Haunting Secrets (13 page)

“Good day, Mrs. Williams.”

The older woman smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her mouth and eyes. “Hello, Miss Fawson. What a pleasure to see you in town.” The lady’s gaze darted to Jonathan. “Are you here with Mr. Maitland?”

“Yes. We are taking a stroll and visiting the shops.” Victoria glanced again at Jonathan, who still talked with the baker.

Concern etched the older woman’s brow and she leaned closer. “My dear Miss Fawson, are you perhaps...um…courting Mr. Maitland?” she asked with lowered voice.

Reluctant to say anything, Victoria twisted her fingers against her middle. She must tell the woman something—just not the whole truth. “Yes. I was invited to the manor to stay as their guest in hopes of courting Jonathan.”

Mrs. Williams frowned, and pulled Victoria’s arm to move her further away from Jonathan. “Have you not heard what goes on in that place?”

“Well, I’ve heard a few things. Why? What have you heard?”

“That family hasn’t been in their right mind since the oldest brother died in the house fire.”

“Indeed?” Victoria glanced at Jonathan again, who hadn’t looked her way. “He seems fine to me.”

“He’s not. He’s actually worse than the others.” Mrs. William gripped Victoria’s arm. “Please assure me you’ll not stay with them for long.
That place
is not stable environment for good women like yourself.”

The other woman’s words confused Victoria, and she shook her head. “Mrs. Williams, why do you think such a thing? Haven’t you heard Jonathan’s sister-in-law has brought many women to the manor in hopes of courting him.”

The woman crinkled her brow. “Many, you say?”

“Yes. In fact, my friend, Amelia Hartley was one of them.”

“Emmet Hartley’s granddaughter?”

“Yes.”

“How did she find the Maitland family?”

“I wish I knew.” Victoria sighed heavily. “She has disappeared. She was on her way to meet Jonathan, but apparently, left after only being there a few hours. That was several weeks ago.”

Mrs. Williams sucked in a quick breath, placing her hand on her bosom. “Amelia Hartley hasn’t returned?”

“No. And nobody knows where she is.”

“That’s dreadful.” The older woman’s lips thinned with her stern expression. “I suspect the Maitland family knows more than they’re telling.”

“What makes you think—”

“Miss Fawson,” Jonathan called as he hurried to her, handing her a sticky-bun. “I hope you don’t mind that I bought you one.”

Pulling away from Mrs. Williams, Victoria smiled at him. “Not at all.” She snuck a glance at the other woman who still frowned.

Mrs. Williams nodded to her and gave a small curtsey to Jonathan before mumbling an excuse and leaving.

Slowly, she stepped out of the bakery shop beside Jonathan. Outwardly, people seemed nice and polite to him, but behind his back, they thought he was not in his right mind. Then again, Victoria had thought that same thing, as well. Mrs. Williams certainly didn’t trust Jonathan—or any of his family.

“Jonathan?”

“Yes,” he asked before taking another bite of his roll.

“Did you talk to the baker about my friend?”

Jonathan narrowed his gaze on her, confusion in his expression—a look Victoria was familiar with already.

“What friend?” he asked.

“Amelia Hartley. Remember, you brought me to town to ask people questions about my friend.”

“Victoria, my dear, I know not of what you’re saying. I promised you no such thing.”

Her chest clenched with uncertainty again. Why could he not remember? She wasn’t the one going insane,
he
was!

Ignoring him, she turned and bit into her roll as tears of confusion stung her eyes. As much as she didn’t want to live with her uncle, his little cottage was becoming more and more a place where she couldn’t wait to return.

Soon,
she reminded herself. Soon she would discover the answers she needed and leave the Maitland Manor as quickly as she’d come.

They didn’t stay in town for very long before Jonathan brought her home. Victoria rushed to her room and shut and locked the door as tears brimmed in her eyes.

With a sinking heart, Victoria threw herself on the bed and pressed her face into her pillow. She couldn’t ask Jonathan for assistance when the poor man needed help himself. And what bothered her more, Bethany and Roderick knew this and still continued to try and find him a wife.

As much as this place—and the family—confused her, she couldn’t leave. If only she could find one simple fact that would lead her to her friend. And if only she discovered why and how her father had died, she’d be out of this manor in an instant. She’d miss Justin, but right now she had to concentrate on other things.

Like her own peace of mind.

And her sanity.

A tear slipped down Victoria’s face and she wiped it away. Perhaps she should admit defeat. While her father was alive, he wouldn’t hear of his daughter cowering, so for his sake, she mustn’t do it now.

She stripped to her shift and crawled into bed, pulling the blankets to her chin. Tears stung her eyes again and she blinked them back. Crying was not the answer and definitely wouldn’t solve anything. So she was staying with an insane family. She’d just have to work around that problem. No matter what obstacles she faced.

Thoughts of Justin filled her head. He’d been so kind yesterday, it was nearly impossible to think of anything else. Especially in a house full of turmoil and confusion.

Justin made her smile and feel at ease. Out of everyone, he confused her the most, yet it was his secrets she wanted to discover more than anything. She felt closer to this man and it had nothing to do with the kiss they’d shared.

Sleepily, she smiled. That kiss! What she wouldn’t give to kiss him again and be in his strong arms once more. She could practically feel his embrace now, his fingers stroking her face and sliding down to touch her neck.

She would caress his face, and he’d let her remove the scarf. She couldn’t see his scars, but she didn’t need to. In her mind, he was the most handsome man she’d ever encountered. He definitely had the biggest heart.

And he kissed so well.

Sighing, she cuddled closer to her memory, knowing it wasn’t going to help her fall asleep at all. But at least it was something pleasing to think about since her morning had turned out so awful.

“Victoria.” A deep voice whispered, pulling her from sensual thoughts.

Justin?
She glanced at the door, but it remained closed and locked. She shook her head. Must be dreaming again.

“Victoria.” The voice grew louder. The floor in the corner of her room creaked. The heavy drapes moved mere seconds before a body emerged.

She blinked. “Justin?” She sat up and clasped the sheet to her bosom.

He removed his hooded cloak and set it on the chair near the window. Half of his face was adorned with the black scarf. His garments were as dignified as Roderick and Jonathan, but Justin’s vigorous body filled his clothes so much better.

“Justin, how did you…where did you…” She shook her head. “I think I am going mad.”

He rushed to her side, knelt by the bed and grasped her arms. “No, you’re not. Remember when I took you through the tunnel yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“There are secret passageways all over the manor. Behind your curtains is a door in the corner of the room.”

She gasped, her hand going to her throat. “Do you spy on me often?”

“No, but I needed to see you today.”

She smiled and touched his chest. “I wanted to see you, too.”

“Why were you crying a few minutes ago?”

It relieved her that he didn’t know what had been playing in her thoughts right after that moment of weakness. “Staying with your family is most confusing.”

His chest shook with silent laughter. “Alas, someone else understands my pain.” Using his knuckle, he swiped her cheek. “What is it about my family that disturbs you so?”

“Their secrets.”

His smile disappeared. Dropping his hands, he stepped away. “Which is why you must leave.”

She scowled. “I cannot.”

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“What about you?” She cocked her head and folded her arms. “You keep secrets from me, just as I do from you.”

“My secrets will cause you harm.”

“So you’ve been telling me. You asked me to trust you yesterday, yet you won’t trust me.” She whipped off the sheet, grabbed her wrapper and shrugged into it. She walked to the window. Leaving the curtains closed, she parted the middle and peeked out. The weather had changed drastically since this afternoon. Dark clouds covered the sun, and as usual, fog threatened in the distance.

What could she do to change Justin’s mind? She needed his help, just as he needed hers. Yet the emotions running through her from her dream were so real, she’d be satisfied to cuddle in his arms and kiss him to distraction.

* * * *

Justin’s heart twisted as he watched Victoria. So beautiful. So kind. What could he tell her to make her leave? The truth? As much as he wanted to, she wouldn’t believe him. And even if she did, he didn’t want to take the chance that she might think of him as a beast. Seeing fear in her eyes would certainly kill him.

He crossed the floor and stopped behind her. Her chestnut curls hung down her back, begging for his touch. How he wanted to stroke her hair and feel the satin locks glide through his fingers, but he knew what would happen if he did that. The same thing that always happened since he’d been cursed. But looking at her now, he couldn’t control himself. He needed to feel her touch…to just
feel
.

If he convinced her to leave his family and this cursed manor, he’d never be able to caress her soft skin again. It was now or never.

Hesitantly, he caressed her hair, sliding his hand down her soft waves. He closed his eyes and inhaled her sweet scent of lilacs. This was wrong. He should have the decency to beg her forgiveness and excuse himself. But he couldn’t. He
had
to touch her just once more.

She turned and faced him and his hand fell to her shoulder. He opened his eyes. Her wide blue-green gaze met him. The color of her eyes was stamped into his memory and would remain with him forever—the color of a calm sea. Except when passion flared, then they turned stormy.

Like now.

He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “As you have surmised, this house is full of secrets. Dangerous secrets that might take your life.”

“Justin, your words confuse me. Please tell me why.”

His heart clenched. He wanted to tell her so badly, but couldn’t. Wouldn’t. “Don’t ask that of me, sweet Victoria. I’d fear for your safety if you were to know the truth.”

“But Justin, I know you will protect me.”

“I cannot always protect you. Have you forgotten I’m in hiding?”

She placed her hands on his chest, and heat spread through his body. His breathing grew ragged, and he didn’t know how much more of this he could take. Yet that didn’t move him away. Indeed, he was a fool for taking this kind of sweet punishment.

“If you’re in hiding, how do you know where I am at all times?” Without taking her eyes off him, she motioned her head toward the secret door. “Through the tunnels?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know when I’m in danger.”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand.”

She stepped closer, sliding her hands up his arms. He held in a groan.

“Then help me understand,” she said.

He cupped her face. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back, letting his hands glide down her neck. Tonight he’d pay dearly for feeling these emotions. For some reason, he couldn’t tear himself away. Not yet.

“Justin,” she whispered. “Your touch calms and reassures me.”

He bracketed her face and ran his thumb along her bottom lip. Beautiful eyes opened and her gaze held his.

“I wish I could tell you all would be made right, Victoria. But I can’t. I don’t dare give you false hope.”

She took his hand and nuzzled her lips against his palm. “Please, let me stay. I need you near me.”

With a deep sigh of surrender, he pulled her face closer and captured her lips. She clung to his shirt, pressing herself against him as her mouth answered back. He should refrain; shouldn’t even get involved, but he couldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t think about the beast he would certainly turn into tonight.

Circling her in his embrace, he pulled her against him. She gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck. As his hands moved over her back, she released a heavy sigh. She was wonderful, and so passionate. Breathing deeply, he extended the kiss, tilting his head with hers in wild abandonment.

He wanted her, but he knew he couldn’t have her. Not the way he wanted—body and soul. It’d been so long since he was intimate with a woman. Yet the burning in him now was far different from all those years ago. It went deeper than just lust. He wanted to make Victoria his—and only his.

That, he couldn’t do. It would only hurt them both in the end. He couldn’t do that to her, or to himself.

Kissing her made him feel human. Like a man again. He didn’t want to stop.

The more he kissed Victoria, the hotter the passion stirred inside of him until his whole body was on fire. He jerked away from her and stepped back. She swayed then lowered to the bed and sat on the edge. Wide, questioning eyes stared up at him.

He breathed deep and stroked her chin. “This—thing between us is happening too fast.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“I’m still amazed you’d want to kiss a beast like me in the first place, but—”

She jumped to her feet and scowled. “You’re not a beast. I have never thought of you that way, and you well know it.”

His heart ached and he wanted to take her back in his arms and show her what her tender words meant to him. “Yes, I do.” He shook his head. “But I wanted to come and see you this afternoon to warn you.”

Exhaling deeply, she folded her arms. “Not this again.”

“Yes, this again.”

“Will this ever stop?”

“Not until you are safely back home with your uncle.”

Victoria shook her head and turned toward the window again. “What makes you think I’m any safer with my uncle?”