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

  The Gilded Curse

  by

  Marilyn Turk

  THE GILDED CURSE BY MARILYN TURK

  Published by Heritage Beacon Fiction

  an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

  2333 Barton Oaks Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27614

  ISBN: 978-1-938499-11-1

  Copyright © 2016 by Marilyn Turk

  Cover design by Elaina Lee

  Interior design by Karthick Srinivasan

  Available in print from your local bookstore, online, or from the publisher at:

  www.lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com

  For more information on this book and the author visit: http://pathwayheart.com.

  All rights reserved. Non-commercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, provided the text does not exceed 500 words. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: “The Gilded Curse by Marilyn Turk published by Heritage Beacon Fiction. Used by permission.”

  Commercial interests: No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by the United States of America copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination or are used for fictional purposes. Any mentioned brand names, places, and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners, bear no association with the author or the publisher, and are used for fictional purposes only.

  Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.

  Brought to you by the creative team at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: Eddie Jones, Ann Tatlock, Leslie L. McKee, Shonda Savage, Brian Cross, Paige Boggs

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Turk, Marilyn.

  The Gilded Curse/Marilyn Turk 1st ed.

  PRAISE FOR THE GILDED CURSE

  Author Marilyn Turk uses both romance and danger to quickly draw us into this page-turning novel. When Lexie Smithfield’s brother is killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, she returns to the family’s vacation home in Jekyll Island, Georgia, which she hasn’t seen since she was a child. The old home still stands, though it is uninhabited—at least, as far as Lexie can see. Her mother believed both the house and the island were cursed, but Lexie finds that difficult to believe. With the help of her childhood friend, Russell Thompson (now an extremely attractive man), she dares to challenge her mother’s belief—and quickly finds herself face-to-face with danger. This is a story I’d highly recommend, and one I hope has sequels coming along behind it.

  ~ Kathi Macias

  Multi-award-winning author of more than 50 books,

  including 2011 Golden Scrolls Novel of the Year, Red Ink

  Driven by a story of “have nots” who once “had everything,” The Gilded Curse magically takes us to an age of uncertainty by employing a cast of characters whose lives have been turned upside down by war and depression. With rich layers of description, this gripping suspense novel weaves romance, suspicion and intrigue into a dynamic wave of mystery.

  ~ Ace Collins

  Author of over sixty books and

  Christy Award-winning author of The Color of Justice

  Take a trip to WWII America with Marilyn Turk in The Gilded Curse, where Germans off the East Coast are only one of the worries for the heroine in this entertaining mystery/romance mix. You’ll get 1940s atmosphere, enough mystery to keep the pages turning, and a sweet little romance to boot!

  ~ Linore Rose Burkard

  Award-winning author of Regency breakout novels for the CBA

  The Gilded Curse is my kind of novel. I was totally drawn into the story from the very first page. I loved the setting and the entire cast of characters. It has everything you want in a novel: history, mystery, suspense, romance and intrigue. Highly recommended!

  ~ Dan Walsh

  Best-selling author of The Unfinished Gift,

  The Discovery and When Night Comes

  Set just after the onset of WWII, The Gilded Curse gives us a glimpse into a society turned upside down by the war. Marilyn Turk’s story is one of romance and intrigue surrounding a once grand old home where God’s love breaks the curse and unites two hearts destined to be together.

  ~ Martha Rogers

  Author of The Homeward Journey

  and Winds Across the Prairie Series

  Dedication

  To Chuck, my husband and research partner.

  Thank you for your patience, support, and effort to understand this

  writer’s complicated mind.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Acknowledgements

  Discussion Questions for The Gilded Curse

  A Gift for You

  Thank you for investing in this book. As a thank you, LPC Books would love to offer you advance review Kindle copies of our forthcoming books. These Kindle ebooks will be delivered to your Kindle reader. We release around 40 books a year. You pick which ones you wish to receive. Visit the link below to sign up for our FREE Kindle ebook subscriber list:

  http://lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com/free-ebook/

  Prologue

  December 1941

  “Mother, how do you like the tree?”

  Lexie lifted part of the popcorn garland to make it drape on the tiny fir tree which perched on the small table. She glanced over her shoulder to see Mother’s response.

  Standing before the window of her room, Mother stared out. Nothing. No reply.

  Lexie sighed. At least she was trying to bring Christmas into Mother’s room at the sanatorium. Whether her mother actually understood or appreciated the gesture was doubtful. Lexie resumed her efforts to decorate the tree, humming along with Benny Goodman’s Band playing “Jingle Bells” on the radio. Maybe the music would help Mother make the connection between the tree and the coming holiday. But so far, no recognition had registered.

  She left the tree and joined her frail mother, once so lively and beautiful, at the window.

  “Would you like to go outside, Mother?” Lexie noticed other residents and their Sunday a
fternoon visitors enjoying the bright winter day as they strolled the manicured grounds.

  Was that a nod?

  “Good, we could use some fresh air. I’ll get our coats. It’s chilly out. I see a light snow falling.”

  Lexie retrieved the garments and began putting Mother’s hat, scarf, coat, and gloves on her while the woman stood like a mannequin being dressed. Next, Lexie donned her own wool coat and hat and gently grabbed her mother’s elbow, leading her to the door. As Lexie opened the door, her mother’s eyes widened and she stepped backward.

  “Mother, what is it?” Oh no. Not this again. “Don’t you want to go outside?”

  Mother glanced at her, eyes filled with fear, her voice timorous. “I don’t know you. Where are you taking me?”

  “It’s me, Mother. Alexandra. We’re going for a little walk.”

  Mother withdrew back into the room, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  “Okay, Mother. We’ll stay inside.”

  Lexie closed the door and began taking their coats off. Why did she keep trying? Mother’s fears consumed her so much that she didn’t trust anyone anymore. But was it real fear or dementia, or had one caused the other? No one knew for certain. Yet the illness had taken its toll on her mother as well as on Lexie and her brother Robert. But now with Robert in the navy, an officer on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, Lexie had the sole responsibility of dealing with their mother.

  As she returned the coats to the closet, the music on the radio abruptly stopped. A somber male voice spoke.

  “We interrupt this program to bring you some important news. The Japanese have attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.”

  Before Lexie could comprehend the message, Mother started screaming. “They did it! They did it! I knew they’d get my family. They won’t stop until we’re all dead!”

  Lexie’s mouth gaped as nurses ran into the room and tried to calm down her terrified mother.

  No. This couldn’t happen. Not Robert too. Mother couldn’t be right about the curse.

  Chapter 1

  The coast of Georgia, January 1942

  “Name, please.” The burly boat captain checked his passenger list. Behind him, the shore of Brunswick, Georgia, receded in the distance.

  Chilly gray moisture hung in the winter air. Lexie tugged the broad fur lapels of her coat together at her neck. “Alexandra Smithfield.”

  The captain’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “Got someone meetin’ you?”

  Cold blew through Lexie’s coat. “I booked a room at the clubhouse but didn’t request assistance.”

  He eyed the single suitcase at her feet. “That all you got?”

  “I don’t expect to be staying long.”

  The captain shrugged. He picked up the suitcase. “You related to the Smithfields that own Destiny Cottage?”

  “Yes. Robert Smithfield Sr. was my grandfather.”

  “Hmmph!” His brow furrowed, and he turned away to busy himself by placing her luggage atop the pile of bags.

  Lexie frowned as he walked away. Did he not like her family? Maybe he was just surprised to find a club member traveling alone on the launch.

  Lexie moved to the railing and gazed at the distant shore of St. Simons Island, squinting to make out the lighthouse, barely visible in the fog. She shivered. Her wool beret did little to keep her head warm, much less her ears. She’d forgotten how penetrating the damp cold of the South could be, unlike the dry, crisp winters of the North. She’d forgotten a lot in the ten years since she’d been to Jekyll Island.

  The island held memories of her past. Most of them were pleasant—of Grandfather and Grandmother, Father and Mother, at Destiny, the splendid family cottage where she and Robert and their friends had played games. And pulled pranks. Once they’d given their cook Nadine a terrible fright when she opened the dumbwaiter and found them inside.

  Robert. Could he really be dead? Her big brother, the one who’d protected her, the one she’d looked up to. So full of fun. And life. Why did his ship have to be at Pearl Harbor? And then Mother …

  She shook her head as if she could shake the thoughts out of her mind. Tears pooled in her eyes threatening to freeze in the cold. She dabbed her lashes with her gloved hand, looking away from the water to scan the faces of the others onboard, searching for a familiar one.

  She studied the six other adults and one child, observing their plain clothes. All staff members—probably housemaids and livery staff—they huddled together on the opposite side of the boat, keeping a respectful distance from her because she was a club member. A couple of them met her gaze and gave a sullen nod. Did they remember her? Perhaps they remembered the twelve-year-old child she’d been when she left, but who would recognize her as a grown woman?

  It struck Lexie as odd that there were so few people on the boat. Of course. The rest of the staff must already be on the island. Had the other club members already arrived too? She’d never gone to the island alone before. Could she do this? Could she face the place her mother said had cursed her family? She steeled herself and took a deep breath. She could. She must settle matters once and for all, before her life, too, was destroyed.

  The boat captain had taken over the wheel and stared straight ahead, a deep crease between his dark eyebrows. Didn’t seem to be a happy fellow. In fact, no one seemed very happy today, or perhaps the weather just overshadowed their mood. The man gripped the steering wheel as if it would run away should he loosen his hold. Although he appeared to be her brother’s age, his demeanor was that of a much older, craggy person. Surely, he hadn’t been the ferry captain when she was a child. No, of course not. He wasn’t old enough. Yet, he seemed familiar.

  Someone touched her coat. Lexie glanced down to see a flaxen-haired little girl stroking the mink trim on her pockets.

  “Evelyn! Stop that!” A woman in a loose-fitting, shabby brown coat grabbed the child and pulled her away.

  “But Mommy, it’s so soft,” the girl whined.

  Lexie guessed the petite child must be about eight or nine years old.

  “I’m sorry, miss.” The woman wore a floral scarf tied around her head turban-style, revealing a few tight brown curls around the face. She held the child close to her side.

  “Oh, it’s not a bother. Really.” Lexie smiled at the child. “It is soft, isn’t it? See, I have some around my cuffs and my collar too. It feels really nice next to my neck.” Lexie pointed to her mink collar.

  The wide-eyed child stared at Lexie’s collar while her mother’s expression changed from sad to sullen.

  “Don’t expect none of that on your collar, Evie.” A man standing nearby snickered. “That’s for rich folks.”

  “Maybe you’ll get a coon tail on your’n.” Another fellow guffawed, then the others onboard laughed as they joined in his joke.

  Lexie felt her face warm despite the cold air. She turned away from the other passengers, chafing from the remark, and tried to focus on the approaching shore. She couldn’t help the fact that she came from a wealthy family. Or rather, formerly wealthy family. Little did these people know she’d worn the same coat for three years. No doubt the other club members would notice the outdated style that showed its age. She’d be the topic of conversation among the gossips. They were the wealthy ones, the ones unscathed by the depression. Unlike her family, whose fortune had dwindled over the years.

  Lexie’s shoulders sagged. The Rockefellers, the Goodyears, the Goulds, the Morgans, the Vanderbilts—their children and grandchildren had been her playmates. At least they’d been while at Jekyll. But after Father’s accident, all that changed. Back home in New York, none of them associated with her family anymore.

  “Don’t let it bother you,” Robert had said. “It’s not you. Or me. It’s Mother and her strange behavior that makes them uncomfortable.”

  The cottage had stayed closed up the last ten years. She hadn’t told the clubhouse staff to get it ready like they used to when the whole family arrived
together. After all, she wasn’t planning to stay there. She couldn’t stay there alone—not with all the memories of relatives no longer alive, but she wanted to see it one more time. Her insides quivered with excitement like they used to when she was a child.

  But apprehension quieted the child, warning her to be cautious and stay calm. This visit was not a social one. It was business—and a farewell. The cottage needed to be sold. Mr. Fitzhugh, the family accountant, could have handled the business from New York. He had informed her about the unpaid taxes on the property. However, Russell’s telegram had asked her to come. It said, “Destiny needs you.” She had no idea what that meant, but she had to find out. After all these years, a force tugged her heart and pulled her back to the island, and it was more than curiosity. Maybe she just needed to say good-bye in person.

  As the island drew closer, Lexie observed the high turret of the clubhouse peering over the tops of massive moss-laden oaks. In the gray mist, the tower might be mistaken for a castle. No doubt the builders had this image in mind. A nouveau castle for American royalty—fitting for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. Visions of ladies in long white dresses holding lacy parasols aloft strolled through Lexie’s mind. Yet, those were pictures she’d only seen on the walls of the Queen Anne-style clubhouse. Fashion had changed since the late 1800s when the first members arrived at the island. A weight pressed against Lexie’s heart. So much had changed in her life too.

  They’re watching us, you know.

  Her heart jerked. But the voice she heard wasn’t audible. It was her grandfather’s voice from many years ago as they rode the club launch to the island.

  Who’s watching, Grandfather?

  Up there. In the tower. He’d pointed to the clubhouse turret. They’re looking to see who’s arriving, so they’ll be ready to meet us at the dock.

  Was anyone watching from the tower now? She squinted through the mist and tried to catch sight of someone up there, but the tower faded in and out of the fog like an apparition.

  She let her gaze drop to the shoreline, hoping to glimpse Destiny where it sat near the water’s edge. But ghostly forms became massive oak trees that blended together, blocking her view from any familiar landmarks on shore.