Free Haunting Secrets by Marie Higgins Page A

folded her arms and rubbed the length of them to stop the chills. “So we’re back to discussing the danger I’m in again, are we?”
    He turned on the bench and she gasped. Only the left side of his face was open to her view. An eye, part of his nose, and his mouth were uncovered.
    “Miss Fawson, leave this very moment and never think of this place again.”
    “This place ? Meaning your chambers?”
    “Yes.”
    “And what about your earlier warning about leaving the manor all together?”
    He stood, his hands fisted by his side. “You’re a most impetuous woman. I grow weary of your endless questions. Leave now or suffer the consequences.”
    Her knees knocked together. Weakness from holding strong began to wear thin, and she feared she’d swoon soon. No. His presence made her curious, and she had to know why he resided here, hiding from everyone. Slowly, he made his way toward her.
    “I’ll leave your chambers, but know this.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm her quaky nerves. “You cannot scare me away, so don’t sneak into my room and threaten me again. I don’t understand why you gave me such an outlandish warning, but I’m not frightened of you, or any other servant in this house.”
    He stopped in front of her and titled his head to the side, the anger lines around his face softened. “You’re a stubborn child.”
    “I’m not a child, sir.”
    He folded his arms and tapped his finger on his chin. His gaze slid over her in a slow caress. Different tingles rushed through her body, those she didn’t quite understand. They warmed her, which was something no other man had yet accomplished.
    “Obviously.” His voice was deep, caressing.
    She licked her suddenly parched lips. “I—I came to tell you that you cannot frighten me. I’ll not leave the manor until the Maitlands ask me to.” She didn’t mean for her voice to crack, and quickly cleared her throat again. “So please cease these warnings. They fall on deaf ears.”
    Straightening, she turned and headed for the stairs. Loud footsteps reverberated behind her. When strong fingers gripped her arm, she let out a sob.
    The so-called ghost yanked her around to face him. He hovered over her, his face only a few inches away. She had to tilt her head back just to see into his one eye. Dark and mysterious, he projected masculinity. Although the scarf concealed half of his face, his straight nose and one eye held her prisoner. Even the curves of his lips fascinated her. 
    “Miss Fawson, you must heed my word. You shouldn’t stay here. I don’t want to see you put in danger.”
    “D—danger of wh—what?” Her teeth chattered annoyingly. A shiver ran through her, different than the ones she’d experienced thus far.
    “Do you really want to stay and find out?” he ground out. “Why can’t you simply listen and believe what I say?”
    “Because I don’t know you.”
    A heavy sigh fell from his lips and he released her. He folded his arms, keeping his stare on her. “How will knowing me make a difference?”
    “I only trust those I know.” She shook her head. “You, sir, are a stranger, a man who has played with my emotions by coming into my room trying to frighten me.”
    From what she’d heard about the ghost, Roderick and Jonathan’s older brother had died in a house fire and remained in the East Wing. If there was supposed to have been a fire in this section of the house, it certainly didn’t appear that way now.
    Was this man really Justin, the older brother? Did he cover half of his face to hide his hideous burns?
    If this was indeed Justin, that would definitely explain why the clothes in his room downstairs were not dusty or had cobwebs hanging off them. Obviously, he still dressed every day. Yet why would he hide and pretend to be a ghost?
    “I only want to help you, can’t you see?” he said.
    “No.” She inched her hand to touch his arm, but withdrew before making contact. “I need more explanation. I need you