The Gilded Curse: Will the young heiress be the next victim of her family's curse?

by Marilyn Turk

  Now she had the independence she’d yearned for, but was she capable of taking care of herself? Watching Russell lead the way, she realized he was taking care of her. At least he seemed to be. He always showed up at the right time—right when she needed him. How did he manage that? It was almost as if he knew she’d need help.

  The smell of fresh-cut pine wafted through the air. Lexie inhaled the fragrance, which grew stronger as they moved along. She glanced through the trees to her left and saw more daylight, indicating a clearing. With alarm, she noticed a large area of tree stumps and fallen trees. She called out to Russell up ahead.

  “Russell! Why are all those trees cut down?”

  He stopped his horse and turned it in the direction of the clearing. She pulled up beside him and pointed.

  “Timbering. We contracted with a lumber company to sell some of the trees on the island.”

  “But why? I thought everything would be kept natural.”

  Russell gave her a sad smile and lifted his shoulders. “Money. The club needed more revenue.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. “There was no other way?”

  “We’ve considered a number of ideas to increase the club’s income—golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, and so on, but it hasn’t been enough.” He nodded toward the cut trees. “This has been the most lucrative idea yet.”

  She remembered her conversation with Mr. Mason, the waiter, about the club lowering the dues to attract newcomers.

  “I understand some of the original members no longer belong to the club. Weren’t they replaced by new ones?”

  Russell’s dimples revealed themselves in the smile he gave her. “Some were, but it seems our country’s running out of millionaires. Your grandfather’s generation is almost gone, and along with them, the wealth they brought to the island.”

  Why did she feel guilty? It wasn’t her fault the family money was gone and she needed to sell the cottage. Yet, for some reason, she wanted to help. After all, her grandfather was one of the founding members of the club. What would happen if all the founding families left the island? What would happen to Russell? He’d spent his life here.

  “I’m sorry, Russell. I had no idea.”

  “So you see why we’d like you to keep Destiny?”

  She nodded, but could she tell him she couldn’t even afford the taxes on the property?

  “I’ll give it some thought.” Not that thinking about it would solve her problem, much less provide the funds.

  They rode on past the island dairy where fat cows grazed in the fields. Beyond the dairy, the path led past the ruins of Horton House, its tabby walls keeping secrets of the earliest settlers on the island. Russell paused beside the old structure and waited for her to pull alongside.

  “Remember when we used to play here?” Russell’s grin hinted mischief.

  “Of course I do.” Lexie scanned the area. “I pretended it was my castle.”

  “And Robert and I were the Indians attacking the castle.”

  “Indians didn’t attack castles.”

  “We did.” Russell laughed as he turned his horse back to the trail. He pointed to his right. “And the ghosts were over there.”

  Lexie followed his gaze. She shuddered when she saw the fence surrounding the old cemetery where the island’s first inhabitants were buried. “That was always a creepy place. I never liked going there,” she said.

  “Just old tombstones. Actually, I’ve always found it interesting to read the epitaphs.”

  “Really? I never read them. Besides, Mother would have killed me if she’d known I ventured this far from the compound.”

  “Would you like to take a look now?”

  Lexie flashed a frown at him. “No, thank you. Let them rest in peace.”

  Russell laughed again, nudged his heels into the stallion, and the horse began to trot. Lexie followed suit, and they proceeded along the trail back to the stables. When they reached the building, Russell dismounted then helped her down. A rich bass voice greeted them from inside singing, “Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!” George appeared in the doorway of the stables.

  “Y’all have a nice ride?” The man’s grin covered his face. “Nice day for it.”

  “Yes, we did, George. It’s a beautiful day for a horseback ride.”

  “Yes, sir. This is the day the Lord has made.”

  George took the reins of the horses, patting each one of them on their necks. “Did Angel behave for you, Miss Smithfield?”

  “Yes, she did. Well, she was an angel.”

  George laughed as he turned to lead the horses to the stalls. He resumed his singing as he walked. “Great is thy faithfulness!”

  Lexie glanced at Russell, who beamed his familiar smile.

  “What a beautiful voice he has.”

  “He sure does. He preaches at the servants’ church.”

  Lexie looked back at the stables. “He does? How did he have time to meet me this morning?”

  “Ha-ha! Well, the service goes on quite a while because they spend so much time singing and praising God before the sermon starts. They probably didn’t even miss him.”

  “He certainly seems happy, like he doesn’t have a care in the world.”

  “You might be surprised. He’s had his troubles, but he keeps a positive attitude.”

  Troubles? She’d like to know how he stayed so happy.

  As Lexie and Russell strolled away from the stables, she recalled hearing music from the chapel earlier that morning.

  “Russell, I thought you said the church service at Faith Chapel didn’t start until eleven.”

  “That’s right. Why?”

  “Well, as I walked to the stables this morning, I heard a piano when I passed the chapel.”

  “I’m sure you did. The pianist was probably practicing, warming up.”

  “The melody was lovely and stayed in my mind. Have you ever had that happen?”

  “All the time. Do you remember it? Maybe if you could hum a few bars, I might recognize the tune.”

  “No, I’m afraid I lost it when I encountered Abner Jones. But I would know it if I heard it again.”

  “Well, if you’ll come to service next Sunday, you might hear it again.”

  Lexie bit her lip, trying to come up with another excuse.

  “All right, I won’t pressure you. But you were missed.”

  She raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms. “Missed? By whom?”

  “Oh, a few of the ladies inquired about you. And I also saw Floyd and his mother watching the door so they could pounce on you when you entered.”

  “Wonderful. And you were giving me reasons not to attend?”

  Russell chuckled, his dimple appearing. “Perhaps I should try another tactic?”

  “Like give up?”

  “Never.”

  Lexie was grateful for the long walk back to the clubhouse and the chance to talk with Russell. His relaxed way of making everything look better, even fun, lifted the burden she carried. She had to trust him. She had no one else. As they passed the dormitories, Russell nodded and waved at the servants milling around on their day off. Of course, he knew everyone’s names, their positions, and their family history, which he explained to her along the way. Why did everyone seem so much friendlier now than when she walked by them that morning?

  “Howard, how’s that leg doing? Better rest it up and not rush it. We need you back healthy.” Russell addressed a man whose knee had a large bandage around it.

  “Darlene, how’s that grandbaby? Will we be seeing her soon?” The woman on her porch smiled and nodded.

  “Soon as they bring him over for a visit, Mr. Russell.”

  “Ernest, any word from your son yet?” Russell explained to Lexie that the man’s son was in the army overseas somewhere.

  Lexie studied Russell. Was he really that nice?

  “What?” He turned toward her with a grin and a twinkle in his eye. “What are you looking at?” />
  “I’m just amazed that you know everybody’s business.”

  Again laughter accompanied his response. “Lexie, I’ve known these people all my life, and it’s a small community. Everybody knows everybody’s business.”

  “But all the servants don’t live here, do they?”

  “No, some live in Brunswick and come over daily. Many live in the dorms just for the season, but there are a few cabins on Red Row that were built a long time ago. Those families live here year-round.”

  Lexie stopped. “Well, if everybody knows everybody’s business, they should know who’s been hanging around Destiny, shouldn’t they?”

  “If it’s someone who lives here, yes. But you know Destiny is on the other side of the island from the servants’ quarters, so they don’t see it all the time.”

  She nodded and continued walking before stopping again. “Russell, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. When I watched the movie the other night about all those people trying to get their hands on the Maltese Falcon, it made me wonder if someone’s trying to get something I have, or they think I have. I just don’t know what it could be.”

  “That would explain a few things, but we don’t know who or what.”

  “Not yet. But I want to find out. Tomorrow, I want to go back to the cottage and see if I can figure out what it might be. Plus I haven’t been to the third-floor servants’ rooms.”

  “You think there would be anything valuable in the servants’ rooms?”

  “Not really, but it might trigger a memory.”

  “Are you sure you want to go back after last time?”

  “Yes, I do. But I would like for you to go with me, if you can spare the time.”

  Russell’s grin covered his face. “My dear Lexie, I’ll find the time. Come by my office after breakfast, and I’ll let you know when I can leave.”

  “Terrific.” This time, she’d be ready to face whatever or whoever she found. The memory of someone’s shadow triggered a chill. “Do you know what the weather will be like tomorrow?”

  As if he read her mind, he said, “No thunderstorms.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, there’d be no storms, at least not the weather-type.

  Chapter 19

  Lexie enjoyed the privacy of being first in the dining room the next morning. She had discovered that if she went to breakfast as soon as service began, no one else would be there and she wouldn’t have to run into other people, such as Floyd and his mother.

  The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee mingled with the smell of bacon frying, waking Lexie’s senses. Shafts of morning sunlight pierced the windows, promising a lovely winter’s day. Today would be a good day to face the cottage. This time, she’d be ready for any surprises.

  Or so she told herself. Today Russell would go with her again. Not that she needed his company, but he was beginning to be a habit. A smile eased across her face at the thought. There could be worse habits. She’d expected to be completely alone on the island, but Russell had prevented that from happening. She appreciated his protection. But what did she need protection from here? Or who?

  Lexie fiddled with her pearls while hearing the murmur of the staff as they readied the room for incoming guests. Each time the kitchen door opened, the volume of noise rose with the rattle of pans and dishes. Lexie looked over her shoulder and saw Mr. Mason coming her way.

  “Good morning, Miss Smithfield. The usual?”

  “Good morning, Mr. Mason. Yes, please.”

  “Lovely day today, ma’am.” The waiter took her napkin, shook it, and handed it to her. “Will you be going to Destiny this morning?”

  Lexie retorted, “Why do you ask that?”

  The waiter frowned. “No reason, ma’am. I heard you were here to check on your family cottage. I didn’t mean to intrude on your personal affairs.”

  Lexie cringed with remorse. She had to stop suspecting everyone. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mason. Yes, I am going to the cottage.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Excuse me while I get your tea and scones.” He bowed and turned.

  As the old gentleman walked away, Lexie scolded herself. How could she possibly question the motives of kind Mr. Mason? He had probably heard about the condition of the cottage from the housekeeping staff.

  When he returned with her breakfast, she touched his hand and peered up at his face. “Mr. Mason, I apologize for my abrupt response earlier. I don’t know what came over me.”

  The gentleman smiled and nodded. “No need to apologize ma’am.”

  “Thank you. What time do most of the other guests arrive for breakfast?”

  “I don’t know when all the guests arrive, but the Appletons usually come in around nine.” He gave her a knowing look.

  A quick glance at her watch told her she still had time to enjoy herself before they appeared. Mr. Mason was a very attentive man, and it was clear he was on her side.

  She smiled a thank you, and he left her to her meal. After breakfast, she’d go to Russell’s office, and they’d go to the cottage together. He told her he usually started work about seven-thirty, so he’d be there before nine. Other people began to trickle into the dining room, among them the ladies she had met before. They acknowledged her with nods and smiles across the room. Lexie hurried, just in case one of them wanted to talk with her.

  When she finished eating, she rose from the table and made her way across the room, weaving between tables. As she passed by one, someone grabbed her hand. She halted and glanced down, noting an elderly lady holding onto her.

  “Helen? Why Helen, I haven’t seen you in so long! Where have you been?”

  Lexie sucked in a breath, and she stared at the woman. An elderly gentleman seated beside the woman leaned over to her. “Gladys, that’s not Helen.”

  “It’s not?” The lady scrutinized Lexie up and down. “Why, she looks like Helen.”

  “Helen was my mother. I’m Alexandra Smithfield, her daughter.”

  A confused look crossed the woman’s face. “Well, you’re just like her.”

  Lexie forced a polite smile and eased her hand out of the woman’s grasp. “Please excuse me.” She hurried out the door.

  No. She was not like her mother. She would not let that happen.

  Two uniformed men passed Lexie in the hallway as she exited the dining room. Their dark blue suits were similar to Robert’s Navy uniform. She watched them as they took the stairs, the somber expression on their faces denoting a serious visit. Since Lexie was headed the same direction, she ended up following them. She stopped at her floor as they continued up the stairs. But curiosity got the better of her, so she waited a moment, then crept up the stairs to the fourth floor. When she heard Russell’s door close, she halted.

  No doubt this was not a good time to see Russell. She should go elsewhere and come back later. But the sound of voices drifting into the hallway piqued her curiosity. Although the men closed the door behind them, it had not latched and reopened a crack. Lexie recognized Russell’s voice and another man’s—Mr. Prentice. She really shouldn’t stand out there and listen.

  However, she couldn’t will her feet to move and found herself straining to hear. When she heard “submarine” and “torpedoed,” her attention was riveted to the conversation. Her heart raced as she ventured a step closer. “Off the coast of North Carolina” jolted her attention. The voices lowered, preventing her from hearing more. As she turned to leave, the word “president” rang from the room. Murmuring followed, then the scraping of chairs, signaling her that the men were about to leave.

  She spun around and rushed down the hall, trying to keep her footsteps quiet. As she turned the corner, she heard the men come out the door behind her, saying their good-byes.

  She hurried down the stairs and, when she reached the lobby, strode over to an armchair beside the fireplace. Lexie plopped down and grabbed a copy of Life magazine from the table adjacent, waiting for the officials to leave. A few moments later, they strode past her, speaking in low
tones while she peered over the top of the magazine she pretended to read.

  When they went through the doors and left the building, she closed the magazine and put it back on the table. She couldn’t wait to find out what the men’s visit was about, so she hurried back upstairs to Russell’s office. But through the partially closed door, she heard the voices of Russell and Mr. Prentice. So Russell was still in a meeting. She puffed out a breath. How long would he be tied up? Should she wait here for him?

  “Looks like we might have to cancel the tennis tournament. First the golf tournament, now the tennis … don’t know how we’ll raise enough revenue this year.”

  “Bernon, shouldn’t our concern be about the safety of our members? I know we need the money, but U-boats this close seems to me a bigger priority.”

  “I know what the officers said, but really, do you expect the Germans to shoot at our beaches? I can see the harm to ships, but why would they bother with our little island?”

  “Because ‘our’ little island has some of the world’s wealthiest Americans, that why. They told us the president is concerned.”

  Lexie’s heart dropped. German submarines were that close? So Abner wasn’t so crazy after all. Maybe he really had seen them.

  Before she had a chance to react, the door to Russell’s office opened and Mr. Prentice came out. His frown disappeared when he saw her, and he assumed a relaxed expression.

  “Good Morning, Miss Smithfield. How are you today?”

  Lexie fought to keep from blushing. “I’m fine, thank you. I was on my way to meet Russell.” As if she needed to explain her presence and appear innocent of eavesdropping.

  “You’re going back to the cottage today?”

  Did everyone know her business?

  He smiled and answered her unasked question. “Russell told me he was going back over there with you this morning.”

  Russell stepped out of his office, shrugging on his jacket. A grin spread across his face when he saw her. “I thought I heard your voice out here, Lexie.”

  Her heart surprised her by doing a little dance when he appeared. “Hi, Russell. I hope I’m not interrupting you.” She hoped her expression didn’t give away her guilt.