The Secret of Hollyfield House, Jude Bayton [books for 20 year olds txt] 📗

towards us carrying a large silver tray. He placed it carefully on the table next to Evergreen.

“At least you shan’t be in any danger now they have nabbed the murderer,” Evergreen said drolly. I thought something passed between her and the foreigner, a slight change of expression. Or had I imagined it?

“Let us stop prattling about such a macabre subject.” Dominic stated, looking directly at me. I understood he was aware of my involvement in the body’s discovery, and I gave him a smile of thanks.

“Yes let’s,” commanded Evergreen. “I’d rather talk about something more exciting. Marik, do stay and join us. Miss Farraday has yet to be properly introduced to you.”

The handsome man complied and pulled a chair closer so we could all sit together in a group. Our hostess poured tea and handed around the cups and saucers, and a plate of shortbread for those who were hungry.

“Miss Farraday.” Marik sat to my immediate left, close enough for me to detect the musky scent of exotic perfume which I found very pleasing. “Evergreen tells me you are new to this part of the country. How do you find the Lake District?” His accent was crisp and British, as educated as any noble Englishman.

I smiled. “This is a beautiful part of England. Especially, I think, at this time of the year. I have yet to venture far, only the village and not much further. But I like it here very much.” I took a sip of tea. “And you, do you like this part of the world? I imagine it completely different from your homeland?” In the background, I could hear the others having their own conversation regarding someone they knew from the village, but I was far more interested in speaking to this foreigner. Both his appearance and manner intrigued me. He was clean-shaven, his complexion smooth and even. His jet-black hair shone with lustre now there was no turban to conceal it as it had the evening of the dinner party. Strong brows were set above pitch eyes, and he had the thickest lashes I had ever seen.

“England and India are as similar to one another as the Sahara and Lake Windemere,” Marik stated, his generous lips parted, revealing pearl white teeth. “There is much to appreciate about both countries, I believe. The opportunities available here to learn from fine universities are second to none. There is a wealth of history before our very eyes, and the beauty of the land is breathtaking. Yet in my country, there is the rawness of nature, untouched places and a wildness that renders England tame as a domesticated dog. Here you have your manners and polite society, in India lies the heart of the tiger, a call to prayer, the smell of spices in the wind and vivid colours only a fierce sun and heavy monsoons can paint upon the land.”

I was mesmerized. As he spoke, my imagination saw the vibrant colours he spoke of, vast lands, wild beasts. “Your description fascinates, Mr—”

“Call me, Marik.”

“Marik.” I took a breath. “To have lived in a place so extraordinary is more than I can comprehend. In comparison, my life has been small, so uninteresting.”

“Oh, please do not say so.” He reached over to place his empty cup on the tray. “For there is no such thing as a small life, Miss Farraday. When you are the only player on your life’s stage, it is an epic story you tell.” He rose to his feet and bowed before me. “And now I must excuse myself and return this to the kitchen.” Marik lifted the tea-tray and accepted the empty cups from the others.

“Can you be ready to leave in ten minutes?” Perry asked Marik.

“Naturally.” Came the reply as he walked away from our little group. I watched him depart and then looked at Evergreen. Her face bore a curiously amused expression.

It was Perry’s turn to get to his feet. “Well, Dom. I’m off. I’ll leave you to put up with my sister. At least you have Miss Farraday to assist.” He gave me a wink and then bade us all a friendly farewell.

I settled back in my chair, deep in thought. Evergreen resumed her pose and Dominic began working once again.

“I should like to paint that chap, one of these days,” Dominic commented after a short while. “Marik has the most interesting bone structure. He would make a fine study.”

“I have never met a person from his part of the world,” I stated. “He is fascinating.”

“Oh, Jillian. You are so impressionable,” Evergreen laughed. “I do believe that is why I find you so wonderfully refreshing. You state your mind blatantly. One never has cause to wonder what you are thinking.”

I did not look her way, instead preferring to allow her words to melt into the air and not touch me. Evergreen LaVelle, was an enigma. She was sugar and salt, sweetness and sting, and I was not yet certain which side of her personality was the most authentic. The more time I spent around the beautiful young heiress, I was reminded that sometimes the prettiest things in life can be the most precarious.

Chapter Seven

DOMINIC JOINED US FOR LUNCHEON, but Marabelle Pike did not. After we dined, I was more than ready to take my leave from Hollyfield, and accepted Dominic’s kind offer to accompany me on my walk back to the village. If Evergreen objected to our leaving together, she did not show it. We parted with my promise to return in two days for the next session.

“THANK YOU FOR CHANGING THE subject, earlier.” I said to Dominic once we set off down the lane leading to Lake Road. “I do not like to be reminded of that poor man in the lake.”

“Think nothing of it,” he replied. “Bad enough you had to experience something so horrific. It cannot help for others to keep bringing it up. Therefore, on a lighter note, tell me what do you think of Hollyfield House?”

“It is a