Haunting Secrets (27 page)

Not thinking about what he was doing, he mis-buttoned his shirt. Chuckling, he released the buttons to start over. That’s what he gets thinking about Victoria.

As he turned the corner, he tripped over two of the paintings he’d been studying the past couple of days. They fell over simultaneously. He reached down to stand them aright, but something on the back of the canvas drew his attention.

Probing, he took a candle for a closer look. There was some kind of drawing on the back—and just like the front, it wasn’t just on one painting, but it moved from one to the other.

He sat on the floor and flipped all five paintings over, side-by-side. As he realized what he was looking at, he gasped.

The map!

Happiness burst in his chest. He’d found the map, and he couldn’t wait to share the exciting news with Victoria. The trick in all of this would be figuring out a way to convince the evil witch to lift his curse now. He prayed she would—and leave him alone. Once his curse was lifted, he’d do all he could to see that woman’s life end.

Nervous excitement shot through him as he paced his room, bunching his hands and releasing them. Where was Victoria? It had been fifteen minutes already, hadn’t it? Indeed, it had been longer.

He sneaked to the tunnel she usually entered, but no sign of her. Taking a deep breath, he tried to use his animal instinct to smell her scent, but once again, nothing. He grumbled and hurried back to one of the hidden tunnels to see if he could tell why she’d been detained. As he passed each room toward the ballroom, he peeked in the mirror/window, but didn’t see his love. By the time he made it to the ballroom, his heart thudded erratically as worry surged through him.

Roddy stood with a group of women, drinking spirits. Justin could tell by the way his brother flipped his hands in the air and wobbled from side-to-side that he was already sloshed. Normal behavior for Roddy. But where was Bethany? For that matter, where was Jonathan?

Fear pricked the back of Justin’s neck, warning him something was not right.

Panicked, Justin followed the secret tunnels to every room, peering inside just in case Jonathan had taken Victoria into one against her will. When Justin reached the room he’d occupied before he’d been cursed, Jonathan sat on the edge of the bed, his arms wrapped around his middle as he rocked back and forth, mumbling. Nobody else was with his brother.

Curious, Justin moved toward the hidden wall to hear his brother better. The younger man’s eyes were swollen and red, spiked with tears. Justin’s heart twisted for his sibling, wishing he knew how to help his poor, misguided, and probably insane brother.

“Oh, please help me,” Jonathan muttered. “Justin, I know you’re a ghost, but I need your help. I cannot do this on my own.”

Sadness left a lump in Justin’s throat, but he remained still and continued to watch and listen.

“I’ve known for a while how mean Bethany has been to others, but,” Jonathan sobbed and wiped his teary eyes, “why? I thought she loved me and wanted what was best for me.”

Justin scowled. What had Bethany done this time?

Jonathan stared at the wall as if in a daze. Within seconds, his despondent countenance changed and his face flushed with anger. He jumped to his feet, fisting his hands by his side. “But this time...this time Bethany has gone too far. They took Victoria and they plan to kill her. I can’t allow them to do that!”

An imprisoning shock squeezed the breath out of Justin and he stumbled against the wall. They took Victoria! The witch has her! He had to stop this, even if it meant making an appearance.

Justin pushed against the wall, moving it as he rushed inside the room. Jonathan’s eyes widened when he saw his brother, and he jumped.

“J—J—Justin?”

Justin reached out to touch Jonathan, but he quickly retreated, his eyes growing wider by the second. “Jonathan, it’s me. I’m not a ghost.”

Jonathan shook his head. “You d—died in the f—fire.”

“No, brother. There was no fire. Roderick and Bethany made up that story to keep me hidden in the East Wing.”

Shaky fingers lifted to Jonathan’s eyes as he finished swiping away the liquid. “That can’t be true. They wouldn’t do that.”

Justin arched an eyebrow. “You know our brother and his deceiving wife as well as I. Can you stand there and tell me they didn’t do this to me?”

Jonathan examined his brother from head to toe slowly, then his focus rested on Justin’s scarred face. He narrowed his gaze and pointed. “What happened to your face?”

Justin wanted to scream with frustration, and impatience. “Jonathan, we have no time for me to explain where I’ve been for a year. I need to know what you were saying about Victoria. Did Bethany take her somewhere?”

Anger crossed his brother’s features once more. “Yes. They took her to the island. I heard them talking when they didn’t know I was there. They—they are going to kill Victoria after she showed them where the gold is buried.”

“They who?”

“Bethany, and…Anne.”

“
Anne
? But she’s in the hospital barely alive and unable to speak.”

Jonathan shook his head. “No. That’s what they wanted everyone to believe, but it’s not true.”

Cursing, Justin grabbed his brother’s arm. “I need to leave as quickly as possible. I have to save Victoria.”

“I’ll go with you.” Jonathan took a deep breath and squared his shoulders.

Justin felt proud of how his brother wanted to help. “No, you need to stay here and take care of your guests. And keep a glass of spirits in Roddy’s hand at all times so he doesn’t stop me.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened. “Roddy knows?”

“Oh, yes.” Justin rolled his eyes. “Jonathan, that’s how you can help.” He squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “Will you do that for me?”

Jonathan smiled. “Yes, Justin.” He stepped closer and threw his arms around Justin’s shoulders. “I’m so happy you’re not dead.”

Justin gave him a quick hug then stepped back. “If I don’t leave now, I just may meet my own maker tonight after all. Say a prayer for Victoria and I that we can get through this night alive.”

“I will.”

Justin rushed back through the hidden tunnel toward his sanctuary. He needed weapons. He just didn’t know if the rifles he had would kill a witch—or two.

* * * *

Is this really happening?

Victoria questioned her own sanity as she, Bethany, and Anne rowed to the island. Everything Victoria had experienced when it came to the Maitland family had made her feel as if she wasn’t in her own skin—as if she watched a surreal play from a boxed seat in the theater where she and her father used to attend.

The only thing that made sense was Justin. And sometimes that even seemed like a dream.

But now as the island grew closer and closer, she questioned her own judgment. Perhaps she’d been in a nightmare since her father’s death, brought on by grief, of course, and unable to function with reality. She wanted to believe that more than sitting with two witches who just may kill her.

No, she corrected, they
would
kill her. As soon as she showed them where the treasure was hidden.

She scrambled to remember the story her father had written about the Slumbering Giant. Where could gold and silver possibly be hidden? Although she knew it was nonsense, she must make Bethany and Anne believe it was here. Biding her time in hope of Justin rescuing her was her main goal. She fervently prayed he would know these evil women had taken her here—and save her!

As the boat hit the edge of the island, it brought them to a sudden stop. Victoria jerked forward and nearly fell into Bethany. They’d tied Victoria’s hands, which made maneuvering out of the dinghy hard to do, especially wearing this ridiculous gown. And the insipid women didn’t even try to help.

Once Victoria’s feet touched the dirt, Anne grasped her by the arm and pulled her toward the island. The night wind nipped at Victoria’s cheeks and arms, but fear itself had numbed her more than the cold, damp air.

They entered the dark cave. Bethany lit a lantern before leading the way inside. Up ahead, another light shone, growing brighter the closer they walked. Soon the cave opened into a wide-space. Several women stood near the walls with picks and shovels, dirty beyond recognition.

Victoria stopped and gasped. “What is going on here?”

Haughtily, Bethany stood in front of her and planted her hands on her slender hips. “These women are trying to find the gold and silver I know is here. They’ve been at it for nigh a year, and they still haven’t found a trace. That’s how I know the curse is real. They are not the pure-hearted woman who will lift the curse.”

Victoria wanted to laugh, but dared not. “And you think
I
am that person?”

“Yes, we do,” Anne answered for her as she moved next to Bethany and removed the binds holding Victoria’s wrists together.

Once the ropes dropped to the ground, she rubbed the raw skin where the ropes had burned.

“
Mademoiselle!
”

Victoria jerked toward her maid’s voice. From nearby, a frantic woman broke away from the guard and ran toward Victoria with her arms open wide.

“Francine!” Victoria pushed past the two witches and met her maid, throwing her arms around her and hugging her tight. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Francine sobbed against her shoulder, and Victoria stroked her maid’s hair. “Shh, no need to fret. I’m here now.”

Another women darted away from a guard and ran toward her. Victoria blinked in surprise. “Amelia Hartley?”

Crying, Amelia wrapped her arms around Victoria as well. “Oh, Victoria. I prayed someone would come rescue us.”

“Rescue?” Bethany snipped as she pulled the sobbing women apart. “You think Victoria is here to rescue you all? Think again!” She pointed back to the wall of the cave. “Now get back to your post or I’ll have my guards make an example of both of you disobedient women in front of everyone.”

Victoria nodded to her friends. “Do as she says.”

Sobbing, Amelia and Francine turned and slugged their way back to their posts. Victoria’s heart wrenched, wishing she could help them. But the plain and simple fact was—they were all in danger.

Trying to be strong, she faced her captors with a stony expression. “Will you kindly tell me what is going on here? I think I have a right to know, especially if you are going to kill me after I lead you to the treasure.”

Bethany passed Anne a snarky gaze then returned her focus on Victoria. “I suppose we can let you in on our little secret. You see,” she stepped closer, “Anne and I are determined to get the gold and silver. We know it’s here. Our ancestors talked about it for years. Anne and I have done all we can to obtain it, but we can’t.”

“That’s where you come in,” Anne continued. “There is a curse on the island, and only a lovely woman who is pure in heart will be able to lift it.” She motioned to the many women littering the cave. “One by one we brought these women to the manor under the pretense of courting Jonathan. When they succumbed to Roderick’s disgusting charm, we knew they were not the ones who would lift the curse. That’s why we brought them here—to dig until someone finds a trace of our treasure.”

Victoria scowled. “And that is why I was invited?” She aimed her question at Bethany.

“But of course.” Mrs. Maitland grinned.

Victoria looked back at Anne. “And who are you? How did you and Bethany become cohorts in this despicable venture?”

The two other women glanced at each other and laughed.

“Oh, my dear, Miss Fawson,” Bethany began. “Forgive me, but let me introduce you to my sister, Ethel.”

Gasping, Victoria shook her head. “You are Ethel? But why did Justin not recognize you?”

Ethel shrugged. “Nobody but my sister recognizes me. You see, my sister and I have a very special talent.”

“Yes, I know. You are witches,” Victoria snapped.

Anne hitched a breath and glared at Bethany. “My dear sister, I though you said Miss Fawson wouldn’t suspect.”

Bethany flipped her hand in the air. “You imbecile. She’s been secretly meeting with Justin. That’s how she knows.”

“Justin didn’t tell me who the witch was,” Victoria said. “I figured it out on my own.” She aimed her attention on Anne. “So, let me guess, your special talent is to change your appearance so you’re prettier than you really are?”

Anne growled and clutched Victoria’s shoulders. “I’ll have you know that many men worship me now. My
talent
has gotten me this far, and will eventually get me to where I really want to be.”

Although the woman’s fingers dug into Victoria’s shoulders painfully, she wouldn’t show these two witches the satisfaction of crying out. “And what is Bethany’s talent?”

Mrs. Maitland tilted back her head and laughed. “I can make men love me.”

Anne snickered behind her hand, with made her sister throw a glare her way. “Beth’s talent is not as perfected as she wanted.”

Bethany huffed and planted her hands on her hips. “It’s good enough.”

“Why, then, is Roderick not in love with you any longer?”

Bethany rolled her eyes. “Because I tired of him, so I lifted the spell.”

Without being able to stop it, Victoria snorted a laugh. “Indeed? If your spell works with other men, then why couldn’t you get Justin to love you?”

Hatred burned in the depths of Bethany’s gaze. She yanked a lock of Victoria’s hair, making her yelp.

“I think, Miss Fawson, it’s time we stopped chatting and you tell us where the gold is.”

The pain in her skull brought tears to Victoria’s eyes, but she refused to shed them. “Fine. I just have one more question.”

“Question and answer time is over,
dearie,
” Anne snapped.

Victoria ignored her. “I just want to know which one of you put the spell on Justin to shift into a wolf.”

The sisters looked at each other and laughed. “That, you will have to figure out for yourself.” Bethany pushed Victoria ahead of them. “Now start walking and you’d better take us to where we want to go.”

Since she’d never been here before, she had no clue where to take them. She couldn’t even recall the paintings in Justin’s room, or even the drawing of the island that her father had added to his book. Indeed, she was a dead woman.