Page 43 of Daisy and the Duke
Just then, Elaine popped her head into the parlor. “There you are, Miss Daisy! Jacob’s been asking for you, he needs help with…what’s wrong?”
She hurried to Daisy, who was barely holding in her sobs. Daisy started to explain, discovered that tears were running down her face, and she could barely speak.
Without waiting a moment, Elaine hustled Daisy down to the kitchen, which was warm and filled with the yeasty odor of baking bread. As Daisy calmed down enough to relate what happened, especially hearing Lady Rutherford’s pronouncement that she would not be allowed to attend the ball, Elaine tutted sympathetically. She gave her hug after hug, telling her that the Grange couldn’t do without her and that fancy lady upstairs didn’t appreciate Daisy as she ought to.
“If I was given an invitation, you’d bet I’d go!” the older lady declared, heedless of the flour decorating her cheeks.
Daisy smiled sadly. “Well, the baroness is right about one thing. I don’t have an appropriate gown.”
“What about that lovely yellow one you just made?”
“That’s not a ball gown,” Daisy said. “I’d need something much different, not to mention that it’s a masquerade, and I certainly don’t have something that would suit as a costume. I’m afraid my attending really is out of the question, no matter how much I may want to go.”
Elaine sighed, shaking her head at the unfairness of it all. Then she said, “Now I hate to make you work, my dear, but the fact is that Jacob had to fix the fence for the chickens—again!—and he’s had no time to dig in the garden. And I’ll do that, but that means I can’t go to the village to do that marketing. I know her ladyship wants you to stay on the estate, but it’s not as if we’ve got extra hands sitting idle!”
No, Daisy thought to herself,there were fewer workers every year, as the baroness let some go to save the cost of paying them.“You’re right. As long as no one sees me go or come back, I should be fine. It shouldn’t take long to harvest some mushrooms or nuts.”
“Oh, thank you, miss. That’s all I really need for tonight—the rest of the marketing can wait till tomorrow.”
In fact, Daisy was glad of the task. It would give her something to do, instead of wringing her heart dry by the kitchen table.
Daisy took a basket and plunged into the woods. For once, she hoped that she would not meet Tristan. She didn’t think she could stand to see him, knowing that it might be for the last time.
The pickings in the woods were growing slim, as the autumn advanced and all the creatures of the forest hunted for their own sustenance. Daisy got some late nuts and a few mushrooms, but this would likely be her last foray before winter set in. Then she realized she was approaching Tabitha’s cottage, and she hurried her pace, hoping to see the woman while she had the chance.
“Tabitha!” she called out when the cottage came into view. She spied the woman tending a leaf fire in her front garden.
“Why, hello, child!” Tabitha’s face crinkled up with pleasure. “What a nice surprise. Come in and sit awhile, if you can spare the time. I just made some raspberry tea.”
“That sounds lovely.” Daisy kissed the old crone on the cheek and then set her basket down by the door.
“Out picking nuts?” Tabitha asked. “I got a good crop of chestnuts, too many for my taste. You’ll take some back home when you go.”
At the wordhome, Daisy felt the despair rise up again. The Grange felt less like home with each passing hour. “Oh, Tabitha, I’ve had the worst day.”
“Did you now? Tell me.”
So once more Daisy poured out her sorrows, adding a hint of what she’d concealed from everyone else so far—namely, that her heart twisted every time she thought of Tristan. His wry comments, his discomfort with his title but his determination to do his best anyway. How he kissed her so sweetly. And how she knew it was an impossible dream, but she dreamed it anyway.
“Love is a tricky thing,” Tabitha said seriously. “It twists and turns, and it can hurt you before it heals you. But I know that in the end, you’ll be happy.”
Daisy sighed, picturing what Tabitha must mean: someday Daisy would meet a good, solid man who would overlook her material lacks and make a little life somewhere. Perhaps she would be happy…as soon as she put aside her dream of a life with a duke.
“I just wish I could just go to the ball!” Daisy said. “I know it’s a silly wish, but I’ve never been to one, and I’ll never get the chance again. Oh, I’m miserable and I hate it!”
“There, there, my dear. Not every day is full of sunshine, as you know. But not all days are grey, either. You’ll feel better soon, and you’ll see your path.”
Daisy gulped down the raspberry tea, and tried to smile. “I know. I’m just…wallowing.”
Tabitha laughed. “Everyone needs a good wallow now and then. Like a pig wallows in mud. It’s messy, but it feels good to them.”
“I’m glad you’re willing to listen. I hate to bother you with my troubles.”
“Nonsense. Other people’s troubles are no trouble for me. Now you hurry home with these chestnuts. And remember that old Tabitha is always here, should you need me.”
Daisy kissed her goodbye and walked off, feeling a bit more like her old, calm self. Tabitha was right, and she was fussing over things she couldn’t change. It would be better to take things day by day, working to make the Grange the best home it could be. After all, her father’s people had been barons and baronesses of Rutherford Grange for centuries. She had a duty to uphold that tradition, even if the title was no longer going to her.
She decided to walk back along the road, having a full basket now. A short while later, the rumble of a carriage behind her made her step to the side to let it pass. She was surprised, however, to see the phaeton stop.
