Eternally Yours Read Online Free PDF Page A

elbow hit the bookcase behind him. Though he barely jarred it, a book dropped from a high shelf and skimmed his head. Startled, he fell against the case with a thud. The case pivoted and ground along the floor, and he landed beside it on his rear end.
    A hole had opened up in the wall--no, not a hole but an entrance. Unhurt but stunned, he lay staring into the doorway to an unlit hidden chamber. Cold air drifted out of it, adding an eerie quality to the discovery.
    “Oh, my God.” Lara stooped next to him. “Are you all right?”
    He pushed himself up into a sitting position, his attention anchored on the exposed opening. Peering into the darkness, he asked, “What is this?”
    Lara stood slowly and took a step backward, as though she expected a monster to jump out and attack them. “I don’t know. I always thought the kitchen stairs were right behind that wall.”
    He hoisted himself to his feet and brushed off the seat of his pants. Leaning through the doorway, he said, “It’s pitch black in here, though judging by the echo, there’s a fair amount of space. Amazing--we’ve found a secret room. Do you have a flashlight?”
    “Not on me.” She hesitated. “Mr. Vereker–as long as you’re not hurt--I believe you were about to leave.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t mind a chance to see what’s in here.” He turned around and found no encouragement in her expression. Somewhat daunted, he added, “Even in my business, I don’t run across hidden rooms every day.”
    She glanced toward the opening, rubbing her upper arms. “Why is it so cold in there? Do you feel that horrible chill?”
    He shrugged. “Maybe it leads to a cellar or tunnel--which is why I don’t want to walk in without a light. Who knows what the footing is like? You must have a flashlight around here. Why don’t you go and get it?”
    “Why don’t you just go ?” she threw back.
    He frowned. “You don’t really mean that, do you?”
    “I’m afraid I do.” She pursed her lips. “You should be glad that you won’t need to spend any more time putting up with me and my terrible lack of taste. As I told you, I’m withdrawing my application for the grant. Now, I’m sorry about your head. I must have left that book sticking out when I put it back this morning.”
    She bent to pick it up, and he glimpsed the cover. To add insult to injury, the book that had hit him was a volume of Geoffrey Vereker’s poetry.
    Straightening back up, she looked him in the eye. “As long as you’re not hurt, I have to insist that you go.”
    He matched her gaze for a long moment. “Listen, Lara, I know we have our differences, but can’t you look past them for five minutes and give me a chance to explore something as extraordinary as this?”
    “I’m afraid not. I’m too busy to waste another five minutes.”
    He looked away from her to the dark entrance next to him. The opportunity for him to get a peek inside was slipping away, but if she didn’t want him around, there wasn’t much he could do. Now he wished more than ever that he’d presented his views about her house in a more diplomatic way.
    Racking his brain, he came up with a last-ditch attempt to change her mind. “You know, going in there by yourself after I leave could be dangerous. Even if the footing looks all right, the floorboards may be half-rotten. You really should have someone with you when you investigate.”
    She glanced at the hole and quickly looked away. “I’m not going to investigate--not now anyway.”
    “What?” he asked in disbelief. “You’re not dying to see what’s in there?”
    “Frankly, the only thing I’m dying for is some time to myself. I have a painting to get back to--and a lot of work and planning to do regarding my house.”
    He shook his head, frustrated by her attitude. “Instead of coming up with so many plans for this house, maybe you should take some time to appreciate it. Your lack of interest in this find is unbelievable.”
    Her jaw dropped.