Free And Those Who Trespass Against Us by Helen M MacPherson Page B

to discuss the cost of wheat, or compare the latest new machinery. Her actions are entirely inappropriate for a woman of her upbringing. Her mother would roll in her grave..." She suddenly stopped, and raised her teacup to her lips.
    "Ladies, I thank you for your concern." Katherine attempted to look pious as possible. "However I feel it is most un-Christian-like to speak about someone who is not here to appropriately respond to your queries. If I feel my presence is not suited to the Pelham property, then I will reconsider your magnanimous offer." Despite her efforts to make it clear as politely possible the subject was now closed, it didn't assuage the number of questions Katherine had. Just how old was Catriona, and how had she managed to escape marrying anyone? These were questions only Catriona could answer. But how could Katherine broach them?
    The remainder of the afternoon passed uneventfully, with Katherine's energy and patience flagging as the soiree drew to a close. Thankfully, at precisely three-thirty a servant quietly announced the arrival of Miss Pelham. Having said her goodbyes, Katherine was again escorted outside by Mrs. Greystone. Here the same ritual was played out as had occurred earlier, with no words being passed between the three of them.

    CATRIONA SAID NOTHING until the wagon was well out of earshot. She had known what the soiree would hold for Katherine. She'd be bled dry on subjects she knew barely anything about from a group of women who were living out a fantasy. They would casually banter, have lunch, and then the inevitable question would come. Catriona had steeled herself for Katherine's imminent departure. Perhaps it was for the best, she thought. Living on a property remote from the rest of population and prey to bushrangers isn't the lifestyle for a sister, and neither was being badgered by a cantankerous Pelham.
    Unable to wait any longer, she adopted what she hoped was a casual tone, "So, whose residence will you be living in during your stay here?"
    "I think you already know the answer to that. I could no sooner see myself living in the household of any of those ladies than I could see myself living in the original sister's accommodation you showed me last night. But if I'm to stay with you and your brother, I need to know what's going on." Katherine turned and faced Catriona. "I don't know what one has done to the other, but you and Mrs. Greystone, and the rest of the ladies' committee for that matter, are rather cool toward each other."
    "I'll tell you when we get home." Catriona remained calm, but inside, she was elated. She'd felt sure her over-reaction that morning would have resulted in Katherine being more than willing to pack her belongings and move into town. How had she managed to do it? Those women, whom she thought of as bloody cattle ticks, could be very convincing when they wanted to be. Catriona would bet money that they'd badgered her non stop on why she wasn't married. But how could Catriona explain that to her?

    PULLING THROUGH THE gate to the property, Katherine had her first real glance of the Gleneagle homestead. That morning she'd been too engrossed in preparing herself for her wagon lesson and her trip into town to take much notice. To the front of her were two main buildings and a selection of lesser-sized huts.
    "Your house is lovely."
    "Thank you."
    Katherine pointed. "What are those buildings there?"
    Catriona motioned with her head. "The one with the window, closest to the house, is a laundry. The other without the windows, with a conical roof is our smokehouse or curing shed. Unfortunately it's one of the only ways we can manage keep meat from going off in this climate. And that final structure is obviously the barn."
    "Your home fits in so much better than Mrs. Greystone's residence. Hers looks more like a city house than one suitable for the country."
    Catriona shrugged. "There's no accounting for taste." She brought the wagon to a halt. "I'll help you off