by Dilly Court
‘Miss Marshall, there’s a gentleman who’s come to see you. I shouldn’t have to climb the stairs to give you a message, particularly when you know that I don’t hold with my ladies entertaining persons of the opposite gender in my front parlour.’ Mrs Wood sighed loudly and thumped again on the door panel.
Daisy hurried to open it. ‘I’m not expecting anyone, Mrs Wood.’
‘Well, he’s refusing to leave and he’s standing in my entrance hall, bold as brass.’
‘I’m coming.’ Daisy said hastily.
‘And you’ll inform him of the rules.’
Daisy hurried down the stairs. ‘Yes, Mrs Wood, and kindly restrain your feline friend. He attacked me earlier.’
Mrs Wood followed her. ‘My Rex is the gentlest creature imaginable. You must have provoked him.’
Daisy came to a halt and turned on her landlady. ‘He’s a dangerous animal and he should be in the Zoological Gardens.’ She continued downstairs closing her ears to Mrs Wood’s tirade of abuse.
‘And tell that fellow if he comes here again I’ll slam the door in his face.’
Daisy leaned over the banisters to see who could be calling on her. She could hardly believe her eyes when the man looked up and met her curious gaze with a disarming smile.
Chapter Sixteen
Daisy ran down the rest of the stairs and grasped his outstretched hand. ‘Marius. I can’t believe it. What are you doing here?’
Mrs Wood strutted past them, her head held erect. ‘I trust that he’ll be leaving promptly. No gentlemen callers.’
Daisy waited until Mrs Wood slammed the door to her private parlour. ‘I apologise for my landlady, Marius. But how did you know where to find me?’
‘Are you all right, Daisy? You look pale.’
‘I’m fine, thank you. But you haven’t answered my questions.’
‘I called at the manor house to see you, and Mary told me that you’d rushed up to London because Jay had been found, so I caught the next train to London, and I went straight to the hospital. Toby gave me your address.’
‘I expect he told you that Jay has lost his memory. He doesn’t even remember his name, let alone mine. In fact, it’s like talking to a complete stranger.’
‘I’m sorry, Daisy. After all the waiting it must be very hard to bear.’
She gave him a grateful smile. Marius was sympathetic without being maudlin, and that was a comfort. ‘Yes, it is.’
He glanced at the parlour door. ‘Your landlady is a bit of an ogress. Shall we take a walk?’
‘Yes, anything to get out of here. Just give me a minute to fetch my bonnet and shawl.’
Seeing a friendly face from home raised Daisy’s spirits so that she barely felt her feet touch the ground as she went upstairs to fetch her outdoor things. She joined Marius minutes later, wearing her best straw bonnet trimmed with cream silk roses and a fine woollen shawl so delicate that it was like a cobweb. He gave her an appreciative look, but he did not comment on her appearance and they stepped outside, closing the front door firmly. The flutter of a lace curtain gave Mrs Wood away, and Daisy waved to her as they walked past.
‘Why did you choose to stay there, Daisy? I’m sure you could find better accommodation.’ Marius gave her a speculative look. ‘Are you in need of money?’
‘No, at least I’m managing, but I came away in such a rush that I didn’t think to bring more with me. Nor did I expect to be here for such a long time.’
He took her hand and held it in a warm grasp. ‘I am sorry, Daisy. I can imagine how hard that must be for you.’
‘It is. He just lies there and stares at the ceiling. Sometimes I think he’s lost the will to live. It’s so unlike the Jay I know.’
‘I can only imagine how you must be feeling.’ He gave her fingers a sympathetic squeeze. ‘I went to Creek Manor to tell you that I’ve procured two large cargoes for the Lazy Jane, and she’ll be sailing as soon as they’re loaded. There’ll be a good profit in this trip, and I can give you an advance, if that will help.’
‘No, thank you. I can manage.’
He shot her a sideways look. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Well, it will be very difficult if I have to remain here much longer.’ She came to a sudden halt. ‘I can’t see the end to it, Marius. Jay isn’t his old self and I don’t know how to bring him back.’
‘What does your brother say?’
‘Toby doesn’t know and neither do the other doctors. All they can tell me is that it’s a matter of time. But how long? I can’t remain in London indefinitely.’
He set off again, leading her towards the nearby churchyard, where they perched on a stone wall. ‘I’m not a medical man, Daisy, but I wonder if taking Jay home might be the answer. If he is surrounded by people who love him, in a place he knows well, he might recover far more quickly than he would in a hospital bed.’
‘I think you may be right,’ Daisy said thoughtfully. ‘He seems to have shut himself off from the world at the moment, but if I took him home …?’
It was arranged so swiftly that Daisy was left feeling breathless. Marius, it seemed, was not the sort of man who would stand back and allow things to happen in their own time. Daisy did not know how he managed it, but he persuaded the doctors to discharge Jay, and he produced clothing suitable for travelling, which replaced the baggy shirt and trousers that Jay had been wearing when he was brought to the hospital. Marius also provided socks and shoes, having somehow guessed what size would fit Jay, and he helped him to dress. Daisy was nervous as she waited for them in the hospital foyer. There was no certainty that Jay would accompany them willingly, but although he was a little dazed by the sudden change of scene, he appeared to be calm and compliant, although he hesitated when they reached the outside door.
‘Where are we going?’
Daisy laid her hand on his arm. ‘We’re going home, Jay.’
‘I don’t know where that is.’
‘Perhaps you’ll recognise it when we get there,’ Daisy said eagerly. ‘The doctors think that something familiar might make you remember something.’
‘Who are you?’ Jay gazed at her, frowning. ‘I know you keep telling me, but your name slips my mind.’
‘Just call me Daisy,’ she said gently.
Marius nodded. ‘That’s right, and I’m Marius. I’ll hail a cab, Daisy. Just wait here.’
Daisy glanced round at the sound of someone calling her name and she smiled when she saw Toby hurrying towards her.
‘So you’re off, then?’ he said breathlessly. ‘Let me know how matters progress when you get back to Little Creek.’
‘I will, and thanks for everything you’ve done. I’ll miss you, Toby.’
‘We’ll try to visit you before the wedding, but I can’t guarantee to get time off.’ Toby took a small bottle from his pocket and pressed it into her hand. ‘If Jay gets upset or anxious when you’re travelling just give him a couple of drops of this.’
She tucked it into her reticule. ‘What is it?’
‘Laudanum. He might need some at night, too. Don’t be surprised if he is restless, and confused. Call Nick if you’re worried.’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Marius has found a cab.’
Daisy stood on tiptoe to kiss her brother’s cheek. ‘Thank you once again for everything you’ve done for Jay.’
‘I don’t know where I’m going,’ Jay muttered, backing away. ‘I’d rather stay here.’
Toby linked arms with him. ‘Come on, old chap. You’re going to the country to get well. I’ll come and see you as soon as I can.’
Jay nodded wordlessly and allowed Toby to take him to the cab, where Marius helped him onto the seat. Daisy joined them, but she was apprehensive. Perhaps it was too early in Jay’s recovery to take him away from the hospital.
‘He’ll be fine, don’t worry.’ Marius gave her a reassuring smile.
Daisy sat in between Jay and Marius as the cab plunged forward into the chaotic traffic. She kn
ew that Marius meant well, but the prospect of nursing her husband back to full health was daunting, and she wondered how Mary would react when her son did not recognise her.
After a relatively easy train journey they arrived back at the manor house. Mary was obviously upset when Jay failed to recognise her, but as Daisy had discovered long ago, Mary was not the sort of woman to give in to despair. She smiled at Jay and patted his hand.
‘I’ve had your old room made ready for you, my dear. I thought you’d prefer to be somewhere familiar.’
He gazed round dazedly. ‘I don’t remember this house.’
‘Never mind that now,’ Mary said firmly. ‘I’m sure it will all come back to you in time, but I dare say you’d prefer to have your meals in your room for the time being.’
‘I’m not very hungry.’
‘You see how it is, Mary,’ Daisy said in a low voice. ‘He doesn’t recall a thing.’
‘We’ll be fine after a good rest.’ Mary spoke to her son in the tone she might have used when he was a small child. ‘Cook knows what your favourite foods are, Jay. I’m sure she’ll do her best to tempt you to eat.’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t know.’
‘You will when you taste them,’ Mary said, taking him by the hand as if he were a five-year-old. ‘Come along now. Don’t dawdle. I have other things to do than wait on you, young man.’
Daisy exchanged amused glances with Marius, and for a moment she thought that Jay was going to refuse, but he merely nodded and allowed his mother to lead him from the drawing room.
Marius chuckled. ‘Obviously his mother knows best.’
‘She’s had a lifetime of dealing with difficult men,’ Daisy said, sighing. ‘If anyone can help him, it’s Mary. I wish I could do something, but I can’t seem to reach him.’
‘Don’t upset yourself, Daisy.’ Marius patted her on the shoulder. ‘This is just the start and you’ll have to be patient.’
‘Yes, I know, but it’s not easy.’ Daisy sighed heavily. ‘I suppose you’ll have to go now, but thank you for everything you’ve done.’
‘Are you sending me away?’
The irrepressible twinkle in his dark eyes made her smile. ‘No, of course not, but you must have business matters that need your attention.’
‘Which is a polite way of asking me to leave.’ His eyes darkened and he gave her a speculative look. ‘I don’t want to intrude, Daisy. But I do want to help, and I think I might have an idea that will shock Jay into remembering something from the past.’
‘You’re not intruding. I’m sorry, Marius. I suppose I’m just tired and worried about Jay, who seems to be making so little progress.’
‘I understand, and I will go now, but I’ll be back soon.’ He stood up. ‘I left my horse in your stables when I travelled up to London. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Why would I mind? You’re almost like one of the family.’
He gave her a long look. ‘Thank you, but I’ll never be that, I’m afraid. Anyway, I must go now – it’s a long ride to Maldon. I’ll see myself out, Daisy.’
He left the room and Daisy sank back on the sofa. Marius had made everything seem possible, although she sensed that there was something he could not, or would not, share with her, and she suspected that his feelings for her ran more deeply than simple friendship. But she was a married woman and she loved her husband; Marius was a business partner only, and that was the way it had to be.
Daisy rose to her feet and went in search of Hilda, who was always a source of good common sense and practical advice. She found her in the still room, preparing rose petals to make rose water. Sunshine poured through the windowpanes and a glorious scent filled the air.
‘I heard that you’d brought him home,’ Hilda said gravely. ‘How is he?’
Daisy leaned against the work table. ‘I don’t know. He looks like Jay, and he sounds like Jay, but he doesn’t know me and he doesn’t seem to remember anything of his old life.’
‘Well, he’s in the right place. If the magic of Little Creek doesn’t cure him, then nothing will.’
‘Magic?’ Daisy stared at ever-practical Hilda, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. ‘You don’t believe in magic, do you?’
‘Of course I do. Doesn’t everyone? At least a little tiny bit anyway? There’s magic when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, and magic when it smiles. There’s magic in a beautiful sunrise and a flaming sunset, and when you fall in love. You do love Jay, don’t you?’
‘Why, Hilda, I didn’t know you were a poet at heart. That’s really beautiful, but I still don’t know what to do for the best. And of course I love Jay, but I’m afraid I’ve lost him.’
‘I think you should go and talk to Dr Neville. He’s your friend, isn’t he? And he’s known Jay since they were boys. If anyone can help and advise you, it will be the doctor.’
‘Yes, of course, you’re right. I suppose I’m just tired, and it’s good to be home.’ Daisy picked up a red rose and inhaled its delicate perfume. ‘I’ll call on Nick tomorrow.’
‘You might like to have a word with young Jack before you do anything. He’s more upset about his brother than he lets on, and he might make matters worse if he starts bombarding Jay with questions.’
‘Yes, that wouldn’t do at all. Mary is the best one to be with him at present. I’ll take a walk to the stables, and I’ll try to make Jack understand that he must be careful what he says in Jay’s presence.’
‘We’ll all do what we can, Daisy. Nell has been baking jam tarts because she says they’re his favourites, and everyone will do their best to act naturally.’
‘I’m sure he’ll be very touched, when he’s in a fit state to realise how much everyone cares for him. Jay was so used to being branded as the “bad boy” in the village, I don’t think he knows how well respected he’s become.’
‘There’s another thing, Daisy. I know it’s not my place to say so, but maybe your money worries are over now.’
‘How so?’
‘Your husband isn’t dead. He might have forgotten who he is, but he’s still the rightful owner of Creek Manor. If I was you, I’d take him to the bank and make them pay out – then you won’t have to have the likes of Marjorie Harker calling the tune.’
‘It hadn’t occurred to me, but you’re right.’ Daisy gave her a hug. ‘If we can get the money I can run the estate until Jay is fully recovered, and I can pay the servants. Hilda, you’re a genius.’
Creek Hall was bathed in early summer sunshine as Daisy rode into the stable yard. Billy, the stable boy, came running from the tack room to hold Cinders while Daisy dismounted.
‘It’s good to see you again, miss.’
‘Thank you, Billy, but I’m no longer “miss” – I’m a married woman now.’
He pushed his cap to the back of his head. ‘Yes, missis. Sorry, I forgot.’
‘Is the doctor at home?’
‘Well, he ain’t taken his horse or called for the pony and trap, so I suppose he must be.’
‘Thank you.’ Daisy walked across the cobblestones to enter by the scullery door.
Mrs Bee was in the kitchen, assisted by a couple of young village girls. She looked up from rolling out a sheet of pastry and smiled.
‘Welcome back, madam. We heard that you’d gone to London.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Bee. It’s good to be home.’
‘How is Jay? Dove has been so worried.’
‘He’s been very ill, but he’s on the mend now. Anyway, I need to speak to her before I see the doctor.’
‘Dr Nick is in his study, I think, and you’ll find Dove upstairs. She gives her all to the patients.’ Mrs Bee glanced at the two kitchen maids, but they were getting on with their chores and did not appear to be listening. ‘Between you and me – and I don’t say this lightly because I think the world of the doctor – but I don’t think he really appreciates how much she does for him. He had his sights set elsewhere, if you know what I’m saying.’
‘I do, and I agree with you, Mrs Bee. Dove is a young woman in a million.’
‘I hope that he’ll come to realise that before it’s too late.’
Daisy patted Mrs Bee’s floury hand. ‘It will sort itself out, so try not to worry. I’ll go and find Dove and keep her up to date on her brother’s progress.’
‘You must stop for a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake before you go. I doubt if you bothered to have breakfast.’
Daisy smiled. ‘I had a slice of toast, but of course I’d much rather have some of your cake. I’ll call in before I leave.’ She left the kitchen and went in search of Dove, almost bumping into her as she emerged from a patient’s room.
Dove’s serious expression melted into a welcoming smile. ‘You’re back. Is Jay with you?’
‘He’s at home with your mother.’
‘But he’s all right? It seems like a miracle that he’s come back to us after all these weeks.’
‘He’s unhurt physically,’ Daisy said carefully, ‘but he’s still weak from the fever he’d been suffering from, and he’s lost his memory. He doesn’t even know his own name.’
‘He will get better, won’t he?’
‘I hope so, but no one seems to know. I’m going to speak to Nick now, but I wanted to tell you first.’
‘May I visit him, Daisy?’
‘Of course, and maybe seeing you and Linnet will bring back some memory from the past. Mary was going to allow Jack five minutes with his brother this morning.’
