The Vanishing at Loxby Manor, Abigail Wilson [best value ebook reader .TXT] 📗

Something was buried in that sickly sweet tone of his that I couldn’t quite identify, almost as if he anticipated . . . Whatexactly?

My steps turned sluggish. Was it possible that Hugh already knew Seline was not at the house? Had Tony betrayed my confidence?Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so easy with him at the dinner party.

The cry of a nearby blackbird filled the delicate silence between us. I would have to be wary how I answered. “She was fartoo ill to read your letter as of yet. I am sure she will soon.”

He eyed me for a long moment, my heartbeat thundering in my ears, and then a flicker of discipline made over his face. “I’m sorry to hear her illness has progressed. You just never know how serious an ailment can be, can you?” He stooped over and gathered a few daffodils into a bunch. “Tell you what, why don’t you bring her these.” He said it with such calm deference, I began to question my previous confusion.

I gladly took them from his hands. “I believe I’ve made friends with another one of your gifts—a little white cat.”

A smile broke through the indifference on his face. “I know what you are thinking. Presenting Seline with a cat was hardlyproper on my part, but she and I have always had a different sort of relationship, or shall I say, there is an understandingbetween us.”

He didn’t allow me a response, as he shouted behind us, “Piers, this is the spot I was telling you about.”

We’d come upon a small brook and a perfectly symmetrical ornate bridge. “I plan to build the folly right here.” He turnedto me. “Seline is always saying how much she loves this place.”

I couldn’t help but remember what Mrs. Cavanagh had said—how the Daunts were in the basket. How could Hugh afford such a project?

Piers must have been thinking the same as he followed with, “And when do you hope to start construction?”

“Within the month if all goes as well as I hope.”

A quick glance at me. “Ah.”

“Seline loves this grove as well as the brook. We’ve spent many a happy time here.”

Though we were all good friends as children, it seemed Hugh’s plans for Seline ran far deeper than I’d originally understood—hewas already making changes to his estate. There had always been something quite private and special between them, which timehad managed to grow, not diminish—at least on his part.

Piers and I were treated to a full tour of the massive gardens, followed by tea and cake, but my mind remained captured by the curious thoughts I had about Hugh and Seline. That is, until we set out on horseback to return to Loxby Manor.

Trailing behind Gypsy, I watched Piers’s lithe form as he directed his horse out Rushridge’s main gate. Piers had always beena natural at riding, but . . .

I sat quite still, the subtle tug of Jewel swaying me back and forth in the sidesaddle. Piers had been my first and only love,and he would not be an easy one to forget, not completely. Seline must be the same for Hugh. Though she flitted around likea butterfly from one flower to the next, Hugh’s affection remained. He’d not had time away to gain perspective like I hadto see what lay right before his nose. He could dream of building her all the follies in the world, but she would never marryhim without a great deal of money or a title.

I urged Jewel alongside Piers. “What do you make of Hugh’s preposterous notion?”

“You mean the folly.”

“It is folly as far as I’m concerned. If what we understand about his finances is true, he’ll drive poor Priscilla into destitution.”

“Well, if she doesn’t snag Avery first.”

“Don’t be absurd. Your mother will never allow such a connection. Avery will be forced to look for someone far better situatedthan Priscilla.”

He cast me a knowing glance. “You’ve only been here a few days, but I can see plain as day you already know your way aroundmy family.” He shifted his attention back to the road. “However, you are also assuming I will be the one to inherit, not him.”

“Well, of course you will.”

He took a deep breath. “The decision is my father’s of course, but Mother has been doing her level best to persuade him otherwise. And can I blame her? After my shocking cowardice and fall from grace, I have no thoughts of marriage. My conscience wouldn’t allow such an arrangement, not when the lady would be forced to share in my disgrace. Which will also mean no children. Upon my death Avery or his offspring will inherit anyway.” He shrugged. “Might as well make the whole thing easier and cut me out.”

“That is ridiculous.”

“Is it?”

“You’re gambling on an uncertain future. You might very well marry after all. You can only assume that every lady values herplace in society above all else . . .” I reined Jewel to a halt, distracted suddenly by a glint of light on the ground. “Whatis that?”

Piers pulled Gypsy’s reins as well.

I pointed to the side of the road where a small round object flashed back at us in the sun. A wrinkle formed on Piers’s brow,and he slid from his horse. Kneeling, he picked up the item and turned it first one direction then the next. “It appears tobe a brooch of some sort.”

“Will you bring it to me?”

He held it up, and I gasped as I took the familiar jewelry into my hands. “It’s mine.”

He took an uncomfortable look behind him. “Did you drop it on the way in?”

Slowly I shook my head. “This brooch was on the black cloak I gave to Seline. The one she borrowed the night she disappeared.I’m certain of it.”

He seemed lost for words, his wide eyes doing the talking between us before he, too, shook his head. “That means she was hereon this very path at some point that night.”

The muscles in my fingers twitched against the cold metal of the brooch. Seline must have come to Rushridge after her argument with