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

he was dead. I thought our troubles were finally behind us.”

“Not if you were the person who killed him,” Dominic growled. “Because it was not my brother.”

“I have not killed anyone,” shouted Marik.

“You have no alibi,” Dominic replied and watched the Indian’s face widen in surprise.

“You were overheard speaking to Evergreen about your fears of being suspected of something suspicious,” Dominic explained. “You certainly had a motive.”

“Perhaps I did have good reason to want the man dead,” Marik said icily. “But I did not kill Flynn, though I would shake the hand of the person who did with heartfelt thanks. Flynn was scum. He feasted upon the secrets of others like a rat gnawing a carcass. The day he died, Perry and I were in Hawkshead, with some of our—friends.”

“Then you do have an alibi,” Victor commented.

“Not one we could share with a constable,” added Marik. “Unless we wanted to admit to our relationship.”

“And be imprisoned,” I said. They turned to look at me as though just realising I was there. “It is a terrible dilemma for them both,” I continued. “Escaping the condemnation of one crime would lead to the punishment of another.”

“Just so.” Marik sighed. “But I am glad it is finally out. I have been worried sick with it all since the cad turned up dead.”

“Evergreen knows of your relationship, does she not?” I asked them both. They nodded, though Perry reluctantly.

“Do not be angry with her, Father,” he pleaded. “She has been a good sort about it from the start.”

“Did she also know Jareth was blackmailing you, Marik?” I had to know.

“Yes,” he admitted.

Perry looked at him with surprise. “You told her, yet not me?” There was hurt in his voice.

“She wanted to help. Evergreen loves you, Perry,” he explained.

I turned to face Dominic. “We should take our leave now, and let these good people finish their conversation.” I got to my feet.

Dominic stood also and glanced at Victor. “I will be at the farm for the rest of the day. Please do not hesitate to come if you have need of anything. This is not finished.”

There was no response.

I said nothing but slowly followed Dominic from the room.

“POOR VICTOR,” DOMINIC SAID, AS he put the kettle on the stove.

I removed my coat and hung it on a peg before joining him. I passed Dominic the empty teapot. “I am relieved Victor already suspected Perry and Marik. At least he didn’t have that as a shock. But what he shared about his wife was most sad.”

“Yet it explains a great deal about Evergreen, does it not?” he said, placing tea leaves into the pot. “Do you think she might be afflicted with the same illness as her mother?”

“It seems likely given the propensity Evergreen has with her moods. Victor might want to seek help from a medical man. Surely there are methods or medications which can help someone with that type of affliction,” I suggested.

“Victor has the means and resources to find out,” said Dominic. “You know, though their visits were infrequent over the years, I’ve often thought Evergreen a complex person. She has many wonderful qualities, but beneath them lays something wicked.” He finished making the tea, and we sat down at the table.

“What do you think will happen now?” I asked.

“Victor will need time to reflect on everything we told him. Then I imagine he will come and speak to me, and then to the solicitor, Kemp.”

“I would expect the evidence of blackmail would give more credence to Billy’s case. Don’t you think?”

“Yes,” Dominic agreed. “The problem is Louisa Mountjoy will never admit her secret, and if Victor exposes Flynn’s blackmailing Perry and Marik, he runs the risk of both men going to gaol. If he mentions Evergreen, her reputation is gone forever. He has so few choices and none of them are good.”

“It is unfair,” I declared. “We have learned so much, Dominic, yet we are no closer to freeing Billy than we were at the beginning. If Victor does not tell Mr Kemp, what shall you do?”

“I cannot remain quiet.” Dominic’s voice was grave. “Victor must choose his own course—but I’ll not let my brother hang for the sake of the LaVelles’ reputation.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I HAD NOT YET DISCLOSED ANYTHING to Uncle Jasper. He was happily ignorant of Dominic’s and my investigations, and I preferred to keep it that way. Therefore, when the LaVelle carriage stopped at our house the next morning with a note from Victor requesting my immediate presence, he grew curious. I concocted a quick story about my offering Victor an opinion on the organisation of Hollyfield’s library. This seemed to pacify the dear man, but only after I had assured him I was not going to start working for the LaVelles.

As the carriage turned down the driveway to the house, I hoped everything was all right. Yesterday’s conversation with the head of the LaVelle family had been incredibly personal, and I still felt uncomfortable having witnessed it. What did Victor want with me? Perhaps Dominic was there too?

When I was shown into the study, I was alarmed to see Evergreen sitting in one of the leather armchairs. She quickly got to her feet and bestowed me with a beaming smile.

“Jillian. I am so pleased you came.” There was no trace of animosity in her voice. It was as though our most recent heated discussion had never taken place.

I held my ground. “I am not come to see you, Evergreen. ’Tis your father who sends for me.”

“Nonsense.” She grinned again. “It was me. I took the liberty of signing his name. I knew you would not come if it was at my request.”

I glared at her with no thought to spare her my irritation. “That was deceitful, Evergreen. I am not at your beck and call whenever you have the desire to have company.”

She arched a brow. “Is that so, Jillian? Yet you are happy enough to be at my father’s.” It was a well-aimed shot, and it had the