The Christmas Wedding

by Dilly Court

  ‘I knew that you wanted me. There’s a difference.’

  He lifted her to her feet and stood up, his smile fading. ‘I’m not like my father, Daisy. I don’t play fast and loose with innocent girls.’

  ‘But you went to the vicarage before you came here? Why would you do such a thing?’

  ‘Because I wanted everything to be above board. My mother suffered at the hands of a selfish man who cared nothing for her or for me. I want to do right by you.’ He went down on one knee, taking her hand in his. ‘Daisy Marshall, I love you more than life itself – will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? The vicar is waiting in the church and Mrs Peabody and her maid are willing to act as witnesses. Please say yes, because I can’t go another day without you, Daisy mine.’

  ‘I will. Of course I will, Jay.’ She glanced down at her nightgown and the wrap that had become undone during their embrace. ‘But I’m not exactly dressed for a wedding.’

  He rose to his feet and took her in his arms. ‘You look perfect to me, but I can wait while you put on something a little more practical for the conditions outside.’

  ‘This must be a dream,’ Daisy said dazedly. ‘Any moment I’ll wake up.’

  Jay smiled. ‘The next time you wake up we’ll be in our own bed at Creek Manor and you’ll be Mrs Tattersall.’

  ‘But this is mad. How will we get home?’

  ‘Guppy and Lewis came with me in the jollyboat. They’re for us at the church and we’ll leave as soon as we’ve signed the register. If we hurry we’ll just about catch the tide.’

  ‘But what about our families? We can’t get married without telling them.’

  ‘My mother cried with happiness when I told her that I was coming for you. She said if I returned on my own she’d lock me out of the house. Mrs Ralston has volunteered to help Hilda and Cook to create a wedding breakfast to remember, and the children are bubbling with excitement. You promised them you’d be home for Christmas, and they haven’t forgotten.’

  ‘I know, and I want to be with them, but there’s my family, not to mention your sisters. They’ll be so upset.’

  ‘Then we’ll do it all again in the spring. You’ll have the most beautiful silk gown and flowers everywhere. Your aunt will cry and your uncle will give you away. We’ll invite the whole village, but today is just for us.’

  ‘Then I suppose I’ll just have to go with you,’ Daisy said, interspersing her words with kisses. ‘We can’t have the lord of the manor locked out of his own home. This is going to be the most wonderful Christmas ever.’ She broke free from his arms and blew him a kiss as she hurried from the room. She would have to make do with her best dress, but that did not matter, nor the lack of a bouquet or bridesmaids – those could come later.

  There was no music to accompany Daisy as she walked up the aisle on her own. Despite the bitter cold, she had settled for a cream silk afternoon gown, trimmed with coffee-coloured fringing, worn beneath a chestnut-brown woollen mantle with military-style frogging, and a matching velvet bonnet. It might not be a wedding dress but it would have to do, and she could tell by the appreciative glances from Ramsden and Guppy that she was looking her best. They rose to their feet, as did Grace and her maid, and Jay was waiting at the altar with the vicar.

  When it came to placing the ring on Daisy’s finger Jay gave her an apologetic smile.

  ‘This was my mother’s wedding ring, but when the thaw sets in we’ll go to Colchester and I’ll buy the most beautiful one we can find in the jeweller’s.’

  ‘Is this a problem, Daisy?’ John asked anxiously. ‘Do you want to go ahead?’

  She smiled and nodded. ‘It’s just a band of gold. It’s the man who places it on my finger whom I love.’

  Jay leaned down to brush her lips with a kiss.

  ‘You aren’t married yet,’ John said, frowning. ‘May I continue?’

  Jay smiled sheepishly. ‘Yes, I’m sorry, Vicar. I got carried away.’

  The rest of the service was brief but it seemed to Daisy that choirs of angels accompanied them as they made their way down the aisle, arm in arm. It was snowing again as they emerged from the church and Jay wrapped a heavy boat cloak around Daisy’s shoulders.

  ‘You’re not travelling back to Creek Manor in this weather, are you?’ Grace Peabody asked anxiously.

  ‘They’re expecting us,’ Jay said firmly.

  ‘And I want to see the children open their presents tomorrow morning,’ Daisy added, smiling despite the fact that snow was blowing in her face.

  ‘But the tide is against you now.’ John Peabody unfurled a large black umbrella and held it over his wife’s head. ‘Why don’t you wait until later?’

  ‘We’re good at rowing, Vicar.’ Ramsden pulled up the collar on his pea-jacket. ‘Clem and me have coped with worse than this.’

  ‘Then at least come to the vicarage and have some breakfast before you set off.’ Grace turned to her maid without waiting for a response. ‘Hurry on ahead, Clara. Tell Cook to prepare bacon and eggs for four extra guests, and plenty of toast.’

  ‘Yes’m.’ Clara wrapped her cape tightly around her and dashed off into the swirling snow.

  ‘I could do with a bite to eat, guv.’ Guppy eyed Jay hopefully.

  ‘Of course.’ Jay smiled and kissed Grace on the cheek. ‘That’s very kind, Mrs Peabody. A noble gesture considering the fact that I woke you and the vicar at such an ungodly hour.’

  ‘Not at all, especially since you’ve become the village benefactor.’ Grace nodded to a woman who was struggling against the snow, staggering beneath the weight of a wicker basket filled with groceries. ‘Good morning, Mrs Gilks.’

  ‘Good morning, ma’am.’ Mrs Gilks paused, eyeing Jay with a shy smile. ‘Ta, for the food, sir. Me and my family will have a good Christmas, thanks to you.’

  ‘The thanks is due to my good lady, ma’am,’ Jay said, smiling. ‘She’s the one who realised how bad things were for some people in Little Creek, but that is coming to an end. I’ll do my best to make life bearable for my tenants, and that’s a promise.’

  ‘God bless you, sir. You, too, ma’am.’ Mrs Gilks bowed her head against the increasingly heavy snowfall and stumbled on towards her cottage.

  Daisy clutched Jay’s arm to steady herself as they negotiated the icy path to the vicarage. ‘That was well said. I’m proud of you.’

  ‘I’m not such a bad chap at heart. You were the first to realise that, Daisy mine.’

  She smiled despite the icy shards bombarding her face. ‘You may call me that now. I rather like it.’

  He stopped to kiss her, raising a cheer from Ramsden and Guppy.

  ‘Come along,’ Grace called from the doorway. ‘Don’t dawdle.’

  ‘It’s like being back at school,’ Daisy whispered, giggling. ‘But they are very kind and I am really hungry.’

  The narrow hallway was dark compared to the whiteness outside, and a smell of beeswax, brass polish and lavender cologne was tempered by a waft of bacon frying and hot toast. Ramsden and Guppy shuffled in, stamping their booted feet on the doormat before following Jay and Daisy into the dining room, where the maid was busy setting the table. The mahogany furniture reflected the warm glow from the fire, and candles had been lit, casting pools of golden light on the white damask tablecloth.

  Minutes later they were all seated, heads bowed while John Peabody said grace, and as the last word left his lips his wife reached for the coffee pot.

  ‘Coffee everyone? Or would anyone prefer tea?’

  Ramsden and Guppy exchanged wary glances, shaking their heads. ‘No, thank you, Mrs Peabody,’ they said in unison, reminding Daisy of schoolchildren addressing their teacher.

  The maid entered as if on cue carrying a large silver platter piled high with bacon, eggs and sausages, which she placed in the centre of the table.

  ‘We like to be informal at breakfast,’ Grace said, handing round a rack of hot toast. ‘Do help yourselves. This is a rather odd wedding breakfast, Dais
y,’ she added, chuckling. ‘But my husband and I wish you a long and happy life together.’

  ‘Hear, hear.’ Ramsden helped himself to bacon.

  ‘Manners!’ Guppy said, nudging him in the ribs. ‘Ladies first, mate.’

  ‘Sorry.’ Ramsden offered the salver to Daisy.

  ‘Thank you, Eli,’ she said, smiling as she speared a slice of bacon and a sausage. ‘This looks and smells so good.’

  John looked round with a nod of approval. ‘I will use this in my sermon tomorrow. We are gathered together to celebrate the union of a young couple, and the true meaning of family.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, Vicar,’ Daisy said gratefully. ‘You and Grace have been so kind to us. I can’t thank you enough.’

  ‘That goes for me, too.’ Jay nodded emphatically. ‘Until now I hadn’t given much thought to the responsibilities I’ve inherited, but I realise there is much more to running an estate than merely collecting rents. From my past experience I know what it’s like to be poor and desperate, and thanks to Daisy I’ve been able to do something very small for my tenants. I will do better in future with the help of my beautiful wife.’ He raised his cup to Daisy. ‘I’ll toast you in champagne one day, Daisy. But until then you have my undying love and devotion.’

  Daisy smiled and kissed him, and Guppy sniffed loudly, wiping his eyes on his table napkin. ‘I wish Ma was here to see this. She’s a sentimental soul at heart.’

  Daisy tried to imagine Clem Guppy’s mother as anything other than sour and grim-faced, and failed. She sensed that Jay was thinking the same thing and she dared not look at him in case she burst out laughing. The meal continued with sporadic attempts at conversation by Grace and mumbles of appreciation from Ramsden and Guppy, but Daisy knew she would remember her unofficial wedding breakfast in the cosy vicarage parlour for the rest of her life.

  All too soon it was time to brave the cold again. Daisy hugged Grace and thanked her for all she had done, and she was bold enough to plant a kiss on John Peabody’s thin cheek, while Jay thanked him once again and shook hands. Despite Grace and John pleading with them to stay at Creek Cottage until the weather improved, Daisy was adamant: a promise to the children was binding, and tomorrow was Christmas Day.

  The journey home was a struggle against wind and tide, with waves lapping over the gunwales, and Daisy huddled in the stern wrapped in the cloak with a strip of tarpaulin around her shoulders to protect her from the spray. It took the combined efforts of Jay, Clem and Guppy to get them back to the creek where the Lazy Jane was at anchor, but finally, after nearly three hours of hard rowing, they managed to beach the boat and clamber ashore, stiff and cramped with frozen limbs and hands. Jay insisted that Ramsden and Guppy must accompany them to the manor house, and they made their way through the tunnel to the summerhouse, and emerged in the snow-covered garden.

  ‘I should go home and let Ma know I’m safe.’ Guppy eyed Ramsden, as if expecting him to make a joke of his concern for his aged mother.

  ‘Come inside first and get warm,’ Jay said hastily. ‘Have a bite to eat and a glass of hot toddy to keep the cold out.’

  Ramsden slapped Guppy on the back. ‘Another hour or so ain’t going to make much difference, mate. A good stiff drink will put feathers on your chest.’

  Daisy slipped her hand into the crook of Jay’s arm. ‘You must carry me across the threshold, Jay. It’s the custom.’

  ‘I have it all planned. My mother gave me instructions before I left.’

  ‘Get your wife indoors, Cap’n, afore she freezes to death,’ Ramsden said, grinning.

  ‘We ought to enter by the front door.’ Jay raised Daisy’s hand to his chilled lips. ‘But we’d have to fight our way through six-foot drifts to get there, so I’m afraid we’ll have to use the tradesmen’s entrance.’

  ‘I don’t care, Jay. Let’s get inside as quickly as possible. I can’t feel my feet.’

  They trudged through the knee-deep snow and finally made it to the rear of the house where Ramsden and Guppy had already alerted the kitchen servants. Judy was the first to greet them and she came running down the passageway, stopping to cover her mouth with her hands as Jay lifted Daisy in his arms and carried her across the threshold.

  ‘Oh, my!’ Judy breathed. ‘That’s so romantic.’

  Hilda was not far behind her and she clutched her hands to her bosom. ‘You’re married. You did it, sir.’

  ‘I did, Hilda. But I’ve promised my wife that we’ll have another ceremony in the spring, so that everyone can be part of the proceedings.’ He set Daisy down on her feet. ‘We’re in desperate need of food and something hot to drink. Will you take care of my men?’

  Cook put her head round the kitchen door. ‘They’re sitting by the range, sir. Each with a glass of hot toddy. Will I make some for you and Mrs Tattersall?’

  Daisy hugged Judy and then Hilda. ‘I’d love a cup of tea, please, Cook. And something to eat, too. We haven’t had any food since breakfast, but that was hours ago.’

  Cook beamed at her. ‘You’ll find a collation set out in the dining hall, madam. We didn’t know what time you’d arrive, so we’re saving the best for Christmas Day. I hope that suits you.’

  ‘Yes, indeed. It’s so good to be home.’

  ‘Run upstairs, Judy,’ Hilda said urgently. ‘Tell Mary that they’ve arrived safe and sound. The fire is lit in the drawing room. We’ve thought of everything in the hope that you’d be home today, Daisy.’

  ‘Thank you, Hilda. I can’t tell you how good it is to be here. I thought I was going to spend Christmas all alone in Creek Cottage.’

  ‘I would have swum there to get you rather than that,’ Jay said gallantly. ‘Let’s go and find my mother so that I can show her that I do listen to her advice sometimes.’

  ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ Daisy allowed him to lead her towards the back stairs. ‘Just yesterday I thought it was all over between us.’

  ‘That was my fault. I must have been mad, but I’m seeing things straight now, Daisy mine. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy.’

  ‘I’ll remind you of that next time we argue, or when you miss the Lazy Jane so much that you can’t resist the call of the sea.’

  ‘That won’t happen. I’ve swallowed the anchor – I’m never going to leave you again.’ He came to a halt as they reached the great hall and Judy came running towards them followed by Mary and Molly, who was carrying little Nate with three-year-old Pip trying valiantly to keep up with her.

  Mary threw her arms around Daisy and held her close. ‘You’re married?’

  ‘Yes, Mary.’ Daisy drew back to reveal the ring on her left hand. ‘Thank you for this. I’ll return it to you as soon as I can.’

  ‘There’s no hurry, my dear. You’re my daughter now, the same as Linnet and Dove – I just wish they were here. Jack is coming in from the stables to join us for the wedding breakfast, such as it is, but stores are running low.’

  Jay leaned over to kiss his mother on the cheek. ‘We don’t care, Ma. Whatever you’ve done will be gratefully received.’

  ‘Well, your room is ready and the fire was lit early on so it will be nice and warm. Why don’t you go and change out of those damp clothes and then we’ll celebrate properly?’

  Suddenly shy, Daisy shot a sideways glance at her new husband. ‘I’ll join you later, Jay.’

  He gave her a smile that would have melted a heart of stone. ‘Of course. I’ll see you in the drawing room.’

  Daisy knew that Mary was staring at her as she hurried towards the staircase, but everything had happened so quickly and now she was a married woman with all that entailed – suddenly she needed a little time on her own. She went to her old bedchamber and found that Hilda had thoughtfully laid out exactly the right gown. The gesture, although small, brought tears to her eyes. Her family were important to her, but so were her friends. She changed into the ruby-red corded velvet gown with frothy white lace at the neck and sat down at the dressing
table to do her hair. She wanted to look her best for Jay.

  The rest of the day passed in a warm haze for Daisy. The old house was redolent with the smell of boiling Christmas puddings, hot mince pies and buttered rum that Jay insisted on serving to anyone with a fancy for it. With her new family around her and heartfelt congratulations from Mrs Ralston, Molesworth and the rest of the indoor servants, it was the happiest time Daisy could ever remember. If Toby and Minnie and her aunt and uncle could have joined them it would have been perfect, but they were in her thoughts and she knew that they would wish her well, even though Aunt Eleanora would complain bitterly when she discovered that the wedding had gone ahead without her.

  The children were bubbling over with excitement, although the younger ones did not fully understand the significance of the day, but it was Christmas Eve and that was always magical, even to adults. When the children were in bed Mary decided to have an early night, and Hilda had gone below stairs to join the servants in a party of their own. This gave Daisy the opportunity to hang stockings from the mantelshelf in the great hall, and Jay helped her to sort the items they had collected to fill them. There were walnuts from the store cupboard, which had been harvested from the tree in the orchard, as well as rosy red apples. Then there were marzipan sweets made by Cook in the shape of exotic fruits and berries, and Hilda had embroidered hankies for Judy and Molly. She had also knitted mittens for all the children, and these too were tucked into the stockings. A sprig of holly added to each one completed their task and they stood back to admire their handiwork.

  ‘It’s wonderfully festive,’ Daisy said happily. ‘And the presents under the tree look so exciting.’

  Jay put his arms around her. ‘This will be our first Christmas together.’

  She stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the lips. ‘It will be the best Christmas ever, but don’t forget that you promised me a spring wedding with everyone invited.’

  ‘That’s a promise I intend to keep, because I love you more than I can say. But tonight I’m not going to share you with anyone, Daisy mine.’ He swept her up in his arms and carried her across the marble tiled floor to the grand staircase. Daisy sensed that the portraits of the former occupants were looking down at her as they had on her first visit to Creek Manor, but this time they were smiling.