’
‘The schooling was adequate for a woman as it was for the mental faculties of Luke. Angus deserves and will receive far better.’
‘For what purpose? To converse with blacks and the decrepit likes of Jasperson?’ Claire opened her arms to encompass the land about them, her shawl falling to the ground. ‘To contemplate sunsets and count cattle? For what reason does he need this great education other than to make my presence here redundant?’
Hamish gave her a peculiar look. Claire dropped her arms quickly, bending to retrieve her