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

UNCLE JASPER WAS GOING FOR A walk on the hills and Mrs Stackpoole told me she would accompany him. She was busy making sandwiches and packing a small picnic basket. I determined their friendship was growing stronger by the day. As soon as the cheerful pair left the house, I waited a few minutes after their departure and then got myself ready to go out.

I had stewed all night over what I should do with my many conflicting emotions because of Dominic. But I could not allow my personal feelings to sway me from doing what was right. I set off for Hollyfield, and this time I did not notice the lambs in the fields or hear birdsong. I was too intent with what I wanted to say to Evergreen LaVelle.

I waited for her in the conservatory. This was not by my request, but hers. I sat on the same wicker chair as before and reflected upon my first time here when Dominic was painting her portrait. Back then, I had felt so differently. I remembered the interesting conversation with Marik and how much I enjoyed his company. It was strange now, thinking of his relationship with Perry. They ran such risk of being caught and punished. I could not imagine how it was to love someone and not have the freedom to express it publicly.

“I am surprised to see you here this early in the day, Jillian. It must be important?”

She appeared before me in another lovely dress, this one the colour of hazelnut. As always, I was taken aback by her impact. If nothing else, Evergreen was a beautiful woman—at least on the exterior. She sank into the chair opposite mine and raised a brow. “Well?”

“I wish to speak with you on a personal matter,” I stated bluntly.

“I see.” She stared at me with her pretty eyes, yet there was no warmth there.

“What was Jareth Flynn really to you?” She opened her mouth to speak, but I continued. “And before you say anything, I would have you consider this. You were seen with him, Evergreen, by more than one person. So please, tell me the truth.”

She got to her feet and paced back and forth in front of her seat. “I do not see what business it is of yours, Jillian. What I do with whomever I please has nothing to do with you.”

“Perhaps,” I agreed. “Except this person was brutally murdered and found close to where you live. A boy’s life hangs in the balance should he be convicted. I believe it my duty to make a point of helping where I can. Besides.” This time I raised a brow. “Why should you care if you have done nothing wrong? Unless you have something to hide?”

She sat back down and fixed me with an angry glare. “You have a lot of nerve, Jillian. But then that’s probably what I admire the most about you.” She sighed. “Jareth Flynn and I were lovers.” She paused and threw me a glance, no doubt expecting to see a look of shock on my face which would have pleased her. Her expression showed disappointment because I did not even blink. She smiled. “He was a handsome fellow. Quite the ladies’ man in Ambleside, ask Louisa.” Again, she stopped to watch my reaction and was left wanting. I decided to take a little stab myself. “I know all about Louisa,” I said confidently. “Mr Flynn had a lot of secrets.” I was alluding to what I knew of his blackmailing habits, for now I was convinced he must have also been blackmailing Perry, or Marik. I took a bold step. “Was Jareth Flynn blackmailing you because of your affair?”

She audibly gasped. “Good grief, Jillian, how dare you suggest—”

“I think it likely, actually,” I replied. “I am aware of your indiscretion in London and the reason Victor packed you off to the country, as you shared that with me. But to engage in yet another affair with someone far beneath your position, why I am sure your father would have been furious. Perhaps even disinherited you?”

Her face was livid. I believe if Evergreen could have, she would have slapped me. She was enraged, two pink dots shone on her cheeks. And that was all I needed to know. She did not have to corroborate my accusation—it was written all over her lovely face.

I got to my feet and, without another word, left the conservatory. As the maid shut the door behind me, and I walked away from Hollyfield, I let out the deep breath it felt I’d been holding throughout the entire conversation. Evergreen was no pushover. It had taken all my resolve to maintain a steady demeanour and not be intimidated by her forceful disposition. I smiled, a little of my pride restored. I had succeeded.

Now I understood why people were victims of Jareth’s blackmailing endeavour. Evergreen, Louisa, Marik and Perry. What a devious individual the blacksmith had been. In some ways, it was understandable someone wanted him dead and killed him. But it was never Billy Wolfe. The person responsible for killing Flynn could be commiserated with in part, because they certainly had motive—Flynn was a miscreant and despicable blackmailer. Yet the murderer had stolen Billy’s knife with the sole intention of killing Flynn and then framing an innocent young man. To be so devious, to incriminate a boy who could be convicted and subsequently hung for something he did not do? It was unforgivable.

But which person did I seek? And what about Marabelle? I still had not accepted her death as an accidental fall. How on earth did she factor into this tangled mess, and who would want her dead?

I walked back towards Ambleside, ruminating over what I already knew. I still had much to understand—yet something told me I was getting closer.

As I turned up our street, someone stood waiting outside the front door. Too late I realised