The Best of Daughters (16 page)

He nodded slowly, withdrawing his hand. ‘I see. Well I've always admired your honesty, even if it's hard to take at times.'

‘If you don't want to see me any more I'll quite understand.'

‘Good heavens, I'm not as shallow as that. We're still friends, Daisy, and will always be, I hope.'

‘And you're all right about things? Truly?'

‘Truly.' He leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. ‘But I'm not giving up so easily, my dear.'

‘No, Rupert . . .' she began, but he silenced her by laying his finger across her lips.

‘I've promised to take you out in the Prince Henry tomorrow and that's what we'll do,' he said with a rueful smile. ‘I haven't forgotten that cream tea we promised ourselves on the last fateful occasion when you decided to break my poor heart.'

‘Now you're teasing me.'

‘Yes, because you look even more delightful when you're pouting. Unfortunately it makes it even harder to resist kissing you, but I'll do my best to remember that I'm a gentleman.' He took her hand and led her back towards the house. ‘Let's get you indoors out of this hot sun. I was quite forgetting that you'd had a fainting fit.'

‘I did not have a fainting fit,' Daisy said with spirit. ‘I swooned at the sight of blood. I know it's silly but I've always been like that. Stop treating me like a piece of porcelain, Rupert. I liked you better when we used to play cricket and climb trees.'

‘Those aren't the sorts of games that grown-ups play, Daisy Bell.' His deep chuckle was infectious and Daisy found herself laughing with him.

‘Let's go and find out if my mother and yours are still friends,' she said, quickening her pace.

‘Or if it's hatpins at dawn. I can see the headlines on the front page of
The Times
now.'

‘Don't,' Daisy said with feeling. ‘That would be the last straw.'

It appeared that there would be no lurid newspaper scandal involving two ladies fighting to the death with hatpins or any other sharp implements, as the two
matrons seemed to be on the best of terms when Daisy and Rupert came upon them in the drawing room. Ruby had managed to put together a tray of tea, although she had set it with odd cups and saucers, and had left the sugar bowl in the kitchen. However, that did not seem to have upset the entente cordiale, and Daisy was more than relieved to see her mother smiling happily.

‘Jane tells me that you've been overdoing things, Daisy,' Gwendoline said, wagging a finger at her. ‘You are a silly girl. You should make Ruby do more. There really is no need for you to parade our misfortunes by going to the shops in person. Write a list and give it to the girl.'

‘Yes, Mother.' It was useless to argue. Daisy shot a covert glance at Rupert and he gave her an encouraging smile.

Beaming at them both, Gwendoline turned her attention to Rupert. ‘It's so good to have you home, dear boy.' She sent a meaningful glance in her daughter's direction. ‘And I'm sure that Daisy feels the same.'

‘Yes, Mother. Of course I do.'

‘And we hope to see a lot of you while you're on leave,' Gwendoline added with an arch look. ‘Make the most of Daisy's company, because I'm certain that she'll be snapped up before we know it. Don't you think so?'

Daisy could see that Rupert had opted for his customary escape route when it came to his mother and her match-making friends, and he was staring abstractedly out of the window allowing all the
pointed remarks to pass over his head. She nudged him in the ribs and he took the cue manfully. ‘Er, yes, of course, Mrs Lennox. I agree absolutely.'

Gwendoline's smile would have out-grinned the Cheshire cat. She glowed with satisfaction. ‘Well, I daresay you two young people will be seeing a lot of each other this week. You are most welcome here at any time, Rupert.'

Lady Pendleton rose to her feet with a rustle of silk and a fragrant waft of L'Heure Bleue. ‘I think it's time we left, Rupert. We won't trespass on your hospitality any longer, Gwendoline. I'll expect you on Wednesday as usual for afternoon tea at Pendleton Park. I'll send Parkin for you if Rupert is otherwise engaged.'

‘I rather think I might be, Mother,' Rupert said hastily. ‘Daisy and I have a longstanding appointment with a plate of cucumber sandwiches and some fancies at the Cosy Corner tea rooms in Colchester.' He winked at Daisy. ‘I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon at two-thirty.'

She smiled and nodded. ‘That will be lovely. I can't wait to be a legal road user.'

‘What's that?' Gwendoline demanded. ‘You're not going to drive one of those infernal machines, are you, Daisy? If you are then I forbid it.'

‘Yes, Mother,' Daisy said dutifully, crossing her fingers behind her back.

For the rest of the week Daisy kept out of Bowman's way, and having returned her shopping basket and purse he made no attempt to see her. She spent all her
free time with Rupert who was true to his word and duly purchased a driving licence in her name, allowing her to drive as often as possible in order to become fully proficient behind the wheel. On the last day of his leave they took tea once more in the Cosy Corner café. As they sat chatting amicably Daisy was only too well aware of the curious glances they were receiving from the occupants of the adjacent tables.

‘We make a handsome couple,' Rupert said, following her gaze. ‘You can't deny it, Daisy Bell, so don't pout.'

‘You said that pouting made me prettier,' she countered. ‘Have you gone off me already, Captain Pendleton?'

‘Are you flirting with me, Miss Lennox?'

The smile died on her lips. ‘I'm sorry. It was said in fun. You really shouldn't take things so seriously.'

He sipped his tea, eyeing her over the rim of the cup. ‘Sometimes I think you do care for me just a little, and then you drift off somewhere far beyond my reach.'

‘Don't spoil things, Rupert. We've had a lovely time these last few days. Nothing has changed between us.'

‘No,' he said slowly. ‘Nothing has changed, but I damned well wish it would. With all my heart, Daisy Bell, I'll love you until the day I die.'

She was aware of the sudden hush around them and she knew she was blushing, which only made matters worse. There was no doubting Rupert's sincerity but she wished that he had not chosen this moment to declare the extent of his feelings for her. She reached out and laid her hand on his. ‘That is so sweet. I wish that . . .'

He grasped her fingers, looking deeply into her eyes. ‘You wish what?'

She dropped her gaze. She could hear whispers around them and she felt cornered. Her first instinct was to get up and leave, but she could not do that to Rupert. This past week had been one of the happiest she had known for a long time. They were more than compatible and she knew she would miss him terribly when he returned to his regiment. He loved her and perhaps that was enough. Maybe she would grow to love him too. She raised her eyes and was stunned and shocked to see tears standing out on Rupert's thick and almost ridiculously long eyelashes.

‘What do you want, Daisy? Tell me and I'll do anything in my power to make you happy.'

She bit her lip. She knew she should refuse but she could hear her mother's voice telling her that she would soon be on the shelf. Her twenty-second birthday loomed and she was a virtual prisoner dependent on her father for everything. Her feelings for Bowman had awakened longings that she had never imagined, and she did not trust herself to resist him for ever. He had only to crook his finger and she would walk into his arms regardless of the consequences. Rupert was offering her a way of escape: the honourable way out.

‘Oh for Gawd's sake put him out of his misery, love.' A large overdressed woman with hennaed hair leaned across the aisle between the tables and patted her on the arm. ‘You might never get another chance.'

Rupert gave her a broad smile. ‘Thanks, but if you don't mind I'll try and do this myself.'

The woman speared an éclair on a pastry fork and waved it at him. ‘Well get on with it, young man. She's teetering. I can always tell.'

Daisy wished that the floor would open up and swallow her. She sent a pleading look at Rupert and he rose to his feet. She thought for a moment that he was going to escort her from the café, but to her intense embarrassment he went down on one knee, holding his hand to his heart. ‘Desperate situations call for desperate measures, my darling. Daisy Lennox, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

The silence was tangible. Teaspoons were held suspended over cups, and all eyes were upon them. Daisy struggled to find a reason to refuse him yet again but she felt herself weakening. He had made his feelings perfectly clear and she was desperately fond of him, even if he did not make her pulses race. They would do well together. She would bow to the social mores that required her to become a good wife and mother and subjugate her desires and ambitions. She looked into his handsome face and before she could stop herself she whispered, ‘Yes.'

For a brief moment he stared at her in disbelief, and as the realisation dawned that she had not rejected him a slow smile spread across his face and he leapt to his feet, drawing her into his arms and kissing her to a spontaneous round of applause. Everyone from the hennaed lady to the waitresses began clapping enthusiastically.

‘Well done, my boy.' A bewhiskered gentleman of military bearing rose to his feet and slapped Rupert
on the back. ‘Courage under fire. That's what this country needs.'

Daisy straightened her hat, blushing furiously. ‘I'd like to go now.'

‘Of course, darling.' Rupert summoned the waitress with an imperious gesture and paid the bill, adding a generous tip.

They made their way between the tables to a further round of applause and congratulations. ‘I hope that none of Mother's friends were there today,' Daisy said as they emerged into the sunny street.

Rupert stopped to put on his peaked hat. ‘Who cares? I don't for one.' He slipped his arm around her waist. ‘You are sure now, aren't you, darling? I mean, I know I put you on the spot rather. It wasn't planned, I just acted on impulse. You must tell me if you'd rather have time to think about it.'

‘I'm quite sure.'

‘Then let's go straight to the jeweller's shop and get a ring. I'd have one made for you but there isn't time, and I want to see you wearing it before I leave.'

Swept along on the tide of his enthusiasm, Daisy made no objections, not even when he chose a ring that was opulent to the point of vulgarity. She had not the heart to tell him that she would have preferred a solitaire and that the ornate claw-set diamond surrounded with emeralds was far too large for her small hand. He was like a child in a toyshop at Christmas time, and his enthusiasm seemed to rub off on the dour shopkeeper and his solemn assistants who all congregated outside the shop to wave them off.
Daisy could only suppose that the ring must have cost an awful lot of money to have created such a feeling of goodwill.

At home it was much the same story. Rupert had insisted on stopping off on the way to purchase a magnum of champagne, and he waited impatiently for everyone to congregate in the drawing room before making the announcement. In an unexpected show of emotion, Gwendoline uttered a small shriek and flung her arms around Daisy. ‘My dear girl. I'm so happy for you.'

Teddy slapped Rupert on the back and grabbed the bottle of Bollinger. ‘Ring the bell for Ruby, Bea. I wonder if we brought the champagne glasses from the old house,' he said hopefully. ‘If not we'll have to drink it out of one of Daisy's slippers.'

‘I'd rather drink out of the coal scuttle,' Beatrice said, giving the embroidered bell pull a tug. ‘Will we have a proper party to celebrate the engagement, Mother?'

Victor cleared his throat loudly. ‘Ahem. Isn't there something you've forgotten, Rupert my boy?'

‘I'm sorry, sir. I know that I should have asked your permission first, but this all came about rather quickly, and I'm leaving first thing in the morning to re-join my regiment. I hope you have no objections.'

Victor shook his head and his severe features creased into a smile. ‘Not at all. I couldn't be happier. You're a lucky man.'

‘I certainly know it, sir.' Rupert gazed fondly at Daisy, squeezing her hand gently. ‘I'm the luckiest chap alive.'

A shiver ran down Daisy's spine and for a moment it seemed as though a shadow had blotted out the sun. Perhaps it was the ever-present threat of war and the fact that Rupert was in uniform that was unsettling, but the feeling went as quickly as it had come and she was beginning to relax when Ruby appeared in the doorway. Her reaction was one of ill-concealed astonishment when Beatrice blurted out the reason for the celebration. Daisy met her startled gaze with an attempt at a smile. Ruby of all people ought to be pleased that she was no longer a rival for Bowman's affections. She had placed herself above his reach forever, leaving the field clear. Somehow the thought did not make her feel as happy as it ought. She moved a little closer to Rupert and was rewarded with a hug.

‘Fetch the best glasses, Ruby,' Teddy said as he attempted to open the bottle. ‘Double quick. We're celebrating.'

‘Bring one for yourself,' Daisy said gently. ‘You've been through so much with us, Ruby. You're one of the family now.'

‘Yes, miss.' Ruby bobbed a curtsey and hurried from the room.

‘I say, Daisy, did you have to treat her like one of us?' Teddy protested. ‘You'll give her ideas above her station.'

Rupert drew her closer to him. ‘This is our celebration, Teddy. I think Daisy is entitled to include anyone she likes.'

‘Exactly,' Bea said enthusiastically. ‘Rupert isn't a snob. That's one of the things I love about him, and
now he's going to be my brother. I'd rather have him than you any day, Teddy.'