10

But then: pinks and pearls. Copper and light, sun.
Blues hues and greens and violets.

Bursting into their day room, Edward brought with him a rush of clean air that radiated from him like ecstasy. Rosalind, reclining on the sofa, looked up, startled by his obvious excitement. Before her Edward strode to the calendar and counted the crosses… just over a month, not long enough by half. And yet he was sure his eyes had not deceived him, he had seen the continent of their destination

‘Rosalind!’ he cried, turning about to face her, arms extended in joy. ‘I have seen it. I have seen Australia.’

Rosalind felt her own heavy mood lift, the hope from months before returning to surge through her limbs, making her numbed head feel almost normal once more.

‘… it is still very distant, and as we were told we must travel along the coast for some miles before we reach our port... But my love, there is land in the distance.’

Rosalind let out a light laugh, like a huff of air, at her husband’s enthusiasm. He is so young, she thought smiling to herself, he makes me feel young. For ‘childlike’ was exactly the word to describe Edward’s wonder at seeing land. This joyous passion revealed to her just how depressed he had become over this journey. She had been so wrapped up in her own illness and guilt she had not fully appreciated the burden her husband toiled beneath. Resolve flowed through her body and she sat up with purpose.

The sudden movement made blood rush to her head, making her feel nauseated and dizzy. Normally this sensation would have sent her back lying down, but not today. Rosalind was determined. She closed her eyes to steady herself then stood up. Pulling herself tall and strong, or at least she hoped she looked strong, she walked to her room. She was rummaging around in a small closet when Edward entered, still glowing from his sighting.

‘What are you doing?’ he asked, gently.

Sighting what she had been looking for Rosalind produced her thickest coat. Pulling it on she turned to Edward.

‘This is a momentous occasion,’ she said firmly, ‘and its coming has made me feel quite invigorated. You must take me up to see this country, Australia, which is to be our home and our salvation.’

She fastened the last of the buttons on the coat and moved to the mirror to fix her face, there would certainly be people on deck if land had been sighted. While she plied blush and shadow to her drawn skin, Edward fussed.

‘My dearest love,’ he began, ‘it is an astoundingly exciting day, but your health is, to me, far more important. I want you to share it with me of course, but I fear it will prove too much for you and… ‘

Rosalind interrupted his placation with a swift jerk of her hand.

‘I have been resting for months. The fresh air will do me good. I wish to be seen on deck to welcome the coast with my husband, as every good wife should do. I wish to celebrate this with you.’ She turned her eyes to Edward. Within them he read her plea for normalcy, if only for a few hours. Edward softened and took her in his arms.

‘You look beautiful,’ he smiled and kissed her gently. ‘How I have been looking forward to escorting you on deck. And today there is sure to be many to show you off to…’

‘Then you had best let me finish preparing,’ Rosalind pushed at his chest playfully, implying he was in her way. Edward stepped back, his joy brimming over. Two miracles in one day, the sight of the coast and Rosalind out of bed. He left her to finish her preparations.

In the sitting room Mary waited, her face disapproving and stern. He looked away, not wanting to see his own concerns mirrored in her eyes. When Rosalind appeared she looked like another woman. She had pulled her hair back off her face into a high pile, revealing her slender, pale neck line, and two emerald earrings dangled down to enhance her eyes. Her face was bright. Knowing her as he did, the signs of fatigue were still there. But he doubted anyone else would notice. Regardless, she was beautiful. Beaming, he wrapped a protective arm about her waist; how much thinner she had become over their journey, even through her thickest coat. Shaking the unwelcome thought away, he led her out into the passage.

On deck Edward held her close and they walked in step along the side rail of the vessel. Rosalind’s eyes scanned the view. Wrapped up in their rooms she’d contented herself imagining seaside trips to Brighton as a child, assuming the ocean would be much the same. How wrong she had been! On the deck a mass of blues and greens met her eyes, reflecting soft sunshine onto her face. Its brightness shocked her eyes and she took a moment to adjust. Then the water-filled air hit her face. It was cold from the ocean but fresh and exhilarating. Rosalind dared, and breathed in deeply, holding the freshness in her lungs for as long as she could muster. Breathing out hard she felt renewed.

Edward looked at her sharply. ’My love?’ he asked.

‘It’s just too beautiful,’ she sighed looking out to sea. Edward wondered at her, all one could see was water on this side of the boat, like a wall of nothingness.

‘This way,’ he whispered, guiding her gently around the deck.

Up on the port side other couples and children were now gathering. Word of land had spread fast and all the passengers, after weeks at sea, were excited to see their destination emerging before them. Edward and Rosalind nodded at passers-by, stopping occasionally to say a few words to fellow travellers Edward had come to know on his walking rounds. Pride at having his wife by his side radiated from Edward, warming her with his joy. Behind his back however the gossip swirled. While her beauty was unmistakable, it was clear that Rosalind was deeply unwell. Some less polite passengers murmured of his selfishness, taking her out in the cold when she was so sick. Other, more perceptive folks, understood that even this ill health must be an improvement and quietly prayed for their future.

Gracefully the couple walked, arm in arm. Coming to the port rail, Edward positioned his wife in front of him looking out to the sea. Arms on either side of her small frame, her hands on the rail, his on hers, the couple stood scanning the horizon. Rosalind stared out, taking in the view slowly, more interested in the whole than the brown of land. And then she saw it. Off to the left of the bow was a high brown peak, jutting out from the blue. Most out of place, Rosalind thought whimsically. She felt her face crack into a wide grin and looked at Edward with surprise.

‘Yes,’ he whispered into her ear, ‘that is Australia.’

What had been an idea for so many months was suddenly real. Rosalind felt light with relief. Leaning into Edward’s arms, she rested her head back on his shoulder. Cheek to cheek they stood in the early morning sunshine, eyes fixed on the brown tip surrounded by blue, fighting for its place; they knew it would win.

‘Not quite record time, but pretty swift,’ Edward said. Rosalind looked up at him, tears limning her eyes. But her smile was radiant. It was like the years of illness had been washed from her face, leaving her well again. Overcome by passion Edward pressed his lips to hers, then let go of the railing and still holding Rosalind’s hands folded his arms around her body. They swayed gently with the boat, but Edward’s practiced sea legs held them secure. And together they watched, as the distant land seemed to bob a welcome to them from across the sea.

‘My good man,’ someone spoke. Edward turned from his routine walk on the decks, and seeing George coming towards him smiled deeply at the man he now considered a friend.

‘George, how are you?’

‘Well, I think. Thank you. I believe at this rate we will disembark tomorrow, what are your thoughts?’

Edward looked out at the land lit by the fading sunlight, its hills reflecting red across the ocean, so unlike the green countryside of home. He nodded firmly. They would be in dock within 24 hours. George took a deep breath and looked at Edward. Sensing his friend’s unease, Edward cocked his head to one side.

‘What is it George?’ he asked, ‘I can see there is something you wish to say. Surely after all our time together we have an understanding. You can say it, whatever it is, to me.’ As he said it, he realised just how true those words were. The two men had spent many an evening talking in the saloon and Edward rather felt the younger man had been the reason he had survived the dastardly journey at all.

George twisted his hands together, visibly tense. Edward gave his most reassuring smile and waited. It was the least he could do.

‘Forgive me. But as you know I am a doctor,’ he began nervously, scratching his chin absentmindedly, ‘And I could not help but notice your wife’s condition. She is not well…’

‘I told you… the sea…’

‘It’s more than that Edward, any fool can tell. But as a doctor I can judge its cause. I know it to be of the lungs.’

Edward’s face went blank. George paused, waiting for Edward to respond. Edward gave him nothing.

He forged ahead. ‘As I told you, I have been studying my profession in Germany, a wonderful place for medical research. We have had some great breakthroughs in the last two years in understanding consumption, and other lung infections, owing to the bacteria we discovered…’ George heard the sharp intake of air Edward seized as he spoke the word consumption, felt him struggle to master an anger long suppressed. He rushed on.

‘As I was saying, because of the large number of cases we see, much like your wife’s, in some cases even further advanced, I have learned a great deal about treatment options. Your move to Australia is a wonderful step. But you must know, it is not enough. She needs proper treatment. There are facilities, even here on the new continent. If you would permit me I…’

‘What?’ Edward interrupted, voice low and hard. ‘You would what? Examine my wife? Tell me your professional opinion?’ Barely contained rage clipped his words. Then they crystallised, each syllable like chips of ice cracking. ‘You would take her away from me?’

‘Take her away… no! But she needs treatment. And there are places she could go.’

‘She stays with me. Always.’

‘As you say. But at least allow me to examine her. I may be able to offer some further insight.’

‘I know what is wrong with my wife. I don’t need to see another doctor’s eyes gloss over. I cannot bear to read their thoughts again. Such beauty, such a waste… Do you imagine I am strong enough to withstand even your lack of hope?’

He raised a hand to his hair, taking a deep breath, head shaking side to side. ‘No, we are on the verge of setting to land. This country is our final chance.’ He turned back to George, eyes like flint. ‘I will not have you take that from us, not now. Hope is the last thing we have left between us.’

Edward turned sharply away.

George stood in silence. Frozen. He had never seen Edward show so much emotion, so much pain. He had suspected his friend’s unhappiness, sensed it coursing just below the surface. But this? With such force? He opened his mouth to speak, to explain, but he knew it was no use.

‘I am sorry…’ he whispered, resigned. Then walked quietly away, heavy with regret.

Edward remained on deck watching the dark waters churning below. At length he took a deep breath and rolled his neck. Standing tall he adjusted his jacket and assembled his features, a calm smile settling on his lips, before walking back to his rooms.

The sound of voices shouting and movement on the deck brought Edward from his slumber. Instantly he knew. They had docked. He rolled out of bed and, still in his night clothes, padded to Rosalind’s room. For a moment he waited, watching her peacefully sleeping face before bringing her awake with a gentle caress of his hand across her forehead.

‘We are here,’ he whispered. ‘Take your time to prepare, I will go above and find helpers to carry our things. You will not be disturbed before nine.’

Pecking her cheek, he went to leave but Rosalind clutched his arm to hold him back. She brought his face in line with hers, opened her mouth to say something, but had no words.

‘I feel the same my love,’ he whispered, before squeezing her hand and leaving the room.

He woke Mary and gave her orders for the assembly of their things. Stepping out of their rooms he nearly slipped on a piece of paper. Looking down he realised it was an envelope addressed to him. He opened the note. It was from George, an apology, and request for forgiveness. For a moment Edward could not move, caught in the moment between emotions. Not wanting to face the guilt, hard and cold, that had settled in his gut, he pushed the envelope into his pocket and continued with his preparations.

When he returned to help Rosalind depart she gave him a small frown. ‘What is it my darling? You seem, distressed.’

‘Nothing at all my dear. Just a silly misunderstanding.’

‘That’s not like you,’ she pressed. ‘What happened?’

‘I fear I have made a mistake and offended someone I respect, very deeply.’

‘Well, I am sure it is nothing that cannot be resolved. Once we are settled you can write to this person and explain. That will fix it. Communication always does. Don’t you agree?’

A calm washed through Edward, she was right. ‘Yes, I do.’

‘Wonderful. Now put it from your mind. We are about to meet our new home.’

Edward nodded, gratitude for his beautiful wife sweeping the guilt away. Together they walked out onto the deck, leaving behind a past of pain and fear and into a future of hope.

Next Chapter: Chapter eleven: The Benefactor