by Dilly Court
She slid off the seat and made her way out of the coach house and round the side of the house to the back door. Pausing only to pat her hair in place, she opened the door and went inside. Ruby pounced on her as she entered the kitchen. ‘You’ve been ages. What happened?’ She recoiled, staring at Daisy’s face. ‘What’s the matter, miss? You’ve been crying. Has that brute upset you?’
Daisy glanced round anxiously. ‘Is Iris here?’
‘No, she’s very late. Tell me what happened. If he’s done anything to make you cry I’ll go down there right away and give him a piece of my mind.’
‘Don’t get excited, Ruby. It’s bad for the baby. I made a mistake going to see Bowman but he was quite reasonable, for him.’
‘Then what’s wrong?’
‘I don’t know. Everything, I suppose. It’s just not fair. None of it is fair.’ Daisy stiffened as she heard the click of the latch on the outside door. ‘That must be Iris. I don’t want her to find me in the kitchen. We’ll talk later.’ She hurried from the kitchen without giving Ruby a chance to argue. She raced upstairs to her room and shut the door, leaning against it and covering her face with her hands to muffle a sob. What had she done? Her cheeks burned and her heart pounded against her ribs like a wild animal trying to escape. At best she had made a complete fool of herself. At the very worst she had been forced to face the fact that far from being over, her affair with Bowman had barely begun.
She paced the floor, wringing her hands. Life had been so much easier in London, especially since she had joined the FANY. While she was training she had felt part of something great and important, but returning home had brought her face to face with feelings that she had strenuously denied in the past. Even so she could not quite believe that she had fallen in love with a man who was so far beneath her in every way. She had agreed to marry Rupert, her childhood sweetheart, for that was what he was in essence. Rupert was everything she could ever want in a husband, but her pulses did not race whenever she saw him. Her body did not cry out to be possessed by him, and his kisses did not send her into paroxysms of delight.
Her heart felt as though it would explode and she could not breathe. She went to the window and flung the casement open, leaning out to take deep breaths of the frosty morning air. A sulky dawn had split the dark sky open to reveal heavy clouds that threatened snow. There was a smoky taste to the air and as the sharp east wind fanned her hot cheeks she began to feel calmer. Rupert would arrive some time later in the day and she must greet him as if nothing had changed. He deserved better than a wife whose heart belonged to another, but she would take care that he never discovered the truth. She closed the window and went to her dressing table to tidy her windblown hair. She stared at her reflection and was amazed to see the face of innocence gazing back at her. None of her inner turmoil was apparent and for that she could only be thankful. She hoped that Rupert would not look into her eyes and see her troubled soul. Only she herself and Bowman knew her dark secret, but she was not sure whether she could trust him to keep it to himself. Perhaps she ought to confess everything to Rupert and start married life with a clear conscience.
Daisy was standing on a stepladder decorating the Christmas tree that Jimmy Gurney had felled from the woods and delivered to Rainbow’s End earlier that morning. As she reached up to put the star on the topmost branch she heard the sound of a motorcar engine.
‘I’ll bet that’s Rupert,’ Bea said, running to the window. ‘Yes, it is. How handsome he looks. I wish Jimmy would enlist in the army so that I could see him in uniform.’
‘I’m sure you don’t really,’ Daisy said, standing back to admire her efforts. ‘You wouldn’t want him to be sent into battle.’
‘There won’t be a war. Father says so.’ Beatrice hurried from the room, calling over her shoulder. ‘I’ll let him in. You’ve got pine needles in your hair, Daisy. Look in the mirror and you’ll see.’
Daisy raised her hand to her forehead and grimaced as she felt the tiny green spikes sticking out of her hair. She was halfway across the room when Rupert appeared in the doorway. He held out his arms. ‘Daisy Bell. How wonderful you look.’ He rushed forward to give her a hug and brushed her lips with a kiss. ‘I’ve missed you so much, my dear girl. Have you missed me?’
‘Of course she has,’ Beatrice said, grinning broadly. ‘Kiss her properly, you idiot. Don’t mind me.’
He chuckled. ‘Thanks, Bea. I don’t need permission to kiss my fiancée.’ He threw his peaked cap onto a chair and claimed Daisy’s mouth in a tender kiss.
She struggled free, laughing. ‘Not in front of the child. She’s much too young to see such things.’
Bea stuck her tongue out. ‘I’m nearly seventeen I’ll have you know, and quite grown up for my age. I’ve been kissed.’
‘I wouldn’t let Mother hear you say that or she’ll never allow you out of the house again.’ Daisy met Rupert’s enquiring look with an attempt at a smile. ‘It’s wonderful to have you home again. Won’t you take a seat? I’m sure that Bea would love to fetch something for you from the kitchen.’
He sat on the sofa, pulling Daisy down beside him. ‘No, I’m fine, thanks. Parkin picked me up at the station so I went home first, said hello to Mother and then I came here to see my beloved.’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘How are you, darling? You look a bit pale.’
‘She’s healthy as a horse,’ Bea said dispassionately. ‘Daisy has never had a day’s sickness in her life.’
Torn between annoyance and laughter, Daisy pointed at the door. ‘Kitchen, Bea. Go and see if lunch is ready. We might persuade Rupert to stay and eat with us after all.’
‘Oh, all right. Spoilsport.’ Bea flounced off, stamping her feet on the polished oak floorboards as she crossed the hallway.
Rupert wrapped his arms around Daisy. ‘How have you been, darling? Did you miss me?’
She lowered her gaze, unable to look him in the eyes. ‘Of course I did, but I have a confession to make. I wanted to tell you before anyone else did.’ She felt him tense and unwillingly she raised her head. His ingenuous look of concern, bereft of suspicion and totally trusting, speared her heart like a knife thrust. To tell him about Bowman would be like kicking a puppy.
‘What is it you have to tell me, sweetheart? It can’t be anything too terrible, I’m sure.’
‘I – I . . .’ She gulped and swallowed. ‘I’ve joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, Rupert.’
He let out a long sigh. ‘Is that all?’
‘You don’t mind?’
‘Why should I? I think they’re a brave bunch of women, although I wouldn’t want to think that you were risking life and limb.’
‘I’m not,’ she said hastily. ‘It’s all terribly well organised.’ She put her head on one side, studying his face in an attempt to read his thoughts. ‘Most men disapprove heartily, and the army refuse to recognise us. I was afraid you might want me to give it up.’
‘Absolutely not, my love. If it makes you happy and gives you something to do that you feel is worthwhile then I’m all for it. To be honest I’d rather you were affiliated to the FANY than to the suffragists. It’s probably a lot safer, just so long as there isn’t a war, but I can’t imagine that the authorities would allow women to risk their lives on the front line.’
‘No,’ Daisy said doubtfully. ‘I suppose not.’
He placed his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer. ‘Anyway, I’m home now even if it is only for a short while. We’ll make the most of it, and Mother has invited your family for Christmas luncheon. You will come, won’t you?’
‘Of course we’d be delighted to accept.’ Gwendoline breezed into the room, holding her arms outstretched. ‘My dear boy, how lovely to see you again.’
He rose hastily to his feet and suffered her embrace with a stoicism that Daisy could only admire. Really, she thought, Mother can be so embarrassing at times. She stood up. ‘Rupert and I were just going for a spin in the motorcar, Mother.’
‘
Really?’ Gwendoline stared at her blankly. ‘I thought that Beatrice said he was staying for lunch.’
Taking his cue from Daisy, Rupert nodded his head. ‘It’s terribly kind of you, Mrs Lennox, but perhaps another time. I was rather hoping that Daisy would come home with me. It’s the Pendleton Park servants’ Christmas luncheon today. It’s a long established custom. The family waits on the staff and I thought Daisy might like to help this year.’
‘Of course I would,’ Daisy said enthusiastically. ‘Lady Pendleton has done so much for me, Mother. It’s the least I can do.’
Gwendoline sank down on a chair. ‘Oh, well, if it’s for dear Jane, then of course you must go, Daisy.’ She brightened up a little. ‘But we’ll all be there tomorrow, Rupert. Do tell your mother that we’re looking forward to it immensely.’
Daisy grabbed Rupert’s hat and thrust it into his hand. ‘Come along then. Am I dressed for the occasion, or should I change?’
He took her by the hand. ‘My darling, you would look perfect wearing a potato sack, but what you’ve got on is absolutely fine. Good day, Mrs Lennox. Please give my regards to your husband and Teddy.’
Leaving Rupert in the hall, Daisy went upstairs to her room and slipped on the fur motoring coat and tasselled turban that Lady Pendleton had insisted on buying for her, and for once she was glad she had accepted such a generous gift. She took a pair of fur mittens from her dressing table drawer and a long scarf which she wound round her neck. It was going to be cold driving in an open car but she did not mind. It would be wonderful to escape from reality even for a short while. She went downstairs to join Rupert, and as soon as they were outside and safely out of earshot she gave him a questioning look. ‘Did you make that up about the servants’ Christmas lunch?’
‘Of course not. It is perfectly true, but all my ghastly relations have descended upon us for the festive season, and as no one was expecting me to arrive this early they were prepared to go ahead without me, so if you would rather do something else . . .’
Daisy climbed into the passenger seat of the Prince Henry. ‘Actually, if you don’t mind, I think I’d rather go for a drive and perhaps have lunch somewhere quite a long way from here.’
He closed the door and went round the front of the car to crank the starting handle. As soon as the engine kicked into life he vaulted into the driver’s seat. ‘What a splendid idea. I know a delightful riverside pub where they serve the best trout I’ve ever tasted and treacle tart that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.’
‘That sounds wonderful, Rupert.’
‘And I want to have you all to myself for a couple of hours at least. I don’t want to share you with anyone, Daisy Bell.’ He patted her hand as it lay in her lap. ‘Have I told you recently that I love you, darling?’
They enjoyed lunch in an ancient hostelry decorated with boughs of holly and hung with mistletoe. A log fire roared up the chimney in the ingle nook and as they sat and talked over their meal of warming vegetable soup followed by grilled trout, it seemed as though they had never been apart. Daisy had almost forgotten what a charming and amusing companion Rupert could be and she relaxed in his company, putting the morning’s events out of her mind. He even allowed her to drive home. It felt as though they were an old married couple, content in each other’s company with few surprises to come as they parted with an affectionate kiss at the front door of Rainbow’s End. Daisy waved goodbye as he drove off, but she could not help comparing their comfortable relationship with the passion she had experienced in Bowman’s embrace. She rattled the door knocker but when no one answered she walked briskly round to the back of the house. It was late afternoon but already dusk and tiny flakes of snow fluttered about her head like confetti. She entered through the scullery door and found the kitchen in darkness. Iris must still be up at the big house, but where was Ruby? She lit a lamp with a spill from the range and went through to the drawing room, but that too was deserted. As she ascended the stairs she could hear gentle snores emanating from her parents’ room. She smiled, deciding that Mother must be taking her afternoon nap, although she would soon be demanding a cup of tea and there was no one in the kitchen to answer her bell. Of Bea there was no sign.
Daisy went to her own room and divested herself of her outer garments. Perhaps Ruby was also taking advantage of the quiet afternoon, putting her feet up. Daisy had no idea how a pregnant woman would feel, but she knew they needed rest. She went up the final flight of stairs to the attic rooms and was about to knock on Ruby’s door when she heard a faint moan. ‘Ruby, are you all right?’ She opened the door and stepped inside.
Chapter Eleven
‘RUBY?’ HOLDING THE lamp high, Daisy stepped into the room. The shadows flickered and shifted beneath the eaves but she could make out a figure lying on the narrow iron bedstead.
‘Help me,’ Ruby groaned, clutching her belly. ‘It’s the baby, miss. I think it’s coming before its time.’
Daisy placed the lamp on the pine chest of drawers. ‘It can’t be, Ruby. It’s much too early.’ She leaned over the bed and was horrified to see Ruby’s face contorted with pain. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead even though it was bitterly cold in the attic room, and an icy wind whistled through the gaps in the tiled roof.
‘I’m losing it. I seen it happen to me sister.’ Ruby pointed to a dark stain on the coverlet. ‘I’m bleeding to death.’
Recalling her home nursing lessons with difficulty, Daisy adopted a brisk tone. ‘No, you’re not. I’m here now, and I’ve been trained to cope with this sort of thing. You’ll be fine. I’m not going to let you die.’ She spoke with more confidence than she was feeling, and her knowledge of childbirth was limited to having read a few pages devoted to it in the nursing manual. ‘Perhaps I’d better go for the doctor.’
Ruby reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing it with surprising strength. ‘No, don’t do that. No one must know about this. I’ll lose me job if your ma gets wind of what I’ve done.’
‘But I don’t see how I can keep this a secret. You need proper medical attention.’
‘It’ll be over soon. I told you I seen this before. Stay with me, please.’ Another violent contraction robbed Ruby of speech and she stuffed her hand into her mouth to stifle a cry of pain.
Daisy waited until the spasm had passed. ‘All right, I understand, but I must leave you for a few moments. We’ll need clean towels and warm water, and we don’t want Iris coming upstairs to look for you.’ She patted Ruby’s limp hand. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can. Don’t be afraid, Ruby dear. I’ll take care of you.’
It was easy to say but Daisy was inwardly terrified. This was the first real test of her nerve and her ability to deal with a difficult and potentially life-threatening situation. The sight and smell of blood was already making her feel faint and nauseous. She escaped from the attic room to lean over the banisters, taking deep breaths. This was not the time to give in to a phobia that had plagued her since childhood and she made her way downstairs, stopping outside her mother’s bedroom door. She knocked gently and receiving a faint reply she went inside.
Gwendoline raised herself on her elbow, blinking at her in the lamplight. ‘What’s wrong, Daisy? Where’s Ruby with my cup of tea?’
‘That’s what I came to tell you, Mother. Ruby is unwell. She must have eaten something that disagreed with her and she isn’t in a fit state to do anything.’
‘Oh dear, I hope none of us ate the same thing. I do feel a little nauseous.’
Daisy backed towards the door. ‘I’ll send Iris up with your tea, and I’ll look after Ruby.’
‘Do you think we ought to send for the doctor?’
‘I think she just needs rest and quiet, Mother. I’ll see to everything.’
Gwendoline lay back on her pillows. ‘You’re a good girl, but you mustn’t get sick. What would Rupert say if he knew that you were nursing a servant?’
‘He’d say well done, Daisy. He’s a soldier, Mother. He’s seen far worse t
hings than someone with an upset tummy.’ She left her mother to think about this and hurried downstairs to the kitchen. She found Iris riddling the coal in the range in an irate manner that did not bode well.
‘I’ve just come to tell you that Ruby is quite poorly,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘I’m afraid you won’t have any help this evening, Iris.’
‘There’s nothing prepared, miss,’ Iris said sulkily. ‘I’ll have to start dinner from scratch and it’s Christmas Eve. We’re all supposed to go to midnight mass.’
‘And I’m sure you’ll be finished well before then. Keep it simple and you can go as soon as you’ve served dessert.’
‘What about the washing up, miss?’
Daisy smiled. ‘It won’t be the first time that my sister and I have had to do such a chore, Iris. After all it is very nearly Christmas and I wouldn’t want to make you late for church. The family will be guests at Pendleton Park tomorrow so you may have the day off.’
Iris bobbed a curtsey. ‘Thank you, miss.’
‘I’ll need a jug of hot water. Ruby’s been very sick and I’m looking after her, so there’s no need for anyone to venture to her room, just in case it’s something catching.’
‘Oh, I won’t go anywhere near her, miss.’
‘Quite right. I won’t be dining with the family either, so if you’ll leave something cold for me that would be quite sufficient.’
‘Yes, miss.’
Daisy filled a jug with water from the kettle and was making her way upstairs when Beatrice called to her from the hallway. ‘What’s up with Ruby? Iris made it sound as though she’s got the plague.’
