Ironbark by Johanna Nicholls

‘have a glorious childhood close to nature. Each child has its own responsibilities. We may appear to run wild but we pay our elders strict respect and learn their skills. That’s how I learned herbal medicine.’ She added pointedly, ‘I know the danger of your stepmother growing dependent on laudanum.’
    Caleb reacted with lazy indifference. ‘Physicians prescribe tincture of opium for everything from teething babes to consumption. It cured my hangover once.’ He gave a snort of derision. ‘Herbs! Surely you don’t believe in that witchy stuff?’
    â€˜My grandmother is a great healer who has saved many lives. She taught me about herbs and dukkering .’ Noting his frown she translated. ‘Reading the future. I earned good money for the family at county fairs and grand houses. But only from the gaujo .’
    â€˜I’m a gaujo so you can read mine. Come on, that’s an order,’ he chided. ‘Must I first cross your palm with silver?’ He saw her expression. ‘Meant no offence. Only ask because since childhood I’ve been afraid that I’m fated to die young.’
    It was a charming lie and Keziah gave him a sidelong smile to show she was not fooled by his tricks. With good grace she knelt at his feet and examined the palms of his hands, tracing the lines with her fingerand explaining how he would soon cross the ocean. He was destined to go on a dangerous adventure. She saw him with black men in a desert. Men were dying.
    â€˜Ah, so I am to die young. Told you so!’ Caleb gave a theatrical sigh.
    â€˜Well, dead or alive, you’re quite the hero!’ she said firmly.
    â€˜And what of love?’ he asked softly.
    â€˜You will make and lose many fortunes. Love and lose many women. But one girl is – I don’t know the English word.’ Her hands curled into claws. ‘She won’t let you go!’
    â€˜Tenacious! Gad, Father’s going to marry me off to some dreary heiress. He’s determined I must produce a suitable heir. God knows Sophie’s a failure as a breeder.’
    Keziah felt the cruel sting of his words as she was reminded of her own lost babe. When she resumed reading his palm she was suddenly discomforted by the image of a child’s face.
    â€˜That’s all!’ She abruptly dropped his hand but he was quick to catch her own.
    â€˜Love the prospect of being a hero but I’d rather win one woman’s love. What may I give you in return? Name it. Some little trinket young gels love?’
    â€˜Could I borrow a book from your library – one that will help me learn to read?’
    Caleb seemed surprised by her request. ‘Will do better than that. What say I teach you to read? One hour every day after you’ve finished your work here in the library. Is it a pact?’
    â€˜But Mrs Wills watches me like a hawk. And I’m already resented for being assigned to the library on your orders.’
    â€˜Wills is a servant ! I’ll tell the old shrew it amuses me to teach you to read. What’s the point in being the master’s son if I can’t get my own way?’
    Keziah felt a wave of gratitude. ‘Thank you! I’ll practise every night.’Suddenly wary she turned in the doorway to ask why he would do that for her.
    â€˜I’m bored. You are an antidote.’ He called her back. ‘And when we are alone do call me Caleb. That’s an order.’
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    Their reading lessons became the highlight of Keziah’s day. Although she did not dismiss her grandmother’s warning to beware the gaujo with the big book, her attraction to breaking the magic code of the alphabet to read stories was so great she assured herself she would soon be free to sail away to join Gem. So where was the harm? The ability to read would stand her in good stead in a colony where it was said many could only make their mark.
    Eager to learn,