In the Land of the Long White Cloud

who could not break away from her conversation with Lady Barrington, watched nervously as he spoke to Fleur. From all appearances, he was behaving courteously and turning on his charm. Fleurette smiled shyly at first but then let herself be drawn freely into conversation. Judging from the expression on Fleur’s face, Gwyneira guessed that the pair were talking about dogs and horses. Otherwise, she could not imagine Fleur looking so attentive and engaged. When Gwyneira finally succeeded in tearing herself away from Lady Barrington and strolled nonchalantly in their direction, her suspicions were confirmed.
    “I’d be happy to show you the mare, of course. If you like, we could go for a ride together tomorrow. I got a look at your horse; he’s quite lovely!” Fleurette seemed to have taken a liking to the visitor. “Or are you leaving tomorrow?”
    Most of those present would be riding back to their farms the next day. The organization of the punitive expedition had been determined, and the men proposed to raise a number of people in the area willing to take part. Several of the sheep breeders wanted to go along themselves; others promised to contribute a few armed riders.
    John Sideblossom shook his head though. “No, Miss Warden, I’ll be staying a few days. We agreed to assemble the men from Christchurch here and then to ride to my farm together. That will be the home base for all further activities. That being the case, I’m happy to take you up on your offer. My stallion, by the way, has some Arab blood. I was able to buy an Arab a few years ago in Dunedin and crossed our farm horses with him. The results have been very nice—sometimes a bit lightweight though.”
    At first Gwyneira was relieved. As long as they were discussing horse breeding, he would behave himself. And perhaps Fleur actually liked him. John Sideblossom was well respected and owned roughly as much land as Gerald Warden, although it was not as good. He was rather old for Fleur but even his age lay within the bounds of acceptability. If only she didn’t have such an uneasy feeling about him. Ifthe man didn’t seem so cold and unfeeling. Then, of course, there was the situation with Ruben O’Keefe. Fleurette certainly wouldn’t take leave of her love without a fight.
    However, Fleur seemed to take pleasure in John Sideblossom’s company over the next few days. The man was a keen rider, which Fleur liked; he told exciting stories; and he proved to be a good listener. Beyond that, he had charm and a willful manner that the girl found attractive. Fleur laughed when, while skeet shooting with Gerald, John Sideblossom did not aim for the clay pigeon, but instead shot one of the shabbiest roses in the garden from its stem.
    “The rose of roses!” he said—true, it was not very original, but Fleur appeared flattered. Paul, however, looked out of sorts. He had looked up to John Sideblossom ever since hearing Gerald’s stories about him, and now that he knew him in person, Paul practically worshipped him. John Sideblossom, however, hardly gave the boy a second look. Either he was drinking and talking to Gerald, or he was trying to win over Fleur. Paul considered how he could manage to reveal his sister’s true face, but no opportunity to do so had presented itself yet.

    John Sideblossom was a rash, impulsive man who was used to getting what he wanted. He had selected Kiward Station in order to mobilize the Canterbury Plains’ sheep breeders, but once he got to know Fleurette Warden, he quickly decided to resolve another outstanding problem. He needed a new wife—and he had unexpectedly met a suitable candidate here. She was young, desirable, from a good family, and clearly well educated. At least for the first few years, he’d be able to save on a tutor for little Thomas. An alliance with the Wardens would also open more doors to high society in Christchurch and Dunedin. If he had understood correctly, Fleurette’s mother even came from British nobility. The girl seemed to be a bit wild, and the mother obviously could be imperious. John Sideblossom certainly never would have allowed his wife to participate in the management of the farm, let alone direct the herding. But that was Warden’sproblem; he’d put Fleurette in her place soon enough. That said, she was welcome to bring along any animals she loved—that mare would bear fantastic foals, and the sheepdogs were a definite gain too. But as soon as Fleurette got pregnant, she