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

suit. I fervently hoped he would take a stiff brush to his hair and trim his beard.

I was aware how plain I looked in my dress. It was the same one I had worn for both dinner engagements at Hollyfield, and I sorely wished I might have something more fetching tonight. I smoothed down my skirts and patted the back of my hair. I had fashioned it into a chignon but placed a few tiny silk flowers tucked in here, and there, with the hope it might make me appear less dull. I thought about what Evergreen might be wearing tonight. No doubt something exquisite and fashionable. She was far bolder than I, especially with the revealing necklines of which she was so fond.

I never wore low-cut gowns, and not just because of modesty. I was born with a dark brown birthmark, an oblong shape roughly the size of a strawberry. It had never bothered me as a child because it was seldom visible. Now a woman, I felt far more self-conscious of the blasted thing. Though no eyes but my own ever saw it.

IT HAD STOPPED RAINING IN THE middle of the afternoon, and when Lord Mountjoy’s carriage arrived promptly at six o’clock, it was pleasantly warm once again. A footman assisted Uncle Jasper with the boxes containing specimens and items for his talk, while Mrs Stackpoole and I got into the cab. We were both excited and nervous at the prospect of an evening at Mountjoy House. I had never seen the grand estate, and Mrs Stackpoole, though local, had never been inside. I also anticipated speaking with Lady Louisa. I thought it fascinating she was an actual writer. How I yearned to be as independent and intellectual as she.

Mountjoy House was situated on the other side of the lake to Hollyfield. It was further away than I expected, but as we turned into its long drive, I caught my breath in wonder. It was a magnificent stately building. Regal and imperial, bold with its black and white Tudor design. Even from our distance at the entrance of ornate gilded gates, Mountjoy House was a jewel in the heart of the district.

Our driver took his place behind a long chain of carriages which snaked along, eventually slowing as they neared the front steps, stopping briefly to allow each passenger to alight.

The excitement was palpable. I followed my uncle and Mrs Stackpoole up broad steps and through wide-open doors where several footmen stood awaiting the guests. Uncle Jasper and Mrs Stackpoole, were escorted to the great hall to prepare for his lecture. I was shown into a large reception room, where many tables were laden with drinks and sweetmeats.

I glanced around to see if Dominic had arrived but could not see him. I did spy Evergreen, however. She was listening to a handsome young man, an expression of boredom spread across her lovely face. She caught my eye and without a word, simply walked away from the man while he was in mid-sentence.

“Thank God, you are come, Jillian.” She rolled her blue eyes dramatically. “I have been here not twenty minutes, and already I am bored beyond comprehension.”

I shook my head. “Evergreen, you are so very difficult to please. The young man you were just speaking with was quite comely—”

“Your eyes must be failing, Jillian. He is some scientific boffin from Oxford. I’d rather talk to a sofa.” She flicked her eyes over my attire. “Goodness, my dear, we really must purchase a new gown for you. I cannot bear to see you wear the same droll dress for every occasion.”

Her sting found its mark. “Be that as it may,” I snapped, “I would rather be unnoticed in my dowdy clothes than a strutting peacock with everyone witnessing both my triumphs and disappointments.”

She gave a little laugh. “Bravo, Jillian. That’s the spirit.” Evergreen was incorrigible. But there was no denying how stunning she looked tonight. The Wedgewood blue of her silk gown complemented her eyes, so that one could hardly believe their colour was natural. Her hair was up in an intricate arrangement of curls, with one blonde ringlet framing each side of her face.

“Father is with Mountjoy, in the hall, and Marabelle is here somewhere.” Her voice held disdain at the mere mention of her cousin’s name. I was surprised at the vehemence of dislike in her tone.

“And there is Perry, and Marik. They just arrived back from Bath this afternoon and have had a wonderful time there.”

The two men crossed the room to join us. Though they were so different in appearance, they cut a fine pair, and several feminine eyes studied their handsome features as they approached.

“Miss Farraday,” Marik held out his hand to shake mine. Perry did the same.

“Welcome back, gentlemen. How was Bath?”

“Wet,” Marik said with a laugh. “Which sounds appropriate for a place with such a name. Does it not?”

“It does. I hope the weather did not spoil your time there?”

“On the contrary,” interjected Perry. “There are such interesting places to explore in Bath. Many of them indoors, thankfully.”

“The ingenuity of Roman architecture and engineering is impressive.” Marik continued. “For an early civilization, their ideas were far beyond their time.”

“They were barbarians,” Evergreen said drily. “They fed people to lions for goodness sake. How ‘modern’ a notion is that Marik?”

The Indian slid her a stare, and his mouth turned up slightly on one side. “In my experience, most barbaric people are usually cleverly disguised as persons more palatable to our society.” He gave a sarcastic smile, and I could not help but notice a spark of irritation in Evergreen’s eyes as she glared back at him.

Perry seemed oblivious to their fencing words. “We found a wonderful tailor there and made arrangements for him to make me several suits. I truly liked Bath. If it were not so far inland, I would persuade Father to open an office there and I’d volunteer to run it—” he trailed off as Lord Mountjoy entered the room