The Secret of Hollyfield House by Jude Bayton

Author:Jude Bayton [Bayton, Jude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gothic romance
Publisher: redbus llc
Published: 2021-05-17T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

MY BODY STILL SHOOK. I SAT in a warm study with a glass of brandy clutched between my trembling hands. Next to me on the sofa, Lady Mountjoy looked intently at my face, her brown eyes soft with compassion.

“How are you feeling, dear?” she said gently.

I let out a breath. “I am unsure. It does not seem real, Lady Mountjoy.”

“Louisa, please.” She touched my arm in reassurance.

“How can Marabelle have fallen from up there?” My mind whirled. What possible reason could the woman have to be upstairs in the family’s private quarters?

“I do not know, Jillian,” Louisa replied. “That is for the constable to discover. Victor and Perry are up there with him as we speak.

I finished the brandy and placed the empty glass upon a side table. “I am better now, I think. I would like to see my uncle if it suits you.” I rose to my feet, and she followed. “Thank you so much for taking care of me, Louisa. I believe I should go home now.”

We left the study and found the reception room empty. As we approached the great hall, Uncle Jasper met me and took me into his arms. Tears pricked my eyes, and I willed them gone. This was neither the time nor place to allow my emotions to run riot.

“May we go?” I asked.

Uncle Jasper nodded gravely.

When the Mountjoy carriage arrived at our house, I was never so happy to be home. I was exhausted. Uncle Jasper insisted Mrs Stackpoole take me straight inside while he helped the footman unload the items from his lecture.

I was already in my bed when Uncle Jasper came upstairs. He knocked on my bedroom door, and I bade him come in. My gaslight still burned, and I was sitting up with my book laying untouched on my lap.

“Are you all right, Jilly dear? Is there anything you need?”

I shook my head. “I will be fine, Uncle. It was the shock of seeing her.” I heard my voice wobble and swallowed hard. “In truth, there was no friendship between us, but she did not deserve to die in such a terrible manner.”

“You are right, my dear. But you must not dwell upon it for it will only cause you grief. As a member of the LaVelle family you can rest assured that Victor will get to the bottom of it. ’Tis their worry, Jilly, not yours. Try to push it from your mind this evening, for rest is important after a nasty shock. You will be able to think clearer come morning. I’ll bid you a goodnight.” He gave me a thin smile, kissed the top of my head, and left the room.

I did not move but willed my mind to stop thinking. I could feel the tug of brandy in my system lulling my nerves to settle down, so I turned out my lamp and sank underneath my quilt. I closed my eyes and reflected upon the irony that I had left Devon to escape the grief my mother’s dying had brought.

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