Forbidden Secrets by R.L. Stine Page A

strains of a violin floating toward her. She sighed softly. I wonder if that is Tyler playing?
    It was her last thought as she drifted off to sleep.
    Something cold brushed against Savannah’s cheek.
    She still felt tired, too tired to open her eyes.
    A draft, she thought. This room is filled with drafts.
    The cold touch came again. Cold and wet. What is that?
    Savannah opened her eyes. She saw a calico tail swishing back and forth at the top of her quilt.
    Savannah sat up and pulled back the covers. A small cat stared up at her. It nudged her cheek with its cold little nose.
    â€œWhere did you come from?” she asked.
    The cat purred and licked her hand with its rough tongue. Savannah smiled.
    The door opened and a young woman wearing a black uniform ran in. She wore her bright red hair in two braids beneath a white lace cap. Light freckles dotted her face.
    Her gray eyes widened and she came to a dead stop when she saw that Savannah was awake. She bobbed a quick curtsy.
    â€œOh, miss, I am so sorry. The cat slipped away from me.”
    Savannah stroked the cat’s fur. Its purr vibrated low in its throat. “Don’t be silly. He’s sweet. What’s his name?”
    â€œCalico.” The young woman blushed.
    â€œI like the name,” Savannah told her.
    The woman bobbed another curtsy. “My name is Hattie.”
    â€œI’m Savannah.”
    â€œYes, miss, I know. Mr. Fier hired me this morning as a maid for you and your sister.” Her cheeks pinkened as she peered at Savannah through her long lashes. “He told me you were the pretty one.”
    Savannah felt herself blush at Tyler’s compliment. He is certainly spoiling me, she thought. I should do something special for him. But what?
    She remembered his smile as she walked into the dining room wearing the blue gown. I will wear it again this evening, she thought.
    â€œHattie, would you do me a favor? Would you press my blue silk dress for me? It’s hanging in the closet.”
    Hattie bobbed up and down. “Certainly, miss.” With a light bounce in her step, she crossed the room and opened the closet door.
    â€œThe dress is lovely, isn’t it?” Savannah asked when she heard Hattie’s quick intake of breath.
    Hattie turned to face her. All color had drained from the girl’s face.
    â€œWhat is it, Hattie?” Savannah cried. “What’s wrong?”

Chapter
    18

    â€œT he dress, miss. It’s . . . it’s . . .” Hattie reached into the closet and pulled the dress out. She held it up for Savannah to see.
    Savannah gasped in disbelief. Long, jagged tears ran from the shoulders to the hem.
    Savannah eased the cat off her lap and slipped out of bed. She shuddered as her feet hit the ice-cold stone floor.
    â€œOh, no,” she murmured as she ran her fingers over the rips. Her beautiful dress! How did this happen? Savannah wondered. It couldn’t have been an accident.
    â€œYour dress is ruined!”
    Startled by Lucy’s voice, Savannah spun around. The younger girl had come in without knocking and was staring at the dress.
    How long had she been there? Savannah wondered. Was she listening outside the door?
    â€œTyler gave you that dress, didn’t he?” Lucy asked.
    â€œYes, he did,” Savannah said.
    Lucy frowned. “He said you were beautiful. He’ll be sad when he finds out it was ruined.”
    â€œYes, he will be sad,” Savannah replied. “So I don’t want to tell him. I want to keep it a secret.”
    Lucy’s eyes glittered. “I’m good at keeping secrets.” She reached out and took Savannah’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re finally awake. I want to show you my doll collection.”
    â€œI will get dressed,” Savannah told her.
    â€œBut I’ve been waiting all morning. Please come now.”
    Lucy’s excitement was contagious. I’m glad that she lived so far north, away