Beneath the Veils: The Beneath Trilogy, #1

By C. A. Mitchell

She wanted a career. He wanted Children. He broke his promise…

Parties were not Adley's thing. Yet, he walked into a crowd of people he had never met before. But it wasn't the crowd of men who caught his attention; it was the beautiful slim blonde woman that stood amongst them.

Smiling and chatting, Barbara captivated everyone, including Adley. But was she out of his league? It didn't matter—he wanted her.

'Dance with me?' Who was this man who dared to ask when she was with another—but she was intrigued. So, while they danced, he made promises he could never keep.

The holiday he promised her was meant to be one of relaxing with friends and children. But control does not make a loving relationship. And sometimes relationships are deadly—was this one of them?

The holiday turns to disaster. And Life becomes a scramble to protect Barbara from the truth. As their lives unfold, they fill with secrets. But secrets are not always based on the truth—so who will separate them?

For some, being a mother or father is just a name.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rampart Books Ltd
• Release date: Oct 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781915778505

Book preview

Chapter 1

She was stunning, even more beautiful than that. But when Adley saw her at that party. She was the girl he wanted. But in his heart, he felt he could never have her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her while five men surrounded her as she laughed. She was the prettiest woman in the room and destined to be a brilliant lawyer. Blonde and slim with sharp blue, almost topaz eyes. She had it all—and he wanted her. Now was his chance, and this may be his only chance, to get her.

Taking a sidestep, Adley confronted Barbara. Then he smiled as he looked deep into her eyes. ‘Would you like to dance?’

‘Would I like to dance?’ she repeated; her blue eyes looked at Adley with great surprise. Who was this man? And then those eyes turned to the older man who had brought her. ‘I’m being asked to dance here, Gerald.’

‘Yes, you are, aren’t you? Tell him you’re afraid you can’t dance with him.’

‘I can’t, Gerald?’

‘No dear, you can’t. Just thank him for his invitation—then tell him you can’t.’

She smiled. ‘Gerald tells me I can’t, and I’m afraid I must tell Gerald that I can, and I will.’

And that was it. He had won her, not just for one dance but for the rest of the evening. But could he keep her for the rest of his life?

He thought about this evening many times. Two years into their marriage, and marrying Barbara was still the best thing he’d ever done. He wanted her, and he had succeeded; a woman he thought he could never have was now sharing his life. This was the first time he had got what he wanted, and he’d take care of her forever. She’d never be disappointed by him.

Of course, there were a few minor problems. After all, who can go through married life without some contradictions? As with all contracts, terms and conditions apply. Before they married, part of the deal was she didn’t want children.

‘I’m not cut out to be a mother, Adley, so if I marry you, you must promise me we won’t have children.’

He promised with his fingers crossed behind his back. But now, here she was, a mother to one little girl and twins on the way. Yes, she was happy. But for a woman who didn’t want children, she was very fertile.

Sometimes Barbara found it tough with their first child, as this child had a defect. It was a shock for them both. You would think she’d love her child automatically; after all, this was their child. But from their love together, they had created imperfection. Was this saying something about their passion?

It wasn’t Selah’s fault, their eldest daughter. To love the child means to love the defect. Someone cruelly put her together with her left foot on the other way so she hobbled, dragging her leg behind her.

This affected Barbara more than him. Then one day, he came home to hear hysterical laughter coming from the child’s nursery. Barbara was laughing, and she couldn’t stop herself until Adley slapped her across the cheek, and then she burst into tears.

‘I can’t, Adley, I can’t touch her. I’ve tried, but it’s her leg. Have you ever seen anything as hideous and ugly as that?’

‘But it’s not her fault.’

‘So, whose fault is it—mine? Was it my fault she was born warped? Oh, if I knew this was how she was growing in my womb, all twisted and contorted, then I would have grabbed a knife, and cut her out myself.’

Hearing this shocking description coming from his perfect wife’s mouth, Adley knew he had to do something. Barbara’s mind could sometimes be very fragile. His fault was he insisted she gave up work just for the first year after their baby’s birth. He should have realised how important work was for her. But sometimes, just sometimes, he forgot.

‘You love law more than you love your child.’ This was the first time he was furious at her. He waited for her to answer back and retaliate, but she didn’t. She didn’t say anything. She got up and walked out of the room. There was no way she could fight for herself; it was then he understood how vulnerable she was.

He had to face the fact it was difficult for either of them to love a child with such a deformity, which was why they had no alternative but to get a nanny. Unrelated, this woman would see things more objectively. As it wasn’t her child, her love for Selah was more natural and less discriminating. And now they appreciated the child, and it was all down to Alice. Alice showed them how to care for their little girl, but if Adley had to be honest, Barbara was still finding it difficult to touch her firstborn.

***

Now, at two and a half, Selah would be without her nanny for the first time in two years. Alice needed a break, and she deserved it. She had been very loyal and supportive to them. Alice was taking a two-week holiday to go home and see her parents. Alice was in her room packing, and the stand in nurse was already busying herself by sorting her clothes and arranging her new schedule for the arrival of the newborn twins.

‘Mummy will soon be home, Selah, with a little sister or brother for you to play with,’ smiled Adley. ‘You’ll like that, darling.’ The little girl was now trying to climb onto his leg when he wanted to get up. ‘Now, come on, Selah, I’ve got to get ready for work. Alice—Alice, where are you? Can you give me a hand? Selah, you’re gripping my arm too tight; daddy has got to go to work. Selah, stop that, stop punching me. You’ll make daddy angry. Oh, what is it, darling? Why are you crying, eh? Come on, darling, tell me?’

Leaning across, Adley retrieved the child. She had now screwed her hands up to cover her eyes. A strange whining, whimpering noise came from her slender frame.

‘Now what’s all this? What are these tears for? Everyone loves you, Selah, Mummy does, Daddy does, Alice and now Maria does. She’ll be looking after you, Selah, and you will like her, and she’ll love you because you’re daddy’s little girl. But I’ve got to go to work, Selah. Oh, Alice, there you are. Take Selah for me. It’s almost time she went to pre-school.’

At the mention of pre-school, Selah began hitting Adley. Adley took hold of her little arms, still trying to beat him ferociously with all her strength.

‘Is this a new thing?’ Adley said, passing the now kicking child across to Alice. ‘I can’t remember ever doing anything like that when I was a child. Where has she learned it from? I’ve never hit her, and Barbara would never strike her. Selah, calm down, you’re being naughty, and daddy doesn’t like it.’ He frowned at his little girl, who was now standing by her nanny. Staring at him, she placed her hand to her mouth and started biting her fingers.

‘If you like, Mr Brice, I can cancel my holiday. I’m only going to stay with my parents for two weeks,’ Alice was stroking the top of Selah’s silky, dark blonde head. The child had become quiet, and her rather dark eyes were thoughtful.

‘No, I can’t ask you to do that. You haven’t had a proper break for months, well, years, in fact. It’s almost as if you have given up your life to help us with ours.’

‘I don’t mind, I’d probably be worrying and wondering how Selah, and yourselves were and how you were getting on with the arrival of the—well, you know what.’

Adley frowned. ‘Do you think she might be jealous? Is that why she’s hitting me? Where has she learned to be so aggressive?’

‘She’s afraid, and she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Explaining to her doesn’t mean anything; she can understand, but only to a certain point.’

‘I knew she’d be jealous. We were told to expect it, and we’ve been doing everything to counteract it by involving her much more. I don’t know what else we can do. But there, look at her now; she’s fine with you.’

‘I can telephone my mother and tell her I’m not coming. I sort of half suggested I might be needed, so she won’t be surprised when I cancel.’

‘Look, Alice, if you do, I will make it up to you. She seems so much calmer with you.’

***

It was two o’clock when the telephone shrilled through the rooms. With a rush, Alice hurried across to pick up the receiver. It had taken a long time trying to get Selah off to sleep, even though Alice had read several stories to her. The child knew what was happening; it was as if she was trying to delay the new arrivals.

‘This is the Brice’s residence.’

‘Alice, it’s me, Mr Brice. Barbara’s just had twins. They’re both girls, and they’re beautiful. So sweet, so tiny, and so perfect. They were five pounds each, which is a good size for twins, and Barbara had no problems with these little darlings. They’ve been cleaned up already, and Barbara is holding them in her arms, and this time she asked to hold them. I’m so happy. I can’t believe how it’s all turned out. They’re perfect.’

‘I’m thrilled for you both, Mr Brice.’

‘Oh, forget about Mr Brice. Call me Adley. You are, for goodness’ sake, one of the family now, or at least you should be.’

‘Thank you,’ Alice smiled, wondering, as was her custom to what would happen in the future. ‘Selah is sound asleep.’

‘Oh yes, how is Selah? I meant to ask, excited, I suppose. It’s so different from Barbara’s first birth with Selah. She had an awful time with the baby blues, but you know all that’s behind us, and Barbara is absolutely devoted to Selah now. I’ve notified all the grandparents, and they regretted not being there for the birth, but I said, what was the point? You can’t do anything. So why break off your holiday to sit in a waiting room? It’s so wonderful to see Barbara relaxed and happy.’

‘Congratulations, Adley, and would you give my best wishes to Barbara?’

‘It will be my pleasure.’

‘Can I ask when Barbara will be home, or rather when the hospital will allow her to come home?’

‘As there haven’t been any complications like the first time, and also knowing as they do about the midwife staying with us for three weeks, she should be home in two days. I think the worry is about her earlier depression.’

‘Selah will be pleased to see her mother.’

‘And I’ll be glad to have Barbara back home—although it’s a bit daunting to think I’m now the father of three. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I’ll cope. It’s almost like being a parent for the first time again.’

‘And for Selah, it will probably take her a while to adjust. We need to give her some extra attention and a little more fuss. She’s been used to being the only child.’

‘I’m sure she’ll be fine,’ Adley said. Confidently still recovering from an emotional high.

‘I won’t tell her about the new sisters tonight, but would you like to tell her tomorrow? Will you be coming home tonight?’ Alice was concerned.

‘I rather promised Barbara I’d stay with her tonight. I haven’t really held my new daughters yet, and would you believe it, we haven’t got any names for them babies either. Although my mother suggested Isabella for a name, which is exquisite, though I think Barbara has her own ideas. She wants to have similar sounding names, beginning with the same letter. I’m not sure if it will work, though. But really, I’m so happy at the moment to think of anything mildly annoying.’

‘My concern is with Selah; do you want me to tell her about her new sisters in the morning when she wakes?’

‘No, let me do it. I want to see the look on her face when I tell her.’

‘Supposing she asks me in the morning, what shall I say to her?’

‘Tell her you don’t know. Tell her the babies haven’t arrived yet.’ The happy, celebrating voice of a new father became strained and edged with annoyance.

But Alice still had to ask these questions. She had to tell him she couldn’t deny everything of herself and her feelings to appease what he did or didn’t want to know. ‘I don’t like lying.’

A sigh; the type that sends you into a downward spiral of despair. ‘How can you be lying to a child? She still doesn’t know what’s real and what isn’t. Just be kind to her and make her happy, buy her something from Barbara and me and tell her we’re very pleased with her and want her to be happy. For God’s sake, I don’t need to tell you how to do your job.’

‘That’s not very kind of you, Mr Brice. I’m a good worker, and I know how to look after children.’

‘You’re right, of course, but it’s been a long night and a worrying one, especially after the birth of Selah. Please forgive me. I suppose I’m a little fraught. And I’m doubly sorry because I probably got you out of bed.’ Adley was now on his best behaviour. He was tired and was doing his utmost to accommodate everyone’s feelings, yet no one appeared to consider him. It had been a long and worrying pregnancy for Barbara, but more so, he felt for him.

It never occurred to him Barbara was not as keen on children as he was, which didn’t mean she wasn’t an excellent mother. She was terrific, but, understandably, Selah got on her nerves and often drove Barbara to tears. But she never hit the child. Adley couldn’t understand people who hit their children. What sort of monsters were they? Some people think it’s their right as a parent to slap them around. Would they like it if someone several times their size, assaulted them?

Truthfully, though, raising a small child wasn’t easy, and people who do it well need respect. But one thing he knew was he and Barbara were good parents. Maybe not the best, but life is a learning curve.

Chapter 2

Both sets of grandparents thought it a good idea they pay a visit to see the new babies after their holiday. Barbara resented the idea.

‘They’ve come to check me out.’ Barbara stared at Adley. Hurt and anger were in her eyes.

‘No darling, I think they just want to see the new babies, our babies. They want to see for themselves how beautiful they are, and they are, darling. They take after you, with big beautiful blue eyes.’ Adley couldn’t help being concerned about Barbara. No matter how he tried to circumnavigate his fears, he often watched and waited for her temper to flare up.

But she was okay with Lydia and Lucy; she was relaxed and confident when they were with her. The new midwife found her care fell into the background. Maria told them they should use her because they were paying over a thousand a week for her services. She was a very sensible woman in her early thirties, roughly about the same age as Barbara. And she was very efficient and confident in her work. Yet Adley still needed to ask Maria what most people want to know when someone is of a certain age—are you married? Maria was practically unemotional and said no. She never desired to be married. She liked her life just the way it was. She wanted to travel and the feeling that she had no ties. The money was good, and she was completely independent. In seventeen years, when her pension plan matures, she will retire. Maybe buy a B and B somewhere near the coast and employ people to take care of the business. This was not what Adley wanted to hear. These were not natural thoughts.

***

When Selah walked into the room, usually behind Alice, a shy child now, her eyes travelling hesitantly to the large double crib where the babies lay. Barbara’s and Adley’s eyes strayed nervously towards the child. It’s not that Adley thought she’d do anything to harm her new sisters; she was just curious.

‘Do you want to see your new sisters?’ smiled Alice, picking up Selah’s hand and gently drawing her towards the large crib? Alice looked into the wicker bed and smiled at the two slumbering, identical babies. ‘I think this one is called Lydia?’

‘No, no, that’s Lucy,’ Barbara corrected, putting her arm up almost in defence as if the spread of her air and breath brought diseases that could be transmitted to the perfect ones. ‘Don’t talk too loud you might wake them,’ Barbara tried to smile, but nothing came except a grimace straightening her lips.

‘Of course,’ laughed Alice, still holding on to Selah’s hand. ‘But they both look so alike, and at their age, it’s impossible to tell, isn’t it, Selah?’

Adley looked towards Barbara, a frown was forming between her brows. His heart began beating hard as the fear returned. ‘I still find it hard to tell Lydia from Lucy,’ he tried hard to laugh, to pass off the strained atmosphere. He saw Selah staring hard at her mother. ‘You know, darling,’ he stretched out his arm to catch hold of his little daughter. ‘Pops and nanny are coming to see us, won’t that be fun? Perhaps you can wear your new pink dress for them. You will look beautiful, which you always are.’

***

Barbara was sitting in her rocking chair beside the crib, and motherhood glowed through her eyes at these eight-day-old newborns. A look of serenity as though at last everything made sense, and then she turned her attention to her eldest daughter, and her expression changed. What was that look? It was as if Barbara felt pain when she beheld Selah’s presence? She blinked her eyes slowly and turned her focus back to the twins. This recent discovery haunted Adley; he was determined to discover why his loving wife couldn’t find it in her to feel the joy for Selah that came so quickly upon seeing the twins. Why couldn’t she find that feeling inside for Selah? Later, he came back into the room to find her with the sleeping twins.

‘What do you mean?’ Barbara was genuinely surprised. ‘Of course, I love Selah; she’s my eldest daughter, isn’t she? But I suppose it’s only natural to feel more protective towards the twins. They’re young and vulnerable, and a child of Selah’s age isn’t responsible for her actions. She could be jealous of them, and not meaning to, could harm my daughters. I think it’s better she doesn’t come too close to the girls.’

‘She needs your love as well, Barbara.’ Adley insisted gently.

‘And she gets my love, dosen’t she—’

‘When was the last time you cuddled her?’

‘What is this—a trial? I cuddled her maybe a few days ago.’ Barbara looked annoyed. She felt she was being criticised.

‘You haven’t given her any physical affection for months,’ Adley replied in response to the rising anger in Barbara’s voice.

Releasing a sigh of indignation, Barbara was angry. ‘I was pregnant,’ she carried on slowly. ‘Do you know what it’s like to be pregnant and near the end of your labour? It’s fucking hard work. And you think I should bend down when I feel so uncomfortable? It’s enough for me to keep myself together, waddling like a fucking duck and feeling hot, with two pairs of limbs kicking the shit out of me and two pairs of fists thrashing at my sides, trying to get out. And then you expect me to bend down and?’ Barbara shook her head in disbelief. ‘I’m the one who was pregnant and in great discomfort, and you presume I was it easy sitting on my ass?’

‘Selah could have sat on your lap. It would have been nice to see you two together. I just mention this because—’

‘It’s the most natural thing to do. Yes, I know. I’m sorry, Adley, I can’t. I can’t make a fuss of Selah. I don’t know why, but I just can’t? When I look at her, I feel guilty—’

‘Guilty about what?’ Adley quickly interrupted Barbara, as if finding a fault in some legal argument.

‘Guilty that I can’t love her as I’m supposed to. There you are, pleased with yourself now? Do you have the answer you’re looking for? That I’m a bad mother, and I should be punished for not loving one of my children the way I’m supposed to?’

‘It’s not your fault, Barbara, and I won’t have you talking about yourself like this. You had a bad time after the birth of Selah. I’m sure you’ll be able to come to love her more. She certainly needs your love.’

‘From what I see, she’s getting sufficient of that from the nanny.’ Barbara’s eyes flashed to Adley to see his response. ‘Oh, I didn’t mean that. Far from it. But she’s not so badly treated, is she? Alice appears to be making up for what I seem to lack, being a good mother.’

This discussion now was curtailed as both parents’ eyes went to the waking babies. Instantly, everything said was forgotten as they moved swiftly to their infants’ needs.

Chapter 3

‘How are you feeling, darling?’ Jennifer took off her coat and gave it to a passing Alice. Jennifer was Barbara’s mother, and her highlighted hair redeemed the hostility of ageing. She looked sophisticated and good for her age. The lines which she should have had disappeared into the arms of Botox. But she didn’t look to be Barbara’s sister. She was intelligent and attractive, and her concern for her daughter was almost genuine.

‘I’m okay, mother,’ Barbara had a habit of forming her words and separating them as if to distance herself from any supposed emotional criticism. The past was the past, and she didn’t want to be reminded of her first daughter’s faults. ‘There is really is nothing wrong with me except for the fact I’m still physically recovering from childbirth.’

The maternal eye turned to Adley to enquire. ‘Is she okay, Adley? She looks better than I imagined.’

‘Mother, stop it. I haven’t lost my faculties by giving birth. And nor my voice.’

Adley smiled. ‘You can see for yourself, Jennifer, how Barbara is. Feisty, still ready for the attack and still an excellent lawyer.’

‘Oh darling, you’re seriously not thinking about returning to work, are you?’ Jennifer managed to look shocked, though the indentations on her brow didn’t make much of an impression.

‘And why not?’

‘Well, I’d have thought that was obvious. You’ve got three children, young children now. Young children need their mother. I never went back to work when I had you and your brother.’

‘That’s because you never had a career, mother.’ Barbara walked off, making her way back to the young infants.

‘I’m sorry, Jennifer,’ Adley held out his hand as if he didn’t know what to say. ‘Barbara is still adapting to having three children.’

‘Oh, there’s no need to apologise to me. She’s always done her own thing—it’s her way or no way. It shouldn’t have upset me how she thinks fit to treat her mother. Although I’ve always regarded myself as being a wonderful mother.’

‘Jennifer, just leave the girl alone,’ Douglas put a hand on his wife’s shoulder. ‘She’s, like Adley said, just given birth.’

‘And I never did?’ Jennifer turned on her husband.

Then the doorbell rang. It was Richard and Sylvia, Adley’s parents. Sylvia, in her excitement, pressed the doorbell again and then again.

‘We got stuck on the motorway,’ Sylvia was wreathed in smiles, her personality bubbling before her. ‘The M25 isn’t how the M25 ought to be. We left early enough, but it’s all those lorries which gang up together determined to overtake one another.’

‘Yes, Sylvia,’ sighed Richard, interrupting. ‘We get what you mean. Give him the envelope.’

‘I thought I should give it to Barbara; she’s the one who’s had the babies. We also brought some flowers for Barbara, but they’re still in the car. Richard, go fetch them, darling. Oh, hello Jennifer, you’re looking younger every time I see you. One day you’ll be younger than the grandchildren. Talking about grandchildren, let me see the latest arrivals.’

***

‘Well, the money must be good if he can afford a nanny and a midwife. I know they’re very expensive, but that’s young people for you. Able to throw their money around,’ and then under her breath. ‘Even if they can’t afford it.’ Sylvia looked up and smiled at Jennifer, who was sitting opposite her. ‘Still, I think the little gift will come in handy.’

‘Yes, mother, that was very generous of you. In fact, a shock. Are you certain you can afford it?’

‘It doesn’t matter whether we can afford it,’ nodded Sylvia, drinking her wine. ‘It’s for the twins’ future. It won’t pay for the entire three-year course at Oxford, so we’ll have to top that up later. But it’ll certainly help for their first year. It’s the least we can do as grandparents. Families ought to rally around these days to help out?’ and then beneath her breath, but still audible. ‘Even though some people think they can get away with a free ride.’

‘How much did you give?’ asked Jennifer, now fired up with anger.

‘Jennifer—’ glared Douglas.

‘Well, she obviously wants us to know? Can’t you see how she’s throwing it in our faces to show how wonderful they are and how mean we are?’

‘Ten thousand,’ Sylvia was quick to take this opportunity.

‘Mother, stop it. You’re becoming an embarrassment.’

‘Well, she asked, Adley. I’ve done nothing wrong except, perhaps, to be generous.’

‘That’s exactly what we had in mind to give.’ Jennifer’s eyes stared aggressively into the competition.

‘I’m giving you your check back, Mother.’ Adley didn’t like what was happening. ‘Barbara and I can take care of our children’s future, despite what you are trying to imply.’

‘You can never have enough money, Adley, so stop being stupid. If Jennifer wants to help with the finances, then let her. You’ll have twenty thousand instead of ten. You’ll also be more secure knowing both sides of the family are contributing.’

‘It’s really kind of everyone, but Barbara and I have very healthy incomes. Neither of the twins will go without, including Selah.’ Adley was looking at no one in particular across the table.

The mention of the firstborn drew surprise. For a moment, the room went silent.

‘She’s a very