The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  Daisy met his sarcastic smile with a defiant stare. ‘I believe I told you that I was visiting my aunt and uncle. This is their house, Squire.’

  ‘They might own the property for now, but I am the freeholder and when their lease expires, as it does before the year is out, the price for renewal will be very costly.’

  ‘I know nothing of this, sir,’ Daisy said slowly. ‘Is this the reason for your visit today?’

  ‘Certainly not. I have a land agent who deals with such matters. Are you going to invite me in? Or are you going to keep me standing on the doorstep?’

  Daisy sensed trouble and she was trying to think of an excuse to bar him from the cottage when her aunt emerged from the dining room.

  ‘Who is it, Daisy?’ Eleanora peered over Daisy’s shoulder. ‘Who is this gentleman?’

  Squire Tattersall doffed his top hat. ‘Good morning, ma’am. If your niece will not oblige I must introduce myself. Esmond Tattersall, at your service.’

  ‘Oh, good heavens! Where are your manners, Daisy?’ Eleanora pushed her aside. ‘Please come in, Squire Tattersall.’

  ‘Delighted, ma’am.’

  His presence filled the entrance hall and suddenly the cottage seemed very small and humble compared to the manor house. Daisy eyed him warily. Squire Tattersall had seen through her attempt to deceive him, although why he had come here in person was a mystery. She held her breath, waiting for him to reveal all to her aunt, but he was all smiles.

  ‘Please come into the parlour,’ Eleanora said hastily. ‘I hope that girl has lit a fire. It’s so hard to get good servants these days, Squire.’

  He bowed and smiled. ‘Indeed it is, ma’am. I don’t want to cause you any inconvenience.’

  ‘You aren’t. I mean, it’s no trouble at all. Daisy, ring for Linnet. Tell her to bring tea to the parlour. Or would you prefer coffee, Squire? I’m afraid my husband is not here at the moment. He left early to go fishing. He’s quite obsessed with the sport these days.’

  ‘He must try the lake at the manor some time, Mrs Marshall. I keep it well stocked.’

  ‘Oh, too kind.’ Eleanora rushed into the parlour. ‘Tea and coffee, Daisy. See if there’s any cake left, or biscuits if that boy hasn’t eaten them all.’ She motioned the squire to take a seat by the fire and Daisy took the opportunity to escape. If the squire was going to denounce her she would prefer to answer questions after the wretched man had gone back to his grand house. She hurried to the kitchen to relay the message, which sent Linnet into a panic and annoyed Hattie.

  ‘Who does he think he is? Calling at this early hour and the rooms not yet swept and dusted. I never heard of such a thing. People in London have better manners.’

  ‘What business has the squire here?’ Linnet’s hand trembled as she set a tray with the best china. ‘Trouble follows that man like his own shadow.’

  Daisy had heard enough. ‘I’m going to take Jack to school. Hopefully the squire will have gone by the time I return.’

  The smell of chalk, ink and musty books enveloped Daisy as she ushered Jack into the classroom where Elliot was about to begin the first lesson. The children turned their heads to stare at them and Jack’s friends called out to him but were immediately silenced by a word of warning from their teacher.

  ‘Jack would like to attend class, Mr Massey,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘His arm is healing well, but he does need to be careful and he mustn’t indulge in rough games in the playground.’

  ‘Of course.’ Elliot beamed at her. ‘He will stay in under my supervision at break and practise his reading.’

  ‘I think you’ll find he’s improved immensely,’ Daisy said quietly. She could hear sniggers coming from some of Jack’s classmates and Elliot rapped on his desk with a wooden ruler.

  ‘Children, open your primers at page twenty-three, where we left off yesterday. Read on and I’ll test you later.’ He glanced down at a small child who held her slate up for his inspection. ‘Very good, Ida, but a dog has four legs, not five.’

  ‘That’s his tail, sir,’ Ida lisped.

  ‘Yes. Well done. Sit down now and your sister Letty will show you how to write the word dog.’ Elliot turned to Daisy with an ingratiating smile. ‘You have such a talent for teaching, Miss Marshall. I wonder if you would be interested in helping with some of the younger ones. I really need an assistant.’

  Daisy glanced round at the children and was tempted to accept, but she had no intention of encouraging Elliot’s tentative advances. He had betrayed his feelings for her in looks rather than words, and it was time to let him down gently. He was a good man, but not for her. She smiled and shook her head. ‘Thank you, Mr Massey, but I’m afraid I have too much to do at home to consider taking up such a challenge.’ A sudden memory of something that Dove had said occurred to her in a flash of inspiration. ‘But I think I know someone who would make an excellent assistant.’

  Elliot’s face fell and he swallowed hard. For a moment she thought he was going to cry and she hoped the children had not noticed. From experience she knew that the young could sense weakness in someone of authority and play on it for all their worth. She did not wish to add to Elliot’s distress.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Miss Marshall. Might you reconsider your decision when you have had more time to think about it?’

  ‘I’m afraid not, Mr Massey. I really must go now, but I’ll have a word with the young lady in question. I think she would be so right for the school, but that would be for you both to decide.’ Daisy laid her hand briefly on his chalky sleeve, smiled and hurried from the classroom before he could think of anything to delay her.

  Outside in the deserted playground she took deep breaths of the cold, clean air. It was all so different here from living in the city. London seemed further away than ever, but she still missed the bustle of the busy streets and the feeling of being at the heart of things. Out here they lived in a small world, seemingly ruled by Squire Tattersall. It had been a shock to learn that he held the lease on her aunt and uncle’s cottage, and now he knew the truth he would realise that she did not have two pennies to rub together, let alone the funds to purchase Creek Hall. She ought to go home and rescue Aunt Eleanora, but her aunt was capable of looking after herself, and she would not stand for any nonsense from the squire. In fact, he was likely to come off worst in any argument. Aunt Eleanora had more than twenty-five years’ experience of brow-beating her husband and bending him to her will, which would stand her in good stead when dealing with the squire. Daisy smiled as she thought of her uncle, who had found peace at last. Fishing had taken over his life and he could spend hours wading in ice-cold water or huddled on the river-bank, enjoying the freedom away from the business world and an overbearing wife.

  Daisy wrapped her cape tightly around her to combat the chill wind from the east and she set off on foot for Creek Hall, where she hoped to find Dove. The lane ran parallel with the creek, and when she came to the shallows where she and her uncle had found Jay, she wondered whether he and his crew had managed to refloat the Lazy Jane. Jay’s sudden departure had upset Jack and Linnet, and Daisy could understand why they were so fond of their wayward elder brother. Life would never be dull with a man like Jay Fox, but neither would it be safe nor settled. He was a born wanderer and an adventurer, but that only added to his attractiveness. She sighed and quickened her pace.

  Born and bred in the city, Daisy found life in the countryside a challenge, but living in London she had barely noticed the seasons changing. Now each day she noticed something that brought hope of spring, whether it was a patch of snowdrops at the foot of the hedgerow, or the buds on the trees waiting to burst forth into leaf. It was as if the world renewed itself by magic, and today was no different. The wood close to Creek Hall was carpeted in the bright golden flowers of lesser celandine and winter aconite. The birds seemed to realise that winter was gradually losing its grip and the saltmarsh was teeming with life. Daisy slowed down as she approached the mellow house, which seemed so much a
part of the landscape that it might have grown from the clay soil rather than having been built brick by brick all those years ago. She could understand Nick’s devotion to his old home and she experienced a surge of anger towards Squire Tattersall, whose greed was consuming the county that she had come to love, even in such a short space of time.

  Daisy entered the kitchen and was enveloped in a warm fug of cooking smells and the scent of herbs, which hung in bunches from the rafters. Mrs Bee and Dove were seated at the pine table, cleaning the silver, but they stopped what they were doing and looked up, smiling a welcome.

  Mrs Bee put down the polishing cloth she had been using so energetically. ‘Put the kettle on, Dove. We’ll have a break and enjoy a chat with our visitor.’

  Daisy took off her bonnet and cape and laid them on a chair. ‘Thank you. That would be lovely. It’s beautiful outside but very chilly.’

  ‘It’s brought the roses to your cheeks,’ Mrs Bee said approvingly. ‘As you can see we’re busy cleaning the silver, not that there’s much of it left. The old master sold off some of the more ornate pieces, but we keep what’s left nice, ready for the doctor when he chooses to visit.’

  ‘Have you heard from him recently?’ Daisy pulled up a chair and sat down, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to stop them tingling. In her eagerness to escape from the squire she had left her gloves at home.

  ‘No, not yet, but it’s not long since he went up to London. I expect he’s busy at that big hospital.’

  ‘Yes,’ Daisy said vaguely. ‘You’re probably right.’ She hoped her disappointment did not show. It would have been nice to have had a letter, however brief, but Nick was probably caught up in the excitement of starting a new job. Creek Hall must seem like another world, and maybe he had forgotten her already.

  ‘I don’t suppose Jay will get in touch either,’ Dove said sadly. ‘I’m used to my brother’s absences, but it worries Mum and makes Dad angry. They think he should stay at home and support the family.’

  ‘Quite right.’ Mrs Bee nodded. ‘The young should look after the old.’

  Dove put the kettle on the range and bustled about, setting a tray with cups and saucers from the large pine dresser. She glanced over her shoulder. ‘How is Jack? I keep meaning to come and see him, but there’s always something to do here.’

  Mrs Bee sighed heavily. ‘We do our best to keep the house spick and span, Miss Marshall, but it’s not easy with just the two of us.’

  ‘I’m sure you do an excellent job,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘And Jack is very well. In fact I just left him at school. Mr Massey is going to keep him in at break so that he doesn’t join in the boys’ rough games.’

  Dove pulled a face. ‘Jack won’t like that. He can be a little monkey, but he’s a good boy at heart.’

  ‘Mr Massey is looking for someone to help with the younger children in class,’ Daisy said vaguely. ‘I took the liberty of saying I knew someone who would be suitable for the position, and I thought that you might be interested. Does that appeal to you, Dove?’

  ‘I don’t know about that.’ Dove glanced anxiously at Mrs Bee. ‘I love it here, even though I haven’t been paid, except in the occasional basket of food that I’ve taken to Mum and Dad.’

  Mrs Bee shook her head. ‘You see how it is, Miss Marshall. I haven’t been paid either, not for months.’

  ‘But how have you managed?’ Daisy stared at her aghast. ‘Dr Neville can’t expect you to stay on under such circumstances.’

  ‘We’ve been living off the produce from the kitchen garden, and we have plenty of eggs from the hens. Farmer Clarke gives us butter, cheese and milk in return for allowing him to pasture his herd of cows in Ten Acre field, and Dove takes eggs to Miller Jones in return for flour.’

  ‘But you can’t carry on like this. It isn’t fair. Have you thought of finding another position, Mrs Bee?’

  ‘Master Nick gave me what he could to buy fuel and paraffin for the lamps, and he’s promised to send money from London when he gets paid.’ Mrs Bee stared down at her gnarled hands. ‘I’m too old to change now, and if I left, where would I go? I’ve no family and no home other than Creek Hall.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Daisy said earnestly. ‘I had hoped to help, but the squire saw through my attempt to save the situation, and I might even have made matters worse.’

  ‘I’m sure you did your best, miss.’ Mrs Bee turned her head to glare at Dove. ‘Where’s that tea? I’m parched.’

  Dove brought the pot to the table. ‘Luckily the water was almost boiling, but that’s the last of the tea leaves.’

  ‘This is ridiculous,’ Daisy said angrily. ‘Nick can’t expect you two to exist on so little.’

  ‘I suppose I’d be paid if I worked at the school.’ Dove poured the tea and Mrs Bee added the milk before passing a cup to Daisy.

  ‘I would imagine so. I didn’t ask, but surely he wouldn’t expect anyone to work for nothing, unlike Dr Neville. I’ll have words with Nick when I see him next.’

  ‘Please don’t,’ Mrs Bee said anxiously. ‘I don’t want him to think I’ve complained. I’m lucky to live in such a lovely house.’

  ‘Something must be done.’ Daisy sipped her tea. ‘If I had any money I’d be glad to help, but I’ve only what’s left of my wages from the Carringtons, and it’s not very much.’

  ‘I’ll go and see Mr Massey,’ Dove said, taking her place at the table. ‘I love children, so it wouldn’t be a hardship to help out at the school.’

  ‘You can’t leave me all on my own in this big house. Years ago we had plenty of kitchen staff, not to mention maidservants and a housekeeper.’

  Daisy gazed at Mrs Bee in surprise. ‘I thought that the late Dr Neville didn’t make much money from the practice.’

  ‘Mrs Neville inherited quite a substantial sum of money from a rich relative, but it all went on the upkeep of the house.’ Mrs Bee looked round the large kitchen as if seeing ghosts from the past. ‘She was such a sweet lady – so considerate and kind – it was sad that she died so young.’

  ‘What happened to her?’ Daisy asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

  ‘She had several stillborn babes and she died in childbirth when Master Nick was six.’

  ‘What about the rest of her family? I’m just trying to think of people who might be willing to help Nick now.’

  ‘She was an only child and there are no close relatives still living, just a distant aunt.’

  ‘That’s such a sad tale,’ Daisy said, wiping a tear from her eye. ‘Poor Nick, his family seems to be ill-fated.’

  ‘I’ve looked after Master Nick since his poor mother passed away. I don’t know what else to do.’

  ‘This old house means so much, not only to Nick but to you as well, and probably the whole village.’ Daisy finished her tea and stood up. ‘There must be something that can be done, and I won’t rest until I have the solution. I’d best be getting home to see how my aunt has fared with the squire. Thank you for the tea.’

  Dove sprang to her feet. ‘Would you mind if I go with Daisy, Mrs Bee? I’ll call in at the school and see what Mr Massey says. Even if the work pays very little, at least I can help with the housekeeping.’

  ‘What about your family, Dove?’ Mrs Bee’s bottom lip trembled as if she were holding back tears. ‘Maybe you ought to be at home looking after them instead of living here with me.’

  ‘I’ll make sure they’re all right, and Linnet is keeping an eye on them, too. But you’ve been good to me and I won’t leave you to cope on your own. That wouldn’t be at all fair.’

  ‘Wrap up warm then, dear,’ Mrs Bee said, beaming. ‘The vegetable stew will be ready for you when you come home.’

  Daisy let herself into Creek Cottage half expecting to find Squire Tattersall waiting for her in the parlour, but there was an unusual silence in the house, and she found her aunt in the parlour seated by the fire, mending a sock. Eleanora looked up and smiled. ‘What a charming man the squire is, Daisy. I th
ink you were being very unfair in your description of him.’

  ‘He holds the lease on this cottage, Aunt. It’s due for renewal later this year and he’s more or less threatened us with eviction.’

  ‘Nonsense, dear. I’m sure you misunderstood him, and anyway your uncle will sort all that out. As to the squire, he was merely giving us a courtesy call and he’s invited all of us to dine at Creek Manor on Saturday evening. He’s even sending a carriage to take us there in style.’

  Daisy stared at her in amazement. ‘He wants us to dine with him?’

  ‘That’s what I said. He couldn’t have been more charming, and I’m looking forward to it immensely. Hattie is going through the trunks to find my smartest gown and you must wear something that will show you to your best advantage. I know you don’t want to think about it, but such a match would be most advantageous.’

  Daisy was too horrified by the idea of spending a whole evening at Creek Manor to argue, and there was little point anyway. She could see that her aunt was thrilled by the invitation and it was obvious that the squire had managed to charm her, although to what purpose Daisy could not imagine. The prospect of a whole evening spent in his company was enough to make her want to catch the first train back to London. However, the more she thought about it she managed to convince herself that this might prove just the opportunity she needed. If she used all her powers of persuasion she might be able to convince the squire to renew the lease on Creek Cottage. Her aunt had seen a good side to him, although her experience with Esmond Tattersall bore no relation to Daisy’s first impression of the all-powerful squire. She would have to tread carefully.

  On Saturday evening the avenue leading up to the manor house was lit by flaming torches, giving the old place a fairy-tale appearance, but to Daisy it seemed like the residence of an ogre, who was waiting to devour them. Such fancies belonged to childhood, but it took all her courage to make her climb down from the luxurious vehicle and cross the paved area to the front entrance. A liveried footman held the door open but she waited dutifully for her aunt and uncle and followed them into the house.