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

on his hips.
    “Nope.”
    “Nope, what?”
    “I don’t mind.”
    Russell waited for Abner’s answer while Lexie chewed on her hangnail. Abner peered over at her, then back at Russell.
    “I went inside to get out of the rain.”
    “How’d you get in?”
    “Back door was unlocked, so I walked in.”
    “Did you know Miss Smithfield was there?”
    Abner nodded. “I saw her.”
    “Did you announce your presence to her?”
    “Nope. No need to.”
    Lexie squirmed in the car seat. Couldn’t they just leave?
    “So, how did you know the back door was open?”
    Lexie sat up a little, straining to hear the answer.
    “Saw somebody else go in before.”
    “Oh, I see. I sent the maids over there to clean this morning.”
    Abner shook his head. “Weren’t no maid. It was a man.”
    Lexie froze.
    “A man? Was he there when you arrived?”
    “Dunno. Maybe. I never seen him come back out.”
    “Did you recognize him?”
    Lexie peered at the man from her side of the car, eager to hear the answer.
    Abner shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. Had on an overcoat and hat, so couldn’t see much in the rain and all.”
    “Hmmm. Well, if you remember anything else about him, please let me know. Meanwhile, I need you to work over by the golf course tomorrow, okay?”
    Abner nodded and ambled on. Russell returned to the car and closed the door. He put his hands on the steering wheel and looked at Lexie.
    “You heard all that?”
    She moved her head up and down. “Do you think he’s telling the truth? Do you think he really saw another man?”
    “Abner doesn’t lie. In fact, sometimes he’s too honest, blunt actually. I have no idea who he saw or why anybody else would be there, but I believe him.”
    Lexie hugged herself against a sudden chill, remembering.
    “I think there
was
someone else there.” She stared out the windshield. “I had the feeling I was being watched when I was upstairs, then I heard a noise coming from the servants’ quarters. When I looked over there, I saw a shadow move, but I convinced myself it was caused by the tree limbs outside.” She turned to face Russell as a thought occurred to her. “He must’ve come up the back stairs! Russell, who would be following me?”
    Russell shook his head. “Maybe the same person who sent you the telegram.”

Chapter 13
    W hat in blazes was going on? Russell focused on the road ahead, but his mind stayed on the pretty young woman beside him.
    He was doing a lousy job of making her feel welcome. Well, he was doing all he could, but everything else was scaring her away. Seemed like somebody wanted to make her get rid of the cottage while he was trying to get her to keep it. But why lure her here with a telegram?
    Surely Abner wouldn’t harm her, but he was peculiar enough to scare some people. If he’d just quit turning up at the cottage when Lexie was there. He’d have to keep Abner assigned some place away from the cottage for a while.
    But who was this other man Abner saw? He’d sure like to get his hands on him and find out what he was up to. Russell gripped the steering wheel as anger boiled inside his gut.
    He pulled the car up to the clubhouse as a bellman opened the door for Lexie. Russell walked around and took her by the elbow. His foot ached as he led her up the stairs to the front door. It usually did in this kind of weather. As they reached the door, it opened and two well-dressed women engrossed in conversation walked out. When they saw Lexie, they stopped.
    “Are you Alexandra Smithfield?” One of the ladies addressed her.
    “Yes, I am.”
    Russell stepped forward. “Allow me to introduce Mrs. Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins is president of our ladies’ auxiliary. And this is Mrs. Lee.”
    “Very nice to meet you.” Lexie extended her hand.
    “Sweetheart, you met me many years ago, but I’m sure you don’t remember. May I extend my condolences on the recent loss of your mother and your brother?”
    Lexie nodded. “Thank you.” No doubt Mrs.