A Village Scandal

by Dilly Court

  Daisy took the opportunity to slip away unnoticed as the preparations for the meal recommenced, with Mrs Pearce issuing instructions and the kitchen maids scurrying about in their efforts to please her. Daisy had intended to go upstairs to supervise the setting of the table in the dining hall, but she had a sudden desire for fresh air after the fierce battle of wills between the cooks. She let herself out through the scullery door and headed for the garden, where the spring flowers were fading but the crab apple trees were in full bloom and purple wisteria clambered over a rustic pergola. Daisy walked slowly between the rose beds where the buds were just beginning to open, but as she approached the summerhouse she came to a sudden halt when the trapdoor opened and a man emerged from the dark depths. She held her breath, her lips moving soundlessly as she tried to say his name …

  Chapter Eight

  ‘Dash it all, you gave me a fright, Daisy. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone this early in the morning.’

  ‘I gave you a fright! I thought you were …’ Daisy’s voice trailed off and she took a deep breath. For a heart-stopping moment she had thought Jay had returned, and she struggled to control her emotions. ‘Why are you here, Marius?’

  ‘I’m sorry if I startled you, but I went to the creek to give Guppy the good news.’

  ‘Good news?’

  ‘I’ve a large cargo waiting in a warehouse on the docks at Maldon, and the Lazy Jane will sail on the tide. I came to tell you, but I can see I’ve chosen a bad time.’

  ‘No, it’s not a bad time. I just thought when I saw the trapdoor open that it was someone else. You must come into the house and have some refreshment before you go.’

  ‘You thought it might be your husband. I’m sorry, Daisy.’

  ‘I live in hope,’ she said simply.

  ‘I’ll be staying at the Blue Boar in Maldon until the cargo is loaded, and as this is the first time I’ve chartered the Lazy Jane I’ve decided to sail with them.’

  Daisy eyed him curiously. ‘Don’t you trust Guppy?’

  ‘I do, but I’m protecting my investment, and yours, too.’ He met her gaze with a frown. ‘You look pale, Daisy. Is all this proving too much for you? I mean, it can’t be easy living as a virtual servant in your own home.’

  ‘Thank you, but I’m managing quite well.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound very convincing.’

  ‘It is hard, Marius. I don’t mind admitting it, and there’s a further complication.’

  ‘A complication?’

  ‘I was engaged once, at least unofficially, but my fiancé broke it off at the last minute.’

  ‘Don’t tell me that he’s one of Mrs Harker’s house guests?’

  ‘Yes. It’s just a coincidence but it makes my position even more difficult.’

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’

  She managed a smile. ‘No, nothing more than you’re doing now. My family were sceptical when I told them that we had gone into business together, but I knew it would work out well.’

  He grasped her hand and for once there was a serious look in his dark eyes. ‘I am your friend, Daisy. You don’t deserve the indignity of being a servant in your own home, or having to deal with a man who treated you so badly. He must be a bounder as well as a fool.’

  ‘It’s all in the past, as far as I’m concerned.’

  ‘But he doesn’t agree with you?’

  ‘I’m not sure, but one thing I’ve learned is that Julian is a fortune-hunter, and at the moment I imagine he’s torn between wanting to get his hands on Creek Manor or courting Charity Harker, who will inherit a fortune when she comes of age.’

  ‘A nice fellow, but at least you see him for what he is. I wish I could do more for you, Daisy.’

  ‘It’s not for ever. I keep telling myself that, but everything depends on whether I can make enough money from the Lazy Jane to remain in Creek Manor, or if I will have to sell up. I’m putting my trust in you, Marius.’

  ‘I won’t let you down. My business ventures have gone well so far, and with a fast vessel like Lazy Jane we should make good speed and an excellent profit. But I must go now. I left my horse tethered on the edge of the foreshore, and it’s a long ride to Maldon.’ Marius reached out to clasp Daisy’s hand again. ‘I’ll call on you as soon as we put ashore on the return journey, although I imagine we’ll be gone for a week or so.’

  She withdrew her hand swiftly. It was disconcerting and tantalising to feel the warmth and strength of a man’s fingers curled around her own. His nearness resurrected some of the feelings that Jay had aroused in her, and it was not comfortable. She took a step backwards. ‘Thank you for keeping me up to date, Marius. I hope all goes well.’

  ‘And I hope your situation here improves, Daisy. I really wish I could do more for you.’ He turned away reluctantly and climbed the steps to the summerhouse.

  The last she saw of him was a cheery wave as he lifted the trap door and descended into the darkness. She felt a sudden sense of loss – it was like saying goodbye to an old friend, even though they were barely acquainted. She was walking back towards the house when she heard someone calling her name and she stopped and turned her head to see Julian hurrying towards her.

  ‘Is anything wrong,’ she asked anxiously.

  ‘No, not as far as I know. I saw you from my window and I fancied an early morning stroll.’

  She met his gaze with a straight look. ‘What is this all about, Julian? Why are you bothering to single me out? You know that I’m a married woman.’

  His pained expression seemed genuine enough, but Daisy knew that he was used to putting on an act for his mother, and there was no reason to assume that he was behaving any differently now.

  ‘Oh, Daisy. Must we be at loggerheads all the time? We were close once.’

  ‘You were the one who broke off our engagement.’

  ‘You don’t have to remind me of my youthful foolishness.’

  ‘It was a little over year ago, Julian. I doubt if you’ve changed very much since then.’

  ‘But I have, Daisy. A year working as an underling in Paris has made me think long and hard about what I want out of life.’

  ‘I’m not very interested in your soul-searching. I have work to do.’ She was about to walk away when he caught her by the wrist. She stared down at his elegantly manicured hand, which was as soft and white as that of any lady. ‘Let me go. I have things to do.’

  ‘I hate to see you like this, my dear.’

  ‘I was a servant in your parents’ home. This is nothing new.’

  ‘But you’ve risen in society since then, Daisy. You own this estate and you’re a widow. You need someone to protect you from fortune-hunters.’

  ‘Isn’t that exactly what you are? I didn’t believe you last night when you said that your reason for being here had nothing to do with Charity Harker, and the fortune she will inherit from her maternal grandfather.’

  ‘And it was true. I’ve never stopped loving you, Daisy.’

  She put her head on one side, eyeing him speculatively. ‘If you think there’s a fortune here, think again. The only reason I have allowed Mrs Harker to rent this property is because I am virtually bankrupt. I can’t prove that my husband is dead, and I don’t believe for one minute that it’s true, but I can neither sell the property nor touch any monies that are in his bank account.’

  Julian’s mouth dropped open. ‘But once you have proof of his sad demise you’ll be a wealthy woman, Daisy. Let me help you through this difficult time.’

  ‘Thank you, Julian,’ Daisy said, subduing the desire to laugh in his face. ‘But I really can manage on my own. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go indoors and make sure that the footmen aren’t fighting a duel and that the cooks have managed to make breakfast without drawing blood.’

  She walked off without giving him a chance to argue, but she had a feeling that this time Julian would not give up easily: there was too much at stake, for him at least. Although he came from a moneyed family she k
new that he favoured an extravagant lifestyle, and judging by the expensive cut of his clothes he would not be satisfied with second best. He had once told her that he had developed a passion for the gaming tables while he was at university, and it was possible that what had started out as an amusing way to spend an evening might have become an addiction. But it was none of her business and, as far as Daisy was concerned, her relationship with Julian was well and truly over.

  She entered the house through the scullery and crept past the kitchen door, but the only sounds were those of hurrying footsteps, the clatter of pots and pans and the occasional comment from Mrs Pearce. There was no sign of Mrs Salt, and Daisy had a fleeting vision of Marjorie’s cook locked in the linen cupboard by her rivals, but as she passed the housekeeper’s parlour she could hear Mrs Salt’s aggrieved tones and Mrs Ralston’s measured answers, with Mrs Jones chipping in the odd remark. It did not bode well, but Daisy decided not to meddle in below-stairs politics until it was absolutely necessary.

  She sighed and hurried on. Her next task was to help Charity get ready to make an entrance at breakfast, and to convince Patience that it would be bad manners to bolt her food and rush off to the stables without making an effort to be civil to her mother’s guests.

  Finally, when everyone was settled in the dining room, Daisy managed to snatch a quick bite of food and a cup of tea before Mrs Ralston burst into the morning parlour brandishing a sheet of paper.

  ‘Mrs Harker’s instructions for a soirée, to be held in a week’s time. Did you know about this, ma’am?’

  Daisy put her cup down and took the list. A quick glance was enough to make her shake her head. ‘Impossible. We need more time to organise something like this.’

  Mrs Ralston stood arms akimbo. ‘Indeed we do, Mrs Tattersall. This is ridiculous. For one thing, Mr Keyes won’t have half of those items in his shop. We would need to go to Maldon or even further afield to find such luxuries, and who will pay, I’d like to know?’

  ‘Mrs Harker is footing the bill for everything, but I need to speak to her about this. Leave it with me, Mrs Ralston.’

  ‘Perhaps you could put that Mrs Salt in her place, too, ma’am? She’s driving me mad with her airs and graces and her references to the military dinners and the high standard they achieve, even in the middle of the battlefield – although I don’t believe that for one second. And that stuck-up Dorcas Jones sides with her against me. It’s more than a body can stand.’

  ‘I’ll have a word with both of them, Mrs Ralston.’

  ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ Mrs Ralston sniffed and tossed her head as she stalked out of the room.

  It was mid-morning by the time Daisy had a chance for a few words with Marjorie, who was showing the Woodwards round the great hall, recounting the history of the manor house with obvious enthusiasm, although neither Charity nor Patience seemed to share her feelings. Letitia Woodward was looking mildly interested, but she kept gazing out of the window as if she wished she were anywhere but here.

  ‘And the portraits are my husband’s ancestors,’ Marjorie continued blithely. ‘As you can see he comes from a long line of illustrious people who served their country in varying ways.’

  Daisy knew that this was untrue, and that the late Squire Tattersall had purchased the paintings at auction sales in order to convince the villagers of his own pedigree, which was probably no more prestigious than that of Colonel Roland Harker. But it was time to put a stop to Marjorie’s fairy tales. ‘Excuse me, Mrs Harker.’

  ‘What is it, Tattersall?’ Marjorie demanded, rolling her eyes and casting a meaningful look in the Woodwards’ direction.

  ‘I need to speak to you urgently about a pressing matter, Mrs Harker.’

  ‘Oh, really? I pay you to handle day-to-day matters, Tattersall. Can’t it wait?’

  ‘I’m afraid not, ma’am.’

  ‘I’ll be back with you in a minute, Letitia,’ Marjorie said with an air of martyrdom. ‘You’ll have to be quick, Tattersall, because our next guests are due to arrive at any moment.’ She followed Daisy into the morning parlour. ‘This is very bad timing on your part.’

  ‘Not to put too fine a point on it, Mrs Harker: As I’ve said before, I am not your servant – you don’t pay me a salary. I am here as part of the arrangement we made, and if your new friends knew the truth I doubt if they would be impressed.’

  ‘Are you threatening me, Tattersall?’

  ‘I’m stating a fact, Marjorie. We are equals socially, or perhaps I am more equal than you, as I’m lady of the manor, but I’ve allowed you to take on the privileges it brings.’

  ‘For your own benefit, you insolent bitch. I could tell our guests that your husband, the so-called lord of the manor, was a criminal and he served a sentence in prison.’

  ‘This isn’t about me or my husband. This is about you and your daughters and your husband’s promotion. I assume that the next guests to arrive will be something high up in the military.’

  ‘That is none of your business.’

  ‘Maybe, but this is.’ Daisy held up the list. ‘What you want is impossible. It would take over a week to prepare these dishes, and most of the ingredients are not available locally. You need to send out invitations …’

  ‘Of course I thought of that before I moved into this crumbling pile of bricks and mortar. I invited all the top people in this part of the county. There will only be twenty couples and I expect you to see that the evening runs smoothly, otherwise our agreement is off. You can threaten me, but you have more to lose. I have the money, and I haven’t paid off your debts as yet, nor will I unless you co-operate fully. Do you understand?’

  ‘It can’t be done.’

  ‘You will ensure that it is,’ Marjorie said firmly. ‘There will be music and dancing, with good food and fine wine. If not I’ll leave here and you will have to find the money to pay your debts, and the servants’ wages.’ She was about to march off, but Daisy was not going to allow her to get away so easily and she barred her way.

  ‘You agreed to settle them.’

  ‘And I will, but only if you keep your part of the bargain.’ Marjorie glanced over her shoulder at the sound of footsteps and George approached them.

  ‘Excuse me, madam, but the guests’ carriage has just drawn up outside.’

  ‘Then go and stand by the door, you stupid fellow.’ Marjorie shooed him away. ‘Come with me, Tattersall. I want you to show the major-general and his wife to the chinoiserie room.’

  Daisy hurried after her. ‘If you mean the Chinese room, why not say so?’

  Marjorie paused for a moment, turning her head to give Daisy a scornful glance. ‘It’s the fashion in London. Don’t you know anything, you country bumpkin?’

  ‘I know that you were lying to the Woodwards,’ Daisy said in a low voice. ‘And they’re watching us now, so if you want to keep them believing that this is your ancestral home perhaps you’d better treat me with a little more respect.’

  ‘Don’t get hoity-toity with me, madam. I still have the upper hand and a written contract to rent the manor house for a year, so I can still throw you and your friends out onto the street.’ Marjorie stalked off to greet the major-general and his wife, who had been admitted by Molesworth, with James and George vying with each other to take their outdoor garments and their luggage.

  Daisy sighed and walked dutifully behind Marjorie, who was advancing on the Tighe-Martins with her hands outstretched.

  ‘Major-General Tighe-Martin and Mrs Tighe-Martin, how good of you to come to my country residence.’

  ‘It’s our pleasure, ma’am.’ The major-general bowed over her hand. ‘I believe we met briefly in Delhi, but you haven’t met my wife, Felicia.’ He turned to the small bird-like woman who stood just a step behind him. ‘This is our hostess, my dear. Her husband was once my aide-de-camp, and is now a colonel.’

  ‘How do you do, Mrs Tighe-Martin?’ Marjorie said hastily. ‘I’m delighted to meet you at last.’

  ‘I remem
ber your husband,’ Felicia said shyly. ‘A charming man.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, and it’s such a pity that duty prevents him from joining us, but I hope you will enjoy the entertainments I have arranged.’ Marjorie shot a sideways glance at Daisy. ‘My personal secretary will show you to the chinoiserie room, which I selected especially for you. It’s quite the most attractive and comfortable bedchamber in the manor house, although, of course, there are many to choose from.’ She gave Daisy a sly pinch. ‘Now, please, Tattersall.’

  ‘Of course, Mrs Harker,’ Daisy said, biting back a sharp reply. ‘Follow me, please.’ She led the way to the grand staircase and when she had settled them in their room she used the back stairs to visit the kitchens, where amazingly there appeared to be a temporary truce as Cook and her minions prepared luncheon. Satisfied that everything was running smoothly, Daisy made her way to the housekeeper’s parlour in the hope of finding Mrs Ralston there alone, and she was in luck.

  ‘Oh, madam, I’m glad to see you.’ Mrs Ralston had been seated behind her desk, but she rose to her feet on seeing Daisy.

  ‘Please sit down.’ Daisy pulled up a chair. ‘I was hoping to catch you on your own.’

  Mrs Ralston sank back on her seat. ‘Mrs Jones has taken the list of foodstuffs required for Mrs Harker’s party to the village shop. I told her that Mr Keyes couldn’t possibly get hold of such exotic things, especially at such short notice.’

  Daisy frowned thoughtfully. ‘You’d think she would know that. I have a feeling that she wants this entertainment to fail.’

  ‘It would look bad for us, madam. Perhaps that’s what she wants. I know she doesn’t like having to work with me, although I have tried my hardest to get on with the woman, and that Mrs Salt is a difficult person, to put it mildly.’

  ‘It’s hard for all of us, Mrs Ralston, and I do appreciate the effort that all my servants are making.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Tattersall. I’ll tell the others.’

  Daisy glanced at the pile of papers on the desk. ‘Have you a copy of the list?’