Call of Empire, page 14
‘We will have to catch up sometime and reminisce on our wartime experiences,’ Archie continued. ‘Albeit short and relatively uneventful.’
Josiah agreed just as his father and Conan reached him with broad smiles and extended hands. ‘It is good to see that you have returned to us safely and in one piece,’ Conan said, firmly gripping Josiah’s hand.
‘Welcome home, son,’ Ian said, grasping Josiah in a short but strong embrace. ‘There was not a night that passed we did not think about you over the ocean. Our family and friends are at our home to show their thanks for your safe return.’
Josiah was still convincing himself that he was actually back in the city he had so often taken for granted. He had tasks to perform before he was able to seek leave to join his family as his men sought him out to thank him for his leadership. Archie did not receive the same reaction from his men, and while Josiah felt sorry for Archie, he also knew he had not earned the respect of his soldiers. Archie was not alone in this, as other regimental officers were shunned by their men, too.
It was early evening by the time Josiah was able to make his way home to the house on the harbour, where he was met by Isabel at the front entrance. She threw her arms around him and cried with joy. Josiah could see the rest of his family standing behind her and when Isabel released him, he was mobbed.
When Josiah looked over his sister’s shoulder, he saw a face he had dreamed of for the weeks he had steamed the Indian Ocean and lain under the stars of the Sudanese night.
‘Marian,’ he said softly as she approached. Josiah could not read the strained, sad expression on her face, and felt a pang of fear.
*
Lee had suspected that being in Mary’s company in the streets of Townsville would eventually draw unwanted attention.
He had taken a horse to her cottage as Mary had promised a wonderful Irish lamb stew to share with him. It was simply a friendly dinner invitation to share company and conversation, but he had an uneasy feeling that he was being followed. When he swivelled in his saddle, he could see the faint cloud of dust in the still air beyond a copse of gum trees, as if raised by the hooves of horses. Lee was not armed, but decided to continue to Mary’s cottage just as the sun descended below the horizon.
When he arrived, he secured his horse to a railing built for such a purpose outside Mary’s front entrance. A lantern was already lit.
It was then that the trouble he had feared arrived on horseback. There were two big, bearded men wearing the rough clothing of labourers, while the third was dressed in clothing more suited to a clerical occupation.
Lee moved away from his horse to face the men astride their mounts.
The man in the clerical clothing leaned forward in his saddle.
‘Hey, Chinaman!’ he called. ‘It’s not right that a Chink be seen with a fine young lady. We’re here to teach you a lesson you will never forget.’
Lee felt a sickening fear and wished that he had a weapon to defend himself.
The three men slowly dismounted, and Lee could see that one had a revolver thrust into his belt. The odds were bad, but Lee knew that he must stand his ground if he was to survive.
Eighteen
Lee had the dim light from the lantern inside Mary’s residence behind him, but his senses, honed by years of rigorous martial training, gave him a clear picture of the threat approaching. He could see that one of the big, bearded men held a short, wooden club while the other large man had now retrieved the revolver from his belt and dangled it in his hand by his side. The third, better-dressed opponent did not appear to be armed and hung back, allowing his two henchmen to do the dirty work.
Lee had a fleeting thought that Mary was also vulnerable to the trio if he could not stop them, and felt his blood run cold. He realised that he was prepared to die for the Irishwoman.
He could see the man with the club grinning as he approached and could almost smell the liquor on his breath. Lee assumed the demeanour of a frightened man when the stranger was only a few feet away, while waiting for him to come within striking distance.
‘Please, sir, I beg that you do not harm me,’ Lee pleaded convincingly, lowering his head, but he held every nerve and muscle taut like a finely tuned violin.
The thug paused and Lee could see that his act had worked.
Sneering, Lee’s attacker spat on the ground at his feet. ‘Youse yellow bastards ain’t got no guts,’ he snarled. ‘Youse vermin deserve to be wiped off the face of the good earth here and –’ The man did not even have time to finish his declaration of racial hatred. Lee struck with all the strength and fury he could muster. In the dark, the bearded man did not see the swirl of motion as Lee used his skills to spin and deliver his boot to the man’s head. Lee’s assailant crumpled into the dust of the yard with a fractured jaw, blood gushing from his nose. Stunned by the impact, he lay moaning in a semiconscious state.
Lee quickly recovered and could see that the remaining two men were also frozen by what they saw. Without hesitating, Lee charged the second man, who had recovered enough to raise his revolver, pointed directly at Lee, who knew that if he fired at such short range, he could not miss.
The blast took Lee by surprise, especially when he realised he was not hit. It also stopped the man with the revolver short.
‘Go near Mr Lee and I will shoot you, Mr Rice,’ boomed Mary O’Lachlan, standing in the doorway of her cottage. She was silhouetted by the lantern light and holding the shotgun to her shoulder. ‘I would strongly suggest that you and your hooligans get on your horses and ride away, never to return, or I will be forced to defend my honour.’
There was no reply from the well-dressed man, who nodded to the thug with the revolver. ‘C’mon, Ron. Get Kurt on his horse and we’ll go back to the pub.’
Obeying, the bearded man slipped the revolver into his belt and bent to help the man moaning on the ground to his feet and onto his horse, with Mary still holding the shotgun levelled on the man she recognised in the trio. They rode away into the night.
Lee approached Mary, who he could see was trembling uncontrollably, and gently removed the shotgun from her hands.
‘Thank you,’ Lee said. ‘If you had not intervened, I am sure I would be dead.’
Mary looked at Lee and burst into tears. ‘I could not have lived with myself if anything had happened to you,’ she sobbed, falling against his chest. ‘I think I love you, Mr Lee.’
Lee held her with his free arm. ‘I know that I love you, Mary O’Lachlan,’ he said, and gently guided her inside the cottage.
Lee later learned that the man Mary had referred to in the confrontation was the same man who had lured her to the colony. He hoped that they would not have to deal with the man ever again.
*
The sight of Marian caused Josiah to falter as she approached. Everything inside the room seemed to fade away.
‘Hello, Josiah,’ Marian said. ‘I am pleased that your war was over in such a short time and that you have returned to us safe and well.’
‘I wrote to you,’ Josiah said lamely. ‘But I was unable to find any words that would make sense.’
‘I remember you did the same when you were away in Afghanistan those years ago.’ Marian smiled. ‘It is as if history was repeating itself. Do you still have the unfinished letter to me?’
‘I have,’ Josiah replied. ‘I kind of carried it as a good luck token.’
‘How sweet,’ Marian said. ‘My thoughts were with you from time to time. We have much to speak of.’
Josiah knew they needed privacy and excused himself from his family and friends to walk outside to the darkened garden. The rain had broken, and clouds scudded across the face of the stars. It was still chilly, but Josiah had his greatcoat over his damp khaki uniform while Marian was wrapped in an expensive fur coat – a gift from her late lover.
They stood face to face in the dark.
‘Horace has asked for my hand in marriage,’ Marian said seriously without any preamble, shocking Josiah.
‘That bastard,’ Josiah spat. ‘What was your answer?’ he added with a note of anger in his voice.
‘I said I would consider his proposal,’ Marian answered defiantly. ‘A life with Horace promises to be stable and comfortable.’
Her support of Josiah’s archenemy was almost a taunt. He realised that he had little knowledge of the mind of a woman and was well out of his depth in this exchange of life-changing statements.
‘It is your decision and I respect that,’ Josiah said with little conviction. ‘I am sure he can shower you with worldly treasures beyond any woman’s dreams. But . . . do you love him?’
Marian turned to gaze at a small cluster of stars peeking between dark clouds. ‘Love is not enough, Josiah. A woman has the desire for her husband to come home every night to his family and share a life. I do not apologise if I seek a comfortable life with the man I love.’
‘You could consider marrying me,’ Josiah said, and felt how lame his suggestion seemed under the circumstances.
Marian turned to face him. ‘If I said that I have always loved you and probably still do, would you be the man who would come to my bed every night of our life together as a husband for a wife? Or, like your father, would you find excuses to dash off to whatever war comes along, in the name of Queen and country? Isabel has told me that she held the same fears concerning marriage to your father. She practically had to make him sign a written contract to remain in Sydney. Would I need to do the same for you?’
Josiah felt a lump in his throat, considering that he had already decided the deployment with the New South Wales contingent was going to be his last military venture. He was ready to be with the woman he had loved from the moment he first set eyes on her in London. She had been too young then, but had blossomed into a beautiful woman with a demonstrated passion and intelligence.
‘My days of soldiering are over,’ Josiah said quietly. ‘I can promise that I will be putting all my time into office hours with the family enterprises, and the most dangerous thing I will face will be falling down the stairs.’
Marian frowned. ‘If that is true, I will reconsider Horace’s proposal,’ she said. ‘But, like Isabel, I will need to be convinced that you will actually settle down to a life in the business world and be there for me.’
‘It is said that actions speak louder than words,’ Josiah replied. ‘Just give me the chance to prove I am worthy of you.’
Marian smiled and kissed Josiah on the lips with the passion he craved. ‘I think you should return to your party,’ Marian said, drawing away. ‘Otherwise, tongues will be wagging.’
Josiah followed her back to the warmth of the mansion where alcohol flowed, and guests slapped Josiah on the back. But all the time, his eyes were on Marian, and he vowed that he would prove that he could be a stable and reliable man in her life.
*
Douglas Wade was impressed when he was taken by carriage to Government House. The massive building, with its castellated, crenellated and turreted architecture, was surrounded by acres of manicured gardens and was the home and official headquarters of Queen Victoria’s colonial representative in the colony of New South Wales, where he was referred to as the governor-general.
When Douglas was ushered inside, he was impressed by the cedar and teak wood structure, and the walls adorned with expensive artwork. Lord Carrington, also known as Charles Robert Wynn-Carrington, was a high-ranking member of Britain’s aristocracy and his appointment was meant to further his colourful political career. But it was not Lord Carrington who met Douglas but a lowly official in his early thirties, balding and pale-skinned with snobbish airs.
‘Mr Wade, we would prefer that you do not make any direct contact with Lord Carrington,’ he said by way of introduction. ‘Your mission to the colonies smacks of political intrigue and his lordship does not wish to know. You will have a visitor tonight who has come out from London, and your quarters have been prepared. You may take meals in the kitchen, and I need not impress on you the importance of your stay here being kept a secret. If you have any questions, seek me out. I have an office on the second floor which you are free to visit. My name is on the door, Mr Charles Pickworth ESQ.’
Douglas thanked the government civil servant and a valet escorted him to his room. It was small and better suited to a servant, but Douglas did not complain as he knew that any discomfort would be rewarded when the mission was completed. Tonight, he would meet with his colonial contact and, all going well, seek out his old friend, Josiah Steele.
*
Josiah was informed by his father that he had recommissioned Josiah into his militia unit as a captain, and that there might be a position coming up for promotion to major. Marian accepted the compromise once he had promised he would not entertain any idea of ever again fighting in a foreign war for Britain.
Josiah now found himself back in his old office with a view over the harbour, and it was not easy shedding the khaki for an expensive suit as he stood by the window gazing at the ships below. Amongst them was a British man-of-war, and Josiah cast his thoughts back to the short-lived Sudan campaign. There were to be dinners for the returning soldiers in the city, complete with long-winded speeches praising Australia’s first official call to arms, but at least Josiah would catch up with old friends and his soldiers.
A knock at the office door broke Josiah’s thoughtful reminiscences.
‘Mr Steele, I have a gentleman by the name of Mr Wade who wishes to see you. He has informed me that you know him,’ said Maurice, his secretary.
‘Of course, let him enter,’ Josiah answered, a little taken aback that Douglas should be in Sydney. When Josiah had last heard of him, his schoolfriend had a position in a prestigious Westminster department in London.
Douglas entered the office wearing a well-tailored suit and holding a furled umbrella and a bowler hat. ‘Josiah, old chap. Thank you for taking the time to see me when I know you have barely stepped off the ship from the Sudanese campaign.’
Josiah broke into a broad smile. ‘Douglas, what the devil are you doing on this side of the world?’ he replied, extending his hand to his old friend. ‘I never thought that I would see you home again. Take a seat and I will order tea for us.’
‘Thank you, Josh,’ Douglas said, using the pet name he had used when they were at school together. He sat down on a comfortable leather chair opposite a small wooden table. Josiah also pulled up a chair to face Douglas.
‘The last time we met in Bombay, you shanghaied me into a mission in Bavaria,’ Josiah said with a grin. ‘I hope you are here to catch up on old friends.’
‘You know, seeing you alive and well pleases me more than you can realise,’ Douglas said with a frown. ‘But my transfer to Sydney is not simply a social visit.’
Josiah’s smile began to fade. ‘What do you mean?’
‘The Queen once again calls on your unique services to assist the future of the empire on a vital mission,’ Douglas said, toying with the hat in his lap. ‘Your loyalty to the crown is beyond question and the mission is as much a concern for the Australian colonies as for the foreign interests of Britain.’
Josiah stood up and walked over to the window of his office to stare at the ships on the harbour. ‘I made an oath that I would remain here, running our enterprises with my father,’ Josiah answered. ‘The oath was made to the woman I love more than my own life.’
‘This mission would take only a few weeks and not put you in any dire circumstances. We are only asking you to make contact with an old friend in German New Guinea, Maximillian von Kellermann, who is currently undertaking a survey mission for the Kaiser. We know that you have the resources to do so, and it will be very much like your mission to Bavaria.’
‘Intelligence gathering,’ Josiah said, turning to his friend. ‘It is almost like you wish me to turn to the life of a spy.’
‘No, not I, but there are people in the British government who keep you in a special file for important matters of state,’ Douglas countered. ‘I am in that same file as your trusted contact.’
Josiah slumped back into his chair. He was torn over his promise to Marian, but he had to admit to himself that it would be good to catch up with the husband of a woman he once had a crush on but who was now a dear friend. He stared at Douglas, who he could see was feeling some guilt for the meeting. ‘You said the mission is only for a few weeks?’
‘At tops, old chap,’ Douglas replied, his face now showing relief. ‘Nothing could really go wrong. Just a meeting between old friends, like you and me, and home again with a report. I have been authorised to compensate all expenses and it will be seen on your company books as a genuine business enterprise to German New Guinea. View it as a paid holiday to an exotic land.’
Josiah shook his head. ‘I hope your optimism is justified,’ he said with the faintest of smiles. At least he would be able to point out to Marian that he was simply taking a business trip. Both men rose and shook hands.
‘You have an invitation to Government House tonight, but not to meet with the governor-general. There is another man from London who will brief you on the mission. After that, we can open the bottle of good champagne I purchased in France before leaving to return to Sydney,’ Douglas said.
When he was gone, Josiah gazed once again out onto the harbour, where he knew he would be departing on a trip to the mysterious island to Australia’s north.
*
Lee was roughly awakened in the early hours of the morning in his room at his hotel in Townsville. Three burly uniformed police constables shook him out of a deep sleep with the words, ‘Get up, Chinaman. You are under arrest for the attempted murder of a white man.’
Lee knew he was in deep trouble.
