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

“I beg your pardon?” I was taken aback by her venomous tone. “Is something amiss, Evergreen?”

“Amiss?” She rounded on me. “Oh, indeed it is. Do you not recall accepting an invitation to Hollyfield House for this very morning? Yet you saw fit not to come? I waited for two hours, and still, you did not appear. I presume there is good reason you did not send word to tell me you had changed your plans?”

I frowned, her words sounding like nonsense to my ears. Then I remembered what she had said at the tearoom. I sighed. “Oh, I am so sorry, Evergreen. It completely slipped my mind. I—”

“Slipped your mind?” she said with disbelief. “An invitation to Hollyfield is so irrelevant it cannot stick in your thoughts?” She glowered at me. “Were you so besotted with Dominic Wolfe that you only had time for him and not me?”

I took a step towards her as my anger sparked. “How dare you speak to me thus, Evergreen. You are not the only person living in Ambleside with whom I am acquainted. If I forgot an invitation so quickly mentioned, then I am truly sorry. That does not give you leave to speak so disrespectfully to me. You might think you are important because you are rich, and live at Hollyfield House, but at this moment all you resemble is a spoiled brat.” I snapped.

Her shoulders sagged; the fight gone out of her. And then she did the unexpected. Evergreen burst out laughing. I had not expected that response, and all at once I found myself laughing too.

“Oh, Jillian,” she sighed after we had calmed. “Only you have the gumption to speak to me like that. ’Tis why I am so fond of you, I’m sure.”

“Yet you have a strange way of showing it. Look, Evergreen, I really did forget your invitation. Has it occurred to you, that even I get tired sometimes? After seeing you yesterday, I came home and slept the day away. I was so weary.”

“You did look a little peaky.” She conceded and took a seat by the hearth. “Why don’t you make us tea and then I can tell you my plans.”

I bade her sit and went to organise refreshment. As I readied the cups and saucers, I thought about my outburst. I wondered if my eagerness to shout at her came not from her tone with me, but rather from what Billy had told me of her dealings with him. I was sure of it. My feelings toward Miss LaVelle had metamorphosed into something I did not yet recognise.

I returned with our drinks and a small plate of blackcurrant tarts. I sat across from Evergreen, and we sampled them. They were delicious.

“Are you going to tell me what important matter warrants all this fuss?” I asked.

She set down her empty tart plate on the side table. “Why the Mountjoy dinner, of course. Jillian, I want you to come to Hollyfield to dress for it.”

“What?”

Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “You have been to Hollyfield twice for dinner and worn the same outdated dress.”

I gasped. “How dare—”

“Wait.” She raised her hand. “I am not trying to insult you. I am being completely frank.” She grinned. “Not unlike yourself. But that’s beside the point. I have so many things I do not wear, and I would love for you to pick out something for the party.”

I cringed. “No, Evergreen. ’Tis kind of you, but I would rather not.”

“Why?” She was horrified at my refusal. “What is wrong with you wearing something more befitting a woman of your age? Jillian, your old dress is decent enough, but it is better suited to an old maid than someone as young as you.”

I did not reply.

“Look,” she said. “Humour me for a moment. Do not take this so personally. The fact is I have many clothes, and you do not. We are friends, so why not stop being proud and say yes. It would be so much fun helping you pick something out. Especially as I have to wear blasted black for the next three months.”

I studied her face as she spoke, noticing how agitated she became in her effort to convince me to do her bidding. As she continued her argument, I thought of all I knew about her, and the information which had recently come to light. Evergreen was the one person linking all the recent events together. Spending more time in her company could help me discover some of her secrets. If there was anything to learn which might help Billy, then it was worthwhile indeed.

“Perhaps you are right,” I said suddenly, stopping her mid-sentence.

“You’ll let me dress you?” she said excitedly.

I nodded in agreement. “But just so we are clear, I refuse to wear anything pink.”

Evergreen clapped her hands together with delight. “Oh, this shall be such a lark. I promise you, Jillian. You shall not regret it!”

I sincerely hoped I would not.

I SET OFF FOR HOLLYFIELD THE NEXT morning without stopping at Wolfe Farm. Dominic had much work to do in the fields, and I did not want to be a distraction. But the walk down Lake Road was pleasant even so, and as usual, I enjoyed watching the livestock in the green fields.

Evergreen was in high spirits, contrasting greatly with the atmosphere of the house, which lay deep in mourning. Black crepe paper adorned the doors and windows of each room, and the servants wore black armbands over their uniforms. Evergreen herself was in a dark grey gown but wore bright ruby earrings in defiance.

“Come up to my chamber,” she announced merrily, grasping my arm and tugging me up the vast staircase. I had not been to the second floor at Hollyfield and was at once impressed by the lavish furnishings and beautiful paintings strewn across the walls.

When I followed Evergreen into her bedchamber, I let out a gasp of delight. Her room was so magnificently decorated, I thought I had walked into Aladdin’s