Forbidden Secrets by R.L. Stine

spice. Before she could finish, Mrs. Mooreland appeared with the main course—veal and oysters.
    As the housekeeper served, Savannah noticed Lucy staring at the candle flames. She could see the flames reflected in Lucy’s dark eyes.
    Slowly, Lucy reached toward the flames. Her fingers inching closer and closer.
    Victoria slapped Lucy’s hand away. “Stop that!” she ordered.
    Lucy wrinkled her tiny nose. “I don’t have to listen to you.”
    â€œLucy, behave yourself,” Tyler admonished, his voice stern.
    Lucy slumped forward. “She’s not my mother.”
    â€œVictoria just didn’t want you to hurt yourself,” Savannah said, pleased that Tyler had sided with her sister.
    We will become a family, the four of us, Savannah thought. Together—
    A quiet giggle interrupted her thoughts.
    She glanced over at Lucy. She was staring at the candle flames again. Staring hard.
    Lucy shot out her hand and knocked the candelabrum over.
    â€œFire!” Lucy cried. “Fire!”

Chapter
    17

    S avannah leapt from her chair. It fell over with a crash.
    She slapped out the flames with her linen napkin. The smell of scorched cloth filled the dining room.
    Savannah sighed at the sight of the singed tablecloth. It was damaged beyond repair.
    â€œIt was an accident,” Lucy whispered hoarsely.
    â€œNo, it wasn’t. You did it on purpose. I saw you,” Victoria scolded.
    Lucy raised her eyes to Savannah. “But the flames are so pretty. I like the way they dance.”
    Savannah’s heart went out to the child. How can I blame her for finding beauty in the flames when they are the only thing of color in this house?
    She picked up her chair and sat back down. “They are pretty, but they are also dangerous. You must not play with the candles anymore.”
    â€œSavannah is right. Go up to bed, Lucy,” Tyler said in a stern voice.
    Lucy slipped out of her chair and hurried over to Tyler. “Are you angry with me?” she asked.
    She adores him, Savannah thought again.
    â€œYes,” Tyler answered. Then he tweaked her nose. “But I won’t stay angry long.”
    Lucy’s face broke out into a wide grin. “I love you, Tyler,” she cried. Then she skipped out of the room.
    â€œShe’s sweet,” Savannah said as they continued with the main course.
    â€œShe is a spoiled brat,” Victoria said. She tossed her napkin onto the table. “I am going to bed.” She walked from the room.
    Savannah turned to Tyler. “It’s been quite an exciting first day.”
    Tyler touched her cheek. “You look tired.”
    â€œI am,” she admitted. “As soon as we finish our meal, I think I’ll go on to bed too.”
    â™¦Â â™¦Â â™¦
    Savannah thought she would fall asleep immediately. But she lay awake a long time.
    My first night in my new home, she thought. Blackrose Manor wasn’t at all what she had expected.
    Glowing red embers flew onto the stone hearth with a pop. They burned brightly. Then turned black and died.
    Everything is so dark here. So gloomy. It’s little wonder Victoria is uncomfortable here. Maybe I should redecorate her room first.
    Savannah stretched her toes toward the warming pan at the foot of her bed. Mrs. Mooreland had brought the pan at Tyler’s request. It had been obviousfrom her puckered lips that she would have preferred not to go to the trouble. What can I do about Mrs. Mooreland? she wondered.
    Savannah yawned. So many things to think about. Victoria. Mrs. Mooreland. Lucy and her fascination with fire.
    And Tyler. She was frightened when he attacked the portrait. He looked so fierce and angry.
    But I can’t expect him to be exactly the same after the war, Savannah thought. After years of blood and killing.
    And he has been so wonderful in so many other ways. Savannah could tell he truly wanted her and Victoria to be happy.
    She heard the gentle