Moorcroft - the Possession: Book One of the Moorcroft Trilogy (18 page)

One evening Emily asked Richard to join her in the drawing room; she had something to ask him. She was sat by the fire reading a book, she looked up as he entered the room and he was startled by the worried look on her face. She poured him a cup of coffee and he sat on the settee next to her. “What’s up? I haven’t rowed with dad for a while so it’s not that and the estate seems to be running okay for the moment. Have I upset you in some way?”

She sighed heavily. “I’ll get straight to the point, is Victoria pregnant?”

He nearly choked on his drink. “No, what makes you think that?”

“Richard you must be blind, can’t you see how ill Victoria looks, something is the matter with her.”

“She looks okay to me, a little tired maybe but I’ve been so busy lately I’ve hardly seen her except to say goodnight.”

“Well now you must make the effort, you must talk to her.”

“Can’t you or Sarah do it; it’s probably women’s problems anyway.”

“If it is I would gladly talk to her, but it’s up to you to find out and now.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now before the poor girl collapses, she is spending more and more time by herself in her room.”

Richard frowned and looked at his mother’s worried face. “Is she really that bad?”

“Yes Richard and I for one am worried about her, now go.”

Victoria was pacing backwards and forwards across her bedroom, what was she going to do? Night after night she tossed and turned. Who was this woman who constantly tormented her with her whispers, what was she saying? She would wake in the middle of the night shivering, the covers on the floor, the windows wide open. Sometimes in the dark she could hear laughter, what did this woman want? Had she opened the windows herself or was it all in her head, had she done it in her sleep or was she going mad? A knock on the door startled her.

Richard tentatively eased it open. “Okay to come in?”

She ran into his arms laying her head on his chest. “I’m so pleased to see you Richard; can you stay for a while?”

He was alarmed at the look of her, his mother was right, she wasn’t well. Her skin was grey and she had dark circles beneath her eyes, her hair had lost its shine and her eyes were dull and worried. She looked lost. He held her tight in his arms and realised how much weight she had lost.

“What is it my love. Are you ill?”

She looked up into his face. “I think I’m losing my mind.”

He sat down and pulled her onto his knee. “Now don’t be silly, tell me what’s bothering you.”

Nestled in his arms she felt safe. “I’m not sleeping well, I keep misplacing things and strange things happen in the night, I hear noises, laughter. What’s happening to me Richard?”

He watched as she turned her head from side to side searching the room for someone or something. “Perhaps you’re worrying over this damn party, we’ll cancel if you like?”

“No it’s not the party, your mother has all that in hand. I don’t know what it is, I just can’t cope anymore.” She began to sob, he stroked her hair.

“I think you should see the doctor.”

Victoria sat back and shook her head violently. “No, no doctor, he’ll put me away.”

“Don’t say things like that, he’ll probably just give you some pills to help you sleep.”

She jumped from his knee and began to pace backwards and forwards in front of him. “But the nights are the worst, if I sleep she’ll come again with her whispering and her laughing. Why is she doing this to me, why won’t she leave me alone?”

Richard turned to look at her. “Is it Sarah, is she the one tormenting you?”

Victoria shook her head. “It’s not Sarah, she wouldn’t do such a thing, she’s my best friend. Richard will you stay with me tonight, she might not come if you’re here?”

“Of course I’ll stay with you, but I will have to talk to mother about this.”

“Okay, but just your mother, no one else, promise?”

“I promise, now I’ll go downstairs and talk to mother and I’ll get Mary to bring up some tea. I won’t be five minutes.”

“You won’t be long will you?

At the door he turned and smiled. “Five minutes and I’ll be back here with you.” He gently pulled the door closed and rushed downstairs.

Alone again she paced the floor. Charlotte watched from a corner of the room and smiled, her plan was working.

Downstairs Richard sat with his head in his hands, his mother by his side. “Mother she looks so ill, so frail, how could I not see it?”

“What did she say, Richard, what’s wrong with her?”

“She’s delusional, hearing things, she can’t sleep, and she’s scared of being alone. She wants me to stay with her tonight.”

“If it means she gets a good night’s sleep, then you should. Tomorrow we must send for the doctor.”

“She says she doesn’t want a doctor. I don’t know what to do.”

“You go back to Victoria, try to get her to eat something and I’ll ring Henry, I’m sure he’ll know what to do.”

In the kitchen he asked Mary to bring up to Victoria’s room a pot of tea and a selection of sandwiches for two.

“Is Miss Victoria not well?”

He could see the concern on the young woman’s face. “She just has a headache Mary, so I thought I would sit with her a while.”

Mary nodded. “I’ll get onto it right away.”

Mrs Shaw looked at her daughter. “I knew something was up with that girl, she hasn’t eaten properly for days, get on with those sandwiches Mary, and I’ll brew the tea.” Mrs Shaw put the kettle on the stove to boil. That poor girl, was she ill or was she pregnant, she wouldn’t put anything past Master Richard.

When Sarah and Charles got back to Moorcroft, Sarah wanted to show off her new ring. Emily hugged her and took her to one side. “I know how excited you must be but Victoria isn’t feeling too well so I would prefer it if you didn’t disturb her.”

Sarah looked worried. “She hasn’t looked well for days, is she going to be alright, does she need anything?”

“She’s going to be fine, Richard’s with her now so do try to be quiet when you go upstairs.”

Charles went outside to talk to Eddie and Ned, he somehow felt responsible for the boy and he was glad to see how well he was getting on.

Sarah took her shopping upstairs and listened at the connecting door to Victoria’s room, she could hear her talking to someone, probably her brother. She longed to see how she was but remembered her mother’s concern. She hung up her new dress and went to the bathroom to freshen up. When she came out Richard was sat in one of the arm chairs.

“Is everything alright with Vicky?”

Richard looked at her. “She’s fine for the moment. Have you heard any strange noises in the night, talking or laughing?”

“No, you hound, have you been visiting Vicky in the night, is that why you’re asking?”

“It’s nothing like that, it’s just that she’s been having some bad nightmares, I wondered if she had disturbed you.”

Sarah was full of remorse over her last comment. “I’ve never heard a thing and I’m a light sleeper. Is she okay Richard, can I see her?”

“I’ve just got her to sleep, I’d better get back in case she wakes up. I’ll sit with her tonight; you go downstairs and join Charles. I’m sure everything will be better in the morning.”

Doctor Henry Davenport arrived bright and early the next morning and was shown straight into the drawing room. Emily greeted her old friend with a quick kiss on the cheek. He could see how worried she looked and guided her back to her chair. He held her hand. “Emily last night you told me something was wrong with Victoria, can you be more specific?”

She briefly repeated her conversation with Richard. “The poor child seems demented, is there anything you can do for her?”

Henry shook his head. “She’s not really my patient; she should see her own doctor.”

“She goes hysterical at the mention of a doctor. Henry, could you pretend to be checking up on Richard and just assess her at the same time?”

He nodded. “Okay, but we had better keep it light hearted if she’s as scared as you say.”

Together they entered Victoria’s bedroom, Richard sprang from his chair and glared at his mother.

“Ha, Richard, so here you are. I’ve just been up at Lower Farm thought I would call in and see how you are doing, anymore headaches?”

Richard’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m feeling fine now Henry, thank you.”

The doctor sat opposite the window and watched Victoria walking backwards and forwards across the room twisting a handkerchief in her restless hands. “And Victoria how are you, soon be your party, are you looking forward to it?”

Victoria stopped and looked at Henry. “Oh, Doctor Davenport, I didn’t hear you come in.” Her eyes darted to Richard then back to the doctor. “Have you come to see Richard?”

He observed her pale complexion, the dark shadows beneath her eyes and her nervous disposition; there was something seriously wrong here. “Yes, I’ve come to check up on him and how are you?”

Again she looked at Richard. “I’m fine, tell them Richard, there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Feeling her distrust Henry turned his attention once more to Richard. “Richard how is that lovely mare of yours, Dancing Lady?”

Victoria continued her pacing, looking from side to side, talking quietly to herself.

Richard smiled. “Lady is a beauty, we’ll get some quality foals from her.”

Emily could feel the tears threatening to fall as she watched Victoria’s pacing, she quickly left the room. “I’ll see you downstairs Henry I have things to do.”

He nodded. “Victoria why don’t you come and sit by me, we never have time for a chat?”

She looked at Richard. He gave her a gentle nod. She sat opposite Henry still twisting her hanky.

He lent forward and took her hand. “You must be getting excited about the party, only a few days off now?”

She lifted her head and stared at him. Her face softened. “We’re going to get married, Richard and I, and we’re going to have lots of children and live happily ever after.” She put her finger to her mouth. “But it’s a secret.” She looked around the room and whispered. “Walls have ears.”

Henry stood and looked down at the girl. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy.” He nodded to Richard to follow him. “Now, I really must be on my way, Goodbye Victoria.”

Outside her door Richard looked at Henry. “Well, what’s wrong with her?”

“I can’t say without a proper examination and some tests, but she looks afraid of something, has she had any rows with anyone, is she having problems at work?”

Richard shook his head. “I don’t think so, she’s never mentioned anything.”

“Well, she’s obviously not sleeping; I’ll leave something with your mother, something to calm her down. She really should see her own doctor.” He patted Richard’s shoulder. “I’m sure a few good nights sleep and some nourishing food inside her and she’ll be as right as rain.”

Sarah went off to work as normal eager to show off her engagement ring, but sad that her dear friend was ill and wouldn’t be joining her. John rang the bank everyday to see if the money from Reg Phillips had been deposited, cursing solicitors for taking their time. Emily had tried to get hold of Victoria’s parents, she thought they should know about her condition, but there was no reply each time she tried. Off on some cruise no doubt but they had said they would try to get back for the party, it was so important to Victoria to have her parents there and it was only four days away. If the child didn’t get any better she would have to cancel it, she would need to talk to Richard. Charles carried on as best as he could, checking on livestock and fences, he left the horses in Eddie’s capable hands while Richard was otherwise engaged with Victoria. Mary had started courting so she had turned her affections to her boyfriend and Mrs Shaw took young Ned under her wing and treated him like her own and spoilt him rotten. There was always a glass of milk and a piece of cake ready when he got home from school. He was fattening up nicely and had glossy hair and rosy cheeks. Try as she might she couldn’t get anything out of Mr Howard about the young woman, Victoria, but if she was pregnant she would soon be showing and she felt a quick marriage might be on the cards.

Emily looked up as Richard entered the drawing room, he looked strained.

“How is she?”

He sat down beside her and ran his hands through his hair, something his father did when he was distressed. “The powders Henry left seem to be working, she seems much calmer, she’s sleeping now.”

“I think we should cancel the party I don’t think she will be up to it.”

“I think you’re right, Mother, I don’t think she knows what day it is. Can I leave that with you?”

“I’ll start ringing round right away, Sarah can get in touch with her friends, that’s one person that won’t be happy but she’ll understand.”

“Poor Sarah, I haven’t thought about her feelings at all, she is Victoria’s best friend, she must be worried.”

“Yes, she walks about lost, but she soon brightens up when Charles is around.”

“Thank God for Charles, I don’t know what we would have done without him, is he coping okay?”

“You know Charles, he never complains. He spends quite a bit of time with your father talking about the farms, you needn’t worry.”

Suddenly they heard a scream and Richard ran from the room. He bounded up the stairs two at a time. He found Vicky sitting up, leaning against the head of the bed, the sheets gripped tightly in her hands. She was staring straight in front of her screaming. “Go away, leave me alone, he’s mine, you’ll never have him.”

Richard ran to her side and pulled her into his arms.

She whimpered. “Tell her to go away Richard, tell her to stop shouting at me. Tell her we are to be married that you love me.”

Richard looked around the room, it was empty. “I’ll tell her my darling, now rest, I’m here.”

She was shaking and she looked in every corner of the room, exhausted she fell back against the pillows.

Richard lay beside her, stroking her face. “Shush, my love, I’m here now, I’ll never leave you.”

Charlotte stood beside the bed looking down at the couple, not long now, she thought, and then Richard would be hers.