Haunting Secrets (26 page)

Of course, the man’s wide shoulders and heart-warming grin also made her want to know him better. If only she could.

But right now the dark stranger danced with Victoria. Again. Just like all the times before, Victoria’s eyes sparkled like diamonds, and the man couldn’t stop grinning. Neither could Victoria. If Bethany didn’t know any better, she’d think Victoria had become smitten with this man.

Yet the more Bethany watched the pair, the more familiarity nudged at her conscience. She knew this man somewhere.

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself, my dear.”

Roderick’s voice snapped Bethany out of her thoughts. She glanced at her husband long enough to roll her eyes before returning her focus back on the
happy couple
on the dance floor.

“Not as I’d expected to.” She sipped her wine glass. “How about you? Have you been able to charm any woman tonight?”

Roderick deep chuckle shook through him. “Ah, my dear. Why do you ask such a question? You are much happier if you are ignorant of my faults.”

“Which means you have charmed a few women already tonight,” she grumbled. “Just don’t ruin the night for your brother. I happen to know he is going to propose to Victoria tonight.”

“Indeed?” He gulped down his brandy. “Why hasn’t he done so yet?”

“Because it just so happens that other men find our dear, innocent, Victoria appealing this evening as well. Especially the one dancing with her now.”

“And what exactly do you wish me to do?”

“Not a thing, Roddy, only because I know you wouldn’t lift a finger to help your brother find a wife.” When the music ended, Bethany shoved her nearly empty goblet in her husband’s chest. He grabbed it before it spilled. “But I, on the other hand,” she continued, “
will
indeed help Jonathan find a wife, even if it means taking out the competition.”

Shoulders back and chin erect, she marched toward the stranger, but very muscular man was guiding Victoria away from the dance floor. When the girl’s eyes met Bethany’s, they widened. It almost appeared as if blood had left her powdered face as well.

Bethany put on her practiced fake smile. “Are you two enjoying yourselves this evening?”

“Uh, of course, we are.” Victoria’s answer was hurried.

The man nodded and said softly, “Yes.”

Bethany pushed herself between them and sided up closer to the man in black. “I must admit, sir, you have me intrigued.”

“I do?” he answered. “Why?”

“Because I do not know your identity.”

Victoria released a laugh. “Oh come now, Bethany. This is a masked ball, is it not? We are not supposed to know each other’s identities until midnight.”

“True, but still—” She faced the man fully, standing very close to him. “I would very much like to dance with you, if you don’t mind.”

The man shrugged then offered his black-gloved hand. “Why should I mind? I enjoy dancing with lovely ladies.” His attention moved back to Victoria. “Again, Miss She-Devil, it was a pleasure dancing with you.”

Victoria curtsied. “And it was a delight being your partner.”

The man met Bethany’s stare again. “Shall we?”

“But of course.”

She studied the man the best she could, but since the dance was a country dance, she couldn’t get very close to him, and when she did, it was only for a moment. At times he seemed familiar, but she couldn’t figure out where she knew him.

When he passed her, she inhaled deeply. His scent was very masculine, but still it didn’t bring back any nostalgic memories. And since his mask took up most of his face, and left very little holes for his eyes, the only thing she could really study were his lips. That’s where he looked familiar. Even the way he carried himself. Yet, she was at a loss for his identity.

“Pardon me, sir, but have we met before?” she finally asked.

“I don’t believe so.” He tilted his head as if studying her. “But then you’re in mask so we may have met, I just don’t realize it.”

She laughed. His voice didn’t sound familiar, either. Then again, he spoke very softly. “I would very much like to get to know you.”

He shook his head. “Not until after midnight, remember?”

She pouted. “But I’m the Mistress of Maitland Manor. I can break the rules.”

The corner of his mouth lifted in a lazy smile. “You are correct, although—” He leaned closer to her ear as he passed her. “I don’t break the rules.”

“Augh!” She swatted his shoulder playfully. “You are just wicked!”

He laughed, but it, too, sounded very soft. Perhaps she didn’t know him after all. But, when a man as superbly masculine as this one was, she would very much like to know him better. Waiting for midnight would be torture, to be sure.

As the dance ended, he mocked a small bow. “It was a pleasure, Mistress.”

“Yes, it was.” She smiled fully.

He didn’t say another word as he walked her off the floor, then he turned and moved away. He weaved through the crowd, and a few times she couldn’t see him, so she had to move around couples to see where the stranger headed. In the corner of the room stood Victoria, and as he passed her, he slowed and leaned into her.

Bethany knew the two of them shared some kind of secret. Even from where Bethany watched, she could see Victoria’s face light up when she looked upon the man in black.

Grumbling, Bethany moved to a wall to try and watch the mysterious duo, but dancing couples kept blocking her vision. She couldn’t understand why Victoria seemed so friendly with this man. From the research Bethany had done on Victoria, the girl hadn’t acquired any beaus while living with her uncle. In fact, even when Bethany had invited her to the manor, she knew the girl didn’t have many friends, either. Now the question was—when had Victoria met this man? By the way they danced together and smiled at each other, Bethany could tell tonight was not their first meeting. Victoria would have had to meet him here at the manor. The man was definitely not one of the staff, because none were so muscular.

Recognition finally hit her like a tidal wave crashing into her.
Justin!
Now she knew why he looked familiar.

Anger boiled through her and she fisted her hands. There was one way to find out if this was indeed Justin. One person would know for sure.

Bethany spun around and marched out of the ballroom, glancing at the servants as she passed by. She didn’t want them to suspect anything as she made her way toward the back of the house, looking for one person in particular. When one of the servants’ peeked their head out of the room, then quickly closed the door, Bethany cursed and marched toward the door. She didn’t knock, but pushed open the door and walked into the small room. The servant jumped and scurried toward the bed.

“I thought I told you to stay hidden!” Bethany snapped.

The woman shrugged. “You did, but I just had to see how the party was faring.”

“The party isn’t faring at all!
He
is here!”

The servant shook her head. “He, who?”

“Justin, that’s who!”

The other woman’s eyes widened and she gasped. “He’s here?”

“Yes, you imbecile. I danced with him. Not only that,” she took a step closer, “he’s with Victoria!”

“What? That cannot be.”

“Oh, yes, it can. All you have to do is watch the two of them together. Victoria knows about him, I’d stake my life on it.”

Frowning, the other woman folded her arms and shook her head. “I am very disappointed. Victoria was different from the other women. I wanted her to marry Jonathan.”

“I’m quite certain she would have if she hadn’t met Justin. That man is a charmer no matter what kind of beast he is.”

The servant sighed and scratched her neck. “I’ll take care of it.”

“If you don’t, I will! And I can assure you, my way will
not
be nice.”

The other woman arched an eyebrow. “Are you threatening
me
?”

Bethany rolled her eyes. “You do as I tell you and I will do your bidding. We have an agreement.”

“Not to worry, Beth. I will take care of Justin.”

Bethany laughed haughtily. “Obviously, your way of taking care of him isn’t working.”

“What do you suppose we do about it, then?”

Closing her eyes, Bethany rubbed her chin. “I think I know a way.” She looked back at her servant. “For months now, we’ve been trying to get Justin to tell us about the treasure map. The only way to get the truth is to take the girl to the island. I
know
she knows. She will tell us where the treasure is buried.”

The servant chuckled. “And what if she doesn’t?”

Bethany grinned and rubbed her hands together—feeling like the cat who was about to eat the canary. “Oh, she will. She’s in love with Justin, and if we threaten to kill him, she’ll sing like a lark.”

* * *  *

That was too close.

Victoria couldn’t believe Bethany asked Justin to dance. How shockingly forward of that woman. Yet, Victoria should have realized Bethany was that kind of person. She was also the kind that would keep pushing until she got her way.

It frightened Victoria nearly to death to think Mrs. Maitland would discover Justin and Victoria had been seeing each other—and falling in love. This sneaking around needed to stop. They needed to find the treasure map. Soon! Instead of attending this mask ball, she should be upstairs with Justin right now trying to figure out the paintings to see where the artist had hidden the map.

Fifteen minutes.

She twisted her hands against her middle. Justin had whispered to her as he walked past, to meet her in his room in fifteen minutes. Time had stopped, it seemed, because she wanted to go there now. But leaving right now would cause suspicion, especially if Bethany noticed, and that was something Victoria could ill afford to happen.

When another gentleman asked her to dance, she gladly accepted. That would take a few more minutes of her time. Yet when the dance ended, she felt it hadn’t taken enough.

Slowly, she wandered out of the ballroom and toward the buffet table. She picked up a cream tart and nibbled on it as she continued to move away from the crowd. The stairs were in view. If only she could reach them without being noticed. Perhaps she should use the servants stairs instead. Then maybe nobody would stop her.

By the time she reached the servants stairs, she’d finished eating her tart. As she placed her hand on the railing, someone behind her grasped her arm.

“Miss Fawson? Where are you going? Master Jonathan’s party is that way.” Mrs. White motioned her head toward the other side of the manor.

Victoria’s heart knocked crazily against her bosom. She laughed uneasily. “Not to worry, Mrs. White. I need to freshen up just a bit. I won’t be a moment, I assure you.”

Mrs. White nodded. “Beg pardon, but Mistress Bethany is looking for you. I suggest you see what she needs before leaving to refresh yourself. You know how upset that woman gets if things don’t go her way.”

The grimace on the older woman’s face let Victoria know she didn’t like Bethany, either. Victoria nodded. “Where is she? Hopefully, she won’t take too much of my time.”

Mrs. White pointed down the hall. “That way, Miss Fawson.”

Victoria smiled. “Thank you.”

Even though she really didn’t want to speak to Bethany right now, at least it would take a few more minutes of her time. And she definitely didn’t want the
Mistress
to suspect Victoria was sneaking out on purpose.

She left the servant’s quarters and walked down an empty hallway. Mrs. White had pointed in this direction, yet Victoria didn’t think Bethany would meet her here.

“Mrs. Maitland? Are you there?”

Just as she passed a room, someone stepped out of a darkened room and Victoria bumped into her. The other woman’s hands clutched Victoria’s shoulders hard, and she whimpered. Before she had time to catch her balance, the other woman pulled her in the darkened room and closed the door.

Moonlight spilled through a small slit in the curtains, barely outlining the other person. At first, Victoria didn’t recognize her, but then the shape of her face and her body became noticeable. Wild hair framed her head, instead of the bun and servant’s cap Victoria had always seen her in.

Victoria gasped as a cold chill ran through her. “What are
you
doing here? I thought…I thought—”

“You thought wrong.” The woman tilted her head and cackled.

The woman’s fingers still dug into Victoria’s shoulders, and her long nails punctured through the material of her gown. Fright consumed her, and she couldn’t breathe.
The witch!

“What do you w—w—want with me?”

“You and I are going somewhere.”

“Wh—where?”

The witch tsked and shook her head. “No questions now, Miss Fawson. You’ll know soon enough. And, if you’re a good girl and do not give me any trouble, I will allow you to live.”

Victoria’s whole body shook, but she nodded and obediently followed. The witch led her back through the servant’s quarters and out of the manor. Victoria prayed Mrs. White would spot her, or at least someone would see her, but it was as if everyone had disappeared. The orchestra continued to play, and voices lifted in laughter, but no signs of people.

The witch pushed her toward the forest—the same way Francine had gone. Tears stung Victoria’s eyes, and she blinked to clear her vision. Still, she stumbled, but quickly righted herself before making the witch upset.

In her heart, Victoria prayed Justin would see her, or somehow know what was happening. He was her only hope.

Chapter Sixteen

Justin grumbled as he walked out of his bedchambers, buttoning his shirt. He shouldn’t have danced with Bethany, but he couldn’t have her more curious than she already was. She studied him during their dance, and he was grateful they hadn’t danced a slow dance. The woman was too nosey for her own good. When he had walked her off the dance floor, he’d breathed a sigh of relief.

This sneaking around really needed to end. He was tired of everything, and he wanted a normal life. He
deserved
a normal life—with Victoria. He couldn’t wait until they could inspect these paintings to see about finding the map tonight. One way or another, his curse would end. Soon!