Faith laughed. “How about somebody reads it aloud while we make dinner?”
“Georgie should,” Tess said. “She found it.”
“Good idea.” Darcy passed around drinks, and they settled at the kitchen table, Amy and Brandon chopping vegetables to go in a stir-fry.
Georgie gingerly turned the brittle pages of the journal, scanning the contents.
“Start from the beginning,” Lara said. “I want to hear it all.”
Georgie read about Lilian’s unhappiness with the wedding and her shock at discovering she was going to Australia on the convict ship, Retribution. Only a week into the voyage, things got interesting.
4 October 1870
I awoke early this morning. Not only does Reginald snore most disagreeably, but the bed is uncomfortable, and a bell tolls every half hour to mark the passage on watch. Over time I am sure to become used to it, but at the moment everything is still new and different. With the sun up, I decided to go for a walk about the deck. The aft has been set apart for those of us on board who haven’t committed a crime, however when I emerged from my cabin, many of the sailors seemed shocked to see me. Perhaps it was the early hour. When I reached the aft, I looked down upon the deck to see a group of men taking a turn in the early morning air. The wardens were with them, but the men weren’t chained and did not look like the type of convict I had imagined. In fact, aside from their matching clothing, one would not have been able to distinguish them from people one might meet at a luncheon.
The first mate approached and bid me to return to my cabin. On my query, he told me the men were Fenian prisoners, Irish political prisoners sentenced for treason.
I pretended more shock than I felt, for I had regularly read my father’s newspapers and knew of how the Fenians strive for an Ireland independent from England. I will admit some sympathy for their cause, for I have longed to be an independent woman, but society will not allow me to be.
Then something miraculous happened. One of the sailors cried, “There she blows!” and in the water not far from us was a huge whale, leaping and slapping its fins. I must have shrieked in delight, as a voice with an Irish brogue called, “Magnificent aren’t they?”
One of the Fenians was speaking to me! He was perhaps a few years older than me, with the same colour black hair as Reginald’s, and a cheeky grin. I will admit my heartbeat increased at his smile and familiarity, but before I could answer, one of the wardens chastised him and dragged him away.
He glanced once over his shoulder at me, and the first mate insisted I return to my cabin.
My thoughts return to the man more often than I would like. He, like myself, had no choice over the voyage we both find ourselves on and his smile brightened my day. It is the first affection I have received since starting this journey. Reginald is busy with his papers and rarely smiles. I hope in time he will share his worries with me and I will be able to share whatever burdens him.
The kitchen was silent. Georgie glanced up. “Lilian doesn’t seem thrilled with her marriage.”
“She had no say in the matter,” Amy pointed out. “It can’t have been easy.”
“I like the sound of the Fenian prisoner,” Faith said. “It’s nice she received some affection.”
Georgie continued reading the details of Lilian’s three-month journey to Australia—her frustration and boredom with the other passengers, her despair at the lack of attention from Reginald. It was not a marriage to be envied.
Disappointment filled Georgie. She had always fantasised their ancestors had had a strong and loving relationship, although there’d been no evidence to support such an idea.
The only joy for Lilian had been her limited interactions with the Fenian convict, John.
“It sounds as if she admires John more than her husband,” Amy said.
Georgie nodded. “He sounds like a nicer person.” Reginald was secretive, spending hours locked in their cabin going over paperwork or talking with the other men on board. He refused Lilian’s attempts to engage in conversation and her offers to help him with whatever he was working on. Only occasionally he’d play cards with Lilian and a couple on board who Lilian despised.
By the time dinner was ready, the journal noted that the ship had reached Fremantle, and Lilian and Reginald were staying in a hostel with no permanent housing arranged.
“Let’s stop while we eat,” Darcy suggested.
“Da-ad,” Lara protested.
“We don’t want to get food on the journal,” Darcy responded.
Lara’s pout caused Georgie to smile as she put the journal on the counter behind her.
Everyone dished up faster than normal, keen to get back to Lilian’s story. Darcy tried for conversation. “How was school, pumpkin?” he asked Lara.
She grimaced. “All right, I guess. I’ve got homework.”
“Need any help with it?” Ed asked.
