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

married to a Duke, lived in a Georgian mansion in Yorkshire with a massive amount of land; there was Blairness Castle and Charles had also decided to buy a villa near to Lake Como in Italy, one of the most beautiful areas in the world.  Ruth’s parents were now very proud of her and her mother, in particular, couldn’t wait to be invited to Charles and Ruth’s lovely homes.

But there was no point in consulting Charles just yet.  He had his routine of doing fifty lengths every morning and wouldn’t stop until he did the last one.  Ruth flipped on her back for her last length, watching the weak sunshine try to break through the clouds outside of the swimming pool with its glass dome and floor to ceiling windows.  Although a bit on the chilly side, it promised to be a fine day, just perfect for a stroll around the lake this afternoon.

She twisted her body quickly when she reached the side of the pool and held onto the side, gently swishing her legs in the water.  Charles was at the far end, just about to turn and head back to her.  She smiled, watching him swim strongly, propelling himself through the water with ease.  He reached her quickly, shook the water from his face, smiled and kissed her quickly on the mouth.

“That was good.  A quick breakfast now and then a few solid hours on the novel, I think.”

“We,” said Ruth, nodding at the pram on the tiled floor above them, “are going for a walk around the lake after lunch and would very much like it if you would join us.”

Charles helped Ruth out of the pool, admiring her slim body in the dark green swimming costume.  His new son, Stephen, had only been born two months ago but Ruth had regained her lovely figure quickly, helped no doubt by her daily swimming and walking routine.  They always swam together in the mornings but he didn’t always accompany on her walks as he had either estate business to see to or his novel to write.  However, he had reached a particularly knotty problem in chapter twenty- nine and needed a break to think about it in more detail.  An hour or two out in the fresh air with his two favourite people could just help sort it out in his mind.

“I think I can manage that,” Charles smiled as he leant over the pram and admired his tiny son who was sleeping soundly.  Ruth had fed and changed him before their swim and replete and clean the baby had promptly nodded off while his parents enjoyed their daily exercise.  “But now,” said Charles.  “I must work.  Simon keeps reminding me of the January deadline and I mustn’t disappoint.”

Ruth laughed.  She liked Simon, Charles’ publisher.  He often came to dine at Canleigh and was always talking about deadlines.  Charles had written ten novels and from what she was told all were finished well before the due date.  Ruth had no doubt this latest book would be the same.  Even with their wedding two weeks before Christmas last year and then her pregnancy and birth of Stephen to keep them busy this year, Charles had kept to his routine of writing every morning for a few hours after his swim and then reviewing what he had written in the evenings.  Simon would have nothing to worry about.

Charles kissed his sleeping son and hugged Ruth.  “I’ll see you at lunch, darling.  Enjoy your morning.”

Ruth watched him stride to the changing room, looking fit and healthy.  She was glad he had agreed to come for a walk later today.  She didn’t dare let it show but she was worried about him.  He had complained of pains in his chest for a few weeks, had seen Dr. Arnold and been admitted to hospital for tests but nothing untoward had shown up so he was told to go home and rest, apart from some regular exercise such as his morning swim and walking.  He did take it easy for a couple of days but inevitably his novel took his attention again and back to work he went, although sitting at his desk in the library and every now and again looking up to gaze at the lake and the woods beyond wasn’t exactly strenuous.  However, he should do more walking and she should encourage him to join her every day.

Following breakfast, Ruth enjoyed a relaxing morning in her sitting room where her desk was positioned near to one of the sash windows so she could easily see outside.  Tina Walters, the nursery nurse, arrived just before nine o’clock in her little red Fiat, and took charge of Stephen and the nursery so Ruth could have a few hours to herself and catch up with correspondence and make a few phone calls.  Susan Armitage, Charles’ secretary was always at hand if needed but Ruth liked to write her replies to invitations and letters by hand.  It seemed so much more personal than a typewritten letter.  Then, once her work was finished, she could spend the rest of the morning reading a novel until lunchtime.

Ruth loved these quiet mornings.  She had debated for weeks prior to Stephen’s birth as to whether she should hire a nursery nurse.  Charles, brought up with nannies and nurses was insistent she should have some help, even if it was only part time so Tina was hired.  She came with excellent references having spent five years caring for the Earl of Mountcliffe’s three children in Harrogate but once the youngest started school she needed to look for another position.  Residing in Canleigh village with her husband, Mark, the local mechanic, was a real bonus as living so close she was happy to do extra shifts if needed although her normal hours were nine until five every weekday. The hours suited both Tina and Ruth as it meant Ruth had