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

“He doesn’t seem overly keen but has agreed that if I should become pregnant, we’d look for somewhere suitable to live ...  until then he wants to remain in the flat.”

“That’s fair enough, surely?”

Vicky’s lip trembled again and her eyes welled up.  “But I can’t get pregnant, Ruth.  I’ve tried so hard and nothing has happened.”

“It’s early days, Vicky.  You’ve not been married that long ...  and if you’re tired and run down … that won’t help.”

“I know.  That’s what my doctor said at first.  Then she arranged for some tests.”  Vicky threw up her hands in despair.  “But it seems there’s something wrong with me and it will be nothing short of a miracle if I conceive.  I don’t understand all the medical jargon but there’s nothing they can do.”

Unchecked tears fell from Vicky’s eyes and Ruth threw her arms around her and waited patiently for the anguished sobbing to ease.

Once the storm of weeping had passed, Ruth tried to find reasons for hope.  “Have you considered fertility treatment?”

“Barrie threw up his hands in horror at the very idea.  He flatly refused, stating that if we can’t have children normally, he’s certainly not playing about with nature.”

“Oh, dear.  I suppose that rules out adoption as well then.”

Vicky nodded.  “That’s totally out of the question.  He informed me he’s not going to bring up other people’s brats as there’s no knowing where they come from and what’s in their genes.  According to him, we might end up harbouring a mass murderer.”

Ruth sighed.  “I’m so sorry Vicky.  I don’t know what to say … and with me just having had Stephen … you make me feel quite guilty.”

“No, Ruth.  Don’t say that.  I’ll just have to learn to live with my inability to procreate … and if I can’t have my own, I’m certainly going to make the most of everyone else’s … especially my new little brother.  I think you’ll be seeing a lot more of me in the future … and I’m going to spoil him terribly.”

Ruth hugged her again; desperately saddened for her but pleased she had the right attitude to help her through her distress and she was more than happy to give Vicky free reign with Stephen once Tina had left after lunch.

Charles popped into the dining room to kiss and hug Vicky but only stayed a few moments as he was at a particularly fascinating point with his novel and couldn’t bear to leave it.  He only wanted a sandwich at his desk in the library, promising he would join them for dinner later that evening.

It was raining and wasn’t particularly inviting to be out of doors after they had eaten their midday meal, but in need of fresh air, Ruth and Vicky took Stephen in his well-covered up pram for a short walk to the lake, trying to keep under the shelter of the evergreen trees as much as they could but becoming chilly and damp they didn’t linger long and returned to the warmth and comfort of Ruth’s sitting room within an hour.  Ruth enjoyed the sight of Vicky cuddling and playing with Stephen for the remainder of the afternoon.  She saw to all the baby’s needs after Ruth had fed him; changed him when required, gave him his bath and then, just before dinner, tucked him in his cot and turned on the baby monitor to take down to dinner with them in case he woke and needed attention.

Charles hugged his daughter closely when they all met in the dining room for dinner.  He was very pleased to have her stay with them for a while, although he too commented on how tired she looked.  “It will do you good, my girl … to spend some time at home.  Have some early nights and take plenty of fresh air into your lungs.  All that pollution in London is no good for anyone.”

They hadn’t been seated long and only eaten a few mouthfuls of a delicious egg mayonnaise, Vicky’s favourite, which Ruth had asked to be prepared specially, when an agitated Hardy returned to the dining room, quite pale and with his hands twitching nervously.  To see their normally unflappable butler in such a state was unnerving and all three diners ceased eating immediately and stared at him with surprise.

“I am so sorry to interrupt, Your Grace,” he said to Charles.  “But there is a police sergeant and a constable here.  They want to speak to you urgently … I’m afraid … I’m afraid someone has died.”

Charles stared at his butler.  “Oh, who?  Someone on the estate?”

“I don’t know, Your Grace.  They wouldn’t tell me.  They want to speak directly to you.”

Hardy couldn’t bring himself to say he had been told it was someone in the family.  As there was only Richard and Delia not in attendance at Canleigh it had to be one of them and Hardy knew whichever one it was would be catastrophic news for Charles.  Just as the poor man was enjoying a period of carefree peace and tranquillity.  Hardy was intensely upset for his employer.  He didn’t deserve more trauma.

“Oh?” queried Charles, standing up and throwing Hardy a worried frown.  “Right.  I had better find out who it is.  I’m so sorry, ladies,” he smiled at Ruth and Vicky.  “I’ll try not to be too long.”

Ruth, watching Charles and Hardy leaving the room, felt a terrible dread descending on her.  Something was badly wrong.  If it were just estate business the local constable would have been in touch with the estate manager first before bothering Charles.  For two police officers, one of whom was a sergeant, to actually head straight to the Hall could only indicate something far more serious.  Vicky was clearly of the same opinion,