“Whatever your heart desires, my angel,” Winnie replied.
“I shall call her Josephine after my mummy, but I’ll shorten it to Josie. Do you think that would be fine?”
“Yes, of course. Absolutely fine. And, this time, you can tell your mum that I gave Josie to you just because we’re special friends and I’ve grown so very fond of you.”
“All right. I’ll do that. Mummy will think she is ever so lovely.”
“Just remember, that our game is a very special secret,” reiterated Winnie.
Estelle was so overcome with joy at the receipt of such a glorious gift that she would have agreed to any request made of her. “I’ll remember, Miss Winnie. Now I think this is a wonderful game.”
From that watershed moment, Estelle’s life and her behaviour became extremely erratic. She and Winnie played the game often. A lovely gift was always waiting. The child was so young, so unaware of the evil in Winnie’s heart. Estelle simply complied with Winnie’s wishes and collected her reward. She had no idea that the wicked acts were changing her. Rage was building deep inside, and although she was but a tyke, that confusion and anger would find its way to the surface in wretched acts.
When Estelle turned six, events took a violent turn for the worse. She became unruly and difficult to handle. She demonstrated above-average intelligence, but her vocabulary was completely inappropriate for such a young child. She used terrible words, and Josephine couldn’t imagine where Estelle had heard them. Nobody, to Josephine’s knowledge, had ever used such language at Winthrop Manor.
She discussed the problem with Hope, who said she had no explanation except that generally when children picked up such vocabulary, it came from having heard adults speak that way. Estelle also talked naughty to Hope, as well as to Josephine and her aunt Elisabeth.
Then they began to notice repeated lies. The lack of truthfulness seemed designed to make trouble for little Susan, Elisabeth’s daughter. Josephine discussed the problem with Elisabeth, who in turn approached Tom.
Josephine made an appointment at his office on Estelle’s sixth birthday. Estelle had taken to spending quite a good bit of time with Vera, but Winnie Lawrence was always nearby. Even at such a young age, Josephine began to recognise that something about the child was abnormal, except that she exhibited above average intelligence, but of an odd variety.
Josephine made the trip to Cloverdale alone. When she was ushered into Tom’s office, she sat down in a chair facing his desk. Before she could open her mouth, tears began to well in her eyes.
“I don’t think I need to enquire as to what is causing you such terrible upset,” Tom began. “It’s Estelle, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yes, Tom. Something just isn’t right about that child. I want to love her, but you’ve seen her behaviour with your own eyes. I’m at a loss as to what to do. Hope is too. She’s received training in Early Childhood Education, as you know. However, she says she’s never witnessed anything remotely like Estelle’s behaviour. She used to be very sweet, but in the past year she has become a holy terror. She uses truly filthy words, and her actions aren’t those of a small child. Elisabeth and I continually have to make certain she doesn’t harm Susan. Tom, she has even tried to make sexual advances toward her little cousin.”
“What sort of sexual advances? My God, Josephine. Susan is my daughter too. That’s very strange for a child of her age and it concerns me. What exactly does Estelle do?” He asked.
“She gets on top of her and makes movements of a sexual nature, um, well, mimicking adults having intercourse.” The conversation was excruciatingly difficult for Josephine, even though Tom was her brother-in-law. “I’ve never seen a six-year-old act in such a manner.”
“Nor have I,” answered Tom. “I hate to say this Josephine, but I’m beginning to think she has inherited her biological father’s evil streak.”
“Surely you can’t believe that.” Josephine was astonished. “Is that sort of thing even possible?”
“There has been very little research done on the subject, so I’m not able to offer a definitive answer. Do you know anything about what Oliver's behaviour was at her age?”
“Not very much,” answered Josephine. “I do recall Lady Beatrice saying that he had been a very difficult child as compared to Win. Nonetheless, I’ve heard many mothers make those sorts of comments. Lady Beatrice never spelled out exactly what she meant by ‘difficult.’”
“There is the possibility that this is simply some sort of phase she’s experiencing, and she’ll grow out of it,” Tom replied.
“My God, I hope so,” said Josephine. “If it’s a phase, it’s not nice of me to say this, but Tom, I don’t like her very much. That’s simply a beastly, wretched comment for me to make.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t believe anyone at Winthrop Manor cares for her very much. Hope has told me she makes every effort to show love and affection to Estelle, but the child has even spit in her face. I understand she spends a lot of time with your retired cook—Mrs. Whitaker, isn’t it?”
“Yes. She’d been with the family for a very long time, as I believe you know. She enjoys Estelle’s company, and Estelle appears to love Vera.”
“Do you know anything negative about Mrs. Whitaker’s background?” Tom asked.
“No. Remember, I only came to Winthrop Manor at about the time she retired and you diagnosed her with dementia. Why do you ask?”
“I only wondered if Estelle’s time with her could be having some sort of negative effect on the child. Have you ever heard her use unseemly language or show any unusual traits?”
“No. What sort of traits? You know, of course, she was involved with Oliver in the kidnapping of Andy. However, that was Oliver taking advantage of Vera’s mental decline. At least that’s what Win believed. I do too.”
“That’s undoubtedly true. What about the companion who watches over Vera?”
“Winnie? Gosh. She seems to be the sweetest person in the world. I didn’t hire her. She was on the premises when I arrived. Apparently, she has excellent references.”
“Still, you should keep an eye on Estelle—a close eye,” said Tom. “I’m somewhat concerned about my own daughter. From what you’ve told me, Estelle is already demonstrating unsavory behaviour toward Susan.”
“Yes, I know. I think I’m going to have to take over disciplining her. Hope and I agreed when I hired her that children should never be spanked. However, Estelle seems to be crossing boundaries right and left. She has to be made to understand that her demeanor is unacceptable.”
“I’m afraid I have to agree, Josephine. Perhaps the problem lies with the fact that she has no father? Nevertheless, I’ve known many a child in the same predicament who don’t manifest such troublesome behaviour. Look at Andy, for example.”
“No. I don’t think that’s it, Tom. I wish Lady Beatrice were still living. I have a sneaking suspicion I’d learn she’s mirroring Oliver’s behaviour. God help us all if that’s the case.”
Tom got up from his chair and walked to Josephine’s side. She also rose. He patted her on the shoulder. “Let’s not jump to conclusions yet. Perhaps it truly will be just a phase,” he remarked.
“Maybe, Tom, but there is going to be a definite change in disciplinary action, and please, don’t let anyone keep any information about any deplorable behavior from me.”
“I promise. You’ll be kept informed.” He escorted her out the doorway.
* * *
Josephine did hold firm to her vow to take matters into her own hands when it came to disciplining Estelle. Nearly every day the child did something unacceptable, and Josephine found herself swatting her little bum repeatedly.
Strangely, Estelle never cried, screamed, or promised she would never act badly again. She simply accepted the punishment, glared with a wicked expression at her mother, climbed down from Josephine’s lap, and ran to Vera’s room. Vera, who had no concept of the difficulties facing the family when it came t
o Estelle, held her, rocked her, and whispered sweet words.
Winnie also took Estelle’s side and never punished the girl for bad acts. Instead, they played their game.
* * *
Estelle and Susan were both seven years old, and life at the manor was a nightmare. The adults had put off allowing the two children to spend much time together as long as possible, hoping that with maturity, more appropriate behavior on the older cousin’s part would arrive. There were times when the two played nicely, but most often Estelle seemed to manipulate Susan into trusting her, only to eventually harm Susan in some way or another.
One day, Hope discovered Susan hanging upside down in the laundry-shoot, gagged and blindfolded! Hope rapidly untied the child, who began to cry hysterically.
“How did this happen, Susan? Who did this?” Hope asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.
“Estelle grabbed me. She said I could play with her dolly,” Susan hiccupped. “When I picked up the dolly, she put a scarf ‘round my mouth and eyes and dragged me to the dirty clothes place.”
Hope was beyond angry. If Susan had not been fastened tightly, she might have fallen straight downward to the first level, where the kitchen and laundry facilities were located. It might very well have ended her life.
While Susan sobbed to Hope about what had occurred, Estelle was in the corner of the nursery, setting the small children’s table for a tea party with doll’s dishes. She looked at Hope with a look of pure innocence, as though she knew nothing about the incident.
Hope walked over to her, and taking Estelle by the collar on her candy-striped dress nearly shouted. “Estelle! You are a devious child. I’ve never said anything like that in my life to you or any youngster. However, you are old enough to know better. Seven years is far too old to be placing your little cousin into harm’s way. Susan might well have been badly injured or even killed. Why do you do such things?”
“She took my doll away from me, Nanny. Mummy gave me that dolly for Christmas. Susan was going to throw it down the laundry place. So, I taught her what it feels like if she’d done it to the dolly.”
Hope was outraged. She knew Estelle was lying. “I’m sorry Estelle, but I don’t believe you. I’ve caught you in several lies before. I haven’t any notion as to why you want to behave in such a naughty way. You are the most mischievous and, yes, evil child I have ever had to deal with. You make your mother very sad. Unfortunately, I shall have to report your behaviour to her again.”
“Go ahead. I don’t care,” Estelle said. “I don’t even like her.”
“What a wicked thing to say about your own mother. You are a nasty child, Estelle,” Hope retorted.
“Susan, follow me. I don’t want to leave you alone here in the nursery with Estelle.” The little girl followed Hope as they left Estelle behind.
As soon as Hope and Susan disappeared, Estelle followed her usual pattern. She ran to Vera’s room.
* * *
There was consideration given after that event to sending Estelle away to a boarding school. Josephine was terribly reluctant to do so, since the child was still quite young. Few schools even considered accepting a child at that age.
However, only a few weeks later Hope was overseeing the two cousins as they seemingly played quietly together in the nursery. Estelle’s overall behaviour appeared to have improved to a slight degree, which was why the two were once again being allowed to interact.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream erupted from little Susan.
Hope ran to Susan’s aide. It was instantly apparent what had occurred. Estelle had thrown a pair of adult scissors at Susan. Blood was pouring out of the child’s right eye. Hope called out for help, and David Carlisle responded. “David, please help,” the young nanny cried. “Susan must be taken to hospital at once. Estelle has thrown a pair of scissors at her, and I am terribly afraid that she has permanently injured Susan’s eye.”
David swept Susan into his arms and carried her to the Rolls Royce. Hope accompanied the child to Winthrop-on-Hart hospital. After immediate medical care was administered, Hope was informed that Susan’s eye had been damaged, but in time would recover. Susan would have to wear a bandage over the eye for quite some time. Hope was nearly sick to her stomach. Estelle needed to be harshly disciplined. How on earth would she break such ghastly news to Elisabeth and Josephine?
Back at the manor, Elisabeth was devastated when Hope shared the details with her. Naturally, Elisabeth rushed to Susan’s bedside accompanied by Tom. A top eye specialist arrived from London. After examining Susan, he reached the same conclusion that the physician at Winthrop-on-Hart hospital had formed. By the grace of God, the scissors had missed the pupil of the eye and it was expected to completely heal in time.
Josephine had arrived at hospital too, sick at heart for her sister- and brother-in-law and mostly for her sweet niece. Josephine didn’t believe for one moment that what had transpired had been an accident. Susan stated clearly, and with no confusion that Estelle had thrown the scissors at her with direct aim at her eye. It had been no game.
After that devastating event, a decision was made that the two cousins would no longer be allowed to spend time together. Josephine was at her wit’s end. It seemed the only plausible solution. Estelle had only continued to worsen as she’d grown older.
Tom and Elisabeth moved back to their own home in Cloverdale in a desperate attempt to protect their beloved daughter.
Josephine continued to catch Estelle listening behind doors on the infrequent times when the countess had a friend paying a social call to Winthrop Manor. Even when the vicar came by the child secreted herself behind furniture in the drawing room in order to overhear conversations. She was underhanded and sneaky. At long last, Josephine excused Hope from having to watch over her, and the lovely nanny was given only supervision of Susan in Cloverdale. The two cousins never saw one another.
* * *
Strangely, Andy, Vera, and Winnie were the only persons in the manor household whom Estelle actually seemed to like. When Andy was home from school, Estelle behaved like a different child. She brought him books, asking him to read them to her, and as she matured she took him to her room and showed him the drawings she had done as well as embroidery work she had completed. Andy never saw the side of Estelle the rest of the family had to cope with. It was confusing.
Josephine made attempts to draw him out regarding his thoughts about her, but Andy said he could see nothing amiss. To him, she seemed like a perfectly normal child.
Hope made every attempt to make Andy understand what the family regularly faced, but again, he found it difficult to believe her stories. Instead, he began to side with his sister and reached the conclusion that for some inexplicable reason everyone in the household had it in for Estelle, except Vera and Winnie. There was absolutely no consideration given to attempt a conversation with Vera, since her mental abilities made such a thought absurd. Instead, Andy thought everyone seemed google-eyed over Susan.
Chapter Thirteen
After Andy graduated from Eton in 1937, he returned home for the summer and began to learn the intricacies of operating an enormous holding like Winthrop Manor. He had been taught rudimentary tasks from the time his father had died. He was eighteen and would be starting Oxford in the fall. When he reached his majority at age twenty-one, he would become the Earl of Winthrop.
Andy excitedly returned to Winthrop Manor thrilled to see his mother and Estelle. Tom, Elisabeth, and Susan once again moved over to the manor to be there for the summer months in order to see as much of Andy as possible. Susan’s eye had completely healed after repeated surgeries and the youngster had to wear special eye glasses. A close eye was kept on Estelle. She acted the perfect angel for almost the entire summer. However, apparently expecting her to maintain proper decorum for an entire three months was more than anybody should have expected.
On Andy’s second-to-the-last day home, he asked Estelle if she would like to accompany him to t
he chapel connected to the main house.
Estelle readily agreed, although she always refused to take part in any of the religious services in the Anglican Church and maintained that she did not believe in God. Andy appeared to be the only soul on Earth she cared at all about, besides Vera and Winnie, so no matter where he was going, she would undoubtedly have agreed to go with him.
He held her hand as they walked down the stone pathway leading to the chapel.
When she and Andy reached the chapel door, he held it the open for her and she entered. Andy followed. He walked down the center aisle and stepped in front of the main altar, where he knelt to pray. Estelle sat down in a pew next to him. He spent a good deal of time in that position, praying for his family. In particular, he asked God to watch over them during his absence.
Andy was about to rise, when Estelle slipped out of her pew and knelt beside him. Andy was pleased to see her perform such an act. To his knowledge, it was the first time she had done so. She genuflected and crossed herself, which Andy found astonishing, since he hadn’t even known she was familiar with Anglican rituals. She was kneeling very close to him. He kept his head down, continuing to pray for his family and his for all of those who resided at Winthrop Manor.
Estelle’s hand slowly made its way toward Andy. His eyes were tightly closed and he wasn’t aware of the movement. Then, in a swift motion, she placed her hand on the crotch of his pants.
Andy leaped up, pulling away, completely dumbfounded. His eyes flew open, and he looked at Estelle’s face.
Her eyes were closed, but she was not praying.
“Estelle!” He grabbed hold of her hand. “What in God’s name do you think you’re doing?” His voice echoed in the silent chapel.
War Comes Home to Winthrop Manor: An English Family Saga (Winthrop Manor Series Book 2) Page 12