“Just look at the number plate. DEL 1. It’s Delia.”
“Oh, hell,” said Philip, his blood turning to water. What on earth was Delia doing back here? Whatever reason it was, it wouldn’t be good for any of them. “I think you’re right, Ruth. What do you want to do? We can always go back to Tangles for now and hopefully she will leave or if you want to go in, I’ll come with you. I’m not going to allow her to bully or intimidate you.”
Ruth gulped, vividly remembering Charles’ words to her. “Don’t allow Delia to return to Canleigh. Under any circumstances. She is evil.” She had to be brave now and pull herself together, for Stephen’s sake. He mustn’t sense anything was wrong.
“No. I don’t think so, thank you. If it is her, it’s best I see her alone … you know how she felt about you. I’ll get rid of her as quickly as I can and then I’ll ring you … let you know what she wants.”
She got out of the car, opened the rear door, and with shaking hands helped Stephen unfasten the belt on his car seat. “There. It’s free now,” she said, trying not to show her son how nervous she was. “I’m not sure where Tina is at the moment so I’ll take you straight down to the kitchen to see Prudence and then she can find Tina for you.”
“But … Mummy … I want to see the visitor … and look at that lovely car,” Stephen whined.
“Not now, darling. Surely the strawberry ice cream is much more important.”
“Oh, goody. I thought I couldn’t have any,” he yelled, shooting up the steps as fast as his little legs could carry him, ran past Hardy who had opened the front door and disappeared towards the stairs to the kitchen.
“Bye. I’ll ring you later,” Ruth said to Philip, not daring to kiss him in case Delia was watching out of a window.
“Make sure you do … and Ruth … be careful. If you need me, ring me and I’ll come right back.”
Ruth watched him drive away and turned to Hardy, her stomach churning horribly.
“It’s Lady Delia, I’m afraid, Your Grace,” he said sombrely, confirming her suspicion. “She arrived about half an hour ago. I had asked her to wait in the library but she doesn’t appear to be there now.”
Ruth nodded and walked up the steps and into the entrance hall, blinking briskly, trying to accustom her eyes from bright sunshine to dimmer light, horrified to see Stephen teetering at the top of the steps to the kitchen with Delia standing by his side.
“Stephen, will you please go downstairs to Prudence,” Ruth ordered more sharply than she intended.
“But Mummy … I want to talk to this nice lady.”
“Downstairs! Now!” Ruth’s voice rose, goaded by Delia’s sarcastic smile.
Stephen hurried down the stairs, his little face puckered as if he was going to cry. He could never remember Mummy speaking to him like that before and it frightened him. He couldn’t wait to get to the safety of the nice, warm kitchen where Prudence would make a huge fuss of him. He didn’t like Mummy very much at the moment.
“I see you’ve a new boyfriend, Ruth, dear. You don’t waste much time. Father ….”
Ruth stiffened and straightened her back, ready for battle, wondering if Delia had realised it was Philip and if so, how she would react.
“Your father died three years ago, Delia. I loved him more than you’ll ever know and there’s not a day goes by without me wishing he was still here … but life goes on.”
Surprisingly, Delia’s mocking smile disintegrated as Ruth turned and headed for the library, leaving Delia to follow, and Hardy to disappear discreetly down to the kitchens.
“Yes. I know … and I’m sorry,” Delia uttered.
Shocked at Delia’s unexpected apology, Ruth turned and studied her. Delia was dressed in a white sleeveless-blouse and black-flared trousers. On her feet, she wore a pair of flat black canvas shoes. Acutely aware of Ruth’s scrutiny, Delia pulled her hair across the right side of her face but not before Ruth had seen the long scar that was just visible. A good attempt to disguise it with makeup hadn’t quite done the job and for an instant, Ruth felt sorry for her. She waved a hand at one of the sofas next to the fireplace. “Sit down, Delia … and tell me why you’re here.”
“I’ve come to apologise.”
Ruth’s mouth opened to deliver a sharp retort but one glance at Delia’s expression made her stop.
“I want to make amends, Ruth. I know this must seem highly unlikely after the way I behaved in the past but it’s the truth and I hope you’ll believe me.”
Ruth, baffled by this turn of events and on her guard couldn’t think what to say.
“I was a stupid, ignorant young woman. Jealousy got the better of me and I’ve done some pretty dreadful things but I’ve changed, Ruth. I’ve turned over a new leaf. Really. The accident here … and having Lucy … it all made me realise what a selfish, stupid person I was. So, I’ve finally grown up and am putting Lucy first.”
Ruth was quick to note the change of tone when Delia mentioned the daughter who had changed her life and made the sun shine again.
“Ah, yes. Lucy,” Ruth muttered, remembering how just over two years ago a card had arrived at the Hall announcing that Lucy Canleigh had made her appearance into the world. Vicky had to know but it couldn’t have come at a better time. Only the week before, Alex had rushed her off to a registry office in London and then they departed for
