Daisy’s Betrayal. Nancy Carson

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      ‘Because I saw you enter with her earlier.’

      ‘Ah. May I dare to hope that you have already been watching me then?’

      She smiled enigmatically, to preserve her self-respect, for she could not allow him to think such a thing. ‘I’ve been admiring her dress.’

      ‘Oh.’ He returned a dazzling beam that made her insides churn. ‘Why is life always so full of disappointments?’

      ‘Is it?’ she queried. ‘I would have thought life was full of delights. Especially for a man like you.’

      ‘I don’t know your name.’

      ‘Daisy Drake.’

      ‘Daisy?’

      She nodded, and her pleasure at his attention showed in her big blue eyes.

      ‘Now there’s a name to conjure with. The daisy is a beautiful white flower. But not half as beautiful as you … As if you didn’t know already.’

      Her smile stretched from one ear to the other, showing off her even teeth to good advantage. ‘I’m sure it’s not true, Mr Maddox, but it’s good of you to say so.’

      ‘Oh, call me Lawson. And it is true. You know it is. You and your lovely name are a fine match. You’re easily the loveliest young woman here tonight.’

      ‘Oh, how can you say that?’ she answered modestly. ‘Your lady friend is very pretty. Far prettier than me.’ She was fishing, of course, not just for a further compliment, but for information about his relationship with that girl.

      ‘Fanny,’ he acknowledged. ‘She’s not really my young lady, as you call her, in the sense that we are a couple. We’re not romantically linked.’

      ‘But she seems to think the world of you. I’ve seen how she looks at you.’

      ‘Fanny?’ he said incredulously and laughed. ‘You’re mistaken.’

      Well, Daisy was not about to argue with him, even though she believed he was plainly wrong. Maybe he was just too blind to see it.

      ‘Listen,’ he said. ‘The band is playing another waltz. Would you allow me the honour?’

      She smiled acquiescently and he led her to the floor. He put his hand to her waist and again she felt that surge of blood through her veins that made her temples throb and tied her stomach in knots. Off they went. He was an adept dancer and led her expertly. As they swirled around together he nodded, grinning, to Robert and Fanny as they swished past.

      What was it about him that induced this physical reaction in her? She wanted to curl up in his arms and be pampered by his caresses. She wanted to feel his arms around her all night – every night. She surreptitiously sniffed at him to familiarise herself with the scent of him, something she could remember when he was gone, for she had no doubt at all that she would never see him again after that night.

      ‘Are you local?’ he asked as they glided around the floor.

      ‘Oh, yes, can’t you tell?’ She was in no hurry to pursue the question. ‘Are you?’

      ‘Dudley born and bred. I live in a cardboard box under one of the market stalls.’

      Daisy laughed out loud. ‘Just as long as it’s warm and comfortable.’

      ‘Oh, all modern conveniences. A tarpaulin to throw over it to keep out the rain and snow, a candle to warm myself by. What more could a man want?’

      ‘Do you live with your family?’ she asked seriously.

      ‘In that box?’ He kept a straight face while she laughed again. ‘As a matter of fact, I’ve got no family, save for a distant aunt. No, I live by myself. All alone.’

      ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ At once she felt guilty at laughing at what he’d said. ‘I had no idea. What happened to them?’

      ‘It’s a long story,’ he said evasively. ‘Maybe I’ll tell you when I know you better.’

      The dance ended. Two of the trio put down their instruments and began supping their beer, while the other left the pianoforte. Daisy looked at the clock on the wall. It said ten o’clock. The food was due to be served.

      ‘Will you excuse me?’ she said apologetically. She hated parting with this man, but duty called.

      ‘If I must. If you’ll promise me a dance later.’

      ‘Oh, yes, I’d love to.’

      ‘So why don’t you accompany me in to eat, Daisy?’

      ‘Oh, er … do you mind if I don’t?… I’ll see you later.’

      He nodded, looking disappointed. While he waited for Fanny and Robert to leave the dance floor and rejoin him, Daisy made her way at once to the dining room. Sarah was there with Hetty and Amy, standing behind the trestles, starting to serve the sandwiches, the pickles and the hot pies.

      ‘Is everything all right?’ Daisy asked discreetly.

      ‘Fine,’ Sarah said and pressed on with her work conscientiously.

      ‘Good. I’ll go to the kitchen and see if Martha needs any help.’

      It was the excuse she needed to make herself scarce because she did not want Lawson to see her supervising the maids. It would be obvious that she was employed at Baxter House and thus ruin any chance at all she might have with him. So far, her experiment to pass herself off as a lady had brought a very satisfactory result. In the kitchen Martha had brewed a pot of tea although she had already been supping sherry with Gerald the groom-cum-handyman. Gerald called himself a coachman but Daisy knew he wasn’t paid a coachman’s wages, even though he drove Mr Cookson to and from the iron foundry in his brougham. She poured them each a cup and, while they chatted, began putting the puddings on trays, ready to be taken to the dining room.

      After a further quarter of an hour Daisy gave the instruction to take the puddings to the dining room and stayed chatting with Martha and Gerald. He had to remain on duty to convey certain important guests home afterwards. When Daisy returned to the party, Mrs Cookson was the first person she saw.

      ‘Oh, Daisy, it’s all going so well, my dear,’ she said excitedly. ‘Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves so much.’

      Daisy smiled graciously, perceiving it as a compliment. ‘Thank you, ma’am. I agree, your efforts don’t appear to have been in vain.’

      ‘Is everything under control?’

      ‘Oh, yes, ma’am. Everything’s running like clockwork.’

      Mrs Cookson looked Daisy up and down approvingly. ‘Then relax a little and enjoy the party.’

      ‘Thank you, ma’am.’

      She was not sure quite how far Mrs Cookson meant she could go, for the woman was aware Daisy had no escort and no other member of staff was allowed access to roam. Parties СКАЧАТЬ