Justin didn't shift last night.

Victoria grinned as she scooped up a fork of eggs from her plate during breakfast. It was a good thing she was alone at the table this morning, because she couldn't stop smiling. She'd listened all last night for Justin's howl, and she never heard it. They'd been together, kissed and confessed their feelings, so he technically, he should have shifted.

Then again, Justin said he loved her. He only shifted when he desired a woman. In her mind, they were two different emotions.

Her heart filled to capacity. She'd never met anyone like Justin before. He thought of others first, and he showed his feelings for her continually. He would make a fine husband, too.

Victoria finished her meal then pushed away from the table. Just as she stood, Mrs. White walked in. The housekeeper smiled at Victoria.

"You look happy this morning," Mrs. White remarked. "Did you have a good rest?"

"Yes, I did." Victoria neared the housekeeper and touched her arm. "But how are you? I haven't heard anything about Anne and I'm worried."

"Anne is still unconscious. She's alive, and that's good. The wolf nearly ripped out her throat, so the doctor fears Anne may not be able to talk when she recovers."

Dread sank in Victoria's chest. There had to be a way to find out from the maid if the wolf attacked her, or if it were the rabid dogs. "I'm relieved she's alive."

"As am I. She's a good friend."

Victoria clasped Mrs. White's hand and squeezed. "You are the good friend, staying by her side the way you did."

A tear formed in the housekeeper's eye, and she blinked fast which removed it. "If you'll excuse me, I must be on my way. There's still much to do before Jonathan's birthday ball. The days are just flying by, and I fear I won't get everything accomplished."

Victoria stepped into the large hallway and stopped. What could she do today? Without Francine around, the days became more boring. Since Justin slept during this time, there wasn't much to do.

Horace walked passed her, and she stopped him. "Have you seen Master Jonathan? Is he still out riding this morning?"

He nodded. "I believe so, Miss Fawson. I haven't seen him since last evening, but he usually rides in the morning."

"Thank you." She hurried up the stairs to her bedroom and changed into a riding habit. It was time she kept herself from going mad from boredom. Perhaps she could convince Jonathan they would make perfect friends—and not the marrying kind.

Forty-five minutes later, she strolled outside toward the stables. The sun stood high in the sky without any threat of clouds. Not even a cool breeze disturbed her. She reached the stable and requested a mare saddled. As she waited, she gazed across the acreage of fields, then off to the side where the forest began. Shivers ran over her. Those tall trees only brought back unpleasant memories. Her heart clenched for her maid. Hopefully, Francine was indeed alive, as Justin had mentioned. Soon they'd solve the mystery of her disappearance and her maid would come back safely.

Getting away from this dreaded nightmare was all she could think about, but she wouldn't leave without Justin.

The stable boy brought the mare to her and helped her mount. She kept the animal in a trot as she studied the landscape. During the night, the place seemed most dreary, but now with the bright sun warming her face, everything appeared welcoming and cheerful.

She scanned the area for Jonathan, wondering where he rode every day. And why it took him so long. The estate was large, but surely it didn't take that long.

Urging her horse faster, she rode to the top of a hillside that overlooked the island. She stopped and stared through squinted eyes. According to Bethany and Roderick, nobody dared set foot on the cursed island, fearing for their safety. Yet Victoria wasn't afraid. If it meant saving Justin's life, she'd do it in a heartbeat.

Could there really be a treasure there? With any luck, she and Justin would find the map in the paintings. It had to be there. Why else would the old man give them to her father—and her father sent them to Justin?

She turned away and headed back down the slope. A movement from within the thicket of trees caught her attention. Her heart stilled for a moment as she tightened her fingers on the reins and slowed her horse. Someone in a black hooded cape peeked out from behind a tree and looked at her.

Relief flooded through her as well as the whoosh of air through her lips from her relieved sigh. She smiled. Justin!

He motioned his hand, inviting her closer. She pushed the mare faster until she reached the trees, and then stopped the horse. He walked beside her, tied the horse to a branch before lifting her down.

"What are you doing out here?" she asked before wrapping her arms around his neck.

He laughed and pulled her into the trees. "I missed you, and since you weren't in the house, I thought to come outside and look for you."

Keeping her in his arms, he leaned against a large trunk. She pushed the hood from his head and ran her fingers through his hair. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"How can I sleep when you're always on my mind?"

She sighed and rested her head against his chest. "You don't know how grateful I am to know I'm in your mind."

"Always." He kissed her head. "Did you notice anything different about last night?"

"Yes." She raised her head and looked into his twinkling eyes. "You didn't shift."

"What do you think it means?"

"I don't know for certain, but, " she tenderly cupped his face, "you are supposed to shift when you desire a woman. Last night you told me you were in love with me. They are two different emotions."

He groaned and kissed her lips briefly. "I do like the way you think, my love. I pray you're correct."

"I won't accept any other explanation. When I'm with you, I don't want to think about the real world." She moved her hands over his shoulders in small caresses. "Just you and me."

"I've never known anyone like you before." He stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. "When you look at the world, you see it for the good things it brings. You're always positive."

"Not always, but I do see everything as a new adventure."

"So much like your father."

She nodded. "That's where I learned it."

He pulled away and grasped her hand. "Come. I want to show you something."

She followed him deeper into the wooded area, the trees becoming thicker the farther they walked. Soon, a small hut appeared, nearly hidden within the trees.

"What's this?"

"This cottage has been empty for several years. Since I inherited the manor, I've never used this place. In fact, nobody uses it. Strange, because I figured Roddy would have it for his love nest, but there are no signs of that here."

"Of course not." She rolled her eyes. "Why would he come all the way out here when he can use your empty room?"

"Don't remind me," he grumbled.

Justin opened the door and led her inside. Holding his hand, they walked through the three rooms. The place was barren, except for a chair, table, and an old trunk. One of the rooms still held a wide bed. The small rug on the floor looked old and dusty, and the cupboards on the wall in the kitchen were laced with cobwebs. The dusty scent tickled her nose and she sneezed.

"Obviously nobody has used this place in a while," she said as they moved back into the front room. Suddenly, something Jonathan had said yesterday came to him. She looked into Justin's eyes. "Is this where Bethany and her family lived while her mother and sister were working for your father?"

A scowl marred his handsome face. "Yes, this is where they lived. I swear my father took in every tramp and freeloader he found." Justin shook his head. "But that was a long time ago. Did Jonathan tell you about that?"

"Just a little."

He took her in his arms. "This is where I'd like for us to meet in secret, if you don't mind. It's obvious the place has been ignored, so I don't think we'll be discovered. I'll clean it, and we can use this."

She laughed and snuggled against him. "That's a wonderful idea."

He ran his finger along her chin, then lifted her face until she met his eyes. "I wish we didn't have to meet in secret."

"One day we'll not hide."

"I pray you're right. It's killing me not to tell the world how much you mean to me." Justin bent his head and kissed her.

The passionate kiss didn't last long, and he broke away, but kept her in his embrace. Victoria moved her gaze around the room, once more. It was hard for her to imagine Bethany and her family living here. Jonathan had told Victoria that Bethany's father died when she was young, so it was just Bethany, her mother and older sister.

Victoria raised her head and met Justin's stare. "What ever happened to Bethany's older sister?"

"I don't know. Ethel probably ran away with some neighbor boy—or a servant. Both Bethany and Ethel were flirts and set their sights on wealthy men. Fortunately, wealthy men wouldn't consider them for a wife."

"Why? Because of their upbringing? Their station in life?"

"Yes, mainly. But there was just something odd about the way they lived." He shrugged. "I just remember feeling eerie every time Bethany gave me her come-hither look."

"Did Ethel try to flirt with you?"

"No. She was older than me by quite a few years. And even if she had tried, I would have discouraged her attempts, just as I did Bethany's."

"I almost feel sorry for them, being raised poor and relying on others to make it from day to day."

"Don't. They learned their greediness from their mother. To this day I don't know why my father kept them employed. They were not very obedient servants."

Nothing about Bethany's life gave Victoria the evidence she needed to believe that woman was the witch, but deep in her heart, she knew it. Her eyes kept drifting toward the trunk, and since curiosity always got the better of her, she pulled away from Justin and moved to the trunk. She knelt in front of it and brushed the cobwebs away from the latch.

"What are you doing, my love?" Justin stood in back of her and patted her hair.

"I just want to see what's inside."

"I doubt there is anything in there at all."

"Possibly, but I'll never know until I open the lid." She pushed up the latch and lifted the lid. The trunk wasn't empty, but neither was it full. Two aprons, writing feathers and paper, and four books were the only things occupying the large space inside. She picked up the closest book. It was a journal.

"What is it?" Justin asked.

"Somebody's journal."

"Here, let me see." He snatched it away immediately, and opened the hard cover. Dust coated the pages and Justin sneezed.

Victoria stayed on the floor, but tilted her head to watch him. His eyes narrowed and a scowl furrowed his expression as he scanned the pages.

"To whom does the journal belong?" Victoria asked. "Bethany?"

"No. I thought it was hers, too, but it's not." Confusion filled his face and he shook his head. "It's all very strange. The entries are from a woman, and she talks about her sister Bethany, and her other sister, Ethel."

Surprised, Victoria blinked with wide eyes. "There was a third sister?"