Haunting Secrets (29 page)

Justin’s body stiffened as he pushed Victoria behind him. “Leave them alone,” he said to the housekeeper. “It’s me you want. Not them.”

Victoria’s heart sank.
Another witch?
Would this nightmare ever end?

Mrs. White tsked and shook her head. She slithered up to Justin, standing scandalously close. She drew a long-nailed finger across his scars. “My darling, brave, man. You cannot save them. Only I can.”

“I know where the treasure is located. I’ll tell you where it is, but you cannot hurt them. And you must release me from my curse.”

Victoria hitched a breath, fright consuming her once again. Mrs. White was the witch who cursed Justin? Impossible!

The housekeeper tilted back her head and cackled. She waved her hands in the air. Seconds later, Justin’s body rose right before Victoria and was slammed against the cave’s wall. Jonathan slipped beside Victoria, and they held each other, offering a semblance of comfort in all the commotion.

Groaning, Justin struggled to stand, holding his ribs. Hatred glowed in his eyes as he stared at Mrs. White. Never had Victoria seen him like this. Not even when he had been with the pack of rabid dogs. Justin appeared as if he could shred the housekeeper a part limb from limb.

“Have you not learned your lesson yet?” The witch asked Justin. “You do not control me. I control you!” She gave him a pitiful pout. “And do you really think I plan on harming Jonathan? It’s Victoria I’m after.”

“Why?” Jonathan finally said, forcefully. “Why are you doing this, Mrs. White? Why have you become this…this…thing?”

A different expression crossed the other woman’s face as she stepped up to Jonathan. Lovingly, she caressed his cheek. “My dear, boy. I was never able to control your father. But I
will
control his sons, especially
my
son.”

Victoria choked on a gasp. “You are his mother?”

Mrs. White arched an eyebrow. “You are very intelligent, Miss Fawson.” She looked back at Jonathan. “Yes, I’m his mother. Right after Jonathan was born, I was able to act as his nanny, but soon Thomas didn’t want me around
his
son, and told me to leave. I knew I had to do something. That was when I started reading about witchcraft. Not too long after that, I knew what I must do in order to raise my son.”

“That certainly explains a lot of things,” Justin said as he limped toward the housekeeper. “But it doesn’t explain why you cursed me. Why do you want to control me?”

Mrs. White tossed an evil glare at Justin. “Because I was supposed to be Mistress of Maitland Manor. Your father was supposed to marry me! When my daughter, Bethany, couldn’t win you for her husband, I decided to charm you. After I’d overheard you dictating those letters of dismissal that day, I knew I hadn’t done an adequate job making you love me. That’s why I cursed you.”

“Bethany is your
daughter
?” Victoria asked. “I read your journal and you referred to Bethany as a sister.”

“We are sisters—sisters in the craft.”

“But why do you want the treasure?” Justin quickly interrupted. “In the last few months you have come to me asking for the treasure map Peter Fawson gave me. Why?”

“Because my daughters put a hex over Jonathan.” Mrs. White turned sad eyes to her son. “My poor son is not in his right mind. Bethany knew I controlled Justin, and she wanted the gold and silver. She told me that in order to lift the spell on Jonathan, I would have to force Justin to produce the treasure map.”

Victoria’s head pounded in confusion, making her headache worse. Everything made sense. But now poor Jonathan would have this spell on him forever because Bethany died before lifting it. Victoria feared his older brother would have the same fate.

“Mrs. White,” Victoria implored. “Will you tell me one thing?”

“Aren’t you the curious woman.”

Victoria nodded. “Indeed, I am. But now I want to know if Justin really killed all those women when he was the white wolf.”

Chuckling, the housekeeper folded her arms. “What do you think?”

Victoria squared her shoulders. “I think you lied to him all this time. I do not believe Justin killed anyone—especially
innocent
women.”

“You are correct, Miss Fawson.”

Victoria met Justin’s wide-eyed stare. Happiness expanded in her chest, and a joyful expression splashed across his face as well.

“Then who killed Sarah?” Jonathan asked in a quivering voice.

Mrs. White shrugged. “Bethany did, my dear son. She caught the maid having an affair with Roderick. In fact, the few women who have died have been from Bethany’s hand, not Justin’s. Bethany made it look like the wolf had killed. Unfortunately, Bethany is not alive to kill one more woman.” She stepped closer to Victoria and yanked her away from Jonathan. “I’m sorry my sweet son, but Victoria is not the woman you are supposed to marry. She knows too much. Not only that, but your brother is in love with her, and she returns his love.” The housekeeper shook her head. “I cannot have that. The woman you marry must have a simple mind—like yours—and love you completely.”

Tears formed in Jonathan’s eyes as he looked upon his brother. “You…love her?”

Frowning, Justin nodded. “I didn’t want to, but I fell in love with her quickly. How could I not? She was the first person to see inside of me and love me regardless of my scars.”

Mrs. White stared at Jonathan as if she delved into his eyes with her gaze. “Now son, return to the manor,” she said slowly. “I do not want you to witness what I’m going to do next.”

As if in a daze, Jonathan nodded, turned, and walked out of the cave. Victoria choked on a sob. Between her and Justin, they were going to have to stop the witch—and force her to end the curse. But the chances of that were looking slimmer by the second.

Once Jonathan was out of sight, Mrs. White tightened her grip on Victoria’s arms. “Now, Miss Fawson. I have little need of you now.”

“Harm her, and you’ll die!” Justin shouted.

“I think not.” The housekeeper raised her hand toward Justin, and he flew back against the wall.

This time when he struggled to stand, he couldn’t. It was if an invisible force kept him from standing. Victoria cried out and tried to lunge toward him, but Mrs. White was stronger, and Victoria couldn’t move out of the woman’s grasp.

“I feel bad that you could not love Jonathan. He would have made you very happy, I’m sure.” She wrapped her fingers around Victoria’s neck, just as Bethany had done, but the mother’s strength was more powerful.

Tears coursed down Victoria’s face. Although she struggled to release the woman’s hold, Victoria knew her life was short-lived. The end would soon be here.

Slowly, her energy sapped out of her body, and she became a limp rag in the housekeeper’s hands. Victoria’s lungs burned as little breath escaped.
Justin, never forget I loved you!

A pistol exploding echoed through the cave, and Mrs. White’s body fell to the ground. Freed, Victoria dropped beside her, gasping for breath. Blood poured out from a bullet hole in the housekeeper’s head, her sightless eyes stared up into the cavern.

“Victoria.”

Justin’s weak voice brought her around. He fell beside her and gathered her in his tight embrace.

“Justin, why did you kill her?” She cried into his chest. “Now your curse will be with you forever.”

“Oh, Victoria, my love.” He kissed her forehead. “It doesn’t matter. I would rather be a wolf for the rest of my life than to live without you. If Mrs. White would have killed you, I would have been dead inside as well.”

He kissed her wet eyes, then down to her lips. She hugged him close and kissed him, grateful they were both alive. Justin was right. It didn’t matter if he shifted into a wolf at night, he would be with her always from here on out. And knowing he didn’t kill anyone, certainly made her feel more at ease.

Wearily, he stood and pulled her with him. “Let’s leave now. Poor Jonathan needs to know what’s going on—if he even remembers being here at all. And,” he bent and kissed her lips again, “I want to hold you and be with you tonight. You will never leave my arms again.”

* * * *

It took a while before Justin and Victoria could be alone together. Once they reached the manor, all the women from the island were waiting for them, with the police. Victoria hung on to Justin’s arm as he explained to them what happened. It surprised her that the man of the law believed Justin at all.

Jonathan stood back and watched with a forlorn expression. Victoria wished she could say something to console him, but she feared her words would not do any good. She hoped someday he’d forgive her for loving Justin instead.

After everyone finally left—including the guests who had come to the mask ball—they found Roderick passed out on the couch. Justin shrugged and told her they’d leave him there.

Francine was in Victoria’s room, eager to get back to her duties as maid. Victoria hugged her friend again and told her to return to her own room to rest. Francine did so without hesitation.

Now Victoria sat in front of the fireplace after a refreshing bath. She combed her wet hair, allowing the heat from the fire to dry her wavy strands. Relieved that this ordeal was over, she still worried about Justin’s future. She had no doubt they would marry and he would take over his role as Master of the Manor, but in the back of her mind, she feared if the townsfolk knew Justin could still shift, they might want to kill him.

Footsteps in the corner of the room made her jump. She turned just in time to see Justin step through the hidden wall. She smiled and held out her hands. He grasped them and raised her to her feet before wrapping his arms around her.

“You know,” she began, “you don’t have to sneak around any longer.”

He chuckled. “It’s a habit. Forgive me.”

“Of course, my love.” She kissed his mouth briefly then broke away. “Shall we adjourn to the sofa? I fear my limbs are still very weak from tonight’s torture.”

“As are mine.”

He led her to the sofa where they both collapsed in each other’s arms. Wearily, she laid her head on his chest and inhaled his masculine scent. He, too, had bathed and smelled cleaner than before.

“This feels so nice.” She sighed dreamily.

“Indeed, it does.” He kissed the top of her head. “Do you know what else feels different?”

She lifted her face and looked into his eyes. “What?”

“This house.”

“It does?”

“Can you not feel it? It’s as if the evil has disappeared and no dark clouds of gloom are hanging over the place. I’m certain tomorrow morning we shall walk outside and it will look different.”

“I pray you’re right. I’m too exhausted to notice anything different now.”

He frowned. “Then I should leave and let you rest.”

“No.” She snuggled closer. “Please don’t go. I want you to stay with me tonight. We can sleep like this on the sofa, wrapped in each other’s arms with the fireplace to keep us warm.”

“Hmm…” He pulled her closer. “I do like the way you think, my love.”

She closed her eyes. “In the morning we can talk about when we’re going to get married.”

His chest shook with silent laughter. “If I had my way, we’d get married tomorrow.”

“Well, if you can talk someone into performing the ceremony, I’ll be quite content with becoming your wife tomorrow.”

“Excellent.” He kissed her head. “But now, let’s rest. I don’t think I can keep my eyes open any longer.”

Victoria was already drifting off to sleep, dreaming of her wedding day and hoping Justin wouldn’t shift on their wedding night.

Epilogue

Warmth and comfort surrounded Victoria, and she wanted to keep sleeping. But the stirring of the person beside her caused her body to awaken. When her mind became alert, she realized she still lay in Justin’s arms. He trailed soft kisses over her face, her eyes, her nose, down her cheeks, to her mouth.

Moaning softly, she kept her eyes closed and wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth for his seeking kiss. Excitement took over, and they kissed passionately. Love grew inside her, and she couldn’t wait to become his wife. Her father would indeed smile down on them from heaven.

“Victoria, my sweet,” Justin muttered against her lips.

“Yes?”

“I didn’t shift last night.”

She chuckled, continuing to brush her lips against his in a tender caress. “Of course not, silly. You were too exhausted.”

His body shook with a laugh, but he didn’t stop kissing her. His hands swept over her hair, down her neck and shoulders, then around her back as he gathered her closer. She, too, enjoyed touching him; his wide chest, his strong shoulders, and his beautiful face. As she cupped his face, she stroked her fingers across his scars…

Gasping, she pulled away and blinked open her eyes.

“What is it my dear?” he asked with a smile.

Not believing what she was seeing, she ran her fingertips over his face again—his skin smoother than what she’d been used to touching. Although she knew this was Justin Maitland, a new countenance took over his appearance.

“Your scars are gone.”

“What?” He jerked up straight and felt his face. “I can’t believe it.” He jumped off the sofa and ran to her full-length mirror standing in the corner of the room.

She moved off the sofa and followed him. He stared dumbfounded at his reflection, as he touched his cheek.

“They’re gone,” he whispered reverently. “I look different. Almost the way I used to before the curse.”

“You do look different, in a way. But you are still very handsome to me.”

He turned and took her back in his arms. “Do you suppose the curse was lifted? I mean, if my scars are gone, could that mean the curse is gone?”

Victoria hitched a breath and covered her mouth, her eyes widening from the realization. “Oh, Justin.” She dropped her hand. “It very well could be. Mrs. White lied to you about killing innocent women as the wolf, so it’s plausible she would lie to you about the curse as well. She wanted to be the one controlling you, and by making you believe that if she died the curse would stay with you, makes me think that all of her words were lies.”