Married. She grinned falteringly at her reflection. Joshua was going to be in for a monumental shock when he returned and she told him the stupendous news. But, ultimately, he would be happy and rejoice with her. How could he not? And they would be married at the end of summer (which was as quick as decency versus a swelling belly could allow), when the Earth flowers were at their peak and the granaries were full from the second harvest. Her bulge probably wouldnt show, not with an adequately designed dress. Genevieve would adore being chief bridesmaid. There would be huge marquees on the lawns for the reception. Family members she hadnt seen for years. It would be the biggest celebration in Stoke County for decades, everyone would be happy and they would dance under the neon-red night sky.
People might guess because of the speed. But Joshua was going to be her fathers business partner in this exciting mayope venture. He was rich, of good blood (presumablyhow else would he inherit a starship?), a fine manager able to take on Cricklade. An eminently suitable (if unusual) match for the Cricklade heir. Their marriage wouldnt be that extraordinary. Her reputation would remain intact. And the Kavanaghs respectability would remain unblemished.
After the wedding they could travel Norfolks islands for their honeymoon. Or maybe even to another planet in his starship. What was important was that she wouldnt have the baby here, with everyone noting the date of birth.
Real life could match up to her most fantastical daydreams. With a fabulous husband, and a beautiful baby.
If Joshua ...
Always, if Joshua ...
Why did it have to be like that?
The lone Romany caravan stood beside a tall Norfolk-aboriginal pine in a meadow which until recently had been a site for more than thirty similar caravans. Rings of flat reddish stones confined piles of ash, cold now. Grass along the bank of the little stream was trampled down where horses and goats had drunk and people had scooped water into pails. Several piles of raw earth marked the latrines, their conical sides scored with fresh runnels, evidence of last Duchess-nights rain.
The caravan, a hybrid of traditional design riding modern lightweight wheels, had seen more prosperous times. Its jaunty and elaborate paintwork was fading, but the wood was sound. Three goats were tethered to its rear axle. Two horses waited outside, one a mud-spotted piebald shire-horse with a wild shaggy mane which was used to pull the caravan, the other a black riding stallion, its coat sleek and glossy, the expensive leather saddle on its back polished to a gleam.
Grant Kavanagh stood inside the caravan, stooping so he didnt knock his head on the curving ceiling. It was dark and faintly dusty, smelling of dried herbs. He enjoyed that, it brought back sharp memories of his teenage years. Even now, the sight of the Romany caravans winding their way through Cricklades wolds as midsummer approached always made him feel incredibly randy.
The girl pulled back the heavy curtains hanging on a cord across the middle of the caravan. Her name was Carmitha, twenty years old, with a big broad-shouldered body, which, Grant knew with depressing instinct, would be horribly overweight in another six or seven years. Rich black hair hanging below her shoulders harmonized with dark, smooth skin. She had changed into a flimsy white skirt and loose-fitting top.
That looks fantastic, he said.
Why, thank you, kind sir. She curtsied, and giggled effusively.
Grant drew her closer and started to kiss her. His hands fumbled with the buttons down the front of her blouse.
She pushed him away gently, and removed his hands, kissing the knuckles lightly. Let me do that for you, she said coquettishly. Her fingers moved down to the top button in a slow, taunting caress. He looked in delight as her body was exposed. He pulled her down onto the bed, immensely gratified by her ardour.
The caravan squeaked as it started rocking. A hurricane lantern hanging from a brass chain on the ceiling clanged loudly as it swayed gently to and fro. He barely heard it above Carmithas exuberant whoops of joy.
After a time which was nowhere near long enough, he came in drastic shudders, his spine singing raptures. Carmitha quickly squealed, claiming multiple orgasms were nearly making her swoon.
He collapsed onto the bed, prickly blankets scratching his back. Dust mingled with sweat and trickled among the curly hair on his chest.
By God but summer conjunction makes life worth living, he thought. A time when he could prove himself again and again. The Tear crop had been one of the best ever; the estate had made its usual financial killing. He had tumbled nearly a dozen young girls from the grove teams. The meteorological reports were predicting a humid month ahead, which meant a good second harvest. Young Joshuas audacious mayope proposal could only add to the familys wealth and influence.
The only blot on the horizon was the reports coming out of Boston on the disturbances. It looked like the Democratic Land Union was stirring up trouble again.
The Union was a motley collection of reformists and political agitators, a semi-subversive group who wanted to see land distributed fairly among the People, the foreign earnings from the sale of Norfolk Tears invested with social relevance, and full democracy and civil rights awarded to the population. And free beer on Friday nights, too, no doubt, Grant thought caustically. The whole blessing of a Confederation of eight hundred plus planets was that it gave people a massive variety of social systems to choose from. What the Democratic Land Union activists failed to appreciate was that they were free to leave for their damned Communistic workers paradise as soon as the workshy little buggers earned enough cash to pay their passage. But oh no, they wanted to liberate Norfolk, no matter how much damage and heartache they caused in the process of peddling their politics of envy.
A chapter of the Democratic Land Union had tried to spread its sedition in Stoke County about ten years ago. Grant had helped the countys chief constable round them up. The leaders had been deported to a Confederation penal planet. Some of the nastier elementsthe ones found with home-made weaponshad been handed over to a squad of special operations constables from the capital, Norwich. The rest, the pitiful street trash who handed out leaflets and drank themselves into a coma on the Union-supplied beer, had been given fifteen years hard labour in the polar work gangs.
There hadnt been sight or sign of them on Kesteven ever since. Some people, he thought sagely, just never learn. If it works, dont try and fix it. And Norfolk worked.
He kissed the crown of Carmithas head. When do you leave?
Tomorrow. Most of my family has already left. There is fruit-picking work in Hurst County. It pays well.
And after that?
Well winter over in Holbeach. There are many deep caves in the cliffs above the town. And some of us get jobs in the harbour market gutting fish.
Sounds like a good life. Dont you ever want to settle down?
She shrugged, thick hair sloshing about. Be like you, tied to your cold stone palace? No thanks. There might not be much to see in this world, but I want to see it all.
Better make the most of the time weve got, then.
She crawled on top of him, calloused hands closing round his limp penis.
There was a pathetic scratching knock on the caravans rear door. Sir? Are you there, sir? William Elphinstone asked. The voice was as quavery as the knock.
Grant chopped back on an exasperated groan. No, Im not in here, thats why my bloody horse is outside. What do you want?