Page 80 of Daddy By Design

Without warning, a book flew towards us. That definitely wasn’t from a crooked floor.

Nolan shoved me through the doorway into the hallway. Another thudded against the bookcase beside the doorway. “All right. Everyone out.”

TJ gave another look over her shoulder and yelped when the sound of flipping pages ended with another sturdy whump at the railing on the stairs. She hustled after us into the hallway.

I crouched down and peered back into the room.

“Hellcat, get back.”

Excitement flooded my system. “Do you think it’s Harriette?”

“Of course it’s not,” TJ said quickly, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“I mean, that was some ghost shit, was it not?” I yelped as Nolan dragged me back into the tunnel and shut the doorway. “Hey!”

“I don’t have the insurance set up for any stupid accidents yet.”

I huffed out a breath. “You’re no fun.” I brushed my hands on the seat of my pants. “C’mon, let’s go back.”

“Absolutely not.” He turned me toward where we’d come from.

TJ led the way with her flashlight as we followed the turn toward another shaft of sunlight. This time, we ended up back on the second landing of the stairs. She ducked under the short doorway, and I followed, and finally, so did Nolan.

He looked around, surprise lighting his usually stern features. “Well, shit. How did you find that?”

TJ grinned. “I was researching how to make a secret bookcase and they showed a bunch of examples from old Victorians.” She found the acorn-shaped molding on the shelf and pulled. “Voilá.”

“No way.” I pushed her hand away so I could pull it down too. I could hear the latch release even though the doorway was still open. “That is so freaking cool.”

“Where did yours go?” TJ leaned on the railing, the palm of her hand smoothing over the ornate banister.

“The tower room.”

TJ’s voice was nearly as excited as mine. “This house is even more amazing than I thought. But that secret room? I want to know more about that.”

“Harriette’s room?” I asked innocently.

“You don’t know that,” Nolan muttered.

“Don’t I?”

Nolan rolled his eyes.

“Dahlia? TJ?” Gideon’s voice came from the lower level.

“Up here,” I called out.

Gideon came into the foyer. “What are you guys doing up there?”

“Secret rooms.” I clasped my hands under my chin. “Can you believe it?”

Gideon grinned. “I can. Servants used to have secret passages so they didn’t have to be seen by the rich people.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Don’t ruin it, John Gideon.”

“What? I’m only speaking truth.” He waved me down. “Get down here. We have to do a walkthrough before any of you should be in here.”

I sighed and started down the stairs. “All of you are spoilsports.” I was sure that secret room had been Harriette’s. There was no doubt in my mind. I just wasn’t sure why she didn’t want us in there. She’d been fine with TJ.

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