by June Tate
There was a murmuring in some parts of the audience, but Grace continued.
‘These gowns are the design of Daisy Gilbert, a very talented lady as you will see for yourselves. Half the cost of each article will be added to the troops’ fund, which I think you’ll agree is a very generous gesture.’
There was a ripple of applause.
Grace then announced the first day gown, giving the details of the material and the price. The model walked down the red carpet, turned and walked slowly back, stopping halfway to twirl again, and here she paused.
Grace told her audience the price and there was a silence. Daisy’s heart sank.
‘Who will be the first person to buy this exquisite gown?’
‘I will!’ A lady, dressed in what was obviously an expensive afternoon dress and straw hat trimmed with flowers, put up her hand.
‘Thank you, Madam. May I have your name?’
‘Lady Imogen Wallace.’
There was a gasp from all the women in the audience. The Lady Imogen was always in the society magazines. Her family were wealthy landowners, members of the gentry, friends with the royal family – and she herself was revered as a fashion icon.
‘Thank you, Lady Wallace,’ smiled Grace.
‘So that’s her secret weapon!’ grinned Daisy, who was well aware of the position the woman held, after following all the fashion magazines.
After that, the sale of the gowns flew. Every woman wanted to buy a garment from the same establishment as the celebrated lady. They could dine out on that fact for weeks afterwards.
When it came to the bridal gown, the audience was enthralled as they listened to the details of the dress and admired the intricate work. Several people put up their hands to buy.
Grace looked around and said, ‘I’m afraid there is only one of these dresses. It is an exclusive model. The only fair way to decide is to have an auction.’
The bidding was furious. Lady Imogen pushed the price up and up, until one of the ladies from Southampton, who had once been a client of Daisy’s, won the bidding. The final bid was sensational! By the end of the show, every garment had been sold. And when Lady Imogen was seen talking to Daisy and Grace, and arranging an appointment, there was soon a queue of women waiting to make appointments of their own.
When the day was over, Grace took all the staff from the shop and the girls who had modelled the gowns, and the two mothers, into her drawing room for sandwiches and champagne. She’d asked Giles to join them but he was expecting a cow to calf and had to get back to the farm.
Holding her glass high, Grace made a toast. ‘To Gilbert. Gowns à la Mode! We are back in business!’
Everyone began to talk at once about the day and what had happened.
Daisy shushed them all. ‘I think we should drink to Grace Portman and her secret weapon!’ They all cheered and toasted her.
‘That was an inspired idea,’ said Daisy to her friend.
Grace laughed. ‘Well Hugh always said, faced with overwhelming odds it’s time to bring in the big guns, and that’s what I did. Imogen is a friend of the family. She likes a good fight.’
‘She’s an amazing woman,’ said Daisy. ‘My word, she certainly sent the price for the wedding dress soaring.’
‘It was all part of our battle plan,’ admitted Grace. ‘I knew as soon as the townswomen knew who she was, they would jump on the bandwagon and, anyway, Daisy dear, who could possibly resist that wonderful bridal gown?’
‘You’ll be pleased to know, our appointment book is full,’ said Daisy looking delighted, ‘and would you know it, we again have a waiting list. By the way, I did wonder if your mother-in-law would be here today.’
‘She was all set to come and lord it over us all and had she known about Imogen, nothing would have kept her away.’
‘So why wasn’t she here?’
With an apologetic look Grace said, ‘I told her we were having a fashion show and your gowns were the ones being shown.’
Daisy grinned broadly. ‘Well that put the mockers on it then. She wouldn’t want to mix with the likes of me.’
‘To be honest it was a relief,’ said Grace. ‘She would have ruined the whole day. Look, why don’t you and Vera stay the night. We can have dinner and go into Southampton together in the morning. I’ll get my chauffeur to drive the girls to the station. What do you say?’
‘That would be lovely and my mother will get the thrill of her life to spend a night here.’
‘Well she deserves it, after all she’s part of our success.’
After a delicious meal, followed by coffee with a glass of brandy, Vera and Daisy were shown to a twin-bedded room, overlooking the grounds at the back of the house where the garden party took place. By now it was dark, but the moon shone, silhouetting the trees in the far distance.
‘How wonderful it must be,’ Vera remarked as she climbed into bed wearing one of Grace’s borrowed nightdresses, ‘to be able to live such a life of luxury as Grace does.’
‘It’s not that simple, Mum,’ Daisy explained. ‘There is a great deal of organization to be done, to enable everything to run well. There are the farms on the estate, the grounds and the house to keep up. That takes time and money.’
‘Yes I suppose it does and truth to tell that responsibility would worry me to death. I wouldn’t change places with her, I can tell you.’
As she settled for the night in the strange surroundings, Vera Gilbert thanked God for Grace Portman. Her daughter Daisy was blessed to have such a good friend and now it looked as if everything would work out right, thanks to her.
Eventually of course, Daisy had to appear in court during the trial of Bert Croucher who was sent down for seven years, all written about in the local rag. But this time, it made not a jot of difference to the business in East Street. After all, wasn’t that the place that made clothes for Lady Imogen Wallace? If it was good enough for her …
Thirty-Three
There was a huge two-page spread of the garden party of the year in the local paper, with photographs showing the various stalls, and several pictures of the fashions being paraded. There was also a big picture of Lady Imogen Wallace, standing beside Daisy Gilbert, who had designed all the gowns, and Mrs Grace Portman, a partner in Gilbert. Gowns à la Mode and the owner of the Manor House, where the great occasion had taken place. The amount of money that had been raised was significant and highly praised by the reporter. It was great publicity for the business and moved Daisy and her reputation back into local society.
Grace’s mother-in-law read the report and was furious that she had missed the event when she read about Lady Imogen being present. Her mood wasn’t improved when she complained to her husband about it.
‘It’s your own fault my dear. If you hadn’t been so against Daisy Gilbert being there, you would have gone. You shouldn’t be so judgemental! It seems to me this young lady has done very well and is obviously extremely talented. You don’t give the girl any credit.’
His wife was speechless, especially when she read that Lady Imogen had placed several orders.
Steven Noaks had been away when all this had taken place, but on his return he called into the shop and read the report which had been framed and displayed in the reception area.
‘Well done, you two,’ he said. Putting his arm round Daisy he said, ‘I’m really proud of you.’
‘I couldn’t have done it without Grace,’ she reminded him.
‘True, but she couldn’t have done it without you. You make a great team. I’d like to take you both out to dinner tonight to celebrate.’
‘That’s really kind of you, Steven,’ said Grace, ‘but I have made other arrangements, so you’ll have to do it without me. I insist,’ she said as he suggested another evening.
Grace felt the two of them should be alone. After all, Steven had been away and she would have felt she was intruding. She wanted them to spend as much time together as was possible as Steven would be sailing again in a few days.<
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Daisy dressed with care that evening, wearing one of her own creations. A gown which was simplicity itself in soft emerald-green velvet. It was exquisitely cut, emphasizing her small waist and the round neckline showing her décolletage to perfection, the skirt just inches above floor level. A necklace of emerald beads with earrings to match completed the outfit. She wore make-up and her hair was dressed off her neck with a few stray ringlets framing her face. She looked sensational.
As they walked into the restaurant, people recognized her and the women stared at her ensemble with envy. The manager stepped forward.
‘Miss Gilbert, how nice to see you, please come this way.’ He placed them at one of his best tables.
As they were seated, Steven looked at Daisy in admiration and some amusement.
‘My goodness, what a welcome. I had no idea you were so famous!’
With a chuckle, Daisy said, ‘This time it’s for the right reasons. I’ve been infamous in the past!’
Steven gazed at her and said, ‘Thankfully those days are behind you and so they should be after what you’ve been through. Now you are really established and I’m happy for you.’
At least with Steven she could be totally honest. ‘Those days were hard to take, but in truth it was all worth it in the end. Thank God! And how are things with you?’
‘I just wish this terrible war would end. The British have broken through the German defences at Loos in Flanders, but the end is nowhere in sight. I hate to see the troops we take out leave the ship, as so many lives are being lost. I long for peace and normality and a return to taking civilian passengers across the Atlantic.’
Daisy looked at the anguish on his face and longed to touch him. To comfort him. To love him.
‘Anyway, let’s not talk of war, after all we’re here to celebrate.’ He ordered a bottle of champagne.
At the end of the meal, both of them felt mellow and happy. Steven took Daisy’s hand. ‘I want to take you away and make love to you,’ he said softly, ‘but now you are so well known and respected, I can hardly suggest we book a room in a hotel, can I?’
‘No, that wouldn’t be advisable,’ she laughed, ‘after all I’ve had to fight to achieve my place in society.’ She hesitated. ‘But we could go home to my place.’
‘But what about your mother?’
‘By now she’ll be in bed.’
He saw the longing in her eyes that matched his. He paid the bill and they left.
Later as they lay in each other’s arms, Steven turned Daisy’s face to his and said, ‘This really isn’t good enough.’
Somewhat startled, Daisy asked, ‘Whatever do you mean?’
‘Snatching these odd moments when I can hold you. I want more than that. I want us to get married.’
Daisy was shocked into silence. She had accepted the fact that marriage was not for her.
‘Steven, do you know what you’re saying? You of all people know my history. As your wife, what would happen if it was brought up in conversation? Wouldn’t it cast a shadow on your career, maybe stop you from getting promotion?’
‘Of course not! After all, your past is no secret any more, and now you have your business and have a fine reputation. Even so, you silly goose, I’m madly in love with you and have been from the moment I set eyes on you in the Solent Club. It’s time for us to be together.’
Daisy was speechless.
‘I’m away a lot of the time, but you have a business to run, so it won’t be too lonely for you and imagine every time I come home – it will be like another honeymoon! Of course you may not want to be married to a seaman. It isn’t the easiest of lives for a wife.’
Flinging her arms around his neck, Daisy kissed him. ‘You ridiculous man, of course I’ll marry you.’
The next morning, Vera Gilbert was surprised to see Daisy and Steven sitting down to breakfast. ‘Hello, Steven, I didn’t know you were home.’
‘Good morning, Mrs Gilbert. I docked yesterday early in the morning.’
Daisy poured her mother a cup of tea, then taking Steven’s hand she said, ‘We have some exciting news to tell you. Steven and I are getting married.’
Vera choked on her tea. When she’d recovered, she was delighted and kissed both of them. ‘That’s the nicest thing that’s happened in a long time. Congratulations!’
‘You don’t object to me being your son-in-law then?’ Steven teased.
‘I am absolutely delighted. When is the wedding to be?’
‘I have another couple of trips to do, then I have three weeks’ leave and that’s when we’ll tie the knot.’
‘Oh my goodness, that doesn’t give us much time,’ she complained.
‘I’m not waiting any longer, Mum. He might change his mind!’
‘As if,’ Steven said.
Daisy was a little late arriving at the shop, but when she told everyone her news there was great excitement and everybody spoke at once.
‘Where are you getting married?’
‘When’s the wedding?’
‘We will have to make your wedding dress!’
‘Quiet everybody! I can’t hear myself think,’ Grace cried and the tumult ceased.
Daisy gave them all the news. She and Steven were going to see the vicar that afternoon to arrange a date, but there would be a rush to make her bridal gown, especially as there were so many orders to attend to.
But the girls said they would work late.
‘After all,’ said Agnes, ‘this will be excellent publicity for the shop.’
There were cries of derision for her remark, but as Grace said, ‘That’s not being heartless, Agnes is right, and we’ll make it a gown that will be the talk of Southampton!’
On a crisp November day at Holy Rood Church in Southampton, Steven and Daisy took their wedding vows. The bride wore a dress of champagne-coloured satin, with an embroidered bodice covered with rhinestones and beads. The skirt with a small train was delicately embroidered to match the bodice. On her head she wore a small lace cap. The bouquet was simple, made with tea-coloured roses and trailing ivy. The groom looked very handsome dressed in his uniform as they walked down the aisle together and stood outside for the photographs, festooned with fluttering confetti.
Apart from the official photographer, the reporter from the local paper was there to record the event and crowds gathered on the pavement to watch.
Steven squeezed Daisy’s hand. ‘Hello, Mrs Noaks,’ he said softly.
Daisy turned to him and smiled. ‘I like the sound of that,’ she said.
The wedding reception was held at the nearby Dolphin Hotel. It was a reasonably small affair. Steven’s parents were there, having met Daisy only a few days before the wedding. Stella came over from the Isle of Wight to stand as the only bridesmaid and Harry was thrilled to give the bride away. All the girls who worked for Daisy and Grace were also in attendance and the wedding breakfast was a happy and joyful occasion.
Vera Gilbert looked on proudly. This was a day she never thought would happen and she was delighted that her Daisy had found such a man with whom to share her life. It had been an arduous journey but like all good things it had a happy ending. Fred, she knew, would be pleased.
Grace Portman looked on and was very happy to have been a part of it all. Becoming a partner in the business had helped her to overcome the death of her husband and given her an interest other than the upkeep of the Manor House and all its responsibilities. And she was delighted to have helped Daisy reach her full potential.
Giles, who had escorted Grace to the wedding, saw the look of pride on her face as she looked at the bride. It was early days, but he hoped that the friendship he had with this wonderful woman would become something more permanent in the future. Like Daisy, Grace, too, deserved to be happy.
In the early evening, the bride and groom retired to their room to get changed ready for the train journey to the West Country where they would spend their honeymoon.
Steven took his wife into his a
rms and kissed her thoroughly. ‘You looked beautiful today, Mrs Noaks, and I was a proud man.’
She laughed and said, ‘And so you should be! And don’t look at me like that; we haven’t the time, we have a train to catch.’
‘There, already you’re becoming a nagging wife.’
‘Oh, Steven, we’ll have lots of time ahead of us. A lifetime in fact.’
As they drove away to the station, Daisy looked back at all her friends who had helped to shape her life; then she looked at Steven her husband who would help her shape the future. She leaned forward and kissed him.
‘What was that for?’
‘For making me the happiest woman in the world.’
And she was.
Acknowledgements
As always my love and admiration to my daughters, Beverley and Maxine. As a mother I am truly blessed.
By June Tate
THE RELUCTANT SINNER
BORN TO DANCE
BRIDES OF WAR
Copyright
Allison & Busby Limited
12 Fitzroy Mews
London W1T 6DW
www.allisonandbusby.com
First published in 2009.
This ebook edition first published in Great Britain by Allison & Busby in 2015.
Copyright © 2009 by JUNE TATE
The moral right of the author is hereby asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All characters and events in this publication other than those clearly in the public domain are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
