The Christmas Wedding

‘You don’t ask that sort of question, Daisy,’ Toby said impatiently. ‘It’s a calling. Nick and I decided to serve mankind.’

It was Daisy’s turn to chuckle. ‘You went to medical school because you didn’t want to take over the business from Uncle Sidney. Be honest, Toby.’

He grinned. ‘Yes, that too.’

Daisy turned to Nick. ‘Are you as cynical as my brother?’

‘Toby likes to make out that he doesn’t care, but I’ve seen him at work and I can promise you that it isn’t so.’

Daisy smiled and squeezed her brother’s arm. ‘I’m very glad to hear it, but what about you, Nick?’

‘It seemed natural to follow in my father’s footsteps. He served the people of Little Creek and the surrounding area for the best part of thirty years, hence the dilapidated state of the family home. A country physician barely makes a living.’

‘Join me in Harley Street when I get there,’ Toby said airily. ‘We’ll have the best practice in London.’

Daisy shook her head. ‘Dream away, brother. You know that Uncle Sidney hasn’t enough money to set you up in a venture of that sort.’

‘I’ll think of something.’ Toby sat back against the padded squabs and they lapsed into silence.

Daisy’s curiosity was aroused by the brief glimpse into Nick Neville’s life, but she refrained from asking questions, sensing that he was a private person, disinclined to talk about himself, and she concentrated on the scenery. The lane skirted the edge of a wood and followed the course of the creek to a bend in the watercourse where the land opened out to reveal a smallholding.

‘That’s your new home,’ Nick said cheerfully. ‘That is Creek Cottage.’

Her first impression was favourable and the setting would have made an artist reach for his brushes. Trees and bushes grew down to the water’s edge on the far side, and in the distance, through a gap in the foliage, Daisy could see what appeared to be a very grand house.

‘Is that Creek Hall?’ she asked eagerly.

Nick threw back his head and laughed. ‘No, indeed. My home is much nearer. That is Creek Manor, the residence of Squire Tattersall.’ Nick’s smiled faded. ‘He owns most of the land round here.’

‘Well, our place looks pleasant enough.’ Toby slipped his arm round Daisy’s shoulders. ‘What do you think?’

Daisy nodded. ‘It looks cosy.’ Her first thought was of the doll’s house that her uncle had made for her one Christmas when she was eight or nine. The door in the centre of the building was shielded from the weather by a tiled porch, which she imagined would be smothered in roses in the summer. There was a window either side of the porch and three more nestling beneath the eaves like sleepy half-open eyes, smiling down at the newcomers. The whitewashed walls had a look of solidity and permanence that Daisy found very appealing.

‘That’s your new home.’ Nick glanced at Daisy with a questioning look.

‘It seems very well kept and welcoming,’ Daisy said slowly. ‘You said that Creek Hall isn’t far from here …?’

‘About a mile. You must come to dinner one evening. I can guarantee a good meal because Cook opted to stay, even though I can’t afford to pay her until I start up in practice.’

‘Please don’t go to any trouble on our account,’ Daisy said hastily. ‘But I would love to see your home.’

‘I wouldn’t mind a decent meal before I return to London. Our cook could do with a few lessons on the subject, if you ask me.’ Toby patted his belly and grinned. ‘Hattie will probably leave anyway. She’s a Londoner through and through, as am I, and I can’t imagine you living here for long, Daisy. You’ll be back in London before the month is up.’

Daisy shook her head. ‘I’m prepared to try, if only for our aunt and uncle’s sake. They’ve done a lot for us, Toby.’

‘I know, but we’re grown up now.’ Toby gazed at the cottage, frowning. ‘What on earth will you find to occupy your days as a country doctor, Nick?’

‘I have more than enough to keep me busy.’ Nick brought the horse to a halt and leaped to the ground. He held his hand out to Daisy. ‘I’m sure there is much you could do for the village, if you put your mind to it.’

Daisy accepted his help to alight. ‘We’ll see. At least I’m willing to accept change and take it as a challenge. My dear brother is a stick in the mud.’

Toby sprang from the chaise, landing in a puddle left by melting snow, which made Daisy laugh.

‘There,’ he said crossly. ‘I told you the country is no place for a gentleman, let alone a qualified doctor. My boots are wet and the polish is ruined. Who’s going to clean them?’

‘You are.’ Daisy knocked on the door. ‘Don’t you dare ask Hattie or she really will give in her notice.’

‘Maybe we can get a girl to come in from the village to do the housework.’ Toby grabbed Nick’s hand and shook it. ‘Thanks for the ride, old chap. I’ll certainly be a guest at your table whenever you say, but make it soon because I doubt if I can stand being here for more than a day or two.’

Nick smiled and nodded. ‘Always grumbling, Toby. Maybe one day you’ll look on the bright side of life instead of seeing problems, real or imagined.’

‘I’m a realist and you’re a dreamer.’ Toby glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the door opening.

‘Toby, dear,’ Eleanora said urgently. ‘Your uncle needs a hand to move a trunk that was left in the entrance hall.’

‘Maybe I’ll come to the Hall with you, old chap.’ Toby sighed. ‘I can see I’m going to be worked off my feet if I stay here.’

‘Don’t you dare run off and leave me.’ Daisy grabbed his arm. ‘I hope you’re joking.’

Aunt Eleanora chose to ignore his remark. ‘The furniture will arrive later, but the carrier has left our trunks in the most awkward place and you know how your uncle suffers from his back.’

‘Come on, Toby. The two of us will make light work of it.’ Nick looped the reins over the horse’s head and handed them to Daisy. ‘Would you mind holding on to Hero? He’s old and docile, so he won’t give you any trouble. I’ll be as quick as I can.’

Daisy took the reins, eyeing the animal warily. ‘Are you sure he won’t make a sudden bolt for home? I’m not used to horses.’

‘Have you ever ridden one?’

‘No. I was brought up in Whitechapel. There are plenty of cabs and omnibuses to take you wherever you wish to go.’

‘You’ll find it very different here,’ Nick said, chuckling.

‘Please hurry,’ Eleanora called over her shoulder as she retreated into the house. ‘Sidney is stuck halfway up the stairs and Hattie is struggling with the kitchen range. I think there might be a bird’s nest in the chimney.’

‘I think I might get the train back to London,’ Toby said grimly. ‘Life in the countryside is far too hectic for my taste. Give me peasoupers and smoky taverns any day of the week.’

Nick shooed him over the threshold. ‘Stop grumbling and do something useful.’ He glanced over his shoulder, giving Daisy an apologetic smile. ‘I won’t be long.’

‘Don’t worry about me.’ She stroked the horse’s velvety muzzle. ‘I’m new at this, Hero,’ she said softly. ‘Please be a good creature and don’t bolt or do anything silly.’

Hero rolled his eyes and nodded, as if complying with her request. She sighed with relief. Perhaps she could get used to being this close to such a large creature, although she hoped that Nick would return quickly. She cocked her head on one side, listening to the rushing sound of the water and the cawing of crows. The countryside seemed almost too quiet after the constant din of traffic and the babble of voices in the city. Here there was nothing but the gentle whispering of the wind in the trees and the sounds of nature …

The idyll was shattered by the sound of her aunt’s voice raised to a shriek and a loud thud emanating from the cottage. Forgetting her charge, Daisy dropped the reins and ran towards the house.

Chapter Three

‘Are you all right, Aunt Eleanora?’ As she reached the doorway Daisy saw Nick and Toby lifting Uncle Sidney from beneath the wood-bound leather travelling trunk. ‘Oh, my goodness, is he hurt?’

Aunt Eleanora clutched her hands to her bosom. ‘Is anything broken? Are you all right, Sidney, my love?’

Sidney struggled to his feet, aided by Toby and Nick. ‘Stop fussing, woman. Of course I’m all right. I’m not a fragile flower.’ He stomped off. ‘I’ll be in the parlour. Tell Hattie to bring me a glass of brandy – for medicinal purposes, of course.’

Eleanora turned on Toby. ‘You’re a doctor. Go and look after your uncle.’

‘He’s fine, Aunt. What do you want us to do with this?’ He poked the trunk with the toe of his boot.

‘Leave it there. The removal men should be here soon. They’re trained to heft boxes and heavy objects. I can’t be doing with any more falls. I’m going to the kitchen to see how Hattie is getting on with the range or we won’t have anything to eat today.’

Daisy glanced anxiously out of the door, but Hero had his head down and was munching the grass. ‘I’m sorry, Nick,’ she said hastily. ‘I should have stayed with the animal.’

‘Don’t worry, he’s not coming to any harm.’ Nick turned to Toby. ‘I’ll go now and leave you to settle in.’

Toby leaned over to brush his aunt’s flushed cheek with a kiss. ‘I’ll get out of your way, dear aunt. I’m not much use when it comes to unpacking and that sort of thing.’ He turned to Nick. ‘How about I come with you now?’

‘That’s fine with me, if your aunt and uncle don’t need you?’

‘No, take him away,’ Eleanora said crossly. ‘Toby might be a good doctor, but he’s useless around the house.’

‘Will you be all right, Daisy?’ Toby asked anxiously. ‘I mean, I could stay, but …’

Torn between annoyance and amusement, Daisy gave him a gentle shove towards the door. ‘Go, for heaven’s sake. We’ll do better without you.’

‘I’ll bring him back after supper, but perhaps you would like to come to the Hall some time, Daisy.’ Nick hesitated, frowning. ‘Not tomorrow, of course, because I won’t be there, but maybe the day after?’

Daisy smiled and nodded. ‘Thank you. That would be lovely.’

‘Come on, Nick,’ Toby hurried outside, glancing up at the lowering clouds. ‘I think it’s going to snow again. Let’s get going. I’ll see you later, Daisy.’

‘Yes,’ she said as she watched them climb into the trap. ‘You’ll come home when all the work is done. Nothing changes.’

‘Daisy, will you go and help Hattie in the kitchen?’ Eleanora said anxiously. ‘If there’s a nest in the chimney there might be a trapped bird and they make me nervous. I’ll go and make sure your uncle is all right.’ She bustled into the parlour without waiting for an answer.

Daisy sighed and shook her head as she made her way to the kitchen where she could hear Hattie shouting and crashing about. A gust of smoke enveloped her as she opened the door.

‘I’ll never get used to this brute,’ Hattie said, flicking a cleaning cloth at the stove. ‘Maybe there’s a nest on top of the chimney pot. Whatever it is, I can’t get the fire to draw properly.’ She wiped her face with the back of her hand, leaving a streak of soot on her cheek.

Daisy looked round the large kitchen and spotted a besom propped up against the back door. ‘Maybe I can clear the blockage,’ she said hopefully.

‘You’re never going to push that broom up the chimney, are you?’ Hattie demanded anxiously. ‘You’ll bring a fall of soot.’

She spoke too late. Daisy had snatched up the besom and was poking it up the chimney. A shower of soot, dried leaves and bits of twig covered everything, including Daisy. She stood for a moment, coughing and gasping for air.

‘I told you so.’ Hattie threw up her hands. ‘Look at the mess you’ve made. Well, I ain’t cleaning it up. I warned you, but would you listen? No, you would not, and everything is covered in soot. I’m going to tell the mistress.’ She stomped out of the room.

Left to clean up, Daisy stared down at her once clean travelling gown, which was now ruined. Soot was still settling on every surface and she could only be thankful for the fact that most of their china, pots and pans had yet to be unpacked. She was wondering what to do when someone knocked on the back door.

‘Come in.’

The door opened and a pale-faced young woman stepped inside. She was muffled against the cold and her fair hair hung limply from beneath her bonnet. ‘You’ve had a bit of a mishap, miss,’ she said calmly.

‘The chimney was blocked.’ Daisy eyed her curiously. ‘Can I help you?’

‘It looks like I can help you.’ The stranger took off her bonnet and shawl and hung them on a row of pegs. ‘I was on my way home when the young doctor stopped to enquire about my mum – she’s been took sick these last few days. I told him that she was getting better, thanks to the medicine he gave her.’

‘That must have been Dr Neville, but why have you come here?’

‘You’re Miss Marshall, aren’t you?’

Daisy gazed down at her sooty clothes and smiled ruefully. ‘Yes, although I doubt if my friends would recognise me now.’

‘I’m Linnet Fox, from the village. Dr Neville knew I was looking for work because I’d been to Creek Hall to enquire, but he said you might need some help, miss.’

‘I don’t know how much my uncle would pay, Linnet, but we do need someone.’

Linnet rolled up her sleeves. ‘Let’s clean the range first then, miss. We’ll get the fire going and then we can heat up some water and sort out the rest.’

The door burst open before Daisy had a chance to reply and her aunt came to a sudden halt, with Hattie peering over her shoulder. ‘Good heavens! I’ve never seen anything like it.’ She glared at Linnet. ‘Who is this?’

‘Dr Neville sent her, Aunt Eleanora,’ Daisy said hastily. ‘He thought we might need some assistance in getting things straight.’

‘Who is she and how do we know she’s trustworthy?’

Linnet bobbed a curtsey. ‘I’m Linnet Fox, ma’am. My pa was gamekeeper at Creek Hall when the old doctor was alive, but he’s too poorly to work now, and my mum is sick with lung fever. I’m a hard worker and honest.’

‘I’ve got to have someone, ma’am,’ Hattie added, peering over Eleanora’s shoulder. ‘I can’t be expected to cope on me own.’

Eleanora glanced round the room. ‘You may have a trial period, at the usual rate, whatever that might be. My husband will sort that out, but consider yourself hired, and please get this disaster sorted out as quickly as possible. We’ve been travelling for hours and we need a hot meal.’

‘Don’t worry, Aunt,’ Daisy said firmly. ‘I’ll help Linnet. We’ll get the kitchen cleaned up in no time.’

Eleanora nodded and turned on her heel, bumping into Hattie, who was still grumbling. ‘I told her not to poke the broom up the chimney, ma’am. I told her not to do it, but she done it all the same.’

‘Yes, thank you, Hattie. I think I get the gist. You can unpack my things upstairs while they get to work, and let’s hope that Pickford’s manage to get our furniture here before dark, otherwise we’ll be sleeping on the floor.’ She shooed Hattie away and closed the door behind her.

‘You might like to wash your face and hands first, miss,’ Linnet suggested tactfully. ‘Soot burns something chronic if it gets in your eyes. I’ll make a start sweeping up.’

It took almost an hour to get the kitchen clean, and Linnet had proved herself invaluable as she set about the work methodically, managing to get the fire going so that it blazed up the chimney. She showed Daisy where the pump was situated in the back yard, and the privy, which was in a small wooden hut that had been built to straddle a narrow stream.

‘Does the night soil collector get this far out?’ Daisy asked.

Linnet’s laughter echoed off the outbuildings. ‘Lord, no, miss. Lean closer and you’ll hear the brook racing down to the creek. You sit on the seat and let nature do the rest. No need to dig latrines or such.’

Daisy felt a blush rise to her cheek. As a person raised in the city she knew she had a lot to learn. ‘Thank you, Linnet. An excellent idea, I’m sure.’

‘And don’t worry about the pump water,’ Linnet said, smiling. ‘You’re luckier than most of the people in the village: this one taps into a spring deep down. The water is crystal clear and safe to drink.’ She lifted the pump handle and began to work it vigorously. ‘But this will be my job. You’re a young lady and you don’t need to know this.’

‘I’ll have to find something to do with my time.’ Daisy watched closely. ‘I never gave a thought to how hard servants have to work, but I’m beginning to appreciate it now.’ She went indoors, leaving Linnet to her labours. It was little wonder that the servants at the Carringtons’ establishment had treated her with scorn. They must have considered her to be ungrateful and idle, while they had to slave from dawn until well after dark in order to please their employers. Daisy felt a twinge of sympathy for them as she looked down at her reddened hands. She held the door open for Linnet as she staggered past her, hefting two wooden pails filled with water.

‘Thank you, Linnet,’ she said earnestly. ‘I don’t know how I would have managed if you hadn’t come knocking on the door.’

‘Thank the young doctor, miss. He’s so good and kind – I just hope he decides to stay in Little Creek, but I’m afraid he’ll go away and leave us without a physician again.’

‘Was it so very bad before he came to live here?’

‘I doubt if you could imagine it, miss. I mean it’s obvious you’re used to better things. You’re a lady for a start and you’ve got hands that have never known hard work, but for us in the village it’s a matter of life and death to have a doctor nearby. My cousin died in childbirth, and the babe soon after. If Dr Neville had been at Creek Hall I dare say they’d both be alive now.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ Daisy said gently. ‘How sad.’

‘Life is hard, miss.’ Linnet filled two large pans with water and placed them on the hob. ‘We can finish up when the water is warm enough. Then your cook can make a start on supper and I’ll head off home. Mum will be wondering where I’ve got to.’

‘But you will come tomorrow?’ Daisy asked anxiously.

‘Yes, of course, miss. I’ll be here early, so no need to worry.’ She cocked her head on one side. ‘That sounds like your furniture has arrived. I can finish up here if you want to go and help the old lady.’

Daisy smothered a giggle. ‘My aunt is Mrs Marshall and she wouldn’t thank you for calling her old. I will go and help, and I just want you to know I’m very grateful to you, Linnet. You’ve worked so hard.’

‘That’s what I’m here for, miss.’ Linnet wiped her hands on her apron.

Daisy left the kitchen and went to help her aunt, who was firing instructions at the delivery men like an army sergeant.

‘Perhaps they’d like some refreshment, Aunt,’ Daisy said softly. ‘There’ll soon be enough hot water to make a pot of tea and they’ve had a long journey from London.’

‘Let them do their job first. Time for tea when they’re finished. You can help by unpacking the linen. It’s in that wicker hamper.’

‘It looks as if they’re unloading the beds first. I’ll make them up, if you wish.’

‘That’s a job for Hattie or the girl.’

‘I need to be usefully employed, Aunt. I can’t spend my days idling.’

‘You’ve been brought up to be a young lady, Daisy. I owed it to your parents to see that you have the best chance in life. It’s just a pity you allowed Julian Carrington to get away. Rich husbands don’t grow on trees, my girl. I’m afraid you’ve lost your chance now, and that nice Dr Neville isn’t likely to stay for long. No doubt he’ll go where he can earn a decent living. I’m afraid you’ll be on the shelf if you don’t do something about it, and you know how hard life is for women without means, as well as the disgrace of being an old maid.’

‘I’ll find something to do with my life, Aunt. I don’t intend to be a burden on you for much longer. I just need to work out what is best for me, and then nothing will stop me. I promise you that.’

Chapter Four

Eleanora and Sidney had retired soon after supper, and Hattie had gone to her room on the dot of ten, leaving Daisy to wait up for Toby. She spent the time unpacking boxes of linen, but she was tired, and when he had not returned by midnight she decided to go to bed, leaving the key under a flower-pot outside the front door. Despite the lateness of the hour she was not worried – she imagined him and Nick playing cards after a good dinner, or sitting by the fire chatting about their student days. Toby, she knew, kept London hours and she suspected that Nick was glad to have his company. It must be lonely living in a large house without the comfort of a family to fill the rooms with laughter. Although, thinking back, there had not been much jollity in the Carrington household, and Master Timothy had often come crying to Daisy when his father had punished him severely for some minor misdeed. Julian had been the only member of the household who had had a kind word and a smile for Daisy, and now she was away from Queen Square she realised how easy it must have been for him to charm her into believing his promises of undying love and devotion.

All these thoughts passed through Daisy’s mind as she lay in her bed with the covers pulled up to her chin and prepared for sleep. It came eventually, and she awakened to the sound of the wind rattling the branches of a tree close to her window, and the scrape of thorns on the windowpanes as the stems of a climbing rose brushed against the glass. It took a moment or two for her to work out why she was sleeping in a strange room, and then the memories of the previous day came flooding back. She sat up and yawned, but the chill in the room was even greater than that of her small bedchamber in Queen Square. Mrs Carrington had not allowed the governess to have the benefit of a fire, no matter how cold it was, and Daisy had often had to break the ice in the pitcher before she could pour the water into the washbasin. She reached for her wrap and was about to get up when someone tapped gently on the door.

‘Come in.’

The door opened and Linnet entered carrying a jug of steaming water in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. ‘I took the liberty of bringing this up to you. The mistress was asking why you wasn’t at breakfast.’

‘That’s very thoughtful of you, Linnet. Thank you.’ Daisy took the cup and saucer from her and sipped the tea. ‘It’s so cold. Is it snowing again?’

Linnet placed the jug on the oak washstand. ‘The east wind got up in the night. It blows in off the sea – straight from Russia, so my pa says. If it goes round to the north, there’ll be more snow.’

‘It feels much colder here than it does in London, but I dare say I’ll get used to it. Would you be kind enough to tell my aunt that I’ll be down soon?’

‘Yes, miss.’ Linnet bobbed a curtsey. ‘I could light the fire for you, if you so wish.’

‘Maybe this evening. We don’t want to waste coal.’

‘There are plenty of logs in the shed. I lit the fires downstairs and helped Hattie to get the range going. She’s still grumbling about it, but I dare say she’ll get used to it, given time.’

Daisy sipped her tea, which was still quite hot and more than welcome. ‘I’m afraid she might leave and return to London. It’s very different here in the heart of the countryside.’

‘There’s plenty who would be more than willing to take her place, miss.’ Linnet backed towards the doorway. ‘There’s not many jobs to be had in Little Creek and times are hard. We just hope that the doctor will stay, but people are saying he’ll go back to London.’

‘I think that’s up to Dr Neville.’ Daisy placed the cup and saucer on a small table near the window. ‘I must get dressed and I mustn’t keep you from your work, but it’s good to have you here, Linnet. We need someone young and capable like you.’

Linnet’s plain face flushed scarlet. ‘Ta, miss.’ She hurried from the room and her booted feet clattered on the bare boards as she hurried downstairs.

Eleanora was about to rise from the table when Daisy walked into the small dining room. ‘Your uncle has been up for hours,’ she said, sighing. ‘I hope he isn’t going continue like this or I’ll never get any peace.’