Free Haunting Secrets by Marie Higgins Page B

to tell me why you think I’m in danger.”
    He backed away, his eyes narrowing with each step he took toward the fireplace. “I cannot tell you anymore. Please leave.” His voice softened. “If you’re caught in this room, you will certainly be in grave danger. The Maitlands do not want people knowing of my existence.”
    “Is that why you think I’m in peril? Are you Justin Maitland, the oldest brother who died in the fire?”
    He shook his head and closed his eyes. “Please leave and don’t come back again.” He turned and without a word strode into another room, slamming the door behind him.
    She stared at the closed door. None of what he said made sense. Why wouldn’t he explain? He skirted around her questions as if he hid something.
    All of this was so very curious. He hadn’t answered her question about his identity, but in her heart she knew this was Justin. He resembled Jonathan and Roderick quite a bit. She’d never met Justin, however, her father had told her so much about him she felt like she knew Justin well. Yet this man was nowhere near the loving, kind, and gentle person her father had admired. Something had definitely happened in Justin’s life to make him so sinister.
    Suddenly, she wanted to find out. She wanted to know every detail of his life and find the man her father had talked so much about. Unfortunately, tonight was not that time. Soon. She wouldn’t leave this place until she talked to Justin about her father and discovered the secrets.
    On steadier legs she retraced her path back down the stairs, through the cold tunnel to the concealed opening in the wall. Once she stepped onto the hardwood floor, the door clicked shut behind her on its own volition. She jumped and placed her hand on her chest.
    How did that happen? He hadn’t followed her out.
    Or had he?

 
    Chapter Five
     
    The sky darkened with gray clouds. Fitting for a funeral. The breeze turned cold, and Victoria tightened her fur-lined cloak around her throat to ward off the chill.
    The staff of Maitland Hall wore black for Sarah’s burial. At Victoria’s insistence, the Maitlands agreed to attend. Bethany chose to adorn herself in a shimmering silver gown, the only sign of mourning a black veil covering her eyes. Victoria sighed, studying the other woman with an arched brow. Why would Bethany flaunt her wealth, especially on a day like today? Although, what had Victoria expected, considering she’d practically had to drag them here?
    Roderick was distant and didn’t say anything unless it was to mutter a word to the servants. As Victoria stood by Jonathan near the grave, she once again felt out of place. So far nobody had asked her to pack her belongings and leave which suited her just fine, since she hadn’t finished what she came here to find.
    Horace, the butler, sang a mournful song while everyone stood in silence. Victoria tried to concentrate on the song, but her mind replayed her encounter with the so-called ghost the previous night. Now she had a chance to compare him to Roderick and Jonathan, she concluded the ghost was indeed the older brother. Justin may have had a scarred face, but he displayed more masculinity in his manner of speech and movements than either brother had. Victoria had been captivated by Justin’s presence. Her body had quaked at his nearness, and more from exhilaration than fear.
    Familiar prickles of awareness danced over her skin. Someone was watching her. Again.
    She glanced around the small group at the gravesite, but everyone was focused on the simple, long wooden coffin. On the top sat a single white rose. She glanced over her shoulder toward the East Wing. In the upper window, the curtains moved.
    Turning back to the grave, she kept herself from smiling. Justin watched her. Warmth spread through her and created a low burn in her belly. The memory of his dark eye, his full lips, and his robust frame caused her to tingle with awareness.
    What was it about him that made her limbs