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

fine residence.” I said. “I know it is a stately home, yet I like that the place does not take itself too seriously. I mean, it is welcoming and comfortable.”

“A fine analogy, Jillian.” He grinned, and I noticed one of his front teeth was slightly crooked. This was no flaw. Indeed, it added to his character.

“I’ve always thought it a marvellous place,” he continued. “And the grounds are wonderfully extensive.” His voice held fond appreciation.

“You would be an authority on that subject I should think. If your family has worked here many years, I imagine you know it well.” We turned onto Lake Road and hearing several geese squabbling overhead on their journey to the lake, I glanced up.

“I do. Father spent his life working Wolfe Farm, and taking care of Hollyfield also. Our family holding is not large, but enough to keep us in food. We have a wheat field which we harvest and take to the mill in Ambleside. A small flock of sheep, milk cows, pigs and chickens. My mother, and brother, helped out on the farm, which allowed father to earn extra money gardening for the LaVelles.”

“Your father was a hard worker,” I said respectfully. “Is it difficult now, managing the farm with only your brother’s help?”

Dominic shrugged. “Honestly, it can be challenging at times. Billy has some problems, but he is a strong lad and not afraid of hard work.”

Instantly Evergreen’s unkind comments jumped into my thoughts. I pushed them away. “How old is your brother?”

“Fifteen last March, though you’d take him for grown if you saw him.” Pride shone in his eyes as he spoke of his sibling, and I warmed to this man even more. Though masculine in each cut of his build, it was the sensitive side of Dominic Wolfe which I found so very endearing.

“Here is the farm,” he announced as we rounded another bend on the road. “Why don’t you come along and see the place, if you have time?”

“I would like that.” I was, in truth, madly curious to see it. Wolfe Farm aroused an unsubstantiated interest in me.

The farmhouse was more impressive than I expected. It was built of brick and, like Hollyfield House, had thick ivy trailing up to the roof. To one side stood a barn in good repair, and next to that, a stable which might accommodate several horses. There was another building which I assumed must be the cowshed.

Dominic led me towards the house as a figure came out of the barn.

“Billy, come and meet Miss Farraday,” Dominic shouted over to him, and the boy came towards us, wiping his hands on a piece of rag. As he approached, it became apparent that his features were unusual. His body was stocky and muscular, and though larger than his brother, he was not much taller than me. Billy’s hair was thick and wavy, his eyes a similar colour to Dominic’s, but there the similarities ended. It was as though a part of him did not belong to the other. His neck seemed too short, his head too small. The plane of his face and nose were flat. His lips were thick, and his eyes slanted upwards as though smiling.

“Billy, this is my friend, Jillian.”

The lad grinned at me and held out a big hand. I took it. “Pleased to meet you, Billy.” I smiled.

“You too, miss.” He spoke with the pronunciation of a young child, though his voice was deep and his words quite clear. “Do you want to see the cows? There’s babies.”

“Spring is Billy’s favourite time on the farm, Jillian. He has a soft spot for the calves and spends too much time with them. Don’t you, brother?” Dominic ruffled Billy’s hair.

“I like ’em,” he said. “They be all soft an’ new. They smell good too.”

“I would love to see them,” I said enthusiastically, and he beamed and held out his hand. I took it and allowed him to lead me into the cowshed. Dominic stayed behind, but I felt comfortable enough with the lad.

The cowshed was darker than outdoors, but it smelled of sweet hay and livestock. Billy walked quickly towards the back of the shed. His face shone bright with pleasure and the excitement of showing me his pets. We reached the last few pens, and I saw three cows in their stalls with babies. One cow had twin calves, who were latched on to their mother, drinking hungrily.

“This one, she’s named Sophie, that’n is Isabelle an’ the brown one here is my favourite. Her name be Sally.”

I peered over the metal gate at the sibling calves. “They are adorable, Billy. No wonder you are proud of them. They look so healthy. You must work hard taking such good care of them.”

“I do,” he said. “But we can’t keep ’em—I wish we could, but Dom has to take ’em to market once they’re weaned.” He looked at me mournfully. “I cry when they go away.”

His face was so sad, and his sentiment heartfelt. Billy was a contradiction in terms. His strong body, manly and mature, while his heart and mind were still that of an innocent, a child.

“It is always hard to say goodbye to the things we love, Billy. But you know they are going to new homes where they will be taken care of.” I had no idea if that was even the case, but it seemed an appropriate response.

“That’s what Dom says.” He grinned. “Let’s go an’ find him.”

Dominic was in the farmhouse, putting a kettle on the hob to boil. “I hope you enjoyed your tour?” He glanced up as Billy and I came into the kitchen.

“I did indeed.” I scoured the room. It was a little untidy and devoid of female touch, but generally clean and welcoming.

“Would you have a cup of tea before you go, Jillian?”

“No, thank you, I had better not. There is a great deal of work waiting for me at home. Though Evergreen thinks me readily available I have much work to