The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson (grave mercy .TXT) 📕

eyes widened, and he bent to my ear. “I know very well you can’t hear a word I’m saying with that rackety song in the background,and I have something important to tell you.”

I nodded, slowly rising to my feet.

He offered me his arm, and I raised my hand to take it with little more than a passing thought. But as I settled my fingerson his jacket, a forgotten memory wafted into my mind on a breath of his musky cologne—the day he’d rescued me from my horseaccident. I’d been so pleased to see him that day, so hopeful for the future, but he’d regarded me in the same confusing way,a curious mix of compassion and worry. How familiar the moment felt, but at the same time so tantalizingly unfamiliar. I glancedquickly away. There could be nothing between us, not now.

Ignorant of the thoughts swirling in my mind, Piers led me through the French doors at the back of the room and onto the waitingterrace. I’d expected some sort of comment from someone in the room, but we made our escape into the dampened air with nothingmore than a few inquisitive looks.

The cloudy night had wrapped the countryside in a dreary blanket. What little wind there was snuck around Loxby’s black corners like a clever fox, winding its way up my arms and across my shoulders. I gave a subtle shiver.

Piers turned to face me beside a large potted plant, the moonlight playing tricks with the expression on his face. “Are youcold?”

“A little, but at least I can hear you out here.”

I caught a smile as he moved his head. “I enjoy a performance on the pianoforte as much as the next gentleman, but I’m notcertain what you would call that monstrosity.”

I popped his arm. “Quiet. She might hear you.”

He lifted his eyebrows and laughed. “Not the way she’s playing.”

“What did you need to tell me?”

He regarded me for a moment. “All right. I’ll behave.” Then he gave me another smile. “Hugh happened to mention that Seline’shorse showed up at Rushridge earlier today.”

“Her horse?”

“Avery and I have assumed all along that she took it with her, at least until she and Miles were forced to change horses.”He shifted his weight on the stone floor. “Avery thinks it’s possible that Seline sent the mare off that night, but I havea hard time believing she would do such a thing.” He shook his head. “And if I’m right and Seline was indeed on that horse,something could be terribly wrong.”

The furtive breeze sent a leaf skittering across the terrace. I watched it disappear into the shadows as the tightening inmy chest made it difficult to breathe. “What do you think could have happened?”

He scowled. “I fear Miles might have forced an engagement or perhaps something worse.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. Are you well acquainted with Miles Lacy? Would he do such a thing?” Was that why Mr. Cavanagh hadasked if he hurt Seline?

Piers ran his hand through his hair. “I know his uncle quite well, and he’s the epitome of respectability, but Miles came to Loxby only a year ago. I’ve not been home in that time. I’m afraid I’ve nothing to compare to.”

“Perhaps Avery—”

“Not this time, Charity. This conversation needs to stay between the two of us.” Piers paced the distance between the pottedplant and the wall. “I’m not saying my brother was involved in any way, but the people who were there at the abbey that nightall cry friends with him. I’m not certain he can be completely honest with us, not when he still believes Seline simply ranoff. And one thought keeps circling my mind. Miles Lacy wasn’t at the abbey. At least Avery didn’t see him there—or admithe’d been there.”

I thought for a moment, the quiet of the night humming in my ears. Could we trust Avery, or was he hiding something? “Whatdo you think they were doing there so late at night?”

“That’s what I’d like to know, and I haven’t been able to get a straight answer out of Avery.” Piers glared off into the darkness.Somewhere out there were the ruins of the abbey.

He lowered his voice. “I plan to ride to Kinwich tomorrow and begin my search for answers. It’s the last location anyone sawSeline and the only place I have to begin the search for clues.”

*  *  *

Piers and I returned to the drawing room, and the card game surreptitiously broke up on our arrival. This was the last opportunityI would have to speak with Hugh, so I skirted around the sofa to avoid Priscilla’s gaze and headed to the sidebar where Hughhad stopped to pour himself a drink.

When he didn’t initially turn, I cleared my throat. “Mr. Daunt?”

He spun to face me, a smile sneaking onto his face. “I don’t think you’ve called me that in my entire life.”

I laughed. “I think you may be right.”

“We all missed you while you were away. No one more so than Seline.”

Hugh had always been on the thin side, but up close, particularly when he smiled, I could see the shadows that highlightedhis bones, the sallow color to his skin. Priscilla was right. He looked practically ill.

Perhaps he was. I tried to keep my voice light. “I’m quite glad to be back.”

There was a strange, unsettled movement to his eyes as if he found it difficult to focus on my face. Then abruptly he froze.“Seline isn’t ill, is she?”

My heart took a wild turn. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t have to pretend with me. I heard her arguing with Kendal the other night. She was extremely distraught.”

Uncertain how far to probe, I gave him space to talk. “Did you hear what the argument was over?”

He took a glance at his watch. “I thought she’d come to the abbey to address Kendal’s sudden engagement, but something elsemust have driven her from the house so late. She said she was frightened.”

“Frightened?” I stepped closer. “About what?”

“I don’t know, but I’m certain of one thing. Kendal broke her heart. I could see it in her