The Secret of Hollyfield House by Jude Bayton (first ebook reader TXT) 📕

“Miss Farraday. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

His greeting was friendly and my face warmed at his singular attentiveness. “Hello, Mr Wolfe.”

“Oh, good grief.” Evergreen swung her legs down, so her sandaled feet touched the floor. “You shall both need to dispense with formalities, after all, you two have already met.”

Dominic inclined his dark head to acknowledge her command and then turned his amber eyes to fasten upon my own. I saw the question there and realised he awaited my consent.

“Yes. Do call me Jillian,” I stuttered with embarrassment, though I knew not why. He smiled kindly, and I began to relax.

“Jillian, you are late. We have already begun the session.” Evergreen remarked with a hint of petulance. She gestured to one of the chairs. “Do have a seat. Tell me, what do you think of my dress? I thought it whimsical and romantic for a portrait.”

“It is beautiful.” I heard the wistful note in my voice. “And you look lovely, Evergreen. Your father will assuredly adore the painting, once it is finished.”

“Now, don’t get ahead of yourself,” Dominic chuckled. “I have just begun sketching. You will have to wait before passing judgement.” He moved back behind the easel, and I took my seat.

We fell silent and I suddenly felt awkward. I sought to fill the quiet. “How long have you both known one another?”

Evergreen responded. “Since childhood, although I can’t remember much of that. Father kept us in London mostly. Our time at Hollyfield was brief, but frequent.”

“And I was more familiar with Perry, and Marik.” Came Dominic’s voice behind the easel. “We three played together when the family was in residence.”

I glanced at Evergreen. “Marik has been with your family some time then?”

“Oh yes. He and Perry have grown up together. He is like another brother to me.”

I recalled the dark face, the black eyes. What an interesting family the LaVelles were in comparison to mine.

“But thank goodness for Dom. If I am forced to stay this long at Hollyfield, at least I have one person of my age besides my brother and Marik. And now we have met, Jillian, I have two friends to amuse me while I die of boredom in this godforsaken village.”

“Evergreen’s behaviour has always bordered on the melodramatic,” Dominic said dryly. “She forgets how fortunate she is and tends to complain about one thing or another.”

I smiled while Evergreen pouted. “I do not. It is because I should be in London attending the theatre, going to balls, and—”

“—see what I mean.” Dominic’s head peered around the easel. He gave us both a devilish grin. Evergreen giggled and acquiesced the point.

How close were these friends? Was it a romantic alliance? The idea rubbed against me like an itchy wool vest. Why should it concern me one way or another? But I knew the answer. I was intrigued by Dominic Wolfe. From his tousled dark hair to those intelligent eyes and strong jaw. He was a good-natured fellow to be sure, yet I sensed something more mysterious lurking beneath his exterior. He was an artist. Therefore, I knew he would have a sensitive spirit and an open mind. If Dominic had studied with Millais, then he must be a member of that secret society of painters they called the pre-Raphaelite movement. I had read much about the men who embodied the ideals of reformists, daring to be unconventional.

As if knowing he filled my thoughts, Dominic stepped out from behind the easel and glanced at me before retrieving his bag. I watched him crouch to fumble through the leather satchel in search of an item. Though no giant in stature, he was still a well-built man with a healthy physique—no doubt from years of labouring on his family’s farm. His back muscles rippled beneath the soft linen of his shirt, and my eyes followed the bulge of his thighs as he squatted down low.

I started as his eyes connected with mine, catching my intense study. Our gaze held a moment longer, and I was the first to look away. Had my face betrayed my reflections? My skin warmed with embarrassment. Then I saw the smirk spread across Evergreen’s lips, and I felt ashamed of her observation. Her knowing eyes were full of comprehension and feline in expression.

Nervously I got to my feet. “Shall I get us some refreshment from the kitchen?” I offered.

“Don’t be silly, Jillian. I’ll ring for tea.” Languidly Evergreen stretched out to the glass table next to her and rang a small silver bell.

Dominic resumed his sketching, but the atmosphere had shifted.

“What’s all this then?” Perry LaVelle approached us, wearing a white linen suit and a friendly smile. He nodded at me. “Good day to you, Miss Farraday.”

“Good morning.”

“Wolfe, old chap. What on earth are you up to?” Perry shook hands firmly with Dominic, who pointed to the canvas before him.

“I have been commissioned to paint a portrait of your lovely sister.”

Perry stepped behind the easel. After a moment he peeked around it and grinned at Evergreen.

“Damme, Dom, you’ve captured her perfectly. She’s as broad as a house!”

Evergreen gasped, swung her feet to the ground and made her way to the easel. Her face flushed bright with indignance.

“Whoa.” Perry laughed, signaling for her to stop. “I jest, dearest sister. Calm yourself. Dom has barely started sketching.”

Evergreen wrinkled her nose in annoyance and slapped her brother’s outstretched hand. “You are a rotten swine, Peregrine LaVelle.” But the grin on her face belied her beratement. Evergreen returned to her seat but did not resume the pose. “What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you were with Mr Sneed, studying father’s boring accounts.”

Perry sat on the end of the chaise longue. “I was. But poor old Nicholas has a chill. He was sneezing so violently, at one point, his spectacles popped off his nose.”

We all laughed.

“So instead, I’m off for a ramble up Thatcher’s Peak. Does anyone want to tag along?”

“I might.” The Indian gentleman I had seen at dinner came