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

clubhouse, and he helped her down while onlookers watched, apparently amused at the sight of them.
    “Feel like a movie tonight?” He offered her his most charming smile.
    “A movie? There’s a theater here?”
    “Down at the tea house. We get the latest movie reels, you know, so maybe you haven’t seen it already. I’ll have to check and see what’s playing.”
    “I doubt I’ve seen it, since I haven’t seen any movies for a while. But I don’t think so tonight, Russell. I’m pretty tired.”
    “From all this exercise?” He teased her, loving the reaction she gave him. Some things didn’t change.
    She frowned and pouted her lips. “No, maybe it’s just the company.”
    “Ouch! Okay, okay. We can catch it tomorrow maybe.”
    “I’m going back to the cottage tomorrow, remember?” Her hands perched on her hips.
    “I remember. I’m sending some people over to clean it before you go, so wait until after lunch, please.”
    “All right. I’ll catch up on my reading in the morning.”
    She turned and walked up the stairs, favoring her right leg. She must’ve whacked it good when she fell.
    “Sure you don’t want to go to the infirmary and have that leg checked?”
    “I’m sure. After a hot bath, it’ll be better.”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Russell straddled the bike, ready to ride it back to the bike shop. “I’ll look for you in the dining room at lunch.”

    Lexie relaxed in the tub, letting the warm water massage her soreness, thankful one of the rooms with a private bath had been available. She studied the lump on her leg. That would be purple tomorrow, for sure. She reached out and touched it, wincing when her fingers felt the tender skin. Her side was sore too. How could she have been so careless? She replayed the accident in her mind. If Russell hadn’t called to her, she wouldn’t have turned her head and she would have seen the tree in time to stop. If Russell hadn’t distracted her … he couldn’t possibly haveknown about the tree, could he? She shook her head. What a ludicrous thought. Why would Russell want her to have an accident? She must put those suspicious ideas out of her mind and quit suspecting everyone she met.
    A noise came from the adjoining room. She sat upright, her heart thumping. Did she hear the door open? She held her breath and hoped the pounding of her heart wouldn’t be heard as she listened for another sound. A floorboard creaked, and she grabbed the towel lying on the edge of the tub. Was someone in her room again?
    Her eyes wide, she glanced to the vanity where the delicate gold necklace lay. There weren’t many things she owned that were valuable, but the gift from her father was special. It was a daily reminder of the affection they had for each other, and all she really had left of his love. But it was private, so she wore it tucked inside her clothes against her heart.
    “Hello?” Lexie called out. “Anyone there?” Perhaps a maid would answer. On the other hand, a burglar may not.
    She waited a few, painfully slow seconds, then called out again. “Hello?”
    No answer. The water had chilled in the tub, and she shivered. Time to get out and face whoever it was. She stood and wrapped the towel around her. A knock sounded on the door from the hallway and she jumped. Her heart thumping in her ears, she stepped out of the tub. She tiptoed to the edge of the bathroom, snatching her bathrobe off the hook. She peeked outside the doorway, half-expecting to see another face looking back.
    Another knock sounded at the door. After surveying the room and seeing no one else there, she exhaled. Throwing on her bathrobe, she shouted at the door.
    “Who is it?”
    “Room Service, ma’am.”
    Of course. She’d forgotten she ordered it. That must have been the noise she heard—someone at the door, not in her room. Goodness, she was jumpy.
    “Please leave it outside the door.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Lexie noticed a hint of sadness in the waiter’s tone