“I am not some villain in your novels.” Not toward her at least. I offered what I hoped was a convincing smile. “Nor a ghost hiding behind a veil.”
Her lips ticked upward. She leaned over her armrest. “Do you know, that is exactly what all the villains say.”
“Ah.” I nodded, playing along. “And then they rush off to their dark villain tunnels and do unspeakable villain things?”
She squinted. “You would know better than I.”
“I do have dark hidden tunnels, so I suppose that does make me a villain.” I leaned back. Took another sip. The interest in her eyes fed me new life, so I continued, “And one in particular isveryhaunted.”
Her lips parted, eyes blinking wide. “Here? At Ashburn Abbey.”
I nodded and slowly set down my cup. Ashburn Abbey wasn’tthatold, but where could I fool her? Where could I scare her? “There is a hidden tunnel in the floor.”
She frowned. “A servants’ stairway?”
Just the same. She likely had them at her brother’s estate. But mine would be longer. Dank. “It is unused by servants, for it leads to ... well, I suppose it would not be wise to reveal.”
I had no idea where it led.
“You’re being ridiculous.” She sat back. “Poking fun at me.”
“On the contrary,” I insisted. “This place is very real.”
“I am sure it is. Some servants’ stair that leads to a cellar.” She opened her book and sighed. “You won’t scare me with such nonsense.”
Her eyes washed over her page as she settled back in her chair. As much as I loved watching her read, seeing her comfortable, I did not want to simply sit by her. I wanted her attention. Like a petulant child, I wanted to poke at her until she looked at me again.
“I will take you there.” I shrugged. “You can see for yourself.”
Her eyes flicked over to mine. Curious. “Now?”
There were many passageways beneath Ashburn Abbey to allow servants to move throughout different areas in the house. All would be unused at this hour. One ledfromthe house to the outside. Perhaps, if I weaved a good enough story, I might be able to entertain her.
“Put down your book,” I said. “Are you wearing your slippers tonight?”
Her cheeks flushed warm in the low-lit room. Drat, I’d embarrassed her. Brought notice to the fact she hadn’t been wearing them last night.
“Yes,” she answered almost defensively.
“I do not care whether or not you wear them in this room,” I clarified. “Only for the journey.”
I stood from my seat, mind racing. All the aches and pains of the day vanished for the purpose of creating this experience for Georgiana.
She set her book on her chair. “Come alone with you in the night?” she said. “This does not sound wise.” And yet she stood from her seat.
It mattered very little to me if we were seen alone. What could anyone say that I could not speak above? “You do not trust me.”
She thought about it. Looked around the room. “I want to.”
I took a lit candle from the hearth and handed it to her before taking another for myself.
“Then, come, friend, and meet the ghosts that haunt the servants’ passageways.”
ChapterFourteen
Georgiana
My heart thrummed fast against my chest.
