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

one hard push I was able to roll into the cleft of the rock and now lay panting in a pocket of damp soil and deadleaves.

I closed my eyes, refusing to consider what insects might call the unfortunate spot home.

Piers’s fingers appeared at the cliff’s edge, and I sat up to watch his approach. He launched himself off a nearby tree, usingit as leverage to scale the short face of the rock as if he’d done so a thousand times.

Still on his feet, he crouched to make his way to my side and pointed to the ledge above us before slowly raising his headwhere he could see. He dropped his arm back from the rock’s upper edge and curled his fingers, urging me to follow his ascent.I scrambled up beside him.

I’m not certain what I expected to see over the top ledge, but it wasn’t three bowed heads swathed in black cloaks and huddled around a small fire. There was no conversation on the breeze, only a low hum, as if one of the men were chanting. I glanced at Piers. Were they?

He had a sour look about his face, his brows low, his nose wrinkled.

I opened my mouth to whisper a question but stopped when I caught a flurry of movement out of the corner of my eye. The strangecloaked group stood, and the men followed each other in a circular pattern around the fire, mumbling the same words over andover again. It only took me a moment to be certain they were speaking Latin.

Piers’s arm tensed at my side as he lifted his hand to wipe his face. There was a solemn intensity in his gaze, and I bitthe inside of my cheek.

What on earth was Avery a part of?

The billowing wind ruffled the long black cloaks for several minutes, causing the firelight to dance in and out of darkness.Finally the members of the society took their seats on the remains of broken stones.

It was Hugh who spoke first, his tone anxious. “I am sorry to have to summon you both here on such short notice, but withso much at stake, particularly for me, I have to have my questions answered.”

Tony’s voice rent the night air like a low ship’s horn. “Don’t go up into the boughs, Hugh. We’ve all placed our bets sameas you.”

“But neither of you will be ruined should our scheme fall apart.”

I could see Avery’s shoulders move as he spoke. “I planned to come to your house straightaway. You needn’t have summoned us.With guests at Loxby, you put us all at great risk.”

Hugh popped to his feet. “It’s been over a week. What did you expect me to do, sit around and wait?”

Avery’s arm shot out. “Sit down. Stop making a cake of yourself, and I’ll tell you all.”

There was a second of strained silence, but Hugh did as he was told, retaking his seat at an angle, his fist pressed to hischin. “Well, go on then.”

Avery’s covered head faced Hugh then Tony. “Lord Kendal says everything is in place. His engagement changes nothing.”

“But he’s already sent out invitations for the ball. You mean to tell me he doesn’t care a fig that all those people willbe scrambling about his house? What if our benefactor learns of what we have planned?”

Avery shrugged. “Kendal assures me that won’t be the case. We all took a solemn vow, Hugh, and I for one don’t plan to putany of our lives at risk. Kendal says the two events are to remain completely separate. His allegiance to our plan, or moreimportantly his friends, has not changed. And I believe him.”

Hugh’s voice almost squeaked. “You would.”

“What is that supposed to mean? Of course I do, as should you. The bond between the four of us goes way beyond this society.And we know who his secret bearer is.”

Tony leaned forward, his cloak billowing forward until he shoved it out of his face. “We need to get back on task. Now, I’veagreed to the modifications to the chap’s curricle, but I don’t want to see him dead.”

“Nor do I.” Avery’s shoulders crunched forward. “Truth be told, I’m not easy about any of this business, particularly withKendal involved. He’s got a hot head and an even nastier temper.”

Hugh’s hands shot up. “Listen to the two of you. What do you want, a compassionate stroll down the lane? This is my estate and future we’re speaking of as well as Priscilla’s. I for one am glad we have someone like Kendal bound to our society. Some things just need to be taken care of, one way or another.”

Avery sighed.

Hugh thrust out a finger, “Admit it, Avery. You never did like the man. It’s not Kendal’s fault that your brother hadn’t thenerve to face him on an open field.”

Avery shoved to his feet. “If I hadn’t taken an oath, I’d call you out right here for that.”

Tony pushed them apart. “Calm down. What are we, children?” He turned first to Avery. “Piers can defend his own honor. He’dbe embarrassed to see the way you’re acting. And, Hugh, no more secret meetings. Everything is arranged. There’s no turningback now. The society will meet again after the ball, not before.”

I felt Piers’s strong hand in the darkness seconds before he pulled me close. “We need to hide . . . to the horses . . . quicklynow.”

He slithered down the incline, then raised his arms, his voice little more than a breath on the wind, “Careful.”

I shimmied to the corner of the rock and swung my legs into the black abyss behind me, crawling on my stomach until I tippedover the edge. Dangling there, my hands slipping on the wet dirt and cold rock face, there was a second where I felt myselffalling before Piers’s hands were at my waist guiding me to the ground.

I could hear the scuffling of feet above, and Piers and I both looked up the moment the light moved. They were dispersing, and Tony and Hugh would inevitably take the river path home, but if we tried