The Hawsksmoor Heritage — Catherine Morland

THE MANSION LOOKED AS PEACEFUL AS A DOVECOTE. BUT IT HOUSED ANGUISH, GREED--AND MURDER!

When seventeen-year-old Katie Fielding won Alexander Hawks's heart, his entire family was certain the penniless beauty was a fortune hunter. The vast Hawksmoor inheritance had never crossed Kate's innocent mind, but those in the sprawling mansion believed otherwise.

Katie sought refuge from the suspicious household in Hawksmoor's elegant rooms and landscaped gardens. But no matter where she turned, she felt she was being watched.

Even more threatening was the shadowy, cowled figure who silently chased her through Hawksmoor's dim corridors. Kate suddenly realized that escape from the mansion was no longer a choice: either she would unveil her pursuer--or did trying!

The fact that Katie was just one floor above the hall that ran outside her own bedroom gave her no reassurance; that was another world, totally disconnected from this. With every step she risked her life.
But finally the lantern's glow reached the end of the passage and threw her own shape against a door.
"Open it and go inside," the voice behind her commanded. "Go to the far side of the trunk, Katie, and kneel down. Excuses the primitive conditions, but there are time when we must improvise."
"But why?" Katie whispered.
She heard him cock the pistol. There was little doubt what he meant to do...