The Plantation - Di Morrissey [168]
‘Did you come to live here when Mai Ling married Tony?’ asked Bette.
‘Yes. I was a widow and I came to help Mai Ling with the children, and of course I stayed when Mai Ling was killed.’
They entered a pretty room with tall windows where a long table was set in a formal English style for afternoon tea. Chinese rugs, porcelain vases and dark carved furniture contrasted with the silver tea service and the gold-edged china. Jellies, cakes and delicate triangle sandwiches were spread along the table. Two amahs and a young nyonya house girl were there to serve them. When everyone was settled, Madam Chang lifted the large silver teapot and poured the golden tea into a fine bone china cup, which she handed to Bette.
Bette unfolded her linen napkin and caught Tony’s eye as he gave her a warm smile. Soon she was relaxed and laughing as the children giggled and told stories about each other. Connie explained to Bette that she had just received her first bicycle, a dark green Raleigh. She couldn’t ride it yet but after tea would Bette please come and watch her practise?
The time passed quickly. When tea was over, they went outside into the garden and Connie showed Bette her bicycle. When Bette showed them that she could ride it, they all clapped in appreciation of her talents. While Bette had an idea of what the rest of the large house might be like and the treasures it contained, it was clear to her that, above all, it was a boisterous, happy family home.
‘You were a big success. The children enjoyed you,’ said Tony as he drove her back to the hotel.
‘They are delightful, and a credit to you.’
‘I must share your compliment with Madam Chang. She is very conscious of her position,’ said Tony. Then he added, with a grin, ‘But she is old now, and she would never have ridden that bicycle!’
‘I hope it wasn’t too unladylike!’ joked Bette.
‘No. And they want you to come again. Perhaps we could arrange an outing?’
‘That would be lovely,’ said Bette and she meant it. Despite the formality and opulence of the Tsang mansion, it was filled with laughter and a sense of cooperation. The atmosphere was very different from the mood at Utopia.
By now Bette was utterly in love with Tony Tsang, and it seemed that he was fascinated with her. But while their passionate embraces held a promise of mutual longing, Tony made no moves to take things further.
Seeing Bette looking rather wistful and thoughtful one morning, Tony asked if everything was all right.
‘I have a letter from my parents. They are concerned about my frittering away my time here. It seems Margaret has told them about my relationship with you.’
‘And they disapprove. Do they say that our friendship would be inappropriate in your society?’ asked Tony.
‘No, not at all. They make no mention of anything like that. My father, however, is concerned about the communist insurgency and the news of attacks on Europeans. There seems to be a lot about it in the Australian newspapers,’ said Bette. ‘He wants me to come home before things get out of hand, as he puts it.’
‘That’s understandable,’ said Tony calmly. ‘Fathers worry about their daughters. Has he suggested that Margaret returns also?’
‘I have no idea. I imagine that he is leaving the decision about what is best for her to her husband.’
‘Then it’s very clear what you should do, my sweet Bette.’ As she gave him a curious look, he said, ‘You must marry me so I will look after you.’ He took her hand. ‘I’ve been wanting to say this for some time. Would you marry me?’
Bette stared at the gentle, loving and humorous man she adored. She’d just loved being with him and tried to live for every moment they were together, not daring to think past each day. She had never dreamed that Tony would offer to be by her side for all the days of her life. But now that the words were there, hanging between them, she knew this was very right. And very wonderful. She flung her arms about him.
‘Oh, yes, Tony. Yes, yes.’
13
Penang, 1950
THE WEDDING WAS INTIMATE, fifty guests at a reception at