Margaret Way - Beresford's Bride

What exactly is mine? Toni wondered, mulling over her conversation with Byrne. The station was only breaking even. There was little ready cash. Unlike Cate, she wasn’t an heiress, though her share of Nowra if she sold out would make her secure.

“You look so serious, poppet. What are you thinking about?” Kerry folded his hands behind his head.

Toni smiled, her face soft with affection. “I’m thinking it feels like I’ve never been away.”

He glanced across the garden, stripped back to low maintenance. “Why did you never come home, Toni?” he asked, old suffering in his eyes. “I’ve asked myself that question every day. I missed you so much. It was terrible without Dad. He needn’t have died. Septicemia. God! I told him about that gash, but he didn’t seem to think it was serious. Byrne got him into hospital. Flew him there himself, but Dad’s resistance was low—” He broke off, distressed. A tall, handsome young man, an all-over golden brown—hair, eyes, skin.

“Don’t, Kerry,” she begged. “I know how it was.”

“You can’t, Toni. You weren’t here.”

“For which I’ll always mourn. I was a victim of circumstance. So was Zoe. We never wanted the terrible mix-ups to happen.”

“Then why did she drop the name Streeton, for God’s sake?” he asked.

Toni closed her eyes, trying to contain an unwarranted sense of guilt. “It was all meant to be, Kerry.” She sighed fatalistically. “Zoe had started a new life. She’s into playacting. You know that. When the police finally worked out exactly who she was and where, it was all too late. She was shocked out of her mind. Overcome by remorse. She couldn’t even get her courage up to tell me for days. The funeral was over. She reasoned there was nothing we could do.”

“God!” Kerry rose abruptly and went to the balustrade, staring into infinity. “Isn’t that typical Zoe. She never could make the right decision.”

“She tries hard to, Kerry, but she never learned how.”

“You should have come home.”

“I’m so sorry,” Toni answered quietly.

“There’s more to this, isn’t there?” He turned to confront her. “You’re always protecting Zoe. You did when you were only a little girl and someone said something about her. She doesn’t deserve all this devotion, Toni.”

“Yes, she does.” Toni felt her eyes sting with tears. “She’s my mother. She’s a child. She’ll never be finished with growing up. For a time she went off the deep end. She was distraught. It was almost as though she had killed Dad herself.”

“Well, didn’t she?” Kerry nearly choked with tears.

“She didn’t understand that, Kerry, when she walked out on him.”

“Us.”

“I know it’s hard. Zoe didn’t love any of us in the way we wanted. It’s a fact of life, and it has to be accepted. On the other hand, she can’t bear to be on her own. She told me she’d kill herself if I went off and left her.”

Kerry stared at her, looking incredulous. “Zoe wouldn’t kill herself for anything. Unless she lost her looks or her money. Our money. She bled Dad dry. Fancy getting paid for adultery.”

Toni went pale at his deep core of anger.

“Did you believe she was serious?” Kerry asked.

“It wasn’t any suicide trial, Kerry. She landed herself in the hospital. A couple more pills would have swung it.”

For moments he didn’t answer. Then with a haunted look, Kerry crossed to his sister, went down on his haunches, held her hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Defending Zoe is a habit,” she said simply. “It was a side of Zoe I didn’t want you to know about. She’s like a snappy little sports car without a brake. I was the brake.”

“That I believe.” Kerry’s voice was thin and strained. “It would have upset me, too. I hope I don’t have a child like that. It must be in our genes.”

“I pray Zoe is a one-off,” Toni answered soberly. “I know I attract a lot of flack because of her. From your prospective brother-in-law, for one.”

“Byrne?” Kerry’s eyebrows shot up. “I wouldn’t think Byrne would want to hurt you or give you a bad time. He’s not like that.”

“He doesn’t think much of Zoe,” she said wryly.

“No one thinks much of Zoe, poppet, and that’s a sad fact. I was so worried she’d try to change you. Turn you into some frivolous doll. I remember how she always wanted to dress you like one, and you hated it. When you didn’t come back, we all thought she’d won you over. You were only a kid when you left.”

“I grew up quick.” Toni looked back on the years with a kind of disbelief.

“Is she really coming home for the wedding or was that a lot of hot air?” Kerry asked.

“In as much as anyone can count on Zoe, the answer’s yes.”

“You haven’t fallen in love yet?”

“One mildly passionate affair.”

“So what happened?”

“He got too possessive. I don’t like that. Besides, I’m not ready to settle down for a long, long time. When I marry I want it to be forever. Like you and Cate. I’m so thrilled for you, Kerry. It must be wonderful to meet that one special person who makes up your other half.”

“That’s the way it’s always been with us,” Kerry said, a deep contentment in his voice. “I’ve always loved Cate. Even when we were kids. She feels the same way about me. We’ve always been sure of our feelings.”

“Lucky you.” Toni felt a lump in her throat. “And it’s going to be a great big wedding.”

“The wedding of the year.” He smiled. “It’s not every day a Beresford marries.”

“And a Streeton. Don’t let’s forget that,” she said briskly.

“You’re going to make a gorgeous bridesmaid.” Kerry spoke with pride. “In fact, you’re going to put Andrea Benton’s nose out of joint.”

“Why’s that?” Toni felt uneasy.

“Don’t you know?”

“Nope.”

“She’s got her sights set on. Byrne.” Kerry put his cup down and leaned forward confidentially.

“Really? She’s a brave woman, indeed, to set her sights so high.”

“Mad about him,” Kerry told her, nodding owlishly.

“I thought every woman around was mad about him.”

“True, but then Byrne has very exacting standards.”

“Of course. I’m not that stupid I forgot.”

“Had quite a crush on him one time, didn’t you?” Kerry teased.

“You speak one word about it and I’ll kill you,” Toni threatened, spoiling it with a sweet, easy smile.

“My lips are sealed,” Kerry said in a cheery voice. “I wish you’d stay, Toni.”

Toni hesitated, shook her head. “Impossible, kiddo. Two’s company, three’s a crowd.”

“I need you,” he said quietly. “I love Catherine, but I need my sister, too. My own blood.”

“Understandable.” She felt warmed. “We don’t really have anyone, do we? The Beresfords have a whole army of relatives.”

“Which reminds me. Joel’s quite mad to see you again.”

“Good Lord, why?” Toni was disconcerted.

“You can’t be serious?” Kerry stared at her, trying not to laugh. Toni never did have any vanity about her looks. Neither did their mother, for that matter.

“Indeed I am. Joel was only a kid when I left. We always got on, but there was no great rapport, like you and Cate.”

“The thing is, you’re all grown up now. So’s he.”

“This has nothing to do with matchmaking, has it?” she challenged him, astonished.

Kerry thought. “Something has to keep you home,” he said finally.

Toni looked at her brother directly, holding his eyes. “I’m not ready for marriage, Kerry. Much less to a Beresford.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I wouldn’t care to have to dance to Byrne’s tune,” she said, with a slight flush. “He has a lot of power and influence over his entire family.”