The Gilded Curse: Will the young heiress be the next victim of her family's curse? (20 page)

“If it’ll make you feel better, we’ll have our guards patrol the river bank too. But we know most of the people here pretty well and know they’re on our side, not our enemy’s.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “Okay. Maybe I am jumping to conclusions.”

“I need to get back to the clubhouse. Are you ready to go?”

She nodded, and they started walking back.

“I’ll get the window fixed right away.” At least he could do that much. Perhaps if he took care of the repairs quickly, Lexie wouldn’t be so spooked about the cottage. Still, he couldn’t make sense of the situation. Maybe she had blown things out of proportion, but these days, he had to be more alert to any possibility. Was there a chance someone on the island was aiding the enemy? If so, who?

“Thank you.” Lexie’s face was set with determination. She thought she was on to something, and he could tell she was eager to find out what it was.

“Lexie, I just don’t see a connection between damaged drawers and a person looking out the third-floor window.”

“I don’t either, Russell. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out what’s going on. I suppose there’s a chance neither has anything to do with the other.”

As they approached the clubhouse, Lexie glanced over at the lawn bowlers again. Floyd was still there, watching another man take his turn as smoke curled up from the cigarette in his hand.

“So Floyd smokes too.” Lexie nodded in Floyd’s direction.

“Do you see a man out here that doesn’t?”

He watched her scan the group, frowning as she shook her head.

“No. I guess you’re right. Most men smoke.”

“Looks like you haven’t narrowed down your list of suspects.”

“No, but there’s only one man I’ve seen around the cottage.” She leveled her gaze at him.

“Abner.” Why did she insist on pointing the finger at the old yardman?

“Yes, Abner,” she said, crossing her arms. “You don’t think he’s the one, though, do you?”

“No, I don’t. Abner watches over the property. He wouldn’t damage it.”

“Hey, Alexandra!”

They paused and turned to see Floyd striding across the lawn toward them.

“Alexandra, I had hoped to see you today.” Floyd glanced at Russell. “Hello, Russell.” If that was a hint for him to leave, Russell wasn’t taking it.

Russell nodded. “Floyd.” Besides, Lexie would kill him if he abandoned her to Floyd.

Floyd moved around to Lexie’s side in an effort to speak with her privately. Russell planted himself firmly, curious to see what the old boy was up to.

“Are you busy for lunch? Moth … I mean, I’d love for you to join us.”

Lexie gave Russell a pleading look as if begging him to give her an excuse. He sneaked her a wink and watched her face fire up.

“Sorry, Floyd, old chap.” Russell grabbed Lexie’s elbow. “
Alexandra
already has plans for lunch.” He pulled her toward the clubhouse while she looked over her shoulder at Floyd and gave him an apologetic smile.

When they were out of earshot, Lexie said, “Thanks, Russell. I owe you one.”

“And don’t you forget it.” As they entered the dining room, the
Maurice sisters waved them over.

Russell waved back and escorted Lexie over to the table where the women welcomed with warm smiles.

“Hello, ladies. Welcome back. Did you arrive this morning?” The Maurice sisters were among Russell’s favorite club members and were always very cordial.

“Yes, we did. And it’s so nice to see Hollybourne again.” Margaret Maurice beamed.

“Who is this young lady, Russell?” Marian Maurice tilted her head, studying Lexie.

“Excuse my manners, please. This is Alexandra Smithfield. I’m sure you remember her family.”

The two sisters exchanged glances before turning back to Lexie. “My goodness, you must be the little girl. Well, of course, not a little girl anymore!” Margaret looked Lexie up and down.

“Please join us,” Marian said. “We want to hear all about you.” The woman gestured to a chair across the table. “You, too, Russell.”

Lexie glanced at Russell, who nodded. “Thank you.”

Russell pulled out her chair, then sat beside her. “I’m afraid I can’t stay long, ladies, but I do want to catch up with you. You’re both looking well.”

“Oh, Russell, you’re such a gentleman and a delight for these old eyes.” Margaret batted her eyelashes at him.

The conversation revolved around the Maurice sisters and their visits around the country to various relatives and friends. Russell enjoyed the sisters from Pennsylvania and looked forward to their return to the island each season. Lexie’s shoulders relaxed, a good sign she was comfortable with the sisters.

“I have a wonderful idea, Peg,” Marian spoke to her sister, using Margaret’s nickname, and turned to Lexie. “Alexandra, do you play bridge?”

“Why, yes, I’ve played before, but…” Russell watched Lexie search for an excuse.

“Of course, Marian.” Peg turned to Lexie. “Dear, we need a fourth for bridge. Our sister Emily won’t be here until next month. Would you please join us for bridge and tea?”

Russell kept quiet, watching Lexie’s response. He wouldn’t offer any reason for her to get out of this invitation. What harm could come from spending time with the sisters? At least she’d be safe with them.

“When do you play?”

“Every Tuesday afternoon, so tomorrow. All right? Come to Hollybourne at 3:00. Oh, what fun! It’s been so long since we’ve had a Smithfield join us. Your mother and grandmother were wonderful bridge players and we so enjoyed their company.”

“Thank you. I look forward to it,” Lexie said, surprising Russell.

“Well, if you ladies will excuse me, I need to get back to my office.”

“I’m afraid I must go too.” Lexie laid her napkin down and Russell stood to pull her chair. “See you ladies tomorrow.”

They walked out of the dining room where Russell paused before going back to his office.

“Lexie, I’m pleased that you accepted their invitation. They’re very nice ladies.”

“I’m not sure why I did. I remember going to Hollybourne with my mother and grandmother when I was a little girl and enjoyed acting like a grown-up having tea with the other ladies. I guess I just want to know what it feels like to actually participate as an adult.”

“You won’t regret that decision, I’m sure.” Russell looked at his watch. “I must get to work now. I’ll have someone get started on the repairs at Destiny.”

They parted company, and Russell hurried up the stairs to his office. He made a list of available men for guard duty and arranged a schedule for each man to follow. He’d tell George to have the horses ready for each shift. The Coast Guard used foot patrols, but since the club had horses, it would be much more efficient to use them, plus it wouldn’t tire out his men too much so they could perform their other duties.

He bowed his head and sighed.
Lord, give me wisdom in handling Lexie and her situation. Show me the truth—what’s real and what’s not, and help me help her deal with it
. As he lifted his head, the word “truth” hovered over him. Did God want him to tell Lexie the truth about her father? About the accident? But what about his promise to Robert? He shook his head. He just couldn’t justify breaking his promise when it had nothing to do with the present.

He pushed back from his desk and stood, looking out the tower window. The panorama gave him a view across the great lawn to the trees and a glimpse of the boat dock behind them. He followed the river north to the mouth where it emptied into the Saint Simons Sound. He could just barely make out the rooftop of Destiny through the old oak trees that enclosed it. No, it didn’t seem realistic for the Germans to
enter the Sound to get to the back side of the island. Surely someone in the St. Simons lighthouse would spot them if they passed the north end of Jekyll.

It didn’t seem probable, but it wasn’t impossible either. At one time, he might’ve scoffed at the idea that German submarines could torpedo American ships so close to the United States coast, but he now knew the possibility existed. The men who were on the tanker that sank knew the grim reality. Poor guys.

Hard as it was for Mr. Prentice to accept, the war hovered at their doorstep. It just didn’t seem right for the club to carry on business as usual while men like Robert were dying for their country. What gave the islanders the right to be so frivolous during such a serious time?

Russell shook his head and picked up the guard schedule from his desk. He would take one of the shifts himself. Maybe he wasn’t fit for the military, but he could do his part to protect the people on the island. He grabbed his hat and coat before heading out the door. First, he planned to visit the stables, talk to George, and get him to spread the word about tomorrow’s meeting with the men. Before he went home, though, he wanted to stop by the chapel. He and God needed to spend some time together, and he did his best communicating with the piano.

Chapter 23

L
exie strolled down Old Plantation Road to the Maurice cottage, Hollybourne. As the house came into view, Lexie noticed the difference between it and the other cottages as the only cottage built of tabby—native shells and sand. Why weren’t any of the others made out of the same material? It must be pretty sturdy, based on the ruins of the 18
^th
century Horton House.

Many years ago, she had ridden up the circular driveway bordered by manicured hedges with her mother and grandmother. The house still looked the same, but the palm trees in the yard were much bigger than she recalled. They had grown, as had she.

“Now mind your manners, Alexandra. Act like a little lady,” Grandmother had said in an effort to restrain her granddaughter from her tomboy tendencies
.

“Lexie will behave, won’t you dear?” Mother had given her a warning glance
.

“Yes, ma’am.” The highlight of the visit was the wonderful treats the Maurice family chef prepared for the ladies, and Lexie could control herself long enough to enjoy them. Of course, learning the game of bridge presented a new challenge, and Lexie had looked forward to beating her brother as soon as she mastered the game
.

As Lexie lifted her gloved hand to tap on the leaded glass doors, a servant opened them, admitting her to the main foyer.

“Come in, dear.” Peg Maurice rushed forward to greet Lexie. “We’re in the parlor.” Peg gestured to her left as Lexie entered where she saw another woman seated next to Marian Maurice. The older sister introduced Lexie to Mrs. Josephine Prentice, the wife of the club president.

“My husband tells me you played tennis in college,” Mrs. Prentice said.

“Yes, I played at Vassar.” Lexie squirmed in her chair, uncomfortable knowing they’d discussed her.

“I really do hope you’ll play in our tournament. With the war going on, we won’t be able to get the celebrities we normally get, but we could use some good players to raise the level of the competition.”

“Do you play, Mrs. Prentice?”

“I do. Bernon and I enjoy playing doubles with other couples. Perhaps there’s a young man here that could play as your partner.”

Lexie thought of Russell, remembering his limp. She didn’t know if he could play or not.

Marian placed her hand on Lexie’s arm. “Dear, we were so sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Had she been ill long?”

How could Lexie answer that? She didn’t know exactly when Mother became ill, mentally ill, but it had been a long time. She nodded in lieu of words.

After a brief, but uncomfortable, silence, Peg spoke up.

“I’m pleased that you’ve continued to have the grounds taken care of at Destiny. I hate to see the cottages get overrun like some have.” The other ladies’ heads bobbed in agreement.

She couldn’t take the credit since Abner Jones was responsible for its upkeep. If it had been up to her family, there would be no gardener keeping the lawn. Before she had a chance to answer, however, Peg continued.

“Abner does a good job. He helps our gardener sometimes too. He’s a fixture around here, like Charlie Hill, our driver.”

“When I was a little girl, I was afraid of him,” Lexie said. To be honest, he still scared her.

“Abner’s a little odd. Some people think he’s rude. But he wasn’t always that way. The Great War changed him,” Marian said.

“Did you know him before?”

“Not well. But he seemed to be a typical teenage boy, happy-go-lucky like most his age.” Marian smiled as she shuffled the cards before handing them to her sister.

“Sister, remember how good-looking he was?” Peg’s eyes twinkled.

“Now, Peg. But I must admit he was a handsome young man.”

“I remember when he started working for your grandfather, Alexandra.” Peg nodded as she began dealing the cards out.

“Is it true that his family committed him to a mental hospital after the war?” Lexie found it hard to believe what Russell had told her.

The ladies exchanged glances as they peered over the tops of their cards. Finally, Marian sighed and nodded. “Yes, unfortunately, it is true.
I suppose they didn’t understand the change in his behavior after the war and didn’t know what else to do.”