Silent Deception Read Free Page A

this room fit for habitation tonight, and I’ve no other plans for the afternoon. Some of these cupboards must hold old linens that aren’t entirely moth-eaten.” Of course, he knew where to find them from his illicit visit the previous day, but he couldn’t possibly tell her. “Once we’ve managed to make this room, erm, respectable for a young lady, we can explore downstairs.”
    Miss Goodridge’s face closed, a suspicious gleam in her amber gaze. “ We ? Why would you wish to explore my house?” Her chin thrust forward, she crossed her arms.
    He ignored her change in demeanor, but it took all Gideon’s willpower not to look at her breasts pushed up by her action, the pale complexion tantalizing. “Because you’re a young lady all by yourself and you need a protector.”
    A delicate eyebrow rose. “And you presume I’d take the first male who doesn’t run away when he discovers where I’m heading to fill that role? By the way, why aren’t you worried like those villagers?”
    Gideon laughed. “Because I’m not local, and I’ve always loved a riddle.” ’Twas too early to reveal his personal interest. She’d chase him out before he could say grandfather . “This house is one big enigma.”
    The suspicious look slowly softened and her stance relaxed. “If you mean what you say, perhaps you can search for the linens and dusting cloths while I begin to remove the old, dusty covers. They’ll be as new after a proper laundering.”
    “Of course. I’ll have a look.” He turned toward the door. Over his shoulder, he said, “Those villagers might yet be right, and the place is haunted.”
    She wouldn’t be fooled by him.
    He chuckled as he ventured down the stairs to the servants’ quarters, taking his time. Miss Goodridge couldn’t suspect he’d been inside the house before. Passing the still open front doors, he noticed her portmanteau outside. He carried the case into the hall and turned to close the doors when he froze. At the far end of the drive, a large man leaned against the left entrance tower.
    Watching him.
    Intrigued, Gideon stepped over the threshold. “What the–” The heavy doors banged shut behind him. He jumped, staring back, the hairs at his neck raised. “Bloody hell!”
    Shrugging off the unwelcome sensation in the pit of his stomach, he turned back to the drive. The man was gone. “Who on earth was that?” He scanned the grassy slope, the track, the towers, the grimy windows. A shiver ran down his spine.
    “A curious local, no doubt,” he muttered–more to reassure himself than he felt certain–and pushed himself through one of the oak doors.
    But was it? Given their reservations, none of the villagers would come near the manor. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been joking about a ghost.
    Gideon strode to the kitchen, teeth gritted, fighting the urge to glance over his shoulder.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Mr. Drake’s words reverberated through Minnie’s mind as she pulled off the crochet cover, shook it gently out of the window and folded it carefully. Was the manor really haunted? Placing the cover on the chaise longue, she grabbed the first of four pillows–once plumped up, now flat.
    A sudden bang made her jump. “My God!” Her hands trembled, her heart drumming in her ears, before common sense took hold, and she gripped the pillow firmly.
    Mr. Drake was somewhere in the house and it was blowing a gale, a natural explanation for slamming doors. Still, goosebumps rose on her arms. She rubbed them vigorously, ridding herself of any superstitious thoughts. A house was made of solid walls, floors and windows. It couldn’t be haunted. Humans died. They were buried. That was the end of it.
    They didn’t linger.
    Her gaze fell onto the portrait opposite the bed, now illuminated by the afternoon sun, and Minnie pondered, the pillow forgotten. She cocked her head, taking in the delicate beauty of the young blonde woman, her carefree expression, her expensive gown with its