A Heartless Betrayal

A Heartless Betrayal

By

Anne Ivory

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Published by:

K. S. Frain on SMASHWORDS

Copyright 2014 K. S. Frain

ISBN: 9781311310101

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business, establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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SMASHWORDS EDITION

Published by:

K. S. Frain on SMASHWORDS

Copyright 2014 K. S. Frain

Table of Contents

Chapters

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Prologue

Lily Wainwright waited impatiently as the ornate electric gates of Headley Manor slowly swung open. Uneasy and a little bewildered by the phone call she’d received from Alex earlier that day, she maneuvered her Range Rover up the sweeping driveway of the stately Victorian home belonging to the Tranmer family.

Already the end of April, the lush grounds were dotted with trees covered with spring blossoms, the driveway was a silky black ribbon cutting a swathe through a thick carpet of daffodils, while tiny snowdrops marched along its sides.

Lily, however, was completely oblivious to these unmistakable signs of the changing season around her. She’d been touring properties in the Heaton area of Bradford with a client when her mobile had rung. When she retrieved the phone from her bag she was surprised to see the caller ID. It was quite rare for Alex to ring her during the day. She’d excused herself to take the call.

Lily? Hello, Alex here.

She’d smiled softly unable to deny the rush of pleasure at the sound of his voice. Hi! Is everything alright?

"Yes, yes it is. Er…Are you free this afternoon?

Well, I’m just about done with my appointment and my one o’clock cancelled so I was planning on driving back to the city.

Good! Then would you mind coming over to Headley Manor…say around two-ish today?

A slight frown had marred her forehead while she processed the information. Headley Manor! You don’t mean the Tranmers, do you?

Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do. Why? Is that a problem?

There had been a sudden chill in his voice and she’d been taken aback. Something wasn’t right she’d thought with dismay. He had almost sounded like a stranger for a moment there.

Lily? His cool voice carried over the phone.

Yes…I mean…no, there’s no problem but I… she began.

Hurry up then, Alex had cut in not giving her a chance to protest. I promise this will be quite a surprise.

Alex! I don’t think you understand…

But he’d already hung up.

Puzzled, she’d slipped her phone back into her purse and turned to the Roscoes. The young couple wanted to upgrade to a larger home and were patiently awaiting her by the entrance to the house. Her first thought had been to reschedule the rest of the tour, but they had looked so hopeful, so eager that she decided to continue. Thankfully, there were only two other houses on the agenda and both were in close proximity to each other. Composing her face into a pleasant smile, she quickly walked up to them.

It was half past one by the time she’d waved them goodbye and driven to the only pub in village of Rawdon. She picked a table at the back of the room and ordered a chicken sandwich and a cup of tea then sat back to mull over the unusual call from Alex. What on earth could he have meant? What venture? And how did he know the Tranmers? Their very name conjured up unpleasant memories reminding her of why her young sister, Lesley, no longer lived in Rawdon.

Everybody in the village knew that there was bad blood between the Tranmers and the Wainwrights. Daniel Tranmer had fallen in love with her sister. But then who could have possibly resisted her sparkling green eyes and shining waist length blonde hair. She’d only been eighteen, and too young to understand the meaning of love.

Growing up, Lesley and Daniel had known each other in passing. It wasn’t until they had literally bumped into each other that she’d caught his attention. She had been bicycling down a narrow lane when Daniel zoomed by in his fancy BMW convertible causing her to wobble and fall off the bicycle. Daniel had been apologetic and then hauling her bike into the back of his car, he’d driven her home.

He’d been hooked from that moment on. Initially, Lily, recalled that Lesley had been flattered when he asked her out, and even more so because he was a Tranmer. For goodness sake who in their right mind refused a date with a Tranmer? They were rich and the ultimate ‘kings on the hill’ or, so to speak. Lily knew her sister well and recognized that to Lesley it had been the thrill of yet another conquest, especially of one the likes of Daniel Tranmer.

The sisters had grown up rather isolated in the quiet town of Rawdon not having ventured further than close-by Leeds mostly on day-trips to shop or catch a movie. Daniel revealed a different and exciting world to Lesley, taking her out to expensive restaurants, parties and buying her costly gifts. In return she’d let him kiss her but not much else. She may have been flighty but she had been brought up by loving parents, and instilled with sensible values.

Meeting a girl like Lesley had been a change for the twenty-six year old Daniel. It usually didn’t take much for him to get a woman into bed, but Lesley treated him as carelessly as she did all her other boyfriends. He fell in love with her and mistakenly believed she loved him in return. Lesley, though not promiscuous, was only interested in having a fun time with absolutely no thoughts of a committed relationship.

Unfortunately for him, somebody forgot to tell him.

Lesley admitted to Lily later that though she liked him immensely she’d found him a bit intense. She had no immediate plans for marriage. She was only eighteen and had visions of moving to London to pursue an exciting career in modeling.

Daniel, on the other hand, seemed to be under a different impression altogether. When he proposed to her, she hadn’t known how to let him down and so she’d put him off by saying she needed time to think about it. Then, quietly and in spite of her parent’s reservations she’d packed up and moved to London. Once there she made the usual rounds of various modeling agencies with her portfolio of photographs and was astonished when her efforts paid off right away. She’d thought it would be harder, she told her sister when she phoned home to inform her family that she’d been picked up by a major modeling agency.

It wasn’t long before Daniel followed her to London. He returned two days later—a changed man, and was soon on a path to self-destruction. He spent most of his time partying and hanging at local pubs, drinking and carousing until things came to a head. Late one night he was returning home and veered off the road colliding with a tree. He was killed instantly.

The investigation had dragged on tediously and there had been a lot of speculation. The most notable rumour making rounds was that it was deliberate…that Daniel Tranmer had killed himself over the Wainwright girl. The Tranmers numbered amongst those who believed it to be true. It was so much easier to assign the blame onto someone else than admit their son was driving drunk.

Shocked and frightened upon learning of Daniel’s demise, Lesley lost no time in accepting a well-timed assignment in New York.

Lily and her parents attended the funeral out of respect but the moment Ruth Tranmer, Daniel’s mother had caught sight of them, she’d become hysterical, while a thunderous expression had darkened John Tranmer’s face. He had marched up to them furious, and even before the Wainwrights had left their car, he commenced his tirade. Haven’t you done enough? Get out! Now!

That was a year ago.

A spectacular fountain with a lichen covered marble statuette of a scantily clad maiden graced the cobbled terrace in the front of the elegant ivy covered home. Too apprehensive to appreciate its beauty, Lily braked in the furthest corner of the courtyard and slid out of her Rover. She glanced down at her gray, slightly wrinkled suit and hoped it would pass some semblance of neatness. Apprehensive of what lay ahead, she tucked a strand of hair that had come loose behind her ear. Then taking a deep breath she walked towards the entrance porch flanked by tall mullioned windows. She climbed the shallow steps leading to the imposing set of double doors and pressed the bell.

Her mouth was parched and she swallowed as she waited. She was an adult…almost twenty-six, but she had to admit that she was nervous of coming face to face with Mr. Tranmer. What on earth was Alex thinking? Her mind was going a mile a minute when her reverie was broken by the fall of footsteps. The doors swung open and a tall, elderly man in an immaculately pressed suit, presumably the Tranmer’s butler, looked down at her politely.

I am Lily. Wainwright here for…

Yes, of course. He took a step back and swung the door wider. Do come in, Ms. Wainwright.

She raised a brow. Clearly, he’d been expecting her.

This way, please.

Lily followed the butler down the enormous dark oak floored hallway. A cold shiver ran down her spine. She was filled with a chilling sense of foreboding that increased with every step. They finally stopped in front of a carved wooden door and the butler knocked softly and waited for permission to enter.

An authoritative voice carried through clearly. Come in!

Alex

You may go right in, Miss, the butler said as he held the door open for her.

As Lily passed by him she looked up and was surprised at the flash of regret in his eyes. Something wasn’t right. She took a deep breath and stepped in.

A man sat behind the large library desk and a woman, topless, on his lap. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and they were kissing. Shocked, Lily quickly turned her back to them. Oh! Excuse me…I must have the wrong room. She reached for the door knob but froze when a familiar voice called out to her.

Ah! There you are Lily!

She jerked around to stare blankly at Alex. She was speechless, and for the first time in her life she understood the meaning of being ‘struck dumb’. Disoriented, she slowly shook her head. The little tableau before her didn’t make any sense at all. What the hell was was going on? This could only be a bad dream.

Alex pushed the young woman off his lap and rose. Wiping his lips, he strolled around to the front of the desk and leaned against it. Arms folded he regarded Lily with a faintly mocking look in his eyes.

Her face paled. Why was he looking at her like that? What on earth was this about?

The young woman followed leisurely slipping on her t-shirt. A malevolent grin wreathed her face. She hopped onto the desk beside Alex. It was then that Lesley recognized Olivia Garrick. It had been a while since she’d last seen her. She had been an obnoxious teenager, a year behind her in school and from the looks of it she’d certainly blossomed into an unscrupulous little cow.

Lily found her voice at last. What…what is the meaning of this, Alex?

He froze at the sound of her trembling voice and made as if to step toward her. He hadn’t realised how difficult this was going to be. Hardening his heart he gave a short derisive laugh. I should think it’s quite obvious. He turned to Olivia. Isn’t it, Liv?

Olivia looked up at him with adoring eyes. Oh, very much so, darling, she agreed running manicured fingertips painted a brilliant red, along his forearm.

Alex stiffened. His first instinct was to jerk his arm away but he forced himself to stay still and turned to Lily. By the way, this is my long time neighbor and friend, Olivia Garrick, he intoned casually.

Lily didn’t respond. Her gaze remained locked on his face. She was utterly bewildered. Who was this cold stranger? He couldn’t possibly be her Alex. It was just this morning she’d left him asleep in her bed before rushing off for her appointment…wasn’t it?

She was numb. Alex… she began in a shaky voice. I don’t understand. Is this some kind of a joke? What’s going on?

Hm…I can see why you must be confused. He tapped his cheek with a finger. Quite simply, my darling Lily, it’s time to end our little affair. I’ve already moved out of your flat and I thought since you were in the area, I might as well get this over with. All the unpleasantness, if you know what I mean.

She shook her head in confusion. But why here? Why call me to Headley Manor?

He laughed and Olivia chuckled in response.

Why? Well, because I happen to live here.

What do you mean, you live here? Did you buy this property from the Tranmers?

This time Olivia laughed outright and Alex threw her an amused look before turning to Lily. Oh, I didn’t need to do that. You see, I am a Tranmer.

Lily swayed and her face turned ashen. But how can that be? You said your name was Caldwell?

Caldwell is my mother’s maiden name. Let me introduce myself to you again. I am Alexander Stuart Tranmer.

She stiffened. You’re Daniel’s older brother, the one who lives in America.

He nodded. That’s right! You got it in one, he smirked.

Her mind was going a mile a minute, trying to understand why Alex was doing this. Then it suddenly hit her.

This was about Daniel.

All confusion dropped from her eyes. Her voice was resigned. Of course, payback! Yes! This is about payback, isn’t it? When he didn’t reply, she continued absently. And, this? Us…it was just a game to you.

An uncertain frown lit his brow. I guess you could call it that.

It was all lies, just lies. Those kisses, the times we made love meant nothing to you at all?

Alex opened his mouth to speak but she stayed him with one hand. No, please don’t! I get it now, and I don’t blame you. She took a deep breath to clear her head and continued. If I’d lost a brother, I might have looked for retribution too, but first, I would have at least tried to get all the damn facts straight.

Her spine turned ridged and chin rose. You’re a clever man, Alex, but this time you are so wrong, and you don’t even realise how much. Her voice turned hard. Your brother was no saint. Your parents spoiled him, so much so that he didn’t understand the meaning of the word ‘no’. Were you aware, for instance, that my sister was only eighteen when she met him? That’s very young, wouldn’t you agree? And yes, she dated Daniel but then so did a lot of other women. She just didn’t want to marry him and then there was the accident. It was very unfortunate but he was driving drunk, after all. Lily saw his eyes widen. Oh, I see. You didn’t know that, did you? She smirked. First it was your parents, and now you. You still believe that Lesley was somehow to blame. That he killed himself over her."

She ought to be furious, screaming and shouting at him. All she felt was cold…and numb. She slowly started to back out of the room. There’s really nothing I can do to change a mind that’s already made up. To her intense relief her voice was steady.

Alex regarded her pale face with growing discomfort. Er…Lily, I…

She didn’t respond. Without a backward glance she turned on her heel and vanished out the door.

Lily! Wait! Alex cried and charged after her. He reached the front door just in time to hear the tyres squeal in protest as her Range Rover did a U-turn and raced away. He watched it disappear down the curve of the driveway with growing apprehension and knew then, with absolute certainty, that he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life. He stood listening to the waning hum of the car until it faded away altogether.

And then there was only silence.

He thought back on what Lily had said. It was true enough that Daniel had been a bit high-strung and rather spoiled by both his parents. However, it was news to him that Daniel had been driving drunk when he crashed into the tree. All he recalled were his mother’s words. Daniel killed himself over that Wainwright girl. He purposely crashed his car into the tree. She made him do it! He had no reason to believe, otherwise, especially since his father had stood silently behind his wife saying nothing to contradict her.

A petulant voice behind him cut in to his thoughts. Alex, are you coming back inside?

The wave of panic loomed large. He knew, then, that he’d just done something so awful that he didn’t know where or how to begin making amends. He spun around to face Olivia, a stricken look on his face.

Lily sped down the road as if the very demons were at her back. Turning on to the A65 she headed back to Leeds where she worked, and now lived, as well. She had moved out of her parent’s home a year ago. In spite of the shock she had just received, her thinking was crystal clear. She knew she had to set aside all thoughts of personal anguish for now. For haunt her they would sooner or later. Yes, all but one…her baby.

Earlier that morning she had dropped by her doctor’s office who had officially confirmed what she herself suspected all along. She was seven weeks pregnant. She had been euphoric. She’d already decided to have it, of course, but wondered how Alex would react. Would he be happy, dismayed or angry? She had planned on cooking his favorite dinner that evening and breaking the news to him.

But it no longer mattered now, did it?

What a difference a few hours could make. Lily had read once that life could sometimes turn in a flash. However, the speed with which hers had changed today