Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

on edge with annoyance.  Her father was behaving like a schoolboy in the first flush of adolescent love.  It was quite obscene.

Richard looked positively ruffled, answering any questions in monosyllables and not taking his eyes off Ruth, quite apparently put out by her enjoyment of Charles’s interest.

“So, has anyone any idea where young Vicky and Barrie are this evening?” asked Charles.  “They didn’t mention to me that they wouldn’t be here for dinner.”

“I think they may have gone into Leeds to dine,” said Delia quietly, unable to look at Hardy who was walking towards the table with a dish of vegetables.

“That’s a shame.  I wanted to spend a bit more time getting to know the young man who seems to have stolen Vicky’s heart.”

Delia choked on her wine and then pressed her napkin to her mouth, knowing Hardy was watching her and for a second, felt quite ashamed of herself … but why should she?  What she did or didn’t do was nothing to do with him.  He might have known her all her life but when all was said and done, he was only a servant and she didn’t have to give a fig about what he thought of her.

The meal seemed interminable.  Delia was a bundle of nerves, desperate to launch into a deep, serious discussion about the estate but the way her father and that silly woman were behaving it was going to be a mammoth task.  Sighing deeply, she decided if all else failed she would have to wait until Richard retired.  Then she could go to his room and get his approval for what she wanted to do before he left for Oxford in the morning.  Father still hadn’t mentioned when he was planning to leave Canleigh.  No doubt, as he had been planning to stay until after the wedding, she would have at least a couple of weeks to tackle him, although she would have liked it all sewn up tonight, with both her brother and father present at the same time.

The evening dragged and Delia was bored to tears.  The discourse was hardly stimulating and Hardy seemed to be taking his time in serving.  There wasn’t even any early morning entertainment to look forward to now Vicky had whisked Barrie away from Canleigh.  It was nearly ten o’clock before they all rose from the table to go to the library for coffee and liqueurs.  Delia pondered on whether to go to her room and read a book until Ruth was out of the way or just to stay and get drunk in the library.  Neither idea appealed, especially the latter as she had to keep a clear head to talk to Richard.  Then, for a few sweet moments, she thought her luck was in.

Ruth did her best to stifle a yawn as they all stood up and Delia’s heart leapt.  Hopefully Ruth would retire early, she’d have her father and Richard to herself earlier rather than later, and although Richard didn’t look too happy, her father was in a buoyant mood, but her hopes were dashed immediately.

Charles had noticed Ruth attempting to smother her yawn too.  “I think our marvellous air has quite worn you out, my dear but please join us for a quick nightcap.  You’ll be returning to Oxford in the morning and it could be a while before we have the pleasure of your company at Canleigh again … that is, to say, I do hope Richard will bring you up again … and don’t forget my invitation to Scotland.  I meant what I said.  I really would like you to see Blairness.”

“Oh, dear God,” Delia said silently, as pained as Richard, who winced as if he had toothache.

“I thought we were going to potter down to the lake,” Richard said in a miffed tone.

Ruth looked at him in dismay, unable to face the thought of any more physical exertion that day.  Although a warm bath and a long, deep afternoon nap had been beneficial, her body was sore and stiff from the unusual amount of exercise taken that morning.  The delightful dinner and wine were now relaxing her quickly and it would be all she could do to stay awake for a nightcap.  It would be so rude and humiliating if she fell asleep in front of them all.

“I’m so sorry, Richard … Charles … but quite frankly I can hardly put one foot in front of the other.  I know I’m being a party pooper but ….”

Charles smiled understandingly.  “It’s fine, Ruth.  We’re being selfish.  You must go up to bed if you so wish.  I must admit the conversation will be much duller without you but no doubt we’ll manage,” he said, looking jokingly at his twins.

Delia butted in quickly.  “Well, there is something rather important I need to discuss ….”

She got no further as with no warning the dining room door was thrown open with a resounding bang.  Startled, they turned to see a furious Vicky standing on the threshold, still dressed in the casual clothes she had worn for shopping that afternoon.  Her lovely face, all traces of makeup washed away by unstoppable bouts of crying, was twisted in pain and anger.  She stared ferociously at Delia.

“I loathe you.  I really, really hate you.  I don’t understand how you could do this to me after what Philip did to you.  I just don’t believe you, Delia.  You are a complete and utter bitch.”

Delia groaned and sank back into her chair at the table.  Trust Vicky to make a song and dance … and now.  Of all the times to pick.

“What on earth is going on, Vicky,” asked a shocked Charles.  It must be something pretty terrible for his youngest daughter to be so impassioned … and Delia looked thoroughly put out.  Something was dreadfully amiss and he wanted to know what it was immediately.  He had