Page 9 of Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
Victoria sucked in a gasp.“You?Only you?”
“Yes, miss.There hasn’t been a need to keep Ravenfell fully staffed with just me here.”He smiled again, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Seems odd you’d stay on,” Uncle Hubert said.
Gabriel’s smile faltered, though his posture remained perfectly composed.“Odd, perhaps.But I made a promise to stay.A promise I intend to keep.”His gaze flicked briefly to Victoria.“Ravenfell doesn’t take kindly to abandonment.Someone had to remain.”
There was a subtle weight to his words.She wasn’t sure what it was she sensed, but it went beyond duty and obligation.
Disconcerting silence settled between them.Uncle Hubert gave a quiet snort of disapproval, which was not like him at all.He was normally passive and taciturn.She ignored him as a prickling sensation skipped up her spine and paused with a cold tingling sensation at the nape of her neck.Like icy invisible fingers brushing across her skin.
Yes, someone had to remain.
The words bloomed over her in a roughened whisper but when she looked at the men in the foyer, neither had spoken.
There was something familiar about that voice and a memory resurfaced, sharp and quick like a flash of lightning.A little girl’s voice telling herdon’t be afraid,and the haunting tune of the piano played by no one.Phantom footsteps on the landing.Her heart thudded, pounding a hard, erratic beat.
“Miss?”Gabriel’s voice broke through her thoughts.
She looked up.His eyes held hers.Dark.Steady.Waiting.
Searching.
Questioning.
In that moment, she knew two things.
One, this man was not lying.
Two, he was waiting for her.
The grandfather clock chiming jarred her, making her jump.She put a hand to her head and rubbed, hoping to scour away whatever chilling feeling she had pulsing through her.
“Are you well?”he asked.
“I’m…fine.Just a little tired from the trip.”She managed a smile.
“Then I should see you to your rooms.Would you care to dine this evening?”he asked.
She looked to her uncle for the answer.Perhaps he sensed her unease when he reached for her, taking her by the elbow.
“No, thank you, Mr.Allward.We dined in town before we arrived,” Uncle Hubert said, taking charge.
For that, she was grateful.
“Gabriel, please.I must insist.Do you have bags?”he asked.
“In the carriage,” Uncle Hubert replied.
“Very good, sir.”
He gave a sharp nod as he headed back toward the door and pulled it open.Again, with the groan of hinges.As he exited the manor to see to the bags, her uncle turned to her.He had a pinched expression, one that was difficult to read.
He lowered his voice so only she heard his rushed words.“Victoria, darling, you don’t have to do this.You aren’t obligated to stay here.I can help you sell the place if you—”
“I’m staying,” she said, cutting him off.
Because the thought of returning to Crown Hollow, under the care of her aunt, sent a pang of panic through her.She would much rather take her chances here, in this strange manor, than return to the city.
