Haunting Secrets (14 page)

Justin’s chest tightened. Could there be other secrets she hid from him? If only he could trust her with his, maybe she’d divulge hers.

In reality, his secret could kill her.

He swallowed hard. “Victoria, please try to understand. My family is insane. Every last one of them. They cannot be trusted, and you must leave as soon as possible before something terrible happens.”

Justin took slow steps until he reached her. She hadn’t turned to look at him, so he softly caressed her hair. “I don’t know what I would do if something horrible happened to you. I might be able to prevent a few things from happening, but not all.”

She turned her head and looked up into his eyes. “If I stay, will you hate me?”

His heart sank. “No. I’ll never hate you.”

Victoria straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin in defiance. “Justin, I’m sorry, but I can’t leave. Not yet. Please understand.”

Frustrated, he fisted his hands by his side. Anger boiled through him and all he wanted to do was shake some sense into her. But doing that would only make her more stubborn.

He nodded. “Although I don’t understand, I’ll try. At least I have warned you of the dangers that might befall you and your maid.”

She placed her hand on his arm, and his temper simmered slightly. “Justin? When will I see you again?”

“I don’t know.”

“Tomorrow night? I’ll come to your room.”

A sigh escaped him and his heart melted. He took her back in his arms and kissed her forehead. “You’re tempting fate by coming to my room, Victoria. Don’t you know how hard it is to resist you?”

She tilted her head and looked up at him with a wide smile. “That’s what I’d hoped you would say.”

He turned and walked toward the hidden doorway, leading toward the tunnels. “And whatever you do, keep away from Roderick,” he said over his shoulder.

She drew her brows together and cocked her head. “Why?”

“Trust me. He’s not a good man at all.” Justin turned and hurried through the passageway before he told her everything. As hard as it was not to bare his soul to her, he mustn’t. She’d be kept safer if he said nothing.

Chapter Eight

A satisfied smile sneaked across Victoria’s face as she stared at her plate of food. She pushed the piece of fish with her fork and thought about Justin. Seated across from her at the table, Jonathan and Roderick talked about something mundane, which was why she didn’t care to listen closely. However, she didn’t like the disapproving glares Bethany threw her way.

Victoria sipped her red wine. Perhaps Bethany sensed her reluctance toward Jonathan. But she couldn’t help the way she felt about Justin. He occupied her thoughts more than Jonathan, and without realizing how it happened, Justin had crept into her heart. In her lifetime she’d not kissed many men, but with Justin, she felt so alive. Accepted. Why did she feel closer to him when she knew Jonathan better?

Setting her glass down, she glanced around the table. She really didn’t know anyone. Not even Justin. But she trusted him more than the others. Her heart told her to. Her father would have wanted her to.

Bethany placed her fork beside her dish and cleared her throat. “Victoria, dear. Roderick and I have decided to have a masked ball to celebrate Jonathan’s birthday. I do hope you’ll help me plan it.”

Victoria blinked as a bit of food stuck in her throat. She coughed and managed a smile. “I’d be delighted to help make the arrangements. When will it be and how many guests will be attending?”

“We will have it Friday after next.”

Just as she lifted the glass to her mouth, she stalled. “Friday after next? That’s All Hallow’s Eve.”

“Yes, it is. Jonathan’s birthday is on that day.” Bethany gave her a big smile. “As for the guest list, I hope you’ll help me with that. I fear I don’t know as many people in town as you.”

Shrugging, Victoria wiped her mouth with her linen napkin. “I shall certainly help any way I can.” She looked at Jonathan whose wide eyes told her this was a surprise to him, too. “Jonathan? I didn’t know it was your birthday. How old will you be?”

“Twenty-six.”

“A perfect age.” She glanced back at Bethany who hadn’t taken her glare off Victoria. “May I ask why you wish to have a masked ball?”

Bethany let out a low chuckle. “Since Jonathan was a young lad, he has always had a masked ball to celebrate his birthday.”

As Victoria took a bite of her food, she wondered why this family disturbed her so. Now she knew. They were dark and mysterious, just like All Hallow’s Eve. The family was also dangerous, as Justin had mentioned. The masked ball theme only added to her suspicions. The quicker she could escape this ghoulish nightmare, the better.

Not only did she have to worry about finding Amelia, but now Justin and his situation troubled her thoughts. He couldn’t stay, either. Not with these evil people living here. There was no other way. She must convince Justin to leave with her.

“Let’s start making the plans immediately,” Bethany said. “Tomorrow I’ll have Horace send out the invitations.”

“Splendid idea.” Victoria gave the lady of the house her best smile.

Bethany pushed away from the table and stood. “Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, Victoria and I will be in the parlor.”

As Victoria followed the older woman, she didn’t like the eeriness overtaking her. Something was wrong. Dreadfully wrong. The only way she would know for certain was to go along with Bethany to see what lay ahead.

The thought terrified her.

They sat in the parlor, writing down names and addresses, and planning what menu to serve. Mrs. White hung back on the fringes of the room. Victoria didn’t pay much attention to her at first, but after a half hour, she realized the housekeeper was eavesdropping.

Surprising, but Bethany didn’t say anything. It was as if Mrs. White was curious about how Victoria and Bethany planned Jonathan’s party. As time passed and because Bethany didn’t mention the older servant, Victoria soon put the matter out of her head.

After a few hours of pouring over names and jotting notes, Victoria wearily climbed the stairs to her room. Not too far behind her, Mrs. White lurked on the stairwell. When Victoria reached her room and opened her door, she stood and waited for the servant to approach. The older woman drew near, her eyes wide.

Victoria’s heart dropped. The housekeeper must know Victoria had been corresponding with the East-Wing ghost. Why else would the woman act in this manner? “Mrs. White? May I speak with you? In private?”

The woman glanced up and down the hall as if looking for someone. She nodded and followed Victoria inside the room.

Once the door was closed, Victoria took a deep breath for courage. “You may think I’m bold for saying this, but that’s just my nature. Was there a reason you were in the parlor listening to Mrs. Maitland and me?”

The other woman lowered her gaze as she twined her fingers against her waist. “I beg your forgiveness, Miss Fawson, but I was waiting for a chance to talk to you.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes.”

“What about?”

After several silent seconds, Mrs. White lifted her head. “I have been with the Maitlands for several years. I feel a part of their family.”

Victoria nodded. “That’s understandable.”

“Out of all the young women who Mrs. Maitland has asked to come to the manor to court Jonathan, I like you the best. You’re not afraid to speak, and you seem very intelligent.”

“Thank you, Mrs. White. I’m grateful for your comment.”

The older woman stepped closer and touched Victoria’s clasped hands. “But I fear you are withdrawing from Jonathan, just as the other women have done. Please be patient with him. His mind isn’t what it used to be, but he’s a very kind and loving man. He would make a wonderful and attentive husband.”

Guilt washed over Victoria, and her smile wavered. She didn’t want Jonathan for a husband, but she couldn’t allow anyone to know her thoughts. “I shall keep that in mind, Mrs. White. I do enjoy Jonathan’s company, and I’m very excited about his upcoming birthday ball.”

Mrs. White straightened. “That’s refreshing to hear. Once again, forgive me for being so audacious, but I had to tell you.”

“Not to worry. I understand you now.” Victoria smiled. “But before you leave, may I ask you a question?”

“Certainly.”

“The other day you told my maid that Miss Amelia Hartley had come to the manor to court Jonathan, but that she left quickly. Is this correct?”

“Yes, it is. She didn’t even stay the night.”

Victoria’s heart hammered quicker and she stepped closer. “Please, Mrs. White, I must know what happened. She is a friend, and I haven’t seen her for quite a while.”

The housekeeper shrugged. “There is nothing to tell, really. She came, took the mid-day meal with Master Roderick and Mistress Bethany, and left. I didn’t talk to her at all, but I’d heard the reason she didn’t stay was because she thought the manor…haunted.”

Victoria’s hopes dropped. “I wish I knew what happened to her when she left here. She did not return home.”

Mrs. White’s eyes rounded wide and she lifted her hand to her mouth. “Oh, heavens. You don’t suppose…”

“What?”

“Forgive me, but with the white wolf nearby, it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that the wolf killed your friend.” She ended in a whisper.

Tears stung Victoria’s eyes and she shook her head. “I refuse to believe that. If the wolf would have killed Amelia, wouldn’t someone have found her body by now?”

“I would hope so.”

Breathing deeply, Victoria tried to calm her panic. “My friend’s disappearance is most upsetting.”

“I understand.” She curtsied. “Good night, Miss Fawson.”

Victoria didn’t speak another word as the woman hurried out of the room, afraid she’d start crying again. Too many questions needed answers, and she was not a patient person. Shaking her head, she walked further into the room. She wanted this mystery solved now!

The conversation with the housekeeper confused Victoria. Usually the servants didn’t go out of their way to speak to her in private. Then again, everything about the Maitland Manor had been strange since she’d first stepped inside the doors.

On weary legs, she stumbled toward her vanity, more tired than she’d expected. Bethany had kept her up longer than she’d wanted.

Rubbing her eyes, Victoria yawned. She hadn’t seen or heard from Francine tonight, but right now she didn’t want to wait for the maid to help her undress. As soon as she shimmied out of her clothes, she would slide into bed and fall asleep instantly.

The opened curtains of her windows made her curious. She arched an eyebrow. Hadn’t she closed them before leaving her room earlier? Perhaps Mrs. White or one of the maids had opened them when they straightened the room earlier.

Shrugging, she hurried to the window to pull on the gold cord so she could undress. She paused to take in the view. Outside, the fog was heavy in patches. Shadows near the wooded area moved and drew her attention. She narrowed her eyes, trying to see more clearly, but it didn’t work. With a sigh, she pulled on the rope cord. From outside, a voice rang through the night, screaming her name.

She yanked back open the curtains and peered into the shadows. Gradually, forms took shape into people. One wore a black hooded cloak, but was too short and slender to be Justin. The cloaked figure pulled a struggling woman along beside them.

Victoria rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked again. As before, her name was called in a panicked voice. Fear gripped her like icy fingers.
Francine!

This time there was no mistaking the scene below. Her maid struggled with the person grasping her wrist as they tugged her toward the forest. Francine glanced back at the manor and screamed Victoria’s name again.

Renewed strength swept over her as she grabbed her cloak and rushed out of the room. Her heartbeat hammered as she ran out of the house. The cold air pricked her skin. She ran toward the trees where she’d seen her maid last.

“Francine! Where are you?”

No answer. Her heart jumped to her throat.
Please Francine, answer me. I can’t be imagining it this time.

Victoria’s chest tightened and she ran faster. Fog grew dense in spots, making it almost impossible to see in front of her, but she surged forward, calling for her maid.

Deep into the woods she ran, not knowing where she was going. With every step she prayed she’d hear her maid’s voice. Tree branches tore at her cloak and her hair, making more scratches on her face and arms. She didn’t care.

After what seemed like hours, she stopped. She heaved quick breaths as her parched throat ached. Tears stung her eyes.
This can’t be happening.
She hadn’t dreamed it this time. She had seen her maid.

Victoria glanced around and listened to the night’s sounds. Too quiet. Especially for the woods.

“Francine?” she called out again, her voice rasping.

When no answer came, she sobbed and sank to her knees onto the cold ground. Tears streamed down her cheeks and fell into the clasped hands she held against her mouth. She was
not
insane. She had heard and seen her maid.

In the distance, came the cry of a wolf.
The white wolf?

She shook her head. No matter how everyone around her tried to convince her, she didn’t believe in such legends.

Standing, her limbs quaked from both fear and fatigue. Her throat tightened, making it hard to swallow. Step by step, she tried to retrace her path back to the manor. If only she could remember which way she’d come.

The wolf howled again. Closer, this time.

Victoria clasped her hands to the material around her neck, bringing the garment closer together to ward off the coldness seeping in through her skin. With every step, she searched through the fog and strained to hear what was going on around her.

Close by, bushes rustled and twigs snapped.

She glanced at the trees, wondering if she should climb one to get out of the path of the wild animal. Victoria gulped. Another twig snapped, and the growl of an animal rumbled through the air. She froze in fear, afraid to even breathe.