The Best of Daughters (21 page)

Rupert wrapped his arms around Daisy. ‘How have you been, darling? Did you miss me?'

She lowered her gaze, unable to look him in the eyes. ‘Of course I did, but I have a confession to make. I wanted to tell you before anyone else did.' She felt him tense and unwillingly she raised her head. His ingenuous look of concern, bereft of suspicion and totally trusting, speared her heart like a knife thrust. To tell him about Bowman would be like kicking a puppy.

‘What is it you have to tell me, sweetheart? It can't be anything too terrible, I'm sure.'

‘I – I . . .' She gulped and swallowed. ‘I've joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, Rupert.'

He let out a long sigh. ‘Is that all?'

‘You don't mind?'

‘Why should I? I think they're a brave bunch of women, although I wouldn't want to think that you were risking life and limb.'

‘I'm not,' she said hastily. ‘It's all terribly well organised.' She put her head on one side, studying his face in an attempt to read his thoughts. ‘Most men disapprove heartily, and the army refuse to recognise us. I was afraid you might want me to give it up.'

‘Absolutely not, my love. If it makes you happy and gives you something to do that you feel is worthwhile then I'm all for it. To be honest I'd rather you were affiliated to the FANY than to the suffragists. It's probably a lot safer, just so long as there isn't a war, but I
can't imagine that the authorities would allow women to risk their lives on the front line.'

‘No,' Daisy said doubtfully. ‘I suppose not.'

He placed his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer. ‘Anyway, I'm home now even if it is only for a short while. We'll make the most of it, and Mother has invited your family for Christmas luncheon. You will come, won't you?'

‘Of course we'd be delighted to accept.' Gwendoline breezed into the room, holding her arms outstretched. ‘My dear boy, how lovely to see you again.'

He rose hastily to his feet and suffered her embrace with a stoicism that Daisy could only admire. Really, she thought, Mother can be so embarrassing at times. She stood up. ‘Rupert and I were just going for a spin in the motorcar, Mother.'

‘Really?' Gwendoline stared at her blankly. ‘I thought that Beatrice said he was staying for lunch.'

Taking his cue from Daisy, Rupert nodded his head. ‘It's terribly kind of you, Mrs Lennox, but perhaps another time. I was rather hoping that Daisy would come home with me. It's the Pendleton Park servants' Christmas luncheon today. It's a long established custom. The family waits on the staff and I thought Daisy might like to help this year.'

‘Of course I would,' Daisy said enthusiastically. ‘Lady Pendleton has done so much for me, Mother. It's the least I can do.'

Gwendoline sank down on a chair. ‘Oh, well, if it's for dear Jane, then of course you must go, Daisy.' She brightened up a little. ‘But we'll all be there tomorrow,
Rupert. Do tell your mother that we're looking forward to it immensely.'

Daisy grabbed Rupert's hat and thrust it into his hand. ‘Come along then. Am I dressed for the occasion, or should I change?'

He took her by the hand. ‘My darling, you would look perfect wearing a potato sack, but what you've got on is absolutely fine. Good day, Mrs Lennox. Please give my regards to your husband and Teddy.'

Leaving Rupert in the hall, Daisy went upstairs to her room and slipped on the fur motoring coat and tasselled turban that Lady Pendleton had insisted on buying for her, and for once she was glad she had accepted such a generous gift. She took a pair of fur mittens from her dressing table drawer and a long scarf which she wound round her neck. It was going to be cold driving in an open car but she did not mind. It would be wonderful to escape from reality even for a short while. She went downstairs to join Rupert, and as soon as they were outside and safely out of earshot she gave him a questioning look. ‘Did you make that up about the servants' Christmas lunch?'

‘Of course not. It is perfectly true, but all my ghastly relations have descended upon us for the festive season, and as no one was expecting me to arrive this early they were prepared to go ahead without me, so if you would rather do something else . . .'

Daisy climbed into the passenger seat of the Prince Henry. ‘Actually, if you don't mind, I think I'd rather go for a drive and perhaps have lunch somewhere quite a long way from here.'

He closed the door and went round the front of the car to crank the starting handle. As soon as the engine kicked into life he vaulted into the driver's seat. ‘What a splendid idea. I know a delightful riverside pub where they serve the best trout I've ever tasted and treacle tart that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.'

‘That sounds wonderful, Rupert.'

‘And I want to have you all to myself for a couple of hours at least. I don't want to share you with anyone, Daisy Bell.' He patted her hand as it lay in her lap. ‘Have I told you recently that I love you, darling?'

They enjoyed lunch in an ancient hostelry decorated with boughs of holly and hung with mistletoe. A log fire roared up the chimney in the ingle nook and as they sat and talked over their meal of warming vegetable soup followed by grilled trout, it seemed as though they had never been apart. Daisy had almost forgotten what a charming and amusing companion Rupert could be and she relaxed in his company, putting the morning's events out of her mind. He even allowed her to drive home. It felt as though they were an old married couple, content in each other's company with few surprises to come as they parted with an affectionate kiss at the front door of Rainbow's End. Daisy waved goodbye as he drove off, but she could not help comparing their comfortable relationship with the passion she had experienced in Bowman's embrace. She rattled the door knocker but when no one answered she walked briskly round to the back of the house. It was late afternoon but already dusk and tiny flakes of
snow fluttered about her head like confetti. She entered through the scullery door and found the kitchen in darkness. Iris must still be up at the big house, but where was Ruby? She lit a lamp with a spill from the range and went through to the drawing room, but that too was deserted. As she ascended the stairs she could hear gentle snores emanating from her parents' room. She smiled, deciding that Mother must be taking her afternoon nap, although she would soon be demanding a cup of tea and there was no one in the kitchen to answer her bell. Of Bea there was no sign.

Daisy went to her own room and divested herself of her outer garments. Perhaps Ruby was also taking advantage of the quiet afternoon, putting her feet up. Daisy had no idea how a pregnant woman would feel, but she knew they needed rest. She went up the final flight of stairs to the attic rooms and was about to knock on Ruby's door when she heard a faint moan. ‘Ruby, are you all right?' She opened the door and stepped inside.

‘RUBY?' HOLDING THE
lamp high, Daisy stepped into the room. The shadows flickered and shifted beneath the eaves but she could make out a figure lying on the narrow iron bedstead.

‘Help me,' Ruby groaned, clutching her belly. ‘It's the baby, miss. I think it's coming before its time.'

Daisy placed the lamp on the pine chest of drawers. ‘It can't be, Ruby. It's much too early.' She leaned over the bed and was horrified to see Ruby's face contorted with pain. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead even though it was bitterly cold in the attic room, and an icy wind whistled through the gaps in the tiled roof.

‘I'm losing it. I seen it happen to me sister.' Ruby pointed to a dark stain on the coverlet. ‘I'm bleeding to death.'

Recalling her home nursing lessons with difficulty, Daisy adopted a brisk tone. ‘No, you're not. I'm here now, and I've been trained to cope with this sort of thing. You'll be fine. I'm not going to let you die.' She spoke with more confidence than she was feeling, and her knowledge of childbirth was limited to having read a few pages devoted to it in the nursing manual. ‘Perhaps I'd better go for the doctor.'

Ruby reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing it with surprising strength. ‘No, don't do that. No one must know about this. I'll lose me job if your ma gets wind of what I've done.'

‘But I don't see how I can keep this a secret. You need proper medical attention.'

‘It'll be over soon. I told you I seen this before. Stay with me, please.' Another violent contraction robbed Ruby of speech and she stuffed her hand into her mouth to stifle a cry of pain.

Daisy waited until the spasm had passed. ‘All right, I understand, but I must leave you for a few moments. We'll need clean towels and warm water, and we don't want Iris coming upstairs to look for you.' She patted Ruby's limp hand. ‘I'll be as quick as I can. Don't be afraid, Ruby dear. I'll take care of you.'

It was easy to say but Daisy was inwardly terrified. This was the first real test of her nerve and her ability to deal with a difficult and potentially life-threatening situation. The sight and smell of blood was already making her feel faint and nauseous. She escaped from the attic room to lean over the banisters, taking deep breaths. This was not the time to give in to a phobia that had plagued her since childhood and she made her way downstairs, stopping outside her mother's bedroom door. She knocked gently and receiving a faint reply she went inside.

Gwendoline raised herself on her elbow, blinking at her in the lamplight. ‘What's wrong, Daisy? Where's Ruby with my cup of tea?'

‘That's what I came to tell you, Mother. Ruby is unwell.
She must have eaten something that disagreed with her and she isn't in a fit state to do anything.'

‘Oh dear, I hope none of us ate the same thing. I do feel a little nauseous.'

Daisy backed towards the door. ‘I'll send Iris up with your tea, and I'll look after Ruby.'

‘Do you think we ought to send for the doctor?'

‘I think she just needs rest and quiet, Mother. I'll see to everything.'

Gwendoline lay back on her pillows. ‘You're a good girl, but you mustn't get sick. What would Rupert say if he knew that you were nursing a servant?'

‘He'd say well done, Daisy. He's a soldier, Mother. He's seen far worse things than someone with an upset tummy.' She left her mother to think about this and hurried downstairs to the kitchen. She found Iris riddling the coal in the range in an irate manner that did not bode well.

‘I've just come to tell you that Ruby is quite poorly,' Daisy said firmly. ‘I'm afraid you won't have any help this evening, Iris.'

‘There's nothing prepared, miss,' Iris said sulkily. ‘I'll have to start dinner from scratch and it's Christmas Eve. We're all supposed to go to midnight mass.'

‘And I'm sure you'll be finished well before then. Keep it simple and you can go as soon as you've served dessert.'

‘What about the washing up, miss?'

Daisy smiled. ‘It won't be the first time that my sister and I have had to do such a chore, Iris. After all it is
very nearly Christmas and I wouldn't want to make you late for church. The family will be guests at Pendleton Park tomorrow so you may have the day off.'

Iris bobbed a curtsey. ‘Thank you, miss.'

‘I'll need a jug of hot water. Ruby's been very sick and I'm looking after her, so there's no need for anyone to venture to her room, just in case it's something catching.'

‘Oh, I won't go anywhere near her, miss.'

‘Quite right. I won't be dining with the family either, so if you'll leave something cold for me that would be quite sufficient.'

‘Yes, miss.'

Daisy filled a jug with water from the kettle and was making her way upstairs when Beatrice called to her from the hallway. ‘What's up with Ruby? Iris made it sound as though she's got the plague.'

‘It's probably just a bilious attack or something she ate. It's nothing to worry about.' Daisy hesitated with one foot on the next step. ‘Where have you been? You shouldn't be out alone in the dark.'

‘I wasn't alone. I was with Jimmy. We're stepping out together if you must know, Daisy. And don't say I'm too young to know my own mind, because I do, and I'm going to marry Jimmy whether Mother and Father like it or not.'

‘Are you indeed? Well, good luck with that, Bea.' Too tired to argue, Daisy went on upstairs, collecting a pile of old towels from the linen cupboard before continuing on to the top floor. Her sister's romance seemed
unimportant compared to the struggle between life and death in the cold attic room.

It was all over by late evening. Daisy was with Ruby every minute of her premature labour, holding her hand, mopping her brow with a damp cloth and attempting to keep her mind off things with small talk. She wrapped the tiny foetus, no bigger than her own hand, in a cloth and laid it reverently in the gaudy cardboard trinket box in which Ruby normally kept her small treasures. She saw to Ruby's needs and stripped the bed, making it up with fresh linen and dressing Ruby in one of her own nightgowns before tucking her up like a small obedient child. ‘You can cry if you want to,' Daisy said gently. ‘I'll understand.'

Ruby turned her face to the wall. ‘I got no tears left. I sobbed me heart out when I realised that I was expecting, especially when I found out that Barnaby already had a wife and kid. Now I just feel numb. I don't think I'll ever feel nothing again.'

Daisy scooped up the bloodied sheets and towels, concealing the tiny makeshift coffin in their midst. ‘I'll make you a nice hot cup of tea, and bring you something to eat.'

Ruby shook her head. ‘A cup of tea would be lovely, but I ain't hungry, ta.'

‘I won't be long.' Daisy left the room and tiptoed downstairs clutching her bundle and praying silently that the rest of the family were happily ensconced in the drawing room. If anyone saw her now the cat would be out of the bag, but as luck would have it she made it to the kitchen without being seen, and Iris had
taken her at her word and left early. Braving the cold, Daisy took the soiled sheets and towels to the wash house and put them in the copper. She filled it with water from the pump and left them to soak overnight. Satisfied that she had done all she could in the circumstances, she hid the cardboard box under the mangle, intending to come out later and bury it somewhere in the garden. She did not think that Ruby was in a fit state to be involved in a sad farewell to a life that had ended before it had begun. She went back indoors and made a pot of tea, but she was trembling violently and she had to sit down for a while and rest before she felt able to take a cup to Ruby.