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

had the benefit of an education, and is considered to own some intelligence, you speak like an ignorant plebeian.”

Evergreen glared at her father, unfazed by his stern comments. She nonchalantly picked up her glass of wine and sipped.

He continued. “I thought better of you than to stoop so low, Evergreen. That was badly done.”

Much to my surprise, she shrugged her shoulders and brushed off her father’s reprimand.

Marabelle joined the discussion. “Billy has never misbehaved to my knowledge.” Her eyes gazed at Victor, and even I could see how hard she wanted to please the man. “In all the years he’s worked at Hollyfield, his manners have been exemplary. Why, the boy is usually off in his own world, that of the gardens and tending livestock.” Marabelle’s expression was soft and sanguine, almost unrecognizable from her usual sharpness.

“Oh, for goodness sake, stop sucking up to Father,” Evergreen snapped with irritation. “You dislike Billy every bit as I, so don’t be disingenuous, Cousin.”

“Enough.” Victor banged his fist upon the table and the room fell silent. The moment grew awkward.

I quickly turned to the man beside me. “Tell me, Lord Mountjoy, how do your preparations for the Pharmaceutical Society’s meeting fare? Are you ready for the grand event?”

“Indeed I am.” The older man fixed his gaze upon me. “And I do hope you will be in attendance, Miss Farraday, as it promises to be a most delightful evening. Several prominent members of the society will be present, and there is much excitement about your uncle’s speech.”

Monty Mountjoy had once been a handsome man. His eyes were still a piercing blue, his profile aquiline and haughty. Yet he had a pleasant way about him, and I did not feel uncomfortable conversing, even with the vast gap between our class.

“Do you have any interest in flora, Miss Farraday?” Louisa Mountjoy asked as the hint of a smirk played at the corner of her mouth. Did she mock me? Perhaps.

“Not in the slightest,” I stated, and Victor burst out laughing.

“My but you are such a blunt young lady,” he said, dabbing his serviette against his mouth as he set down his glass. “Jasper, is your niece always so—forthcoming?”

Uncle Jasper nodded. “I am afraid so. Indeed, I can assure you sir, Jilly is on her best behaviour this evening. Usually, she would be far less polite, especially about flora and the like.”

“I have to agree with her, for I find the subject rather tedious,” Lady Louisa said huskily. “Dear Monty can expound upon the topic of a leaf until I am almost in a coma.”

“Like Father and his blasted steamships,” Evergreen added. “He can go on all day about engine pressures. Men are easily amused by simple subjects.”

“I find the shipping industry interesting.” Marabelle countered with a glance at her host.

“Of course, you do dear.” Evergreen threw her cousin a wilting look.

Victor rose. “Well, if we are finished at table, let us adjourn to the parlour for coffee,” he suggested. He glanced at the men. “Unless Monty, Jasper, you prefer to remain in here for cigars?”

Lord Mountjoy smiled benevolently. “No, Victor. I’m happy to accompany the ladies. I’d rather look at them, than you and the professor.”

We settled in the parlour. I found myself seated next to Lady Mountjoy while Marabelle hovered close to Victor as he conversed with the two other men. Evergreen sat in her chair observing the guests, her expression that of a hungry cat determining which bird to pounce upon.

“Are you originally from this area, Lady Mountjoy?” I struggled to make polite conversation.

Her mahogany eyes contemplated me. “Good lord, no. I hail from Taunton, in Somerset. I am a long way from home—much like yourself.” Our eyes met and locked, and I realised Louisa Mountjoy was not exactly a mean-spirited woman, for I detected a little glint of amusement there. In a moment of sudden comprehension, I recognized what it was. She was bored. And not just with the evening’s entertainment, but with everything. At once, I became far less intimidated by her demeanour.

“What activities do you partake of, I mean, to keep yourself occupied while Lord Mountjoy attends his hobbies?”

A brow lifted, and she studied me. Then she gave me a conceding nod as though I had passed some type of test. “Why, dear girl, I am a writer.”

I leaned forward—interest piqued. “How fascinating. Do tell me, what do you write?”

She shrugged. “I write a weekly column for our local paper, and short stories which have been in various publications, both local and also in London.” She took a sip of her coffee.

“How marvellous.” My interest was sincere. “It is time women were able to contribute to the news of the day. Bad enough ’tis a man’s world we share, and tragic we have no voice nor vote.”

“You speak as though you are part of the suffrage movement.”

“Oh, if only I was,” I exclaimed. “I do take The Woman’s Suffrage Journal when I am fortunate to find it. Uncle Jasper has great respect for Miss Lydia Becker because she is a friend of Charles Darwin, and a biologist. So, he takes no issue with me following their beliefs.”

“Then Professor Alexander is quite a progressive thinker.” Lady Louisa gave an approving glance to my uncle, and then she turned to her husband standing close to him and frowned. “Unlike some others I might mention.” She arched a brow. “Miss Farraday, I am impressed you have a good head on your shoulders. I take a regular subscription to The Woman’s Suffrage Journal. I shall forward my copies to you after I have read them. Would you like that?”

I was momentarily at a loss for words at her unexpected kindness. “Thank you, that is a generous offer, Lady Mountjoy.”

“’Tis nothing,” she said. Her eyes travelled to Evergreen. “Are you and Miss LaVelle becoming good friends?”

I shrugged. “Unlikely acquaintances would be a better term.” I chuckled. “We met accidentally, and she has seen fit to require my companionship on several occasions.”

“Ah, I see.” Lady Mountjoy commented.