A Village Scandal

by Dilly Court

‘I am not your love, and apparently I never was. But since you’re here, I want you to give orders to call in at the next port. I’m going home, Jay.’

  ‘We’ve just left the Thames Estuary, Daisy. Now leave me alone. I’ve been on watch all night and I want to get some sleep.’ He turned onto his side with his back to her, leaving Daisy in no doubt that the conversation had been terminated.

  ‘All right,’ she said firmly. ‘Rest now, but I’m having this cabin tonight and you can sleep where you like, but not with me. It’s the least you can do, since I’m virtually a prisoner on board this wretched ship, but I want you to put me ashore at the first possible opportunity.’

  Jay answered with a snore and Daisy realised that he had succumbed to exhaustion. She dressed hastily and went to the saloon to eat the breakfast that Ramsden had set out for her. If she were being realistic she knew that nothing would make Jay change his mind, and she had no alternative but to accept the situation. However, that would not prevent her from working on his better nature and making him sign the documents she had painstakingly written out. At least she would have something to show for her time on board the Lazy Jane when she eventually managed to get home. She resigned herself to a few days at sea, determined to make the most of the respite. When she returned to Creek Manor there would be work to do.

  Two days later the Lazy Jane docked in St Peter Port harbour. Daisy hoped that they would unload their cargo and sail back to the mainland, but Jay had been evasive when she asked him where the ship was bound next, and neither Ramsden nor Guppy seemed to know.

  It was late afternoon when they arrived and Daisy was surprised to find Jay in the cabin, which he had vacated unwillingly. He was going through his sea chest and flinging garments into a ditty bag.

  ‘What are you doing, Jay?’

  ‘I’m packing, my love.’

  ‘Why? Where are you going?’

  He straightened up and faced her, his lips curved in a wry smile. ‘I suppose you’ll find out anyway, so it’s best if it comes from my lips. I have responsibilities here.’

  Daisy sank down on the bunk. ‘What do you mean by responsibilities?’

  ‘You don’t want to know.’

  She eyed him suspiciously. ‘What are you saying? Are you telling me that you have another family here on the island?’

  ‘I can’t help it if women fall in love with me, Daisy. I try to resist, I really do, but you know how it is, but I find myself doing anything to keep them happy.’

  ‘You have a wife here, too?’

  ‘Well, we went through a marriage ceremony some years ago. It’s really difficult to avoid such a thing when you’re in love with a woman.’

  ‘You mean you’re a bigamist twice over? Who is your legal wife?’

  ‘It has to be Aimee, although I was very much involved with Bessie at the time. Aimee is a lovely girl, but she has six elder brothers, all of them big, burly fishermen. We married when she was in the family way with the first nipper. It was convenient for all of us.’

  ‘So you aren’t legally married to Bessie?’ Daisy stared at him in astonishment.

  ‘Well, I married her in church, so that kept her happy.’

  ‘Do these women know about each other?’

  He laughed. ‘Hardly. I’m not stupid, Daisy. Bessie accepted the fact that I was a seafarer, and so did Aimee. I could come and go as I pleased, and the old squire didn’t mind because we did business with the Channel Islands, if you know what I mean.’

  ‘You are as bad as he was, Jay. If it weren’t so tragic and so utterly selfish, I think I would find it funny.’

  ‘I thought you’d be furious when you found out. Why aren’t you shouting at me and throwing things?’

  ‘What good would that do? Anyway, I’m past feeling anything for you, Jay. Just tell me one thing – where did I fit in? Why did you marry me?’

  ‘You are the love of my life, Daisy mine. Surely you believe that?’

  ‘No, I don’t. Not for a minute.’

  ‘But I’ve signed the paper stating that our marriage was bigamous, and I’ve agreed to let you live in Creek Manor and run the estate, paying yourself a very generous salary. What more can I do?’

  She rose to her feet. ‘I’m speechless, Jay. I should hate you, but for some odd reason I find that I really don’t care.’

  He shrugged and tossed the last garment into his bag. ‘I’m hurt, but I suppose it does make it easier for me to walk away.’

  ‘One day you’ll be found out and you’ll get your comeuppance, Jay Tattersall, but I care about Mary and the rest of the family too much to drag the family name through the courts.’

  ‘You are the best one, Daisy mine. If things had been different I think I might have settled down with you.’ Jay gave her a long look. ‘I’m telling you this in confidence because I know I can trust you, but I’m leaving the country and I doubt very much if I’ll ever return.’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’

  ‘Just what I said. I’m taking Aimee and the nipper to start a new life in Australia. No one outside the crew knows as yet, and I certainly don’t want her father and brothers to find out until after we’ve sailed.’

  ‘Why Australia? Why go so far?’

  ‘I want to start afresh, and who knows, I might find gold and end up a wealthy man. I’m not a farmer or a landowner at heart.’

  ‘But what about your family in Little Creek? What will I tell Mary?’

  ‘Don’t tell her anything. I’ll send word when we’re settled somewhere, and maybe I’ll come back and visit. Tell Jack that there’ll always be a home with me if he wants to see the world.’

  Daisy sank down on the bunk. ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this to the people who love you. But on the other hand, it’s typical of you, Jay. You are the most selfish person I have ever met.’

  He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. ‘I’ll miss you, Daisy. But I have to go. You do forgive me, don’t you?’

  ‘I won’t answer that. You are conceited enough without me adding to it.’ Daisy rose to her feet, pushing him away. ‘What will the crew do?’

  ‘I’ve paid them off as they don’t want to come with me. They’re leaving as soon as the cargo is unloaded. Ramsden and Guppy will take you back to Little Creek. I’ve given them the train fare.’ Jay hesitated, grinning mischievously. ‘By the way, I forgot to mention that I visited the bank in Maldon before I set off for Little Threlfall. I withdrew a substantial sum of money, which is only fair. You’ll soon make up the shortfall when the rents are collected.’

  He was about to open the door, but Daisy caught him by the arm. ‘Just a minute. Are you telling me that you’ve taken everything?’

  ‘Would I be so unfeeling? I left just enough to carry you through, providing you’re careful with the money.’

  ‘You really are a bastard,’ Daisy said with feeling. ‘I suppose you owe Marius money, too. What shall I tell him?’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll think of something, Daisy mine. You’re rarely lost for words.’ Jay opened the door and allowed it to swing shut behind him.

  Daisy stood for a full minute, staring at the space where the man who had once been her husband had last stood. The scent of him lingered and his presence seemed to echo round the small cabin, but it faded quickly and she wrenched the door open. The sound of his footsteps faded and she could hear him talking to someone on deck. She picked up her skirts and hurried after him, but he was negotiating the steep gangplank with the ease of long use, and he disappeared amongst a crowd of dock workers.

  ‘He’s going away for good this time, missis.’

  She turned to see Guppy standing at her elbow. ‘What will you do now, Clem?’

  He pushed his cap to the back of his head. ‘Well, I was thinking of swallowing the anchor, missis. I’m very taken with Miss Price, and you said you’d ask her to stay at Creek Manor so that she can get to know me better.’

  ‘I did, indeed, and she was eager to take up my invitation, b
ut I hope you won’t let her down, Clem. There seems to be too much of that going on these days.’

  ‘I ain’t like that, ma’am. I reckon it’s time I got wed and looked after Ma. She brought me up on her own and she ain’t getting any younger. Ma liked Ivy, and it’s the first time she’s took to any girl I had a fancy for.’

  ‘That’s a good start, and maybe I can find work for you on the estate,’ Daisy said thoughtfully. ‘You know all the farmers and tenants, and I could do with a manager I can trust.’

  ‘You’re staying on then, ma’am?’

  ‘Like you, Clem, I don’t seem to have much choice. Tomorrow morning, first thing, I’ll send a telegram to Creek Manor, telling them that I’ll be home in a few days, providing I can get passage on a ship going to the mainland.’

  ‘That won’t be a problem, providing you don’t mind the smell of fish, ma’am. We know most of the local fishermen, and they’re always looking for ways to make money.’

  They landed in Weymouth late in the evening of the following day. Daisy was tired, cold and cramped after spending several hours being tossed around in a small fishing boat, and she was certain that her clothes would never be clean again. The stench of fish, some of it none too fresh, clung to her skirts and permeated every garment she was wearing. She walked to the station with Ramsden and Guppy, only to find that the last train had gone and there would not be another until the morning.

  ‘I am not going to sleep on a bench in the waiting room,’ Daisy said tiredly. ‘You two can do as you please, but I am going to the hotel where I stayed with Mr Walters.’

  ‘I ain’t wasting good money on no fancy hotel.’ Ramsden shot a sideways glance at Guppy. ‘What about you, mate?’

  Guppy nodded. ‘I’m with you, but I’ll see Mrs Tattersall to the hotel.’

  ‘Meet me in the pub over the road,’ Ramsden said gruffly. ‘A few pints of ale and we’ll sleep like babies.’

  ‘I can find the hotel on my own,’ Daisy volunteered.

  Guppy, however, would have none of it and he insisted on accompanying her along the Esplanade to the same place where she had stayed on her previous visit. But as they arrived a familiar-looking equipage pulled up outside the hotel and the driver climbed down to open the carriage door. He gave Daisy a cursory glance, turned away and then looked back with recognition dawning on his weather-beaten features.

  Daisy turned away. It was just her luck to arrive at the hotel at the same time as Mr Coker, Bessie’s father, and he had obviously recognised her.

  ‘I’ll be all right now, thank you, Clem,’ Daisy said hastily.

  ‘I’ll come for you early tomorrow, missis. We’ll catch the first train to London.’

  ‘Yes, of course. I’ll be ready.’ Daisy hurried up the steps and entered the hotel foyer.

  The clerk on the reception desk eyed her askance, but Daisy was not in the mood for explanations. It was, of course, unusual for a young woman to be travelling on her own, and even more unusual for someone like herself to book into a hotel, and the clerk was clearly puzzled and at a loss. He summoned the manager, who looked Daisy up and down as if assessing the cost of her outfit, and he wrinkled his nose.

  ‘Where is that dreadful smell of fish coming from, Parkes?’

  The clerk shook his head. ‘I can’t say, sir.’

  Daisy tapped the desk impatiently. ‘I am trying to book a room for tonight, sir. I’m afraid I missed the last train to London.’

  The manager took a spotless white handkerchief from his top pocket and held it to his nose. ‘I’m afraid it’s against hotel policy to allocate rooms to single ladies, madam. I’m sure you will understand that we have our reputation to think of.’

  Daisy was reminded of the first time she had visited Maldon in search of a shipping agent, where she had met with similar prejudice. ‘I am a respectable married woman, and I have money to pay for accommodation. I have simply had the misfortune to miss my train.’

  The manager folded his arms across his chest. ‘I’m afraid I must ask you to leave, madam.’

  ‘Yes, throw her out, Mr Troop.’ Bessie’s father burst in through the main entrance, waving his hand to attract the manager’s attention. ‘She’s the one who stole my Bessie’s husband.’

  ‘I did no such thing,’ Daisy protested.

  ‘Yes, you did.’ Coker pointed a shaking finger at her. ‘You and that fellow over there. You hired me to take you to spy on my girl.’

  Daisy spun round half expecting to see Jay, but the person walking towards her was even more of a surprise.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  ‘Marius,’ Daisy gasped. ‘What are you doing here?’

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly for a few seconds before holding her at arm’s length, as he studied her with a worried frown. ‘Thank God you’re all right. I’ve been frantic with worry since you were dragged on board Jay’s ship. You might have been killed.’

  Shaken by his sudden appearance and the emotion that he could not conceal beneath his usual urbane charm, Daisy was momentarily lost for words, but she knew that they were being watched and she managed a smile.

  ‘As you can see, I’m all right.’

  Mr Troop held up both hands. ‘Will somebody tell me what’s going on?’

  ‘That’s easy – she’s a Jezebel, and that man there is her pimp,’ Coker said angrily.

  ‘You’ll apologise to the lady for that, sir.’ Marius took a step towards Coker, his hands fisted at his sides. ‘Mrs Tattersall is a respectable married woman, and you insult me by that accusation.’

  ‘Mrs Tattersall?’ Coker roared. ‘She ain’t his wife. My Bessie can prove that she’s married to that bastard Jay Tattersall.’

  ‘Watch your language, Coker,’ Marius snarled. ‘And go about your business. This has nothing to do with you.’

  ‘I should say it has, mate,’ Coker said angrily. ‘My Bessie’s been badly done to and she’s to blame.’

  ‘Look to the man you call your son-in-law, Coker. He’s the one who’s culpable, not this poor lady.’

  ‘She ain’t no lady,’ Coker snapped.

  Mr Troop slammed his hand on the reception desk. ‘I won’t have this sort of behaviour in my hotel. You’ll take this outside.’

  Daisy held up her hands. ‘Stop it, all of you. All I want is a room for the night.’

  ‘Yes, all right. Anything to keep the peace.’ The waxed ends of Mr Troop’s military moustache quivered with emotion. ‘And you can get out, Coker. I won’t have my foyer turned into a bear garden.’ He waited until the angry coachman had left the building before turning to Marius. ‘As for you, Mr Walters, if you will vouch for this young person I will find her a room, just for one night.’

  ‘Of course I will, and I think you owe Mrs Tattersall an apology, Troop.’

  Troop nudged the desk clerk. ‘Pass the guest register to the lady, Parkes.’

  ‘An apology first.’ Marius gave Daisy a warning look as she picked up a pen.

  ‘I apologise for the error, Mrs Tattersall.’ Troop glanced round anxiously as an elderly couple strolled into the foyer, and he forced a smile. ‘I hope you both enjoy your stay.’

  Daisy signed the register and Marius led her to the hotel lounge where he ordered coffee and brandy. He sat down opposite her. ‘I don’t know how you came to be here tonight, but it feels like a miracle, and it’s wonderful to see you looking so well. I’ve been frantic with worry, Daisy.’

  ‘I was quite safe on board the Lazy Jane. Jay isn’t perfect by any means, but he wouldn’t lay a finger on me.’ She met Marius’s anxious gaze with a steady look. ‘He behaved like a gentleman, and anyway, he doesn’t want me.’

  ‘I find that hard to believe.’

  ‘It’s true, Marius. What we felt for each other is no longer there.’ Daisy reached for the coffee and took a sip. ‘It’s almost like another life, and it’s long gone.’

  ‘Really? Are you being honest with yourself, Daisy?’

 
; ‘Yes, I am. It was sweet and lovely while it lasted, but now there’s no going back. Jay is moving on.’ She replaced the cup on its saucer. ‘You’ll hardly credit this, but he married a Guernsey woman before he became involved with Bessie, and they have a child.’

  ‘So he’s a double bigamist,’ Marius said, shaking his head.

  ‘Yes, and now he’s abandoning Bessie and her children to Coker’s care, which I don’t agree with at all, but it’s really none of my business. Jay has no conscience when it comes to getting his own way.’

  Marius sipped his drink. ‘So is he going to make Guernsey his base from now on?’

  ‘I know he did a deal with you, but he seems to have forgotten all about that. Jay is taking Aimee and their child to Australia, and they won’t be coming back.’ Daisy leaned forward to lay her hand on Marius’s arm. ‘I am so sorry, because I know you went out of your way to find cargoes for the Lazy Jane. If he owes you money I’ll do my best to pay it from the estate, if Jay has left any money in the account.’

  Marius gave her a steady look. ‘I won’t tell you what I think of Jay, because it’s not your respons-ibility. I can stand the loss, but it sounds as if you will be struggling once again, despite all your hard work.’

  ‘He said that he’d left enough to keep us going, and I’ve agreed to stay on and manage the estate. I’ve been doing it for the past few months anyway, and although I was born and bred in London, I really love country life.’

  ‘So Jay has reneged on all his promises and responsibilities, leaving you, whom he treated despicably, to pick up the pieces. It’s all wrong and it’s an insult, Daisy. I won’t pretend to condone Jay’s behaviour or his treatment of you.’

  ‘I’m fond of Mary and the rest of the family,’ Daisy said gently. ‘I love Creek Manor and the whole village. It’s my home and I’m happy to stay on.’

  ‘You deserve so much more, Daisy. You’re a beautiful woman and you should have a home of your own, and a husband who loves you more than life itself.’ Marius raised her hand to his cheek, then he released it suddenly. ‘What is that awful smell?’

  ‘It’s rotten fish,’ Daisy said, giggling. ‘I do apologise, but I came over in a fishing boat with Guppy and Ramsden.’