The Best of Daughters Read Free Page B

policeman on every street corner. ‘Meet me outside Buckingham Palace tomorrow midday. There’ll be others present but I’d feel so much better if you was at my side, miss.’
    Daisy was trying to think of a suitable response when a hansom cab pulled up at the kerb and Teddy leapt out. ‘All right, Ruby,’ she said hastily. ‘I’ll be there, but you must go now.’
    A wide grin almost split Ruby’s snub-nosed features in half. She took Daisy’s hand and shook it vigorously.‘Ta, miss. You’re a toff. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. If we get arrested I know you’ll take care of me.’ She bounded down the steps, almost cannoning into Teddy who stood aside, staring at her in astonishment.
    He took the steps two at a time. ‘Who on earth was that funny little creature, Daisy? What did she want?’
    â€˜Nothing. She was just asking the way. She was lost.’
    â€˜I’ll say she was. Lucky for her that Mother didn’t see her. She’d have sent her away with a flea in her ear. She wouldn’t want the neighbours to think that we associate with that class of person.’ He pulled a face, kissed her on the cheek and breezed into the house, tossing his bowler hat onto the hallstand. ‘I hope I’m not late for dinner. I’m absolutely famished.’
    â€˜You’re late, Teddy.’ Victor Lennox glared at his son over the top of his gold-rimmed pince-nez. ‘And you too, Daisy. Whatever happened to manners?’
    â€˜Sorry, Father.’ Teddy took his seat at table. ‘Had to stay behind at the last minute. Wretched fellow on the telephone went on and on. I thought he’d never stop gassing.’
    Victor frowned. ‘That’s no way to speak about a client, Teddy. I hope you treated him with due respect.’
    â€˜I’ll say I did,’ Teddy said, making a quick recovery. ‘I’m always the soul of tact and diplomacy.’
    â€˜That’s enough, Teddy.’ Gwendoline placed her soup spoon at a precise right angle on her empty plate. ‘No business talk at the table, please.’ She focused her attention on Daisy. ‘And what is your excuse for being late? Another sick headache?’
    Daisy had been trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, which was difficult as Beatrice was pulling faces at her behind her starched linen table napkin, but now all eyes turned in her direction. She crumbled a piece of bread roll between her fingers, playing for time while she thought up a convincing reply. ‘The doorbell rang, Mother. The servants were busy serving dinner and so I answered it myself.’
    Gwendoline uttered an exasperated sigh. ‘You ought to know better, Daisy. What would people think if they had seen you? Why do you think we employ servants?’
    â€˜They cost us enough in wages,’ Victor said drily.
    Ignoring her husband’s caustic remark Gwendoline glared at her daughter. ‘And who, may I ask, was calling at such an inconvenient hour?’
    â€˜It was just a young person asking for directions.’ Daisy popped a piece of bread into her mouth, hoping that this was the end of the interrogation.
    â€˜That’s true,’ Teddy said earnestly. ‘Dashed pretty little thing, but no dress sense. She looked as though she’d bought her outfit at a jumble sale.’
    â€˜Trust you to notice what she was wearing.’ Beatrice giggled. ‘But she took your fancy all the same. You’re turning into quite a ladies’ man.’
    Gwendoline glowered at her. ‘That’s enough. Eat your meal, Beatrice.’
    â€˜That’s an interesting point, Mother,’ Beatrice said innocently. ‘Technically do you eat soup, or drink it?’
    â€˜Don’t be silly.’ Gwendoline turned her attention once again to her elder daughter. ‘Don’t forget to pick up your gown for the party tomorrow. I’d do it