Midnight Secrets

by Jennifer St Giles

  I stared at the knife as if it had turned into a cobra. “I wish I knew what in the bloody hell was going on too.” I prayed I could find a place to sit before I fainted. “Rebecca, can you tell us how you got onto the roof?”

  “Poppet? Can you help us?” Bridget added softly.

  “H-h-horse-man,” Rebecca said. “H-h-horse-man take me to heaven. W-w-want Mum. Not h-h-heaven.”

  “Who is the horseman?” I asked.

  Rebecca started to cry again. As my gaze met everyone else’s, I saw no answers, but only more doubt into Rebecca’s story about Mary being taken be a horseman.

  “I think someone put Rebecca on the roof because they want her dead.”

  From the look in Sean’s eyes, I knew I had better start talking fast if I expected to live longer than the next minute. Fortunately, my ringing of the bell earlier had wakened those in the castle and I heard a rumbling of people coming, Mrs. Frye, the earl, Sir Warwick, the Murphys.

  “It would be best continue this discussion in the library, privately,” Stuart said.

  Sean snapped his gaze to Stuart. “Do you know what’s going on?”

  Stuart looked hard at me. “She seems to know more than anybody.”

  I thought by the time I’d dressed and walked to the library, I would have decided what to say, but I entered the room without a clue. My biggest dilemma was how much of the truth I wanted to reveal, and what price was I willing to pay to tell it. I knew I loved Sean, but I didn’t know what I would do about that. Sometimes loving meant leaving before you could hurt that person, or before he had to hurt you.

  I expected there to be more than just Sean in the library. There wasn’t.

  He turned from where he stood in front of the lit hearth, a drink in his hand. He’d changed as well, and had a bandage in place on his left temple. His face was pale, his expression tight with pain.

  “Stuart and Bridget are with Rebecca and Prudence.” Sean accurately interpreted my panicked glance about the room. “If what you said is true, then I don’t want the child alone, and Prudence is so petite, physically she’d only be a slight hindrance to a man bent on murder. I poured you a scotch, Cassie.” He motioned to a side table that sat within warming distance of the fire. “I suggest you drink it.”

  “Thank you.” I moved to the chair and quietly settled myself, but didn’t touch the drink. My hands were shaking too badly.

  He moved to the chair opposite me and eased himself slowly into it. His limp was more pronounced than before, his expression pained, his green eyes haunted. He had his dragon-headed cane with him, and must have noticed my staring at it.

  “There’s a release just under the handle that frees the blade.”

  I nodded. “How badly were you hurt tonight?”

  “I’ll heal. But what almost happened to Rebecca would have been irreparable. Start talking, Cassie.”

  I hesitated. Once he knew of my dreams, would he send me away?

  “We won’t leave this room until I have all the answers.” His voice brooked no argument.

  Deep down, I always feared that once a man knew I wasn’t normal, he would turn away from me. Maybe that is why I always stayed safely within “Cassiopeia’s Corner”. “I had a dream of Rebecca falling from the roof and knew I had to get there fast.”

  He leaned forward, a muscle ticking in his tight jaw. “Tell me everything, Cassie. Don’t make this harder than it has to be. I want all of it now. Nobody has a dream and wakes knowing it was real.”

  “I do. Ever since I was very little, but never like tonight.” I told him about the few dreams I’d had growing up and of my grandparents’ death. I didn’t mention Mary.

  “So how was tonight different than before?”

  “I never saw how they died before. I would dream of them, know something was very wrong, and I would call to them, but I would never be able to reach them and they would never answer. They only disappeared into darkness. When I woke, I’d have this sense of dread deep inside me. Then the news of their death would come. But tonight, it was different, a…a lady called to me, told me to come with her. When I followed, I felt a dark evil and I saw Rebecca clinging to the roof before screaming and falling.”

  “No one was on the roof with her in your dream?”

  “No.”

  “Did you see how she got there? What do you make of this horseman?”

  “No. And I don’t know what to think of the horseman, but I do think he is real, and I think he’s trying to harm Rebecca.”

  “Other than setting up a guard for her, I can’t do more to protect her unless she can tell us more. Or you can. Have you had other dreams that reveal things to you while you’ve been here?”

  “Yes.”

  He narrowed his gaze at me, demanding an answer. “Cassie?”

  “I’ve had three other dreams this past month, two about you that were what normal people must dream, and then another one with the lady who called to me tonight. She led me up the stairs from the center hall to a set of doors. I later learned the doors were to Rebecca’s room.”

  “And from this you surmise someone is trying to kill Rebecca? For what bloody reason? She’s a child without even an inheritance or a surname.”

  “She had a teacher recently.”

  Leaning back, he shut his eyes as if grieved. “Mary.”

  “Were you close to her?” My pulse waited for his answer before racing on.

  Sean’s eyes opened and narrowed. “No, not in the way I am to you.”

  I swallowed, unsure of how to interpret his answer. He must have read the question in my heart. “Cassie, she was a friend who died in a drowning accident.”

  “Are you sure? I think she met a different end, and I think Rebecca may know something. And I think the murderer is trying to kill her before she recovers enough to tell what she knows.”

  “Good God, woman.” He rubbed his bloodshot eyes. “This is too far-fetched. Your dreams I can relate to because just as I was getting ready to leave the castle tonight, a voice inside of my head kept demanding that I go to you first. But murder…” His voice broke. “Again?”

  I knew he referred to Lady Helen.

  “Who do you think is a killer?” he rasped harshly, his eyes burning with intensity.

  “I don’t know who. Someone who knew Mary. Someone who lives here. You tell me.”

  “Do you think it is me? I’ve been associated with the murder of a woman before. I knew Mary. I live here.”

  “No. Not you.”

  “I was awake and dressed. I could have left Rebecca on the roof. How can you be so sure?”

  “I just am. I know it now, whether I knew if for sure before. You risked your life to save her.”

  He shrugged. “I could have done that to save myself from blame, once you knew Rebecca was on the roof, I’d have had no choice.”

  “No. You didn’t do it, and you can’t convince me otherwise.”

  He studied me a moment, his expression intense but unreadable. “Stuart, then?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps I’m being foolish in thinking a murderer would be recognizable. But I sense Stuart cares too deeply for Rebecca to harm her.”

  “Then what of the other servants?”

  “The only one who shows any anxiety about Mary is Jamie.”

  “He wouldn’t deliberately harm—”

  “He is stronger than he realizes, and he could have killed Mary by accident. His behavior has been rash.”

  “That doesn’t explain Rebecca. And he’s been gone since yesterday.”

  “What if he doesn’t want to hurt Rebecca himself, but make sure she has an accident? He wouldn’t be responsible that way. Finding his knife in the bell tower has to mean something.”

  “The plot you suggest is too complicated for Jamie to reason out.”

  A noise in the corridor brought Sean to his feet. I’d left the door open.

  “Who’s there
? Show yourself immediately!” Only the sound of muffled steps answered. I stood, thinking to go look, but Sean managed to make it to the door quickly, despite his injuries. A frustrated palm to the door jamb told me the corridor was empty.

  He swung, advancing toward me. “Who are you, Cassie Andrews?”

  I stepped back, then decided to hold my ground. I lifted my chin. “Just a woman escaping a scandal, a woman who happens to have odd dreams.” I couldn’t seem to force the truth out. Not like this.

  He waited until he was nearly touching my body with his before he stopped and spoke. “I don’t think so. Why weren’t you afraid for me?” He brushed my cheek with the back of his finger, making my breath catch at the luring lilt and deeply sensual tone to his voice. It was such a change from the way he’d spoken moments ago.

  “What?”

  “Given your history of portentous dreams, why didn’t you warn me of danger if you dreamed about me?” He pressed closer, sending my pulse racing. I danced to the side and grabbed the drink he’d fixed for me. Taking a burning sip, I nearly choked as the fire swirled its way inside me, warming the flames he’d already fanned. Irrationally, I gulped some more, until I could delay no longer. “They were a different kind of dreams.”

  Moving closer again, he nudged my chin to meet his gaze. “How so?”

  “I’d rather not say.”

  “I think I have a good idea,” he said dryly, turning from me. “You also make me forget any and all resolves to stay away from you in a heartbeat. Go pack your things, Cassie.”

  I blinked with shock and gulped the last of the drink as my stomach wrenched itself into a knot. He was going to send me away.

  “I’m not leaving,” I said fiercely. “Not until I know Rebecca will be safe. No matter what you do.” And I wasn’t leaving until I discovered who’d murdered Mary and where she was buried. In the dream Mary had said she was in a dark place, nothing but stone now.

  He turned toward me, eyes hauntingly sad.

  “Send you away, lass? Though I should for your sake, I haven’t the strength just yet. You can’t leave here until I know you’re safe. Whether it’s an excuse to selfishly keep you just a little longer or not, you’re not going anywhere.” He didn’t touch me, but his gaze stripped me bare. “You’re like the wind, lass.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He shook his head. “I’ll explain later.” His voice hardened. “There’s an art to warfare, and until I know who I’m fighting, I’m closing my perimeters, propriety be dammed. You, Prudence and Rebecca will move into my wing tonight.”

  “Why me?”

  “God knows what people will do once word spreads about your dreaming abilities. And if there is a murderer afoot, you put yourself in his path tonight.” From the dagger sharp glint in his green eyes, I knew his intent to protect was deadly.

  I could make everything easier. I could leave Killdaren’s Castle, secretly take Prudence and Rebecca with me, and run with my sisters back to Oxford, where we’d all be safe. “Bridget,” I accidentally said out loud, remembering to take her to Oxford, too.

  He blinked and I did too.

  “Bridget comes with me.”

  He nodded, but I found little reassurance in his accompanying smile.

  “I must ask. Rebecca. Is she yours? Was Prudence once—”

  He pressed a finger to my lips. “That you ask wounds me. My father could better answer that question. He has little regard for the consequences of his actions.”

  I knew my eyes grew wide, and I thought a man as elderly as the earl had to be utterly unconscionable to have seduced Prudence. Eight years ago, she’d have been younger than Gemini’s tender eighteen.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Blimey, Cassie,” Bridget whispered. “This has to be about the strangest night there’s ever been. And I’m right not sure I’ll ever be able to sleep in such finery. There’s nary a lump to settle against, the bed is so soft.”

  The night’s events had exhausted me to the point of immobility. So many things pressed on my heart and mind that I couldn’t absorb them all. I wanted to rest for a minute. “Just shut my eyes a moment,” I mumbled to Bridget. The bed was soft, the curtains, though open at the moment, hung decoratively from the bed post. Lavender and a hint of the sea scented the sheets. Antiquities from the orient stood in the shadowed corners of the room, giving it a personality and life that comforted me.

  Bridget and I shared a room that connected with Prudence’s, where she insisted Rebecca sleep. I wasn’t sure if Prudence was going to let Rebecca out of her sight for the next twenty years.

  In the chamber next to Prudence’s was Sean. The windows were locked and the dragon-handled doors were locked as well. It was odd that I now found myself on the inside of the realm I’d been so curious to invade ever since arriving at Killdaren’s Castle.

  “There’re so many dark things about the room,” Bridget said. “And these curtains hanging over me… However do people sleep like this?”

  I sighed. My eyes drooped and I mumbled something comforting to Bridget, telling her that morning was almost here and that she needed to sleep. The next thing I knew it was morning, and Sean had once again filled my dreams with seduction. This time we’d danced beneath the stars with the moon lighting the sand to silver, before his kisses led us to a bed of silver and roses.

  Judging by the light streaming through the window, it was late morning, and Prudence’s maid entered the room with a breakfast tray. She plopped it down with a clatter on the table beside the bed. I didn’t want to leave my dream. I didn’t want to leave Sean alone beneath the stars.

  “Blimey, what’s that!” Bridget scrambled from the bed disoriented. I sat up, blinking.

  “Your breakfast, miss.”

  “Where’s Rebecca?” I asked.

  “She’s just waking, but Miss Prudence is still asleep. May I bring the child in? The Killdaren has dismissed Nurse Tolley.”

  The news about the nurse didn’t surprise me, but her deference to me did. “Of course. Won’t Mrs. Frye be—”

  “No. Miss Prudence has requested that both of you be her and Rebecca’s lady’s companions. The Killdaren has already ordered Mrs. Frye to hire other maids for the downstairs.”

  “Imagine that.” I looked at Bridget, rather pleased with the situation.

  Bridget wavered on her feet then pitched forward in a dead faint.

  Luckily she fell on the bed, where I could catch hold of the back of her sleeping gown to keep her from crumbling to the floor. She came to a few moments later when I pressed a cold, wet cloth to her face.

  “Did I die?” she asked.

  “No, but you did swoon. A rather inauspicious beginning to your career as a lady’s companion. You must be stalwart enough in any situation so that you can care for the delicate sensibilities of a lady.”

  “What does bloody inauspicious mean?” She frowned as she pushed up from the bed.

  “It means not a very good start.”

  “Then what am I supposed to do?”

  “Get back in bed. Eat your breakfast. Then after we dress, we’ll go see if there is any correspondence Miss Prudence would like for us to attend, or she may wish for us to read to her. There are quite a number of duties she may need our assistance with.”

  Bridget’s jaw went slack and I thought she would faint again. I patted the bed and reached for the silver tray, filled with delicate nibbles of fruit and cheese and bread and meat pies.

  The maid led Rebecca into the room and brought her to the bed. My insides wrenched at how pale and wan she looked in her night rail with her black hair in wild tangle about her drawn features.

  Taking Rebecca’s hand, I helped her up. “Come on, poppet. We’re having a morning tea party. Would you like some?”

  “Y-y-yess.”

  “Good. I’ve got a wonderful tale to tell you about a tea party and a funny rabbit and a little girl who had a very scary adventure, but was all right when it was over.”

/>   Looking up, I was shocked to see Sean standing in the doorway. He wore the black silk robe and pants he’d worn before and his hair was mussed as if he’d just risen from his bed. Catching my gaze, he nodded then abruptly turned away, shutting the door behind him.

  “Bridget, help Rebecca with her scones and I will be right back.” Grabbing my robe, I raced out the door.

  “Sean,” I whispered, seeing him at the end of the dim hallway, about to enter his bedchamber. I went to him. He leaned against the door frame, as if needing the support. “You look as if your pain is worse. What is it?”

  “Don’t worry. Light induces headaches. Some days are worse than others. When I was first injured eight years ago, they were excruciating. The condition has been increasingly improving until this morning.”

  “It was the rocks last night, wasn’t it?” I reached for him, but he pulled back and I fisted my hand. “What can I do to help?”

  He sighed. “Stay with Prudence and Rebecca. Stay together and stay inside the castle until I’m well. Perhaps tomorrow.”

  “There’s nothing else? I feel as if this is my fault.”

  “No. On the contrary, you kept tragedy from us. We’ll talk later.” Turning, he went into his room and shut the door. After a moment, I pressed my hand against the cold wood, promising myself that I wouldn’t let propriety stand between us and I wouldn’t let him shut me out again.

  The day went by faster than imaginable, which is the only reason I stayed sane. My thoughts kept going to Sean, wanting to speak to him, wanting to be with him. After seeing him appear in my doorway that morning, I expected for him to return, but he didn’t, and the barriers that separated our lives gave no leeway for me to steal away to see him.

  But as bright as the new day dawned, a dark shadow hovered over me. Someone had taken Rebecca to the roof and left her to die, and that someone was in the castle. When I dressed, I made very sure I put the knife in my pocket, something I’d let myself grow lax at doing. I also determined to get my father’s pistol back from Sean tonight as soon as I saw him.

  Bridget, Prudence and I spent time in the music room as I taught Rebecca part of a song to sing and showed Prudence the repeating notes from A to G on the piano. Bridget kept walking about the room, taking the hem of her dress to polish a spot here and there on the glass or to straighten a chair. I finally had to insist that she come and sit with us on the piano bench and learn too.