The Best of Daughters (5 page)

He raised her hand to his lips. ‘You mustn't worry. Mr Lennox is an astute businessman. I'm sure he will get to grips with the situation before it becomes a complete disaster.'

‘I'm not a child, Rupert. I don't believe in fairies or Father Christmas.'

He smiled, touching her cheek with his fingertips. ‘That spell in prison has turned you into a hard woman, Miss Lennox.'

It was her turn to chuckle. ‘I was expecting to have
the riot act read to me, and I deserved it too. Father will discover that I've just cost him ten guineas and I've lost my ball gown, which must have set him back a small fortune.'

‘There's just a slim chance it might have been returned to the dressmaker. Did she have her name on the box?'

Daisy shook her head. ‘I don't think so, but it might be on the inside of the lid. I've never really looked.'

‘Then we'll go and find out.'

‘Now? But I should stay with Mother.'

‘My dear Daisy Bell, you never could hide your feelings or tell a convincing lie. Ten minutes in your mother's company and you'll have confessed everything and she'll be even more distraught than she is now.'

‘All right, I'll come, but I haven't got the taxi fare.'

‘Then it's fortunate that I have.' Rupert headed towards the staircase. ‘Come along. Don't dawdle or the woman might have closed up for the night.'

Ensconced this time in a hansom cab, Daisy sat back and watched the city streets flash past. ‘It seems as though I've spent the whole day racketing around London,' she said with a wry smile. ‘And all the while my poor father has been striving to avert a catastrophe. I've been so wrapped up in battling for women's rights that I've neglected my family. I should have realised that something was wrong.'

‘And done precisely what, Daisy? You weren't to know what was happening in the city, and there was precious little you could have done anyway.'

She turned to look him in the eyes. ‘Did Teddy know?'

‘He must have had an inkling but he didn't mention it until today. Perhaps your father kept it from him too, so you see you mustn't feel guilty.'

‘It's awful being treated like a child. I wouldn't have agreed to this wretched party at the Cecil had I known. There are people starving and women being locked up and maltreated for their beliefs, and here am I making you race round London looking for a damned ball gown.'

He threw back his head and laughed. ‘To tell you the truth, I'm enjoying myself immensely. All we need, Daisy Bell, is a bicycle made for two.'

She nudged him in the ribs. ‘Stop it, Rupert. I'm baring my soul to you and all you can do is quote that ridiculous song at me.'

‘But I've made you smile, my darling.'

She sighed. ‘Don't call me that either. You'll only encourage our mothers to think that we're about to announce our engagement.'

‘And that would never do.'

She shot him a sideways glance. ‘You're teasing me again. Stop it.'

‘Don't spoil my fun.' He patted her hand. ‘Look, we're almost there. I'll go and make enquiries and you stay in the cab.' He had alighted before she had a chance to argue, and waited anxiously while he questioned a young female apprentice who had opened the shop door. He returned almost immediately. ‘Back to Warwick Square, please, cabby.' He sat down beside
her. ‘No go I'm afraid, Daisy. Nothing's been handed in. It looks as though we're out of luck.'

Her spirits plummeted. There was nothing for it now other than to return home and make a full confession.

DAISY HARDLY SPOKE
during the drive back to Pimlico. Rupert said goodbye to her at the door, squeezing her hand. ‘Chin up, Daisy Bell. I don't think that a ten guinea fine or the loss of an expensive frock is going to push your father into bankruptcy.' He kissed her on the cheek. ‘I'll see you at the party tomorrow night and I want the first dance with you.' He climbed back into the cab. ‘Grosvenor Square, cabby.'

Daisy rang the doorbell, wishing that she had invited Rupert to stay for dinner. At this moment she needed someone on her side. She could not count on Bea, who would probably think her disgrace was a scream, and Teddy would be simply furious. He was of the same mind as their father when it came to women demanding their rights. They were both deeply entrenched in the attitudes of the last century where a woman's place was most definitely in the home.

The door opened and Daisy felt as though she was entering the Tower through Traitors' Gate. ‘Is my father home yet, Betsy?'

‘Not yet, miss.' Betsy stood aside to let her pass. ‘There's something for you. A cabby delivered it not five minutes ago.' She jerked her head in the direction
of the hall table. ‘He said he'd only just finished his shift or he'd have dropped it round sooner.'

Stunned, delighted and struggling to convince herself that it was the cardboard box containing her ball gown, Daisy opened it with shaking hands. There, lying between sheets of tissue paper, was her beaded chiffon creation in the most delicate shade of eau de Nil. She turned to Betsy with a tremulous smile. ‘Did he say anything else?'

‘He said he hoped you'd excuse him looking inside it, but he was hoping to find the address of the young lady what lost it, or the shop where it had been bought.'

As Daisy lifted the shimmering garment from its wrappings a slip of paper floated to the floor and she bent down to pick it up. Her name and address were printed in pencil on a scrap torn from a notebook. It must have been left inside by some happy oversight on the part of the dressmaker or her apprentice. Daisy could have shouted for joy, but her attention was diverted by the sound of footsteps on the staircase. She looked over her shoulder to see her sister rounding the bend in the stairs.

‘Where have you been, Daisy? There's something frightful going on and I've been here all by myself. No one tells me anything and Mother is in the foulest of moods. She shouted at me for nothing when I went into the drawing room just now.'

Daisy laid her gown back in the box and tucked it under her arm. ‘Come up to my room, Bea. There's something I must tell you.'

With Beatrice ensconced on the chaise longue beneath the tall window overlooking the square, Daisy shook the creases from her ball gown and hung it in the burr-walnut wardrobe.

‘What's going on?' Beatrice demanded, curling her feet beneath her. ‘I've had a dreadful day and you've been out gallivanting with Rupert. I know because I saw you get out of the hansom cab and he kissed you.'

‘It was just a peck on the cheek,' Daisy said casually. ‘And if you'll just stop grumbling for a moment I'll tell you everything.'

‘You're engaged to him. I know it. You'll announce it at the party tomorrow night and everyone will think you're wonderful, and no one will give me a second glance. It's just not fair.'

Daisy felt a pang of sympathy for her younger sister. She knew very well what it was like to be treated like an irresponsible child, but Bea was fifteen and it was time she started acting like a grown-up. ‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself, and listen.' She perched on the edge of the bed and launched into a brief account of the day's events, and, for once, Beatrice heard her out in silence. ‘So you see,' Daisy concluded, ‘we've got to tread carefully tonight. I don't know whether to tell Mother now, or to wait until Father gets home and speak to him before dinner. What do you think?'

‘I think they're both going to slaughter you, and if Father really is going out of business who knows what will happen? We might have to leave Warwick Square
and move to the country. I'd really love living permanently in Rainbow's End instead of just spending the summer holidays there.'

‘It won't come to that, silly.' Daisy spoke with more conviction than she was feeling.

‘I'm not silly. It's the logical conclusion,' Beatrice said huffily. ‘If we can't afford to live in London then we'll have to go and live in the house in Nutley Green. Maybe Mother will come off her high horse and stop trying to foist you off on poor Rupert. She'll be starting on me next and I'm definitely not the sort of girl that toffs go for.'

Momentarily diverted, Daisy chuckled. ‘And how do you define a toff?'

‘The Honourable Rupert, of course. He's a toff to end all toffs. You'd end up as Lady Pendleton if you got your hooks into him, and I'll be the spinster sister living in the attic at Pendleton Park.'

Daisy slid off the bed and went to sit beside Beatrice, giving her a sympathetic hug. ‘I'm not going to marry Rupert, and we don't need to define ourselves by marriage. You and I are individuals, Bea. When we get the vote we'll be able to change the world, and we won't need a husband to assure our place in society.'

‘And pigs might fly,' Beatrice said, sighing. ‘But before all this happens you've got to convince Father that you're not an empty-headed female out to cause trouble for the establishment. Good luck, Daisy. I'm glad it's you and not me.'

Daisy entered her father's study, having decided to tell him everything and get the whole grisly business out in the open before dinner.

Victor Lennox hung the telephone receiver back on the hook, looking up with a question in his eyes. ‘Daisy?'

‘May I have a word, Father?'

‘It's not a good time, my dear.'

‘I know, but this is really urgent.'

A whimsical smile curved his lips. ‘Is it about your party tomorrow night?'

‘No, Father. It's something much more important.'

‘Then sit down and tell me about it.' He motioned her to take a seat and she sank down on the nearest chair. Taking a deep breath she launched into much the same account of the day's happenings as told to Beatrice earlier. ‘I am so sorry, Father,' she said when she came to the end. ‘I know this is a bad time. Rupert told me about the trouble you're having.'

He bowed his head, resting it on his hands. ‘It couldn't be worse, Daisy. I'm almost certain to lose the business and my credibility in the City will be in ruins.'

‘But what about Mr Carlton? Won't the law catch up with him?'

‘Possibly, but it's not very likely. Jeremiah has already left the country. I doubt if I or my clients will ever see a penny of the money he took.'

‘What will you do, Father?'

He raised his head to look her in the eye. ‘You're a sensible young woman, Daisy. At least you are for the most part, although heaven knows I don't approve of the women's suffrage movement. At least, I don't agree
with the way they go about things. There are other methods of changing the law that don't include violence or damage to the property of others.' He raised his hand as she opened her mouth to argue. ‘But that's neither here nor there. We have a family crisis on our hands, and the only solution I can think of will be to sell this house and remove to the country. At least I've invested my money wisely and I own both properties. I may be able to start off again in a small way, but we will have to live more simply and I'm afraid we won't be able to keep the servants on.'

‘I'm so sorry that I've added to your problems, Father. The fracas outside the palace is certain to be in the newspapers tomorrow morning, if not tonight.' She rose to her feet. ‘Anyway, I quite understand that you must cancel my party.'

Victor shook his head. ‘On the contrary, my dear. We will carry on as usual. The party is paid for and to cancel would serve no useful purpose. You will enjoy your twenty-first birthday as planned.' He picked up the telephone receiver. ‘Now, if you'll excuse me, Daisy, I have some urgent calls to make before dinner.'

She left the study, almost bumping into Beatrice who had been hovering outside the door. ‘Were you eavesdropping again, Bea?'

‘No, of course not.' Beatrice caught her by the hand. ‘What did he say? Are we going to live in the country? Is the party on or off?'

‘Let me go. I must speak to Mother before Teddy lets the cat out of the bag.'

‘Too late, I'm afraid. He thought she already knew. You know what Teddy's like for putting his foot in it. But you haven't told me what Father said.'

‘Later, Bea.' Daisy wrenched her hand free. ‘I'm going to face Mother now. I should have told her everything as soon as I got home.'

‘Yes, you should,' Beatrice said smugly. ‘Now you're for it. Wait for me. I wouldn't want to miss this for anything.'

‘Do as you please. It won't make any difference. Mother is going to hit the ceiling.'

Daisy's words had been prophetic. Gwendoline paced the floor, wringing her hands. ‘You stupid, stupid girl, Daisy. I can't believe that a daughter of mine would get mixed up with those dreadful creatures who disgrace the name of womanhood.'

‘Mother, please.' Daisy lifted her hand in protest but dropped it to her side as her mother turned on her with eyes blazing.

‘Be silent, girl. You've brought shame upon the family. What will Myrtle and Lavinia think when they see your name in the morning papers? We'll be a laughing stock, and Jane Pendleton will never speak to me again. You've ruined your chances of marrying into the aristocracy. In fact, I doubt if any respectable man will want you now.'

‘Hold on, Mother,' Teddy said, frowning. ‘That's a bit strong. As I understand it, Daisy was simply trying to help a friend.'

Gwendoline turned on him like a fury. ‘And you've
stood by and allowed your father's business partner to swindle their clients.'

‘That's not fair,' Daisy protested angrily. ‘Teddy's not to blame for what happened to Father's business, any more than I was responsible for the actions of others at the palace.'

‘You are both as bad as each other.' Gwendoline sank down on the sofa. ‘You were supposed to be collecting your ball gown, but you attended the rally knowing full well that those women were going to do something dreadful.'