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

He straightened and his black tailcoat fell neatly into place. “And here I thought I was the only one in this household whopossessed the ability to arrive on time.”

He crossed the room and offered me his arm. “I’m certain you’ve noticed how Avery and my mother enjoy being fashionably late.” The air felt dangerously thin between us as his eyes met my own. “You look lovely. Do you feel ready?”

A rush of nerves filled my chest, and I came rather close to blurting out, “For what?” before it donned on me what he wasreferring to. He meant the investigation of Lord Kendal of course. Nothing about us. Goodness, I’d put far too much thought into what Mr. Cavanagh had said.

I moved into the roving heat of the flames, my heart flighty at best. “I shall do my utmost to uncover something we can use.”

Piers’s hand was at his chin, his gaze pinned to the roaring fireplace. “There is something I need to tell you. I spoke withmy father this afternoon and—”

Footsteps pounded from a far-off corridor, and I could have screamed as Avery pranced into the front room. He headed straightfor the window, his gait rushed, his face bereft of the good humor he so often employed to his benefit. He stared out beforeturning to face the room. “I won’t be returning in the carriage tonight. I’m to stay at Whitecaster with Kendal. I’m to assistwith the curricle race.”

Piers didn’t miss a beat. “Then Kendal still plans to race first thing in the morning.”

“It’s all arranged. Really no reason to change it now.”

Piers cast me a sideways glance. “I’ve heard the book at White’s has gained quite a few more bets for this particular race,which involve a great deal of money.”

He scowled. “Really? More?” Then he sauntered over to the hall chair and flopped down. “All I know is Kendal will beat Blakemoorhandily, and it shall be a good thing for my pocketbook.”

“You’re certain of this? Interesting that everyone else in London thinks otherwise.”

Avery shifted his weight in the chair. “Well, not exactly. What do you take me for, a soothsayer? Blakemoor is cow handed. We’ve all been saying it for years. And Kendal’s got some prime horseflesh.”

“What horses?” I asked.

“Got ’em from Tattersall’s a few weeks back. A couple of high steppers, and in the hands of Kendal, they’ll be nigh unbeatable.And Blakemoor’s cow handed, I tell you. He’ll lose the race sure enough.”

Baker entered the receiving room, and I assumed he’d come to speak with Piers as he made his way across the rug, but he headedstraight to me and held out a folded piece of paper. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss Halliwell, but I was asked to give thisto you.”

After my letter from Arthur, the note felt cold as I took it into my fingers. Captured by the questioning looks of Piers andAvery, I kept the note firmly in my hand and stood. “If you will excuse me.”

They nodded and I escaped to the back hall with a candle where I carefully opened the note. I didn’t recognize the handwriting.It appeared rushed, the ink smudged, and it took more than one read through to fully understand the message in its entirety.

Miss Halliwell,

I’ve had another letter from my nephew, and I must speak to you at once. Please meet me beneath the archway to the stables before you depart Loxby Manor. It is a grave matter that warrants your utmost attention.

Mr. Lacy

Head Groom

I took a quick look behind me, the darkness suddenly alive with sounds. What on earth could Mr. Lacy need to tell me tonight?And should I involve Piers with Avery so close?

No, I knew I couldn’t risk it.

Instead, I was forced to circle around the upper floor and utilize the side entrance beyond the great hall. Even then, I was careful not to make a sound as I swung open the heavy door and slipped into the night.

The moon was in and out of the clouds, but I hadn’t far to walk before I saw Mr. Lacy lurking in the shadows of the stables’arched entryway. He scraped his hand through his hair in short, jerky movements as he watched me approach.

“Thank you for coming, Miss Halliwell. I wasn’t certain I should involve you at all, but you were the only person who cameto mind. I’m lost as to who to trust. You are the only one I’m certain is outside of all this. He shook his hand before plungingit into a coat pocket. “I’ve had another letter from Miles.”

“Oh?” A wave of unease splashed across my chest. “What did he say?”

Mr. Lacy tugged at his shirt collar. “Miles’s in a muddle, I tell you. Never had any sense, that boy. Which is why I couldn’tpossibly speak with Mr. Cavanagh—my very livelihood hangs in the balance.” Another tug on his shirt before he pushed his handto the back of his neck. “It seems Miles didn’t leave the area as he agreed to.”

I leaned forward, the hairs on my arms prickling in the cool breeze. “He didn’t? Why ever not?”

His gaze turned somber before it plunged to the ground. “He’s at Whitecaster Hall.”

“Lord Kendal’s estate?”

“Apparently Kendal paid Miles to assist with the upcoming curricle race.”

I pressed my hand to my forehead. “I cannot believe it.” Then I eyed the head groom, a curious thought taking shape in mymind. Why was Mr. Lacy telling me all this?

His fingers shook against the loose paper in his hands. “I’m afraid for my nephew. He sounds desperate this time. I hoped you might be able to speak with him when you go to Whitecaster today, remind him what he promised me from the start. I don’t know what I’ll do if any of the Cavanaghs hear of this. Servants talk, and I’m afraid the gossip will alight tonight at the ball. Mr. Cavanagh cannot know. My very future is at stake.”

Ice twisted in my chest as I glared back at the house. Piers would be coming this way at