The Lady in Yellow: A Victorian Gothic Paranormal Romance

Thirty-Eight

Veronica set off in a limping run back to Belden House, not stopping until she was in the forecourt. Doubled over with a stitch in her side, and hurting from her fall, she tried to sense if it were safe to go back inside. Everything was so quiet. The night was over. The nightmare should be over.

She felt for her keys in her side pocket muttering a prayer that they'd not been torn from her now ragged remnant of a dress. Afraid of meeting Mrs. Twig at the front door in such a state, she hobbled down the side yard to the servants' entrance and went quietly into the house.

There was a ruckus in the corridor, Mrs. Twig shouting and Janet crying. Veronica moved stealthily around a corner and she saw the housekeeper at Janet's bedroom door holding a silver platter with something bloody on it.

Veronica's eyes followed a row of spattered red drops on the floor. It was Tala all over again. Jacqueline in her hare-bloodied dress. The wolves!

Heart thrashing like a stormy sea, Veronica rounded the corner and hurried back toward the main part of the house, hoping Mrs. Twig hadn't seen her.

Back in her room she locked the door and put a chair against it. Then she opened one of her trunks and began filling it with clothes. The shock of what she'd just escaped overwhelmed her. She collapsed into the easy chair and, rocking herself, broke down into sobs.

At last, the clock chimed six.

It was full morning. She was safe. It was time to plan her escape, but first, had to figure out where to go.

She lay down on her bed to rest for a moment, but couldn't keep her eyes open. Feeling safe behind her closed bed curtains, she put her pillow and coverlet over her head, and tried to pretend she wasn't there.

***

It was late afternoon when Veronica woke, her mind filled with worries. If she stayed, how was she to teach the twins, acting as if nothing had happened, as if ghosts and werewolves and devil worshipping priests were commonplace? She'd almost been killed!

Terrified her anger would bubble over, she gasped for breath. Once she was calm, she would demand answers from the twins. And Mrs. Twig would get the riot act.

And Rafe! How could he leave his children in the midst of this insanity?

If there was anything to prevent Veronica resigning immediately, it was her fear for the twins. They needed her. She couldn't desert them. Innocent children could still be saved. If she were forced to remove Jack for safety to Saint Mary's, she would, and the holy atmosphere would purify their souls.