Moorcroft - the Possession: Book One of the Moorcroft Trilogy (11 page)

Richard sat beside her and took it from the box and placed it on her third finger. “Now it’s official.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. Sarah had never seen her big brother acting with such affection and realised just how much he loved her dearest friend.

At the back of the room Charlotte was brought to tears, how could Richard do this to her? There was no time to lose, she must get rid of this troublesome girl and quickly before it was too late. With a sweep of her hand she brushed the lamp from the side table and rushed from the room. Everyone turned and looked at the lamp. Charles picked it up off the floor and placed it back on the table and looked from Sarah to Richard, only Victoria looked confused.

Emily poured the tea and handed the cup and saucer to her husband. He took it in shaking hands. They sat quietly for a moment happy in each others company. John put down his cup and looked at Emily.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these last few days. I’ve listened to Richard and Charles and I’ve taken your advice on board and I’ve made a decision.”

He looked into the glowing embers of the fire and watched the sparks float up the chimney. With a heavy sigh he looked into the eyes of his wife.

“I’ve decided to hand over the running of the estate to Richard. From now on he can make all the decisions. Charles has explained to me how selling one of the farms makes sense, so Richard can go along with that, but I would still have control of the finances. I don’t want to be put out to pasture just yet.”

Taking his hand in hers she reached across and kissed him on the cheek.

“I think you’ve made a wise decision. They will benefit in the long run, let them do the worrying, you’ve done your part. Perhaps now we can think about a holiday.”

John sat back and laughed. “Trust you. I haven’t even told the boys and you’re planning to get away already.”

They both laughed together.

Over breakfast the next morning, while they were all together, Emily suggested an engagement party, much to the delight of the girls.

“I thought Victoria’s parents could come for the weekend and we could make it a real family occasion, invite our dearest friends and relatives.”

Sarah couldn’t contain herself, always ready for a party. “That sounds wonderful. Vicky and I will start on the invitation list right away.”

Sliding back her chair she looked at Victoria still drinking tea. “Come on Vicky, we have lots to do.”

Smiling at Richard she followed Sarah out of the room. Richard looked at his mother.

“Are you sure about this? The last party wore you out.”

“How can we let your engagement go by without a celebration? Besides this time the girls can do most of the work and I shall just sit back and act as a consultant.”

John stood up and looked down at his wife. “Consultant you say. That will be a first. I’ve never known you not get involved in a party.” He took her hand and gently kissed it.

Richard and Charles glanced at each other.

John stood upright and looked at the two men before him. “Now, you two, I want to see you both in my study. I too have an announcement to make.”

After John had left the room Emily sat upright in her chair and looked at the young men before her. “Boys, what your father is about to tell you may not be ideal in your eyes but it is a great step forward and given time everything will fall your way, believe me. So, Richard, hold you temper, I don’t want your father upset any more, his health hasn’t been too good lately. This decision has been long thought over and he seems more himself just now so I don’t want a relapse.” She gave them both a serious look. “Is that understood?”

Realising the seriousness of the matter Charles nodded.

Richard stood up. “Yes Mother, I understand.”

In the hall Richard turned to Charles. “Do you know what this is all about?”

Charles shook his head. “I haven’t a clue.”

In the drawing room Sarah was already sat with a writing pad on her knee, a pen poised for action. At the top she had written down six names.

“I’ve written down the six of us and then there are your parents, who else would you like to come. Come on Vicky we have a list to make.”

Victoria was stood by the window admiring her ring, sparkling in the light as she moved it from side to side.

“Vicky, stop day dreaming and come and help me.”

With a sigh she went and sat beside Sarah. “I don’t know why you’re doing this now. Richard and I still have to go and see my mother and father. I’m sure they will have a lot to say about it. They will want their friends to come too I suppose. I will have to get my mother to talk to your mother about numbers and then we can add our friends to the list.”

“This is a party about the two of you not a get together for the oldies.”

“I’m an only child, this is a big event for my mother, believe me she’ll want everyone there.”

Sarah screwed up her face in disappointment. “Well in that case, let’s make a list of the people WE want to come to the party.”

Sat together in front of a roaring fire the list got longer and longer.

When the boys entered the study John was stood by the fire warming his back. “Come in, come in.” He gestured them forward. “Take a seat, both of you.”

“Dad, what’s all this about? I have things to do.”

Charles gave him a warning look.

John’s face stiffened. “If you’re not prepared to listen we can do this another time.”

Charles feeling the tension growing sat down. “Please, Mr Gardener, we’re all ears.”

John strutted round the room explaining his latest plans. He raised his hand on several occasions to stop Richard interrupting. When he had finished he looked down into the face of his son. He couldn’t tell if he was pleased or not.

“Well, what do your think?”

Seeing the rage forming in Richard’s face, Charles stood up and shook hands with Mr Gardener. “I think that is an excellent idea. Isn’t it Richard?”

Richard stood and faced his father and remembered his mother’s warning.

“Thank you Father that will be a great help.”

John smiled, he had expected a row. “I still want to be informed mind you, but the decisions will be yours.”

Outside in the hall Richard looked at Charles. “How is that going to help if he still holds the purse strings? You know what he’s like Charles.”

Charles looked at his friend. “It’s the first step. At least now we can sell the farm to Jed Armstrong’s son. That will clear some of the debts. We’ll go round the tenants and tell them what’s what, no more freeloading on John Gardener’s back. I’m sure as soon as your father sees how well we’re doing he’ll hand over the accounts too. Bide your time Richard. Things will work out.”

Richard put his arm across the shoulder of his dear friend. “I know you’re right, but we must still keep an eye on the old boy. Come on, let’s get some work done.”

Several days later Sarah was sat by the fire reading a magazine, flicking the pages. Emily could see that her daughter was restless.

“Why don’t you and Charles go for a walk? It’s nice and sunny out.”

Sarah stood up and threw her magazine on the chair and walked to the window. “Charles is too busy. I hate it when Victoria goes home, there’s nothing to do.”

Emily put down her sewing. “Richard and Victoria have gone to tell her parents the good news about their engagement. Richard will soon be back.”

Sarah turned and looked at her mother. “That’s not going to help me; Victoria is staying on for a few days so I will be here all by myself.”

“Stop being such a baby. Victoria spends most of her spare time here with us, she does have a family of her own you know.”

“I’m sorry. I know. I’m just bored. I think I will go for that walk.”

As Sarah left the room she heard her mother calling. “Wrap up well dear, we don’t want you getting a cold.”

Upstairs Charlotte watched Sarah walk through the yard and down the country lane, Brandy the Springer Spaniel running in front. She too was restless. She left the attic and headed for Victoria’s room, knowing there would be no interruptions she could have a good look around. She looked out of the window and down the drive; she could see the gardener planting pansies. She would go down later and stamp on a few, just for the fun of it. She sat at the dressing table and looked at her reflection. She was just as good looking as that girl, Victoria, even better. Once she showed herself to Richard he too would realise it and he would be hers, but she must time it right. She lifted the top of Victoria’s jewellery box and watched the little ballerina inside twirl round to the music. How childish she thought and snapped the plastic figure from its stand. She picked up a ring and tried it on, but it was too small, in temper she threw it across the room. She held a pair of dangly earrings to her ears, but she didn’t like them and they too were flung across the room. She picked up a charm bracelet, her eyes sparkled, she had seen Victoria wearing this item a lot, and it must have some sentimental meaning for her. Clasping the bracelet in her hand, she had an idea. As she crossed to the connecting door, Victoria’s ring crunched under foot. She picked it up and entered Sarah’s room. She looked around. On the dressing table were lots of little pots, she opened one and sniffed. It was full of face cream. Charlotte giggling pushed the ring deep inside, it would be a few days before it would be discovered. The bracelet, what could she do with this? She looked about the room and spotted a plant on the windowsill, a pot of purple violets, she lifted the plant from the pot and put the bracelet inside and replaced the soil on top. What will Victoria think when she finds her bracelet missing and it turns up in the room of her best friend? She would make sure that it was found and in front of witnesses. She must keep the girl confused, move things about her room, whisper in her ear and give her sleepless nights. Soon she would be ready for the finale, a showdown between the two of them. Laughing Charlotte left the room.

The following week was calm. Emily spent a lot of time with John planning a trip to the seaside; they would go after the party so that they could unwind in peaceful surroundings. Charles busied himself around the farm, talking to tenants and checking on the horses. Sarah went to work as usual, missing the company of her friend. Her evenings were spent watching television snuggled up in Charles’s arms, the best part of the day. Richard returned, ready to sort out the estate but he became a sombre character; it was obvious to everyone that he was missing Victoria. He spent a lot of time with the horses checking on Dancing Lady and her growing foal. He had cleared out the rooms above the stable block and often sat and made plans for the future. Sometimes he would doze off in the chair and have the weirdest of dreams. There was always a woman with long black hair holding out her arms to him and he could hear whispering in his ear, but he could never make out what she was saying. When he woke he could never remember her face. How he was missing Victoria.

Sarah and Charles often walked by the river. They would feed the ducks and throw sticks for Brandy, although they were sure that he would much rather chase the ducks, he loved the water and they had to keep him in check. Holding hands walking through the long grass they too were making plans and had decided that after the engagement party they would visit Charles’s parents and tell them their plans.

Victoria returned to Moorcroft the following weekend, looking happy and relaxed. She had a letter for Emily from her mother naming just a few people she would like at the party and wanting to know if she could do anything to help. Emily decided to ring her that night while it was still fresh in her mind, she was getting so forgetful. Richard now had a skip in his step; he never thought a woman would ever have such an affect on him. Sarah and Victoria soon had their heads together making more lists.

Emily, having talked to Victoria’s mother, soon put a damper on the girl’s plans. It had been decided that only family and the couple’s closest friends would be at the party, financed by John and Emily and Victoria’s parents because of their extended family and friends, would make all the arrangements for the wedding. Everyone, but Sarah, seemed to think it was a good idea, so Richard, wanting to make everyone happy, thought he would take them all out for a meal, their own little celebration.

That evening as the girls were getting ready for their night out, Charlotte watched Richard getting dressed, she admired his strong body, his broad shoulders and narrow hips and muscular thighs, and she wanted to touch him so much. He was such a handsome man and soon he would belong to her, of that she was certain. The white shirt showed off what remained of his summer tan. He looked in the mirror, combed his hair and straightened his tie. He would collect Charles on his way down stairs and wait in the drawing room for the girls. In her bedroom Sarah was putting the final touches to her hair when Victoria entered her bedroom.

“You haven’t seen my charm bracelet have you? I could have sworn I left it in my jewellery box.”

Sarah continued to comb her hair. “Now, why would I have your charm bracelet?”

She looked at her friend’s reflection through the mirror. “Well I know you have always admired it. I just thought you may have borrowed it, that’s all.”

Sarah swung around to face her friend. “No, I’ve haven’t seen it.”

Just then there was a knock on the door, in walked Richard followed close behind by Charlotte. “You girls not ready yet? I’m on my way downstairs, don’t be long I’ve ordered a taxi.”

At that same moment the flower pot fell from the windowsill. They all turned to look at it; the soil had spilled over the floor making a mess. Richard moved forward to scoop up the plant and felt something in the soil. He turned and looked at the girls as he lifted up the bracelet.

“What on earth is this doing here?”

Victoria reached for it and holding it in her hand rubbed the soil away. She glanced at Sarah.

Sarah looked at the bracelet and the shocked look on Victoria’s face. “I don’t know anything about this; I don’t know how it got there, honestly.”