A Village Scandal

by Dilly Court

  It took her a few seconds to accustom her eyes to the gloom, but there was no mistaking the smile of welcome on Marius’s face as he came from behind his desk to greet them.

  ‘This is a pleasant surprise, Daisy. What are you doing in London?’ His expression darkened as he turned to give Jay a questioning look. ‘So you’ve deigned to turn up, Captain. Or are you Squire Tattersall? You need to make up your mind, Jay.’

  Jay shrugged. ‘I’m master and owner, Marius. And I’ll thank you to treat me with the respect that deserves.’

  ‘You have to earn respect, Tattersall,’ Marius said angrily. ‘But Guppy and Ramsden have done a good job. Cargoes have been delivered on time and no complaints, despite your lackadaisical attitude to your position.’

  ‘I should think so. I hand-pick my men, and I train them well.’

  Daisy tapped her booted foot on the wooden floorboards. She was growing impatient with this pointless chatter. ‘Jay, for goodness’ sake tell Marius why we came here today.’

  Marius met her gaze with a questioning look. ‘Why are you here, Daisy?’

  ‘We’ve just come from the solicitor’s office. My marriage to Jay is null and void, according to Mr Brumby, and he’s going to let me know how to go about having it acknowledged legally.’

  ‘So you are a free woman?’

  ‘I always was, according to the solicitor. Jay has a lot to answer for.’

  ‘I’m still here,’ Jay said plaintively. ‘I acknowledge that I was careless, and I should have told Daisy about my wife and children, but everyone makes mistakes. However, I’m being very generous. As always, the Lazy Jane is mine and mine alone, but I’m allowing my mother and Daisy to stay in Creek Manor and run the estate between them.’

  ‘So Daisy will be working for you without any reward?’ Marius’s eyes narrowed. ‘What benefit will she get from that arrangement?’

  ‘How many women have the opportunity to be in total charge of a country estate? Daisy is a free agent now, but if she marries she will have to move out. I’ll sell up and use the money to renovate the old ruin my father left me in Dorset.’

  Daisy stared at him in surprise. ‘But you said that the mansion didn’t exist.’

  ‘I was lying,’ Jay said, grinning. ‘I wanted you to feel sorry for me. The house is real enough, but it’s dilapidated and needs money spending on it. I might have to draw on funds from the estate account.’

  ‘We need to discuss this, Jay,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘This is something you should have mentioned before.’

  ‘Don’t worry, my dear. You’ll have enough to live on. From what I saw you’ve done wonders managing things in my absence. Continue like that and we’ll all be happy.’

  Marius took a step towards him. ‘It’s none of my business, but that doesn’t sound very fair, Jay. You’re using Daisy.’

  ‘She should consider herself very fortunate to be living in such a wonderful place. After all, we were never legally married so I am not responsible for her and she can walk away if she so wishes.’

  ‘You really are a miserable bastard,’ Marius said through clenched teeth.

  ‘I suppose you’d like to sever business relations with me.’ Jay chuckled as if enjoying the stir he had created. ‘But you would lose money if you did that, old chap. You see, I can tell by the way the Lazy Jane sits in the water that she’s fully laden, and I’m about to join her. We’ll deliver the cargo and you will reap the rewards of our labours. I won’t be back for a while, so keep an eye on Daisy and Ma for me. I’ve no doubt you’ll be only too delighted to take my place in Daisy’s affections.’ Jay sauntered out of the building.

  Daisy watched helplessly as he climbed down the wooden ladder to a lighter that was preparing to cast off. She was about to step outside and call out to him, but Marius moved swiftly to her side.

  ‘Let him go, Daisy. You’re better off without him.’

  ‘Don’t you think I know that, Marius? But he’s left me in a difficult position. I need to be clear as to his intentions.’

  ‘It seems to me they’re glaringly obvious. He’s using you to run the estate and make money, which he will no doubt fritter away. Moreover, you are looking after his mother, whom he’s abandoned and he’s left you to keep the rest of his family together.’

  Daisy could see the lighter ploughing its way through the choppy water, heading for the Lazy Jane.

  ‘I need to speak to Mary,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘She is a sensible woman and she has the most to lose if Jay should decide to sell the house and land.’

  Marius laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘I’ll do anything I can to help, but for now I suggest you come home with me. It’s too late for you to travel back to Little Creek tonight, and I’m sure that my housekeeper will be delighted to show off her cooking skills.’

  Daisy glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘You’re right, it is getting late, but I don’t want to put you out.’

  ‘You won’t. You need to rest and think about things before you set off for Little Creek. I’m happy to talk about it or not, as you wish, but I can guarantee you a fine supper.’

  Daisy managed a smile even though she was feeling like crying. All her hopes and dreams had been shattered and for the first time in her life she did not know which way to turn, and it was not only for herself that she worried. The servants in Creek Manor and the tenants on the estate had become like an extended family, and they relied upon her. Suddenly everything was clear to her; she felt as though she had been walking in a peasouper and now she had suddenly emerged into daylight.

  ‘Marius, I want to go on board the Lazy Jane.’

  His eyes widened and he shook his head. ‘That’s impossible, Daisy. She’s about to set sail.’

  ‘The tide is on the turn. They’ll wait until it’s on the ebb; that gives me enough time to get on board if you can find a boat that will take me out into the channel.’

  ‘What do you think you can achieve? Jay hasn’t paid any attention to your wishes so far.’

  ‘Then I must make him. Please, Marius, do this one thing for me.’

  He hesitated, eyeing her gravely, and then he nodded. ‘Wait here. I’ll see what I can do.’

  ‘Permission to come aboard.’ Daisy cupped her hands around her mouth and repeated the request. A strong easterly wind had come from nowhere, backing up the sails, which were being unfurled in readiness for departure. The Jacob’s ladder had been lowered and the lighterman was encouraging Daisy to make use of it as he steered the craft alongside the Lazy Jane.

  ‘Mrs Tattersall.’ Guppy’s anxious face gazed down at her. ‘Don’t risk it, ma’am.’

  ‘I’m coming on board.’ Daisy reached out to grab the rope ladder and took a leap, clinging on for dear life. Her long skirts were already soaked and they hampered her movements, but she was desperate to get to safety and she raised one foot, feeling for the wooden rung, and then the other. Her arms felt as though they were being wrenched from their sockets, but she persisted, neither looking up nor down, although she could hear the water pounding against the wooden hull and she knew that if she fell the current would suck her under in seconds. Her hands were numb and she could not feel her feet. Her strength was failing and she knew that she could not cling on much longer – it would be a relief to let go and allow herself to fall into the churning water of the River Thames …

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The next thing she knew she was hauled unceremoniously onto the deck, where she lay gasping for breath.

  ‘Looks like I landed a marlin,’ Jay said, laughing.

  Daisy looked up and glared at him through the wet hair that obscured most of her vision. She brushed it back with a shaking hand. ‘It’s not funny. I might have died.’

  ‘I didn’t ask you to follow me. You should have known better.’ Jay took her by the hand and dragged her to her feet. ‘Are you hurt?’

  ‘Much you’d care if I was,’ Daisy retorted angrily.

  ‘The missis is soaked to the ski
n, Captain.’ Guppy took off his jacket and wrapped it around Daisy’s shoulders. ‘Best come below, missis. Ramsden will make you a nice hot cup of tea.’

  ‘The wind and tide are just right. We set sail now, Guppy,’ Jay said firmly. ‘Take the wheel. I’ll look after my wife.’

  ‘I am not your wife.’ Daisy ignored his proffered hand. ‘I know my way about the ship as well as you do. I’ll get warm and then you can put me ashore downstream.’

  Jay followed her to the saloon. ‘You’ll find dry clothes in my cabin. We’ve been here before, Daisy mine.’ He threw back his head and laughed. ‘Don’t look at me like that. We were in love, once upon a time.’

  ‘Yes, but that was then. This is now, and I don’t know whether to hate you or pity you.’

  ‘So why did you risk your life to come on board with me?’

  ‘I didn’t stop to think, but if I had I would have stayed ashore and accepted Marius’s offer of a bed for the night and a good dinner.’

  Jay sprawled on a chair, eyeing her with some amusement. ‘Go on then, Daisy. What did you have to say that couldn’t wait?’

  The deck was moving beneath her feet, but Daisy walked up and down in an attempt to get warm. ‘You can’t just go away without settling our affairs. I don’t care what you do with your private life, but I want a written statement from you, admitting that you were already married when we wed. And if I’m to stay on at the manor house I want you to employ me as estate manager with a regular wage.’

  ‘Why should I bother? You’ve been doing it for nothing while you thought we were married. I know you, Daisy. You wouldn’t desert my mother or that woman you’ve taken under your wing.’

  ‘That was the old me, Jay. This is me as I am from now onwards. Do you agree to my terms?’

  Jay regarded her with a smug smile. ‘And if I don’t? What then, Daisy? What can you possibly do that would make me change my mind?’

  ‘Maybe nothing, but I think a year in prison would sharpen your mind. If the only way I can be free from this sham marriage is to report you to the authorities, then that’s what I’ll do.’

  ‘Thank you for the warning, my love. However, you’ve put me in a difficult position, Daisy. I can’t put you ashore with that threat hanging over my head. I’m afraid you’ll just have to accompany us on this trip. Anyway, you might find it interesting.’

  ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘We have a cargo of corn for St Peter Port, and then, who knows where we’ll go?’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’

  ‘I’m not going to be Marius Walters’ pawn from now on. He was useful for a while, but he seems to think that he’s the master, and he’s wrong. What I say goes, and I intend to take charge of my own destiny. Neither you nor Bessie have a say in what I do next.’

  ‘Does she know this?’

  ‘Not yet, but she will when I fail to return.’

  ‘You’re going to desert her?’ Daisy stared at him, her wet clothes and cold limbs temporarily forgotten. ‘What about the children?’

  ‘Old man Coker always had plenty to say for himself. Let him take care of them. I’ve had enough of being the domesticated sort of chap. I told you once that I’m a wanderer, and it’s true.’

  ‘What did I ever see in you, Jay?’ Daisy stared at him in dismay. ‘You can forget about taking me to the Channel Islands. You’ll set me ashore somewhere along the river.’

  ‘The only way you’ll get ashore is if you jump overboard and swim for it, Daisy. I’m not diverting the Lazy Jane for you, or anyone. Now go to my cabin and find some dry clothes. I don’t want a sick woman on my hands.’

  ‘I will, but only because it suits me to do so. But you haven’t heard the last of this.’ Daisy left the saloon, although it was impossible to walk with dignity due to the movement of the deck below her feet. She had almost forgotten what it was like to spend time on board, but unless she could persuade Jay to change his mind, it looked as though this was going to be a long trip.

  Jay’s cabin was the same as it had been when she was last on board the ship, and it was surprisingly neat and tidy. She braced herself to go through the garments in the sea chest, but the scent of him clung to the clothes, bringing back memories of happier times when love was all that mattered and the future had looked bright. She selected a dressing robe and slammed the lid. Whatever happened in the next few days, she must not allow Jay to charm her into forgiving him, or even worse, fall in love with him for a second time. She stripped off her wet garments and wrapped herself in the soft woollen material of the dressing robe. The galley was her next stop, and she took her wet things to the warmest part of the ship. Ramsden was busy preparing the stew for their supper that evening and he gave her a gap-toothed grin.

  ‘It’s like old times, missis.’

  ‘I’m going ashore at the first possible opportunity, Ramsden. Would you be kind enough to see that my clothes dry quickly?’

  ‘Aye, missis. But you’re not likely to get ashore for some time yet. We’ve got to take the cargo to St Peter Port. I dunno what the orders are then, but the captain will tell us.’

  ‘We’ll see about that.’ Daisy left him and made her way to the saloon where she found a pen and paper, and she settled down to write the terms upon which she would remain at the manor house and the salary she might expect to receive. Having done that, she went on to write a declaration for Jay to sign, absolving her of being complicit in a bigamous marriage. She waited until the ink was dry and then folded the sheets of paper and tucked them in the pocket of the robe. She would wait until after dinner, and then hopefully Jay would be in a mellow mood after enjoying a good meal and a glass or two of wine, and she would persuade him to sign them.

  However, it did not quite work out in the way she had hoped. Jay was absent from the table when dinner was served, and Ramsden announced that the captain had taken the wheel while he navigated the crowded waters of the Pool of London and beyond.

  ‘He always does that, missis,’ Ramsden said proudly. ‘A finer ship-handler you’ll never come across.’

  ‘But he must eat.’

  ‘He’ll sup after he hands over to Clem, but the captain will want to take advantage of the remaining daylight so that we’re well on our way when darkness falls.’

  Daisy could tell by the way he spoke that Ramsden had a great deal of respect for his captain, and while she applauded his loyalty, she knew that it would make getting ashore all the more difficult. She would have to concentrate on Guppy. If he wanted to see Ivy again it might make him more amenable to helping her.

  Daisy finished her meal and went up on deck, but the warm summer evening had suddenly become overcast beneath a sulphurous sky, and a flash of lightning was followed by a crack of thunder. Then the rain came down in a torrent and Daisy ran for cover. She retreated to the saloon and took a seat, holding onto the table as the ship was buffeted by strong winds. The sound of booted feet on the deck above echoed round the saloon and she could hear Jay shouting orders, his voice cracking with the effort of making himself heard above the howling wind and claps of thunder.

  After what felt like an eternity, Jay put his head round the door. ‘This is going to be a long night. You’d best use my cabin. I won’t be getting much sleep.’ He disappeared before she had a chance to respond, but Daisy could tell by the look on his face and the excitement in his voice that he was in his element and enjoying every minute of the challenge to his ship-handling skills.

  She made her way to his cabin and curled up on the bunk, pulling the covers up to her chin. The pillow and the bedding smelled of Jay, and she closed her eyes, forcing herself to put him out of her mind. Jay was like a drug that once taken was hard to give up, but she was not going to allow herself to be taken in by him ever again. She needed sleep to make her clear-headed in the morning and capable of forcing Jay to put her ashore at a port close to home.

  Sunlight was streaming through the porthole when Daisy awakened, and she raised herself on her e
lbow, gazing round in an attempt to remember how and why she had woken up in Jay’s cabin on the Lazy Jane. It took only a few seconds for her to recall the events of the previous evening. She leaped off the bunk, still wearing Jay’s robe, and when she looked for her clothes she remembered that they had been left to dry in the galley. It was an eerie repeat of the first time she had been on board this same ship, under similar circumstances. So much had happened in the intervening months that it was almost impossible to comprehend the ups and downs of her turbulent relationship with Jay. She wrapped the robe around her and tied the belt tightly about her waist. There was nothing for it but to go to the galley and retrieve her clothes. Ramsden would know how far they had travelled during the night, and if they were likely to put into port before braving the busy English Channel.

  In the galley Ramsden was stirring a large saucepan filled to the brim with porridge. He shook his head when she posed the question. ‘Not a chance, missis. I know the captain, and he won’t put ashore for anyone, even you. Besides which, you’re a lady and you shouldn’t travel on your own.’

  Daisy sighed. ‘It seems we’ve been this way before, Ramsden. I’ll have a word with the captain. Maybe I can make him see things my way.’

  ‘Aye, well, good luck, missis.’ Ramsden tasted the porridge and smiled. ‘This is tasty, if I say so meself, and it’s one of the captain’s favourites.’

  ‘Yes,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘I remember.’

  ‘Your duds are dry, missis.’ Ramsden put down the spoon and reached for the garments. ‘I’ll put some breakfast in the saloon for you. The porridge will be cool enough to eat by the time you’re ready for it.’

  ‘Thank you, Ramsden. That’s very thoughtful of you. I won’t be long.’

  Daisy hurried back to Jay’s cabin and found him sprawled on the bunk. ‘Excuse me,’ she said crossly. ‘I need to get dressed.’

  He opened one eye. ‘It’s nothing I haven’t seen before, my love.’