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

Shocked and unable to understand why Delia was being so vile, Ruth just about managed to remain dignified.  “What makes you think I’ll agree to that?” she asked, with disbelief.

Delia could have stamped with rage and frustration.  This …  this pretty little doll stood before her, calm and self-assured while her very presence threatened what little hope Delia had of stability in her life.  Delia could have slapped her.  Only tremendous willpower prevented her from getting hold of Ruth’s shoulders and shaking her until she dropped.

“We’ve seen plenty like you in the past,” she lied blatantly, “you’re certainly not the first to think you can worm your way in, believe me.”

“But Delia … Richard and I are just ….”

“Good friends, I suppose you’re going to say.  Don’t think you can flannel me with your sweet-eyed innocence.  I know what you’re after and I’m going to make damned sure you don’t get it.  Now … if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave Canleigh … and Richard … pronto.  The telephone is there,” she pointed to the phone on the bedside table.  “I suggest you ring down to Hardy first thing in the morning.  He’s usually up around six o’clock and will find someone to take you to the railway station.  Meanwhile, I’ll make your excuses at breakfast.”

Ruth had stood still during the whole conversation, her eyes not leaving Delia’s face for a second but deepening anger made her move.  She strode towards Delia, her fury so intense that Delia was taken by surprise and stepped back towards the door.

“Will you listen to me, Delia,” she said quickly, before her courage gave way.  “Yes, Richard and I are good friends.  He is charming and kind and I like him very much but I can assure you that there will never be anything but friendship between us.  He is far too engrossed in his career to even think of a serious relationship with anyone anyway and if and when that time comes, it certainly won’t be me he will be tying the knot with.  The very idea of becoming his wife and the responsibilities that would go with it at Canleigh would be far too daunting to contemplate.”

“Oh, very convincing I’m sure.  You don’t fool me,” sneered Delia.

Ruth sighed with annoyance.  She suddenly felt very tired and drained and wanted to go to bed.  A nasty encounter with Richard’s seemingly deranged twin was not what she needed right now.

“Richard invited me here this weekend because I needed to get away from Oxford to think.  I’m not sure whether I’m cut out for medicine and it’s impossible to see the wood for the trees when all you think, talk and read about are medical matters.  Richard thought coming here to Canleigh would give me a chance to clear my head and make the correct decision.”

“Did he really,” Delia sneered again.

“Yes.  He did,” said Ruth defiantly, heartily sick of Delia’s relentless nasty attitude.

Delia stood up straight, towering above Ruth as she pulled herself to her full height.  “Well, let me tell you, Miss Barrett, that if there’s even so much as a hint of marriage between the two of you, I’ll do all in my power to stop it … and as for my father, you have absolutely no hope there as any relationship between the two of you would be simply disgusting.  So, if you really know what’s good for you, you’ll pack your bags and go home as early as you can in the morning.  You’re not wanted here and never will be!”

Delia swept past Ruth, flung open the door and marched out, leaving her opponent shaking like a leaf and clutching the brass bed rails for support.  Ruth shuddered uncontrollably.  There was no doubt about it, war was definitely declared and Delia was someone of whom she would have to be exceedingly careful.  Ruth was thankful she had only been invited for the weekend but she had no intentions whatsoever of bolting in the morning.  That would be exceedingly rude and would require an explanation to Richard and Charles and quite frankly, she had no idea what excuse she could give anyway.  No, she was staying and Delia would just have to put up with it.

CHAPTER 18 CANLEIGH – JUNE 1972

Despite such a traumatic start to her night’s sleep, Ruth slept well and awoke to hear the birds singing happily in the trees outside.  She rolled over and looked at the bedside clock.  It was seven o’clock and Richard had promised to collect her for a swim at seven-thirty.  She jumped out of bed and pushed the south facing window open as wide as it would go.  It had rained through the night and the air was fresh and invigorating.  Ruth stretched and pursed her lips.  Despite the encounter with Delia, she was looking forward to the day ahead and wouldn’t let Richard’s twin spoil what promised to be a lovely, leisurely day.

Richard tapped on her door promptly, dressed in a bathrobe and flip-flops, his shoes and clothes tucked in a bundle under his arm.  Ruth stepped into the corridor, also dressed in her bathrobe with a new green and white patterned swimsuit beneath.  Her feet looked dainty and pretty as she wore sparkly white sandals and had painted her toenails a delicate pink.  She had tucked her clothes into a beach bag as Richard had told her they would be going straight into breakfast after their swim.  She had to do a smile at how many changes of clothes were required for a country weekend.  Swimsuit, casual clothes for breakfast, then riding clothes, then back to casual and finally, dress up for dinner.

“We’ll have the pool to ourselves as I’ve just heard Father talking to Hardy downstairs so he must be going into breakfast,” said Richard.  “We can stay in as long as you like but