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

“I met someone while I was out. A very strange woman who looked a little wild and was dressed like a beggar.”

“Ah,” he smiled. “Peggy Nash. Our local soothsayer, or witch as some call her.”

“What?”

“Peggy has lived here all her life and was brought up in the forest by her father. He called himself a wizard, and claimed to be a Druid. Anyway, when he died, Peggy stayed on in the woods. She’s harmless but very odd.”

“I’ll say. She asked if I would give her the rest of my pie when I was only halfway done with it. I felt sorry for her, so I obliged. And then she said how much she likes you, Uncle, because you share your sandwiches with her.”

“Does he now?” Mrs Stackpoole exclaimed, her eyes round with surprise.

Uncle Jasper chuckled. “Now I’m for it, Jilly.” He smiled at the housekeeper. “Don’t take on, Mrs S. Peggy can smell one of my sandwiches miles away. She’s got a nose like a bloodhound. It doesn’t matter where I am, she’ll find me.”

“Well, I never,” Mrs Stackpoole muttered as she got up and carried her empty bowl to the sink. “You’ve kept quiet about it all this time.”

Uncle Jasper glanced at me, his expression that of a boy caught stealing apples from an orchard. Then he shrugged and tucked into his pudding.

AFTER DINNER, I WENT UP TO my room and while looking in the bedside table drawer, remembered the moonstone. I had not given it a thought since all that had happened with Billy Wolfe. On an impulse, I put it into my pocket and went back downstairs to the parlour.

Uncle Jasper was sipping on a small glass of sherry and reading a book. I waited a moment and then withdrew the tin.

“Uncle, can I ask you a few more questions regarding this?”

He glanced at my hand. “Again, Jilly? I don’t believe I can enlighten you anymore on the subject. I did tell you I was away working at the university when this came about. All I know is what your mother shared with me—and that was not much.”

“Are you certain she never gave the man’s name?”

“Positive. All Gwen said was he had to go abroad and could not take her with him. There was a job waiting for him in India, one he hoped would make his fortune.”

“But why didn’t he simply send for my mother later on? Would that not have solved it all?”

Uncle Jasper pondered this for a moment. He set down his glass. “You know I believe I asked her the same question all those years ago, and I think your mother knew in her heart there was another agenda.”

“I don’t understand.”

With a sigh he closed his book and set it on the table next to him. “Back then, many young men sought fame and fortune in India. The British East India Company was, and still is, very powerful, which drew those looking to make their fortunes. The British population in India was decidedly short of young men with good prospects, while there were a number of wealthy young women in search of husbands. My guess is whoever this chap was, he was already promised to another. Oh, he might have fallen for a young Devon girl, but he would marry where the money was.” He gave a shrug. “Of course, I do not know if my theory is true, but I believe it the best explanation. There is also the possibility the poor man might have succumbed to a nasty foreign disease. No matter, dear girl. There is nothing more I can tell you.” He smiled kindly. “The pendant is symbolic of something which lasts forever, and it is the only relic dear Gwen had after the young man went away. Fortunately, she met your father, and marrying Thom Farraday was the best thing that could have happened to her.”

I was disappointed. Part of me had hoped for a tidbit of information which might explain away my questions. I popped the tin back into my pocket and changed the subject.

I told Uncle Jasper of my meeting that morning with Evergreen’s father, the wealthy businessman. “I hope Mr LaVelle has been able to help Dominic. I have not seen or heard anything else since yesterday. Has Mrs Stackpoole any news from Ruby’s husband in Kendal?”

Uncle Jasper looked at me thoughtfully. Surely, he realised I knew something of their relationship, yet I knew he would not speak of it.

“There is talk of Victor engaging a London solicitor. That is all though. But ’tis early days, Jilly, early days.” With that, he picked up his book, adjusted his wiry spectacles and began to read.

I returned to my room and placed the tin back in the drawer. My mind had moved from my mother’s past, back to Dominic. I was so pleased he finally had someone on his side. Surely a person with Victor LaVelle’s means could impact Billy’s fate. I sat down on my bed and closed my eyes, my heart heavy with the thought of the Wolfe brothers’ awful predicament.

Tomorrow I would try and see Dominic. Perhaps he would have better news or at least more information. Yet as I contemplated my visit, I realised it was not merely to find out more about Billy’s situation. I would use any excuse to be able to see Dominic Wolfe again.

Chapter Eleven

FOUR DAYS REMAINED BEFORE UNCLE Jasper’s lecture at Mountjoy Manor. He was up early. I looked in on him as he worked in the study. He glanced up, and I could see from his expression that his anxiety had peaked once again.

“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything,” I said quietly and went to leave.

“Wait, Jilly.” He stopped me. “Are you all right? You look a little tired. I believe all this melodrama is taking its toll upon you.”

“I am fine,” I assured him. “But perhaps I could work this morning and then take the