The Best of Daughters by Dilly Court Page B

week.’
    â€˜Bread only, I’m afraid.’ Daisy managed to keep a straight face. ‘It will always be jam tomorrow, never jam today.’
    â€˜Oh, you beast!’ Beatrice flounced off in the direction of her brother and Bobby Tulley, who were chatting over drinks.
    â€˜Never mind her,’ Rupert said, chuckling. ‘You can always have the pick of the kitchen garden at Pendleton Park. We won’t allow young Bea to starve.’
    Daisy glanced over his shoulder. ‘Here comes Mother. I’d better circulate.’
    â€˜Let’s give her something to think about, Daisy Bell.’ He took her hand and tucked it through the crook of his arm, turning to face Gwendoline with a smile. ‘Wonderful party, Mrs Lennox.’
    The frown lines on Gwendoline’s brow were wiped away in an instant. ‘How kind of you to say so, Rupert.’
    â€˜And I hear that we might soon be neighbours. Daisy tells me that you’re thinking of spending more time at Rainbow’s End. Mother will be delighted and so will I. It will be like old times.’
    â€˜I hadn’t looked at it in quite that way, but I’m sure you’re right.’ Gwendoline smiled vaguely and movedaway to speak to a middle-aged couple who had just arrived.
    Daisy gave Rupert’s arm a gentle squeeze. He always managed to say exactly the right thing when dealing with her mother. He could charm her out of a mood simply with a smile. She wished that she possessed a similar talent. ‘Let’s not think about tomorrow. I’d love some champagne.’
    â€˜Then champagne you shall have.’ He beckoned to a waiter who was circulating with a tray laden with brimming glasses. Taking two, Rupert gave one to Daisy. ‘I expect you’re wondering why I haven’t given you a birthday present.’
    She sipped, eyeing him over the rim. ‘No. Well, perhaps I did, just a little.’
    â€˜I’m not joining my regiment for a couple of weeks, so in between fittings at Hawkes, I thought I’d spend the time at Pendleton Park.’
    â€˜That will be nice.’
    He grinned. ‘And even nicer, I plan to give a certain young lady driving lessons.’
    She stared at him, momentarily at a loss for words. ‘You’re going to teach me to drive?’
    â€˜I thought you’d prefer that to a bicycle made for two or a gold watch.’
    â€˜You know that I’ve always wanted to get behind the wheel. You are so thoughtful, Rupert. I could kiss you, but I don’t want to give everyone the wrong idea.’ She would at least have hugged him, but they were standing in the middle of the dance floor, andthe head waiter chose that particular moment to announce that dinner was served.
    Rupert proffered his arm. ‘What’s the betting that we’re seated next to each other, Daisy Bell?’
    â€˜Odds on, I should think, and I had nothing to do with the seating plan. Mother has arranged everything.’
    Beatrice almost knocked them down as she rushed towards the top table. ‘I’m absolutely starving,’ she muttered crossly. ‘I thought the formalities would go on forever.’
    As expected, Rupert had been placed next to Daisy at the top table. A covert glance from her mother confirmed her suspicion that this had been arranged with one thought in mind. She gave Rupert an apologetic smile as he held out her chair. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Subtlety isn’t a word in my mother’s vocabulary.’
    He took his seat beside her. ‘Let her enjoy her moment of triumph, old thing. I fear she’ll come to earth with a bump when all the excitement is over.’
    Daisy glanced at Beatrice, who was seated between Teddy and Bobby. Someone had given her a glass of wine and she was imbibing with relish. Bea might suffer in the morning but maybe she had the right attitude. Perhaps money and status were, as Daisy had