Mother and asked her to read it. She did so, and smiled. ‘I’m happy for you, dear.’
‘I don’t have to tell him to wait until Father gets home?’
‘Your father has already expressed his approval of Mr Smith… in which I concur. He
is welcome.’ Mother looked thoughtful. ‘Will you ask him to consider fetching with
him his uniform?’
‘Really?’
‘Truly. So that he can wear it in church on Sunday. Would you like that?’
Would I! I told her so. ‘Like Tom did, his first Sunday home. Goody!’
‘We will be proud of him. I intend to ask your father to wear his uniform his first
Sunday home, too.’ She looked thoughtful. ‘Maureen, there is no reason why Mr Smith
should have to put up with Mrs Henderson’s boarding house, or drive clear back to
Butler to the Mansion House. Frank can sleep in the other bed in Tom’s room and Mr
Smith can have Edward’s old room.’
‘Oh, that would be nice!’
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‘Yes, dear. But – Look at me, Maureen.’ She held my eyes. ‘Don’t let his presence
under this roof cause either of you to permit any of the children – including
Thomas, I must add to see, or even to suspect, any impropriety.’
I blushed clear to my collarbones. ‘I promise, chère mama.’
‘No need for promises; just be discreet. We are women together, dear daughter; I
want to help you.’
March came in like a lamb, which just suited me, as I did not want to spend a long
afternoon being primly proper in our parlour. The weather was warm and sunny, with
no breeze to speak of. So on Saturday the fourth I was the perfect shy young maiden,
with parasol and leg o’ mutton sleeves and a silly number of petticoats… until
Daisy had us a hundred yards from the house and out of earshot of anyone. ‘Briney!’
‘Yes, Miss Maureen?’
‘”Miss Maureen,” my foot. Briney, you’ve had me in the past; you can stop being
formal, now that we are alone. Do you have an erection?’
‘Now that you mention it – Yes!’
‘If you had said No, I would have burst into tears. Look, darling, I’ve found the
loveliest place -‘
(Nelson had found it.) There seemed to be evidence that no one else knew of it.
Daisy had to be led through two tight spots, then she could be unharnessed and
allowed to graze – while we two turned the buggy around. Impossible for the mare to
do ir; not enough room for her to back and fill.
I spread the blanket down on a grassy spot separated from the bank by a thick
bush… and undressed while Brian watched me – right to my skin, right to stockings
and shoes.
That spot was certainly private but anyone within a quarter mile must have heard me.
I fainted on that first one, then opened my eyes to find my Briney boy worried. ‘Are
you all right?’ he asked.
‘I’ve never been more all right in my life! Thank you, sir You were splendid!
Terrific. I’ve died and gone to heaven.’
He smiled at me. ‘You aren’t dead! You’re here and you’re wonderful and I love you.’
‘Do you, truly? Brian, are you honestly intending to marry me?’
‘I am.’
‘Even with me disqualified for the Howard Foundation?’
‘Redhead, the Foundation introduced us… but it had nothing to do with me coming
back. I would happily indenture myself for seven years, like what’s-his-name in the
Bible, for the privilege of marrying you.’
‘I hope you mean that. Do you want to hear how I’m disqualified?’
‘No.’
‘So? I’m going to tell you anyhow, because I need your help.’
‘At your service, Ma’mselle!’
I’m disqualified because I’m not pregnant. If you will raise up just a little, I
will take that rubber mockery off you. Then, sir, if you please, as soon as you are
rested enough, I ask you to qualify me. Briney, let’s start our first baby!’
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He surprised me… by being ready again almost at once. Even Nelson could not manage