Curse of Black Tor by Jane Toombs Page B

want you hurt,” he said. Then suddenly he bent his head and kissed her, drawing her against him. His lips were not gentle. She responded with an intensity that shocked her.
    Then he was gone.
    Her mind finally began working again. Were those the arms that had held her down two nights earlier? Was Jules the man who knew she'd had a life other than the one as Martha Jamison? And why had she defended Josephine when it was quite likely the girl had drugged her so that she could run off and meet Diego without interference? The cliff edge… Martha shuddered with the memory of the dark water on the rocks below. And now Jules was telling her about Miss Eccles’ accident.
    Was she wrong about Josephine? Was Josephine dangerous?
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    Josephine roused her early--banging impatiently on her door. As soon as Martha let her in, she said, “I've eaten already. And I'm going to be with Cathleen most of the day. She's fixing some surprise games for the party, and Sarah and I are going to help. You can, too, if you want.”
    Josephine's last sentence lacked enthusiasm, Martha thought. She dressed and went downstairs. Charn and Cathleen were at breakfast.
    “You don't want to be mixed up in all the party doodads, Martha,” Charn said. “I can tell you're not the type at all.”
    Was he mocking her?
    “Besides, I've got all the help I need,” Cathleen said.
    Martha glanced from one to the other. Both blond, attractive—and up to something. What?
    “Would you like to catch a salmon?” Charn asked. “Jules told me to get you away from the house today, to see that you have a rest.”
    Jules wants me to go? she wondered. To leave Josephine with Cathleen? Maybe he no longer trusts me.
    Charn grinned. “I couldn't ask for a nicer assignment. If the fishing doesn't appeal to you, we could—”
    “Oh, no. Salmon fishing is fine.” Then she looked at him warily. Could Charn have crept into her room that first night? Did he know about her past?
    He threw his arms up, “I’m harmless. Really I am.” he said.
    “I’ll be ready right after I eat,” she said. “What should I wear?”
    “Old jeans, old shoes and a warm jacket,” Cathleen told her. “Josephine’s got any number of old jeans if you didn’t bring any. I have a jacket I paint in--quite beyond repair. You’re welcome to it.” Martha accepted the jacket and went upstairs to borrow jeans from Josephine.
    “Salmon fishing?” Josephine asked. “You really want to go?” She looked at Martha curiously.
    “Do you mind?”
    “Not with Cathleen here.” She narrowed her eyes, gazing at Martha. “Sometimes I wish you hadn’t come at all.”
    “If not me, there would have been another nurse,” Martha pointed out.
    “Oh, I know. But I might not have liked her--I’m used to that. I liked you, though, right away. I
should’ve known better.”
    “Don’t you like me now?” Martha stopped rummaging in her drawer and looked at her. “Have I done something to make you unhappy?”
    “You know,” Josephine said.
    Martha shook her head. “No, I don’t. Tell me.”
    “What’s the use?” Josephine’s voice was sullen. “You’re prettier than I am. And--experienced and everything…” Astonished, Martha asked, “What on earth does that have to do with anything? Besides, I think you’re far prettier than I, whether you believe me or not. You’re a striking young woman.”   Shaking her head violently, Josephine plopped down on Martha’s bed. “There’s something wrong with me!” she wailed. “There is, there is! And you…” She covered her face with her hands and began to cry. “I don’t want you here,” she sobbed.
    “Just today or at all?” Martha asked.
    “T-today.” Josephine hesitated. “At least I know about you now. You might as well stay. But not today. Go away from me today. You make me feel bad.”
    Because you drugged me and pulled the blanket to the edge of the cliff? Martha wondered.
    When Josephine had