Daughter of the Hunter Valley by Paula J. Beavan

Author:Paula J. Beavan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2021-08-24T00:00:00+00:00

Tuesday, 10 April 1832—fine, beautiful weather

It was after lunch by the time Maddy caught up with Daniel, who was with Phil near the kitchen garden. The men had been ploughing a newly cleared field, preparing to plant wheat. Her own morning had been long and arduous after so little sleep; the little she’d had having been disturbed and hardly restful.

‘Good morning, Miss Maddy,’ Phil greeted her, a wide grin encompassing his ruddy features.

‘Good afternoon, Phil,’ Maddy said, emphasising the hour.

‘Is it that already?’ He frowned. ‘Well the day don’t half get away on one.’

Daniel smiled at Phil, but the look he sent in Maddy’s direction was impossible to read.

‘I was wondering if I might have a moment?’ she asked, not meeting his eyes.

‘Right enough,’ Phil said, turning to leave.

Maddy watched him go.

‘What is it you wish to speak about?’

Maddy turned back to look at him; she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

‘Maddy, what is it?’ Daniel’s eyes clouded and he stepped closer to her, one hand outstretched.

‘It’s Luke,’ she gasped around the sob caught in her throat.

‘Luke? Not this again—’

‘No, no.’ She shook her head. ‘I know you aren’t his father,’ she hurried to say.

‘That’s good,’ he said, sounding still uncertain.

‘I’m worried about him—he hasn’t spoken at all since his mother left him here. He just watches us silently. He didn’t even speak when his mother was found.’

Daniel didn’t respond, just watched her, his scrutiny penetrating the carefully constructed facade she’d barricaded herself behind.

‘I am afraid Papa must be Luke’s father.’ Maddy blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay. Her throat ached; she’d said the words and there was no retreating from it now. When Daniel took her arm and led her to the seat on the veranda of his hut, she didn’t resist.

He spoke, calm now and kind as ever. ‘It’s possible, of course, but does it really matter? No matter who his father is, it’s up to you whether you keep him here or send him away.’

Maddy looked up at him through tear-drenched lashes, her heart a rock in her chest. She longed to ask if it mattered to him but didn’t dare.

‘You could acknowledge him, or you can just let him stay on at Shelby and say no more about it if you don’t want to send him to Hawkins,’ Daniel continued.

‘I can’t,’ she said, swallowing hard around the lump in her throat, ‘I can’t send him away.’

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