Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [52]
Tyndall slowly took his feet off the desk and stood up. ‘Savour the scene, Mrs Hennessy. The beginning of a commercial empire. You can breathe the sweet smell of success in it all, can’t you?’ he said with exaggerated earnestness.
‘Frankly, all I smell is curry,’ said Olivia with a grin. ‘Whatever is all this stuff?’
‘A job lot. The fellow who sold us the lugger had a stock of supplies he no longer needed. Buyer’s market. Got the lot dirt cheap this morning,’ explained Tyndall with considerable satisfaction.
‘Did it require another bottle of whisky?’ asked Olivia, instantly wishing she hadn’t made such an impulsive response.
Tyndall was stung and stared at her for a moment, then responded angrily. ‘As a matter of fact, yes it did.’
‘Just trying to come to grips with the ways of business in these parts,’ said Olivia lightly, anxious to defuse a situation she felt was getting a little beyond her. ‘Who came up with the name of the company? It’s nice, but maybe I could have put in a suggestion, too.’
Tyndall was appalled. He was just feeling relieved that she had changed the subject from the purchase of the supplies when she swept in under his guard with another punch. Stay calm, he told himself. He hadn’t met any woman who so confused him. ‘It was my idea. Conrad left it up to me … I didn’t think to ask, just assumed you would not be interested.’
‘Olivia … ’ interjected Conrad quickly, but Olivia went on as if she hadn’t heard him.
‘I am very interested, Captain Tyndall. I am a partner in this business, too. I have discussed it with my husband and told him that I would like to be involved in any small way I can. I have very little else to interest me.’
Tyndall understood this as a reference to the loss of her child, but at the same time sensed there was more to this young woman than he suspected. There was a hidden strength beneath that youthfulness, and it was striving for expression.
With quiet politeness he said, ‘Forgive me. It was thoughtless.’
Olivia responded in kind. ‘It’s a pretty name. I hope it augurs well.’
‘How was the tea? Were the ladies pleasant?’ asked Conrad, anxious to change the subject as he found Olivia’s forthrightness a little embarrassing.
‘Yes. It’s strange observing formal customs here. I am expected to call on them over the coming weeks. That will give me a chance to get to know them better, but they certainly enjoy the chance to gossip.’
‘And you must join the Club, Conrad. It will be useful for business as well as for the social activities,’ suggested Tyndall.
Conrad nodded in agreement. ‘Yes, the RM already suggested I should join the Freemasons. And I was rather thinking I’d like to join the Cricket Club, more for the sport than the social side of things. I miss swinging a bat.’
‘Do you belong?’ Olivia asked Tyndall.
‘Haven’t got around to it yet. I’m still considered a bit of a blow–in round these parts. But when I’m more settled, I’ll get around to it.’
He grinned and Olivia had a feeling he was not really about to join an elite white men’s club. Tyndall led a very private and casual life from what Olivia had observed. He didn’t seem comfortable ashore and gave the impression it was a temporary arrangement. He was happiest at sea and living on his schooner.
‘I’m sailing back down the coast and going to hook up with some of the Aborigines who showed me the shell beds. I’ll hire some of them to work the shallow water and dry shell for us. Want to come along?’ Tyndall asked Olivia with a lifted eyebrow.
‘I have work to do here getting our home set up. But thank you for asking,’ she answered, ignoring his teasing air. ‘Next time I will come along,’ she said archly, with a tilt of her head. As she noticed Ahmed by the door, she softened and turned back to him.
‘Thank you for providing Ahmed and the sulky. I feel I made the right impression arriving in style at the Residence.’
They exchanged a quick smile and Conrad turned to Tyndall.
‘I say, that was decent of you. We’ll have to arrange for transport.’
‘Better sell a haul of shell first. I rather hope that Star of the Sea