Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama), Carole Williams [ebook reader 8 inch .TXT] 📗

Within seconds Delia had tacked up, walked her horse to the mounting block in the corner of the stable yard and mounted easily.  She gathered up the reins and threw a challenging and contemptuous look at Ruth, who felt a pang of real fear shoot through her body and looked away quickly.  Demon reared up on his hind legs, snorting loudly.

“Stand back, Miss,” Perkins warned as Richard tugged Ruth’s arm to pull her nearer the tack room.

Horse and rider clattered past the little group, with no acknowledgement from Delia, whose face was set like a mask.  Demon tossed his head from side to side, chomping on the bit and rolling the whites of his eyes.  Ruth felt his hot breath on her face as he shot past, far too close for comfort.

Perkins shook his head as the pair charged out of the entrance and disappeared.  “That there horse is a real problem and no mistake.  I can’t do anything with it.  He creates sheer murder in here and bothers the others when out in the fields … and jumps out frequently, cantering up here looking for Lady Delia.  Yes, it’s a real problem,” he repeated, removed his cap and scratched his head.

He opened the door of the loose box nearest to them.  “Now, Miss.  His Lordship tells me that you are a bit nervous but you needn’t be with this one.  You’ll really like our Dolly.  He stroked the elderly mare fondly and she pushed her nose into his hand, looking for the piece of carrot which was always there.

Perkins had been busy that morning.  Richard had popped down to the stables the evening before and told him that they would be riding this morning so Perkins had driven up to Tangles and asked Philip if he could borrow Verity for the day so Richard could be mounted.  Star was still at Canleigh but far too small for Richard to ride.  Philip had been more than happy to oblige so Perkins had ridden Verity back to Canleigh and saddled up Dolly so that both horses were ready and waiting for Richard and Ruth.  Perkins helped Ruth mount.  Richard jumped onto Verity with ease and they set off, Ruth relieved to see there was no sign of Delia and Demon in the immediate vicinity as they emerged from the stable block.

It was another beautiful morning and Ruth enjoyed Dolly’s plodding rhythm as they ambled slowly along the country lanes bordering the vast acreage of the Canleigh estate.  They rode for three hours, Richard politely pointing out anything which Ruth might find of interest.  Lastly, they circled the lake and then made their way up to the south gates to admire the view of Canleigh Hall which Delia loved so much.  Ruth was quite exhausted by the time the old copper beech tree came into view and even then, Richard informed her that they had only seen only a small portion of the land the family owned.  Ruth was amazed, sitting on Dolly and staring with awe at the view.  The fields stretched out for miles, bordered by large areas of woodland.  Sheep and cows, owned by tenant farmers, grazed lazily in the sun. It was certainly impressive; there was no doubt about that.

“How can you bear to live so far away, Richard?  Why on earth do you want to dig yourself an early grave with the pressures you’re always under at the hospital when you could be here … in all this fantastic countryside … with no real stress, no hassle, no long endless nights on duty ….”

Richard looked at her thoughtfully.  “Oh, I’ve plans, Ruth …  and they do include moving back here … although not for a while.”

“Oh?” said Ruth, waiting for him to expand.

Richard pushed Verity on towards the village, riding on the wide grass verge as they reached the main road.

“Yes.  Changes are afoot.  Father is in Scotland most of the year now and Dick, our estate manager, is about to retire.  A new one will have to be employed and it’s about time I began to take more interest.  Father and I have been in contact quite a bit recently and had some serious discussions about the future of the estate and I suppose now that Delia is going to remain at Canleigh instead of moving to Tangles, she will have to be informed too,” he said glumly.

At Ruth’s questioning gaze Richard explained how Delia had always wanted the estate.

“She bullied me relentlessly when we were children,” he laughed but without merriment.  “She made my life hell to be honest, once we were old enough to understand it was me who would inherit and not her, because although she was first born, she wasn’t male.  Boy, could she scream … and did she.  The tantrums were horrendous.  The scenes she caused.  You wouldn’t believe the temper she has.”

Ruth could.  Oh, yes, she really could.  Last night’s little display had been a testimony to that.

“Anyhow,” Richard carried on.  “I wasn’t that wrapped up in Canleigh then … old age has made me appreciate my heritage more,” he grinned.

“Old … at twenty-one,” she giggled.

Richard smiled back and continued to explain, remembering that day in the stables with clarity.  “So, to put an end to all the hassle I drew up a document, which I signed, indicating that when Canleigh did become mine I would give it to Delia.”

“What?” breathed Ruth.  “How old were you for goodness sake?”

Richard grimaced.  “Thirteen.  Having endured at least ten years of my sister’s constant ear bashing it was a huge relief to get her off my back, believe me.  She was thrilled and never mentioned it again and our relationship improved dramatically after that.”  He frowned.  “But for some stupid reason, I feel uneasy again.  If she had married Philip, she would have been safely installed at Tangles with