A Village Scandal

by Dilly Court

  Daisy backed away. Only Jay would have chosen such names for his children, and she did not doubt the truth of Bessie’s claim to be Jay’s wife. ‘Where is your husband now, Mrs Fox?’

  ‘He’s on his ship, of course. I told you he was the master of the Lazy Jane. He goes off on sea voyages all the time.’

  It was obvious that Bessie believed that Jay was on board the vessel, but Daisy knew this was not true. That left her with even more questions than answers. The little boy had begun to snivel and the other child was sobbing loudly.

  ‘I can’t tell you nothing more,’ Bessie said crossly. ‘Ask the landlord if he knows the fellow you’re so keen to find.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Fox,’ Daisy said hastily. ‘I won’t trouble you any longer.’

  Bessie hesitated as she was about to open the door. ‘Why did you think it was my Jay that you was looking for, anyway?’

  ‘I’m sorry to have bothered you. It was obviously a mistake.’ Daisy could not bring herself to tell the poor creature of her husband’s duplicity. Jay Fox or Jay Tattersall, as he was known now, was a bigamist and she herself was an innocent victim, as was Bessie. They had both been taken in by a charming rogue, whose real love was the Lazy Jane, and the call of the sea was stronger even than the sound of his mother’s voice. Daisy walked away, but she sensed that Bessie was watching her, and she quickened her pace as she reached the steps. All she wanted to do now was to get far away from the place where Jay must have spent the missing months.

  ‘Daisy, wait a moment.’ Marius caught up with her. ‘What’s the matter? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.’

  She shook her head. ‘Let’s get away from here.’

  ‘Of course. Take my arm.’

  When they reached the top of the steps Daisy came to a halt. ‘I need to catch my breath, Marius.’

  ‘Let’s stroll to the top of the cliff and admire the view, just like any other visitors.’

  Daisy glanced anxiously at the coachman, but he had fallen asleep with his billycock hat pulled down over his eyes and his arms folded over his portly belly.

  She took a deep breath and told him what Bessie had said. ‘So you see, Marius. I’m not legally married to Jay. It was all a sham.’

  ‘If he was here at this moment I’d throttle him,’ Marius said angrily. ‘Are you sure that she was telling the truth, Daisy? Did you see the marriage certificate?’

  Daisy shook her head. ‘She didn’t know who I was and she had no reason to lie. The worst part is that Jay was living here while we were frantic with worry, not knowing whether he was alive or dead. Guppy and Ramsden must have been party to the deception.’

  ‘Not necessarily,’ Marius said thoughtfully. ‘But they have some explaining to do when we get home.’

  Daisy stared out across the water, but the sight of merchant ships under sail and smaller fishing vessels only served to fuel the maelstrom of emotions that she was experiencing, from anger to humiliation and the pain of betrayal.

  ‘How could he do this to me?’ she said softly. ‘What will Mary say when she finds out, and how will I tell her?’

  Marius slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘Let’s take it one step at a time, Daisy. First of all I suggest we go to the village church and check the records, just to make certain that the woman wasn’t lying.’

  ‘Yes. I took her word for it, but I suppose she could have been duped. I thought I knew Jay, but all the time he was leading a double life.’

  ‘Let’s go and wake the coachman up. There’s nothing to be gained by staying here,’ Marius said calmly.

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Daisy turned her back on the view and started walking, but she paused. ‘Do you think Jay really had lost his memory?’

  ‘I can’t answer that, Daisy. Only Jay can give you the reasons for his extraordinary and cruel deception. We’ll go to the church first,’ Marius said firmly. ‘Then we’ll know one way or the other.’

  The village proper was about a mile and a half away, and the old carriage bumped and rattled its way back through the narrow lanes and lush hedgerows, coming to a halt outside the lychgate. Marius helped Daisy to alight, but halfway up the path leading to the church door, she came to a halt.

  ‘I don’t think I can do this, Marius.’

  ‘We can leave now, but then you might never know the truth.’

  ‘You’re right – I must find out.’ She braced her shoulders and entered the church. It took a few seconds to accustom her eyes to the relative gloom of the interior after the brightness of the summer day, but before she had a chance to look around the verger came bustling to meet them.

  He greeted them cordially, and Daisy asked to see the parish register. She did not give any further explanation and the verger did not enquire. He glanced from one to the other, smiled and led them into the vestry, where after a short wait, he brought the register for them to study at their leisure. Daisy’s hand shook as she turned back five years of records, and the names seemed to jump out at her. She took a step backwards.

  ‘She spoke the truth, Marius. It’s here in black and white.’

  He placed a protective arm around her shoulders. ‘I’m so sorry, Daisy.’

  ‘No one must know.’ She reached out and snatched a Bible from a shelf. ‘Swear on the Bible that you won’t breathe a word of this, Marius.’

  He stared at her in disbelief. ‘You don’t mean that, Daisy.’

  She thrust the Bible into his hands. ‘I’ve never been more certain of anything. I’m not going to tell anyone at home about this, and neither will you.’

  ‘But the truth will out eventually. Guppy and Ramsden must know some part of Jay’s cruel lies.’

  ‘I’ll see them when I return to Little Creek. I refuse to become the laughing stock of the village. Swear on the Bible that you won’t tell a soul, please, Marius.’

  Chapter Twenty

  Despite Marius’s attempts to persuade her otherwise, Daisy was adamant that no one at home must find out the shocking truth. Jay had married her bigamously, and if reported to the law he could go to prison, but Daisy was not out for revenge. During the journey back to London she kept her thoughts to herself, but she was still struggling to accept the fact that the man she loved had lied and cheated his way into her affections. The story about his rescue at sea had never been fully explained, due to Jay’s amnesia, but his condition when he was admitted to the London Hospital had been severe enough to convince the doctors that his illness was genuine. As to Jay’s loss of memory – it had been very convincing. Daisy racked her brains to think of signs that she might have missed: subtle indications that he was beginning to recall names and faces, or even that he was simply play-acting. If that had been the case, he had been frighteningly convincing.

  ‘Daisy, we’re nearly there.’ Marius leaned over to pat her hand. ‘Are you all right?’

  She dragged herself back to the present, gazing out of the window as the familiar landmarks came into view. It was raining – an apt welcome, considering the circumstances.

  ‘Yes, I am, and you didn’t need to come all the way to Creek Manor, Marius. I could have managed quite well on my own.’

  He sat back in his seat and smiled. ‘Yes, I’m sure you could, but I have to go to Maldon. The Lazy Jane should be there in a day or so.’

  ‘You think that Jay might be back on board, don’t you?’

  ‘It’s a possibility. He wasn’t in Weymouth, and I’m wondering if he caught the train to London and joined the ship there.’

  ‘Why would he do that?’

  Marius leaned forward, giving her a straight look. ‘It seems that Jay has been leading a double life, for how long is anyone’s guess. Don’t ask me why he’d do such a thing, because I think the fellow is mad, but that’s just my opinion.’

  ‘I’m confused and I’m angry, but I still want to keep it from everyone at home, at least until I’ve heard Jay’s side of things.’

  ‘How do you think he could justify marrying you bigamo
usly?’

  She shook her head. ‘He can’t, but I still want to speak to him. This affects more than me. There’s his mother, who has been through enough pain and distress in her lifetime, and the rest of the family. Jack is just a boy, and he hero-worships Jay.’

  ‘You can’t keep it from them for ever, Daisy.’

  ‘I know that, but for the time being I want it to be our secret.’

  Daisy rose to her feet as the train slowed down and came to a juddering halt. Their arrival in Little Creek had put an end to the conversation, but Daisy knew that her problems were only just beginning. For the foreseeable future she would have to present a confident face to those around her, but she knew that at any moment her whole world might crumble away to nothing. If Bessie should discover that her husband was a wealthy landowner she would be within her rights to claim her place in society, and Daisy knew where that would leave her. She would be humiliated, homeless and an object of pity, maybe even derision. She could imagine Marjorie Harker relating the story to her society friends with a certain amount of satisfaction.

  Marius opened the carriage door and placed their valises on the platform. He held out his hand to help her to alight. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Yes, I’m fine, thank you.’ She smiled and nodded to the porter as he picked up their luggage.

  ‘Your carriage is waiting for you in the lane, Mrs Tattersall.’

  Daisy turned to Marius with an enquiring look. ‘How did they know we’d be on this train?’

  ‘I sent Mary a telegram last evening. You’ll be home in no time, Daisy.’

  ‘But you must come with me. You can’t travel on at this late hour.’

  ‘I need to be in Maldon tomorrow when the ship docks.’

  ‘Then leave first thing in the morning. I can guarantee you a good meal and a comfortable bed, which is more than you’ll get in a wayside inn.’

  ‘If you put it like that, how can I refuse?’

  She linked arms as they set off in the porter’s wake. ‘You’ve been a good friend to me, Marius. I can never repay you for your kindness.’

  ‘It’s not kindness, Daisy. I care about you.’

  She shot him a sideways glance, but he was staring straight ahead, and before she could think of an answer, they were accosted by a group of women who had alighted from a third-class carriage.

  ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Tattersall.’ Nancy Noon rushed up to Daisy and bobbed a curtsey. ‘I wanted to thank you for the repairs your men done to our cottage. It’s so much more comfortable for Ma, who’s getting on in years, and suffers from her rheumatics something chronic. We’re enjoying life now, and it was all your doing.’

  ‘I’m glad it’s an improvement, Nancy.’ Daisy was about to walk on when Miss Creedy barred her way.

  ‘Will we see you at evensong on Sunday, Mrs Tattersall?’

  ‘Yes, you will, Miss Creedy. I trust that you’ll be accompanying the congregation on the organ.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, ma’am. It’s very kind of you to ask.’ Miss Creedy lowered her voice. ‘There are some who don’t appreciate good music.’

  ‘More shame on them,’ Daisy said, keeping a straight face with difficulty. Miss Creedy’s individual style of thundering away on the church organ in a series of wrong notes and discords was little better than her attempts to play the piano.

  Annie Maggs, the local midwife, who appeared to be sober for once, grinned toothlessly at Daisy. ‘We’ve had a ladies’ day out, missis. Very enjoyable it were, too.’

  ‘That’s nice, Mrs Maggs. Now, I’m sorry I can’t stop to chat, ladies, but they’ll be expecting us at home.’

  Nancy Noon eyed Marius curiously. ‘We mustn’t keep you and your gentleman friend, ma’am.’

  Marius doffed his top hat. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you, ladies.’ He took Daisy by the arm and propelled her towards the waiting carriage.

  Daisy glanced over her shoulder in time to see the ladies with their heads together. She knew they were talking about her, and she could imagine the sensation it would cause when the truth about her marriage to Jay became known. The old squire had been notorious and now it looked as though Jay, his natural son, was following in his father’s footsteps. Daisy climbed into the carriage and settled down on the luxurious padded leather squabs. Two days ago this had been her property – now it belonged to Jay and the woman he had chosen to marry. Daisy sat back and closed her eyes. The future, which had once looked so bright, was now shrouded in uncertainty.

  Marius had taken his seat next to her and he was holding her hand. She opened her eyes and was met with a sympathetic smile.

  ‘Chin up, Daisy,’ he said softly. ‘You don’t have to fight this particular battle on your own.’

  Mary leaped to her feet when Daisy entered the drawing room, followed by Marius.

  ‘Daisy, you’re home at last.’ Mary rushed over to Daisy and enveloped her in a hug. ‘Eleanora told me that you’d gone to Dorset, looking for Jay. Did you find him? I hope you gave him a piece of your mind.’

  ‘No, Mary. We must have missed him. Marius thinks he probably rejoined the ship in London.’ Daisy shot a warning glance at Marius.

  ‘I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation, Mrs Tattersall,’ Marius said casually. ‘I hope to catch up with him tomorrow when the Lazy Jane arrives in port.’

  Mary resumed her seat on the sofa and picked up a small garment that she had been mending. ‘Well, I will have something to say to my son when he turns up again. It was quite all right when he was younger and unattached, but he’s a married man now, and he has responsibilities.’

  ‘I’ve invited Marius to stay tonight, Mary.’ Daisy walked over to the fireplace and tugged on the bell pull. ‘I’ll ask Mrs Ralston to have a room made up for him.’

  ‘Yes, of course, and Cook will need to know that there’s one more for dinner.’ Mary folded Nate’s breeches and set them aside. ‘Now tell me all about your trip to London. Eleanora said that you’d been shopping. I could do with a new bonnet for the wedding, but I’ll have to trim one of my old ones.’

  ‘No need,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘I might have just the thing for you. Aunt Eleanora and I chose it with you in mind, and as my aunt will tell you, she has excellent taste. It will be in one of the bandboxes that Toby was kind enough to bring home.’

  ‘Oh, really?’ Mary’s eyes shone with pleasure. ‘I haven’t had a new bonnet for years.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll like the one we chose. I’ll show you later.’ Daisy glanced over her shoulder at the sound of a timid knock on the door. ‘Come in.’

  ‘You rang, madam?’ Judy bobbed a curtsey, managing to keep her balance despite the long black skirts of the uniform that Hilda had cut down to fit her.

  ‘Yes, Judy. We’d like a tray of tea and perhaps some cake or biscuits, and please tell Cook that there will be one extra at table for dinner. Oh, and please ask Mrs Ralston to see that a room is made ready for Mr Walters.’

  ‘Yes, madam.’ Judy backed towards the doorway, but she caught her heel in the hem of her dress and stumbled, but managed to save herself by catching hold of the door handle. She giggled nervously and scuttled into the passageway.

  ‘What is that child doing in such a ridiculous costume?’ Daisy demanded as the door closed. ‘She’s only ten, much too young for a housemaid.’

  ‘She’s very sensible and tall for her age,’ Mary said firmly. ‘Would you rather keep her a slavey in the kitchen?’

  ‘No, certainly not. She’s a bright girl, and she could better herself, given half a chance.’ Daisy frowned thoughtfully. ‘I’ll have a word with Hilda. There must be something we can do for young Judy.’ She turned to Marius. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘It’s not my field of expertise, Daisy. I leave my housekeeper to run the house while I’m away.’

  Daisy was curious and for a moment she forgot the problems that were uppermost in her mind. ‘Where is this house, Marius?’

  ‘It’s in White Lion Stree
t, Spitalfields. I bought it some years ago.’

  ‘And yet you choose to stay at hostelries.’ Daisy met his amused gaze with a frown. ‘That doesn’t seem very sensible.’

  ‘It’s none of our business, Daisy,’ Mary said primly. ‘I’m sure Marius has his reasons.’

  Daisy opened her mouth to reply, but there was a thud on the door, and the sound of teacups rattling on their saucers made Daisy leap to her feet and rush to Judy’s aid. She took the tray from her. ‘Thank you, Judy. That will be all for now.’

  Judy eyed her warily. ‘I’m supposed to put the tray on the tea table in the window, madam. I got me instructions from Cook.’

  ‘Consider it done,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘That will be all, thank you, Judy.’ Daisy carried the tray to the table and set it down. It was good to be home amongst her family, but once again the truth hit her with the force of a body blow. She did not belong here – her life could be shattered at any moment if the truth became known. She gazed out of the window at the sunlit grounds, with the creek visible in flashes of shimmering water through the foliage of the trees.

  ‘Are you all right, Daisy?’

  She turned to find Marius standing behind her, a frown wrinkling his brow.

  ‘Yes, I was just admiring the view. Do you take sugar in your tea?’

  ‘No, thank you.’ Marius moved a little closer. ‘You could come to Maldon with me tomorrow. If he’s on board you would be able to talk to him in private.’

  ‘What are you whispering about?’ Mary demanded peevishly. ‘I want to know why you thought that Jay was in Dorset. What’s going on, Daisy?’

  Daisy handed a cup of tea to Marius and poured another, which she handed to Mary. ‘It turned out to be a wild-goose chase. Jay wasn’t there.’

  ‘But what made you think he would be in that part of the country? Is there something you aren’t telling me?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Daisy handed round the plate of cake. Mary refused, but Marius took a slice.

  ‘It’s all very strange,’ Mary said crossly. ‘I’ll have a few words to say to my son when he shows his face here.’