The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  ‘Right then. I’ll go on ahead and tell John that we have a mission of mercy.’ Grace bustled out of the compartment, the plumes on her bonnet quivering with intent, and as Daisy martialled the children she could see Grace marching purposefully along the platform.

  It was a tight squash to get everyone seated safely in the trap, and luckily the children had only one small bag containing their worldly possession. Daisy had also travelled light, safe in the knowledge that she had several changes of clothes at home in Creek Cottage, and soon they were tootling through the country lanes at a brisk pace. The vicar offered to drop them off at the cottage, but Grace insisted that they carry on to Creek Hall, although Daisy suspected that this was due to curiosity rather than kindness. According to Mrs Bee the vicar had tried many times to persuade the late Dr Neville to attend church, but had never succeeded. Daisy suspected that Grace Peabody wanted to inspect the home of the man who had been beloved by everyone in the village, even though he had refused to conform. But if that was the case then Grace was doomed to disappointment as they were greeted at the gates by Mrs Bee and Dove.

  ‘We received a telegram from the master,’ Mrs Bee said by way of explanation. ‘It said you were bringing the little mites here, Daisy.’

  ‘So we thought we’d walk to the station to meet you,’ Dove added hastily. ‘The poor little souls look worn out. Let’s get them indoors.’

  Daisy could have kissed them both. It was a relief to find that Nick had forewarned his housekeeper and that they were expected. There was no need for lengthy explanations and Mrs Bee had picked up two-year-old Nate and Dove scooped Pip into her arms, leaving Daisy to take care of Molly and Judy.

  ‘Thank you so much, Mr and Mrs Peabody,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘It was so kind of you to give us a lift.’

  ‘Perhaps we ought to see the children safely settled?’ Grace gave her husband a meaningful look, but he shook his head.

  ‘I can see that they are in good hands, my dear. I think we’d best get home. I have parishioners to visit this afternoon.’ He flicked the reins. ‘Good day, ladies.’

  Mrs Bee acknowledged him with a smile and Dove bobbed a curtsey. Daisy could hear Grace protesting as the horse plodded forward, breaking into a trot as it seemed to realise it was on the homeward journey.

  ‘I’ll leave the explanations to you, Dove.’ With Nate clasped in her arms, Mrs Bee set off along the gravelled carriage sweep, heading towards the house.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Daisy asked anxiously. ‘Is anything wrong?’

  ‘There’s a reason why Mrs Bee didn’t want the Peabodys to come up to the house.’ Dove quickened her pace.

  Daisy smiled down at Judy. ‘If you and Molly run after that nice lady I’m sure she’ll find you something nice to eat.’

  ‘You want to talk to her in private,’ Judy said, sighing. ‘It’s always the same with grown-ups.’

  ‘Maybe I do, but I can assure you that Mrs Bee is a marvellous cook and she makes delicious cakes.’

  Judy grabbed her sister’s hand and broke into a run.

  ‘Now then,’ Daisy said when the girls were out of earshot. ‘What’s going on? Why didn’t Mrs Bee invite the vicar and his wife into the house?’

  Chapter Sixteen

  ‘It’s Jay,’ Dove said in a low voice. ‘He turned up late last night.’

  ‘Why would he risk coming ashore? He only just got away last time.’

  ‘You can ask him yourself.’

  ‘Why did he come here, of all places?’

  ‘He can’t go home because Pa would throw him out or turn him over to the authorities.’ Dove hurried on and Daisy had to run in an effort to keep up with her.

  ‘What has Jay done that is so terrible?’ Daisy demanded as she caught up with her outside the scullery door. ‘I don’t understand why your father is so unwilling to help his eldest son. I’m sure that Jay isn’t bad at heart.’ She turned with a start as the door opened and Jay stepped outside into the spring sunshine.

  ‘At last,’ he said, chuckling. ‘Someone who believes in me. It’s good to see you again, Daisy.’

  ‘I’ll take this little one into the kitchen.’ Dove pushed past her brother, giving him a warning look. ‘Don’t cause trouble, Jay. We’ve had enough of that in our family.’ She carried Pip inside and closed the door.

  Jay stood with his thumbs hooked into his belt, his head on one side as he gazed at Daisy with an irresistible twinkle in his eyes. ‘Are you collecting orphans, Daisy? I’ve just seen Mrs Bee with two little girls and a young child, and my sister has another in her arms.’

  ‘Their father was killed in a collision with an omnibus and their mother is in hospital. I promised to see that her children were cared for until she’s well enough to look after them.’

  ‘I seem to have missed something. This couldn’t have happened in Little Creek. The most dangerous vehicle is the brewer’s dray, and that doesn’t go fast enough to catch a snail.’

  Daisy stifled a giggle. ‘You always manage to turn everything into a joke.’

  ‘I’m serious now, and I’m sorry for the children, but I’m still confused. Where were you when this happened?’

  ‘I’ve just started as a probationer nurse at the London Hospital, and I witnessed the accident. Hilda – that’s the children’s mother – had to be admitted to one of the wards and she was frantic with worry. I promised to help if I could.’

  ‘So you decided to bring them here?’

  ‘When I found the children living in appalling conditions with no one to care for them I didn’t have much choice. They’re here with Nick’s permission, of course.’ Daisy met his amused look with a frown. ‘Why am I explaining myself? More to the point, why are you here? If you’re in trouble with the authorities you could get Mrs Bee and Dove into trouble.’

  ‘I was going to steer clear of Little Creek, but I had a brush with the squire and he’s threatened to evict my family from their cottage.’

  ‘He also owns the freehold on Creek Cottage and the lease will come up for renewal before the year is out. He’s threatening not to renew it and it’s obvious that the squire wants my aunt and uncle out, too,’ Daisy said with feeling. ‘That man is pure evil.’

  Jay’s smiled faded. ‘I agree, and something needs to be done.’

  ‘He’s a magistrate. He does what he likes.’

  ‘No one is above the law, not even Tattersall, and I intend to bring him down, one way or another.’

  ‘I don’t see what you can do. Get on the wrong side of him and he’ll have you up before him on some trumped-up charge.’

  ‘I’ll work something out, don’t worry.’

  ‘I wish I could stay to help, but I have to return to the hospital tomorrow.’

  ‘Has Nick got anything to do with your decision to stay in London?’

  The question, asked outright, brought a blush to her cheeks. ‘No, certainly not. I’d been thinking about taking up nursing, and I decided it was the right time. Although I suppose it might have appeared that I was running away.’

  ‘I don’t believe you’ve ever run from anything in your life, Daisy. But I still think there’s something you’re not telling me.’

  ‘The situation was beyond my control.’ Daisy hesitated. If she told him the truth it might make him even more determined to take on the powerful squire, but as she met his intense gaze she knew she could not lie. ‘I thought I could help Nick, but taking on the squire was a big mistake.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘Apparently he admires bold women, or so he told me when I accompanied Aunt Eleanora and Uncle Sidney to dinner at Creek Manor. The squire asked me to marry him.’

  ‘The devil he did.’

  ‘You needn’t look so surprised. I think he showed admirable good taste.’

  ‘You know I didn’t mean it like that. Anyway, I hope you put him in his place.’

  ‘He said he wouldn’t renew the lease on Creek Cottage if I refused his offer, and I’m afraid
I panicked.’

  ‘The old bastard!’ Jay shook his head. ‘I apologise for swearing, but that man is unbelievable. He’s done his best to ruin my family and now he’s turned on your aunt and uncle. It’s time he had his comeuppance.’

  ‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Daisy said earnestly. ‘But you have so much to lose, Jay. If you cross him he’ll make an example of you.’

  ‘I’m already an outlaw.’ Jay’s lips twisted in a wry smile.

  ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, just say so.’

  Jay was about to answer when the door opened. ‘Don’t listen to my brother’s ramblings,’ Dove said, frowning. ‘He’s leaving soon, anyway.’

  ‘Are you?’ Daisy gave him a questioning look. ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘I intend to bring Tattersall to his knees and have him begging for mercy.’

  ‘You’re all talk, Jay.’ Dove laid her hand on Daisy’s arm. ‘Come in and leave my mad brother to continue on the road to ruin. He might think he can outwit the squire, but he’ll soon find out that it’s not so easy.’

  ‘Do be careful, Jay,’ Daisy said earnestly.

  He clutched his hand to his heart, smiling. ‘Does that mean you care about me, Daisy?’

  ‘If you want my honest opinion, I think you ought to get as far away from here as you possibly can. The squire has money, position and power on his side, and if you take him on you’ll be the one to come off worst.’

  ‘That is going to change. He’s done enough damage to the people of Little Creek. It ends now.’ Jay strode off across the courtyard and disappeared into one of the stables.

  Daisy was about to follow him, but Dove caught her by the sleeve. ‘Let him go, because nothing you can say or do will stop Jay when he’s made his mind up.’

  ‘But he’s heading for trouble, Dove. Don’t you care?’

  ‘Of course I do, but I know from experience that you have to leave him to his own devices. He’ll do exactly as he wants anyway.’

  Daisy stayed for an hour, but by that time she was satisfied that the children would settle in well and that Mrs Bee and Dove could cope with their antics. Daisy said goodbye to the children although she promised to visit them again before she returned to London. She was reluctant to leave, but she wanted to see her aunt and uncle, although she suspected that they already knew of her arrival. It would have been an irresistible piece of gossip for Grace to pass on, and was probably all round the village by now.

  It was a glorious spring afternoon and Daisy set off to walk to Creek Cottage. The recent showers followed by warm sunshine had brought a touch of spring to the woods with buds bursting open and tiny leaves unfurling like ladies’ fans. The white blossom of the blackthorn looked like bridal lace as it adorned the hedgerows; birds were nesting, and small animals scuttled about in the leaf mould. Daisy was even more conscious of the difference between living in the city and life in the country, and although she would never have thought it possible she knew that this was where she truly belonged. However, she had a job to do and she would have to return to the dirt, smoke and crowded streets of London in the morning.

  She arrived at Creek Cottage to find her aunt peering out of the window. Daisy chuckled to herself – she had been correct in her assumption that Grace Peabody would have spread the news of Daisy Marshall’s unexpected return home accompanied by four children. She opened the gate in the picket fence and was halfway up the path when the front door opened and her aunt emerged from the house, arms widespread in welcome.

  ‘My dear girl, how lovely to see you. Grace told us that you had come back from London with several small children, but why didn’t you bring them here?’ She hustled Daisy into the house. ‘I’m sure we’re used to looking after the waifs and strays you bring home.’

  ‘I knew you would want to help,’ Daisy said tactfully. ‘But the two youngest children are little more than babies and their mother will be incapacitated for months. Her husband was killed in the accident and she has no one to look after her children. They were facing the workhouse.’

  ‘Oh, how dreadful.’ Eleanora bustled into the parlour where, despite the relative warmth outside, a fire burned in the grate. ‘Anyway, tell me everything from the moment you left us. Your uncle and I have really missed you.’ She rang the bell, but Daisy suspected that Linnet must have been loitering in the hallway as she appeared immediately.

  ‘You rang, ma’am?’

  ‘Yes, Linnet. Bring tea and cake, if there is any. If I’d known earlier that you were coming home I’d have asked Hattie to bake your favourite chocolate cake, Daisy.’

  ‘That’s quite all right, Aunt.’ Daisy turned to Linnet and smiled. ‘How are things with your family?’

  ‘The same as usual, thank you, miss.’ Linnet bobbed a curtsey and retreated to the kitchen.

  Even with the door closed Daisy could hear her calling to Hattie. ‘Miss Daisy has come home, Hattie. Put the kettle on.’

  Eleanora resumed her seat by the window. ‘Are you staying long, Daisy?’

  ‘No, Aunt. I’m sorry but I have to return to London tomorrow. I’ve been taken on as a probationer nurse at the London Hospital, and I had to ask permission to bring the Begg family to Little Creek. I expect Grace has told you what happened.’

  ‘Yes, she did. A terrible accident, but it was lucky for the children that you took them under your wing. You’re a good girl, Daisy, and you deserve to have the best in life. You could live in luxury if you change your mind and accept the squire’s proposal.’

  ‘Would you really see me married to a man who tried to blackmail me into accepting his offer of marriage?’

  ‘Well, if you put it like that, then no, of course not. But I don’t believe he would stoop so low. In fact, I think he must have said that in the heat of the moment. After all, he isn’t getting any younger and he needs an heir. You are a beautiful and talented young lady and if he receives a knighthood, you would become Lady Tattersall.’

  Daisy gazed at her aunt in dismay. ‘I’m not that easily bought.’

  ‘I didn’t mean that, my dear. You take me too literally. I wish your uncle were here to persuade you.’

  ‘Where is he?’

  ‘Fishing, of course. I hardly see him these days. Not that I’m complaining. I find I have plenty to do with running the house and helping Grace with her good works.’

  ‘I’m so glad you’ve settled in so well, Aunt Eleanora.’ Daisy tried to sound positive, but it was obvious that her aunt and uncle had not taken the squire’s threats seriously. Then there was Jay, who said he was prepared to risk everything in an attempt to stop the squire from evicting his family. Daisy went to sit by the fire, staring into the flames as they licked around the glossy black coals. Perhaps her desire to get away from the squire’s advances had led her to act selfishly, leaving the people who had raised her so lovingly to face losing their home.

  The rattle of teacups announced Linnet’s arrival with the tray and she placed it on the small table in front of Eleanora.

  ‘Thank you, Linnet. That will be all for now.

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ Linnet slipped silently from the room.

  ‘Come and sit by me, Daisy. You can pour, because my hands are a bit rheumaticky today, but they’ll improve with the good weather. I want to hear every detail of your time in London.’

  When her aunt retired upstairs to take her afternoon nap, Daisy took the opportunity of going for a walk along the river-bank. She hoped to have a few words with her uncle in private, if he could be distracted from fishing for long enough to have a sensible conversation. Aunt Eleanora seemed oblivious to the threat of losing Creek Cottage and Daisy needed to find out if her uncle was similarly deluded. Despite his previous bravado, Daisy knew that both he and her aunt were in awe of Squire Tattersall – that had been obvious from the outset – but Daisy could see him for what he was: a posturing bully, drunk with his own power, and so full of himself that he thought he could buy the affection of any woman he chose.<
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  She walked slowly along the bank, enjoying the warm spring sunshine and the peace and tranquillity of the scenery. Maybe she had made a mistake by going away too soon? Perhaps she should have faced the squire again, making it clear that she could never marry a man she did not love. She was not a coward, but running away never solved any problem, and she had left her aunt and uncle to face the consequences of her refusal to consider the squire’s proposal. Jay had come home and was prepared to risk everything in order to save his family, although why the squire should have singled him out for particularly harsh treatment was a mystery. Daisy was beginning to think that there was more to the story than Jay had been prepared to disclose. She came to a sudden halt. There was someone she needed to speak to, and she headed back to the village.

  Mary Fox was on her hands and knees scrubbing the front step. She sat back on her heels and smiled up at Daisy.

  ‘This is a surprise, miss. I thought you was in London.’

  ‘I’m here on a short visit, Mrs Fox.’ Daisy glanced into the dark interior of the cottage. ‘Is your husband at home?’

  ‘He went fishing with your uncle. My Lemuel misses his work as gamekeeper, and going out with Mr Marshall makes him feel useful again. We get fish for supper nearly every day, which is a great help in these hard times.’

  ‘Might I have a word with you?’ Daisy asked tentatively. ‘In private.’

  Mary dropped the scrubbing brush into the bucket and scrambled to her feet. ‘Of course. Is anything wrong? It’s not Jack again, is it?’

  ‘No, it’s nothing to do with Jack.’ Daisy stepped over the threshold and, once again, was almost overpowered by the smell of mould and damp.

  ‘I’d offer you a cup of tea, but I haven’t had time to go to the shop.’

  Daisy knew this was a lie, but she smiled and shook her head. ‘I had tea with my aunt, thank you, anyway.’

  Mary wiped her hands on her apron, gazing anxiously around the room. ‘Won’t you take a seat, miss?’

  Daisy pulled up a chair and sat down at the scrubbed pine table. She was struck once again by Mary’s desperate attempts to make her home as neat and clean as possible, and she cleared her throat, searching for the right words. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m being impertinent, Mrs Fox, but I know that the squire has threatened you with eviction.’