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

“What is it you want?”

“I wish to speak with you on a variety of subjects. I believe you have misunderstood many events which concern me. I considered us friends and I would welcome the opportunity to clarify where there might remain a misunderstanding.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. What should I do? Make one concession and hear her out? I thought of Victor’s revelations. My own mother had been the centre of my world. It was from her nurturing that I had learned how to navigate my life. Evergreen was far less fortunate. Motherless, with a father bent on a successful career, she might have had plenty of financial resources behind her but not the emotional support every child needed.

“All right,” I conceded. “What is it you wish to say?”

She looked over my shoulder and out to the hall. “Not here. There are too many prying eyes and ears. What I wish to discuss is delicate in nature. Let us take a turn outside. It will be more private.”

The day was already warm and the weather perfect for a stroll. Evergreen led me away from the house down the path to the boathouse and the lake. The gardens were thick with early summer blooms, Dahlias, Asters, and Roses. Their fragrance hung in the air.

“Thanks to you and Dom, Perry and Marik’s secret is finally out,” she began. “’Tis a relief if you ask me. The boys have been mad for each other since they were old enough to read. Father is being rather decent about it as well. Shame he never admitted knowing anything earlier. It would have saved a lot of bother and that idiot blacksmith could have been sent packing.”

“I doubt that for a moment,” I replied. “Your father would not have been able to protect them. Flynn would have told the authorities, and Perry and Marik would have been arrested.”

“You are right, of course.” We had reached the boathouse. Evergreen walked around to where the boat was docked. “But then you have been right about so many things, dear Jillian. Come.” She gestured to the boat. “Step in. Let us go out on the lake.”

I frowned. “I am in no mood for a jaunty sail, Evergreen.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. This was the Evergreen I was most familiar with. “I am to meet with Peggy Nash. Surely you know of her by now? The old hag sent word for me to come. She insists she has information of great import to share.”

“That is most cryptic,” I exclaimed. “But what has it to do with me?”

“Dominic,” she said his name and then smiled. “Peggy wants to tell me something about Dominic and Jareth Flynn.”

I grew suspicious, “Then why do you not tell her to come here to Hollyfield?”

“She refuses to come anywhere near the house,” Evergreen said impatiently. “She demands I go to her. She says she knows something about Billy’s knife too.”

What on earth could the old woman know? She had already told me of Billy’s innocence, though she was not able to give him a strong enough alibi. But had Peggy found more proof? What should I do? My instinct was to let Evergreen go on alone. But part of me mistrusted what she would do should Peggy have anything which could help Billy’s case.

“We should tell Constable Bloom,” I stated. “Let him take care of this.”

“No,” she spat. “The hag won’t talk to anyone but me. I am sure she expects me to reward her with a coin or two. Now,” she unfastened the rope tethering the boat. “Do you join me, or not?” Evergreen stepped into the boat and held out her hand. “Peggy camps in a small bay, and though we could go on foot, it would take all morning.”

“How did she contact you? And why would you suddenly care about helping Billy? You are the one who has been happy to see him in gaol.”

“True,” she admitted and gave a shrug. “I think him a simpleton, and I have never liked the brat. But after the long talk I had with Father last night—well, let us say he has persuaded me to think a little differently. If he can show compassion to my brother, then I can make an effort to do the same with Billy. I received word from one of the gardeners early this morning that Peggy had been on the grounds yesterday. Apparently that is when she asked him to pass the message along.”

“Look, Jillian, I am going whether you come or not. It may be a complete waste of time, but I will not find out anything by doing nothing.”

I was not entirely convinced, but I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, what would it hurt? I took her hand and stepped into the boat. Evergreen gestured for me to sit on one bench while she took the other which faced me. She pushed against the side of the dock and the current took us slowly out of the boathouse. Evergreen grasped the oars and, once we were free, she began to row.

“You are not seasick I hope? I never thought to ask.”

“No,” I replied. “I’m a Devonshire lass. I grew up by the sea.”

“Do you miss living there?” she asked.

“Sometimes. But after my mother died, there was nothing to stay there for.”

“Rather like me and India,” she commented. “I loved it there. But once mother died, there was no reason to stay.” She sighed heavily. “I have never been happy in England.”

“I am sorry to hear it,” I said kindly, and I meant it.

“Oh, Jillian.” She chuckled. “You are such a liar.”

I had not anticipated that response. I was astonished.

Evergreen laughed. “You should see your face—’tis quite a picture.” She was no longer smiling, and her eyes held malevolence. “You have enjoyed yourself since you came to Ambleside, Jillian, but at great cost to me.”

“What are you talking about?” My pulse picked up speed.

“I wish the damned coach had run