The Gilded Curse: Will the young heiress be the next victim of her family's curse? (17 page)

“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

L
exie 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.

“Not at all.” He gestured toward Mr. Prentice. “We were just getting finished.”

“Well, I’m off.” Mr. Prentice gave Russell a mock salute. “Miss Smithfield, I’m still waiting for that game of tennis. The weather is nice enough today if you’re interested in hitting a few balls later.”