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

hissed Delia.  “This wedding is going ahead whatever you might think.  I will never, never give him up, not to you or anybody.   No doubt he fancied a bit of extra excitement before the big day … and that’s fine by me … I understand … but it won’t be long before he realises you are just a passing dalliance and you will be history.”

“You are very sure of yourself,” said Sue, feeling doubtful as she spoke.  Was Delia right?  Was it just a passing dalliance?  She would be heartbroken if it was.

“I should be,” remarked Delia, seeing the doubt in Sue’s eyes.  “We know each other so well.  We’ve been through some traumatic times together, we’ve run this place together, we lost our virginity to each other …”

Sue blushed and turned back to the frying pan.  The contents were beginning to burn and she turned down the heat.

Delia was pleased with Sue’s discomfiture and continued the theme.  “Yes, Sue, the sex.  Philip has quite an appetite you know.  I hope you’re up to it.”

Delia stood up and moved closer to the younger girl, running her hand lightly down Sue’s back.  “You have a nice little figure but can you do the business?  Would you like some instruction?  Now, there’s a thought.  We could have a threesome.”

“DELIA!”

Philip stood in the doorway, a cardboard box in his arms, and a look of fury on his face.

Delia, nonplussed, smiled provocatively.  “Oh, come on, darling.  It’s a great idea.  We could go upstairs now … I’ll get into my new basque … it’s red satin, you’ll love it.  Sue can wear the black one.  I’ll show her what you like … and then we can do it together … we’ll send you to heaven, darling.”

“That’s enough!  It’s a monstrous suggestion.”

Delia’s eyes danced wickedly.  She knew she was behaving unacceptably but couldn’t stop herself.  She wanted to shock, to hurt, to vent her anger on them both.  She continued.  “Why is it, Philip?  Have you not told Sue about our games … the dressing up … how we’ve virtually worked our way through the Kama Sutra … how you’ve always fantasised about two women pandering to your needs?  Well, now’s your chance.  Take it while you can because once we’re married there will only be me.”

Philip dumped the box onto the table and moved towards Sue, who was standing like stone.  “Don’t take any notice.  She’s just trying to wind us up.”  He placed a protective arm around her shoulders

The gesture stung Delia deeply.  She hit out again.  “We have photographs, don’t we darling.  Where have you hidden them?  Let’s show Sue exactly what you like.”

Philip shifted uneasily and looked at his feet.

“Don’t tell me you’ve destroyed them,” Delia spat.

Philip pointed to the box on the table.  “There are your things, Delia,” he said quietly.  “Now just go.”

Delia picked up the box and put it down again.  “You’ll have to bring this over.  I’ve walked here and it’s too heavy to carry back to the Hall.”

“I’ll send one of the grooms with it.”

“Why?  Can’t bear to tear yourself away from your little friend?  That’s okay.  She can come with you … the bedrooms are bigger at Canleigh … more room for romping … as you will know, darling … or, of course, we can always go down to the lake.  I simply love sex in the water, don’t you Sue?”

“Just go, Delia …,” repeated Philip tiredly, uncomfortably aware how embarrassed he was by Delia’s revelations in front of Sue.  It all sounded so sordid and he didn’t want Sue to think of him in that way.  What they had was too beautiful to besmirch with Delia’s insinuations.

“Face it, Delia, we’re finished,” he continued.  “Go home and leave us in peace.  I told you there will be no wedding and I mean it.  I’m so very sorry but it’s over.  I am with Sue now and that’s how it’s going to remain.”

As stinging as his words were, Delia moved towards him and put out a hand to touch his face.

“I love you, Philip.  I always have and I always will.  There’ll never be anyone else for me … never … and once you’ve got over this madness. you’ll realise how much you need me.”

“No!”

“Oh yes, Philip. Yes, yes, yes and this silly little bitch,” she waved a finger under Sue’s nose, “will be utterly forgotten …  just a passing whim ….”

Philip finally lost his temper, grabbing hold of Delia’s arm and hauling her out of the kitchen and into the hall.  “Get out of my house, Delia.  You’ve gone too far.  We are finished.  Do you hear me?  Finished!”

Philip’s hard grip on her arm was hurting dreadfully but it wasn’t that that made her cry.  She suddenly felt utterly defeated and the tears poured relentlessly down her face.  “You don’t mean it, Philip.  Please say you don’t.  I love you.  I really do.  You’ll never know how much.  I can’t go on without you … please, Philip.  Don’t do this.  I can’t bear it.”

Philip pushed her out of the front door, let go of her and stood, barring her way back into the house while his anger dissipated.

“I’m so sorry, Delly.  We’ve been through a lot together and I’m extremely fond of you.  I thought I loved you but now I know it couldn’t have been that … and yes, the sex was good but it was more for your benefit than mine.  It was you making the demands and I can see now that it was only pure lust on my part.  Not real love.”

“Don’t be silly.  Of course it was … it is,” Delia cried.  “We are made for each other.  We have plans … ambitions … Canleigh.”

“Oh, yes, bloody Canleigh.  You care more about that place than anything … apart from Demon,