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

I could agree with that, but yet the notion was still foreign to me.

“Imagine,” he continued. “How it must feel to love another and live within a society which condemns you. Indeed, it was not so long ago, men were put to death for engaging in a relationship with another of their sex. A cruel and unjust punishment, and I am glad it is no longer so.”

“You are right,” I said. “No person should die because they care for another. Yet it is still against the law for two men to conduct an affair, is it not?”

“Yes. In the eyes of the world, or at least most countries, it is considered an unnatural act for the same gender to feel passion. Perry is foolhardy displaying any sign of affection to Marik while in public.”

“Will you tell Perry we saw them?”

“I shall say I was there, but I prefer not to mention you, Jillian. It is right they should know so in future they’ll not be so reckless.”

I finished my water and placed the mug in the sink while I mulled over Dominic’s words. He was far more liberal-minded than I, yet I agreed with his opinions and I had no right to judge them. There had never been the need to think about the subject before. But how would I feel when I saw Perry again? Would I think of him differently now? Perhaps.

Dominic walked with me from the farm back to the road. “Do this one thing for me, it might help you understand. Imagine if you will, a world where you and I could show one another affection in public. If it were so, I would embrace you and kiss you farewell right now. But society dictates if would be improper, that we cannot show our affection without a ring. If I kissed you here and now, your reputation would be tarnished should we be seen. Perry and Marik can never have a ring to bind their love. They are forced to hide their feelings for one another. In the eyes of the world their love is considered an unnatural love. That is how it is to be a homosexual.”

Something in my mind suddenly clicked into place. I gasped.

“What is it?” he asked with concern.

“In the eyes of the world, it is unnatural,” I repeated Dominic’s words. “Remember, the note said unnatural.” Dominic’s face was blank.

“Dominic, Billy’s piece of paper was from a blackmail note. Whoever wrote it referred to an unnatural act, and—”

“Dear God, you are right,” Dominic said in wonder. “Flynn must have been blackmailing Marik and Perry as well.”

THE NEXT DAY UNCLE JASPER LEFT for Wadham University in Oxford and would be gone overnight. Dominic planned to contact Victor, and visit Billy, but promised to stop by on his way home later in the day. There was nothing more to be done regarding Flynn until Victor had been brought up to date. By mutual agreement, we determined it was better for Victor to remain ignorant of our suspicions that Perry might be another victim of Flynn’s blackmail. Instead, Dominic would speak with Perry at the first opportunity, rather than cause the family any more trouble. They had already endured enough.

I was finishing up with a particularly tricky transcription when I heard a carriage outside, and I got up to look out of the study window. It was Evergreen LaVelle come to see me. I opened the front door before she had a chance to knock and bade her come in.

She was dressed in black, befitting for her state of mourning. Yet the jaunty angle of her little hat mocked the solemnity of her costume. Evergreen dropped into the armchair facing my own, waved away my offer of tea and gave a theatrical sigh.

“It has been abysmal at home,” she complained, her brow knotted with annoyance.

“I can imagine,” I soothed. “Losing a family member is never easy.”

“Nonsense,” she snapped. “I wasn’t referring to my clumsy cousin falling off a balcony, but the herd of miserable, boring relatives who came to pay their respects to Father. I cannot believe I am related to such a dull set of people, Jillian.” She rolled her eyes in distaste. “Of course, they are all Mother’s side of the family. I much prefer the Symingtons in India. Only the stodgy ones live in England.”

I shook my head and swallowed my admonishment. It would serve no purpose. Evergreen LaVelle might be educated and rich, but she sorely lacked manners. Instead, I asked after her father.

“Oh, he is busy as usual. Dominic came to the house this morning, and they’ve been closeted in the study the entire time.” She spread her gloved hand on her lap and stared at it. “From what I hear, you are spending a great deal of time with our bohemian painter, Jillian. I have known Dom long enough that I can help you if there is anything you want to know about him?” She smiled, but it was feline. I wondered again if she harboured feelings for Dominic.

“No, thank you. I do not require your assistance. Dominic and I are friends—lord knows he has needed them in abundance since Billy’s arrest. There is no peace to be had for him, well, not until Billy is acquitted.”

“Acquitted?” She was aghast. “Why would that happen? The boy killed Jareth Flynn, and he’ll swing for it.” Her voice carried no compassion. Indeed, I even detected a small gleam in her eye. How could Evergreen be pleased Billy Wolfe might hang?

“The fact his knife was used does not constitute his guilt.” I chastised. “A thorough investigation is still ongoing. Billy deserves a fair trial.”

“Jillian, you are new around here, and consequently, I bear that in mind when I listen to what you say. But mark my words, that idiot boy has always been strange. As a matter of fact, he has even scared me a time or two, though I never told Father, nor Dominic,