Haunting Secrets (10 page)

Sadness coated his face as his eye filled with sorry. “No. I didn’t know this. When did he die?”

“A year ago, not long after you had left, in fact.”

“How did he die?”

“He was killed.”

A ragged sigh escaped his mouth and he lowered his head. “That is horrible. Please accept my sympathy. Your father was a fine man.”

Tears pricked her eyes. Seeing his sorrow made her heart break all over again. “I live with my uncle now.”

He lifted his head and met her eyes. He stroked her cheek with his free hand. “I sense you’re not happy about your living arrangements.”

“Just as I can sense your distress.” She squeezed his hand. “Please, Justin. Let me help you.” She desperately wanted him to open up to her, to tell her the secrets of Maitland Manor, and why he was hiding.

“Helping me will only cause us both pain. No, Victoria, it’s dangerous enough that you’re talking to me, and touching me. I must take you back.”

Her heart sank. He stood, walked to a closet, and pulled out a thick cloak. “Put this on. It’ll warm you until you can change your clothes.”

She nodded. Her legs shook as she tried to stand. She wobbled and lost her balance, tilting toward the ground. Justin’s strong arms grabbed her. She clung to him, staring into his face as desire spread throughout her body. She didn’t want to leave his embrace.

Gulping hard, she rested her attention on his parted lips. The urge to press her mouth to his was overpowering. Yet that would be too improper. Even with her bold personality, she knew ladies didn’t make the first move to kiss a man.

But she’d never been like most ladies.

His arms tightened around her, drawing her up, closer to his face. Her breathing turned ragged, and her chest tightened with anticipation.

“Justin.” The word left her lips in a whisper as her fingertips slid down the side of his face. “Why do I feel as if I know you? I should be frightened, but all I want is to let this happen.”

He closed his eyes and brought his forehead against hers. His breathing deepened to match hers. “Victoria, this is why you need to leave. Being here with me now puts you in tremendous danger I have no power to stop.”

She rubbed her cheek against him. “I’m not frightened. Being with you calms my soul.”

With a growl, he swept his lips across hers. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting his mouth with tiny kisses.

His heartbeat pounded against her bosom. His tender hands moved over her back, drying her dress quicker than the fire. Warmth infused her. She’d never felt this way before, and she wanted to experience more.

Just as she crushed her mouth to his, he tore them a part and pushed her away. She stumbled backward. Staring at her, his eyes blazed with passion. His breathing became deep and uneven. Agony clutched her heart. She wanted to be back in his arms with his mouth against hers. How could she get the wonderful sensations flowing through her body back?

He shook his head. “You don’t understand, Victoria. I
can’t
do that. I can’t think of you this way. It’s dangerous for both of us.” He picked up the cloak and handed it to her. “Please don’t ask questions. Just trust me.”

She pulled the heavy cloth to her bosom.
Trust him?
How could she trust him when he wouldn’t open up to her? Yet how could she not trust him, especially since he had saved her life?

Wrapping the cloak around her, she nodded. He lifted her in his arms again without a word, carried her from his room, and back through the tunnel. She cradled her head in his neck, relishing the moment in his arms as his skin warmed her face. It was a privilege she might never have again.

Chapter Six

Victoria had a difficult time trying to explain to Jonathan and the Maitlands how she obtained the scratches on her face. She didn’t exactly lie. She told them she saw her maid outside, so wandered into the thick trees to find her. However, she told them nothing about her adventure with the dogs, and especially the intoxicating man who’d saved her.

What began as a nightmare had turned into a wonderful dream. She’d always imagined a knight in shining armor coming to rescue her. Justin didn’t wear armor, but he was most certainly a knight who’d swept her off her feet and carried her away.

No matter how he tried to convince her he didn’t speak to those animals, she knew differently. And to think they had responded. That wasn’t normal behavior no matter how hard she tried to rationalize the events in the forest.

Whatever he was hiding, she had to assist him, regardless of the danger he thought she’d be in. She felt he was in trouble, suffering in some way. Helping Justin was the right thing to do. If only she could convince him.

That evening at dinner, Jonathan was very attentive. As much as she wanted to recoil, she had to go along with it to keep up pretenses. If she told him she wasn’t interested in courting him, he’d send her away. She couldn’t return home now.

He took her into the parlor after dinner and closed the door. Immediately, the expression in his eyes became serious. Her heart sank. She must remain polite no matter how much she had to fight him off.

“I’m certain you’re having second thoughts about your stay at Maitland Manor,” he began.

“Nonsense, Jonathan. I’m having a splendid time.”

Chuckling, he moved closer. When he stood in front of her he swept his fingers across the scratches on her face so very gently. “You don’t lie very well, my sweet Victoria. I cannot fathom how you’d want to stay a minute longer, especially after the afternoon you’ve had thus far. Anyone else would have turned and fled hours ago.”

She smiled and stepped away from his touch. “I’ll admit it has been one adventure after another. But you seem to forget with whom you’re speaking. Because of the way my father raised me, I’m used to such escapades.”

Victoria turned and walked to the sofa, slowly lowering to the chair as she smoothed out her gown. “I haven’t been disappointed in the least. Your family has been most accommodating.”

Jonathan followed and sat beside her. He took her hand and brought it to his mouth; his lips brushed her knuckles. He continued trying to charm her. If it had been two months ago and under different circumstances, she might have allowed his attention. Not now. She could see through his fake charisma, and hear his sugarcoated words.

“I admire your courage.” Jonathan caressed her hand with his lips once again. “Any other woman would have left the first day.”

She squashed the urge to yank her hand from his grasp. “Why do you say that?”

“Most women are frail and isolated.” He swept his lips along her fingertips. “By now, my brother and sister-in-law would have scared them away.”

Strange he would say that when it was obvious Bethany was trying to find him a wife. So then why would she scare them away once they arrived?

The more he showered his overbearing attention on her hand, the thicker disgust grew in the pit of her stomach. Yet it was too soon to pull away. He didn’t act like this with Roderick and Bethany around. Victoria couldn’t have Jonathan think his touch nauseated her.

And where was Francine, her chaperone? After speaking with her earlier, the girl had claimed that she hadn’t gone outside. Hopefully she’d be helping Mrs. White right now.

“Jonathan, what makes you think your brother and sister-in-law would frighten me away? They have been exemplary hosts.”

“You don’t know them as I do. They can be very forceful at times.”

Withdrawing her hand, she stood and moved to the window. “Then I must be blind to that side of them, because I haven’t noticed that trait at all.”

Once again, the determined man followed. He stood directly behind her with his hand grazing her shoulders. Shivers of repulsion washed over her. How could she tell him to stop being so personal and forward without upsetting him?

The door to the parlor opened and Bethany and Roderick strolled in. Jonathan jumped away, folding his hands in front of him. Victoria breathed a sigh of relief.

Jonathan threw his brother and sister-in-law a glare. Of course he wanted private time with her. What man courting a woman wouldn’t? Bethany’s gaze narrowed on Jonathan and she tilted her head as if curious of his actions. His shoulders wilted and he moved away.

“Victoria, my dear,” Bethany began as she settled in to a chair. “I hope you don’t mind discussing your father for a bit.”

Victoria smiled and sat on the sofa. Her heart beat in a different rhythm. Would they know anything about her father’s death? Could they help her solve the mystery surrounding the day he died?

“I don’t mind it at all. I love talking about my father. What do you wish to know?”

“I read a book he wrote about the Slumbering Giant,” Bethany said.

“Yes, he researched the island and wrote a story about it. That was his last publication.”

“What kind of research did he do, may I ask?” Bethany kept her gaze directly on Victoria.

She folded her hands in her lap and straightened her back. “He went to the island and walked around to get a feel for the layout. He even looked inside the caves. He’d heard the legend about the old curse, but he didn’t believe it.”

“He actually stepped foot on the island and nothing horrid happened to him?” Bethany arched a brow.

“There have been a lot of old wives’ tales circling about. I think my father proved them false because he searched the island and returned a whole man.”

Roderick laughed as he poured himself a brandy. “If he survived all, that he would be considered a God among the people here.”

“Victoria, why do you suppose there have been so many tales about the island if they’re not true?” Bethany asked.

Victoria shrugged. “Perhaps someone started the tale a long time ago to keep everyone off.”

“That could very well be the reason.” Bethany nodded. “However, I’ve known many men who went there and never returned. If, by chance, they were fortunate enough to come back, they weren’t whole.”

Victoria lifted her hands in surrender. “I cannot tell you what I don’t know. But my father survived, which was how he was able to write the book.”

Roderick cleared his throat. “But your father is dead now. Do you suppose it had something to do with the curse of the island?”

Doubts filled her mind, causing her heart to ache. No! She wouldn’t believe it. “My father died a year after writing the book, Mr. Maitland. In fact, the book had already been published by that time. I don’t think his death and the curse were related.”

“There’s another tale,” Jonathan added to the conversation as he sat by Victoria and took her hand. “Only a pure woman with a kind and loving heart, more beautiful than anyone can imagine, will be able to lift the spell.” He rubbed her hand. “Do you believe that?”

She tried not to grin at the absurdity of his comment. “There are a lot of stories I don’t believe, Jonathan.”

“But that doesn’t mean they aren’t real.”

“Possibly.”

“Perhaps one day, Miss Fawson,” Roderick said lifting his glass, “I shall take you there to see firsthand.”

Victoria blinked at him and apprehension rushed through her. Why would he even suggest such a thing? “Pardon me?”

He took a sip from his glass, and his gaze wandered over Victoria’s body. His grin made her stomach churn.

“What if
you
are the woman who is pure in heart?” His eyebrows waggled. “And you are very comely, you know.”

Without meaning to, she snorted and rolled her eyes. “I fear, Mr. Maitland, if you believe that rubbish, you need spectacles. Or perhaps you’ve consumed more spirits than usual tonight.”

The others laughed, which relaxed Victoria just a bit.

Jonathan stood and held out his hand to her. “Victoria, my sweet, would you care to accompany me into the music room?”

She didn’t want to be alone with him, mainly because the sparkle in his eyes warned her he wanted to continue their earlier conversation. But did she have a choice? She couldn’t discourage him by breaking off their courtship just yet. Not until she found more answers. Yet, if she let him kiss her, she might gag.

Forcing a smile, she slipped her hand into his. “I’d love to.” She turned back to Bethany and Roderick. “Would you excuse us?”

“Most certainly.” Roderick grinned.

As she walked out of the parlor with Jonathan, she could feel Roderick’s stare on her. Chills of disgust spread over her and made her shiver. What was wrong with that man? There was no way she could have mistaken the heated look he gave her earlier, desire heating his eyes.

She’d definitely watch him closely and make certain he didn’t say or do anything improper.

* * * *

Bethany waited until her brother-in-law and Victoria were well enough down the hall before she stood and hurried to close the room’s double doors. Once they clicked securely, she swung around and faced her husband with a glare.

“You imbecile! What was that all about?”

Roderick arched his brow and took another sip of his brandy. “Pray, woman, what are you harping about now?”

“I saw the way you ogled her. Can you not carry on a decent conversation with a woman without flirting?”

He lifted a shoulder and watched his drink as he swirled it in the snifter. “She’s quite comely. It’s hard for any man to miss that.”

“She’s here for your brother, you jackanapes! Can’t you keep your disgusting hands off women long enough for them to get to know him? Or do you think it’s your job to seduce all of them first?”

He narrowed his gaze on her. “If my wife kept herself for her husband and her husband only, I wouldn’t have to go elsewhere.”

She flipped her hands in the air. “You’re impossible.”

“Besides,” Roderick continued, “how else are we supposed to find the pure and beautiful woman who can lift the curse on the island?”

“Not by you seducing them all, that’s for certain. We need to find the woman who holds the power to lift the curse.”

He shook his head. “I look at it this way, if the woman is willing to let me charm her, then she isn’t the pure hearted woman we’re looking for.”

Bethany marched up and stopped in front of her husband, folding her arms over her chest. “Am I to assume Victoria won’t allow your intentions?”