Silent Deception Read Free

murdered his wife. She moved away from his room, vowing to clear it out altogether.
    The next four doors led to what must have been guest bedrooms. Tidy rooms, curtains half drawn, the beds made up neatly beneath a layer of dust, and lacking any personal items. Cobwebs covered lampshades and corners. They’d be easy to clean. She could always choose one of those rooms as hers.
    She stopped outside the last door in the corridor. What hid behind this one? With a whoosh, she opened it and stared into a darkened room, only a thin sliver of afternoon light shining between the heavy, closed curtains. The outlines of several precious pieces of furniture seemed to indicate family use.
    “Allow me.” Mr. Drake–clearly entertaining the same thought–stepped past her, rounded the large four-poster bed and pushed the curtains to the side, revealing high, narrow windows. He coughed when a cloud of dust billowed through the air.
    Minnie smiled nervously, her hand covering her mouth as her gaze wandered through the room. It was delightful, despite its faded appearance. “Perhaps you could let in some air?”
    He obliged by throwing open two tall windows, the hinges creaking. A gust of wind led the dust clouds a merry dance. Mr. Drake waved a hand in front of him and looked around. “The gale does the work for you, it would seem.” He grinned.
    Minnie walked to a chaise longue to her left, opposite the bed. Being in the same room as a man, a room with a large, luxurious looking bed, suddenly warmed her face. She patted her hand on the soft red velvet of the chaise longue and sat, ignoring the fluffy puffs of dust. Surprisingly comfortable.
    This would become her bedroom. The pale pink wallpaper, once with elaborately ornate but now faded gold thread, the crochet bedcover and the delicate drawers and table indicated a lady’s room.
    How befitting. A sense of homecoming took hold of her.
    ***
    Gideon averted his gaze and instead stared out of the window. Stunned, he beckoned Miss Goodridge over.
    “You should see this. I can now fully understand why the original proprietors built the manor right here.” He leaned out to enjoy the view over the cliffs toward the sea, letting the wind clear his mind whirling from the unexpected developments. Miss Goodridge appeared beside him, and he stepped back, savoring the alluring scent of lavender on her skin as she stood beside him.
    Since when did he like lavender?
    “Beautiful,” she whispered, a hand still on her lips, admiring the scenery.
    Looking over her shoulder, he could only agree. A broad stretch of lawn–what used to be lawn–stretched out from the house toward the precipice; the wild sea beyond rose and sank, crashing into the bottom of the cliff in a loud roar.
    His gaze returned to her, her shapely neck exposed, breasts rising and falling as she breathed in deeply the salty sea air.
    Step back!
    “Yes,” he said, uncertain whether he spoke of the landscape or her. He shook his head slightly. What was wrong with him? In helping the girl, he’d have regular access to the manor. That was what counted. Not her enticing beauty or courage.
    He was in Trekellis to explore his grandfather’s past, not become involved with a woman. It was fortunate the lady didn’t know his real background.
    Miss Minerva–God, the name suited her well–Goodridge was brave. And perhaps a tad desperate, given the urge with which she forced her way to Trekellis Manor. She intrigued him.
    Turning, she bumped into him. Her hands landed briefly on his chest. Again. A beguiling blush graced her cheeks. He could get used to this.
    Gideon stepped back.
    Miss Goodridge gestured into the room. “This is going to be my room. I guess I have some tidying up to do before nightfall.”
    “Aye, and you’ll need help. Do you have any dust cloths?”
    Her eyes widened. “You don’t mean to…”
    He grinned. “Certainly, Miss Goodridge. It’s too late in the day to find someone in the village to help get