Dilly Court - The Christmas Wedding

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 …

The idyll was shattered by the sound of her aunt’s voice raised to a shriek and a loud thud emanating from the cottage. Forgetting her charge, Daisy dropped the reins and ran towards the house.

‘Are you all right, Aunt Eleanora?’ As she reached the doorway Daisy saw Nick and Toby lifting Uncle Sidney from beneath the wood-bound leather travelling trunk. ‘Oh, my goodness, is he hurt?’

Aunt Eleanora clutched her hands to her bosom. ‘Is anything broken? Are you all right, Sidney, my love?’

Sidney struggled to his feet, aided by Toby and Nick. ‘Stop fussing, woman. Of course I’m all right. I’m not a fragile flower.’ He stomped off. ‘I’ll be in the parlour. Tell Hattie to bring me a glass of brandy – for medicinal purposes, of course.’

Eleanora turned on Toby. ‘You’re a doctor. Go and look after your uncle.’

‘He’s fine, Aunt. What do you want us to do with this?’ He poked the trunk with the toe of his boot.

‘Leave it there. The removal men should be here soon. They’re trained to heft boxes and heavy objects. I can’t be doing with any more falls. I’m going to the kitchen to see how Hattie is getting on with the range or we won’t have anything to eat today.’

Daisy glanced anxiously out of the door, but Hero had his head down and was munching the grass. ‘I’m sorry, Nick,’ she said hastily. ‘I should have stayed with the animal.’

‘Don’t worry, he’s not coming to any harm.’ Nick turned to Toby. ‘I’ll go now and leave you to settle in.’

Toby leaned over to brush his aunt’s flushed cheek with a kiss. ‘I’ll get out of your way, dear aunt. I’m not much use when it comes to unpacking and that sort of thing.’ He turned to Nick. ‘How about I come with you now?’

‘That’s fine with me, if your aunt and uncle don’t need you?’

‘No, take him away,’ Eleanora said crossly. ‘Toby might be a good doctor, but he’s useless around the house.’

‘Will you be all right, Daisy?’ Toby asked anxiously. ‘I mean, I could stay, but …’

Torn between annoyance and amusement, Daisy gave him a gentle shove towards the door. ‘Go, for heaven’s sake. We’ll do better without you.’

‘I’ll bring him back after supper, but perhaps you would like to come to the Hall some time, Daisy.’ Nick hesitated, frowning. ‘Not tomorrow, of course, because I won’t be there, but maybe the day after?’

Daisy smiled and nodded. ‘Thank you. That would be lovely.’

‘Come on, Nick,’ Toby hurried outside, glancing up at the lowering clouds. ‘I think it’s going to snow again. Let’s get going. I’ll see you later, Daisy.’

‘Yes,’ she said as she watched them climb into the trap. ‘You’ll come home when all the work is done. Nothing changes.’

‘Daisy, will you go and help Hattie in the kitchen?’ Eleanora said anxiously. ‘If there’s a nest in the chimney there might be a trapped bird and they make me nervous. I’ll go and make sure your uncle is all right.’ She bustled into the parlour without waiting for an answer.