“She did most of the staff. Now get back to work.” George steps out into the hallway. “I’ll let Mr. Hunter know if she keeps snooping around.” He turns and his footsteps vanish into his office.
So, Amy and George can’t be trusted. Who else is spying on me and why does Jack need to be informed? Did he tell them to watch me? Anger shimmers over me. Does this mean I can’t trust my husband? Why could I possibly be a threat to him? What is so secret he has it locked away, where I can’t find it? I need to do something about this right away. I step out and head after George. “George, is that you?”
“Yes, Mrs. Hunter.” He gives me a bright smile. “Did you enjoy the rose garden?”
I nod. “Yes, I did. It’s wonderful.” I meet his gaze. “Do you have your keys with you?”
“I do.” He narrows his gaze. “I thought Sue had a set cut for you?”
I smile. “She did. Do you know how many people have copies of the key to the third-floor door in the left wing?”
“Four of us, I believe: me, Sue, you and Mr. Hunter.” He frowns. “Is there a problem I should be aware of?”
I shake my head. It’s been a long time since Laura died but now, I need to be in charge of my house. “No. Not at all. Give me your key.”
“Why?” His neck grows red and his cheeks flush.
I look at him. “Because I’m Jack’s wife and, just like Laura, I’ll be overseeing the running of my house, George. I’m sure you understand. Please, give me your key.”
I wait with my hand palm up for him to give me the key. He looks uncomfortable and has trouble removing the key from the bunch. He eventually hands it over to me with reluctance.
“Thank you. That’s all for now.”
I need Sue’s key before she has time to make another copy. Whatever is hidden on the third floor, I want to make sure nobody moves it—and where is the storeroom? I dash back into the office and grab Jack’s keys and then run along the hallway and into the kitchen where I see George in deep conversation with Sue. They stop talking abruptly the moment they see me. “Ah, Sue. I need your key to the left-wing door.” I hold out my hand and wait for Sue to comply.
“How many keys do you need?” George peers at me with limpid eyes. “I was just asking Sue to give me hers so I could make a copy. I’ll need a key. What if there’s a fire?”
I take the key and slide it inside my pocket. “Jack told me there’s no power in the left wing on the third floor so the chance of a fire would be minimal. In any case, I’m here to open the doorif needs be.” I turn to Sue. “I see you’re busy. Send Amy to the office with a mug of coffee for me please and some cookies if you have any.”
“Right away, Mrs. Hunter.” Sue turns to Amy. “You heard her.”
Keeping my head high, I walk out the door and go to the office. Inside, I locate the blueprints and spread them over Jack’s desk. Where are the storerooms? This house is huge and there will be storerooms all over, but where do I find a place that’s hidden? I long to call Jack and ask him. Surely there’s a simple explanation but as more days go by in this house, I discover his open trustworthy façade hides a weave of deception. I drop into the office chair, smell his cologne and my heart tears apart. Why did he marry me and bring me here and then lie to me?—no, not lie—he hasn’t lied to me yet. He just didn’t tell me everything. A second dead wife is a big thing but I have things in my past I’d rather not discuss with him too. Surely most married couples keep a few secrets—or maybe not. I’m not experienced enough to know if this behavior in a husband is considered normal.
I glance up as Amy brings my large mug of coffee and sets it on a chest of drawers. “Wait a minute.” I lean back in my chair staring at her, not too sure what to say. “Who asked you to spy on me? Was it George or Mr. Hunter?” I see her stare at her shoes and fidget. “I overheard you speaking with George so please tell me, I need to know.”
“Before you arrived, George told us that we mustn’t mention Caroline, Mr. Hunter’s first wife.” She lifts her gaze to me. “He said Mr. Hunter had made the request. He didn’t want you to know; he had all of Caroline’s possessions locked in the house along with her portrait. It’s as big as Laura’s.”
My mind reeling, I stare at her. “Caroline has a portrait too? Where did it come from? I mean, Jack didn’t own this housewhen he met Caroline and you’d need to own a mansion to place one of that size on the wall. I didn’t figure Jack came into his fortune straight out of college although it’s not something we discuss.”
“Oh.” Amy’s cheeks reddened. “It’s not for me to say, Mrs. Hunter.”
I glare at her. “If you know, spit it out.” I wait a few moments and then lean forward. “It’s no secret I’ve only known Jack for eight weeks. Yes, I married him after a whirlwind courtship but I didn’t know he had money.”
“I see.” Amy twists her fingers. “I can only tell you what I’ve been told and that is he inherited a fortune in stocks and property from his grandfather. The company was started by his grandfather and, since his father has no head for business, everything went to Mr. Hunter. His father lives on a trust fund.”
Astounded that the help knows more about my husband’s finances than I do, I lean back in my chair. “So where is this storeroom?”
“I can’t tell you.” Amy avoids my gaze. “George says you’re not to go inside.”
I stand and lean on the desk. I want to tell her this is my house and I can go where I please but I figure she’ll shut down and say nothing. Right now, I so want to fire her and George—maybe I’ll fire the entire staff. I can’t trust any of them but firing them right now won’t get me anywhere. “Point out where it is on the blueprints. Then he won’t know, will he?”
I show her the blueprints. “Which floor?”
“The third floor in the right wing beside the ballroom.” Amy stares at the blueprints as I get the correct page and then she points. “Right here. All the storage rooms are set into the wall, as in you can’t see a door. They’re part of the design. No door handles, you just push on them and they pop open.”
I trace the hallway with my finger and nod. “Okay, and no more snooping on me. You’re not here to tell George everything I say to my husband. Confidentiality is part of your job. If that’s a problem for you, I’ll find someone else to take your place.” I move my gaze to her. “Have I made myself perfectly clear?”
“Yes.” Amy flees from the room, and her footsteps echo away along the hallway.
