Epilogue

Sydney, New South Wales, 1836

The clipper ship slipped into Sydney Heads at dusk. The southern sky blazing orange as the sun said goodbye on yet another day. A breeze blowing from the south cooled the air that made the temperature more comfortable to tolerate. The sweet salty smell of the Pacific Ocean permeated the air. Sydney town rose up out of the terrain like a welcome oasis.

Lady Annabelle Pembroke stood on the bow of the ship, her beloved husband of four years standing next to her. She took a big lung full of air as she brushed the hair of the little boy that stood next to her. Robert's and her son was born two years ago. Named Edward after his maternal grandfather he was on his way to meet him for the first time. She looked lovingly over to her husband and took his hand, resting her head on his shoulder.

Isabelle and James as well had made the trip with their best friends. They were married two weeks after Robert and Annabelle, and Isabelle had given birth to a daughter eighteen months after. They had named her Caroline after her maternal grandmother, whom they all loved very much. They were excited to see where Annabelle had grown up and put places to names they had heard about so many times before.

Catherine, Agnes, and the Duchess of Canterbury had been ostracised from society due to their treatment of Annabelle and some would say got their just desserts. Agnes and Catherine were not yet married and probably never would be, leaving them to become spinsters. They lived alone with just themselves for company, no one called on them, and they chose not to go out. They would die alone.

"My goodness Annabelle, it is so hot," Isabelle exclaimed fanning herself.

"Yes it is, but you will get used to it. I assure you Isabelle," Annabelle replied laughing. "It will be cooler when we reach the mountains."

"We shall stay in an inn tonight I shall think, and then head off in the morning," Robert said, looking at his wife.

"Yes it is too far to go tonight," Annabelle agreed, nodding her head. "I should tell Uncle Henry and Aunt Helen that we are about to dock."

Leaving her son with Robert, she walked to their stateroom and knocked on the door.

"Aunt Helen, Uncle Henry we are about to dock," she called out.

"Thank you my dear," her aunt replied. She opened the door and she walked out with her husband, their servants manhandling the trunks that they had carefully packed.

Together they walked up onto the deck and joined their friends at the gangplank, waiting to disembark. Annabelle could not wait to set foot on Australian soil for the first time in 5 years. She had not seen her father since he had given her away at her wedding. A week after her wedding, she placed her bouquet on her mother's grave. The only time she had visited since she arrived in England. Her father found it too painful to ever go back and see it.

They walked down the gangplank and stood on the dock. They surveyed the hustle and bustle of the busy Circular Quay, admiring the busy port. Annabelle took charge, shepherding everyone up to a big wooden building that sat a few hundred metres away. A sign announced that they were entering Westbrook & Gilbert Woollen Mills. They walked through the big wooden doors and Annabelle walked up to the middle aged lady seated behind a large wooden desk.

"Good Evening Anna," Annabelle said.

"Miss Annabelle, when did you arrive? I did not know you were coming," Anna replied, coming out from behind the desk. "My you do look well."

"It is a surprise for my father," Annabelle replied. "Is Amos in his office?"

"Yes, yes he is, shall I announce you?" she asked.

"No that will be fine, he is expecting me," Annabelle replied.

She introduced her family and friends before leaving them and heading for Amos Gilbert's office. Anna hurried off to get some tea for the new arrivals.

"Good Evening Amos," she said, poking her head through his office door.

"Ah Annabelle, I am so glad you are here," Amos said, enveloping her in a hug.

"Please I would like to introduce you to my husband and my son," she replied, returning the hug. "My other friends are also here."

"Yes of course," he said, following her out into the reception area.

After Annabelle made the introductions, they made their way to a small inn where they would spend the night before embarking on the final stage of their journey, to the Snowy Mountains where they would meet her father. Amos had kept Annabelle's secret so that their visit was to be a surprise for Edward. After a hearty meal, they all retired to their rooms to get some rest.

The next morning they awoke early and boarded a carriage to take them to their final destination. Annabelle's eyes shone with excitement, she would soon be home in the place that she loved most in the world. Everyone looked out of the carriage windows in wonderment, looking at the strange fauna flashing past in a blue-green blur.

"Tell me Annabelle, what sort of trees are they?" Helen asked.

"They are Eucalyptus trees Aunt Helen," Annabelle replied. "If you crush the leaves, you can make oil that will help you breathe through a cold. Koala's also eat the leaves."

"What are Koala's," Robert asked, squeezing her thigh.

"They are really cute; they look a little bit like a teddy bear. When we get to the mountains we should see plenty of them," Annabelle explained.

They spent the rest of the journey firing questions at Annabelle and she tried to answer them as best she could. Annabelle was starting to recognise the terrain as she got closer to her father's house and before they knew it were pulling into the yard. The house had not changed much since she had left the same house she knew and loved. Her father sat on a chair on the porch enjoying a beer and looked at the stopping carriage. Annabelle alighted from the carriage and began to run across the yard toward her father. His eyes lit up as he recognised who it was.

"Oh Bella, what a pleasant surprise," he said and enveloped her into a hug.

"Papa, I have bought others with me," Annabelle replied. Taking her father by the hand, she led him toward the carriage.

He watched as Isabelle, James, Henry, Helen, Baby Edward, and Baby Caroline all came out of the carriage. He had tears in his eyes as Annabelle introduced him to his namesake, with the blonde hair of his mother and the green eyes of his father. He shepherded them toward the house and left the servants to deal with the luggage.

"Come into the house," he said. "Tell me about your journey."

Edward II fell in love with his grandfather almost instantly. He sat happily on Edwards lap while the others told him of their journey from England. He listened intently until they had finished and surveyed the happy faces around him. There had never been this many people in house at one time and at times it had felt lonely. It was getting late so they decided to call it a night and Annabelle would show them around in the morning.

Annabelle and Robert reached their room and Robert put his arms around his wife, holding her close.

"You have come alive, more so than usual my love," he said, nuzzling her neck.

"I must admit it is good to be home, if just for a little while," she replied as she led him into the bedroom.

They got ready for bed and fell asleep in each other's arms, their son sleeping soundly beside them.