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

my arm. “I don’t know what we would have done if we’d notfound you standing here.”

I gave him a small smile. “Priscilla is waiting at Rushridge, and is probably in a fearful state. She must be told of whathappened to Hugh.”

Avery nodded, but it was a difficult one. I didn’t envy what lay ahead for him.

Piers helped me to a seat on a nearby stone. “All is settled between Kendal and me. He had every intention of shooting slightlywide, but he had to make it look real. My father would have heard otherwise. He’s been controlling him for years. Kendal intendeda flesh wound at the most or to miss completely, but his nerves got the best of him.”

“A flesh wound?”

“He told me it was my father who kept up the Gormogons in secret after the law was passed. They had far-reaching plans for France and Britain. I suppose they thought it noble at one time, but somewhere along the line everything changed. He used Avery and his friends to do his bidding when his own years and infirmity kept him in his room.”

Piers ran his hand down his face. “He forced Kendal to enrage me into the duel five years ago. My father needed me out ofthe way. He knew I would never align with his principles about France. He figured I wouldn’t survive the duel, but when Ididn’t show up at all, he cornered Kendal into denouncing me.”

I shifted closer. “Oh, Piers. Hugh and I read the loyalty pledges before he was killed. Your father paid several others tocut you in London. You had no chance to come about. He wanted to send you scurrying off to the countryside to hide.”

Piers let out a tight breath. “It was his idea that I move outside of Liverpool.” He put his arm around my shoulders. “Selinewas indeed an accident, but I don’t think he lost much sleep over her death. He had disconnected himself from his family yearsbefore, if he even ever knew how to love. He was a bitter man whom I will never understand.”

He stood and extended his hand. “Let me take you back to Loxby. It’s time we speak openly with my mother.”

*  *  *

Mrs. Cavanagh sat perched on the settee in the drawing room when Piers and I entered the house. A grave look had settled intothe lines on her face, her shoulders hunched over like a crow. So subtle was the spark of interest that glinted in her lonelyeyes as we walked into the room, I’m not certain I’d seen it at all.

“Where’s Avery?” Her words were more of a grumble than a question.

Piers stepped forward. “He’s ridden to Rushridge to see to Priscilla. Hugh Daunt was killed tonight.”

Her eyes widened, but Piers gave her no chance to respond.

“As well as Father.”

Her hand shot to her mouth, then quivered against her lips, her voice tumbling out in an incredulous mix of whispers. “He’sgone. Dead?”

“He was crushed beneath a statue at the abbey.”

Her eyelids narrowed as she shifted her gaze to me. “Then it is done at last.”

I took a seat at her side. “We’re safe.”

There were several seconds of tears, but I did not think them wrought by grief; relief more like.

Piers joined us on the sofa and took a deep breath. “I’ve been appraised of what happened five years ago between you and Father,and I must admit, I’m left reeling from the revelations this day has brought. I need you to tell me once and for all whathappened in the stables that day.”

Her hands went to work on her handkerchief. “It was an impulsive decision, one I’ve regretted since the moment I struck him.”More tears.

I’d seen a great deal of drama from Mrs. Cavanagh since I’d arrived, but for the first time her sentiments felt real, as ifwe’d found our way to the last act of the play.

Her eyes slipped closed, her hand finding Piers’s on the cushion. “You see, you had left for Liverpool only a month priorand I was still caught up in the aftermath of the scandal. Quite by accident, I stumbled upon a private conversation in yourfather’s office. At first I paid no mind, but then I heard your name.

“Mr. Cavanagh was gruff and short. He said you were growing to be quite a problem. He was upset with how open you’d been about denouncing French ideals, and he was worried you had found out too much information about his little group. The other man in the office, who I didn’t know at the time, asked if Mr. Cavanagh would be willing to do whatever it took to silence you, and he agreed, just like that—like it was nothing to him. Like you were nothing. He said the cause was more important than blood.”

I couldn’t help but gasp.

Mrs. Cavanagh didn’t skip a beat. “I was shocked to the core, angry beyond belief. Who was this man I had married? A monster?I suppose I wasn’t thinking straight from that moment on. I hid in my room for some time before I saw him out my window headingto the stables. That’s where I found him and revealed what I’d overheard. He merely laughed. Laughed!

“I don’t even remember bringing the candlestick in with me, but there it was, in my hands. Avery saw the whole thing fromthe stable door, as did Mr. Lacy. We were all caught up in a nightmare, and they’ve both been forced to protect me ever since.”

She went on. “Avery and I decided at once it was best for you to stay in Liverpool where you were safe, and I knew I couldn’tface you again, not after what I had done. I thought if I kept you at arm’s length I could bear the shame and keep you safeat the same time. I even thought to keep you out of the will so Mr. Cavanagh wouldn’t turn his sights back on you.

“I hid the broken end of the candlestick in my handkerchief and kept it in my desk drawer as a reminder. I would take it outfrom