The Secret of Hollyfield House Read online

  “I have never met a person from his part of the world,” I stated. “He is fascinating.”

  “Oh, Jillian. You are so impressionable,” Evergreen laughed. “I do believe that is why I find you so wonderfully refreshing. You state your mind blatantly. One never has cause to wonder what you are thinking.”

  I did not look her way, instead preferring to allow her words to melt into the air and not touch me. Evergreen LaVelle, was an enigma. She was sugar and salt, sweetness and sting, and I was not yet certain which side of her personality was the most authentic. The more time I spent around the beautiful young heiress, I was reminded that sometimes the prettiest things in life can be the most precarious.

  Chapter Seven

  DOMINIC JOINED US FOR LUNCHEON, but Marabelle Pike did not. After we dined, I was more than ready to take my leave from Hollyfield, and accepted Dominic’s kind offer to accompany me on my walk back to the village. If Evergreen objected to our leaving together, she did not show it. We parted with my promise to return in two days for the next session.

  “THANK YOU FOR CHANGING THE subject, earlier.” I said to Dominic once we set off down the lane leading to Lake Road. “I do not like to be reminded of that poor man in the lake.”

  “Think nothing of it,” he replied. “Bad enough you had to experience something so horrific. It cannot help for others to keep bringing it up. Therefore, on a lighter note, tell me what do you think of Hollyfield House?”

  “It is a fine residence.” I said. “I know it is a stately home, yet I like that the place does not take itself too seriously. I mean, it is welcoming and comfortable.”

  “A fine analogy, Jillian.” He grinned, and I noticed one of his front teeth was slightly crooked. This was no flaw. Indeed, it added to his character.

  “I’ve always thought it a marvellous place,” he continued. “And the grounds are wonderfully extensive.” His voice held fond appreciation.

  “You would be an authority on that subject I should think. If your family has worked here many years, I imagine you know it well.” We turned onto Lake Road and hearing several geese squabbling overhead on their journey to the lake, I glanced up.

  “I do. Father spent his life working Wolfe Farm, and taking care of Hollyfield also. Our family holding is not large, but enough to keep us in food. We have a wheat field which we harvest and take to the mill in Ambleside. A small flock of sheep, milk cows, pigs and chickens. My mother, and brother, helped out on the farm, which allowed father to earn extra money gardening for the LaVelles.”

  “Your father was a hard worker,” I said respectfully. “Is it difficult now, managing the farm with only your brother’s help?”

  Dominic shrugged. “Honestly, it can be challenging at times. Billy has some problems, but he is a strong lad and not afraid of hard work.”

  Instantly Evergreen’s unkind comments jumped into my thoughts. I pushed them away. “How old is your brother?”

  “Fifteen last March, though you’d take him for grown if you saw him.” Pride shone in his eyes as he spoke of his sibling, and I warmed to this man even more. Though masculine in each cut of his build, it was the sensitive side of Dominic Wolfe which I found so very endearing.

  “Here is the farm,” he announced as we rounded another bend on the road. “Why don’t you come along and see the place, if you have time?”

  “I would like that.” I was, in truth, madly curious to see it. Wolfe Farm aroused an unsubstantiated interest in me.

  The farmhouse was more impressive than I expected. It was built of brick and, like Hollyfield House, had thick ivy trailing up to the roof. To one side stood a barn in good repair, and next to that, a stable which might accommodate several horses. There was another building which I assumed must be the cowshed.

  Dominic led me towards the house as a figure came out of the barn.

  “Billy, come and meet Miss Farraday,” Dominic shouted over to him, and the boy came towards us, wiping his hands on a piece of rag. As he approached, it became apparent that his features were unusual. His body was stocky and muscular, and though larger than his brother, he was not much taller than me. Billy’s hair was thick and wavy, his eyes a similar colour to Dominic’s, but there the similarities ended. It was as though a part of him did not belong to the other. His neck seemed too short, his head too small. The plane of his face and nose were flat. His lips were thick, and his eyes slanted upwards as though smiling.

  “Billy, this is my friend, Jillian.”

  The lad grinned at me and held out a big hand. I took it. “Pleased to meet you, Billy.” I smiled.

  “You too, miss.” He spoke with the pronunciation of a young child, though his voice was deep and his words quite clear. “Do you want to see the cows? There’s babies.”

  “Spring is Billy’s favourite time on the farm, Jillian. He has a soft spot for the calves and spends too much time with them. Don’t you, brother?” Dominic ruffled Billy’s hair.

  “I like ’em,” he said. “They be all soft an’ new. They smell good too.”

  “I would love to see them,” I said enthusiastically, and he beamed and held out his hand. I took it and allowed him to lead me into the cowshed. Dominic stayed behind, but I felt comfortable enough with the lad.

  The cowshed was darker than outdoors, but it smelled of sweet hay and livestock. Billy walked quickly towards the back of the shed. His face shone bright with pleasure and the excitement of showing me his pets. We reached the last few pens, and I saw three cows in their stalls with babies. One cow had twin calves, who were latched on to their mother, drinking hungrily.

  “This one, she’s named Sophie, that’n is Isabelle an’ the brown one here is my favourite. Her name be Sally.”

  I peered over the metal gate at the sibling calves. “They are adorable, Billy. No wonder you are proud of them. They look so healthy. You must work hard taking such good care of them.”

  “I do,” he said. “But we can’t keep ’em—I wish we could, but Dom has to take ’em to market once they’re weaned.” He looked at me mournfully. “I cry when they go away.”

  His face was so sad, and his sentiment heartfelt. Billy was a contradiction in terms. His strong body, manly and mature, while his heart and mind were still that of an innocent, a child.

  “It is always hard to say goodbye to the things we love, Billy. But you know they are going to new homes where they will be taken care of.” I had no idea if that was even the case, but it seemed an appropriate response.

  “That’s what Dom says.” He grinned. “Let’s go an’ find him.”

  Dominic was in the farmhouse, putting a kettle on the hob to boil. “I hope you enjoyed your tour?” He glanced up as Billy and I came into the kitchen.

  “I did indeed.” I scoured the room. It was a little untidy and devoid of female touch, but generally clean and welcoming.

  “Would you have a cup of tea before you go, Jillian?”

  “No, thank you, I had better not. There is a great deal of work waiting for me at home. Though Evergreen thinks me readily available I have much work to get done. Uncle Jasper is required to submit monthly papers to the university, and I have to transcribe his notes first.”

  He turned to look at me, his face troubled. “I am sorry Evergreen burdened you with this. I had no idea you’d get coerced into chaperoning when she asked me to paint her portrait. I was too busy thinking of what I might earn. In truth, I expected Marabelle to be there, or even one of the servants.”

  “Please do not apologise. I am sure Evergreen could have her choice of chaperone, but for some reason, she wanted my company. Though I do not know why.”

  His eyes were warm as he met mine. “Really? I do.”

  “Dom likes you,” Billy giggled next to me. “He’s gone all sappy.”

  Dominic stepped forward and good-naturedly put his arm around Billy’s neck and rubbed his knuckles on the boy’s head. “Less of the lip, little brother, or I’ll have to give you a good walloping.”


  “Please.” I stepped back out of their way, laughing. “I must be on my way before I change my mind.”

  The brothers ceased. “Will you be all right walking the rest of the way alone?” Dominic asked politely.

  “Absolutely. I will be fine.” After all, the murderer had been arrested. With that, I bid them both a good day and left the farm towards the village. As I made my way home, I contemplated my morning. It had undoubtedly been an interesting day. Speaking with Marik had been thrilling, meeting Billy, and then feeling Dominic’s interest stir was exhilarating. I took a deep breath, looked up at the blue sky and felt my heart swell for the first time in weeks. Perhaps coming to Ambleside had been the right thing to do after all.

  “IS THAT YOU, JILLY?” UNCLE Jasper called as I shut the door and hung up my coat. I followed his voice into the study. He sat at his desk peering into a microscope.

  “Ah, you’re back. How was the chaperone duty, were you terribly bored?”

  “Surprisingly, no. Evergreen LaVelle is a nice girl, but so very spoiled. But I did enjoy chatting with her brother, and the Indian fellow, Marik. Then I walked back with Dominic as far as Wolfe Farm and he introduced me to his brother Billy.”

  “Did he now?” Uncle Jasper looked up. “He’s a friendly young lad, isn’t he?”

  “Yes. He was knowledgeable about the livestock and so gentle with them.”

  “’Tis an unfair misconception held when it comes to those afflicted with mongolism, Jilly. The alteration of their looks can have a disarming effect on people who have regular features, yet it does not signify stupidity. There can be a negative impact on their capacity to learn as quickly or understand some things the way you and I might. They have more challenges to get by in this world than the rest of us, but given time, can learn and participate in life every bit as fully as we do.”

  “People are cruel, Uncle. I thought Evergreen a little harsh on him.”

  “I agree, my dear. But Billy is luckier than some. At least he has his brother looking out for him and a warm and comfortable home. Sounds as though you had an interesting day.”

  “Indeed, I have. Is Mrs Stackpoole about?”

  “In the parlour, darning socks—last I checked.”

  “I think I’ll pop the kettle on if you would like a cup of tea?”

  Uncle Jasper grinned. “Only if there’s a jam tart going.”

  THE NEXT MORNING MRS STACKPOOLE LEFT FOR Kendal to visit her daughter, Ruby. She would spend the night and return the following day. After a busy few hours, Uncle Jasper and I were in the kitchen finishing up our lunch when there came a knock on the front door. Dominic Wolfe stood on the step. My heart lifted. He was such an attractive man. I liked his tousled wavy hair, those interesting eyes. I might not be a great judge of character, but part of his appeal was the man seemed indifferent to his admirable qualities.

  “Dominic. Come in.” I stepped back.

  “I hope this is a convenient time—”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Wolfe, what brings you here this fine day?” Uncle Jasper joined us, and we all went into the parlour.

  “Why don’t I make tea,” I suggested as they both sat down. I returned promptly with the tea-tray and handed each man a cup.

  Dominic and my uncle sat in the two armchairs, I settled on our rather threadbare sofa. They continued their conversation started while I was in the kitchen.

  “There is much speculation about him,” Dominic stated, and I quickly realised they were talking about the dead blacksmith. A wave of nausea hit me, but I took a sip of tea and willed it gone.

  “Jareth had a reputation as a bit of a gambler,” Dominic said. “There is talk of debt, and perhaps him being mixed up with the wrong people. The man they caught was a gambler as well. Apparently, there was bad blood between the two. But they have not yet found the murder weapon.”

  Uncle Jasper tutted and took a sip of tea. “Well, I am glad they have him locked up. I did like Flynn, but in truth, I cannot say I knew him that well. Always was a confident fellow, and a bit of a lady’s man, according to Mrs Stackpoole.”

  “I am sure the police are working diligently to get the case before a judge and keep the fellow behind bars.”

  “Or hang him.” The words blurted from my mouth. Both men looked at me with expressions of surprise.

  “You did not see what had been done to the poor man,” I said plainly.

  Uncle Jasper awkwardly cleared his throat. “Dominic, will you attend the lectures at Mountjoy’s?” Uncle Jasper got back to his favourite subject, and I took the opportunity to slip out of the room. I returned to the kitchen and cleaned up from our earlier meal, but my mind kept straying to the man sitting with my uncle down the hall.

  After some time, their voices grew louder as a door opened. I realised Dominic must be leaving, and hurried out of the kitchen only to find Dominic heading in my direction with my uncle nowhere in sight.

  His smiled when he saw me. “Jillian. Might I speak with you before I leave?”

  “Of course. What is it?” I drew closer.

  “Let us step outside?” He led the way to the front door, opened it and the afternoon sunlight streamed in. He turned back to face me.

  “Jillian.” He was close enough that I could see the thickness of his dark lashes, the golden flecks in his amber eyes. I took a breath to calm myself. Why did this man make my senses react this way? I cleared my throat.

  “Yes?”

  He held my gaze. “I hope you do not think me improper, especially with all you have been going through. But I should like to ask you to accompany me on a walk tomorrow, after we leave Hollyfield. There are some places here in Ambleside I would love to show you.”

  His words were platonic, yet the look he bestowed upon me shone as richly as my moonstone.

  “I should like that, indeed.” I managed a quiet response, when in truth, I wished more than anything to smile broadly and sound a hurrah.

  When he took his hand from the doorknob and reached across to take my own, I almost gasped with surprise. Carefully he held my fingers within the firmness of his grip.

  “I want to get to know you better, Jillian Farraday. I find you not only lovely, but fascinating.” He raised my hand to his mouth, and I felt the soft graze of his lips against my knuckles. My intake of breath was audible, but before I could breathe again, he had already gone.

  WEDNESDAY DAWNED, AND THE sun shone as brightly as my heart. Though I was not looking forward to my time chaperoning at Hollyfield, I could barely contain my excitement at the prospect of my walk with Dominic afterwards.

  “You seem in unusually good spirits this morning, Jilly,” Uncle said, as he finished his breakfast. “Perhaps Dominic Wolfe should visit more often.” He gave a cheeky wink, and I laughed.

  “What nonsense.” I picked up his empty plate and set it in the sink. “Now remember, I am away to Hollyfield this morning. There is cheese and ham in the cold pantry you can eat for lunch.” I kissed the top of his balding head and bade him farewell.

  As before, the carriage arrived promptly to collect me and whisk me away to Hollyfield House. I enjoyed the fresh morning air, the glisten of dew upon the damp green grass, and the playful young lambs already outside frolicking in the fields. By the time we arrived, my senses were almost vibrating with the anticipation of seeing Dominic again.

  Marabelle Pike answered the door. I was taken aback, unprepared for the tall, dark figure and haughty face.

  “Good morning, Miss Pike.” I smiled.

  “What are you doing here?” she said rudely. “You were not supposed to come, Miss Farraday. Your services are not required today.”

  I stood on the doorstep. “Oh. But the carriage called for me.”

  “That was a mistake, it should never have been sent.”

  I was stupefied. “Is something wrong? Is Miss Evergreen unwell?”

  The cold black eyes assessed me. Her body tight and slender, she resembled a cobra preparing to strik
e. “Miss LaVelle has taken sick to her room, in light of the shocking discovery she made when walking last night.” My expression must have implied confusion because she frowned. “You have not heard?”

  “I do not know what you refer to, Miss Pike. Heard what?” My skin prickled with cold apprehension, and I was at once frightened.

  “It is the Wolfe boy.”

  “Dominic?”

  “No,” she said in a monotone voice. “The idiot brother.”

  My heart sank. “What has happened?”

  Marabelle Pike’s face was unfathomable, still as stone. “He has been arrested. It was his knife that killed the blacksmith. Billy Wolfe has been taken to the gaol for the murder of Jareth Flynn.”

  Chapter Eight

  I GASPED, AND MARABELLE’S dour countenance shifted to what I would swear was pleasure at my obvious discomfort. Was she so malevolent to the fate of young Billy, not to mention Mr Flynn?

  “Will that be all?” she enquired; her disinterested mask slipped back into place.

  I tilted my chin and straightened my spine as I replied, “Indeed. Good day.” I turned my back on her before she had time to close the door in my face. As I reached the small lane, my anxiety grew. I pictured the young man I had met so recently, and I could not imagine the same gentle person being responsible for the ghastly scene I had stumbled upon in the lake shallows. What must Dominic be thinking? It was all too horrible to contemplate.

  Without conscious thought, I left Lake Road and walked directly to Wolfe Farm. I had no idea if Dominic would even be there, but instinct drew me to him. As I entered the stable yard, all was quiet. The cows were in the pasture, as were the horses. Pigs grunted contently in their pen, and the chickens scratched the dirt, looking for tasty insects.

  The farmhouse door was closed, and I knocked loudly. At first I thought no one would come, and then I heard footsteps approaching slowly. The door swung open to reveal Dominic, his face strained, dark circles underneath his eyes and lines furrowed across his brow. His clothes were disheveled as though he had slept in them, and his hair was wild and unkempt.