The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  ‘No, really, Daisy,’ Nick protested. ‘That isn’t necessary.’

  She alighted from the trap and climbed up to sit beside Nick. ‘But it is. You have no right to judge my actions until you hear my side of the story. Drive on.’

  He flicked the reins and they started off very slowly across the treacherous ground. While he concentrated on the road ahead Daisy told him the reason for her sudden disappearance, and he grudgingly agreed that there was nothing she could have done.

  ‘There’s one thing I don’t understand, Nick.’ Daisy turned her head to stare at his stern profile. ‘Why are you so angry with me? I thought you would be more reasonable.’

  ‘I was worried about you and I suppose I felt guilty.’ He shot her a sideways glance. ‘There’s something I have to tell you.’

  ‘Yes, I know. Linnet told me that you and Dove are more than friends.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Daisy. We grew close after you left for London, but I still care about you and I was frantic with worry when I heard that you had seemingly vanished off the face of the earth.’

  ‘You don’t have to worry about my feelings, Nick. I’m glad that you’ve met someone who makes you happy.’

  ‘I wouldn’t go so far as that, Daisy,’ Nick said ruefully. ‘I’m very fond of Dove, and she’s good company, but …’

  ‘It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can’t always choose the person you love.’

  ‘But you and I were a perfect match, Daisy. I honestly thought so and my regard for you hasn’t changed.’

  She sighed with relief. At last it was out in the open. ‘Nor mine for you, but my heart lies elsewhere, too.’

  ‘With Jay? I might have known it. Is that why he abducted you?’

  ‘I’ve already explained that, Nick. It wasn’t planned. It all happened because of a dreadful accident to one of his crew, and then it was the weather that prevented him from putting me ashore. You might say that Jay and I have been thrown together.’

  ‘Does he love you?’

  ‘I think so.’

  ‘If it’s true, why did he abandon you just before Christmas?’

  ‘Jay wasn’t to know that my aunt and uncle are in London. He thought he was doing the right thing.’ Somehow she could not bring herself to admit that her brief romance with Jay might be over. That would be too painful.

  ‘And he’s the squire now, or at least he’s the landowner, and will continue to bleed his tenants dry while doing nothing to improve their lot.’

  ‘Nick, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were jealous. You and Jay were boyhood friends, and you of all people ought to realise that he wouldn’t behave like that. He didn’t choose to be the squire’s son, and he suffered years of abuse from Lemuel without ever knowing why.’

  ‘That’s as maybe, but if Jay is going to be lord of the manor he needs to see how his tenants live.’

  ‘Don’t you think he knows that already?’ Daisy kept her voice even, but she was losing patience with the man she had once thought she might marry. ‘Jay grew up in one of the squire’s hovels.’

  ‘Then perhaps you ought to see the conditions that some of my patients have to endure.’ Nick reined in Hero and climbed down to the ground, reaching for his medical bag. ‘Will you come in with me?’

  Daisy glanced at the cottage, which was half submerged in a snowdrift. There were tiles off the roof and the woodwork around the windows was rotten, as was the front door. Half the panels were split and the bottom of the door was like a row of broken teeth. Nick held out his hand and she accepted his help as she alighted from the trap.

  The interior of the cottage smelled of bad drains and sickness. The walls oozed damp, green mould was spreading up the wall and the packed earth floor was rapidly turning to mud. There was a single iron bedstead in the corner of the room and beneath the tattered blankets Daisy could just make out the shape of an elderly woman. A claw-like hand clutched what had once been a colourful patchwork quilt but was now filthy and faded.

  Nick leaned over his patient. ‘How are you today, Betsy?’

  ‘Not so good, Doctor.’

  Daisy moved closer. ‘Can I do anything?’

  ‘Water,’ Betsy croaked. ‘I have a terrible thirst.’

  ‘Where are your family, Betsy?’ Nick asked gently. ‘Your daughter usually looks after you.’

  ‘She’s gone to beg Farmer Johnson for an egg or two.’

  ‘Is that all you have to eat?’ Daisy asked anxiously.

  ‘Water, for the love of God.’

  Daisy looked round for a jug and found only an old soot-blackened saucepan hanging above the empty grate. She took it without a word and went outside to the communal pump only to find it frozen solid. There was only one answer and that was to collect fresh snow, but without a fire it would take hours to melt as the interior of the cottage was only a degree or so warmer than outside. Daisy retraced her steps, slipping and sliding on the frozen ground. Nick was tucking his stethoscope into his medical bag and he looked up, his expression grim.

  ‘I’m going to take Mrs Noon to Creek Hall, if she’ll agree to leave her cottage.’

  ‘My Nancy will be back in a minute, Doctor.’ Betsy’s voice was little more than a hoarse whisper. ‘She’ll get the fire going and cook me an egg.’

  Daisy looked round the hovel and was even more horrified than before. The manor house was like a palace compared to this, and the Christmas tree and presents seemed like shameless luxury. ‘What can we do?’ she murmured. ‘Are all the squire’s properties like this?’

  ‘You’ve seen where Jay was born, and to Lemuel’s credit it was comparatively well kept, or rather it was when my father owned the land. He looked after his tenants, but Tattersall bled them dry.’

  ‘But these people are starving,’ Daisy said in desperation. ‘Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and they have nothing.’

  Nick snapped the locks on his bag. ‘That’s about it. I do what I can, but you’ll find at least a dozen families in the village who are in a similar predicament. I can’t take them all in.’

  Daisy glanced at the thin shape beneath the covers and the old woman’s ashen face. ‘Will she survive?’

  Nick shook his head. ‘There’s little hope, and Nancy is ill-suited to look after herself, let alone an ailing parent. The poor woman will end up in the workhouse or an asylum when the old lady passes away.’

  ‘You might not be able to help the others, but I can,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘Will you take me to the vicarage, please, Nick?’

  He smiled for the first time since they had met that day. ‘I don’t think prayers will help in this instance.’

  ‘It’s Mrs Peabody I want to see. I know she’s a vital force and if she puts her mind to something it will be done.’

  Grace Peabody stared at Daisy in astonishment. ‘You want me to tell all the late squire’s tenants that they have credit at the village shop?’

  ‘The squire’s tenants and anybody you know who is living in utter poverty. It’s time something was done for the people of Little Creek. They’ve suffered long enough at the hands of a ruthless landlord, and the squire’s son will make sure that such a thing never happens again.’

  ‘But thirty shillings a family is a lot of money, Daisy.’

  ‘Jay wants to make reparation,’ Daisy said recklessly. ‘I can’t get to the manor house until the weather improves, but if the shopkeeper will let them have the food on credit I know that Jay will pay him handsomely. It’s Christmas and no one should go hungry.’

  A slow smile spread across Grace’s thin features. ‘Well, now! Who would have thought it? Jay Fox, the wild boy turned benefactor.’

  ‘The squire knew that Jay was his son, but he forced his own flesh and blood into an illegal trade. He used his only child to make money for him despite the fact that he was already a wealthy man.’

  Grace folded her hands primly in her lap. ‘At least the squire atoned for his sins on his deathbed. John told me everything.’

&nb
sp; ‘And now Jay wants to make up for the wrongs that his father did to the people of Little Creek. Will you help me, Mrs Peabody? The shopkeeper is unlikely to take my word alone, but he will listen to you.’

  ‘I’ll do what I can to persuade him. Your aunt and I have already done what we could to help the poor, but with the new squire’s backing we’ll be able to do so much more.’ Grace angled her head. ‘You obviously have influence with him. Are we to expect wedding bells?’

  Daisy felt the blood rush to her cheeks but she managed to meet Grace’s inquisitive stare. ‘If, and when, I decide to marry, you will be among the first to know, Mrs Peabody.’ She rose to her feet. ‘Shall we go to the shop together? I want to make certain that Mr Keyes understands the urgency of getting food to everyone in need. Perhaps we ought to make a list of necessities, and then he can make up food parcels to be delivered to those who are unable to leave their homes?’

  Grace rose to her feet. ‘An excellent idea. Eleanora and I have done something similar, but on a much smaller scale, of course. I’ll send for the carriage.’

  Mr Keyes was at first sceptical, but Grace Peabody was not going to be gainsaid and she hinted that hellfire would be waiting for someone who refused to help the poor and needy, especially at this time of the year. She quoted the book by Mr Dickens when the miserly Scrooge was faced with the Ghosts of Past, Present and Future, reminding him of his duty to mankind. The shopkeeper buckled beneath such pressure and accepted the list of items that both Grace and Daisy considered to be what the poverty-stricken families most needed.

  ‘I want your word that you’ll make up as many of the parcels as you can today, and the remainder must be delivered tomorrow – Christmas Eve,’ Grace said sternly.

  ‘But who shall I say sent them, Mrs Peabody?’ Mr Keyes eyed her nervously. ‘My customers don’t want charity.’

  Daisy frowned. She had not considered that fact. ‘Leave it to me, Mr Keyes. There’s plenty of daylight left and I’ve nothing better to do. I’ll call at as many homes as possible and let them know that the new squire wishes to make changes for the better, and he hopes that they will accept a token of his goodwill.’

  ‘Well said, Miss Marshall.’ Mr Keyes beamed at her, adjusting his steel-rimmed spectacles.

  ‘The vicar will be visiting many homes today and tomorrow,’ Grace said hastily. ‘I’m sure he will be only too happy to spread the word.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Keyes,’ Daisy said, shaking his hand. ‘I know this will mean a lot of work for you, but you will be well recompensed.’

  ‘It’s a pleasure, miss.’ He adjusted his spectacles yet again. ‘The late squire used to have his comestibles delivered from Maldon, but maybe the new squire would consider using my services.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it.’ Daisy nodded and smiled. ‘A much more sensible arrangement.’

  ‘Then that’s settled.’ Grace made for the door. ‘The sooner we start the better.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Daisy visited as many cottages as she could, but progress was slow and walking through thick snow was difficult and tiring. She had seen Mr Keyes’ young son rushing about as he delivered the first of the food parcels and she had noted the expression of delight on the faces of the recipients, although she had seen one woman questioning him and seeming about to shut the door in his face when one of her older children intervened. The ragged boy snatched the package and slammed the door before his mother had a chance to object further.

  It was dusk by the time Daisy reached home and she could barely put one foot in front of the other, but she was satisfied that she had done her best. Quite how Jay would react when he was presented with the final bill was another matter, but she knew that Mary would be on her side. Between them they would convince him that his generosity would demonstrate his sincere desire to make amends for the treatment the tenants had suffered at the hands of the late squire.

  Linnet had a good fire going in the parlour and there was a tasty stew simmering on the kitchen range. There was no sign of Elliot, and Daisy was too tired to make enquiries. She had made it plain that he was welcome, although she doubted if Aunt Eleanora would have been so accommodating. She sat by the fire and ate her supper, but she could scarcely keep her eyes open. After such an early start and a physically tiring day, she was thinking of going to bed when she heard someone rapping on the door. She sat up straight, suddenly alert. Perhaps Jay had had a change of heart. She jumped to her feet but it was Linnet who burst into the room waving a telegram.

  ‘The messenger boy is waiting to see if there’s an answer, miss.’

  Daisy’s fingers trembled as she opened the folded sheet of paper, and she smiled.

  Relieved that you are safe and well. Will remain in London for Christmas. Return when weather permits. Uncle Sidney.

  ‘Is it bad news, miss?’

  Daisy shook her head. ‘No, not really. My aunt and uncle can’t get home for Christmas because of the snow, but they know I’m here.’

  ‘Is there a reply, miss?’

  ‘No, there’s nothing I can add.’ Daisy reached for her reticule and took out a couple of pennies. ‘Give this to the messenger and thank him for his trouble. Oh, and wish him Merry Christmas.’

  ‘Yes, miss. Of course, but what will you do?’

  ‘I’ll be all right here. We seem to be well supplied with everything I might need.’

  ‘Elliot has invited me to meet his father in Maldon on Christmas Day, but I’ll tell him I can’t go. I won’t leave you on your own, miss.’

  ‘I won’t hear of it. You deserve a day off.’

  ‘Thank you, miss.’ Linnet hesitated in the doorway. ‘Will there be anything else this evening?’

  ‘No. I’m going to have an early night. I was up well before dawn so I’m really tired. Good night, Linnet.’

  ‘Good night, miss.’

  Daisy sat by the fire for a while, staring into the glowing coals and wondering what everyone was doing at the manor house. Creek Cottage seemed very small and extremely quiet after the chaos of living with so many women and children, let alone a larger-than-life person like Jay, whose presence had transformed the atmosphere in the old house. When she finally went to her room she undressed and put on her warm wrap, but instead of going straight to bed she went to sit on the window seat and gazed out across the water. In a gap between the trees she could just make out the twinkling lights of the manor house, but it seemed as far distant as the moon and equally impossible to reach. Shivering with cold and exhaustion, she climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. She would walk to the village and make sure that the parcels were being delivered to the right people. She closed her eyes.

  She was awakened by the sound of hail hitting the glass panes, but as she sat up in bed she realised that someone was tossing handfuls of gravel at her window. The pale light of dawn filtered into her room and at the sound of yet another volley of small stones, she leaped out of the bed and crossed the floor to fling the casement open. She leaned out. ‘Who’s there?’

  ‘Come down and open the door.’

  ‘Jay! What are you doing here?’

  ‘Let me in and you’ll find out.’

  She slammed the window and ran downstairs, shrugging on her wrapper as she went. She wrenched the front door open and Jay rushed into the hall, sweeping her up into a passionate embrace. She struggled at first out of sheer surprise, but the warmth of his mouth on hers and the feel of his hard body beneath his heavy boat cloak made her weak with desire.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she gasped when he finally allowed her to draw breath.

  ‘I’ve come to bring you home. I can’t live without you, Daisy. I’ve tried, but my life means nothing if you’re not by my side.’

  ‘This is madness,’ she protested feebly. ‘We need time to get to know each other better, and we should talk …’ She never finished the sentence. His kisses were laced with pent-up emotion equal to her own. Common sense an
d rational thinking had flown out of the open door like a flock of white doves.

  ‘You love me,’ he said hoarsely. ‘I know you do, and I love you more than I would have thought possible.’ He held her away from him, holding her gaze so that she could not look away. ‘I want you with me for ever, Daisy.’

  She laid her hands on his chest, holding on to the last vestige of pride. ‘You walked away and left me yesterday. What changed your mind?’

  He released her, smiling ruefully. ‘For once in my life I was trying to do the right thing, but it doesn’t sit well with me. I didn’t realise quite how much you meant to me until I thought I’d lost you.’

  She was naked beneath her nightclothes and it was bitterly cold in the hallway. The front door was still open and an icy blast snatched at the thin material of her nightgown. She folded her wrapper around her, even though it was too late for modesty, and she closed the door. ‘Come into the parlour, Jay. There’s something I have to tell you.’ Taking him by the hand she led him into the room. ‘I have a confession to make – I’ve done something you might not like.’

  Jay sat in a chair by the fire, which gave out a little heat even if it had burned down to glowing embers, and he pulled her onto his lap. ‘Let me hear this confession and I’ll absolve you from your crime. It can’t be worse than anything I’ve done in the past.’

  ‘You’re laughing at me, but you might not when you know the truth.’ She smiled despite the sudden frisson of nerves that made her shiver. ‘I told Mr Keyes to give food to the poor, up to the value of thirty shillings for each household, and I said you would pay.’

  He threw back his head and laughed. ‘I heard about that and I wish I’d thought of it.’

  ‘Who told you?’

  ‘I went to the vicarage before I came here this morning and I hammered on the door until Peabody answered it. We had quite a long chat and he told me what you’d done.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I know I should have asked you first, but I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again.’

  His eyes darkened and he held her close. ‘How could you think that? You must know I love you.’