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

Seline had left anything that might help us locate her, I certainly would have foundit.”

“But you see, she did leave something.”

Her eyes widened further. “What do you mean? Tell me at once.”

The palpable strain in her voice caused me to pause, yet I couldn’t help but continue down the path I had already begun. “Hertooth powder and lotion, actually.”

Confusion swept across Mrs. Cavanagh’s face.

“The items may mean nothing, but don’t you think Seline would have taken them with her?”

Mrs. Cavanagh’s pinched eyes flitted back and forth before fixing on a spot on the rug. She let out a tight sigh. “I daresayshe simply planned to buy all she needed for her journey once they left. I shall be sure to send Avery into town as soon ashe is back to inquire after such a purchase.” Then a smile emerged. “Yes, this might just give us a direction of travel.”

She took my hands into her claw-like grasp—a mix of desperation and demand—and I was shocked by how cold her fingers were.I nodded readily enough and produced a faint smile. Of course her conclusion did make some sense. Miles had funds to supporttheir flight. His uncle had said as much earlier in the day. But Mrs. Cavanagh was not quite ready to explore the darker thoughtsthat plagued my mind, that took me to a place far different from what she imagined.

I pressed my lips together. Perhaps Piers was right and I should handle her with a bit more caution. After all, her emotionswere so very thin and, in many ways, bound up tighter than a spring.

I rose to take my leave, feigning interest in an afternoon stroll, but she stopped me at the door, a curious bend to her palebrow. “If you find out anything further regarding Seline’s flight from the house, you will share it with me, won’t you?”

Had she read my thoughts?

A slight hesitation and she regulated her voice to mimic the way a mother would speak to a small child. “I know I can trust you to keep me informed.”

I leaned against the doorframe. “I only want to be a help to you in this house. I feel so out of place at such a time yetequally glad I can be of service to you and your family.”

She lifted her chin, a smile spreading. “I did have my qualms about you coming here at first, but I am so glad now that youdid.”

*  *  *

Later that same day as I was crossing the landing, intent on the hall to my room, I happened to catch sigh of Snowdrop’s willowywhite form disappearing into a room down the family wing. I was convinced it was Mrs. Cavanagh’s room, and I rushed to intercept.A few paces forward and I realized it was actually Mr. Cavanagh’s bedchamber she had taken a fancy to.

I paused a moment, certain I should leave Snowdrop to whatever fate befell her. After all, I’d promised to avoid Mr. Cavanaghwhenever possible, but Mrs. Cavanagh’s swift justice came to mind. On second look, the poor dear was but a few steps insidethe dark room, cleaning her paws on the rug as if she hadn’t a care in the world. She gave me an innocent look, her eyes flashingin the light from the hall.

Goodness, how could I possibly abandon my friend?

The nurse’s chair was empty and Mr. Cavanagh lay stone-still within his canopy bed. In all likelihood he was asleep. No onewould even know I had been inside. I tiptoed through the door in a crouch, reaching silently for the fluffy ball of fur—

“Who’s there?”

My arm froze in midair. Dread trickled through my chest as I inched my focus to the rustling sound emanating from Mr. Cavanagh’s bed. Apparently he hadn’t been asleep at all.

His face lay in shadows, but I could tell he’d been freshly shaved. It made him appear somewhat younger, more approachable.I knew I could have snatched up Snowdrop and tiptoed from the room without a word, but one glance at his muddled face andmy heart wouldn’t let me. Here lay the head of the Cavanagh family, packed away in this terrible room and forgotten day afterday. I could no more leave Mr. Cavanagh to his fate than I could Snowdrop.

I stood. “Good afternoon, Mr. Cavanagh. It’s Miss Halliwell.” I thought it best not to mention Snowdrop, who darted into theshadows the instant I set her on the ground. I squinted in the dim light, trying in vain to keep track of her. But it wasno use. “Do you mind if I open the drapes? It’s so very dark in here.”

He chuckled. “Is it? I wouldn’t know.” He motioned into the air. “Do as you please. It makes no difference to me.”

As I moved to the window and thrust open the velvet curtains, my gaze fell to the wilting flowers on the dresser. Forgottenindeed. “Please excuse me, I shall be right back.”

I hurried into the corridor outside his room and gathered Hugh’s bouquet of flowers from the table at the landing.

Upon returning I moved the Sevres vase to Mr. Cavanagh’s bedside and took a seat. “There. Can you smell them?”

His lips scrunched up. “Smell what? Please don’t tell me you’ve brought supper.”

I wafted the flowers beneath his nose. “Not food. Take a deep breath.”

“Ah.” His face relaxed. “You brought me daffodils. They’re my favorite.”

I raised my eyebrows. Like father, like daughter I supposed. “Well, your bedchamber looks a bit more cheery at any rate. And now that I have some light, I can see plain as day that I need to speak with the maid who is supposed to be tending your room. There is a great bit of dust in here.”

A wrinkle crossed his brow. “Is there? I just assumed Mrs. Cavanagh was seeing to all that.”

I considered his words. “Well, she does have her hands full at present. Seline’s disappearance has turned the entire householdupside down.”

“And Piers has returned. I’m afraid his sudden arrival has only reminded her of what happened five years ago. You see, myaccident in the stables occurred shortly after Piers’s disgrace. Of course that blasted horse had