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from The Settler’s Arms. Will we wait there for George to return with my father’s answer?”
    His grunt of acknowledgement told her everything she needed to know and she tried to visualize the survey maps her in her father’s library at Wordsworth.
    “We’re leaving soon, if you need to freshen up use the creek.”
    His large strong hand rested flat on the ground as he pushed himself to his feet and towered over her. Her breath caught, and when he turned to leave, a wave of regret swept through her.
    His long easy strides covered the distance to the horses and then he stooped to pick up her saddle. Quite capable of saddling her own horse, his thoughtfulness warmed her and she struggled out from under the thin blanket. Her arms and legs cramped when she stood up and she stretched her overused muscles. As they sprang back to life she picked her way across the sand to the creek edge.
    The crystal clear water looked inviting but Lily tossed aside any thoughts of bathing as the icy cold droplets hit her skin. She scrubbed away the dirt and sleep-dust from her face and combed her fingers ineffectually through her unruly ringlets, looking around at the idyllic setting. The startling violet of a creeper growing down the bank of the creek caught her eye and she broke off a length. Winding it around her hair she pulled her curls away from her face. She didn’t need anything to impair her vision today. Her heart lurched with excitement at the thought of making a break for it.
    Be patient .
    She scoured her memory, searching for the picture of the map. If she was right, they would cross the Great North Road at the convict wall and that would be her opportunity to back-track to Laguna and head for Wollombi to rouse the magistrate and the troopers.
    Nero whinnied his welcome long before she had the opportunity to greet Bonnie and Will. She ran her hands down his flanks and realized that someone, Jem or Will she guessed, had rubbed him down the night before. They had done a better job than she had when she’d finally fallen from the saddle, too tired to speak. Obviously they knew how to treat their horses. It was another thing she could cross off her list of concerns for the time being.
    The unexpected harshness of her voice surprised her as it crackled against the riotous morning birdsong. “Good Morning Bonnie, Will.” They turned as one at her greeting their faces bright with promise.
    “It’s such a beautiful morning, isn’t it?” Bonnie’s voice reflected her own growing sense of anticipation.
    The whole party had an air of expectancy as though they were heading off for a day at the picnic races.
    A piercing whistle interrupted Lily’s thoughts.
    “We’re out of here. Let’s go.” Tom’s cry mirrored her enthusiasm.
    She pushed the enticing picture of him astride her large gray-flecked gelding, its white tail flicking in the early sunshine, to the back of her mind. Today was business. She must concentrate and get her bearings. There was little or no point in making a break if she ended up lost in the bush or, worse, back in the hands of her captors.
    Lily settled on Nero’s solid back relishing the security he represented and followed Bonnie and Will down the slight incline . Her spirits soared as she realized there were no lead ropes. The change in attitude was interesting. Today Tom appeared to think her trustworthy. A flash of warmth coursed through her at his misplaced belief but it was pointless worrying about it–it was a trust she intended to abuse before the day was out.
    “I’m right behind you, miss.” Jem’s voice broke the silence and the hairs on her neck prickled. The man was uncanny. She turned toward him; his white teeth shone against the dark skin of his face as he smiled and nodded knowingly.
    She urged Nero forward along the sandy bank of the creek, determined to move to the front of the group where she could see the landscape ahead and plan her move.
     
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    Tom leaned back