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

of what I thought, she meant to tell Victor and then the constable. If she had done so, Billy’s fate would have been sealed.”

“She is a manipulative and wicked girl,” I said. But now I began to understand Dominic’s strange mood the night of the dinner. He had been distant, so cold. And I had immediately assumed it was all about me.

“Evergreen tormented me with her threats the entire evening. I was distracted and angry. Unsure of what to do next. When I looked for you and found you already gone, I realised I had offended you. But Jillian, I was in no state of mind to worry over that. I was consumed with fear for my brother. The following evening, Evergreen came to the farm. She told me she planned to tell Victor very soon, and then he would stop helping with Billy’s case. I argued with her. I called her every foul name I could think to call her. She responded by trying to kiss me. It was as though the passion of our rage seemed to fuel her desire. I was revolted.”

I faced him. His pallor had whitened, and his eyes were sad.

I took his hand. “Dominic, I was there.”

He gave me a puzzled look. “Where?”

“At the farm. I had come to see you because I was worried. You were so indifferent to me at Mountjoy’s dinner, and I was upset. The next day I sought you out to confront you, to ask if you were finished with me. I saw you with Evergreen, and I saw your kiss.” I watched his response carefully. His expression changed to relief. “Then you also witnessed how strangely she behaved, and how I pushed her away. It was too bizarre, Jillian. And now I do not know what I should do about any of it.”

I did not tell Dominic about my reaction to the kiss, how I had flown from the farm in misery. I was gratified he assumed I witnessed the entire event and behaved as though he had nothing to hide from me. I took this as a great comfort. It had all been a misunderstanding, yet I had learned much.

“I have just visited Evergreen,” I said. “And I told her I knew of the relationship she had with Jareth, and that others saw her with him. She is very angry with me, but I care not. Evergreen knows far more than she lets on, Dominic. I fear her role in Flynn’s demise goes further than we realise.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned.

“I believe Evergreen knows who killed him.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

DOMINIC AND I SPENT THE remainder of the day together at Wolfe Farm. I helped him clean out the chicken coop and muck out the stables and the barn. The physical labour must have been good for me, because by the next morning, my demeanour had greatly improved. Certainly, our disagreement had taken some of the shine from the relationship we had so recently begun. Yet traversing through our conflict and misunderstanding would hopefully serve to give us a stronger foundation.

Today we planned to see Victor and tell him everything we knew. Dominic still had many misgivings, not the least what Evergreen would do with her fabrication of Billy molesting her. But I had convinced Dominic that, at this point, it was better to be honest with Victor. Although it was a great deal of bad news and would grieve the man to learn of it—he was much more robust than Dominic realised. His successful career certainly emphasized that.

We met on Lake Road. Our moods were sombre, which was to be expected on such a solemn occasion. We walked together but were lost in our respective thoughts as we approached the house. Dominic planned our arrival to coincide with Victor’s breakfast. As a rule, he would be the first to rise, and we would therefore catch him alone.

Victor exclaimed surprise at seeing us together and so early in the day. But before long we sat with him as he finished his eggs and kedgeree, and accepted a proffered cup of tea from the footman before he left the room. As the door closed behind the liveried man, Dominic cleared his throat. “Victor. Though I hate to do this, I have many things I must tell you, and none of them good.”

The older man paused from eating and his green eyes narrowed. He looked like a tiger ready to pounce.

“Then you’d better get started.”

Dominic relayed all we had both learned, in a precise and orderly fashion. I found myself impressed at his capacity to make good sense of it all, and he wisely maintained his composure throughout the entire ordeal. He recalled each of our discoveries. His only omission was though he conceded Marik to be a victim of blackmail, he did not reveal why. We had agreed Marik and Perry’s relationship was for them, and only them, to speak of.

It was a long speech and, thankfully, Victor did not interrupt, not one single time. His self-control appeared effortless, but I knew the man had to feel devastated, even angry. When Dominic was finished, Victor rose and went to the sideboard, where he poured himself another cup of tea. He then rejoined us at the table where we both sat in silence.

“Well, Dom.” He spoke after a moment. “That is indeed much for me to take in. I am quite astounded and impressed you and Jillian have deduced all that you have. It appears you work harder than our local constabulary.

We remained quiet. It was Victor’s turn to talk.

“You know, building my business has taken much from me over the years. It has been hard work, and I readily admit I have not done it alone. Countless people have helped me succeed, yet it has come with great sacrifice.” He took a sip of his drink. “I have worked long hours and given much priority to my career and ambition. I have buried a wife and two infants, and now