by Dilly Court
Read on for a sneak peek at the next book in The Village Secrets trilogy
It was over and the bride and groom left the church to cheers, clapping, and people tossing handfuls of rice. Hand in hand Daisy and Jay walked the short distance to the latest innovation in the village, designed and financed by Jay himself. The manually operated chain ferry was ready to take the guests across the water to a landing stage on the far side, and transport had been laid on to take the bridal party to the manor house for the wedding breakfast. Jay handed Daisy into the boat, followed by his mother, Eleanora and Sidney, Hilda and the two bridesmaids, and lastly eleven-year-old Jack, who jumped aboard at the last minute and went to sit beside Judy. There were more cheers as the ferry was winched across the water, and when they disembarked it was winched back to collect the rest of the family and the guests in relays.
‘That’s a wonderful contraption, my boy,’ Sidney said appreciatively. ‘I just hope it doesn’t affect the fishing grounds.’
Jay smiled and shook his head. ‘It won’t, sir, I promise, and you are welcome to fish in the lake, if that appeals to you.’
‘My husband is obsessed with the sport,’ Eleanora sighed. ‘I must admit I’m getting a little tired of eating trout and I dislike pike; it tastes muddy.’
‘Cook can do wonders with that particular fish,’ Hilda said eagerly. ‘She stuffs it with breadcrumbs and herbs and I don’t know what, but it’s very good to eat.’
‘Lemon juice, Ma.’ Judy met her mother’s surprised gaze with a grin. ‘I learn a lot from watching Cook at work.’
Sidney patted Judy on the back. ‘I can see we have a budding chef in our midst, Hilda.’
‘Maybe Hilda doesn’t want her daughter to work in a kitchen.’ Eleanora shifted from one foot to the other as her high heels sank into the muddy track. ‘Are we getting in the carriage with you, Daisy? Or do we have to wait for another to come and pick us up? I have to say, I don’t want to travel on a farm cart. It would ruin my new gown.’
Jay handed Daisy into the waiting landau. ‘There’s room for two more and the little ones, because they don’t take up much room. There’s another carriage on the way, but it’s not too far to walk.’
‘I hope you’re not suggesting that we ladies trudge up the hill on the muddy track,’ Mary said crossly. ‘I agree with Mrs Marshall. We should travel in the carriage with you.’
‘I’ll walk,’ Sidney said firmly. ‘But Mrs Begg ought to ride.’
‘I’ll come with you, Mr Marshall,’ Jack said eagerly. ‘I feel like a walk after sitting through all that hymn singing and praying.’
Sidney ruffled Jack’s curly brown hair. ‘I couldn’t agree more, son. Perhaps Judy and Molly would like to come too, and we’ll have a look at the lake. We might see a few carp.’
Hilda was about to protest, but Judy had already skipped on ahead. ‘You ride, Ma,’ she called over her shoulder. ‘I want to see the fish.’
‘Me, too.’ Molly ran after her.
‘See what you’ve started, Sidney.’ Eleanora wagged her finger at him, but her husband merely smiled as he handed her into the carriage.
‘The children need to wear off some of their youthful high spirits, my dear, and I enjoy a bit of exercise.’ He held his hand out to Hilda.
‘Thank you, sir. But you will make sure the girls don’t fall in, won’t you? Their dresses are new and they cost a pretty penny. Daisy paid for them herself.’
‘Let the girls enjoy themselves,’ Daisy said, chuckling. ‘They’ve played their part today and behaved perfectly in church.’ She moved closer to Jay, slipping her hand through the crook of his arm. ‘Let’s go home.’
He brushed her lips with a kiss. ‘Drive on, Fuller. We have guests to entertain.’
‘Who would have thought that Creek Manor would one day play host to the whole village?’ Mary Tattersall edged into the corner of the seat to make room for Hilda and Eleanora. ‘If you’d told me that when I was a girl, I’d never have believed it.’
Eleanora turned her head away. ‘We were in London then. Sometimes I wish we’d stayed in Whitechapel.’
‘Surely not, Aunt,’ Daisy said anxiously. ‘Would you really prefer to live above the shop than here in Little Creek? You have a comfortable cottage, and it’s all yours.’
‘I suppose so.’ Eleanora uttered a loud sigh. ‘But I miss the hustle and bustle of the city, and the shops.’
‘Some people are never satisfied,’ Mary said darkly. ‘If you’d suffered the hardships I’ve had to endure you’d be grateful for what you’ve got, Mrs Marshall.’
‘I’m sure we count ourselves very fortunate to have come to such a delightful part of the country.’ Daisy spoke before her aunt had a chance to argue. ‘I love Little Creek and I’m more than happy to live in Creek Manor.’ She held Jay’s arm a little tighter. ‘I am the luckiest woman in the world to have such a wonderful husband and family. I couldn’t ask for more.’
‘My sentiments exactly,’ Jay said, smiling. ‘I’m married to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, and we have everything we could possibly want, so let’s not spoil the day with petty arguments.’
‘I’m sure I wouldn’t want to be a wet blanket.’ Eleanora shot a wary glance in Mary’s direction.
Mary nodded and managed a tight little smile. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you, Mrs Marshall. It’s just that I’ve been the subject of unkind gossip for so many years that I sometimes speak out of turn.’
‘Quite so, and as we’re related by marriage I think it only proper that you call me Eleanora. We must support each other, Mary.’
Daisy leaned against Jay, inhaling the masculine scent that was his alone. She felt at this moment as though her heart would burst with happiness, and the sun was shining. It was a perfect spring day.
After greeting the guests Daisy and Jay led them into the dining hall, where more tables and chairs had been brought in to seat everyone, and a feast had been laid out in readiness. Wine, ale and cider flowed and, although subdued at first, the guests began to relax and enjoy themselves. Their voices rose in a crescendo, adding to the clatter of knives and forks on china plates and the clink of glasses.
When at last everyone was satiated with food and drink, there was the traditional cutting of the wedding cake, and then Sidney rose to his feet and raised a toast. Jay made a brief speech in response and announced that there would be dancing in the great hall to the tuneful accompaniment of Mr Keyes, the village shopkeeper, on the concertina and Constable Fowler on the pianoforte. The instrument had been found tucked away beneath a tarpaulin in the coach house, and Mary vaguely remembered the first Mrs Tattersall having the piano in the morning parlour where she spent many an hour playing soulful music. A piano tuner had been summoned from Maldon and now it was as good as new, or almost. Daisy was no expert, but when she had been governess to the Carringtons’ youngest child, she had sat beside Master Timothy in the drawing room of the London mansion while he did his five-finger exercises. The Steinway, which had been imported from Germany at enormous expense, had made the most wonderful sound, even though the young musician was there under sufferance, bribed by the promise of a poke of humbugs if he completed a half-hour practice. The manor house pianoforte could not compete with such a superb instrument, but if the notes were tinny no one seemed to notice, and George Keyes played his concertina with more enthusiasm than expertise.
Jay and Daisy took the floor and led the dancers in a waltz, followed by a lively polka and then a gavotte. Breathless and smiling, they stopped to take a rest while the guests formed a circle for the country dance, Gathering Peascods.
‘This really is a day to remember, Jay,’ Daisy said softly. ‘You were right, it’s good to share our happiness with everyone.’
He smiled and leaned over to kiss her on the lips. ‘Here’s to a lifetime together, Daisy mine. I’ll never leave you.’
It was her turn to smile. ‘Not even to refurbish the Lazy Jane – I know she’s the second lov
e of your life.’
‘No, sweetheart. My days at sea are over. I’ll pay another master to take care of the old girl, but this time they’ll trade in legitimate goods. No more smuggling for me.’
‘I’m glad. It might have ended so badly.’ Daisy looked up at the sound of someone calling Jay’s name as a young man pushed his way through the dancers.
‘Captain, I need to have a word.’
Jay rose to his feet. ‘What is it, Lewis? I didn’t see you at the wedding breakfast.’
‘I was called down to the creek, sir. There’s been a spot of bother.’
‘What’s happened?’
The note of anxiety in her husband’s voice made Daisy reach out to clutch his hand. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I don’t know, but the boy seems to be in a state.’ Jay turned back to Lewis, who was sweating profusely and panting as if he had run a considerable distance. ‘Calm down and tell me what’s happened.’
Lewis shook his head. ‘You need to come with me, Captain. You’re the only one who can save the Lazy Jane from them Dornings.’
Daisy leaped to her feet. ‘No, Jay. You can’t leave in the middle of the reception. Whatever it is can surely wait for a few hours.’
Jay shook his head. ‘It’s not like Lewis to panic. I’ll go and sort it out and be back before you know it. Save the next waltz for me, my darling.’ Jay blew her a kiss and hurried after Lewis, who was already halfway towards the door.
‘What’s going on, Daisy?’ Mary was at her side, staring anxiously after her son. ‘Why has Jay rushed off after that boy? I sense trouble.’
Daisy frowned. ‘I don’t know, Mary. But he promised to come back soon. Jay always keeps his word.’ She watched the man she adored leave the great hall and she felt the draught as the door closed behind him. She shivered suddenly as cold fingers of fear ran down her spine.
Look out for the next books in The Village Secrets trilogy
A Village Scandal
Coming Spring 2020, available to pre-order now!
and
The Country Bride
Coming Summer 2020, available to pre-order now!
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About the Author
Dilly Court is a Sunday Times bestselling author of over thirty-five novels. She grew up in North East London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband.
To find out more about Dilly, please visit her website and her Facebook page.
www.dillycourt.com
/DillyCourtAuthor
Also by Dilly Court
Mermaids Singing
The Dollmaker’s Daughters
Tilly True
The Best of Sisters
The Cockney Sparrow
A Mother’s Courage
The Constant Heart
A Mother’s Promise
The Cockney Angel
A Mother’s Wish
The Ragged Heiress
A Mother’s Secret
Cinderella Sister
A Mother’s Trust
The Lady’s Maid
The Best of Daughters
The Workhouse Girl
A Loving Family
The Beggar Maid
A Place Called Home
The Orphan’s Dream
Ragged Rose
The Swan Maid
The Christmas Card
The Button Box
The Mistletoe Seller
Nettie’s Secret
THE RIVER MAID SERIES
The River Maid
The Summer Maiden
The Christmas Rose
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