A Village Scandal

by Dilly Court

  Marjorie’s pale cheeks flooded with colour and she took a deep breath. ‘Thank you, Felicia. I’m so pleased that you approve.’

  ‘I should think anyone would want to dig into such a spread,’ Ned Tighe-Martin said enthusiastically. ‘Daisy – I may call you Daisy, may I not? – would you care to partner me at supper?’

  Shaken, but also dizzy with relief, Daisy smiled and nodded. ‘That would be delightful, sir.’

  He proffered his arm. ‘It’s Ned to my friends.’

  ‘Thank you, Ned.’ Daisy caught sight of Nick, who was with Dove and Mrs Bee. She could only hope that he had taken her seriously. There was no future for them – she belonged to Jay, and always would – but that did not mean she would go into a nunnery. It was very pleasant to have the company of someone like Ned, who was good-looking, charming and had a sense of humour, although she had a feeling that she was second best. Julian had managed to escape from Flora and he had somehow persuaded Charity to sit with him at one of the smaller tables. Ned’s eyes kept straying that way during the meal, although he took pains to be entertaining and attentive to Daisy. She suspected that not only had Charity fallen into his arms, she had also stolen his heart. Marjorie was eyeing Julian warily, as if trying to decide whether or not he was a good prospect as a son-in-law, but she would definitely not approve of her daughter marrying into the army – even if Ned was the major-general’s son.

  Daisy turned her attention back to Ned. ‘You like her, don’t you?’

  ‘Is it so obvious?’

  She smiled. ‘I’m afraid so, at least it is to me.’

  ‘That fellow seems to be monopolising her.’

  ‘Then do something about it, Ned. As soon as everyone has finished their meal I’m going to announce the treasure hunt. If I can arrange a diversion so that Julian is out of the way, you might like to take advantage. It’s a moonlit night and it will be very romantic in the garden, and Charity loves romance.’

  Ned raised his glass to her. ‘You are a devious woman, Daisy.’

  ‘Thank you, Ned. I’ll take that as a compliment.’

  ‘Would you like some trifle, or do you prefer jelly?’

  ‘Trifle would be lovely.’ Daisy sat back in her chair, planning her next move while Ned went to fetch a bowl of trifle. Flora’s flame-red hair made her stand out in the crowd and she was seated at a table on the far side of the room with Ivy and the Johnson family. Judging by their raucous laughter they were all thoroughly enjoying themselves, and very merry from imbibing the ale and cider. Although that applied to most of the male guests, Mr Peabody excepted, but then it would not do for the vicar of Little Creek to be seen the worse for wear. Grace, on the other hand, was sitting next to Eleanora and their flushed cheeks and bouts of girlish giggles suggested that they had been enjoying the sherry and fruit punch. There was no sign of Uncle Sidney, but Daisy had sent James to the lake with a hamper of food and George had accompanied him, carrying a crate of bottled beer. Toby had declined the offer of a moonlit fishing trip, stating that he wanted to be with Minnie, and Daisy was pleased to see that her brother and his fiancée were sharing a table with Nick, Dove, Linnet and Elliot. What was even more satisfying was the fact that all three couples seemed to be getting along really well. Perhaps Nick had taken her rejection in the spirit it was intended and had turned to the young woman who obviously adored him.

  Daisy’s attention was diverted by Ned, who returned with two bowls of trifle. ‘I couldn’t resist it, Daisy. You obviously have a splendid cook at Creek Manor.’

  ‘Yes, Nell Pearce has been here long before I married Jay.’

  ‘My mother told me what happened to your husband. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Thank you, but I know he’s out there somewhere. He will return, I’m sure of it.’

  ‘I certainly hope so.’ Ned was silent while he ate the dessert. ‘That was delicious. But one thing puzzles me.’

  Daisy resisted the temptation to scrape the last scrap of sherry-soaked sponge from the bottom of the glass dish. ‘What is that?’

  ‘One of your servants told my mother that you own Creek Manor, so why is Mrs Harker living here? It’s well known in the regiment that she’s a wealthy woman with a property of her own.’

  ‘Does the general know about this?’

  ‘I don’t know if Mama has told him, but it’s only a matter of time before he finds out. Why the deception?’

  Daisy leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table as she gave him a searching look. ‘If I tell you in confidence, will you promise not to say anything to your father?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Marjorie Harker is ambitious for her husband, and I can’t fault her for that, but she saw an opportunity and took it.’

  ‘You mean the fact that your husband is missing?’

  ‘Yes, exactly that. She thought that living here would create a better impression on your father, and the prospective suitors for her girls, although in my opinion Patience is far too young to consider marriage.’

  ‘And she doesn’t want Charity to marry a soldier?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  He leaned back in his chair, fingering the stem of his wine glass. ‘Well, if I play my cards correctly she might have lost that particular battle.’

  ‘Charity is a nice girl, if a little spoilt, and she’s very naïve when it comes to men. I hope you won’t break her heart, Ned.’

  ‘You have my word on that.’

  Daisy glanced across the room to where Patience had risen to her feet and was dancing with Will Johnson without the benefit of a musical accompaniment. Their energetic gyrations were causing some amusement, and several more of the younger guests joined in. Miss Creedy leaped to her feet and waddled into the great hall where she began to thump away on the piano. Daisy could hear her from where she was sitting, and after a few seconds there was a bemused silence with the guests listening in disbelief at the crashing discords.

  Constable Fowler rose from his seat, his cheeks puffed out with indignation, causing his mutton-chop whiskers to flap as if they were a bird attempting to spread its wings and fly off. Clearly agitated, he marched into the great hall, followed by the rest of the company who had abandoned the supper table, leaving dirty crockery, empty glasses and most of the serving dishes empty except for a few scraps. Fuller grabbed his fiddle and rushed after the constable with George Keyes, who was clutching his concertina to his chest as he ran.

  Daisy jumped to her feet and hurried after them. She was in time to see Constable Fowler wrestling with Miss Creedy as she resisted his attempts to raise her from the piano stool.

  ‘Leave me be,’ she screamed. ‘I was playing the piano when you were in petticoats, Mick Fowler.’

  ‘Don’t make me arrest you for disturbing the peace, Miss Creedy.’

  ‘Come on, my duck,’ Fuller said gently. ‘Get up, there’s a good girl.’

  ‘Get away from me, Tom Fuller. I’m not a girl and I’m not your duck.’ Miss Creedy stuck both feet under the piano, closed her eyes and screwed up her face as the two men tried to prise her from her seat.

  Daisy watched in horror but she was galvanised into action when she saw Marjorie approaching. Daisy hurried over to the piano, pushing her way through the people who had crowded round to watch the spectacle.

  ‘Let me try,’ she said in a low voice, and Miss Creedy’s tormentors moved away, albeit reluctantly. Daisy placed her arm around Lavender’s shoulders and eased her to a sitting position. ‘That was an excellent performance, Lavender, but you mustn’t tire yourself.’

  Miss Creedy opened her eyes, staring blearily at Daisy. ‘They were trying to bully me.’

  ‘They meant no harm.’ Daisy raised her head to glance at the expectant faces surrounding them. ‘I’m sure everyone would wish to give a round of applause for your performance, Lavender.’

  ‘Most certainly.’ Ned Tighe-Martin began to clap his hands together and gradually everyone took the hint and joined in.

/>   ‘There,’ Daisy said triumphantly. ‘You see how people appreciate you. Why don’t you take a bow?’

  Blushing furiously, Lavender Creedy struggled to her feet and curtsied. ‘Thank you all.’

  ‘And now shall we let the gentlemen have a turn?’ Daisy suggested gently. ‘I’m sure you would like some refreshment after that performance.’

  Edna Johnson stepped forward. ‘A glass of fruit punch will revive you, Lavender, dear. Come with me and we’ll sit together for a while.’

  ‘You were always a sweet child, Edna,’ Miss Creedy said tearfully. ‘Always thinking of others.’ She turned to Constable Fowler. ‘I can’t say the same for you, Michael Fowler. You were a very naughty boy, always scrumping apples and throwing firecrackers to frighten my poor little pussycats.’

  Constable Fowler ran his finger round the inside of his collar. ‘I’ve grown up since then, Miss Creedy. But you taught me to play the piano, so I’m very grateful.’

  Daisy could see that the crowd had become bored with the scene and they were melting away. Now was an ideal time to start the treasure hunt. She spotted Charity, who seemed to be lecturing Patience and Janet Johnson, no doubt telling them off for their riotous behaviour. Daisy moved swiftly to Ned’s side.

  ‘I’m going to announce the treasure hunt. If you want to partner Charity, now is the time to ask her. Flora is clinging onto Julian for all her worth, so you’d better hurry.’

  Ned saluted her and strode off in Charity’s direction. The smile Charity gave when she saw him was enough to convince Daisy that she had done the right thing. If a romance blossomed between Charity and Ned Tighe-Martin, Marjorie would simply have to put up with having her daughter wedded to the regiment.

  Daisy turned to Constable Fowler, who had regained the piano stool and was flexing his fingers while Fuller tightened the strings on his fiddle.

  ‘Constable Fowler, will you play me a chord so that I get people’s attention?’

  ‘Yes, Mrs Tattersall, and thanks for helping with Miss Creedy. She’s a determined little body and a better piano teacher than a player.’ He played the piano equivalent of a trumpet fanfare and it had the desired effect of gaining everyone’s attention.

  Daisy moved to the middle of the floor to announce the start of the treasure hunt. ‘If you will choose your partners … and you will need to wrap up as it’s a bit chilly outside. Good luck, everyone.’ She left the great hall and made her way to the front door where James handed her a woollen shawl. ‘Thank you, James. That’s very thoughtful.’

  ‘It was Hilda who suggested it, madam.’

  ‘Well, thank you anyway. I’m going to make sure all the lanterns are lit. We don’t want any accidents.’ She stepped outside and took a deep breath of the scented air. The cool breeze was welcome after the fug indoors, but she wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and made her way round the side of the house to the rose garden. It was a moonlit night, and that combined with the flickering light of the flambeaux made it easy to see the coloured pebbles that Charity and Patience had laid down as a trail leading to the summerhouse. She could hear footsteps not far behind her, together with excited chatter and laughter. It seemed that the treasure hunt was proving popular. She broke into a run and was able to open up the trapdoor before anyone came into sight. Jack had been given the task of lighting lanterns and placing them at intervals along the underground passage, but Daisy wanted to make sure that they were all in good working order. A fall or a sprained ankle would mar the evening for all concerned, and she was almost at the end of the tunnel when the sound of someone running made her stop and turn around. She lifted a lantern and raised it above her head.

  ‘Julian, you’re the first,’ she said cautiously. ‘Where is your partner?’

  ‘I’m blooming well coming,’ Flora said breathlessly. ‘You’re no gent, Julian Carrington. A decent man would wait for the lady to catch him up, or at least hold her hand. What’s the matter with you?’

  Julian rounded on her. ‘Hold your tongue, you red-headed harpy. I have business to discuss with Mrs Tattersall.’

  ‘Don’t speak to her like that,’ Daisy said angrily.

  ‘She latched onto me. I didn’t ask her to come on this wild-goose chase.’

  ‘If you feel like that what are you doing here?’

  ‘I want to speak to you, but you’re always surrounded by people indoors.’

  ‘I have nothing to say to you, Julian.’

  Flora pushed past him to stand next to Daisy. ‘Is this cove the man you were engaged to, Daisy? The swine who jilted you at the altar.’

  ‘Yes, but it wasn’t quite like that, Flora,’ Daisy said hastily.

  ‘It was a mistake.’ Julian made a grab for Daisy’s hand. ‘You’ve forgiven me, haven’t you, my dear? You know it was my parents who put pressure on me to marry someone of my own class.’

  Daisy backed away from him. She could feel the cool air coming from the mouth of the tunnel and the one thought in her head was to escape. ‘It was over a long time ago and things have changed since then.’

  ‘But I haven’t,’ Julian whined. ‘I want you, Daisy. I always did.’

  ‘Be honest with her, you pathetic rat.’ Flora faced him, arms akimbo. ‘You’re a fortune-hunter. I saw you gawping at that young girl, Cherry or Charity or whatever her name is, but she don’t want you either. You’re a sad case, if ever I saw one.’

  ‘You were keen enough on me at the start,’ Julian said, curling his lip. ‘If I’m a fortune-hunter, it takes one to know one.’

  ‘Yes, cully. That’s why I’ve got your measure. Now clear off. Daisy don’t want you and neither do I.’

  Julian seized her by the shoulders and pushed her aside. ‘You’re nothing but a trollop. I don’t have to listen to you.’

  The slap that Flora gave him echoed around the damp walls of the passageway, and Julian’s hand flew to his sore cheek. Daisy made a run for it, her only aim now was to escape into the fresh air, and put Julian Carrington as far behind her as possible.

  She emerged onto the path through the undergrowth to the welcome sound of the waves sucking on the pebbles and the soft breeze rustling the fresh green leaves on the surrounding trees, but she could also hear Julian’s irate voice and he was intent on following her. She fought her way through the bushes and brambles, heading for the beach. She could only hope that Toby would be one of the first to follow the clues and arrive in time to put a stop to Julian’s unrelenting pursuit. Julian was not far behind her and Flora was still screaming at him. Daisy covered her ears with her hands and broke into a run, instinctively heading towards the water. Clouds had scudded across the moon, and the lanterns that Jack, aided by Judy, had placed along the foreshore twinkled like fallen stars. But there was another sound that Daisy recognised instantly and she came to a halt as a wooden keel grated on the stony foreshore. A dark figure leaped into the water and hauled the jolly boat onto the beach.

  ‘Daisy. Is that you? For God’s sake, what are you doing out here at this time of night? And who’s that shouting like a lunatic?’ Marius waded through the shallows and was at her side in an instant. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her.

  She leaned against him, breathing in the comforting scent of bay rum and the tang of salt. ‘What are you doing here, Marius? I thought you had gone on a long trip.’

  ‘Let her go,’ Julian said breathlessly as he skidded to a halt beside them. ‘Who the hell are you, anyway?’

  ‘I have every right to be here, but who are you?’ Marius placed his arm protectively around Daisy’s shoulders.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Flora demanded, gasping for breath. ‘Is this part of the treasure hunt, Daisy? If so I’ll take him – he looks like a good sort.’

  Marius inclined his head, laughing. ‘I don’t know what sort of party you’re having at the manor house, but it seems to have got out of hand.’

  Daisy broke away from him, but she kept his cloak wrapped around her. ‘Mr Carrington was e
scorting this young lady on a treasure hunt, Marius. It’s a party I had to organise for Mrs Harker.’ She glanced towards the bushes from where some of the other treasure seekers were beginning to emerge.

  ‘Come on, you stupid man,’ Flora said, tugging at Julian’s sleeve. ‘You’re not wanted here and we’ve still got time to win the prize. I hope it’s worth it.’ She dragged him away, still muttering beneath his breath.

  ‘Nice company you keep,’ Marius said drily.

  ‘He’s someone I used to know.’

  ‘But you don’t want anything to do with him now?’

  ‘It’s all in the past, Marius. But more importantly, why are you here? I wasn’t expecting you to return quite so soon.’

  ‘We had fair winds and we landed the cargo without any delays. I came to give you your share of the profits.’

  The clouds that had obscured the moon moved on and for the first time she could see his features clearly. ‘That’s wonderful.’

  ‘It’s not a fortune, but it’s a start and we’ll go on from here, if you’re willing to trust me to find cargoes for the Lazy Jane.’

  ‘I am, of course, but are you sailing again right away?’

  ‘No. I persuaded Guppy to put into the creek so that I could see you and give you your dues. I thought you might be in need of the money.’

  ‘More than you know,’ Daisy said with a wry smile. ‘I’m not sure if I have a home at the moment. Mrs Harker wanted to evict us from the cottage, but she might have changed her mind after the success of the party.’

  Marius patted the pocket of his great coat and coins clinked together. ‘I’m not saying that this is a fortune, but it will help.’

  He produced the leather pouch and handed it to her. It was satisfyingly heavy and Daisy experienced a glimmer of hope. Maybe there was a chance that they could survive financially without having to rely on Marjorie’s money. The thought made her smile.

  ‘I’d love to stay and see you safely back to the house,’ Marius said hastily. ‘But I should get back on board.’