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

of us, the genial smile he wore so well fixed on his face. He lookedfar more at home at his own estate.

“It’s an honor to have you both to Grovesly.” He spoke easily enough, but I noticed a slight hesitation in his voice, or wasit merely a weary remnant of the previous few days? It was he who had stumbled upon the body of Miles Lacy, after all.

“Your home is just as lovely as I remember it.” I moved to take a seat on a nearby sofa, which encouraged the gentlemen tobe seated as well.

Piers, it seemed, had no time for small talk. “I’m going to be straight with you, Tony. We’ve come for answers. Miles Lacy is dead, and though we’ve kept it somewhat a secret that Seline’s been missing since the night she had an argument with Lord Kendal at Kinwich Abbey, we can do so no longer.”

Tony dipped his chin prettily enough and covered his mouth with his hand, but there was no denying the fact that he alreadyknew of Seline’s disappearance.

Piers recounted what we knew so far as Tony sat stoically rubbing his chin. “I’ll do all I can to help of course, but I havelittle information to share with you about that night. I was the first one to leave, after all.”

“Then we should start with Miles Lacy. He was mentioned in Seline’s note, which we now believe was forged. They were supposedto have eloped, but clearly they did not.”

His face blanched, and he shrugged defensively. “I never met the fellow in my life before I found his dead body lying behindKendal’s stables.”

“What exactly happened the day of the murder?”

Tony’s knuckles whitened on the armrest. “I promised Kendal I’d overnight in the stables. Lot of money was riding on thatblasted curricle race. I’d never seen anything like it.” He scrunched his lips up. “I’m sure everyone is in a pucker sinceit had to be postponed due to the murder. I don’t even know if Kendal ever means to have the race now. If he doesn’t . . .Have you been by London to see the book at White’s?”

“No, but Avery made some offhand comment about there being quite a few bets.”

“And then there were so many people at Whitecaster for the engagement ball. I got a little nervous myself. Thought it might be best to watch over Kendal’s horses. When I was asked to give him a small token of luck from Hugh, I only left for a moment.”

“So Hugh was there at the stables?”

“Just for a short time to make sure everything was ready. I sent him home at once. He didn’t look well.”

Piers nodded. “Then what happened?”

“I found Kendal in the ballroom and gave him the letter. Then I returned to the stables.” Tony’s eyes glazed over. “When Ientered, it was eerily quiet. I found out later the grooms had gathered upstairs to enjoy some ale. I intended to walk straightto Kendal’s private stall, but a groom drew my attention out the window. That’s where I found Miles, flat on his back in agrove of trees, his skull broken, blood everywhere . . .” Tony glanced at me. “Forgive me, Charity, I don’t mean to be gauche.”

Piers didn’t flinch. “Then he was hit over the head. But why on earth was he at Whitecaster Hall in the first place?”

I startled both gentlemen as I spoke. “I may be able to shed some light on Miles’s presence there. You see, Mr. Lacy receiveda letter from Miles a few days ago.” I had their attention now. “He told his uncle that he’d taken a job—a lucrative one—atWhitecaster Hall.”

I wasn’t prepared for the wide eyes Piers turned on me, nor the unease on Tony’s face. I wish I’d had a moment to tell Piersabout my secret meeting with Mr. Lacy.

Piers was clearly off stride. “When did you speak with Mr. Lacy?”

I turned first to Tony then back to Piers. “I’m so sorry. I should have found a way to tell you before now, but Mr. Lacy sent me a note before we left Loxby the night of the dance. I ended up meeting him at the stables, where he asked me to speak with his nephew at Whitecaster, to try to talk some sense into him. He wanted Miles to leave the country as they’d arranged with Mr. Cavanagh. He thought Miles might be in something deep.”

Tony rested his elbows on his knees. “I hesitate to speak, but so much has happened . . .” He ran his hand down his face.“Apparently Miles is the one Kendal contracted to rig the curricle race.”

Piers remained oddly silent for a long moment. “You were all in on the sabotage?”

“Listen, Piers, don’t blame Avery. It was Hugh’s dratted idea, and he would broker no opposition.”

“What happened after we left the stables that night?”

Tony shook his head. “Kendal was shocked, barking out all kinds of orders. It was mayhem, I tell you, servants running inevery direction. I was eventually sent to fetch the magistrate.”

Piers drummed his fingers on his leg. “Tell me about the Gormogons.”

Tony nearly fell out of his chair.

Piers didn’t flinch. “I followed the three of you to the ruins of the abbey. You were talking about the curricle race. Whatdoes one have to do with the other?”

Tony squirmed in his chair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play coy with me. We’ve been friends our whole lives. If you think I can’t tell when you’re sporting a lie, you willbe gravely disappointed. Besides, Avery has already revealed a great deal.”

“Avery, huh? Hugh will have his head.”

Piers sat forward. “Then it was Hugh who revived the Gormogons?”

“Couldn’t say. I’m not a charter member.”

A slight smile creased Piers’s lips. Unwittingly Tony had just confirmed what we’d wondered since finding the medallion—the group was indeed connected in some way to the one Mr. Cavanagh had been a part of.

An innocent diversion of a group of friends? Possibly. That’s certainly what Avery wanted us to believe, but a man was nowdead and my friend missing. Everything took on a more