by Jude Bayton
“Did you know Peggy found him?”
“Of course. That nosy old witch. I saw her from the boathouse, but she didn’t see me watching.”
“Flynn was still alive you know.”
She shrugged, “Not for long.”
“And the knife?”
“I kept it for a few days, and then placed it in the woods. I took one of the gardeners with me looking for a handkerchief I said I had lost. I knew he would find the knife.”
“That was very clever. And I suppose you hid Flynn’s wallet in Billy’s room at the farm as well?”
“Yes,” she chuckled.
“You thought you had taken care of everything—saved Perry and Marik and yourself from Flynn. But there was still one other who knew the truth about your brother.”
“Greedy bitch,” she spat. “Marabelle was furious that Father had been too preoccupied with Billy to pay her any attention. She began to get a little too full of herself.”
I remembered her maid’s comments about Marabelle and Evergreen’s argument. “Did Marabelle threaten to expose your brother on the night of the lecture?”
“Now who’s being clever?” Evergreen laughed out loud. “Oh, Jillian, you should have seen her face when I pushed her off the balcony. It was the only time I ever thought her funny. She dropped like a stone—and right in front of you too!”
And there it was. My suspicion confirmed. Good God, Evergreen LaVelle was stark raving mad. How could I not have seen it? Indeed, how could any of us have missed it?
I wanted to get away from her and alert the authorities. “Evergreen. We should return to shore now. Let us find Victor and get you help.”
There was the laugh again. “I need no help. Look what I have accomplished already. Do you honestly think I would have told you everything if I was planning to let you go?”
“Evergreen,” I said as firmly as I could, trying to conceal the anxiety galloping through my body. “We must speak with your father. He can try to sort this mess out. You have already killed two people.”
She stopped laughing, and her entire expression changed to an evil leer. “Two people? Why dear Jillian, I intend to make it three!” In a flash, she raised an oar and brought it with a resounding smack against the side of my head. An immense pain rushed through my ear. Evergreen made a guttural sound and raised the oar up to hit me once again. But this time I was ready. As the paddle reached me, I held up my forearm and deflected its course. It bounced hard against my bone, and I cried out in terrible pain, but I had parried her attempt to render me unconscious. Reaching over, and with all the strength I could muster, I wrenched the oar from her grip and threw it into the water. She paused in surprise, then roared in anger and lunged for me.
My dress ripped open as she clawed at me. Grabbing a handful of her hair, I pulled it so hard that her head snapped back. The look of utter madness in her wide eyes terrified me, but my desire to survive far outweighed anything else. I kept her head back and with my right hand formed a fist and brought it up to punch her soundly under her chin. She collapsed down back onto her seat, but I knew she was not finished. As she landed, I released her hair, climbed behind her, pinned my arm around her throat, trapping her head. She flailed, desperately trying to get purchase, then clawed at my arm. I could only hold onto her for a moment longer. Suddenly I knew what I must do to keep the advantage. With what remaining energy I had left, I placed my other arm about her waist, and pulled us both into the water.
She went straight under. I let her go while I struggled to loosen my skirt and petticoats and pull off my shoes before my clothing weighed me down. Then I swam below the surface to find her before it was too late.
The lake was deep, but as the weather was fine and the wind calm, the current was not strong, though the water was murky. I could see Evergreen well enough. She was in a complete panic. Her arms and legs kicked and flailed, but the weight of her sodden gown was dragging her to the bottom of the lake like an anchor.
When I reached her, I grabbed her arms, and at first she fought me. Then suddenly she went limp, and I was able to gain purchase and hold her, kicking my legs to force us upwards. As we broke the surface, I spluttered and coughed. More from exertion than anything. Evergreen was still, and I realised she must have fainted from fright and lack of oxygen. I put my arm around her neck to keep her head above the water, and I used my legs to propel us back to the boat.
I did not attempt to climb back in but hung onto the side of the boat with one arm while supporting Evergreen with the other. I desperately tried to mobilize my legs and move us in the direction of the shore. It was exhausting. I prayed for enough strength to get back to dry land.
I worked hard, but our progress was poor. My strength slowly began ebbing away, and it was not long until the exertion of it all took a toll. My legs had turned to lead. The arm I had crooked around Evergreen’s shoulders became numb, and my fingers could barely grasp the side of the boat. My head pounded from where she had clobbered me with the oar, and I felt as though I could be violently sick.
What should I do? If I let Evergreen loose, I could try and get back into the boat. But the girl was still out cold, and I knew should she go under, I would not have the energy left to save her from drowning.
How much time passed, I do not know? But I hung on, hopeful to see another boat. Yet none were forthcoming for it was still too early for recreational sailors and too late for fishermen to be out. But suddenly I was aware of a faint voice in the distance. Was someone calling my name? Was I delirious? I had been soundly hit in the head, after all.
I heard it again, and this time I looked around and all but cried with joy. It was another boat! In it were Victor and Dominic, frantically rowing to reach us. I tried to call out to them but could not find the breath. My grip on the side of the boat loosened, my head spun, and all the fight left my body.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“HOW DO YOU FEEL?” DOMINIC sat by my bed, holding my hand, concern etched across his furrowed brow. I was surprised to see him, but he said he had slept downstairs on the sofa in the parlour. That explained why his hair looked as though something had tried to nest in it.
“I am well. Please stop worrying.” The doctor had pronounced me fit enough to return to my uncle’s house last evening. Victor had offered his home, but I wanted nothing more than to leave Hollyfield.
Uncle Jasper had flown into a panic at the sight of me, but dear Mrs Stackpoole stepped in as nurse and shooed him away. I was plied with warm drinks and soft food. Under doctor’s orders I was to be kept awake for the next eight hours to ensure I would not fall asleep and never awaken. I did not understand exactly why, but it was something to do with where I had taken the blow to my head. After such time, I would be out of any danger.
In the middle of the night, Mrs Stackpoole had finally stopped talking, turned out my lamp and told me I could now rest. I had fallen into a deep and exhausted sleep and not woken until mid-afternoon at the sound of Dominic and Mrs Stackpoole entering my chamber.
I pulled myself up into a sitting position. Mrs Stackpoole wrapped a shawl around my shoulders for propriety’s sake, declaring my door must remain open as she discretely withdrew.
“Oh, my head throbs,” I complained. “Evergreen is surprisingly strong at wielding an oar.” I gave a weak laugh.
“’Tis not funny.” Dominic chastised. “She could have killed you. Thank goodness you are a strong and intelligent woman. Any other would have dropped into a dead faint, fallen out of the boat, and drowned. I am immensely proud of you putting up a good fight. I’d warrant Evergreen had not expected that.”
“I did warn her I was a Devonshire girl,” I said smugly. “My grandfather was a fisherman, and I spent much of my childhood on his boat.” I thought for a moment. “I did not ask you earlier, but when you rescued me, how did you know I was in danger? Your timing was impeccable.”
“That was all down to Jasper. Victor and I were in the village when your uncle and Mrs St
ackpoole spotted us. Jasper asked your whereabouts and had you returned home. Victor did not know what the professor alluded to. When Jasper explained the LaVelle carriage had come to collect you with a message from Victor himself, he denied sending the request and it was then your uncle realised something underhanded must have occurred.”
“That was lucky indeed.” I wondered how I should have fared if they had not arrived in the nick of time. “Where is Evergreen now?”
“At a women’s gaol in Preston—they have declared her quite mad. I believe she has been declining for several years. But it will all be determined later. Do not worry, Jilly.” He could tell I was sympathetic, though she deserved none of it. “Evergreen is Victor LaVelle’s daughter, and he will not allow her to be mistreated.” His eyes darkened. “Unlike Billy, she will not face the gallows—though why her mental state is excused while his was not, seems unfair.”
“How is Billy?”
The smile returned to his face. “Ecstatic. He understands he will be coming home. We do but wait for the pardon to be signed by the magistrate, sometime later this evening. He will be back on the farm tomorrow.”
I sighed. Billy would be free once more. Thank goodness everything had turned out so well for the brothers. “You will be glad to have him home again, I think.” I squeezed Dominic’s hand.
He leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips. When I opened my eyes, it was to look into his.
Dominic smiled. “You are safe and, once my brother is back at the farm, I shall never want for anything again.”
WITHIN A FEW DAYS, I WAS CLOSE to feeling more like myself once again. I was careful, for if I did too much, my head would begin aching. This would diminish as the swelling subsided, Uncle Jasper said, repeating the physician’s words. Until then, I was not allowed to work.
Dominic came to visit every day but had yet to bring Billy. He wanted to wait until I was ready to go to Wolfe Farm. Then, he promised, he would cook an excellent dinner, and we would all celebrate together. This sounded fine to me. It was wonderful to see the worry gone from him and hear happiness in his voice once more.
Today, Uncle Jasper had gone out for his first ramble since my accident, and left me under the watchful eyes of Mrs Stackpoole, who, I noticed, looked extremely well. Her skin glowed, her eyes sparkled, and there was a smile on her face continually. I was delighted she and my uncle made one another happy. It was evident she was in love, and the pleasant impact it had on her wellbeing was obvious.
I reflected that, though love completed the lives of Uncle Jasper and Mrs Stackpoole, even Dominic and myself, look what the emotion had done to the LaVelle family. Evergreen had killed for it. Perry and Marik had lived false lives to hide it and poor Marabelle Pike had died for it.
In the afternoon, Mrs Stackpoole left to go to the library and pick up some books for me to read as I could do little else while convalescing. She left me on the back lawn, sitting on a thick blanket enjoying the sunshine. I watched our wet washing on the line dance under the warm, summer breeze, and was lulled into a sleepy trance. The click of the back door opening roused me, and someone stepped outside. It was Victor.
“Hello, Jillian. May I join you?” He came down the path, and I gestured to the blanket.
“Be my guest. Though I cannot guarantee its comfort, nor that the grass underneath is not damp.”
“I’ll take my chances,” he said and sat down beside me.
I looked over at him. Somehow, sitting on a blanket in our back garden diminished Victor’s dynamic presence—he appeared more ordinary, more human. I noticed his face had thinned and he looked drained. Was it any wonder after the recent events he had dealt with?
He gave me a warm smile. “Dominic tells me you are much recovered.”
“Yes, I am. Between Uncle Jasper, Mrs Stackpoole and Dominic, they have worn me down to the point I want to be well so I can get away from them and have peace and quiet.”
He nodded. “Well, I am glad to see you have blossomed under their care.”
I studied him. “What about you, Victor? How are you? You have had more than your fair share to tolerate these past few weeks.”
“I am well enough,” he said unconvincingly. He turned his gaze on my face, and his attention was intense. “Jillian, I have come to see you to do more than check on your welfare. There is a delicate matter I wish to discuss with you. This may not be the most appropriate time, but due to many other concerns I have at the moment, would you be agreeable?”
I was puzzled. “Of course, Victor.” The man had been nothing but civil since our first meeting.
“First of all, thank you for saving my daughter's life.”
I opened my mouth to speak, and he held up his hand. “Please. Let me speak my mind, and you may address what I say once I have managed to get it all out.” He smiled so I would not be offended. “After what Evergreen has done to so many, regardless of her mental state, you did not have to rescue her from drowning. Though she put you in mortal danger and tried to kill you, your clemency was remarkable. You would have been well within your rights to let Evergreen die. Yet you did not. You gave compassion where she had shown you none, and I will be forever grateful.” He sighed. “Evergreen will remain in custody until next month. At which time she will be taken to Ticehurst House, a private asylum in Sussex.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“Do not be. Evergreen has been spared the horrors of imprisonment and a hangman’s noose. She will live in a reputable place. ’Tis no madhouse like Bedlam. I have money, therefore Evergreen, unlike so many unfortunates, can live out her life being well cared for. Once she is settled, I will be allowed to visit her. So, you see, she is luckier than most. But you have nothing to fear from her ever again, for she will never be freed.” He paused. “And now another matter.”
I frowned. “Yes?”
He glanced at the pendant I had worn since the accident. “Your moonstone. May I see it?”
I pulled the cord over my head and handed it to Victor.
He held it in his palm and studied it intently. “I recognise this stone,” he said gently. He held it up to the light. “Do you see the tiny flaw, just here where the light catches?” He pointed. “See? Right there?”
I squinted to focus better, and yes—there it was. “I do, though I had not noticed it before. Does it have significance?”
“It does not decrease its value or beauty, but rather makes it a unique piece.” He handed it back to me and I slipped it over my head.
“Many years ago, I bought that very pendant from a merchant who had imported it from India. It was a parting gift for the woman who had stolen my heart.” He turned his face to stare into mine. I digested his words and slowly began to comprehend his meaning.
“You?” I stuttered. “You knew my mother?”
“If her name was Gwen Jackson, then yes. Gwen was a beautiful girl I met in Devon, not long before I was to leave for India.”
I covered my mouth to trap the sob which threatened to spill.
Victor touched my shoulder. “I was there to study with one of the prominent shipbuilders, and just after I arrived, I met your mother.”
I was utterly speechless.
“I was honest with her. I told Gwen I could not remain in Devon as there was an appointment waiting for me in India. I was engaged to be married to Emma Symington, and her father had paid for both my studies in Devon, and my subsequent passage onto India. But try as we might, we could not stay away from one another. When it was time for me to go, I gave Gwen the pendant as a keepsake of what we had shared.”
“Oh Victor. How could you have left her?” I said. “You must have broken her heart.”
He closed his eyes, as though he could not bear to look at me.
“Yes, she was heartbroken—and so was I. But I had a signed contract with the Symingtons, one I could not breach for fear of legal action. The family had invested a great deal of money in my education and training. Money I would never be able
to repay. After I married, I was to take part-shares in the company and start a new branch, dealing specifically in steamers.”
His shoulders sagged. The memories were difficult for him. “Jillian, I was young, I had ambition, and the last thing I’d expected was to meet a young Devonshire lass and fall madly in love.” His fingers rubbed at his temples as though the thought brought him unbearable pain. “When I left Devon, I debated whether I could renege on my agreement with the Symingtons. I resolved to hire a lawyer to read my contract once we made land and see if there was a way to wriggle out of it. But on the voyage out there, I fell sick with cholera. I was fevered for many days, and, by the time I arrived in India, I was too weak even to walk. It took several months for me to regain my strength, and by that time, our wedding was planned, and everything had been settled.”
I said nothing.
“Sometimes, I like to think that if I had not fallen so ill, I would have left the ship at one of the ports and rushed home to be with Gwen.”
I blinked and felt a tear roll down my face. “Did you ever write to her, my mother?” I looked over at him, and he hung his head. “Once, before I married. But she never replied.”
I gave a loud sigh. This was much to take in. My emotions were so conflicted. I wanted to be angry with Victor, for he had broken my mother’s heart and left her for another woman. A wealthy woman who had eventually taken her own life and bequeathed her mental illness to Victor’s daughter. And look what damage had been done. Yet, there was another part of me who understood how life could be. That sometimes we were not able to have that which we desired. Timing was everything. If they had met but a year earlier…
“I am not angry with you, Victor,” I said softly. “I grieve for you both. And though I know my mother had a wonderful life with a good man, I am sure there was always a part of her which belonged to you.”
Victor wiped his eyes with the back of a hand and smiled at me. “Gwen must have been so proud to have you as her daughter.”