The Gilded Curse: Will the young heiress be the next victim of her family's curse? (30 page)

Yet the opportunity to share those moments with Lexie made the effort worthwhile for him. Did it mean anything to her as well? He cast an anxious glance out the window. Where was she?

Chapter 33

L
exie shivered and moved back against the building, trying to stay out of the wind.

She should have grabbed her coat. Maybe she could go back in to get it, but Spencer might follow. No, if she could hold out a while, the cold air might help clear his head. He walked to the edge of the porch, guzzled the contents of his glass, and plunked it down on the railing. Turning his back to her, he leaned on the porch rail facing the dark ocean. She shuddered as waves splashed onto the shore amid the roar of wind gusts. How long could she stand it out here?

Spencer spun around and looked at her. “Hey, Lex. How about a walk on the beach?” He waved his arms toward the shore.

Her teeth rattled when she answered. “No, it’s too dark. And cold.”

She wished she hadn’t mentioned being cold since he hadn’t noticed before, oblivious to the chill himself. Now, he strode toward her with his arms outstretched.

“You’re cold? Why didn’t you say so? I can warm you up.”

She pressed her back against the wall to avoid his embrace. He stood before her, waiting, she assumed, for her to accept his offer. When she didn’t respond, he leaned forward, placing a hand on either side of her and trapping her where she stood. His breath reeked of alcohol as he drew close, causing her stomach to roil, and she turned her face away.

“Come on, Lexie. What’s the matter? It’s Valentine’s Day, for crying out loud.”

He sounded like a whimpering puppy, but she had no sympathy for him.

“Spencer, I don’t know what you think, but I’m not interested.”

“You’re not interested?” Anger replaced the whimper. “Not interested in what, Lexie? Me? So why have we been spending so much time together?”

She questioned that herself, especially now. But a rational conversation with him in his current condition was impossible. She
should have gone back in. How was she going to get away from him now?

“We’ve had a swell time together, Spencer. I’ve really enjoyed playing tennis with you.” Perhaps she could sweet talk him back inside.

“Well, we can’t play tennis all the time you know. There are other ways to spend our time together. Even more enjoyable ways. Don’t you feel romantic?” He pressed in closer.

“Spencer, please don’t. I want to go back in now.” Like an animal caught in a snare, her heart raced with the urge to get free.

“Well, I don’t. You at least owe me a kiss.”

Her body tensed as her temper flared and she lashed out. “I don’t owe you anything, Spencer! How dare you?”

“How dare I? Like this.” He mashed his lips against hers, suffocating her breath and pinning her against the wall.

She put her hands on his chest and tried to push him away, but he grabbed them, holding them down as he pressed his chest against her. She jerked her head to the side to avoid another painful kiss.

“Stop, Spencer! You’re hurting me!”

He tried to kiss her again as she struggled against him.
Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Please help me
.

Unexpected relief rushed through her as his weight lifted from her. She sucked in a breath of air. In the darkness, she watched two people struggle. Spencer flailed his arms, trying to wrest himself from another man. Gradually, she recognized the man who held Spencer’s arms, pinning them behind him. Russell.

“Hey, what are you doing? Can’t a guy kiss a girl without being interrupted?” Spencer thrashed around, trying to free himself from Russell’s grip.

“Sure, Spencer. But not this time.” He looked at Lexie. “Are you all right?”

When she nodded, he said, “Go on inside and get warm.”

She moved to the door but couldn’t take her eyes off the two men. When Russell released Spencer’s arms, he raised a fist, but Russell caught it.

“You don’t want to do that, Spencer. You wouldn’t want to have a black eye at the tennis tournament.”

Spencer relaxed and shrugged. “Hey, she’s not worth the trouble.” He jerked away from Russell, hopped down from the porch, and stalked off.

Lexie’s whole body trembled, partly from the cold, but mostly from Spencer’s assault.

Russell closed the space between them and put his arms around her, warming her inside and out. “Let’s go in.”

Lexie wanted to stay inside the snug refuge of his arms and was thankful he kept an arm around her as he opened the door. Then he guided her inside with his hand pressed on the small of her back.

The crowd had thinned out in the room. Slow music played on the record player and only a few couples remained on the dance floor. Russell strode to the punch table and told the waiter to pour the rest out.

“If anyone complains, send them to me. Or offer a non-alcoholic beverage.”

Lexie wanted to applaud but wished he’d done that sooner—before Spencer got so disgustingly drunk.

From the front of the room came the announcement of the final dance.

Russell turned to Lexie and with a gentle smile that melted her insides, gestured to the dance floor. “Would you do me the honor?”

Lexie nodded and returned to the haven of his arms. Guilt washed over her with the realization that Russell had tried to protect her from Spencer. She should have known he wasn’t trying to interfere. How could she ever doubt him? He was the most honest, responsible, stable person she knew. Not to mention a smooth dancer with not even a hint of his limp. They swayed with such synchronization, as if they’d danced together for years, moving in silence before she relaxed enough to talk.

“I hope he doesn’t try to drive. Somebody could get hurt,” Lexie said, remembering the story the Maurice sisters had told her.

Russell grinned as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “That won’t be a problem, since he’s lost his keys.”

Lexie allowed a smile to cross her face as she gazed into his eyes. Russell never ceased to amaze her.

“Have you seen Destiny lately?” he asked.

“No, I’m afraid I haven’t, but I thought about going over there today. How’s the progress coming?”

“Slowly, I’m afraid. A leak in the roof caused the leak upstairs, so we had to order some custom shingles to match the rest of the roof. With the war diverting supplies and manpower, it will take longer to get them.”

The war. For the past few hours, she had forgotten about the war. No doubt the rest of the partiers had too.

“I feel guilty for enjoying myself while our soldiers are fighting.”

He pulled her close and rested his head against the top of her hair. “I know. I’ve had those feelings too. But they’re fighting so we can keep these freedoms. What else can we do? We can’t bring the party to them.”

“Good thing there’s the USO to entertain the soldiers. And celebrities like Bob Hope who take the shows to them overseas.”

“That’s true. I’m sure the soldiers who have the opportunity are very appreciative.”

The song ended, and when Lexie looked around, she and Russell were the only couple left.

“May I offer you a ride back?”

The girls she had come with were nowhere in sight. They probably assumed she had left with Spencer.

“Please. It appears my ride has left without me.”

“How fortunate for me.” Russell winked at her, his dimple teasing.

“Excuse me a moment, please.” He strode over to each member of the staff who worked the party, thanking them for their service, before returning to her. No wonder they respected him.

He and Lexie gathered their things, and he helped her with her coat. They donned their hats and gloves before heading outside to the car. Lexie glanced at the roadster Spencer had driven, sitting in the same spot with no Spencer in sight.

“I suppose one of his buddies gave him a ride back,” Russell said as he opened his car door for her.

“Or maybe he walked. A long walk in this cold might do him good.”

Russell chuckled as he got in the driver’s seat. “So if we see him walking down the road, do you want to give him a lift?”

Lexie jerked her head. “Would you really offer him a ride?”

He laughed out loud. “That would be the Christian thing to do, wouldn’t it? Treat others the way you’d like to be treated?”

“You must be a very good Christian, then.” She knew she wouldn’t extend the offer.

“No, Lexie. I’m not good, just forgiven.” He reached over and patted her hand. She cocked her head and studied him. How could he do Spencer a favor after the way he’d acted? Personally, she never wanted to see Spencer Bardwell again, and quite honestly, didn’t care if he
did
have to walk home.

Russell pulled up in front of the clubhouse, got out, and came around to get her. They hurried up the steps and into the warm building.

“So would you like to go see Destiny in the morning? I can meet you at breakfast. Are you planning to be there early as usual?”

Lexie glanced at the clock showing midnight and stifled a yawn. “I don’t think I’ll get up as early tomorrow.”

“Me, either. Why don’t you come up to my office when you’re ready, and we’ll have breakfast there?”

“Sounds swell.”

He leaned over and Lexie closed her eyes, ready for the kiss she expected. But he brushed her on the cheek with his lips instead.

“Good night, Lexie.”

“Good night, Russell.”

She plodded up the stairs in a daze as the evening’s events swirled through her head. The irony that she had to fight off Spencer’s kiss but couldn’t get one from Russell was difficult to grasp. Russell had referred to their ‘friendship’. Why did she want to believe their relationship was more than friendship?

Lexie dressed quickly in the morning, anxious to be with Russell again. Seemed like it’d been ages since they’d spent any time together. She studied herself in the mirror, twisting her mouth at the reflection. She wore the same pants and one of the three blouses she’d brought with a cardigan buttoned over it. Russell must be tired of seeing her in the same things. Good thing for the laundry at the club. Besides, Destiny didn’t care what she wore.

Years ago, she would have been able to call home and have one of the maids pack up some clothes for her and ship them down. Not anymore, though. All the former servants had either retired or died, and no one had been hired to replace them. The housekeeper only came once a week, since the house didn’t need much cleaning—not with just Lexie there. And Lexie questioned if she needed to come that often.

Lexie grabbed her hat, coat, and gloves then hurried out the door and down the hall to the stairs. When she reached Russell’s fourth-floor office, the door was open. She peeked in the door and saw him at his desk on the telephone. He motioned to her to come in. Lexie entered and put her things down on the chair across from him. A fire glowed in
the fireplace, spreading its warmth through the room. As she strolled over to the windows to look out, shafts of golden sunshine pierced the glass and played with the colors of the Persian rug on the floor.

Outside, the branches of the surrounding trees whipped back and forth in the gusty wind. She peered down on the Grand Lawn, empty of people, possibly due to the early hour or the brisk weather. It would be a cold walk to the cottage. Behind her, Russell hung up the phone.

She turned to see him approaching.

“Good morning, Sunshine,” He lifted her hands and clasped them together in his as he gave her a cheerful grin. “You look lovely today, Lexie.”

She crinkled her brow. She didn’t look any different today than any other day, as far as she knew. “Thank you, Russell. Good morning to you too. You seem to be in a happy mood.”

“I am. Happy to see you!”

A surge of hope bubbled through her as she realized the feeling was mutual. She couldn’t help but smile back. How could anyone resist his enthusiastic good nature?

“Come have a seat. They’ve already brought breakfast.” He motioned to the silver tray on the coffee table. She walked over, picked up the coffee pot, and glanced at him.

“May I pour your coffee?”