Daisy's Betrayal by Nancy Carson

Author:Nancy Carson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008134853
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2016-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Daisy changed into her normal day clothes and, in a state of apprehension, left John Gibson. She hurried home, walking as briskly as she could along Salop Street, preoccupied with the disappearance of Blossom. She turned right into Himley Road and found the long descent awkward in her dainty shoes that were not designed for walking over uneven footpaths and cobbled streets. As soon as she reached the house, she headed for the stables to see if indeed Lawson had taken Blossom and returned her there to teach his erring wife a lesson. She needn’t have bothered. There was no sign of the gig or of Blossom. There were, however, some grunts and giggles from Albert’s bedroom above the stables, and she suspected that Emma was in there with him, up to no good by the sounds of it. Lewd behaviour between servants would normally mean dismissal for both. She had no inclination to stop and make a fuss, however. More pressing things were occupying her.

She went to the kitchen where Mrs O’Flanagan was peeling carrots at the stone sink.

‘Has Mr Maddox been back this afternoon?’

‘To be sure, I’ve not seen him, ma’am. Have you enquired of Albert?’

‘I have the feeling Albert is otherwise engaged, Mrs O’Flanagan.’

Daisy sighed uneasily and went outside again. She had to know if Albert had seen Lawson.

‘Albert!… Albert!’ she called. ‘I must speak to you at once.’

Albert eventually appeared at the door at the top of the outside steps. He looked flushed and his hair was dishevelled as he descended the stairway, tucking his shirt into his trousers.

‘Albert, has Mr Maddox been back this afternoon?’

‘No, ma’am. I ain’t sin him since he took th’oss and cabriolet the smornin’.’

‘Did he give you instructions to find Blossom and the gig and take them anywhere?’

‘No, ma’am. I ain’t sin him, ma’am. Why, ma’am? Where is Blossom?’ He looked past her towards the road, seeking the mare.

‘I’m not sure … You’re sweating, Albert. Your hair’s a mess as well. What have you been up to?’

‘Er … digging … and pulling weeds, ma’am.’

‘Planting seed, more like,’ she said with a knowing look. ‘Tell Emma she’s wanted in the kitchen at once.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ The groom blushed to his roots as he turned and went back up the stairs.

Daisy went into the house and sat in the drawing room, deep in anxious thought. John might have been wrong about Lawson. It was likely that Lawson had had nothing to do with Blossom’s disappearance. If that was so, it was common theft and must be reported to the police. All the same, her husband would have to know that the mare had been taken from Windmill Street. Well, her rent collecting was a valid enough excuse for being there … But if Alexander Gibson had reported to Lawson that she’d been modelling …

She went to her bedroom in a flurry of agitation, concerned for poor Blossom and her own situation. Yet why should she feel so agitated, so guilty about posing for John Gibson? It was Lawson who had been unfaithful.

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