Page 57 of Witchbane

I was relieved Lord Thistlebury wasn’t easily rebuffed.

‘You might not want me here but we both know I still have every right to be at Thistlebury Manor. More so than either of you, if you think about it.’

I heard the sharp intake of breath and tensed. Had I misjudged him and made a dreadful mistake persuading him to come here? Had I overstepped my place by involving myself in this family’s life in this way? Ophelia glared at him furiously. Lord Thistlebury’s voice was soft but his words harsh. Yet, although I hadn’t liked what he had said, it was the truth.

The oldest woman pressed her lips together briefly. ‘This, Rolf, unless you have forgotten, is my home,’ she said slowly. ‘It has been ever since my daughter invited me here when she was pregnant with your daughter. I don’t believe I need remind you that it has also been my and Rue’s home for the past ten years, ever since you abandoned the grieving child, this estate and all the servants.’

‘There’s no need to be like this, Ophelia,’ he argued.

Sorrel opened her mouth to speak, but Ophelia continued.

‘No need? When I ask how you dare to come here unannounced, I ask out of curiosity because I cannot imagine I would ever behave in such a deplorable manner. Clearly you are still as selfish as you always were.’

He lowered his head and I assumed he was hurt rather than affronted. ‘I had thought us close. Once.’

‘Piffle, Rolf. Why don’t you tell us why you are here?’ she said stiffly. Her words came slowly, full of bitterness and, I realised, pain. For a moment I didn’t understand why, then I looked at Rue and saw her reason for this reaction. Ophelia Tredwell had been the one to watch her granddaughter’s grief, first at having lost her mother in such a terrible way, then when her father vanished. Until now.

Rue’s eyes shifted to mine. If I had expected her to look at me accusingly for bringing him here I was wrong. Instead, all I saw was disappointment. The look in her beautiful eyes made my heart ache. Unable to help myself, I gazed at her lips and I was instantly transported back to the day, only a few weeks ago, when I experienced the most perfect kiss of my life.

I forced my eyes upwards. She was still staring at me but her expression had changed to cold fury. I felt a sudden pinch in my chest and winced.

For a split second I thought I saw the hint of a smile. It vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared but the satisfaction in her eyes made it seem as if she had been the cause of my pain. I moved my hand to my chest absentmindedly and rubbed gently to ease it.

Her silence spoke volumes. Why had I supposed I was doing the right thing by bringing her father here today? How could he help any of them if they still resented him as much as they obviously did? It was understandable. Guilt at being the cause of the women’s pain washed over me. I was about to apologise but before I managed to speak, Rue did.

‘This is your doing,’ Rue said so quietly that it took me a moment to understand what she had said.

Her grandmother and aunt turned to look at me.

‘My granddaughter is right,’ Ophelia agreed. ‘You took it upon yourself to persuade him to return.’

I lowered my gaze in embarrassment, before looking them in the eyes once more. ‘I did,’ I admitted. I rested my hand on Lord Thistlebury’s shoulder, needing the women to understand my motives. ‘I can see now that it was wrong of me to think I’d be helping by bringing His Lordship here.’ Ophelia went to speak, but I raised my hand, wanting to continue before she could vent her rage and dismiss us from the house. ‘If you will allow us a moment to explain why I sought out Lord Thistlebury, and also maybe to let him tell you why he left so abruptly, I would be grateful.’

‘Why should we?’ Sorrel Norman asked, looking down her nose at the pair of us.

‘Because I believe it’s time you understood his reason for doing so.’ I looked at Rue. ‘It’s been too long for you not to know what happened, surely?’

‘It has.’ Lord Thistlebury clasped his hands together. ‘You all deserve an explanation and I would be most grateful if you would allow me to at least try to give one.’

Rue opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when her father took a step forward, his arms slightly outstretched.

‘First, I need to apologise to you, Rue. I beg you to give me a chance to put my side to you.’

She scowled at him. ‘Why should we do that?’

‘Because I believe you need answers that only I can give you. Whether you believe me or not, I have never stopped loving you or missing you.’

Rue raised her eyebrows and gave a disbelieving shake of her head.

‘It is a fact, my darling. I hope that once I’ve explained my reasons you might feel less angry.’

He stopped speaking and I suspected he was hoping Rue would reassure him in some way.

‘You lost that right when you left her,’ Ophelia snapped. ‘You’ve no idea what this girl has been through, how strong she’s needed to be, or⁠—’

He raised his hand. ‘Please, Ophelia, I know I have little right to expect much.’

‘No?’ Sorrel asked, her disdain for her brother-in-law etched on her face.