Free Mary's Guardian by Carol Preston Page B

you feel the need to repeat yourself a few times.’ She giggled.
    ‘Then I’ll be sure to tell you every day.’
    ***
    Within the month they were settled at Rose Hill in their own small tent in a row set aside for married couples. Though they worked as hard as they’d ever done each day in the garden plots and fields of crops, in the evenings they were happy to sit together over a meal, chat about the day’s achievements and its challenges, plan for the future and then blow out the lamp and lie together, sometimes continuing their talks till late into the night. Other times they enjoyed the pleasures of loving and being loved, learning about each other’s needs, forgetting all the frustrations and hardships of their existence as they gave themselves completely to each other.
    ***
    ‘We’re doing well, you know, Mary,’ William said one evening as they finished up a small plate of vegetable stew. ‘I know we’ve little to show for it yet ourselves but the word is that the Governor’s very pleased with the progress out here at Rose Hill. He’s going to have his own residence built here. He sees this place as the hope of the colony’s food production. Crops that failed badly around the cove have thrived here in the village. The plots around here have already produced around two hundred bushels of wheat, sixty bushels of barley and some oats, Indian corn and flax. And we’ve been here less than a year.’
    ‘Everyone says it’s because of that young James Ruse, who’s been telling us how and what to plant.’
    ‘Yes, he’s one of the few who’d done some farming back in England so he knows more than most of us. And he’s a jolly hard worker. That’s why the Governor gave him his two acres out here.’
    ‘And he was given seed and farming implements,’ she emphasised. ‘And his land was cleared for him by convict labour.’ Her eyebrows rose pointedly.
    ‘That’s true.’ William nodded. ‘So you see how hard work pays off eventually. We’ll do the same, you’ll see.’ His face lit up hopefully. Mary had been a little down-hearted lately and he was afraid she was getting despondent again. ‘There’s a rumour the Governor will give more grants of land, Mary. We’ve done more than a lot of others around here so perhaps we’ll be in the running.’ William was excited by the prospect.
    ‘I hope so, Will. I’m not pleased to be workin’ so hard and getting’ no recognition for it.’
    ‘Come now. Perhaps you’re extra tired because of your condition. You need to rest more.’ He was concerned with the dark circles under her eyes, the sallow colour of her skin.
    ‘How can I rest up an’ still be seen to be a hard worker?’ she snapped. ‘Anyway, you’re just assuming I’m pregnant and the last time I thought I was it turned out not to be so, didn’t it? And likely this time will be the same. I’ve tried resting up, Will. I’ve tried being careful. Nothing seems to be working. I don’t understand why I’m not having a baby yet. There must be something wrong with me.’
    ‘I don’t want you talking like that, Mary. There’s nothing wrong with you at all. These things just take time. We need to get you healthy, is all. So just ease up a bit out there in the fields. And stop your worrying. I’m sure that does no good at all.’ His voice was firm, though he rubbed her back gently.
    She sighed heavily and rested her head on his shoulder for a few moments. ‘You’re always so positive. I don’t know how you do it.’
    ‘Practice, girl. Just practice.’ He patted her knee gently.
    ‘No, it’s your nature, Will. You’ve been made different to me. Different to most, I reckon.’
    ‘We’re all different, my love. All with our strengths and weaknesses. You’re a treasure to me and I’d not be without you for the world.’
    ‘Even when I’m grumpy?’ She leaned into him.
    ‘Even then,’ he nodded.
    ‘Even though I can’t give you a son?’ She hid her head in his shoulder,