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

for Gretna Green with Miles Lacy. And we are all ruined.”

Chapter 3

After a fitful night of sleep and the uncomfortable silence of an empty breakfast room, I realized my only hope for informationregarding Seline’s unfortunate situation would be to return once again to Mrs. Cavanagh’s bedchamber.

The precipitous appearance of the letter the previous night wrought more questions in my mind than answers. First off, whyhadn’t I seen the note when I entered her room just a few minutes before? It was dark, yes, but was it really possible tomiss such a vital item? And when exactly had Seline left the note? Nothing about the events of the evening made any sense.

An offhand comment from a maid in the hallway informed me that Avery had set off quite early in search of her, and it wouldprobably be some time before he returned. Mrs. Cavanagh remained my only recourse in the house with whom I might mull overthe inconsistencies that plagued my thoughts. If only she wasn’t so easily affected.

The family wing looked oddly cheery in the daylight, the ghosts of the previous night’s escapades tucked neatly beneath awarm, yellow glow. Even though I knew in my heart that as a mother Mrs. Cavanagh would wish to hear my suspicions, I couldn’thelp but fear the flurry of her nerves.

The shouts of a heated argument rent the cloying stillness of the hallway and arrested my steps. What at first I thought emanated from Mrs. Cavanagh’s bedchamber, I realized only too quickly came from the room next door.

Seized by the shrill pitch of Mrs. Cavanagh’s voice, I sank against a wooden pillar, numb as to which way to turn. Of lateI tended to shy away from conflict, so it was strange of me to stand there and eavesdrop . . . but I did so like a curst statue.

As I feared, Mrs. Cavanagh’s shock from the previous night had turned into hysteria by the light of day. I could almost seeher hands fluttering before her as she spoke.

“Please, don’t take a pet about Mr. Lacy. I only meant to—”

“How I continue to handle our curst situation is entirely up to me. Don’t ever forget that.” The second voice was that ofan older man, an angry one. Considering the proximity to Mrs. Cavanagh’s room, I could only deduce it was her husband. “Itseems Mr. Lacy could not stop his nephew’s abhorrent behavior any more than you seem able to manage our own daughter’s.”

A dramatic sniffle. “I’ve not been remiss in any way. Acquit me of that at least. I’ve been the best mother anyone could beto our daughter. And for you to question my judgment when I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me—everything. Who do you thinkhandles Loxby in your stead?”

He gave a pointed sigh. “We both know Piers runs the entirety of the estate from Liverpool. All you have been left to worry about is how to spend my money.”

There was a hint of the victim in Mrs. Cavanagh’s voice. “I’m well aware that you’ve no choice but to lie there day afterday, planning your next criticism of me, but—”

“Enough.” The word boomed through the wall.

My eyes widened and my cheeks felt hot. What was I thinking listening in on a private conversation? But her next words kept me firmly in my spot.

“Now I have that Halliwell girl to deal with. You would force me to let her come here.”

My hand retreated to my mouth as my eyes slipped closed. I had been right in my assumptions. Regardless of my mother’s enthusiasm,my visit was wholly unwanted.

Mr. Cavanagh’s shrewd tone broke the amassing silence of the hall. “Miss Halliwell shall likely be a comfort for you as wewait for word on Seline’s whereabouts.”

Mrs. Cavanagh’s voice shook, but she managed to carry on well enough, “Yes . . . well . . . I . . . That is neither here northere. What I am most anxious about is Avery. You know how easily he can be entrapped. Thankfully the little mouse is as drabas she ever was. I do not believe his head could be turned where Miss Halliwell is concerned. And it’s a good thing, too,for I have high hopes for him. As should you.”

Another sigh. “Your memory seems to be selective at best. As I told you before, I have no intention of discussing my willwith you again. Let it alone.” A long pause. “Have Piers come to my room as soon as he arrives.”

A huff. “I wasn’t aware you knew he was coming.”

Mr. Cavanagh coughed out an irritated laugh. “Interesting that you did not tell me so yourself. We promised to be forthrightwith one another, did we not? Thankfully I have Baker to apprise me of what goes on in this house. I may be weak and blind,but I am not on my deathbed yet, lest you forget.”

“You needn’t act like I withheld the information on purpose. We’ve been at sixes and sevens throughout Loxby since Seline’sshocking disgrace. As you well know.”

I heard footsteps approaching my position beyond the door, and I sprang into a brisk walk, my feet flying numbly down the carpeted hall, my mind awash with what I’d overheard.

Avery. High hopes that didn’t include me. The utter notion!

I took a careless look behind me. Goodness, I had no intention of approaching Mrs. Cavanagh now. Not when she thought I cameto Loxby to—my chest tightened—make a match with her younger son.

I gripped the banister hard as I hurried down the steps, my heart a wrangled mess. Avery Cavanagh was never anything moreto me than a good friend, and there had always been Piers . . . How could she think I’d come here to set my cap at Avery?

My head hurt. ’Faith, but I’d come to Loxby to escape the thought of men entirely, and here was one waiting to engage me,only this time his mother wanted her children to have nothing to do with a drab little mouse like me.

Perhaps voyaging to America would have been the better option after all.

No. I knew full well conversation about marriage would have been front and center if I’d gone with my parents. Oh yes, I’dfelt the undercurrent