Page 72 of Her Beast

“Mr. Barton has me choose them for him,” Kemp had explained when Julia had asked about the new books.

“Doesn’t he read them?”

“On occasion, but I don’t think he has much time for fiction.”

Juliaadorednovels, from scandalous gothic romances to more serious works of literature: she loved them all.

The books appeared to be organized by publication date rather than subject or author, and so she pulled a good many off the shelves and read the first page or so before she found one that piqued her interest, titledLittle Women

The frontispiece was an illustration of a mother and four girls—Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy—so she doubted it was naughty, like the last book she’d read,The Wickedness of Count Ugolino.

Julia flushed just recalling that book. For some reason, she’d imagined the dastardly, yet irresistible, count as looking exactly like Malcolm. Such imaginings had led to several sessions with her hand between her thighs.

This new book looked more wholesome. Maybe it would simply send her into a dreamless sleep, rather than stoking fantasies about her deliciously mysterious host.

I think you mean captor,her boring inner voice scolded.

Julia rolled her eyes, scooped up her shoes, and then padded her way back to her chambers. At this time of night, she’d be fine in her stocking feet as there was never anyone around.

She couldn’t help wondering where Malcolm had gone tonight. Did he have a mistress—a lover—that he visited?

Julia found that she disliked that thoughtexceedingly

Why? Do you think he likes silly little girls.

She was busy bickering with herself when she rounded the corner to her hallway and almost collided with the very man obsessing her thoughts.

Julia stopped and gawked. Why, he appeared to be stepping into the wall itself!

Her mind spun as her brain struggled to put together what she was seeing: It was another entrance. Rightnextto her chambers.

As she watched, the door—or wall panel, rather—swung silently shut behind him, leaving a regular-looking section of wall in its place.

Julia stared, frozen.

Why in the world was there a secret door right beside her chambers?

And what was Malcolm doing using that doorway at one o’clock in the morning?

Chapter 15

What are you waiting for, Julia? You’ll never get a better time than right now to investigate!

Julia glanced at the clock—it was just after two—and chewed her lip, trying to keep her willful mind in check.

Don’t do it, Julia, her wiser angel begged.It’s not right. If Malcolm wanted you to know about the doorway and whatever it leads to then he would have told you.

If you don’t look now, you’ll always wonder what was behind that panel.the devil prodded, far louder.

Julia groaned, tossing and turning beneath the covers.

You know you’re going to do it so you might as well get on with it.

This is a terrible idea, Julia. You should not—

“Shut up!” Julia hissed at the voices. She shoved back the blankets and slipped out of bed.

Kemp had finished undressing her about three quarters of an hour ago and Julia had told the older woman that she was going right to sleep and wouldn’t be reading.

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