by Jude Bayton
With Dominic gone, it proved challenging trying to concentrate on my work at hand—I could not engage. I abandoned the task and instead spent the day assisting Mrs Stackpoole with the washing. The activity was a welcome release. By late morning, as we pegged wet clothes onto the washing line and as the sun warmed my shoulders, I had the impulse to remain out of doors.
Securing a list from Mrs Stackpoole, I retrieved my shopping basket and set off for a walk into the village. Uncle Jasper would be back at dusk, and I had been sent to purchase a thick slice of ham to be served with a salad from the garden.
Ambleside was a well-populated small village. There were generally people shopping or taking a stroll. Today was no exception for the weather was glorious. The promise of a warm summer carried in the air. I was contemplating this when I heard someone call my name.
“Miss Jillian?” It was a child’s reedy voice. I stopped and turned, then smiled as I recognised the young face of Jem Riley. I waited for him to catch up with me and we fell into step together.
“Hello Jem. How is your sister? I hope she did not catch cold.” It would not surprise me if she had—the poor little mite had almost drowned.
Jem gave me a gap-toothed grin. “She’s right as rain now, miss. But I got a wallopin’ from my da for lettin’ her run off.” His face scrunched up with injustice. “It wasn’t my fault. She always runs away from me when mam’s not there.”
“Little sisters can be a big handful, Jem.”
“Yes,” he agreed somberly. “She did it to me the week afore that too.”
“She is a rascal. I hope she did not wind up in the lake that time as well?”
“Nope,” he said cheerily. “She hid in that posh boathouse. I had a heck of a time findin’ her afore mam got home from work.”
I chuckled. Jenny Riley was a little scamp. But then my mind latched onto what the boy had just said. “Which fancy boathouse was that, Jem?” I glanced at him.
He looked sheepish. “I don’t want to get into no trouble.”
I stopped and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You will not. All you did was go in there to get your sister. There is nothing wrong with that.” I noticed the quick flash of guilt ripple across his face. “Is there anthing you wish to tell me?” I said in the most non-threatening tone I could muster. For some reason I instinctively felt the lad was hiding something.
He nodded glumly. “I did go there to find Jenny,” he said reluctantly. He wiped his nose with a sleeve and looked up at me with wide chocolate-coloured eyes. “But once I got her, I pinched a cabbage from the garden, an’ I nearly got caught.” He paused, waiting for my swift admonishment and then blinked several times when I did not utter a word. I resumed walking, and he kept pace with me.
“Are you angry with me, miss? I ain’t really a thief, but mam an’ dad work so hard, an’ there’s never enough food to go ’round.”
“Stealing is very bad, Jem,” I said quietly.
“I know,” he pleaded. “I won’t ever do it again, miss. I just couldn’t help myself. Then I saw the lady an’ man walk up to the boathouse an’ I knew I was for it. So as soon as they were busy with each other, me an’ Jenny ran for it. No one followed us. We were lucky.” He shook his head. “I was so scared I dropped the blasted cabbage anyway. We never even got to eat it.”
I did not care about the cabbage. It was his other comment. “Jem, who was it you saw? The lady and man I mean. Did you know them?” We had reached the butcher’s shop.
“Of course, I did,” he said with a groan. “That’s why I was scared I’d get in trouble. It was the blacksmith an’ the pretty lady from the House, the one with the yellow hair.”
My heart picked up rhythm. “Jareth Flynn and Miss LaVelle?”
“Yes. Who did you think I was on about?”
I ignored the question. “What did you mean by them being busy with themselves?”
His face turned a warm shade of pink. “They were kissin’ an’ cuddlin’.” His nose wrinkled in distaste.
I could not help but smile at his expression. “And they did not see you?”
“Not at first. But then the blacksmith saw us out of the corner of his eye, ’cos he winked at me.” Now his confidence returned as Jem realised I was not angry with him. “But me and Jen, we’re good at hidin’ from me da when he’s had a drink or two. So, we hid in the bushes, an’ while they were all lovey-dovey, we ran off home. Thing was though, miss.” He looked up at me, and his face was racked with guilt once again. “When I heard the blacksmith was dead, all I could think about was how lucky I was. No one would find out about me an’ the cabbage.”
The significance of Jem’s words was overwhelming. He had innocently recounted his story, placing Evergreen and Flynn at the boathouse in a romantic rendezvous. Our suspicions were correct. Though it seemed a bizarre union to me, more importantly, I now felt certain Jareth Flynn had been inside the boathouse when he dropped his watch, and it had happened right before he died.
WHEN DOMINIC RETURNED FROM CARTMEL Sunday evening, I pulled open the front door so quickly, he practically fell inside. I had paced for so long the hall carpet could have been threadbare. My mind had been working furiously with information as it knitted together all I had learned about Jareth Flynn.
Dominic asked if Uncle Jasper was home, and at my answer to the negative, he pulled me into a warm embrace and kissed my lips. Momentarily, all thought left me as I became lost in the sensation of his passionate mouth. Then he ended the kiss and looked hard into my eyes. “God, but I’ve missed you, Jillian,” he said, his irises burning like molten gold.
“And I, you, Dominic,” I whispered, and he kissed me again. It was a struggle to disentangle our lips and quell our desire. But there was much to discuss, and I was anxious to begin. I brewed a pot of tea and we sat in the kitchen.
“What is it, Jillian? You seem quite agitated.” Dominic smiled at me. “I’d like to think my kiss is the culprit, but somehow I fear I would be wrong.”
“I do have something to tell you. But first, I want to hear what you discovered in Cartmel Village. Did you learn any more about Flynn and his gaming habits?”
Dominic gave a wry smirk and set down his mug. “Indeed, I did. I had the misfortune to spend an entire evening at The Pig and Whistle Inn. A veritable den of horse gaming thugs and crooks if I ever saw one.”
“Oh no. I hope there was no trouble?”
“None at all. But Flynn was well known among the patrons and not in a particularly good way.”
“Why is that?”
“According to the men I spoke with, our blacksmith had run up some serious debts with several of the local betting men. Many of the sums quite large for a man of his meagre income.”
“Then that explains additional motives for someone to kill the man.”
“Yes it does. However, the news of Flynn’s death did not even reach Cartmel until several days after he died. And though I am no expert on criminals, the men I met were capable of stealing wallets and other petty crimes—but not murder. It strikes me that Flynn was at risk of being roughed over by someone wanting to get repaid. Yet there would be no hope of restoration if you killed the very person owing you money.”
He made a valid point. What use was Flynn dead? I quickly agreed. “You are right. Unless it was a random act of anger, I tend to think it someone who needed him silenced.”
“And judging by his debts,” Dominic added. “Jareth needed to get his hands on a great deal of money.”
“We know he blackmailed Louisa Mountjoy.” I chewed my bottom lip. “But I do not think her the murderer. Lord Mountjoy had no idea of the affair or blackmail, so he is an unlikely suspect.” Our eyes met, and then his gaze lowered to rest on my mouth, and he smiled, his thoughts evidently returning to our kiss of minutes ago. I raised one eyebrow and endeavoured to look stern. “Dominic?”
He blinked. “Sorry.”
“Who else could Jareth have been blackmailing?
Dominic ra
n his fingers through his thick dark curls. “I wish I knew. Kemp says we have about three weeks until Billy’s trial begins and still much to do. I will speak with Victor, after Marabelle’s funeral. Then we can formulate our next move.”
At the mention of Billy’s trial, my heart sank. The enormity of our task sometimes overwhelmed. “Let me tell you my news.” I could not wait to share little Jem’s story. Quickly I told Dominic the gist of what the child had said and, as I anticipated, he was pleased to have the information yet there was something about his expression which caused me to think Dominic did not welcome the fact Evergreen was romantically involved with the man.
“You think Evergreen another target for blackmail?” he said.
I nodded. “If she was involved with Jareth and met him in secret, then it is possible. After all, he did the same thing to Louisa, so why not Evergreen? She is rich. Perhaps Flynn discovered she was sent to Ambleside as a penance for her indiscretions in London. What might Victor do if he found out she was still misbehaving?”
“Send her away I imagine.”
“Then what better avenue to get more money. Lord knows, Evergreen could pay handsomely for his silence.” I still sensed Dominic’s dislike of acknowledging Evergreen’s penchant for dalliances. It was beginning to trouble me more at each observation.
“But what about the note Billy found? It referenced something unnatural. Flynn would not have written the letter to Evergreen if he was the person involved in her secret.” Dominic asked.
“Ah,” I said triumphantly. “But what if that note was not meant for Evergreen?”
WEDNESDAY HELD THE PROMISE OF sunny weather. The birds sang brightly, and there was not a stir of wind upon the air. It seemed incongruous to have a funeral on such a lovely day, emphasising how sad it was that Marabelle would never see the beauty of nature ever again.
By the time Uncle Jasper, Mrs Stackpoole and I arrived at St. Mary’s, it was filled to capacity. Fortunately, we had asked Dominic to save a place should he arrive before us and this he had done.
The LaVelles and their relations were seated where the choir usually sat, affording them some privacy. Reverend Fothergill delivered his sermon, and Marabelle’s eulogy was short and to the point. The selection of hymns was sung, and as the service concluded, we rose and watched the family walk down the aisle. Their eyes remained straight ahead, their countenance stoic. Victor was sombre and Evergreen’s face hidden behind a veil. Only Perry glanced our way as they passed.
Out in the sunny morning, the family did not wait to greet the mourners. Instead, their carriages departed back to Hollyfield. Dominic told me there was a small family vault in the grounds at the back of the House, and it was there Marabelle would be interred. To be truthful, I was glad there was no public burial. Being at the funeral was too close a reminder of my own recent and painful loss.
Walking back home, Dominic and I followed behind my uncle and Mrs Stackpoole. After our conversation when he had returned from Cartmel, we still had much to consider. Dominic had spent the past two afternoons in Kendal with Billy and the solicitor. But no real progress had been made. It was imperative we find out as much as possible before Billy went to trial—time was running out.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day, Jillian?” Dominic broke the silence.
I sighed. “I do not feel much like working. I think I would rather be outside. It is so lovely.”
“It is.” He looked at my face. “And perhaps more so after attending a funeral. Life is so precious, Jilly, yet we fritter our time away until it is too late.”
“That is quite morose, Dominic. You are glum, indeed.”
“Not really. The death of a person at so young an age should be enough of a lesson to ensure we not waste what little time we have.” His expression was serious. “There has been too much sorrow in Ambleside, of late. More than I wish to deal with.”
Without a care who saw, I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I am sorry. You have not had an easy time of it, Dominic. Take comfort in all we have learned. I feel certain we will get to the bottom of this horrible business.”
“What do you think, Jilly?” Uncle Jasper came to a sudden stop and turned to look at us. I quickly released Dominic’s hand, but he had not missed it. His pale eyes met mine for a brief moment, and I could not decide what he thought about my display of affection.
“Mrs Stackpoole has a nice pork pie to share with us for lunch. Hurry along, you two.”
AFTER LUNCH, DOMINIC ACCOMPANIED me, and we set off walking towards the lake.
“How was your brother, yesterday?” I usually waited for Dominic to raise the subject of Billy. I was not sure if it made him unhappy to be reminded of their bleak situation.
“He does surprisingly well. Billy likes things to be familiar and the same. He has been in gaol long enough now that I believe he has become less frightened. The wardens understand him better, and therefore are kinder than they were in the beginning. But Billy still cannot comprehend the gravity of his situation.” He shrugged. “Perhaps that is for the best.”
“Has Mr Kemp said much about his strategy for the trial?”
“No. Though I believe he converses with Victor regularly. Kemp is an intelligent fellow. He is sincere about wanting to help my brother. But it still all hangs on the blasted knife used and Billy not having an alibi.” He stopped as we reached the end of Lake Road.
“Would you like to walk a little further? We could venture down to the trees?” He gestured along the shoreline where the woods began. Three benches were placed in scenic spots where one could rest and enjoy the panorama of the water. I nodded, and we made our way to one of the seats.
The afternoon sun was intense and bright. I sat back against the seat with my face upturned. Freckles and a dark complexion were not in fashion, but I cared not one whit. The soothing blush of warmth kissing my skin was relaxing. Beside me, I sensed Dominic mirrored my actions.
“We are like a couple of lizards basking in the heat, Jilly. This is pleasant, is it not?”
“Yes,” I sighed. “I imagine it must be just like this all the time on the continent. Little wonder it is popular to travel there during winter. But just think how much warmer it was when the LaVelles lived in India? It must have been strange for the family to get used to. I expect Marik misses his home.”
“I believe he is happy here. From what he has said, it was a big adjustment coming to England, but he has embraced our culture and traditions wholeheartedly.”
I turned to look at Dominic. He was such a handsome fellow. His head was tilted towards the sun, and I watched in fascination while the light played across his strong jaw, thick brows and sensual mouth. His dark hair fell back in a mass of waves, and I wondered how a man could look so masculine and beautiful at the same time.
“Do you study me, Jillian?” Dominic opened his eyes.
Caught, I gave him a nervous smile. “Yes.”
“And have I passed inspection?” A lazy grin slid across his face, and my breath caught in my throat. How could another human being elicit such a reaction from me?
“You will do.” I chuckled, and Dominic snatched up my hand and pressed it to his lips.
“Well, you are stuck with me now, Miss Farraday, so you had better learn to live with it.” His gaze went to my mouth, and though our faces were not close, the intimacy radiating from his eyes made me feel as though he had kissed me.
The bark of a dog pierced the moment, and I quickly gathered my composure. “When will you see Victor?”
“I plan to call on him tomorrow. His company will have departed by then.” There had been a succession of relatives visiting Hollyfield. “He deserves much longer to mourn, but time is something we do not have in abundance. In light of your discoveries, we need his help.” Dominic tensed at the thought, straightened his spine, and ran his fingers through his hair. “Come, let us walk along further.” He gestured to the wooded area. “There is a small waterfall close by. Would you car
e to see it?”
“Yes.” I rose to my feet. “Lead the way.”
THE TRAIL THROUGH THE WOODS was narrow, and consequently we walked in single file. Dominic remarked upon various points of interest and then regaled me with an old folk tale about a local wizard who had lived in these woods. When he said the man’s name was Jacob Nash, I interrupted.
“Is he related to Peggy Nash?”
“He was her father.”
“I wonder why they lived out here.”
“Jacob was a Druid. The old man was eccentric, and no one knew exactly where his dwelling was. But somehow, he managed to support both himself and his daughter by selling medicinal potions. Whether or not the remedies worked, I do not know.”
“I wish Peggy was not Billy’s only alibi. What a shame she is so odd. If she were any other villager, Billy would be released upon their testimony.”
“Do not remind me,” Dominic said in a low voice, and I immediately regretted the comment.
We had walked for some time when I detected the sound of water. As the trail widened and I drew level with Dominic, he reached for my hand.
“We are close now. It is a lovely spot—one I have painted several times for my postcards.” He was leading me past thickets of bushes, when I heard the unmistakable babble of voices. Dominic must have noted them too, for his pace abruptly slowed.
“It seems we are not the only ones seeking a beautiful place today, Jillian.” As he spoke, we reached a clearing in the woods and the trail led to the bank of a small lagoon. A rocky hillock supported a steep fall, which cascaded plumes of rushing water down into the pool. The voices came again. My eyes were drawn across to the naked figure of a tall, lean man. As I watched, he dived from the rocks and into the water.
I blinked and then felt heat rise in my face as I realised whose nude body I had seen. There was no mistaking that dark skin for a pale Englishman. It was Marik Singh.
“Oh, dear,” I stammered.
Dominic grinned widely, not in the least perturbed. “Don’t be alarmed, Jilly. It is just a body as nature made it.”