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

just wish we could convince the authorities. It is obvious someone else murdered the man. Lord knows he had enough enemies.”

“This situation gets more complex at every turn.” Dominic sipped his tea. “I wish we could confide all we know to Victor. I would welcome his expertise to sort it all out.”

“Then perhaps it is time you were honest with him? What of Evergreen’s threats to Billy? You cannot ignore what she said to him. At some point, you will have to tell Victor everything we know. Keeping secrets now is simply not worth it. You must put everything on the table if you want to prevent your brother from being found guilty. I know we do not yet have all the answers, but surely this information is sufficient enough to cast doubt for the jury.”

“You are right,” he agreed, yet his brow furrowed. “But I do not relish having to tell the man his daughter has been cavorting with a blacksmith and that his son loves another man. It will devastate him, Jillian. Victor is a strong and resilient person, but he is only human.”

“Who is only human?” We both glanced up at the unexpected interruption. Evergreen LaVelle raised one eyebrow as she stared at Dominic, and I wondered how much of our conversation she had overheard.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“WHY MY UNCLE, OF COURSE,” I said quickly. “We were speaking of his growing affection for our housekeeper. Dominic just finished telling me he thought Uncle Jasper was softening as he aged. I implied we humans are not meant to be alone. We crave the companionship of others. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Evergreen rolled her eyes. “Goodness, Jillian, what a lot of rubbish. Honestly, you do think the oddest things.” She scanned the table. “This is rather cosy. I had no notion the two of you were this well acquainted.” She gave a malevolent smile.

“Ah,” Dominic replied. “Miss LaVelle isn’t always privy to everything going on in Ambleside, after all.” His voice was stern.

“Oh, stop,” she pouted. “I was passing and saw you through the window. I wanted to ask if you had received your invitation from the Mountjoys?” She glanced first at me and then Dominic. We must have looked blank.

“To their dinner party!” She sounded exasperated. “Really, where have you both been? The invitations were delivered today. It is this coming Saturday. Doesn’t that sound marvellous?” Her lovely blue eyes shone.

“No. It seems inappropriate considering recent events,” Dominic said disdainfully. “Surely you do not plan to attend. You are in mourning after all.”

“Nonsense,” she snapped. “It’s not as though Marabelle was a close family member, is it? Besides, we have to go. Wilkie Collins has accepted an invitation for the weekend, and the dinner is in his honour.”

“The author, Wilkie Collins?” I could not help responding. He was a brilliant writer.

“Yes, who else?” she replied flippantly.

A figure appeared at the window—it was Perry. He knocked on the glass and waved, then gestured to his sister to hurry. Evergreen rolled her eyes. She turned to leave and then paused to look back at me. “Jillian, call on me in the morning, please. There is something important I wish to discuss with you.”

Before I could respond, she disappeared in a whirl of skirts. Dominic stared out of the window watching her retreating figure, his expression guarded. I fastened my eyes upon her, and the image of Jareth Flynn formed in my mind, then Billy. My emotions were mixed now I had learned more of who Evergreen LaVelle really was. I was unsure if I even wanted to be her friend.

I WALKED HOME RE-EXAMINING THE remainder of my conversation with Dominic after Evergreen had left the tearoom. He was adamant we refrain from telling Victor everything, at least for a few more days. He reasoned we should have more proof, see what else there might be to discover first. I disagreed. But this was his decision—Billy was his brother, not mine.

Upon arriving home, Uncle Jasper called out a cheery hello, closely followed by a chuckle which sounded very much like Mrs Stackpoole’s laugh. I left them to themselves and went up to my room and sank down onto my bed with a sigh. What a strange day. My first and hopefully my last experience visiting a gaol, and then the subsequent information from Billy to think about. It confounded me. All at once I felt drained of energy. A light breeze wafted in through my open bedroom window, and I closed my eyes.

I awoke and found I had slept through the entire afternoon. I rose and hurried downstairs, where Mrs Stackpoole prepared dinner. She cooked mashed potatoes, fresh peas and beef rissoles, with rhubarb and custard for pudding. I ate heartily.

Uncle Jasper showed me our invitation to the Mountjoy’s dinner. Our conversation fastened around the subject of Wilkie Collins, the famous author who would be in attendance. Though I did not relish going to the same location where I’d witnessed Marabelle’s death not ten days hence, I was enthralled at the notion of meeting a writer of such renown. No doubt Mr Collins was a friend of Louisa’s. I would be so honoured meeting the man who had penned a book with the same title as the pendant in my pocket. The Moonstone had been a thrilling read from start to finish. I still had my copy, and with thoughts of reading it once again, much to Mrs Stackpoole’s, and Uncle Jasper’s surprise, I excused myself and had an early night.

AFTER LUNCHEON THE FOLLOWING day, I was alone in the house when I heard a carriage stop outside. I opened the door and found Evergreen standing on the step.

“Evergreen? What brings you here?”

Without answering, she pushed none-too gently past me and marched straight into the parlour. Fortunately, Uncle Jasper was out on the hills, or she would have made him jump out of his skin.

“I suppose you think yourself too important to do my bidding now, Jillian?” She rounded on me angrily as I followed