The Christmas Wedding. Dilly Court

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      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 …

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