The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  ‘Help yourself, and if there’s anything else you want just ask Guppy.’ He stood up and made for the doorway, but Daisy reached out and caught him by the sleeve.

  ‘Just a minute. Are we really going to Little Creek?’

  ‘Last night while I was at the helm I had plenty of time to think, and you were right. It’s time I went home to see my family, especially now that the old man is no longer there to cause trouble. We’re bound for Little Creek, and if the trains are still running you’ll be back in London by this evening.’

  He left the saloon before she had a chance to question him further. Somehow the thought of returning to Little Creek was more attractive than facing the reality of living in Mrs Wood’s lodging house and working twelve-hour shifts at the hospital. She loved her patients and she was deeply interested in the causes and treatment of all manner of ailments, but her experience of nursing the desperately ill in the summer had left her eager to do more than simply washing out bedpans and changing sheets. The news that Mrs Garrett Anderson had recently qualified to practise medicine against all odds had circulated around the hospital, and had been received with a degree of cynicism by many of the senior doctors. But the first barrier was down and maybe, in the not-too-distant future, women would be admitted to medical schools in England. In the meantime Daisy was determined that the lack of opportunity would not prevent her from doing what she could to alleviate the suffering of others, even if it meant taking up a subordinate position to her brother and Nick.

  She carved herself a slice of ham, buttered a slice of bread and sat down to enjoy her breakfast. When Guppy brought a freshly made pot of tea she managed a bright smile. ‘Jay tells me that we’re going to Little Creek. If there’s anything I can do to help during the voyage I’m only too happy to oblige.’

  Guppy almost dropped the pot as he gazed at her in astonishment. ‘Well, I never! With due respect, miss, I thought you was going to be difficult. I mean, you wasn’t exactly a willing passenger, was you?’

  ‘No, I suppose not, but I’ve had a word with the captain and I can see the logic of his decision. I can make myself useful.’

  Guppy stroked his ginger beard, eyeing her thoughtfully. ‘Now you come to mention it, miss. I believe you’re a medical person.’

  ‘I’m training to be a nurse.’

  ‘Well, Cook has a nasty boil on the back of his neck. It’s been plaguing him for days. Do you think you could do anything for him?’

  ‘I most certainly can. Let me finish my breakfast and then you can show me where the galley is. I’ll need hot water and something to make a poultice. Bread will do.’

  ‘And I’ve got a splinter that’s gone deep into me finger.’

  Daisy smiled. ‘I’m sure I can deal with that, too.’

  There were only three crew members apart from Jay. Guppy was the mate, Ramsden the cook, and Lewis was just a boy who did what he was told, most of the time anyway. He attached himself to Daisy, and she only had to ask for something and Lewis would do his best to oblige. He was the healthiest of all of them apart from Jay, who seemed to be fighting fit. Daisy made a bread poultice for Ramsden’s boil and another from soap and sugar for Guppy’s splinter. After three days and several applications both were successful and Ramsden’s temper improved, as did his cooking. Guppy’s finger healed and Jay was full of praise for Daisy’s nursing skill, but there remained a slight tension between them when it came to talking about the future. Jay seemed determined to resist becoming the lord of the manor, and although he listened politely to Daisy’s arguments, he refused to see reason.

  They were in the saloon on the third evening, having enjoyed a filling supper of salt beef stew. ‘We should make landfall tomorrow, and I’m a free man.’ He raised his glass of wine in a toast. ‘The squire tried to ruin me, but he’s only succeeded in making me stronger. I can do as I please.’

  Daisy sighed. ‘You’re impossible. You can’t go on as before, Jay. You’ve got your mother and your brother and sisters to consider as well as your tenants. It’s not just you now.’

  He downed a mouthful of wine. ‘I can do both. Ma and the girls will want for nothing, and I might take Jack on as cabin boy.’

  ‘Don’t you dare,’ Daisy said angrily.

  Jay threw back his head and laughed. ‘It’s so easy to shock you.’

  ‘You wouldn’t drag your brother into a life of crime.’

  ‘No, of course not. I just wanted to see your face when I suggested such a thing.’ Jay leaned across the saloon table. ‘Join me on board the Lazy Jane. Don’t go back to slaving in the hospital or working all hours for Nick. Sail away with me and we’ll conquer the world.’

  She stared at him in surprise. ‘It’s the wine talking.’

  He grasped her hand as it rested on the table. ‘No, it’s not. I’m deadly serious for probably the first time in my life. We make a fine pair, you and I.’

  ‘Don’t say things like that.’ She snatched her hand away, knocking her glass of wine over in the process and she jumped to her feet. ‘Now look what you’ve made me do.’

  ‘Lewis.’ Jay raised his voice to a shout and Lewis appeared in the doorway so promptly that Daisy thought he must have been listening at the keyhole. ‘Miss Marshall has had a slight mishap. Fetch a cloth and another bottle of claret.’

  Daisy rose to her feet. ‘You’ve already had too much to drink or you wouldn’t be talking such nonsense.’

  Lewis glanced anxiously from one to the other and scuttled out of the saloon, returning moments later with a dirty-looking cloth.

  ‘Wipe the mess up and clear the table,’ Jay said firmly. ‘Then you’d better get some sleep. We’ll be making landfall first thing in the morning.’

  Lewis nodded and began mopping ineffectively at the quickly spreading pool of wine. Daisy took the cloth from him. ‘Let me do that, Lewis. You look as though you could do with a good night’s sleep.’

  ‘He’ll get plenty of that when he goes ashore,’ Jay said casually. ‘His dad owns a farm in the next village to Little Creek. Benny Sykes was his cousin,’ he added in a low voice when Lewis had left the cabin. ‘I doubt if his old man will let Lewis come back on board after what happened.’

  Daisy wrung the cloth into an empty soup bowl and continued to mop up the wine. ‘I’m surprised that his father allowed him to join your crew anyway. He can’t have known what trade you follow.’

  ‘People along the coast accept that smuggling is part of life. It has been for a couple of centuries, and in its heyday everyone would have been involved from the squire to the parson and the farm workers. The fun has gone out of it now.’

  ‘Then give it up, Jay. You no longer need the money.’

  He stood up and leaned across the table, kissing her on the lips before she had a chance to move out of the way. ‘You are beautiful, Daisy. I think I love you.’

  ‘You’re drunk.’ She tossed the wine-soaked cloth at him. ‘You’d better get us home safely, or …’ She hesitated, at a loss for words.

  Jay looked down at the red stain that was spreading across his shirtfront. ‘Or you’ll do what, my love? If this is the worst you can inflict on me I can happily live with that, Daisy mine.’

  She headed for the door but Jay sidestepped the table and he caught her in his arms, holding her so close that she could feel his heart beating through the thin cotton of his shirt. His kiss sent fire through her veins and an unexpected surge of desire that she fought with every ounce of willpower. Even so, she found herself giving in to the moment and responding instinctively to his embrace. Julian’s kisses had been polite and undemanding but Jay’s mouth on hers and the male scent of him roused feelings in her that she could never have imagined. It was only when the click of the door handle made him release her that she had the strength to pull away, dazed and bruised but longing for more. She glanced down at her bosom and was shocked to see the red wine stain on her one and only gown.

  She gave Jay a shove as he attempted to move closer. �
�Now look what you’ve done. It’s ruined and I’ve got nothing else to wear. How can I go home like this?’ She burst into tears and found herself once again in his arms. This time he was stroking her hair and soothing her as if she were an unhappy child.

  ‘Take it off,’ he said when she managed to regain her self-control.

  ‘What?’ She stepped away, gazing at him in horror.

  ‘Lewis. I know you’re out there. Fetch one of my shirts – the cleanest one you can find.’ Jay began unbuttoning the front of her gown. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t tear the material. I have done this before.’

  She took a step backwards. ‘I’m sure you have.’

  ‘Take it off and Lewis will get it washed and dried before we make landfall. The range in the galley never goes out so the material will dry overnight. Lewis will bring one of my shirts and you can preserve your dignity.’

  Clutching the front of her dress together, Daisy glared at him, but the laughter in his eyes and the curve of his lips that only moments ago had sent her senses reeling, brought a reluctant smile to her lips. ‘What dignity? I’ve already lost that, you wretch. How dare you treat me like one of your molls?’

  ‘What does a well-brought-up young lady like you know about fallen women?’ Jay’s expression was stern but his lips twitched and there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

  ‘Why do you turn everything into a joke?’ Daisy demanded crossly. Her confused emotions made her want to laugh and cry at the same time, and she resorted to indignation in an attempt to regain her self-control.

  He brushed a lock of her hair back from her forehead. ‘If you pout like that I’ll have to kiss you again, Daisy mine.’

  ‘Stop calling me that.’ She tossed her head. ‘You’re impossible.’

  As if on cue Lewis entered the saloon, holding out a clean white shirt. ‘This was all I could find, Captain.’

  ‘That’ll do nicely.’ Jay took it from him and held it up in front of Daisy. ‘Take off your gown and give it to Lewis. He’ll wash it for you and make sure it’s dry for tomorrow.’

  Daisy hesitated. ‘I’m not undressing in front of you.’

  ‘What a pity.’ Jay began to unbutton his shirt. ‘I’ll take mine off and hand it to Lewis, but only if you’ll do the same. I can’t say fairer than that.’

  ‘Shall I go outside, miss?’ Bright red in the face, Lewis backed towards the door.

  ‘Just turn your back,’ Daisy said wearily. ‘You, too, Jay. No peeping.’

  They both turned away while she stepped out of her gown and put on Jay’s clean shirt. She tapped Lewis on the shoulder and handed him the garment. ‘Thank you, Lewis. I really appreciate this.’

  Jay slipped off his shirt and tossed it to him. ‘See what you can do with this. Although I dare say it’s ruined.’

  Lewis hurried from the saloon, leaving Daisy and Jay facing each other. His bare torso was well-muscled and his skin gleamed silkily in the lamplight. Daisy had to curb the treacherous desire to walk into his arms and feel the warmth of his flesh against hers. She took a deep breath. ‘I’m going to my cabin, Jay. I’ll say good night.’

  ‘It’s lucky for you that I was born a gentleman or I might be reclaiming what’s mine.’

  She walked past him with her head held high. ‘That doesn’t include me. I’m nobody’s property.’

  ‘I meant my shirt, of course,’ Jay said, laughing. ‘Now that would be interesting. Would you like me to escort you to my cabin?’

  ‘Thank you, but no. I think I can find the way.’ Daisy let herself out of the saloon and went straight to the cabin, where she sat on the bunk with her arms wrapped round her. The soft cotton of Jay’s shirt was cool against her skin and the scent of him seemed to be interwoven in the cloth. She lay down and pulled the covers up to her chin. Tomorrow they would land in one of the creeks and she would make her way through the snow to Creek Cottage. At home in her old room she would forget all the strange and disturbing sensations that she had just experienced. Jay could do as he pleased, but she hoped for Mary’s sake that he would see his family comfortably ensconced in the manor house before the call of the sea enticed him away again. Even so, she had to admit that he was disturbingly attractive, and if she were to be honest she had enjoyed her time on board his ship far away from the reality of life on shore, but this brief interlude was almost over. Jay had said he loved her, and she had been tempted to believe him, but he probably said that to all the women who took his fancy. He might marry one day, Daisy supposed, but she pitied his poor wife.

  She curled up, turned on her side and closed her eyes.

  Daisy was awakened by someone tapping gently on her door. ‘Yes? Who is it?’

  ‘It’s Lewis, miss. I’ve brought your dress.’

  She sat up. ‘Come in, Lewis.’

  He opened the door, holding the gown in front of him and turning his head away.

  ‘It’s all right. I’m perfectly decent.’

  ‘I got some of the stain out, but not all of it,’ Lewis said apologetically.

  Daisy took it from him and examined the bodice. There was a faint pink shadow but the worst of the stain had been washed away. ‘Thank you, Lewis. You’ve done a splendid job.’

  His cheeks flamed but he smiled shyly. ‘I tried, miss.’

  ‘Are you looking forward to going home? You must miss your family.’

  ‘There’s ten of us at home. I doubt if they’ve noticed I’m not there.’

  ‘I can’t believe that. Your mother will worry about you, I’m sure.’

  ‘Ma’s always got another baby to fuss over. It’s Benny’s ma who’ll be sad, miss.’

  ‘Yes, I’m so sorry for her loss. Does she live nearby?’

  ‘She lives in the pig man’s cottage. My dad let her stay on after Uncle Isaiah died.’

  ‘Was Benny her only son?’

  ‘Yes, miss.’

  ‘How terrible. It will be a bleak Christmas for her, but you must tell her that Benny received the very best care at the London Hospital.’

  ‘Yes, miss. I got to go. I’m helping Cook with breakfast.’

  ‘Of course. I’m sorry I kept you from your work.’ Daisy waited until the door closed on him before getting up. She took off Jay’s shirt and folded it neatly, laying it over the end of the bunk. After a quick wash in ice-cold water she slipped on her dress, which was now warm and dry and she brushed her hair, allowing it to hang loosely around her shoulders.

  It seemed important to leave the cabin as she found it and she moved about the small area, tidying it so that virtually no trace of her remained. The memory of Jay’s embrace was still fresh in her mind, as were the feelings he had aroused in her, and now she must face him over breakfast as if nothing had happened.

  To her intense relief he was not in the saloon, although breakfast had been laid out as usual. Lewis brought her a pot of tea and some toast.

  ‘Thank you, Lewis. Has the captain eaten yet?’

  ‘I took him some coffee earlier, but we’re heading into the creek. We should be at anchor within the hour.’ He left her to eat her breakfast in solitary silence, and when she had finished she wrapped her cloak around her and went up on deck.

  The air was icy and a bitter east wind tugged at her clothes and slapped her cheeks as the ship glided silently towards the shore. She clutched the rail, squinting as her eyes grew accustomed to the cold white light reflecting off the snowy banks, and the gleam of the pale winter sunshine on the steely grey waters of the creek. It was a black and white landscape, apart from the odd evergreen tree in the woods, and the sudden and startling contrast of the bright scarlet berries on the holly bushes. Daisy had been longing to get ashore and back to normality, but suddenly life on board the Lazy Jane felt like reality and returning to Little Creek was a step into the unknown.

  It must be the strangeness of the scenery that was making her feel so disorientated. Last time she had been here it was high summer; now she wondered what had happened to the autumn and th
e natural progression of the seasons. She told herself she was being ridiculous. It was time to say goodbye to Jay and the crew of the Lazy Jane and go back to her old life. She returned to the warmth of the saloon. The motion of the ship changed and it seemed as though the wind had dropped, or else they were in the lee of the land as the Lazy Jane bobbed gently at anchor. She could hear Jay shouting instructions to Guppy and Lewis and the loud splash as the jollyboat was lowered into the water. Moments later Jay burst into the saloon.

  ‘Are you ready to go ashore?’ His casual manner and carefully controlled expression gave nothing away. He might have been a different person from the man who took her in his arms and kissed her so passionately last evening.

  Daisy rose to her feet feeling oddly deflated. ‘Yes, but how are we to get to Little Creek? It’s obvious that the snow is very deep and we have no means of transport.’

  ‘We walk,’ he said with a wry grin. ‘Unless you want to spend Christmas on board the Lazy Jane.’

  ‘We’ll never make it.’

  ‘I could carry you.’

  ‘Now you’re being stupid.’

  ‘There is an alternative.’

  Daisy sighed and shook her head. ‘Stop teasing me, Jay. What are we going to do?’

  A smile lit his eyes. ‘How do you think the squire hid contraband and unwelcome incomers?’

  ‘I have no idea. What did he do?’

  Jay held out his hand. ‘Come with me and you’ll find out.’

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Ramsden was to stay on board and take care of the ship, but the others disembarked into the jollyboat, with Guppy and Lewis each taking a pair of oars. When they reached the shore Lewis jumped agilely onto the shingle and secured the painter to the nearest tree. Guppy leaped onto the beach, followed by Jay, and they dragged the boat from the water. Daisy found herself hoisted in Jay’s arms and deposited on dry land. She wrapped her cloak more tightly around her as she was buffeted by a sudden gust of wind. The overcast sky threatened more snow and there were already deep drifts in more sheltered areas.