Tuesday (The Days of the Week #2)

Chapter Six

T he study was brighter than before, several lamps lit along the wall of books to push back the shadows even the sunlight could not reach. Again, a fire burned in the large fireplace adding desperately needed warmth. Despite the sunshine outside, the manor seemed to be perpetually cold.

I scanned the room as Holloway retreated, closing the doors behind me. Off to my right, I heard the faint sound of rustling paper and turned. In the darkest corner of the room in a wingback chair, William sat watching me. He slowly set his book aside and stood.

“Dr. Blackwood,” he greeted.

“Christina,” I blurted. At his raised eyebrow, I cleared my throat. “I mean, you can call me Christina. William.”

A low rumbling sound came from his corner of the room and I frowned, searching for the source. My gaze met his again in confusion. William gave me a tight smile. He turned to walk along the wall of books, his pace slow and somewhat leonine.

“How was your morning, Christina?” he asked.

I shivered at the sound of my name. His voice was like rich dark chocolate turning my familiar name into something foreign and sensual. I mentally shook myself.

“Unsuccessful,” I answered, following his progress with my gaze.

William stopped in front of a particularly old-looking volume, his long fingers stroking the spine. “I'm sorry to hear that,” he said, though his tone lacked any real sympathy.

I frowned, taking a step forward. “Time is not a luxury we have, William. Every hour that passes decreases the chances of finding Aiden alive.” I could still remember the first two days searching for Charlie. The way the search parties shrank day by day. That would not be Aiden.

He turned to face me then, his amber eyes glinting in the firelight. “And you believe he's out there? On my property?”

I held his gaze, refusing to be cowed by his intensity. “It's a possibility we can't ignore. He was last seen near your estate. We have to be thorough.”

William studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he inclined his head slightly. “Of course. I understand your concern for the child's wellbeing.” He gestured toward two leather armchairs by the fireplace. “Please, have a seat.”

I hesitated for a moment before crossing the room and sinking into one of the chairs. The leather was buttery soft, molding to my body as I settled in. William took the other chair, his long legs stretched out before him and crossed at the ankle. His feet only inches from mine. I cleared my throat.

“Your groundskeeper, Alistair, mentioned that you don't take kindly to trespassers,” I said, watching his face closely for a reaction. “Has there been trouble with that in the past?”

William's lips twitched as if he found the question amusing. “The estate is private property, Christina. I merely wish to maintain that privacy. Surely you can understand that.”

I pursed my lips, unsatisfied with his vague answer. “Of course. But has anyone ever gone missing on your property before? Maybe, hunters?”

William's amber eyes flashed, but his expression remained calm. “Not to my knowledge. The estate is quite large, as you've seen. It's possible someone could get lost, but we've never had any reports.”

I leaned forward, holding his gaze. “What about the strange noises the staff hears at night?”

All emotion drained from William’s face. “I'm afraid I don't know what you're referring to, Christina. My staff has never brought such things to my attention.”

I studied William's face, searching for any hint of dishonesty or evasion. But his expression remained inscrutable, his amber eyes giving nothing away.

“Really?” I pressed, not willing to let the subject drop. “Because one of the maids mentioned hearing strange sounds at night. And finding dead animals in the morning. That seems like something you would be aware of.”

William's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Which one?” he asked. At my confused look, he clarified. “Which maid?”

I blinked. An image of Kayla’s alarmed expression rose in my mind, and I sat back in my chair. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember her name.”

One of William’s eyebrows twitched. “I see.” He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin. “Dr. Blackwood, I assure you, if there were any...disturbances on my property, I would know about them. Perhaps the maid was mistaken, or letting her imagination run away with her.”

I held William's gaze, not believing a word. After a pregnant pause, his expression relaxed.

“I apologize, but I am sensitive to such rumors. Historically, my family has been plagued by them.”

I raised my eyebrows at that. “What kind of rumors?”

William waved a dismissive hand. “Old superstitions brought from the old country. Nothing important. The locals have always been wary of the estate and its inhabitants. I'm sure you've heard some of the more... colorful stories.”

I thought back to the whispers I had caught since moving to town. Rumors of strangers disappearing without a trace.

“What superstitions?” I asked.

William's lips curved into a humorless smile. “The Ashcroft curse. It is rumored my family left Europe to escape it, but I assure you that is not the case. Alexander Ashcroft left England for nothing more sinister than expanding the family’s fortune.”

I studied William's face, trying to read between the lines of what he was saying. “And what exactly were the rumors about your family in Europe?” I asked.

William's amber eyes held mine for a long moment before he looked away, gazing into the fire. “Ridiculous tales of dark rituals and unnatural creatures. The product of superstitious, uneducated minds in a bygone era. Nothing you need concern yourself with, Dr. Blackwood.”

His tone made it clear the subject was closed, but my curiosity was far from satisfied. I wanted to know more, everything, about the enigmatic man. But that was not my purpose at the estate. I needed to focus.

I stood from my chair. “I should get back to it then. There's still a lot of ground to cover before nightfall.”

William rose as well, his tall frame unfolding to loom over me. I leaned toward him before I caught myself. As he looked down at me, the fire light caught his eyes, and for a brief moment, they reflected white. Almost like night shine.

“Be careful, Christina,” he murmured. His eyes dropped to my mouth. “The grounds are dangerous after dark.”

I licked my lips. “Of course. Will you be joining me for dinner?”

“I think I will,” he said, finally looking away from my mouth. He smiled faintly. “I am suddenly ravenous.”

“I’ll see you at dinner then,” I said hurriedly, taking a step to the side. It felt like my face was on fire.

My heart pounded in my chest, as I cleared the chair and backed toward the door. William stayed in place, only his head slowly turning to follow me. There was something predatory about the unnatural stillness. It did nothing to dissuade the flurry of butterflies in my stomach.

I did not take a deep breath until I was in the hallway, the door closed between us. I closed my eyes. Why did he affect me like that? I had dated at university, but the past several years had been dedicated to my work. Was I just pent-up?

I rubbed my temples. I needed to finish my search and get back to town. The lack of contact with the outside world was getting to me. Why else would I be so drawn to a stranger I was becoming increasingly sure was lying to me?

I found Alistair waiting for me at the back of the manor, his weathered face set in a familiar scowl. Without a word, he turned and set off down the path, leaving me to hurry after him. I climbed into the ATV and he pulled away. I glanced at him as we headed away from the house. His jaw was clenched so hard I could see a muscle ticking.

The afternoon sun slanted through the trees as we made our way to the southern edge of the property to search a section we had not reached that morning. After several hours, we had driven and walked the entire southern edge of the property. There was still no sign of Aiden or anyone else.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in vivid oranges and pinks, we circled back toward the manor. My feet ached and my clothes were damp with sweat, but I could not stop feeling time slipping away. We emerged from the tree line and I paused, my gaze drawn to the hedge maze. In the fading light, the tall hedges cast long shadows across the meticulously manicured lawn. I could not put my finger on it, but something about the maze felt off.

Alistair stopped the ATV near the manor and cleared his throat, drawing my attention. His weathered face was set in hard lines, his eyes narrowed.

“The maze is off limits. Mr. Ashcroft's orders.” He looked away from me toward the setting sun. “It’ll be dark soon. Best to get inside.”

Without waiting for a response, he climbed out of the ATV and set off toward the manor at a brisk pace. I hesitated a moment longer, my gaze lingering on the maze entrance. The shadows seemed to deepen as I watched, the twisting path disappearing into darkness. With a shiver, I hurried after Alistair.

We entered through the kitchen, the warmth and bright light a stark contrast to the deepening gloom outside. The staff bustled around, preparing for dinner, but they all paused to watch me pass. I felt their gazes on my back as Alistair led me through the busy kitchen and out into the quiet hallway. He nodded curtly before disappearing back the way we had come, leaving me alone.

I looked down at myself. Despite my suspicion of the estate and everyone in it, it would be rude to go to dinner looking a mess. I made my way to the main staircase, my footsteps echoing in the stillness.

As I climbed the stairs, my mind drifted back to my conversation with William in the study. His evasiveness about the strange occurrences on the estate. The way he looked at me, and the way I liked it. I shook my head at myself.