All thoughts of Delia flew away as he bent his head and kissed her mouth tenderly.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I badly needed to hear that.”
“If you really feel you want to allow Delia and her child to move into the Dower House, then please do. It won’t affect us, I promise.”
“I’ll think about it overnight and make a definite decision in the morning.”
They walked back to Tangles, their steps quickening as it was growing dark, Ruth’s heart lighter now that she had talked over her problem with Philip and had been reassured of his love. He was special, and he made her feel special, and she was massively grateful they had found each other. Delia could do them no harm.
The next morning Ruth rose early and drove down to the Dower House. It had been empty for quite a few years, was beginning to show signs of neglect, and would be expensive to put right. Delia had offered to pay for the work but the Dower House was part of the estate and as such should be repaired out of estate funds. Delia would then be a tenant, with no strings attached, and easier to get rid of if things went wrong.
There, Ruth’s mind was made up. She couldn’t refuse. She was still not entirely sure of Delia’s sincerity but there could be slight possibility motherhood had softened her. From the conversation yesterday, Ruth was positive Delia doted on Lucy and that was in her favour … and it was only right the child should grow up on the estate.
There was Vicky to consider but she was busy with her new life with Alex. They rarely visited Canleigh these days and even if they did, the Dower House was far enough away from the Hall so it would be highly unlikely the sisters would bump into each other.
Ruth glanced back at the Dower House as she drove off, hoping she was doing the right thing. She steered the car back towards the Hall and sighed. Having Delia residing on the estate was going to be a real challenge.
CHAPTER 38 CANLEIGH – 1978
Six months later, on a cold and chilly February day, Delia sat in her Ferrari, smiling with pure pleasure as she surveyed the Dower House and allowed the peace and tranquillity of her surroundings to soothe her. Now back on familiar territory and only a stone’s throw away from the hall, for the first time in years she felt as if life was worth living again.
Rathbones had drawn up a formal tenancy agreement for the Dower House, which Ruth and Delia had signed, and Delia was now the legal tenant for an initial period of three years. A great deal of renovation work, including a new roof, had to be completed prior to Delia and Lucy moving in, which was why it had taken so long but Delia was given permission to decorate as she wished, enjoying herself immensely, lavishing love and money on the home Granny had last lived in.
The lovely old Georgian house looked impressive in the weak, wintry sunshine. However, Delia knew that in the spring it would look fabulous as the facade was almost covered in Virginia creeper, apart from the wisteria around the front door, which in full bloom and climbing valiantly up towards the upstairs windows, its pale blue flowers like big bunches of grapes just waiting to be picked, would look magnificent. An old and gnarled laburnum tree, stood in the centre of the lawn. It always looked so pretty, towering over a mass of rhododendron bushes which would be smothered with balls of deep red petals. Delia hugged herself with glee and with a thrill of excitement, left the Ferrari on the gravel, patting it with pleasure as she got out. She had always fancied owning a car such as this but hadn’t bothered to do anything about it until after the third operation on her face when she was feeling particularly down and wanted something to cheer herself up. It had certainly helped … and now she had the Dower House too.
She unlocked the door with the key Ruth had given her and stepped into the hall to examine the house in detail, wanting to see whether the decorations and furnishings she had ordered were finished and in place. An exorbitant amount of money was spent during the winter as Delia sought out fabrics and decent antique shops in search of items to enhance the beauty and give additional character to the house. The result was pleasing; especially the crystal chandelier purchased from Sotheby’s which looked spectacular, hanging from the hall ceiling.
The dining room to the right of the entrance hall was almost taken over by the rosewood table and the twelve matching chairs. Tall gilded mirrors hung on the walls to create an illusion of spaciousness and over the flamboyantly carved rosewood fireplace was a lifelike painting of Demon, painted by a Yorkshire artist Ruth had recommended. The horse looked fantastic; his coat shone, his head was up and his nostrils flared. The artist was certainly talented
