Haunting Secrets (18 page)

With a lighter heart, she climbed off the bed and splashed water on her face. She peered into the mirror on the dresser and sighed. Her eyes still looked puffy. But if anyone were to ask, she’d say she was worried about her maid.

She walked into Francine’s room. The same as she remembered, clean and untouched. Francine’s clothes were absent from the armoires. Grumbling under her breath, Victoria fisted her hands. Indeed, something was going on here. Something unnatural. The Maitlands were hiding her maid. She just knew it.

But first she had to figure out their secrets. Justin’s curse had something to do with what had been going on around here, she’d bet money on it.

Victoria hurried out of the room toward the paintings she remembered seeing that first day she arrived. Trying to act as if she admired them, she trained her attention on the small details. Could there be something not noticeable at a quick glance? But after studying each one, she came to the decision there was no treasure map hidden within the strokes of a paintbrush.

Perhaps they were not in these paintings at all, but in those located in Justin’s room.

Wandering the house, it was strange she didn’t run across Bethany, Roderick or even Jonathan. But that suited her just fine. She didn’t want any distractions right now.

She passed a few servants on her way to Justin’s old room. She had to wait until the hall was completely empty before sneaking inside. After listening at the door for a few minutes, she concluded the room was empty so hurried inside and closed the barrier tightly behind her.

Everything was exactly the way she remembered. Even the smell. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath, memorizing Justin’s scent all over again. She’d never forget how butterflies danced in her tummy whenever she thought of him.

With a frown, she realized he’d never be hers to claim. Not as long as he turned into the white wolf and might kill her.

Her mind stalled on that thought. If he was able to kill her, why hadn’t he done so last night? As the white wolf, he had that chance. But when he’d heard her voice, his growling stopped and he became a kind beast that wanted to help find her way back.

Perhaps because of his feelings, he wouldn’t hurt her.

She rubbed her forehead. All of these unanswered questions were giving her a headache. She couldn’t take much more before becoming totally insane.

With a pathetic grin, she realized she’d fit well in the Maitland Manor once that happened.

She moved away from the door and looked at his walls. Four different paintings hung close together. Unfortunately, the lighting was terrible. She either needed to light a lantern or open the curtains. Since she couldn’t do either for fear she’d get caught, she decided to part one of the curtains just a smidgen, hoping that would help.

She twitched aside one curtain enough to look at the paintings. Still, nothing jumped out at her. Obviously, she didn’t know what to look for.

Curious, she moved to his desk and to his bottom drawer again. The letter Justin had written for Roderick and Bethany stayed on her mind, and she knew there were others.

The drawer didn’t stick this time as she pulled it out. The letters were still bundled together. She flipped over Roderick’s letter and pulled out the next one. On the top was written,
Gretchen White.
Victoria scratched her head. White? As in Mrs. White, the housekeeper?

“You have been with the Maitland family for ten years now, and so it’s hard to inform you that we no longer require your services. I shall give you a reference for your future employment, but for personal reasons I will not explain, you cannot stay. You’ll receive two months’ pay, which is more than enough to establish you elsewhere. Please accept my gratitude for all you have done for my family.”

Victoria wondered if it was Mrs. White. Apparently, Roderick and Bethany never received their letters, so Mrs. White didn’t receive hers, either.

She put the missive back and pulled out the next one.
Anne Shultz
was written across the top. Anne was the woman Roderick had been sneaking a kiss from on Victoria’s first day at the manor.

“Due to my dissatisfaction with your services to the Maitland family of late, you are hereby released to seek alternative employment. No reference will be forthcoming, but you will, however, receive a month’s wages.”

All of this was very intriguing, and she couldn’t wait to ask Justin why the letters were not sent. He’d mentioned he’d been writing them before the witch came. Perhaps that was the reason they were not delivered.

Victoria placed them back in the drawer and pushed it closed. She stood and glanced around the room, wondering where she should look next. Heavy footsteps vibrated outside the bedroom door. Her heart sank.

Heaven help her! She was going to get caught!

* * * *

Bethany sashayed into the parlor then came to a complete stop. Jonathan sat at the table staring at the untouched chess set as he leaned forward on his elbows. His hands bracketed his face, his fingers rubbing circles against his temple. It appeared as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

Her heart wrenched, as it had always done since they first met. He was a little younger than she, not only in body but also in mind. Of course, back then she had thought of nothing but Justin, so there was no room for Jonathan to enter.

Now, he was just her younger brother. The brother she’d never had. It pleased her to look after him and take care of his needs, especially now as his mind grew weak. Since Roderick hadn’t given her any children, caring for Jonathan made her feel like a mother.

Bethany closed the door behind her and with a soft step, moved to Jonathan. When she reached him, she stroked his wavy hair. “What’s on your mind this afternoon?”

He jumped only slightly, but didn’t turn his head. “The same thing that has always been on my mind.”

“Finding a wife?”

“Do you think I will find one before…” He sighed heavily. “Before I meet my maker?”

Sadness filled her and she moved to his side, sitting on the empty chair. She slipped her hands over his and removed them from his head.

“I’ll not hear you talk like that.” She met his gaze directly. “You’re not going to die before you’re married.”

A weak grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “My mind is getting worse, you know. I wake in the morning and cannot remember much about the day before.” He stared at their clasped hands, his smile disappearing. “I can see it on Victoria’s face. She thinks I’m insane.”

“Nonsense. She’s still getting to know you. Give her time.”

He shook his head. “I feel as if this is my last chance. How many women have we invited to the manor in the past year? A dozen? More? And they have all disappeared within a few days.”

Bethany squeezed his hand. “Yes, they have. But Victoria has been here the longest. I think she’s the one.”

He stared at something off in the distance as slowly his mouth widened into a smile. “You’re right.” He looked at her. “She’s still here.”

“Jonathan, you need to be more charming. Women like that in a man.”

“They do?”

“Oh, yes, and our Miss Fawson is no different. There is passion in that woman, but you need to bring it out. Let her get a taste of the real Jonathan; the loving, kind, and very charming man inside this shell.” She tapped his chest.

Sighing, he closed his eyes and let his head fall back. “If it were only that simple.”

“Why can you not believe me?”

He shrugged and looked at her. “Because I know she thinks of me as a simple-minded boy.” He paused and shook his head. “And perhaps I am. All I want is to marry and have children. Is that not what all men want?”

“I suppose, Jonathan. I know many men who put wealth and power above everything, though.”

“Blah! Those things are insignificant unless a gentleman has a wife and family to support.”

“Don’t give up. A family will be yours soon. And the wealth…” She shrugged. “You know how that can happen.”

“The Slumbering Giant?”

“Yes.”

“You really believe the treasure is hidden on the island?”

“I do, just as my ancestors did. We’re very close to finding it.”

Jonathan scooted closer to her. “Indeed?”

“I believe Victoria is the key. She has a pure heart. She’s the one.”

He nodded, the smile remaining. “She’s a very kind woman. I do like her very much.”

“Then you must convince her to marry you. We must make her your bride as soon as we can.”

His grin widened. “Seems fitting for my birthday present, does it not?”

Bethany chuckled. “Indeed, it’s most fitting.” She clasped his hands. “Between you and me, we shall convince her of her love for you. Mark my words, Jonathan. Victoria will be ours!”

* * * *

Victoria glanced around Justin’s bedroom, her heart jumping in panic. Where could she hide? The curtains seemed like the perfect spot.

She ran to the corner of the room and slipped behind the heavy drape. A cool breeze blew across her feet mere seconds before the wall moved.

Gasping, she swung her head in time to see Justin opening the secret door. He held out his hand, his eyes wide.

“Come in here. Quickly.”

She didn’t ask questions, but slipped her hand into his large one and allowed him to pull her through. Just as he closed the heavy barrier, voices floated inside the bedroom. She sighed with relief and leaned against Justin.

“How did you know?” she asked, looking up at his face.

He grinned. “I didn’t. I was coming to look at the paintings.”

She chuckled. “We think alike.”

He placed his finger over her mouth. “Shh. Although we are separated by a wall, they can still hear us if we’re too loud.”

“Who’s in your room?”

He pulled her toward a window-looking mirror on the wall, flipped back the black covering and looked. “Roderick and a maid.” His jaw hardened and he fisted his hand. “Anne.”

She sucked in a quick breath. “Oh, my. You don’t think, Roderick—and Anne—”

Justin glanced at her, his eyebrow lifted. “Indeed, I do. In fact, my brother has had affairs with most of the maids in this house.”

“Do you think,” she said, putting her hand on his arm, “that Roderick and Sarah were…you know…”

“Intimate?” He nodded and covered the window so they couldn’t see the trespassers inside. “I saw them together the night before she was killed. Before the wolf killed her.”

Her heart clenched and she squeezed his arm. “Don’t say that. What if you didn’t kill her?”

“Oh, Victoria.” He wrapped her in his embrace and rested his chin on her head. “You don’t know how much I want to believe that.”

“Don’t you think those wild dogs could have killed her?”

He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes.

“Remember? The dogs that almost attacked me?”

“Yes, I remember. Do you really think it was them?”

“I’d rather believe they killed her than the white wolf. Didn’t you tell me the curse only makes you shift if you desire a woman?”

“Yes.”

“And you said you didn’t have those feeling for her.”

“I’ve never had those kinds of feelings for any of the women that have died this past year.”

“Then perhaps it was those rabid dogs doing the killing.”

Holding her closer, he buried his face in her neck. “Victoria, I’d like nothing better than to believe that.”

“Then let’s do so. Let’s put aside the idea that you kill.”

He kissed her neck. “What would I do without you?”

Victoria’s heart leapt in her throat and tears stung her eyes. What would she do without him?

From the other side of the wall, the voices grew louder. Justin pulled away from Victoria and moved the covering enough to peek through. On tip-toes, Victoria looked through the window. Roderick and Anne were arguing.

“You are nothing but a scheming wench,” Roderick yelled.

Victoria gasped and met Justin’s surprised eyes.

“Scheming? How did you come to that conclusion?” Anne sobbed in between words.

“I know you had your eye on my brother a year ago, and now you want to weasel your way into my life. Well, I’m telling you right now, it’s not going to happen.”

“I don’t’ know what you’re talking about. I love you.”

Silence lasted a few minutes as Roderick paced the floor, raking his fingers through his hair. Anne remained sitting on the bed.

“What do you expect me to do? I’m married,” Roderick hissed as he faced Anne.

“But I’m carrying your child.”

Justin’s groan overrode Victoria’s gasp. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the wall. “My brother is a fool.”

Roderick threw his hands in the air. “Do you really expect me to believe that when I have seen you with the stable hands?”

Anne’s wails created quite a ruckus and Victoria cringed. She didn’t know whether to feel sorry for her or for Roderick.

“I cannot think with your crying,” Roderick exclaimed. “I’ll be in my study, so please don’t disrupt me.”

The slamming of the door confirmed his temper.

Justin took a deep breath and held Victoria’s hands. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

“I don’t mind. What do you think he’ll do about Anne?”

“I’m more worried about what Anne will do if Roderick chooses to ignore her.”

She blinked, confused. “Why do you say that?”

He shook his head, turned and led her down another passageway. “Let’s not worry about my brother. Let’s concentrate on finding that map.”

“Do you think my father left it in the paintings?”

“Either that or his journal.”

She gasped. “His journal? You have that, too? I found one after he was killed. I’d assumed it was his only.”

Justin shrugged. “Right before I was cursed by the witch, your father’s journal arrived by messenger. I think your father might have sent it before he was killed. I hadn’t found time to read the journal, since I was in the process of trying to get my household under my control once again. Once I was cursed, I’d forgotten about what your father had sent me.” He scratched his chin. “Then, earlier today, after you left, I started thinking about it. Now I believe he might have known he was in trouble. Why else would he send it to me?”