Moorcroft - the Possession: Book One of the Moorcroft Trilogy (13 page)

“Is this a good idea Richard, it’s getting late and the light will be going soon.”

Richard shook his head. “I don’t care, I have to get out of this house and clear my head.”

He looked at the worried look on his friends face. “Don’t worry Charles, I’ll keep to the main path and be back soon.”

Charles watched from the rear door as Richard mounted Dancing Lady, a concerned look on his face. Eddie opened the gate and Richard was away down the track. There was nothing Charles could do. He would go to his room and ring his parents and tell them that he was about to ask Sarah to marry him. He knew they would be delighted; they both loved Sarah and would be happy to have her as their daughter-in-law. As he was crossing the hall Emily was standing by the drawing room door.

She beckoned him over. “Charles, please, I need to speak to you.”

In the drawing room Charles poured himself a whisky, he knew what was coming.

“Charles, I’m sorry to put so much on your shoulders but I really need to know what went on in the study and I know I won’t get a decent answer out of Richard.”

As diplomatic as he could be, he told her about the altercation between Richard and his father. Money or lack of it was on both their minds. Charles looked at Emily’s sad face. He felt sorry for her, she held this family together. He loved and respected her, her values and her intelligence. Somehow he hoped between them they would sort this mess out.

Charles retired to his room and rang his parents to tell them his news. First he spoke to his father who always answered the telephone. He was delighted and passed the phone to his wife.

“I just knew it wouldn’t be long before you asked Sarah to marry you. I am so pleased, Sarah is a wonderful girl and I know she makes you happy. When is the big day, there are lots of things to organise? I’ll have to get a new outfit, I must ring Emily and see what she will be wearing, and we don’t want to clash now do we.”

“Mother hold on, I haven’t asked Sarah yet, she might say no.”

“What a silly boy you are, of course she won’t say no, the girl dotes on you and look what a handsome man she’s getting.”

Charles laughed. “Anyway, it will be a while before we get married; Richard and Victoria are to be married first.”

Once he had calmed his mother down they discussed other family matters. When he had replaced the telephone he sat back with a smile on his face, now he could go ahead and ask Sarah. He decided to search her out and ask the question that would change his life.

He looked in the girl’s upstairs living room but neither of the girls were there so he decided to join the family in the drawing room, he would wait until he could get Sarah alone.

Conversation was inevitably about the forthcoming party. Charles wanted to broach the subject of his parent’s invitation but thought better of it. He could hear his father’s voice, patience, dear boy, patience. He looked across to Sarah with her head bowed over a magazine, her golden hair falling across her face. He longed to look into her pale blue eyes and touch his lips to hers. Excitement ran the length of his body; he must get out of here.

He crossed the hall to the study and listened at the door, he could hear the gentle snoring of his future father-in-law. Best not to disturb him, poor chap, Charles knew that John had more worries on his mind other than the farm but as yet he had not confided in him. He would go and look for Richard, have a quiet word with him over this party and their engagements.

Once the gate was open Richard gave Dancing Lady her head and they raced down the track. He filled his lungs with good clean air and felt the wind on his face. His hands tight on the reins and his feet firmly in the stirrups he raced across the open fields and down towards the river. Dancing Lady snorted as he dismounted. He stroked her neck, Eddie was right the poor girl was sweating.

“Good girl.” He whispered.

The mare nuzzled him. He led her to the waters edge, he knelt and cupped the clear water in his hand and drank. Dancing Lady bobbed her head up and down; it was her turn to drink.

Richard sat on the grass and leant against a tree watching the mare graze. He was thinking of Victoria, soon they would be married, for the first time that day a smile crossed his face. Then he would make a stand, it would be the time for his father to step down and give total control to him, he had had enough. He went over the row in the study and he felt uneasy. He knew something was worrying his father, but the old fool wouldn’t discuss it with him. He would have a word with Charles; he could get his father to open up. He looked at the sky, it was getting dark and the clouds were closing in, it looked like rain. He had better get the mare home and quick. He stood and brushed the loose grass and dust from his trousers. There was a flash of light off to the west, lightening. The mare whinnied. He slowly approached her, trying to grab her reins as she turned in circles, fear showing in her eyes.

“Here girl, here Lady.”

At last he had her in his grip. There was another flash of lightening. The horse pulled hard on the reins, she wanted to get home. Richard circled her and jumped into the saddle just as there was a loud clap of thunder. The mare reared up but Richard held fast. He tried to calm her. He must get home quickly before the heavens opened. It was getting really dark now but the mare knew instinctively which way to go, Richard held on tight and lowered his head as the heavy drops of rain hit his neck. He looked up at the darkening sky and the rain trickled down his face and collected in his collar. Damn the rain. The lightening struck the road to the left of them and the mare reared once more. Richard lost his grip and fell heavy to the ground. A sharp stab of pain rocketed through his head. He saw Dancing Lady careering off just as the darkness enfolded him.

In the stables Charles found Eddie putting fresh straw into Dancing Lady’s stall. “Is he still not back?”

Eddie shook his head. “No sir.”

Charles could see that Eddie was worried, whether it was for Richard or Dancing Lady, he wasn’t sure. He walked along to the gate, it was getting dark. He searched the open landscape before him, not a sight of Richard. Charles looked up at the sky and in the distance he could see the flash of lightening. A storm was brewing. Damn Richard, going out on a night like this. Where was he? He squinted into the darkening countryside, searching from left to right. The rain stung his face and then he heard the sound of hooves racing up the track. He quickly opened the gate ready for Richard and the mare. As the horse got nearer Charles saw that there was no rider. What had happened? Where was Richard? He shouted for Eddie. The horse was sweating and snorting, her eyes wild; she was going round and round in circles. Between them they grasped the reins and Eddie quickly led her into the stables.

“Eddie you see to the horse, I’m going to look for Richard.”

He ran to the Land Rover, damn no keys. He charged into the house and searched the hall table where they were usually kept, but there was no sign of them, where were they? He took a deep breath, remembering that John was the last to use the vehicle. He ran to the study and charged the door.

John jumped up with a start. “What’s going on, what’s happening? Calm down dear boy. What is it?”

“The keys to the Land Rover, where are they?”

“They’re on the hall table, why?”

“They’re not there, I’ve looked, check your pockets. Quickly, quickly.”

John emptied his pockets onto the table.

“You’re worrying me now Charles. What’s happened?”

Charles grasped the keys and rushed from the room. “It’s Richard, I haven‘t time to explain. Talk to Eddie.”

He ran to the Land Rover, jumped in and sat calming himself, taking deep breaths. Start, please start first time. He turned the key and the engine fired, he put it into first gear and he was away.

Eddie stood by the open gate, waving his arms. “I think I should come with you, sir. Two searching is better than one.”

Charles forced himself to drive slowly. Richard had said he would keep to the main path but had he? They scanned the horizon hoping to see Richard walking towards them, but nothing.

“Stop, there’s something white over there in the grass.”

Charles jammed on the brakes and looked in the direction Eddie was pointing. They raced towards the object, a tightening growing in Charles’s chest. Richard lay still in the grass, his clothes soaked. They could see a large rock to the side of his head and blood trickling into the earth. Charles knelt to the side of Richard and called his name. He groaned. Thank God he was alive. Charles didn’t want to move him but they had to get him out of this rain. Together they lifted him and placed him in the Land Rover. Foot on the accelerator, they raced home.

John ran to the drawing room and rushed in. He searched the startled faces. “Where’s Richard, does anyone know?”

Emily stiffened. “What’s happened, John?”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. Charles just stormed into the study demanding the Land Rover keys, then stormed out again, said I was to talk to Eddie.”

Emily made her way to the door, passing her husband. “Then we must go and ask him.”

Victoria gripped Sarah’s hand and together they ran from the room. The yard was flooded with light, but there was no sign of Eddie. John ran to the stables. He saw Dancing Lady, stamping her feet and snorting, a saddle lying on the floor by the stall. He ran outside and ran to his wife’s side.

“There’s no one there, but Dancing Lady is all sweaty as if she’s been out lately.”

Emily’s hand went to her throat. Richard, something has happened to Richard. She looked to the gate and saw the first sign of headlights, the Land Rover was here. Charles drove into the yard and screeched to a halt. He jumped from the car and ran to Emily and took her hand in his.

“Richard has been hurt; we need a doctor right away.”

Emily went white. “I must go to him.”

“No, I need you to be calm. Now get the girls inside and ring for the doctor. We’ll fetch Richard in. Where should we take him?”

Emily grasped the door to steady herself. “The drawing room for now, there is a fire in there. I’ll go and ring the doctor. What do I tell him?”

“Tell him Richard has had a fall from his horse and he has a gash to the side of his head and he is in and out of consciousness. Now go.”

Emily called to the girls to follow her and ran into the hall. She picked up the phone, now what was the number. With shaking hands she dialled Henry Davenport. It was ringing.

A sleepy voice answered. “Hello.”

“Oh, thank God you’re there Henry.” She took a deep breath and explained what had happened.

“I’ll be right with you. Don’t fret Emily; your Richard is as hard as nails.”

In the drawing room Richard lay on the settee. Victoria sat on the floor by his side holding his hand and crying. The white towel that had been placed beneath his head was already showing red. Emily gasped. John came to her side and put his arm round her shoulders.

“Our son is tough, he’ll pull through this.”

Emily nodded unable to speak. Charles stood to the back of the settee looking down on his friend, Sarah by his side. He glanced at Emily.

She wiped the tears from her face. “The doctor is on his way.”

Victoria sat in the chair nearest to Richard and stroked his forehead. He stirred and moaned.

“Richard, my love, it’s Vicky. Don’t try to move. The doctor is on his way.”

Richard opened his eyes and looked on the beautiful face of his only love then the darkness took over once more.

The doctor was rushed into the drawing room. He made everyone, but Emily leave the room.

“Has he been conscious at all?”

Emily nodded. “He opened his eyes but he hasn’t said anything.”

The doctor turned Richard’s head to one side to see the extent of the injury. He took a pair of scissors from his case and cut away a small amount of hair. From his bag he took a packet, tore it open and wiped the wound with the contents. Richard stirred.

“He’s had quite a blow to the head; a night in hospital would be wise.”

“No hospital.”

The doctor looked down at Richard. “So, you’re back with us?”

Richard’s voice was barely a whisper. “No hospital.”

The doctor stood and looked at Emily. “The wound needs cleaning and a couple of stitches would be helpful, but he may have concussion, I would advise a night in hospital.”

“I said no hospital.”

He looked down at Richard. “Okay, but it’s against my advice. Now stay still while I clean this up and put on a dressing.” He looked at Emily. “Someone will have to keep an eye on him. If he starts vomiting or having convulsions get him to a hospital.” He looked at Richard. “Is that clear?”

Richard blinked.

Emily looked at her son. “Don’t worry doctor I’ll sit by his side through the night, if there’s any change for the worst I’ll get Charles to drive him straight to the hospital, no argument.”

The doctor put fresh dressings on the nearby table and closed his bag then walked with Emily to the door. In the hall everyone looked eagerly at the doctor and started asking questions at the same time. The doctor held up his hand for silence.

“Richard has had a severe blow to the head, but the wound isn’t deep and should heal quickly. He must be kept quiet, no sudden movement. He must be watched over for the next 24 hours.” He looked at Emily. ”Get him out of those wet clothes as soon as possible and into a warm bed and remember what I said. If you feel he is getting worse you must take him directly to the hospital.”

John showed the doctor to the door. “Thank you for coming so promptly Henry.”

“It’s my job John. Blows to the head can bring all kinds of problems; just keep an eye on him for a while. Good night and take care.”

In the drawing room the women were fussing over Richard. Charles looked down at him.

A smile crossed Richard’s face. “I could get used to this.”

Charles laughed, he was glad to see his friend almost back to normal.

“Right let’s get you upstairs, bed rest for you my friend.”