Hearts of Gold by Janet Woods Page A

top of his face was tanned by the sun and the bottom was still pale.’
    ‘What’s this little hut you’re standing in front of, a native dwelling?’
    ‘No, it was our home.’
    She gasped. ‘You lived in such poor conditions.’
    ‘Most people did. The town was just beginning to grow, with proper buildings, and a railway station. Miners come and go all the time, and don’t want permanent houses. If they can’t find gold they move on, as Mr John decided we would.’
    ‘And I had the temerity to comment on the state of your dress. I’m so sorry.’
    ‘There’s no need to be sorry, since you couldn’t have known. It was Mr John’s home really, but he built me a room on the side with a hessian flap, so I could be private if I wanted to. It was kind of him.’
    ‘I recall he was always a kind man, though tough if he had to be. I always thought it a pity that he didn’t marry again.’
    ‘He was still grieving for his lost wife and daughter when I left him. I offered to marry him so he would never feel lonely.’
    Mrs Lawrence appeared shocked. ‘John Kern is much too old for you.’
    ‘But he needs to feel he has someone to look after. I think I gave him a reason for living. He drank to excess when we met, you see. He began to drink less after he took me in, though sometimes his stomach pained him and the spirits relieved the pain.’
    ‘But he would have known that you offered to be his wife out of pity.’
    ‘I didn’t pity him. I respected him and was grateful to him. I owed him my life, and wanted him to be happy.’
    ‘What a queer little creature you are.’ Mrs Lawrence took the brush from her hand and began to pull it gently through her hair. ‘How did John react when you proposed marriage to him?’
    ‘He said he’d be home in a year and promised he would see how we felt about such an arrangement then.’
    ‘Do you expect him to honour his promise?’
    Sarette heaved a sigh. In her heart of hearts she suspected he might not. Her own thinking was maturing now and she was beginning to believe that John Kern had been sweetening the pill of parting for her. She’d swallowed his lie because she didn’t want to face up to the fact that he wasn’t the hero she’d always thought, but a flawed, troubled, and lonely old man. ‘I think he was telling me what he thought I wanted to hear, but I believe he will honour his promise and return to England.’
    ‘And if he doesn’t come?’
    ‘I promised I’d stay a year and try to improve myself, and that I’ll do. I believe those instructions are in the letters I carried for yourself and Mr Grimble. After that year . . . I have made no plans.’
    Iris Lawrence took the letter from her pocket and handed it to Sarette. ‘I can’t speak for Mr Grimble, but you may read the one he sent to me if you wish to know what those instructions were.’
    Dearest Iris,
    May I introduce my dearly beloved little friend, Miss Sarette Maitland. Sarry has absorbed all the education I’ve been able to give her. I cannot, however, empower her with feminine ways. She has managed to get through my armour and find a soft spot in my heart. She is young for her age and has such a need to be loved. I think I will never forgive her for making me feel joy again when I was happily wallowing in my self-pity. Thus, I’m a sorry excuse for a man, and because I cannot be what she wants then I must send her away before I break her heart, or before she breaks what’s left of mine. I can only think of two true and constant friends who will act on my behalf with the discretion and delicacy this matter needs, especially where Magnus is concerned. Ignatious Grimble will pay all her expenses, and there will be no need to economise.
    Sarry will ask to see this letter because, not only is she curious about everything she’ll need to know what I said about her.
    ‘Hah!’ she said indignantly.
    Sarry dear, I lied to you. When we met I was not looking for you. I was in despair and about to