The Best of Daughters

by Dilly Court

  ‘Whew!’ she said, dumping a carpet bag on the floor. ‘I only just made it.’

  Beatrice gazed at her in open admiration. ‘He was twice your size. How did you do that?’

  ‘Sharp elbows. You got to be quick on your feet where I comes from.’ She glanced at Daisy and grinned. ‘We’re famous, miss. I got me mug plastered all over the papers.’

  Daisy glanced anxiously at Ruby’s shabby piece of luggage. ‘It’s nice to see you again, Ruby, but why are you here?’

  ‘I got fired from me job in the vinegar works, and I thought I’d scarper before me dad discovered that I’d been up before the beak. Very strict about that sort of thing he is. So the long and the short of it is that I come to offer me services to your family. I can cook and clean and I don’t eat much.’

  ‘Oh, Ruby, I’m sorry. But it’s not a good time,’ Daisy said gently. ‘As a matter of fact we’ll be leaving for the country at the end of the week. We won’t be able to take you on.’

  ‘We can’t even afford to pay Mrs Myers and Betsy,’ Beatrice said, nodding in agreement. ‘We’re going to have to look after ourselves and grow our own food. We’re going to be really poor.’

  Ruby folded her arms across her chest. ‘Then I’ll work for nothing, just me bed and board. I got no home, so anything is a step up from the gutter. Now where do I begin?’

  Faced with such determination, Daisy was at a loss. ‘Well, perhaps you could help out just for today. It’s not up to me, Ruby. My mother will have something to say, and I don’t hold out much hope that she’ll take you on.’

  ‘Then I’ll do what you need me to do today, and tomorrow I’ll start looking for another job. Where do I start?’

  ‘She can help you get the cabin trunks down from the attic,’ Beatrice said hopefully. ‘She doesn’t look the sort who would mind spiders and ghosts.’

  ‘That’s right, miss.’ Taking her straw hat off and setting it down on top of her bag, Ruby rolled up her sleeves. ‘Lead on. I ain’t afraid of nothing, except me dad when he’s had a drop or two over the odds.’

  Daisy led the way. She was certain that her mother would object to Ruby’s presence in the house, but when Gwendoline eventually emerged from her room she was too preoccupied with the forthcoming party to make any objections. She seemed to be in a state of denial and astounded Daisy by agreeing that extra help was needed. ‘The girl can stay and help us with the move to the country. We need another pair of hands and I’m far too busy with last minute preparations for the party to think about anything else.’ She shot a searing look at Daisy. ‘Yes, young lady. As usual your father is determined to spoil you. I would cancel the party but he insists that it should go ahead as planned. Think yourself very lucky.’

  Daisy could not help wishing that the party had been called off as she stood between her parents, ready to receive her guests. She smiled until her face ached but very few of the people on her mother’s guest list, with the exception of Rupert, would have been her personal choice. She had lost touch with most of the friends she had made at the expensive girls’ boarding school she had attended. They were either married or lived in different parts of the country too far away to consider travelling to London for a party. The young persons present were all sons and daughters of people whom her mother cultivated for their wealth and position. They were bright young things with very little thought in their heads other than the next social event. As Daisy shook their hands or kissed their cheeks, she was suddenly aware how shallow and brittle these acquaintanceships really were. She suspected that most of these so-called friends would vanish like morning mist if her father were declared bankrupt. The world that her mother had created so lovingly would burst like a soap bubble.

  ‘Daisy, you look positively ravishing.’ A genuinely friendly face beamed at her. ‘Happy birthday, my dear.’ Lady Pendleton squeezed her fingers gently and kissed her on both cheeks, before moving on to speak to Gwendoline.

  Rupert followed in her wake. ‘You do look splendid, Daisy Bell.’ He raised her hand to his lips and brushed it with a kiss. ‘And that must be the gown you almost lost. It’s lovely and so are you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she murmured, smiling up at him. ‘The cabby delivered it to our door.’

  ‘I hope you tipped him well.’

  His infectious grin warmed her heart. ‘Thank you for everything you did yesterday.’

  ‘It was a pleasure, Miss Lennox. And I hope you’ve remembered to save the first dance for me.’

  ‘Move on there, old boy.’ One of Teddy’s friends shuffled up behind him. ‘Don’t hog the gorgeous Daisy. I want to give her a birthday kiss too.’

  Rupert held on to Daisy’s hand. ‘You’d better make certain the lady doesn’t object before you take liberties, old boy.’

  ‘Move on, Tulley, old man,’ Teddy said, nudging his friend impatiently. ‘Let’s get the formalities over. I could do with a drink.’

  Rupert winked at Daisy as he walked away. ‘See you in a while, Daisy Bell.’

  She shook Tulley’s hand, keeping him at arm’s length. ‘Good evening, Bobby. Let’s keep this formal, shall we?’

  ‘You’re a hard woman, Daisy Lennox. A dashed heart-breaker.’

  ‘Except that his is made of India rubber and it bounces back every time,’ Teddy said, chuckling. ‘Do hurry up, Tulley. A chap can die of thirst standing here.’

  When the last guest had been welcomed Daisy moved away from her parents and was immediately claimed by Rupert. His smile was replaced by a look of genuine concern. ‘How goes it?’

  She glanced around, making certain that no one was listening. ‘It’s awful. Mother is beside herself although she’s putting on a good show tonight, and poor Father hasn’t said much, but I know he’s desperately worried. I could kill that wretched man Carlton.’

  ‘You and several hundred others, I should think.’

  ‘I know. It’s terrible. Father is going to sell the London house in the hope of paying back at least some of the money that Carlton embezzled. We’re leaving for Rainbow’s End at the end of the week.’

  ‘I’ve always loved that name. When I was a boy I was convinced that a crock of gold was buried in your garden.’

  She smiled. ‘Yes, I remember. You and Teddy decided to dig up the vegetable beds and were severely punished. At least, Teddy was, and I suppose your father was furious too.’

  ‘I couldn’t sit down for a week after the beating I received. But I still love that old house. I believe it used to be the dower house in the eighteenth century, but the dowager Lady Pendleton at that time considered it was too small and had another one built overlooking the lake.’

  Daisy sighed. ‘I can’t imagine what it must be like to have all that family history to fall back on. As far as I know my grandfather was a tea merchant and gambled away most of his money on the horses. Mother’s side of the family isn’t well documented although she’s convinced that they had blue blood running in their veins. She’s taking this very badly.’

  ‘If there’s anything I can do? Please don’t be afraid to ask.’

  She met his anxious gaze with a smile. ‘You’re a good friend, Rupert.’

  He was about to respond when Beatrice rushed up to them, clutching an over-full glass of lemonade. ‘Rupert, dear Rupert. Mother won’t let me have a proper drink. Will you be a darling and put a dash of gin in my glass?’

  ‘Certainly not,’ Rupert said, tweaking one of her curls. ‘This is Daisy’s party. We don’t want you falling down drunk and disgracing the family.’

  ‘That’s rich considering the state we’re in at present.’ Beatrice tossed her head, scowling. ‘And the cost of all this would keep us for a year in the country. We’ll be living off bread and jam next week.’

  ‘Bread only, I’m afraid.’ Daisy managed to keep a straight face. ‘It will always be jam tomorrow, never jam today.’

  ‘Oh, you beast!’ Beatrice flounced off in the direction of her brother and Bobby Tulley, who were chatting
over drinks.

  ‘Never mind her,’ Rupert said, chuckling. ‘You can always have the pick of the kitchen garden at Pendleton Park. We won’t allow young Bea to starve.’

  Daisy glanced over his shoulder. ‘Here comes Mother. I’d better circulate.’

  ‘Let’s give her something to think about, Daisy Bell.’ He took her hand and tucked it through the crook of his arm, turning to face Gwendoline with a smile. ‘Wonderful party, Mrs Lennox.’

  The frown lines on Gwendoline’s brow were wiped away in an instant. ‘How kind of you to say so, Rupert.’

  ‘And I hear that we might soon be neighbours. Daisy tells me that you’re thinking of spending more time at Rainbow’s End. Mother will be delighted and so will I. It will be like old times.’

  ‘I hadn’t looked at it in quite that way, but I’m sure you’re right.’ Gwendoline smiled vaguely and moved away to speak to a middle-aged couple who had just arrived.

  Daisy gave Rupert’s arm a gentle squeeze. He always managed to say exactly the right thing when dealing with her mother. He could charm her out of a mood simply with a smile. She wished that she possessed a similar talent. ‘Let’s not think about tomorrow. I’d love some champagne.’

  ‘Then champagne you shall have.’ He beckoned to a waiter who was circulating with a tray laden with brimming glasses. Taking two, Rupert gave one to Daisy. ‘I expect you’re wondering why I haven’t given you a birthday present.’

  She sipped, eyeing him over the rim. ‘No. Well, perhaps I did, just a little.’

  ‘I’m not joining my regiment for a couple of weeks, so in between fittings at Hawkes, I thought I’d spend the time at Pendleton Park.’

  ‘That will be nice.’

  He grinned. ‘And even nicer, I plan to give a certain young lady driving lessons.’

  She stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words. ‘You’re going to teach me to drive?’

  ‘I thought you’d prefer that to a bicycle made for two or a gold watch.’

  ‘You know that I’ve always wanted to get behind the wheel. You are so thoughtful, Rupert. I could kiss you, but I don’t want to give everyone the wrong idea.’ She would at least have hugged him, but they were standing in the middle of the dance floor, and the head waiter chose that particular moment to announce that dinner was served.

  Rupert proffered his arm. ‘What’s the betting that we’re seated next to each other, Daisy Bell?’

  ‘Odds on, I should think, and I had nothing to do with the seating plan. Mother has arranged everything.’

  Beatrice almost knocked them down as she rushed towards the top table. ‘I’m absolutely starving,’ she muttered crossly. ‘I thought the formalities would go on forever.’

  As expected, Rupert had been placed next to Daisy at the top table. A covert glance from her mother confirmed her suspicion that this had been arranged with one thought in mind. She gave Rupert an apologetic smile as he held out her chair. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Subtlety isn’t a word in my mother’s vocabulary.’

  He took his seat beside her. ‘Let her enjoy her moment of triumph, old thing. I fear she’ll come to earth with a bump when all the excitement is over.’

  Daisy glanced at Beatrice, who was seated between Teddy and Bobby. Someone had given her a glass of wine and she was imbibing with relish. Bea might suffer in the morning but maybe she had the right attitude. Perhaps money and status were, as Daisy had suspected all along, terribly overrated. A fresh start in the countryside would prove an exciting challenge for the whole family. She turned to Rupert with an eager smile. ‘What make of car do you drive? Do you think I’ll need many lessons?’

  Chapter Four

  Summer 1913

  ‘STEADY ON, DAISY. The speed limit’s twenty miles per hour.’ Holding his hat on with one hand, Rupert clutched the side of his sports car with the other. ‘You’re not on the race track at Brooklands,’ he added, chuckling and ruining the effect.

  ‘Spoilsport.’ She reduced speed with the greatest reluctance. ‘But it’s so easy to go fast in this car, and it’s the best feeling in the world. Almost like flying.’

  ‘You’re doing really well, considering there’s been such a long gap between your lessons, but I’ll be most upset if you damage my beautiful new car.’

  ‘Mother would have a fit if she could see me now. She thinks I’ve gone into town to change my library book.’

  Rupert relaxed against the padded leather squabs, his smile fading. ‘How is she coping? It must be almost a year since you moved to Nutley Green.’

  Daisy concentrated hard as she negotiated a sharp bend in the road, stamping on the brake as she came across a herd of cows. ‘Damn,’ she breathed, resting her head on the wheel. ‘That was a close one.’

  ‘That’s why I told you to slow down. These narrow country lanes are devilish difficult, and there’s nowhere to go other than the ditch if you meet something coming the other way.’ Rupert patted her on the shoulder. ‘Cheer up. No harm done.’

  Gaining control of her breathing as the erratic beating of her heart slowed down, Daisy straightened up. ‘You were right, and I was getting carried away. Sorry, Rupert, but at least I didn’t damage your beautiful red Prince Henry.’

  ‘One of Vauxhall’s finest,’ he said proudly. ‘And I wouldn’t be sitting here calmly if you’d scraped the wing of my pride and joy, especially as I’ve got to report back to the barracks first thing in the morning.’

  She looked straight ahead, watching the cows as they meandered on their way towards the farm gate. ‘You’ve had such a short leave. When will you get another one?’

  He grinned. ‘You only love me for my motor car.’

  ‘You won’t catch me out that way. Oh, look, the cows have gone, and I’ve stalled the engine.’

  ‘Yes you have. So you’d better get out and crank the starting handle.’

  She pulled a face. ‘That’s not very gentlemanly. Besides which I can hardly walk in this silly hobble skirt.’

  ‘Well, you girls will be slaves to fashion. I’m surprised you allow the dress designers to dictate to you in that way.’

  ‘Don’t tease. I still support the suffragists even if we do live too far away from London for me to take an active part in the movement.’ She opened the car door and climbed out, moving slowly as the tight skirt made it impossible to take anything other than tiny steps. She turned the handle a couple of times without any luck and was about to lose patience when Rupert came to her aid.

  ‘I wanted to see just how much of an independent woman you are, Daisy Bell.’ He took it from her and the engine started at one turn. ‘She recognises her master’s touch.’

  Daisy hit him with her driving glove. ‘You brute.’ Laughing, she returned to the driver’s seat. ‘Get in quickly or I’ll drive on and leaving you standing.’

  He vaulted in beside her. ‘No chance of that, my dear Daisy Bell.’

  She drove off, accelerating slowly. ‘When are you going to stop calling me that ridiculous name?’

  ‘I don’t know. Perhaps when you give me your answer.’

  ‘To what? You haven’t asked the question.’

  ‘Ah, now that’s the point. If I proposed to you now you would almost certainly turn me down.’

  She could never quite tell when he was teasing her and she shot him a covert glance. ‘Of course I would. We’re more like brother and sister. It simply wouldn’t work.’

  ‘Maybe not, but every time I hear that song it reminds me of you.’ He leaned back, closing his eyes as the sun beat down on them and the summer breeze tugged at his tweed cap. ‘Tomorrow I’ll be back in uniform, and I’ll think of this when I’m out on manoeuvres or writing reports. I’ll remember the warm sun on my face and the soft breeze filled with the scent of clover and warm grass, and I’ll see you with the wind in your hair and roses in your cheeks.’

  She slowed the engine and turned her head to give him a searching look. ‘You sound as though you’re going to
be away for a long time. Is there something you aren’t telling me, Rupert?’

  He responded with a lazy smile. ‘Of course not, but there’s just a chance that we might be posted abroad.’

  ‘We’re not fighting anyone at the moment, are we?’

  ‘We live in uncertain times, Daisy. With the continuing troubles in the Balkans, and Germany mobilising more troops, you never can tell what might happen.’

  ‘Don’t spoil a lovely day with that sort of talk, and please don’t mention it in front of Teddy. He’s been dying to join the army ever since you got your commission. His heart was never in the business and he absolutely hates living in the country.’

  ‘But I heard that your father is doing well now that he’s started up again, albeit in a much smaller way than before.’

  ‘I believe so, although he doesn’t talk about it at home. He goes off to his office in Colchester every morning and returns again in the evening. Teddy is forced to go along with it because he has no alternative, but if war was declared he’d be one of the first to enlist, I know it.’

  ‘Poor chap. I feel for him.’

  She braked as they reached the crossroads. ‘Don’t tell him what I said. It wouldn’t take much to make him kick over the traces and be off. It would break Mother’s heart, and Father would have to manage on his own since he can’t afford to take on staff. At least he’s always saying he has one foot in Carey Street, and I believe him.’

  ‘I’m sure it can’t be as bad as that. Look out, there’s a horse and cart to your right.’

  ‘I saw it coming before you did. Which way now? Perhaps we ought to go home.’

  ‘I’ve a better idea. Let’s go into Colchester and find a tea room. I have a sudden fancy for cucumber sandwiches and fancy cakes.’

  ‘All right, but you’d better take the wheel when we get to town. Father would have a fit if he saw me driving your motorcar. He hasn’t quite forgiven me for getting myself arrested last year. I think both my parents are worried that I’ll take up with the suffragette movement again.’