Haunting Secrets (24 page)

Could there really be a treasure there? With any luck, she and Justin would find the map in the paintings. It had to be there. Why else would the old man give them to her father—and her father sent them to Justin?

She turned away and headed back down the slope. A movement from within the thicket of trees caught her attention. Her heart stilled for a moment as she tightened her fingers on the reins and slowed her horse. Someone in a black hooded cape peeked out from behind a tree and looked at her.

Relief flooded through her as well as the whoosh of air through her lips from her relieved sigh. She smiled.
Justin!

He motioned his hand, inviting her closer. She pushed the mare faster until she reached the trees, and then stopped the horse. He walked beside her, tied the horse to a branch before lifting her down.

“What are you doing out here?” she asked before wrapping her arms around his neck.

He laughed and pulled her into the trees. “I missed you, and since you weren’t in the house, I thought to come outside and look for you.”

Keeping her in his arms, he leaned against a large trunk. She pushed the hood from his head and ran her fingers through his hair. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

“How can I sleep when you’re always on mind?”

She sighed and rested her head against his chest. “You don’t know how grateful I am to know I’m in your mind.”

“Always.” He kissed her head. “Did you notice anything different about last night?”

“Yes.” She raised her head and looked into his twinkling eyes. “You didn’t shift.”

“What do you think it means?”

“I don’t know for certain, but, ” she tenderly cupped his face, “you are supposed to shift when you
desire
a woman. Last night you told me you were in
love
with me. They are two different emotions.”

He groaned and kissed her lips briefly. “I do like the way you think, my love. I pray you’re correct.”

“I won’t accept any other explanation. When I’m with you, I don’t want to think about the real world.” She moved her hands over his shoulders in small caresses. “Just you and me.”

“I’ve never known anyone like you before.” He stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. “When you look at the world, you see it for the good things it brings. You’re always positive.”

“Not always, but I do see everything as a new adventure.”

“So much like your father.”

She nodded. “That’s where I learned it.”

He pulled away and grasped her hand. “Come. I want to show you something.”

She followed him deeper into the wooded area, the trees becoming thicker the farther they walked. Soon, a small hut appeared, nearly hidden within the trees.

“What’s this?”

“This cottage has been empty for several years. Since I inherited the manor, I’ve never used this place. In fact, nobody uses it. Strange, because I figured Roddy would have it for his love nest, but there are no signs of that here.”

“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes. “Why would he come all the way out here when he can use your empty room?”

“Don’t remind me,” he grumbled.

Justin opened the door and led her inside. Holding his hand, they walked through the three rooms. The place was barren, except for a chair, table, and an old trunk. One of the rooms still held a wide bed. The small rug on the floor looked old and dusty, and the cupboards on the wall in the kitchen were laced with cobwebs. The dusty scent tickled her nose and she sneezed.

“Obviously nobody has used this place in a while,” she said as they moved back into the front room. Suddenly, something Jonathan had said yesterday came to him. She looked into Justin’s eyes. “Is this where Bethany and her family lived while her mother and sister were working for your father?”

A scowl marred his handsome face. “Yes, this is where they lived. I swear my father took in every tramp and freeloader he found.” Justin shook his head. “But that was a long time ago. Did Jonathan tell you about that?”

“Just a little.”

He took her in his arms. “This is where I’d like for us to meet in secret, if you don’t mind. It’s obvious the place has been ignored, so I don’t think we’ll be discovered. I’ll clean it, and we can use this.”

She laughed and snuggled against him. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

He ran his finger along her chin, then lifted her face until she met his eyes. “I wish we didn’t have to meet in secret.”

“One day we’ll not hide.”

“I pray you’re right. It’s killing me not to tell the world how much you mean to me.” Justin bent his head and kissed her.

The passionate kiss didn’t last long, and he broke away, but kept her in his embrace. Victoria moved her gaze around the room, once more. It was hard for her to imagine Bethany and her family living here. Jonathan had told Victoria that Bethany’s father died when she was young, so it was just Bethany, her mother and older sister.

Victoria raised her head and met Justin’s stare. “What ever happened to Bethany’s older sister?”

“I don’t know. Ethel probably ran away with some neighbor boy—or a servant. Both Bethany and Ethel were flirts and set their sights on wealthy men. Fortunately, wealthy men wouldn’t consider them for a wife.”

“Why? Because of their upbringing? Their station in life?”

“Yes, mainly. But there was just something odd about the way they lived.” He shrugged. “I just remember feeling eerie every time Bethany gave me her
come-hither
look.”

“Did Ethel try to flirt with you?”

“No. She was older than me by quite a few years. And even if she had tried, I would have discouraged her attempts, just as I did Bethany’s.”

“I almost feel sorry for them, being raised poor and relying on others to make it from day to day.”

“Don’t. They learned their greediness from their mother. To this day I don’t know why my father kept them employed. They were not very obedient servants.”

Nothing about Bethany’s life gave Victoria the evidence she needed to believe that woman was the witch, but deep in her heart, she knew it. Her eyes kept drifting toward the trunk, and since curiosity always got the better of her, she pulled away from Justin and moved to the trunk. She knelt in front of it and brushed the cobwebs away from the latch.

“What are you doing, my love?” Justin stood in back of her and patted her hair.

“I just want to see what’s inside.”

“I doubt there is anything in there at all.”

“Possibly, but I’ll never know until I open the lid.” She pushed up the latch and lifted the lid. The trunk wasn’t empty, but neither was it full.  Two aprons, writing feathers and paper, and four books were the only things occupying the large space inside. She picked up the closest book. It was a journal.

“What is it?” Justin asked.

“Somebody’s journal.”

“Here, let me see.” He snatched it away immediately, and opened the hard cover. Dust coated the pages and Justin sneezed.

Victoria stayed on the floor, but tilted her head to watch him. His eyes narrowed and a scowl furrowed his expression as he scanned the pages.

“To whom does the journal belong?” Victoria asked. “Bethany?”

“No. I thought it was hers, too, but it’s not.” Confusion filled his face and she shook his head. “It’s all very strange. The entries are from a woman, and she talks about her sister Bethany, and her other sister, Ethel.”

Surprised, Victoria blinked with wide eyes. “There was a third sister?”

“I don’t recall them having another sister.”

“How strange, indeed. Is there a name anywhere on the book?”

Justin flipped to the front again, then to the back. “Not that I can see.”

“Read the last few entries. What does it say?”

Justin’s fingers swiped the dusty pages and he held the book up to the light pouring through the dirt-streaked window. “This is what is says.
I sit in misery, waiting for my child to be born. The heat suffocates me, and the cramping in my large belly and legs are impossible to bear. But it’s my heart that is heavy with sadness and pain. He knows he’s the father, yet he doesn’t want to accept the fact.
”

Victoria gasped. “Do you suppose it’s one of Roderick’s liaisons?”

Justin chuckled. “That was my first thought as well, but the date on the page reads—” He clamped his mouth closed, his lips thinned. His face lost color.

Victoria jumped up beside him and touched his arm. “Justin, what is it?”

“I’m reading the journal of Jonathan’s mother.”

A gasp sprang from her throat. “Bethany is Jonathan’s aunt?”

“That is certainly the way it looks. But, I don’t know who the woman is. I don’t remember anyone else but Bethany and Ethel living here with their mother.”

“Do you suppose Bethany’s mother was Jonathan’s mother?”

He shook his head again. “That doesn’t make sense either, because in the early journal entries, she refers to Bethany as her sister.”

“How very odd. Definitely a mystery that needs to be unraveled.” Victoria peeked at the book in Justin’s hands. “She has said that the baby’s father didn’t want to acknowledge Jonathan’s existence, yet we know your father did.”

“Yes, he did.” Justin met her stare. “But then again, maybe at first he didn’t.”

“True. I never thought of that.” She nodded toward the book. “What does the last entry say?”

He turned the page. “It’s dated a week after Jonathan’s birth.
I’m an outcast now, and my life is ruined. He wants to raise our son without me. Most the staff knows, yet he is still acting like this has never happened—that Jonathan just magically appeared into his life as his son. Jonathan doesn’t deserve a father like that. I don’t deserve the way I’m being treated. Today, I vow that I will see that all the Maitland men—everyone but my Jonathan—are destroyed. If it takes until my last breath leaving this world, the Maitland men will regret their actions.
”

Once again, Victoria gasped, but this time covered it with her hand. Justin’s gaze met hers, his eyes reflecting the same bewilderment.

“Justin, you don’t suppose Jonathan’s mother is…a witch?” she ended in a whisper.

Slowly, his head moved in a nod. “That’s what I’m thinking as well.”

Victoria glanced back at the trunks at the other books inside. The different shapes on one book cover caught her attention, and she bent to lift it from the truck. After dusting off the cover, she could read the words better.
Witchcraft.

She yipped and dropped the book. Justin grasped her arm and pulled her away.

“Let’s leave this place. It’s pure evil,” he said.

“I agree.”

They hurried out and Justin closed the door tight. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Snuggling her face against his chest, she breathed in his intoxicating scent, feeling much calmer by the second.

“Forgive me for taking you in there. If I had known—”

“Justin,” she stopped him. “No need to apologize. I know you didn’t realize what was in there.” She took a deep breath. “At least I know now why Bethany treats Jonathan the way she does. She probably knows he’s her nephew.”

“I agree.” He kissed her forehead.

She didn’t voice her thoughts, but she now—more than ever—knew Bethany was the witch, especially since her sister was one.

Victoria closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of Justin’s soft lips touching her skin and the way she felt so protected in his arms. It was hard to imagine being in any danger while he was near her, yet she knew they were both in danger if they couldn’t figure out how to stop the witch.

“I suppose I’ll have to find us another place to meet in secret.”

“Not to worry, Justin. We’ll find a way to be together. I know it.”

“Yes, you’re right.” He withdrew only far enough for his fingers to caress her chin as he peered into her eyes. “I just want you by my side every waking hour. I can’t seem to think of anything else but loving you.”

She smiled. “That’s how I feel, too.”

“I worry something is going to happen that will ruin my happiness since I’ve never felt this way before.”

“I won’t allow it.” She took his hand from her face and kissed his palm. “We belong together. My father even knew it.”

“Yes, he did.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t think we were supposed to meet when your father wanted us to. I was a different man back then. I wasn’t ready for love back then.”

She nodded. “There is a time and purpose for everything.”

“I agree, which is why I don’t want to miss one moment of being with you.”

She lifted and kissed his mouth. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Tears collected in her eyes, but not from joy. Instead, doubts filled her head and swayed her way of thinking. Although she never wanted to be without Justin, could they really find a way to break the curse?

When he broke the kiss, she placed her face against his chest, not wanting him to see the moisture in her eyes. She must not let him down in anyway. He needed confidence right now, or they’d never make it.

“Victoria, my love?”

“Yes.”

“Jonathan’s birthday will be here shortly, and I think he’s going to propose to you then.”

She blinked quickly to dry her eyes before looking up at him. “Why do you think that?”

“Because, my dear, I overhear my family when they don’t think I’m there.”

“Oh, that’s right.” She frowned. “What am I going to do? I don’t want Jonathan to think I love him, not when it’s you who holds my heart. If I tell him I don’t love him that way, he’ll send me home. I can’t return to my uncle’s yet. We need to find the map first.”

Justin sighed heavily and rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t know what to have you do. You shouldn’t lead my brother to think you’ll marry him because of his feeble mind, yet at the same time, I don’t want to give my family a reason to make you leave.”

“Perhaps I’ll avoid the subject. If it seems he’s going to ask me, I’ll do something to distract him.”

Justin chuckled. “It had better not be what you do to distract me.”

She wound her arms around his neck and kissed his lips briefly. “Oh course not. That’s saved for you.”

He kissed her again, making it last longer. When he pulled away, disappointment filled her.