by Dilly Court
She felt herself weakening. The tug of physical attraction burned like a fire within her and she was tempted to melt into his embrace, but she had her pride and he was a man with a reputation as a flirt. She was still Miss Lennox of Rainbow’s End and he was a common labourer, but she was mesmerised by his unwavering gaze. She could not break away. He held her in his power just as Svengali had captured Trilby in the novel she had read over and over again, never thinking that it could apply to her. She had prided herself on being a strong-minded woman. She was a suffragist and yet she had fallen under the spell of this man.
She dimly heard the sound of an approaching motorcar but it was not until it pulled up that she looked round and found herself face to face with Rupert and Lady Pendleton.
Chapter Eight
RUPERT’S FACE WAS like thunder as he climbed out of the driver’s seat and strode towards them, resplendent in the uniform of the Rifle Brigade. ‘What’s going on?’ he demanded, glaring at Bowman who had released Daisy and was regarding him with a cynical curl of his lip.
‘What does it look like, Captain?’
‘It looks as though you were being rather too familiar.’ Rupert turned his attention to Daisy and his eyes flashed with anger. ‘Was this fellow bothering you, Daisy?’
‘No, Rupert. You’ve got it all wrong. You know that I can’t stand the sight of blood and I’m afraid I passed out in the butcher’s shop. Such an embarrassing thing to happen.’
His expression changed to one of concern. ‘Are you all right now?’ He placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Let me take you home.’
‘That’s just what I was about to do,’ Bowman said, clenching his fists at his sides. ‘What’s the problem, Captain?’
Rupert shot a scornful look at the motorcycle. ‘You’re thinking of taking Miss Lennox on that suicidal machine? You must be mad. You’ll come with me, Daisy.’
She knew it was useless to argue. Despite his quiet manner, Rupert was not the sort of man to take no for an answer in a situation where he believed that he was protecting her honour. She would have some explanations to make but not now. Her head was aching and her knees felt weak. Whether that was a result of the swoon or the fact that Bowman had held her in his arms, she hardly dared to think. She leaned against Rupert’s brass-buttoned tunic with an overwhelming feeling of relief. He was her friend after all, and he was part of the world she knew and trusted. ‘Thank you, Rupert. That would be most kind.’ She met Bowman’s quizzical gaze with an attempt at a smile. ‘Thank you for being concerned, but as you can see I’ll be quite all right now.’ She allowed Rupert to help her into the back seat of the Prince Henry. Leaning against the padded leather squabs she struggled to control her erratic breathing.
‘What happened, Rupert?’ Lady Pendleton demanded when, having cranked the engine into life, he took his seat beside her. ‘Is Daisy ill?’
‘Just a touch of the sun, I expect, Mother.’ He drove off in a flurry of dust. ‘I’m taking her home.’
Lady Pendleton turned to Daisy with a look of concern. ‘You do look pale, my dear. Perhaps we should send for the doctor.’
‘No, really I am fine now, Lady Pendleton. I have this dreadful tendency to faint at the sight of blood. I thought I’d conquered it enough to shop at the butcher’s, but apparently not.’
‘You poor dear. We’ll get you home quickly and you must lie down in a darkened room with a cold compress on your forehead.’
‘I’m not sure that will be possible. I’m afraid I left my purse and shopping basket in the butcher’s shop. I’ll have to return to the village later anyway as there are things we need urgently.’
Lady Pendleton frowned. ‘You work too hard. I’ll have a word with Gwendoline. I doubt if she realises how much you do for that family of yours. You weren’t brought up to be a skivvy.’
‘Quite right, Mother.’ Rupert changed gear as they approached the sharp bend in the road that had claimed the Humberette. ‘You’ve been taking on too much, Daisy—’ He broke off and swerved as Bowman shot past them on his motorcycle. ‘Damned road hog!’
Bowman lifted his hand in a salute, and as he disappeared from view Daisy noticed that her shopping basket was tied to the parcel carrier on the back of his machine. Rupert took the corner at a much more sedate speed and pulled up outside the stable block. He climbed out of the car. ‘Are you coming in, Mother?’
She nodded. ‘Of course I am. Gwendoline would take it very much to heart if we were to drive off without passing the time of day at least, and I do want a word with her about Daisy.’ She accepted Rupert’s hand as he helped her from her seat. ‘I think it best if I see her on my own.’
Daisy alighted from the car unaided. ‘Please don’t say anything to upset Mother,’ she said anxiously. ‘You must know that her nerves have been in a very delicate state since we were forced to leave the house in Warwick Square.’
Lady Pendleton regarded her with the air of someone who understood only too well. ‘I know that, Daisy. I listen to your mother going on about it every week when she comes to tea, and I have to say I’m running out of patience with her. I don’t wish to be unkind, but one day I will tell her to stop feeling sorry for herself and take control of her life.’ She marched towards the house leaving Rupert and Daisy staring at each other in surprise.
‘By golly, I’ve never heard Mother speak so passionately about anything,’ Rupert said, smiling for the first time since they met that day. ‘She’s quite a force majeure when she’s got a bee in one of her couture bonnets, the cost of which would feed the average working man’s family for a month at least.’
Daisy returned his smile. She had feared for a moment that she had gone down in his estimation, and that hurt more than she could have imagined. ‘I didn’t know that you held such egalitarian views, Rupert.’
‘I hope I’m a fair man. I’ve been brought up to believe that with wealth and privilege comes responsibility.’
‘Noblesse oblige and all that.’
‘You were always making fun of me when we were children. If anyone kept my feet on the ground it was you, Daisy Bell.’ He proffered his arm. ‘Shall we go for a walk in the garden before you go back to slaving in the kitchen like a modern Cinderella? I’ve been dying to talk to you and to apologise properly for my uncouth behaviour.’
She took his arm with a sigh. ‘Me too, Rupert. I should have expressed myself better, but I do care for you, you know that.’
‘Of course I do, and as I’ve got a week’s leave, let’s make the most of our time together.’
‘Will you let me drive the Prince Henry?’
‘Better than that, I’ll get you a driving licence tomorrow, and then you’ll be a legal road user.’
‘That would be absolutely splendid. Thank you.’ As they walked towards the side gate a small sound behind them made Daisy look round. Bowman was standing in the doorway of the coach house smoking a cigarette and judging by the look on his face he had heard every word they said. She looked away quickly, fighting down the desire to rush over to him and explain that Rupert was simply an old friend. She tightened her hold on his arm and they strolled through the kitchen garden and out onto the sunny lawn. He stopped, raising his face to the hot summer sun. ‘This is glorious, Daisy.’ He released her, encompassing their surroundings with an expansive gesture. ‘This is what a soldier fights to protect.’ He looked suddenly bashful like a schoolboy caught writing a love poem. ‘And our wives and sweethearts of course: that goes without saying. I don’t believe in killing but if there is a war I’ll do my bit, just as my ancestors have done in centuries past.’
‘Then let’s hope that the Germans are just sabre-rattling. That’s what Father thinks anyway.’
He gave her a long look. ‘Let’s hope so, but if it does come to war I’d like to know that there was someone special praying for my safe return.’
‘We would all be praying for that, Rupert.’
‘That’s not what I meant and you know it.’ He took
her by the hand, holding it in a firm grasp. ‘Have you changed your mind at all?’ His lips twisted into a wry smile. ‘Is there any hope for us, Daisy?’
She met his earnest gaze with a steadiness that surprised her. It would be so easy to say yes and accept all that he had to offer, but somehow the words stuck in her throat, and it was not only her feelings for Bowman that were holding her back. Somewhere deep in her soul she felt the need to prove herself as a person. Surely there must be more to life than being passed like a chattel from father to husband? Her brief connection with the suffragette movement had given her a taste of freedom of thought if not deeds, but even that was denied her now that she was buried deep in the Essex countryside. Shaking her head, she lifted his hand to her cheek. ‘Not now, Rupert. Maybe never, I just don’t know, and it’s not fair to keep you waiting for an answer.’
He nodded slowly, withdrawing his hand. ‘I see. Well I’ve always admired your honesty, even if it’s hard to take at times.’
‘If you don’t want to see me any more I’ll quite understand.’
‘Good heavens, I’m not as shallow as that. We’re still friends, Daisy, and will always be, I hope.’
‘And you’re all right about things? Truly?’
‘Truly.’ He leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. ‘But I’m not giving up so easily, my dear.’
‘No, Rupert . . .’ she began, but he silenced her by laying his finger across her lips.
‘I’ve promised to take you out in the Prince Henry tomorrow and that’s what we’ll do,’ he said with a rueful smile. ‘I haven’t forgotten that cream tea we promised ourselves on the last fateful occasion when you decided to break my poor heart.’
‘Now you’re teasing me.’
‘Yes, because you look even more delightful when you’re pouting. Unfortunately it makes it even harder to resist kissing you, but I’ll do my best to remember that I’m a gentleman.’ He took her hand and led her back towards the house. ‘Let’s get you indoors out of this hot sun. I was quite forgetting that you’d had a fainting fit.’
‘I did not have a fainting fit,’ Daisy said with spirit. ‘I swooned at the sight of blood. I know it’s silly but I’ve always been like that. Stop treating me like a piece of porcelain, Rupert. I liked you better when we used to play cricket and climb trees.’
‘Those aren’t the sorts of games that grown-ups play, Daisy Bell.’ His deep chuckle was infectious and Daisy found herself laughing with him.
‘Let’s go and find out if my mother and yours are still friends,’ she said, quickening her pace.
‘Or if it’s hatpins at dawn. I can see the headlines on the front page of The Times now.’
‘Don’t,’ Daisy said with feeling. ‘That would be the last straw.’
It appeared that there would be no lurid newspaper scandal involving two ladies fighting to the death with hatpins or any other sharp implements, as the two matrons seemed to be on the best of terms when Daisy and Rupert came upon them in the drawing room. Ruby had managed to put together a tray of tea, although she had set it with odd cups and saucers, and had left the sugar bowl in the kitchen. However, that did not seem to have upset the entente cordiale, and Daisy was more than relieved to see her mother smiling happily.
‘Jane tells me that you’ve been overdoing things, Daisy,’ Gwendoline said, wagging a finger at her. ‘You are a silly girl. You should make Ruby do more. There really is no need for you to parade our misfortunes by going to the shops in person. Write a list and give it to the girl.’
‘Yes, Mother.’ It was useless to argue. Daisy shot a covert glance at Rupert and he gave her an encouraging smile.
Beaming at them both, Gwendoline turned her attention to Rupert. ‘It’s so good to have you home, dear boy.’ She sent a meaningful glance in her daughter’s direction. ‘And I’m sure that Daisy feels the same.’
‘Yes, Mother. Of course I do.’
‘And we hope to see a lot of you while you’re on leave,’ Gwendoline added with an arch look. ‘Make the most of Daisy’s company, because I’m certain that she’ll be snapped up before we know it. Don’t you think so?’
Daisy could see that Rupert had opted for his customary escape route when it came to his mother and her match-making friends, and he was staring abstractedly out of the window allowing all the pointed remarks to pass over his head. She nudged him in the ribs and he took the cue manfully. ‘Er, yes, of course, Mrs Lennox. I agree absolutely.’
Gwendoline’s smile would have out-grinned the Cheshire cat. She glowed with satisfaction. ‘Well, I daresay you two young people will be seeing a lot of each other this week. You are most welcome here at any time, Rupert.’
Lady Pendleton rose to her feet with a rustle of silk and a fragrant waft of L’Heure Bleue. ‘I think it’s time we left, Rupert. We won’t trespass on your hospitality any longer, Gwendoline. I’ll expect you on Wednesday as usual for afternoon tea at Pendleton Park. I’ll send Parkin for you if Rupert is otherwise engaged.’
‘I rather think I might be, Mother,’ Rupert said hastily. ‘Daisy and I have a longstanding appointment with a plate of cucumber sandwiches and some fancies at the Cosy Corner tea rooms in Colchester.’ He winked at Daisy. ‘I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon at two-thirty.’
She smiled and nodded. ‘That will be lovely. I can’t wait to be a legal road user.’
‘What’s that?’ Gwendoline demanded. ‘You’re not going to drive one of those infernal machines, are you, Daisy? If you are then I forbid it.’
‘Yes, Mother,’ Daisy said dutifully, crossing her fingers behind her back.
For the rest of the week Daisy kept out of Bowman’s way, and having returned her shopping basket and purse he made no attempt to see her. She spent all her free time with Rupert who was true to his word and duly purchased a driving licence in her name, allowing her to drive as often as possible in order to become fully proficient behind the wheel. On the last day of his leave they took tea once more in the Cosy Corner café. As they sat chatting amicably Daisy was only too well aware of the curious glances they were receiving from the occupants of the adjacent tables.
‘We make a handsome couple,’ Rupert said, following her gaze. ‘You can’t deny it, Daisy Bell, so don’t pout.’
‘You said that pouting made me prettier,’ she countered. ‘Have you gone off me already, Captain Pendleton?’
‘Are you flirting with me, Miss Lennox?’
The smile died on her lips. ‘I’m sorry. It was said in fun. You really shouldn’t take things so seriously.’
He sipped his tea, eyeing her over the rim of the cup. ‘Sometimes I think you do care for me just a little, and then you drift off somewhere far beyond my reach.’
‘Don’t spoil things, Rupert. We’ve had a lovely time these last few days. Nothing has changed between us.’
‘No,’ he said slowly. ‘Nothing has changed, but I damned well wish it would. With all my heart, Daisy Bell, I’ll love you until the day I die.’
She was aware of the sudden hush around them and she knew she was blushing, which only made matters worse. There was no doubting Rupert’s sincerity but she wished that he had not chosen this moment to declare the extent of his feelings for her. She reached out and laid her hand on his. ‘That is so sweet. I wish that . . .’
He grasped her fingers, looking deeply into her eyes. ‘You wish what?’
She dropped her gaze. She could hear whispers around them and she felt cornered. Her first instinct was to get up and leave, but she could not do that to Rupert. This past week had been one of the happiest she had known for a long time. They were more than compatible and she knew she would miss him terribly when he returned to his regiment. He loved her and perhaps that was enough. Maybe she would grow to love him too. She raised her eyes and was stunned and shocked to see tears standing out on Rupert’s thick and almost ridiculously long eyelashes.
‘What do you want, Daisy? Tell me and I’ll do anything in my power to make you hap
py.’
She bit her lip. She knew she should refuse but she could hear her mother’s voice telling her that she would soon be on the shelf. Her twenty-second birthday loomed and she was a virtual prisoner dependent on her father for everything. Her feelings for Bowman had awakened longings that she had never imagined, and she did not trust herself to resist him for ever. He had only to crook his finger and she would walk into his arms regardless of the consequences. Rupert was offering her a way of escape: the honourable way out.
‘Oh for Gawd’s sake put him out of his misery, love.’ A large overdressed woman with hennaed hair leaned across the aisle between the tables and patted her on the arm. ‘You might never get another chance.’
Rupert gave her a broad smile. ‘Thanks, but if you don’t mind I’ll try and do this myself.’
The woman speared an éclair on a pastry fork and waved it at him. ‘Well get on with it, young man. She’s teetering. I can always tell.’
Daisy wished that the floor would open up and swallow her. She sent a pleading look at Rupert and he rose to his feet. She thought for a moment that he was going to escort her from the café, but to her intense embarrassment he went down on one knee, holding his hand to his heart. ‘Desperate situations call for desperate measures, my darling. Daisy Lennox, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’
The silence was tangible. Teaspoons were held suspended over cups, and all eyes were upon them. Daisy struggled to find a reason to refuse him yet again but she felt herself weakening. He had made his feelings perfectly clear and she was desperately fond of him, even if he did not make her pulses race. They would do well together. She would bow to the social mores that required her to become a good wife and mother and subjugate her desires and ambitions. She looked into his handsome face and before she could stop herself she whispered, ‘Yes.’
For a brief moment he stared at her in disbelief, and as the realisation dawned that she had not rejected him a slow smile spread across his face and he leapt to his feet, drawing her into his arms and kissing her to a spontaneous round of applause. Everyone from the hennaed lady to the waitresses began clapping enthusiastically.
