The Visit

By Nora Crown

London 1923: Shortly after her return from Hamburg, Nelly Reid once again faces the peculiar behavior of her fiancé, John Kingsley. His relentless quest to uncover her family secrets and his protection and pursuit of a mysterious woman named Evelyn (who has her own agenda) leave Nelly with haunting feelings that will unearth questions about motherhood and heritage. These questions will culminate in a suspenseful yet fateful weekend that will forever change the lives of everyone involved. Will love prevail?
This book can be read independently or as a sequel to Nelly, a romantic suspense novella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nora Crown
• Release date: May 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370682591

Nora Crown

Nora Crown has loved books and movies ever since she can remember. Following this passion she decided to write stories encompassing the high speed dialogues of plays and the scene directives of screenplays combined within the easy to follow format of a novel!The readers have the chance to imagine every setting as a scene in a movie . They get to choose their preferred actors and surroundings. The imaginative powers make the readers become part of the story rather than remain on the side lines as mere spectators.Nora lives with her artist husband and their son in California. When not writing she is busy homeschooling their son, doing yoga, watching movies, reading, visiting museums and art galleries and going for long walks.

Book preview

The Visit

A Novella

By

Nora A.M. Crown

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This book can be read independently or as a sequel to Nelly, a romantic suspense novella.

This is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and have no relation to anyone bearing the same name or names. Any resemblance to actual events, localities or individuals, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Author’s note about the style of this story:

I’ve always been fascinated by plays, screenplays and novels, of course. When the author leaves the description of characters or surroundings vague, it allows you, the reader, to be a part of the story, rather than a mere spectator, by employing your own imagination. I hope this book inspires you to do just that.

Copyright © 2016 Nora A.M. Crown

2021 updated edition

All rights reserved.

Cover Art by Vila Design

Copyediting by S.L. Banks

www.noracrown.com

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For SK, TC, AK

With Love

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Table of 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

Epilogue

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Prologue

Dear Nelly,

When you read this I will be on a ship to New York on official business. John would be able to inform you about the details. I still have unfinished business regarding William’s death.

...

And one final thought: The usual assumption by anyone, even passersby, is that an unmarried young expecting woman must be in need of a husband. Promptly.

I don’t believe motherhood is a crime committed by unmarried women and celebrated event for married women.

Motherhood is a privilege and a blessing…

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Chapter 1

December 1923

Friday Late Morning

Good morning, darling. You won’t believe what happened to me on the way here. I saved a woman’s life, Nelly. John said, entering my office.

Ever since our return from Hamburg, John came and visited me at the news agency around eleven o’clock. We had replaced our daily afternoon walks with daily luncheon.

I looked up from the pile of papers on my desk Then I’d say you’ve already had a productive morning. I responded with a smile and eyes bright with happiness. I didn’t like being too familiar at the office.

Good morning, Mr Kingsley, Martha said, looking up from her own desk. Few weeks after nursing Milton back to health and his old self, one morning Martha abruptly entered my office. While taking off her coat and hat, she announced I cannot be sitting around the house, Nelly. I need to work, and marched off to her desk without waiting for my answer.

Good morning, Martha. What a lovely day. When are you going to call me John?

Martha ignored John’s teasing and said with a smile I’ll bring us some tea, and left.

She is peculiar, John said, while making himself comfortable in the leather armchair, his usual spot in the corner. But not as peculiar as the encounter I had on my way to your office, he said opening his newspaper.

What do you mean? You know Martha has her own notions about propriety. She’ll call you John whenever she is ready.

No, darling. That’s not what I meant. I met a woman on my way.

The one you saved? I asked.

Yes. She almost stepped in front of a bus two blocks from your building. I caught her by the elbow just in time. She didn’t notice the traffic and almost yelled at me for grabbing her arm. She looked as if she were under a spell... John’s voice trailed off and he turned his attention to his newspaper.

John? What happened next?

Oh, not much. She was on her way here. So I walked with her. She is with the receptionist as we speak.

At that moment Ms Montgomery knocked and without ever waiting for an answer, stuck her head through my door Ms Reid?

Yes? I said curtly. Despite my many efforts she was incapable of understanding the term ‘wait for an answer’.

Ms Montgomery attempted to correct her mistake by saying Sorry to interrupt...

I let out a deep sigh and said Come in. It’s all right. What is it?

There’s a woman or... lady outside. She came in with Mr Kingsley, Ms Montgomery said and turned her head invitingly to John to explain further.

What about her Ms Montgomery? Did you ask her what she wants? I said and took a deep breath hoping to defer my uprising anger at her dilatory manner.

She asked to speak to James Ivory. I told her he was out of the office on assignment. She insists on having a story the newspaper might be interested in, Ms Montgomery paused here briefly for effect. And it would be a shame to lose the opportunity. Wouldn’t it?

Okay. You may show her in. What is her name?

Evelyn Hartford. Ms Montgomery answered and upon leaving held the door open for Martha who was carrying the tea tray inside.

Before she closed the door I called out to her Ms Montgomery?

She peeked back inside Yes?

What did you mean by woman or lady?

Ms Montgomery came back inside and still holding the doorknob said She is not dressed exactly... shabbily, but her manners are definitely that of a lady. If you know what I mean.

Very well. Show her in, I said.

Martha gasped as Evelyn Hartford entered.

Mrs Hartford walked in with an air of consequence and confidence without seeming arrogant. She was tall, gorgeous, dark blond with dark large eyes. Now I understood Ms Montgomery. Mrs Hartford had enough ladylike air about her to be at ease at any aristocratic event and seemed at the same time woman enough to stand side by side with a man and being capable of putting him in his place if necessary. She was remarkable, I thought. And familiar.

I welcomed her from behind my desk and she walked toward me in a manner that I could only describe as graceful. Her handshake was firm which was out of place since she was definitely a lady, despite her clothes.

Please have a seat. Mrs Hartford, don’t think me forward... I believe we have met before. Don’t you agree?

Mrs Hartford gazed at me before she smiled and said I don’t recall…

How strange, I thought. Would you like some tea? I offered her after giving John a look across the room.

Too kind. I won’t want to impose on your kindness anymore than absolutely necessary...

I saw her hesitance and asked Martha to bring her a cup of tea anyway and said What can I do for you, Mrs Hartford?

After some hesitation she asked Would you allow me to speak with one of your reporters? A Mr James Ivory? Mrs Hartford asked.

Certainly. I don’t see why not, I sensed that I had to make her feel comfortable in order for her to open up. May I ask what your inquiry is about?

It’s in regard to the article he wrote. Mrs Hartford said and nodded Thank you to Martha for placing a cup of tea before her.

I beg your pardon? I don’t understand. I said.

You see. It’s rather a complicated story. I don’t know if there is even anything to it. Searching for this James Ivory. It’s… It’s the first spark of memory I had in many years… Mrs Hartford said and her voice broke off. She reached out for the teacup.

We watched her with the sense that she needed to tell the story on her own terms if we ever wanted our curiosity to be satisfied.

After some tea and a few deep breaths she was calm enough to continue. My apologies. It hasn’t been exactly easy for me these past few years… You see, during the war I survived an almost fatal injury. As a consequence I lost my memory. Few weeks ago someone suggested I should read every newspaper in London to help me with an... inspiration. Due to my workload I cannot keep up with the reading and so it happened that I came across the article in your newspaper only two days ago. One of the names in the article struck me. I thought if I met the reporter I might remember... something...

What article?

The one about the capture of Henry and Bruce Mortimer.

I was certainly taken by surprise. So