Over the Blue Mountains by Mary Burchell

Author:Mary Burchell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Harlequin Romance 1960
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

During the next few days, Juliet began not only to get to know something of Melbourne, but also to take the measure of the task she had undertaken in deciding to devote herself, at any rate for the time being, to the welfare of her relations.

She moved from the hotel to the beautiful house overlooking the Yarra. And here—at least so far as making use of her was concerned—she became very much one of the family.

Aunt Katherine, ever ready to lean on anyone who would relieve her of unwelcome tasks or responsibilities, began to look to Juliet in even minor difficulties, and she would not so much as make a telephone call if her niece were at hand to do it for her.

“It depresses me, you see, darling, even to talk to people who have known us in such different circumstances,” she explained.

Juliet pointed out tactfully that she could not live isolated for the rest of her life and that possibly the sooner she persuaded herself to take up the broken threads again the better she would feel. But Aunt Katherine only sighed and said, “It’s all right for you to talk, my dear. Nothing has happened to you.”

Juliet, who was patient by nature, did finally point out that other people had their sorrows and humiliations, too.

“You, do you mean?” Aunt Katherine looked surprised.

“Well, among other people—yes, Aunt Katherine.”

“Oh, but your trouble was a natural one. It must happen to us all eventually. And it’s several months since your mother died,” was what Aunt Katherine said.

“I wasn’t thinking of my mother’s death.” Juliet bit her lip sharply. “Though that isn’t so easily put behind one, either, Aunt Katherine. I was thinking of—of losing Martin.”

Her aunt appeared to recall Martin’s identity with difficulty and, when she did, she exclaimed in a tone of incredulous reproof, “The young man who married some other girl? Oh, my dear child, what a small thing to measure against what has happened to us! Why, you probably had a lucky escape. In fact, you certainly did if he was so unreliable. There are plenty of other young men in the world. Don’t exaggerate your troubles.” She sighed again. “There are enough for us all without doing that.” And then she smiled faintly to show how philosophical she could be about other people’s troubles.

With a great effort, Juliet restrained herself from continuing the argument. After all, she was there to try and comfort her aunt.

Verity, for her part, though she expressed no special gratitude to Juliet, was evidently satisfied to have her take over any tiresome duties that might otherwise have fallen to herself.

She seemed already resigned to the idea of earning her own living during the months of her engagement. But she was adamant on one point. She would not do it in Melbourne.

“Not where people know me,” she exclaimed angrily, when Max discussed the subject with her in front of Juliet. “And not in Adelaide, where I’ll later be known as your wife.”

“But, my dear girl, earning your own living is nothing to be ashamed of,” her fiancé protested.

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