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

into my head and again a twinge of discomfort gnawed at me. Was there something between the two of them? I always picked up on a subtle shift in Dominic’s demeanour whenever Evergreen was with us. Part of me desperately wanted to ask him, yet I was afraid of his answer. I had to believe Dominic was a truthful man. Surely, he would not have encouraged my affections if his own feelings were for another?

UNCLE JASPER’S MOOD WAS LIKE day to my night. He worked most of that morning, yet on several occasions I know I heard him whistling. For some reason, his joy enhanced my lack of it, and by the end of the day, I was low.

Would I see Dominic? Though I knew he would be in Kendal with Billy, I half-expected him to knock at the door on his way home, as he was wont to do. He did not come. At dinner, I barely touched my food.

“Jilly, what ails you?” Uncle Jasper asked with a concerned frown.

“Nothing,” I lied. “I am a little under the weather. I think perhaps the rich food and fine wine at dinner last evening were too much for me.”

“Well, that would explain it,” he stated. He then embarked upon a story where he had over-imbibed and the dramatic effects it had taken on his body. Mrs Stackpoole seemed riveted. I did not listen to a word.

My uncle retired to his study while I helped Mrs Stackpoole clear away the dinner plates. My mind jostled with many thoughts, yet they kept returning to Dominic and his treatment of me at the Mountjoy’s. Finally, I had enough. It was not my nature to dwell and worry. I would rather speak my mind and have it out. I took off my apron, hung it on the peg and told Mrs Stackpoole I was taking a quick walk before it got dark. I did not wait for her reply.

DOMINIC WOULD NOT EXPECT ME this late in the day. I knew it was foolish on my part to go to Wolfe Farm unannounced, but I could not help myself. I was desperate for answers.

The farm took on a different persona as dusk gave way to the night creeping slowly across the land. Shapes so familiar in the light of day were at once foreign and shadowed. But I chased away my concerns and approached the farmhouse, drawn to a lit kitchen window like a moth. Thank goodness it appeared Dominic was home.

As I reached the kitchen door and went to knock, the sound of voices stilled my hand. Dominic was not alone. Loathe to be a bother and interrupt, I put my ear to the door and listened intently. I heard a woman speak, and I froze. Who was with Dominic at this hour?

I moved away towards the kitchen window. When I reached it, I debated how I could look through without being seen. Slowly, I peered around. Two figures stood facing one another in front of the hearth.

Their voices became louder. I could not hear what was being said, but their tones grew hostile. I wanted to know more. Bolder now, I stepped in front of the window at the very moment Evergreen LaVelle moved nearer to Dominic. My stomach convulsed with what I could only know as jealousy. My blood raced through my veins at a gallop. What was Evergreen doing here?

At first, I thought she meant to strike him. Even from my poor vantage point I could see the wildness of her expression. But as she neared him, the breath left my body as Evergreen placed her arms about Dominic’s neck, pulled him close and kissed him.

My heart lurched, I felt sick and my mind raced. I looked away in utter disgust, tears streaming down my face. So, my suspicions had been correct. I had been played the fool the entire time. Evergreen and Dominic were obviously involved prior to my moving here. Dear God, Dominic Wolfe had toyed with me like I was a lovesick child.

I moved away from the repugnant scene and ran from the farm. I do not remember how I arrived home or how long it took me to get there because I was too distraught, too broken-hearted to pay attention or see through my tear-filled eyes. I went into the house and directly upstairs to my room. I threw down my cloak and fell onto the bed where I buried my face into my pillow and soundlessly wept. How could they? I was so ashamed.

And then a myriad of thoughts crashed into my mind. Dominic’s quiet response when we had discovered evidence of a tryst at the boathouse and thought it Evergreen. His tolerance of her appalling words to Billy. His inattentiveness towards me last night. Had it been a façade from the very start?

I had been so easily deceived. Indeed, though I had little experience with men, I was no imbecile. I read people well enough. But Evergreen? My blood boiled as I thought of her efforts to be kind and how she used me to entertain herself whenever she pleased. No wonder she was so snide with me—she wanted Dominic for herself, and I was getting in the way.

As my tears quickly gave way to rage, so my fury mounted. I turned over onto my back and stared at the ceiling. My fingers twisted the pendant I still wore about my neck, but it brought little comfort.

Dominic Wolfe had stolen my heart, and now ignited my vengeance. I would not be humiliated, nor would I be used for his pleasure any longer. As for Evergreen? She thought she had my friendship, but now she would receive my wrath. I would never forgive either one of them.

Chapter Twenty-Five

DOMINIC CALLED AT THE HOUSE the next morning, but I had already instructed my uncle that I was unwell and wished to see no one. I heard them talking and then Dominic’s retreating footsteps. But I cared not. I planned