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

his daughter by selling medicinal potions. Whether or not the remedies worked, I do not know.”

“I wish Peggy was not Billy’s only alibi. What a shame she is so odd. If she were any other villager, Billy would be released upon their testimony.”

“Do not remind me,” Dominic said in a low voice, and I immediately regretted the comment.

We had walked for some time when I detected the sound of water. As the trail widened and I drew level with Dominic, he reached for my hand.

“We are close now. It is a lovely spot—one I have painted several times for my postcards.” He was leading me past thickets of bushes, when I heard the unmistakable babble of voices. Dominic must have noted them too, for his pace abruptly slowed.

“It seems we are not the only ones seeking a beautiful place today, Jillian.” As he spoke, we reached a clearing in the woods and the trail led to the bank of a small lagoon. A rocky hillock supported a steep fall, which cascaded plumes of rushing water down into the pool. The voices came again. My eyes were drawn across to the naked figure of a tall, lean man. As I watched, he dived from the rocks and into the water.

I blinked and then felt heat rise in my face as I realised whose nude body I had seen. There was no mistaking that dark skin for a pale Englishman. It was Marik Singh.

“Oh, dear,” I stammered.

Dominic grinned widely, not in the least perturbed. “Don’t be alarmed, Jilly. It is just a body as nature made it.”

Another shout, and this time I saw Perry LaVelle climb onto the rock his friend had just vacated moments before. I turned away with embarrassment.

“I am sorry,” Dominic said kindly. “I did not consider anyone else would be here.” He looked up to the blue skies. “But it is a particularly lovely day, and warm too. No wonder Marik and Perry escaped here to cool off. They were probably trying to get away from a house full of people.”

“Dominic, they have just buried their cousin. It seems somewhat inappropriate to be here having fun under such sad circumstances.”

“You must not think ill of them for behaving like healthy young men. Being unhappy will not bring Marabelle back. They just want to release some energy after all that has transpired. I cannot fault them for it.”

We both turned to stare at the blue water. It did look inviting, and part of me really could not blame them at all. Perry swam over to the base of the waterfall where Marik trod water. Perry splashed his friend, and we heard them both laugh. Perry then swam towards the handsome Indian. Marik opened his arms and Perry drew closer. Puzzled, I watched them embrace. And then all the breath suddenly disappeared from my lungs, as their mouths joined together in a passionate kiss.

Chapter Twenty

“WAIT, JILLIAN.” I IGNORED DOMINIC’S request as I rushed to put as much distance between myself and the lagoon. I all but ran, though I did not know why.

“Jillian,” Dominic said louder, and the tone in his voice made me slow down and allow him to draw level with me. He took my hands and pulled me to a stop. “Come on, Jilly. Do not be troubled by what you saw.”

The image of the two men kissing found its way to my mind and I shuddered. “But they were together—like a man and a woman. It was all so—wrong.”

He gave a heavy sigh. “I grant you ’tis shocking to see two men in that way, especially when it is the first time. But you have to understand it is not so unusual. Some men cannot feel an attraction to a woman, by no choice of their own—and that is the case with Perry and Marik. I have long thought it odd Perry has not been attached to anyone nor married. But I never guessed it was because of this. They have been careful to hide their relationship.” Dominic’s expression was thoughtful, and he showed no disgust or condemnation.

“They were not hiding much just then,” I snapped. “To behave that way—in public.”

“Yes, Jilly. It was foolish.”

And he was right. Even I knew such behaviour was against the law.

“They were reckless,” he added. “For anyone could have seen them and then there would be trouble. Come.” He tugged me to begin walking again. “Let us go back to the farm, and we’ll have some refreshment. I am parched from the heat, and you must be too.”

THE WALK BACK TO WOLFE FARM was quiet. I still filtered through what I had witnessed at the lagoon. I was surprised by how shocking I found their actions. Of course, I was aware there were men who did not seek the company of women, but I had never witnessed it first-hand. Images of Perry and Marik at Hollyfield, and on the few occasions I had been in their company, whirled around my head. I replayed the scenes, searching for a glimpse of something I had not registered before. It was not repulsion or disgust which consumed me. I was quite simply shocked.

After a tall mug of cool water, I calmed. Standing in the kitchen with my back resting against the mantel, I watched Dominic pour himself a drink.

“I am sorry,” I began. “I do not know why I overreacted. It was wrong of me.”

Dominic smiled and came to stand before me. He cupped my chin in his hand and tilted my face to look into his own. “Oh, Jillian,” he said softly. “I understand. For most people, witnessing two men acting in a romantic way would be unsettling because they are unused to it.” He bent his head, and his lips brushed my own. Then he stepped away. “In London, I knew many men like Perry and Marik, especially within the artistic community. I learned long ago to think of it as natural. ’Tis just one human being caring for another when