‘She’s fine!’ Louisa snapped. ‘She’s gone down for a nap.’
Richard sighed. ‘No one’s trying to get at you, Louisa.’
Her shoulders sagged as she gave in. ‘I’m sorry. I know you mean well. I just don’t understand.’
‘Why don’t you go and have another lie down?’ Sarah suggested. ‘I’ll make you a cup of tea and bring it up to you. Don’t worry about Daisy. I’ll take care of her too.’
Louisa could only nod. She left the room in a daze and headed upstairs. What was happening to her? Was she losing her mind? Or were they ganging up on her? Did she have two people to worry about now, instead of the one?
Sarah waited for the kettle to boil, glancing out of the kitchen window. She had never seen Louisa so agitated, and it was slightly concerning. She turned back in time to see Richard sprinkling something into the mug she’d put out for Louisa.
‘What’s that?’ she questioned.
‘I’m giving her something to help her sleep.’
‘But it’s lunchtime.’
Richard’s smile was snide. ‘So it is.’
Sarah paused, her mind working over his words. ‘Is this a regular occurrence?’
‘I like to keep her under control. Without the medication, she’s feisty and I don’t like how she acts.’
‘So instead you use drugs to calm her down? How long have you been doing that?’
‘If I told you, I’d have to kill you.’
His tone was comical, but Sarah wondered how much of a threat was hidden in his words. Richard had a darker undertone than she’d first imagined.
‘Seriously, why don’t you tell her to leave?’ she said. ‘You don’t love her anymore, do you?’
‘I’ve never loved her. She’s too clingy.’
‘So why did you marry her?’
‘Because I wanted someone to look after me.’
‘You could have paid for a housekeeper.’
‘Why should I when I have Louisa to do it for free?’
‘You’re such a bastard.’
He smiled at her again.
‘You’re weird. You marry my sister, you get herpregnant so she is kinda chained to you. Then when she starts complaining because she wants more from you, you drug her to keep her dependent on you. You’re manipulating her mind. I’m not sure I like that.’
Richard was quiet for a moment. ‘So what do you suggest I do instead?’
‘I think you should let her go back to Derby. I could persuade her.’
He smirked. ‘So you want to be the housekeeper and nanny now?’
‘Absolutely not. Daisy would go with Louisa. You could still see her on a regular basis.’ She leaned closer to him. ‘I want you, and all of you. I think we should start planning to ensure it happens. Maybe we should up Louisa’s dosage,’ she suggested, holding Richard’s eye as he stared at her. ‘A little more would work in our favour, don’t you think?’
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
2018
