Haunting Secrets (21 page)

She sat on the edge of the armrest and ran her hand over his chest. “Have you grown weary of shifting, my dear? You know what to do if you want me to change you back.”

Pushing her aside, he stood and moved away. He linked his hands behind his back and paced the floor between the witch and Victoria who remained behind the closed door.

“Since you know I’ll never love you, I assume you’ve come to harp about the non-existent treasure map.” He shook his head. “I grow weary, not of shifting into a wolf, but of your inability to accept what I tell you as the truth.” He stopped in front of her and glared. “I do not, nor will I ever, have that cursed treasure map. There’s no such thing. If there was, don’t you think someone would have found it by now?”

“Oh, there’s a treasure there, I assure you. It’s been told in old wives tales for several centuries. Someone must have it, and I believe you’re hiding it from me. Peter Fawson gave it to you, I know he did.”

Anger poured through him, and his animal instincts took over. He wrapped his hands around her throat. Her eyes widened and she gasped, but she didn’t say anything, nor did she try to peel his hands away.

“Do you know how I loathe you? Every day I want to kill you with my bare hands. I want to choke the life right out of you just to be free.”

The glimpse of terror that had been on her face didn’t stay long, and she grinned. “You won’t kill me, because then you’ll never turn back.”

If he squeezed hard enough he could snap her neck. He was certain of it. But she was correct. The curse would die with her.

Releasing a frustrated growl, he yanked his hands away and stepped back. He drove his fingers through his hair as he paced the floor again, breathing deep and slow, trying to control his hatred. His foot knocked into the paintings he’d taken off the walls in the manor earlier, toppling two over, the wooden frames broke as they hit the floor. He hoped the witch didn’t ask about them.

Nothing would please him more than to tell her what she wanted to know, even if he had to lie. Unfortunately, she’d eventually discover the untruth and be back, which was the last thing he wanted.

The only thing to do was work harder with Victoria to see if there really was a secret map. According to Peter Fawson’s journal, the stranger at the end of the book believed there was. Now Justin needed to find it. Or die trying.

He glanced back at the witch, her gaze was still on him along with that ridiculous smirk he’d enjoy wiping off her face. “Would you please leave?”

She tsked. “Justin, you’re out of sorts today. That’s not like you.” She walked toward him. “It makes me wonder if your attitude has anything to do with Miss Fawson?”

He stared hard into her eyes. “If you touch one hair on her, I swear—”

Her cackle floated through the air as she stroked his cheek. “I cannot believe these threats you’re throwing at me, my darling man.”

He slapped her hand away. “You forget easily. You don’t frighten me any longer.”

She shrugged and turned away, moving toward the door. “I hope you haven’t fallen completely in love with Miss Fawson,” she said over her shoulder. When she reached the door, she stopped and met his gaze. “Jonathan is madly in love with her. Did you know that? I believe he’ll ask her to be his wife soon.”

Justin’s gut clenched and he gritted his teeth. He shouldn’t be surprised. He’d suspected as much when he saw Jonathan kissing Victoria.

“Then I wish them a happy life together.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Oh, you cannot fool me, Justin. You’ve become infatuated with her, too. Why else would you shift so often?”

“Good night. I’m weary of your chatter and I need my sleep.”

She flipped her hand through the air. “As you wish. I’ll see you again very soon.”

When she walked out of the room he listened for her footsteps and the squeaks the door made as she left his sanctuary. Sighing with relief, he sank to the couch and covered his face with his hands. That had been the closest he’d ever come to killing her. Or anyone, for that matter, since he didn’t remember his nights as the wolf.

He glanced at the door Victoria hid behind and groaned. They’d almost gotten caught. He shuddered to think what the witch would have done if she’d seen Victoria in his arms.

He stood and released a deep breath before walking to the door and opening it. Victoria’s wide eyes, moist with tears, stared up at him. His heart crumbled and he gathered her in his arms. Her body shook against him, making him tighten his hold.

“Oh, Justin,” she sobbed. “We were almost discovered.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I know.”

“It’s my fault. If I hadn’t come here—”

“Shh.” He lifted her chin until she met his eyes. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I could have told you to leave several times, but the truth is I want you near me. You make me whole. When you’re with me, I’m a man instead of a beast.”

He bent and captured her mouth, but only kissed her for a few moments before pulling away. “But I think it’s best to return to your room. Don’t you agree?”

She nodded.

Taking her hand in his, he led her through the tunnels to sneak her back. His chest ached. How he wished he’d never met her and fallen in love, but she had brought happiness and hope back to his life.

Now, he’d never let her go. And that thought frightened him more than anything.

* * * *

Justin had shifted again. Because of her.

The wolf howl during the night brought tears to Victoria’s eyes. His cry was so painful, so emotional, that it wrenched her heart. She’d tried to block out the mournful wails with her pillow over her ears, but it didn’t work.

The next morning her eyes were heavy with fatigue and all she wanted to do was sleep. Yet so much needed to be done, and quickly. Knowing Justin shifted every night was hard to bear. They must find a way out of this curse.

Breakfast wasn’t as quiet as she wished. Bethany chattered about Jonathan’s birthday ball and the last minute plans they had to make. It hurt Victoria’s face to smile, but she had to keep up appearances. They mustn’t ask questions at this point.

From down the hall, a door slammed and voices rose. Her heart dropped. The last time this happened, the white wolf had killed. She prayed it was something different.

But as the voices drew nearer and wails filled the air, tears stung her eyes.
Not again.

Bethany and Roderick jumped from their chairs just as Mrs. White and two other maids ran into the dining room.

“What has happened?” Roderick demanded.

“It’s Anne.” Mrs. White wrung her hands against her bosom. “She was attacked last night.” Beside her, the two other maids cried into their hands.

“The white wolf?” Bethany’s whisper was greeted with nods.

“But Anne isn’t dead,” Mrs. White added.

Victoria gasped and jumped out of her chair, knocking it over. All heads turned toward her. “She’s not dead?” She hurried toward the housekeeper. “Where is she? We must ask her what happened.”

“Henry, the footman, found her. She was still breathing. He took her to the physician in town.”

Roderick ran his fingers through his hair. “Good heavens, I must go to her at once.”

Bethany passed her husband a heated glare before rolling her eyes. “Fine, go. While you’re gone, Victoria and I have birthday plans to make.” She gave Victoria a fake grin.

Victoria couldn’t believe Bethany’s attitude. Didn’t that woman have any feeling at all for her servants? Then again, she probably knew about Roderick and Anne’s affair, which was why she acted as if she didn’t care.

Victoria nodded. “Yes, we do have plans to make.” She gave Mrs. White a sympathetic smile. “Please keep us informed of Anne’s condition, and let me know if there is anything I can do.”

Mrs. White nodded. “I will.” When the housekeeper turned back toward the door, Roderick hurried after her.

“I certainly hope Anne is going to be all right. Maybe she can tell us what happened and how the white wolf attacked her.” Victoria shook her head. “It’s still hard for me to believe the white wolf kills. He had the chance with me, but he didn’t take it.”

“Yes. That’s quite amazing. Perhaps the creature detected your sweet demeanor and pure heart, so had no inclination to kill you,” Bethany said with sarcasm in her tone.

Victoria shrugged. “Perhaps.”

As she walked beside Bethany toward the parlor, Victoria counted the minutes until she could be with Justin. Would he remember anything about Anne? Was it really the white wolf who attacked her, or the rabid dogs? It would be interesting to discover.

Victoria and Bethany sat at the table and addressed the invitations. During the next hour, Bethany chattered on about nothing, and Victoria tried to keep herself smiling the whole time, worried that she would give the hostess a scowl instead. Before Victoria could scream with frustration, heavy footsteps echoed down the hall and into the parlor. Jonathan appeared at the door and stopped, his chest rising and falling quickly.

“Oh, there you are,” he said.

“Yes, dear. What is it?” Bethany stood and walked toward him.

“Did you hear about Anne?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe it all. It’s amazing, don’t you think?” Jonathan twisted his hands against his middle. His face was pasty white.

Bethany stopped beside him and patted his shoulder. “Yes, it’s truly amazing Anne is still alive. But you mustn’t worry. Roderick and Mrs. White are with her now.” She pulled Jonathan to an empty chair next to Victoria. “Why don’t you help Victoria? I’m certain she’d love your company, and it will take your mind off Anne.”

Victoria nodded. “Yes. Your company would be most welcome.”

Jonathan’s countenance seemed to relax as he sat next to her and stared into her eyes. Panic squeezed her chest again. Would she have to fight him off like she did Roderick? She prayed not.

“Now there. Don’t you feel better, Jonathan?” Bethany stroked his hair.

“Oh yes, dear sister. Seeing Victoria always makes me happy.”

Disgust rose inside of Victoria. No wonder Jonathan’s mind was so young. Bethany treated him like her own child. The poor man didn’t have a chance to mature with the mistress of the house wiping his nose every time he turned around. Nobody deserved this kind of treatment. Victoria’s heart softened toward him.

Bethany pulled away from Jonathan. “Well, since you two are so cozy, I hope you don’t mind if I leave for a bit. I have a few errands to run before this afternoon.”

Victoria lifted a brow. Not even an hour ago, all Bethany could think about was making birthday plans. What was the woman up to now?

“We’ll be fine, Bethany. Go and enjoy yourself.” Jonathan smiled.

With Bethany gone, Victoria sighed with relief. She did prefer Jonathan’s company to the Mistress of Maitland Manor. Of course, now she’d need to keep Jonathan’s mind away from trying to kiss her. What could they talk about? Certainly not about her friend, Amelia. Victoria highly doubted he’d remember, anyway.

He covered her hand and squeezed. “You’ve been a godsend. Do you know that?”

“Thank you, Jonathan. You’re too kind.”

“No, you are the kind one.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her knuckles.

Now was the time to change the subject. She smiled and casually pulled her hand away. She pushed her stack of invitations in front of him and pulled the pile Bethany was addressing to her. “Here is the list,” Victoria told him. “Mark off the name once you’ve addressed them.”

Thankfully, Jonathan didn’t look rejected when she wouldn’t let him kiss her. Instead, he kept his smile and worked beside her.

They labored over the invitations, mostly in silence, which gave Victoria time to think. She tried to piece together what she’d learned during her stay at Maitland Manor. Justin had been cursed as a white wolf for a year. The same day he was cursed, he had been trying to get rid of some of his staff and his brother and sister-in-law. Whoever the witch was, she was in love with Justin. Also, it was rather strange that the white wolf had attacked two of the people he’d been ready to dismiss. Did that mean Mrs. White was next? Maybe Bethany and Roderick?

A pain throbbed in Victoria’s forehead and she rubbed it. Was the witch responsible for everything that had happened during the past year? What about the island? Did that have anything to do with Justin’s curse? It had to. Why else would the witch demand he hand over the treasure map?

“What’s on your mind, my dear?” Jonathan touched her hand again.

Victoria snapped out of her thoughts and met his stare. She smiled. “Too much to talk about, I fear.”

He squeezed her fingers softly. “Please tell me. Releasing your thoughts can help, you know. I’m a good listener.”

There was no way she could say what was on her mind. Not when he might have something to do with the curse.

“Well,” she took a deep breath, stalling for time until she could think of something to talk about, “I’m…um…I’m having a hard time feeling comfortable around Bethany.”

Jonathan’s eyes widened and he threw back his head and laughed. Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, she’d touched on a subject he wouldn’t mind discussing.

She grinned. “What’s so humorous?”

Tears moistened his eyes when he met her stare. Laugh lines still highlighted his face. “Oh, my dear, Victoria. You’re such a delight.”

She arched a brow. “Thank you, but why do you say that?”

“Because most people I know are hesitant to say anything about Bethany, especially if it’s negative.”

“Why do you suppose that is?”

He shrugged. “I’ve known her most of my life. She’s older than me by five years, I believe, and I think of her as an older sister. Her family worked for my father when I was young, and their cottage was a short distance down the lane from our manor. They were very poor, but Bethany would always come with her mother and older sister when they cleaned the rooms. Bethany’s father died when she was very young. He had been my father’s groundskeeper. My father took pity on their family and kept her mother and older sister as our maids until Bethany was older. Soon her mother’s frail body couldn’t handle the labor and she’d become bedridden. I cannot recall what happened to the older sister, but she stopped working for us before that happened. Bethany had to provide for her and her mother after that. I don’t recall exactly what she did, but she worked in town for many years and we didn’t see her as often.”