The Veiled Past

By Annie Daugherty and Annie Beach

Jonathan Sylvester…charming, intelligent, and heir to Sylvester Industries finds himself drawn into a mysterious web of deceit with the sudden death of his father.

 

Marian Grayson…A reporter or the Newtown Courier Times. An assignment to do a personal interview with Jonathan leads to a chain of events that changes her life forever.

 

A missing will, a tape-recorded message left by Jonathan's father before his death, and the mysterious, beautiful, and young Marian Grayson only adds to the events that will change both their lives.

 

Will the love that begins to develop between them be destroyed when the secret of her past is revealed? Will their love stand against the storm that threatens both their lives?

 

This story is about deception, murder, past secrets revealed, and a love that conquers all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: kim marcum
• Release date: Nov 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223307273

Book preview

DEDICATION

To my Momma...

who always gave unconditional love, whether she got it back or not,

and taught me to do the same.

We were each other’s biggest fan.

I miss her terribly.

Dear Readers,

Thank you for buying and reading this book. It would have meant the world to her.

Finding herself raising three children alone, my Momma used writing as her outlet. She wrote books starting in the 1980’s, writing off & on over a 30-year span. Whether she wrote one page a day or one page every two weeks, she didn’t let her many other duties to get in her way. Several of the books were written in longhand in notebooks. Seeing her handwriting, makes me feel close to her and I hope you will get to know my Momma through her books. I was her first reader and loved her stories. The Touch is the first book of her many manuscripts that I published. She always dreamed of having her books available to everyone and I’m proud to bring her dream to life.

Reading was another favorite pastime of hers. She always had a book in hand. My Momma got me started reading at a young age and encouraged my own children’s love of reading by doing a book-advent calendar for Christmas.

My Momma loved her family with all her heart, and we all loved her so very much. She was a kind soul who would do anything for anyone who needed it. She was called to her Heavenly home on New Year’s Day 2022 at a young 69 years of age. Forever in our hearts, until we meet again.

All my love, the firstborn.

CHAPTER 1

When Marian Grayson first heard of Jonathan McAllister Sylvester, immediately she was curious to learn more about him. There was an exciting, vibrant quality to the tone of Jessica Montini’s voice as she spoke of him. Jessica was Marian’s best friend, as well as her co-worker. Both were employed at the Newtown Courier Times, and now were lunching at one of Newtown, Pennsylvania’s best restaurants, the Colony Inn.

Jessica’s voice was rich, almost musical, Marian observed, as Jessica continued to speak excitedly. Her slender, tanned hands make swift gestures through the air reminding Marian of her friend’s Italian heritage. Marian grasped every word, every descriptive phrase concerning Mr. Sylvester.

Mac, explained Jessica, is what he prefers to be called, there’s no stuffy, pretentious airs about him.

Marian suppressed a desire to laugh at her friend’s choice of words. Jessica might be of Italian descent, but her experience as a news reporter had taken her out into the streets, into the lives of many types of people, and her colorful and descriptive words revealed her as a unique person.

William Ross, their editor, had been granted an interview with Mac Sylvester. Jessica had gone out to the estate earlier in the day to start the interview.

Marian listened even more intensely now grasping every detail about him. Go on, she coaxed her friend, pausing to sip at her drink. Her fascination for the subject must have stunned Jessica because she cast Marian a strange look.

Jessica continued, Jonathan McAllister Sylvester is a charming, delightful, and an extremely knowledgeable man. Yet, he didn’t give me the impression of someone who would purposely flaunt such brilliance and esteem. He answered my questions gracefully and with sincerity.

He sounds so interesting, Marian commented.

Sensational, answered Jessica, is a more appropriate word to describe him fully.

I’ve never seen you so impressed by anyone before. He must really be something, tell me more.

He’s very wealthy, but the extent of his finances are unknown because the affairs of his inheritance are still undergoing some changes.

Yes, I assume they are, since his father passed recently. Didn’t you cover that story, also?

Yes, a couple of months ago. In fact, when I mentioned this to Mac at the interview this morning, he stopped me, suddenly... yet calmly, and suggested a tour of the mansion itself. I accepted the invitation gracefully realizing he wished to discuss his personal affairs no further. I suppose the sudden death of his father has left him quite devastated.

Marian squirmed uneasily in her chair. She knew all too well about the sting of death, and its sometimes-sudden appearance. When someone close dies, yes, it can be extremely devastating, she thought.

What an adventure, continued Jessica, to tour the vast mansion. You wouldn’t believe the things I saw there, exquisite tapestries, foreign art objects, lovely paintings. It was all so breathtaking! Are you listening, Marian?

Yes, I’m listening, please continue.

There, for a moment, you looked as if you might be under some sort of spell. Jessica giggled, looking at Marian curiously.

Yes, I believe I was. It’s your fault for being such a fantastic storyteller, she answered, not sure herself what effect the story was having on her.

Jessica glanced at her wristwatch and gasped. My goodness, where has the time gone? Time we got back to the old grindstone.

Looking at her own watch, Marian realized she was right. She wanted desperately to hear more, so she asked if they could lunch together again and discuss her interview further.

Sure, agreed Jessica, I’d love to. Noon tomorrow, then? I’ve got to get back to the office and prepare for my final visit to the estate. Mac has given us permission to return and take some pictures of the estate later. I want to get the story together as soon as possible.

––––––––

They stepped out into the cobble stoned street. Marian’s long, blond hair, smokey blue eyes and her five feet ten-inch frame gave her the appearance of a model. Jessica supported a very contrasting appearance with her dark features and short stature.

Marian wished secretly that it was her who would be making the final trip to the estate. In the matter of an hour, she had inexplicably become fascinated by the mere mention of Mac Sylvester’s name. He could be a knight in shining armor from the raving description that Jessica had bestowed upon him.

As a young, naive dream filled girl, Marian had often fantasized about riding off on a glorious stallion with a knight, but there had been no such knights in her life. But what girl didn’t fantasize riding off on a glorious stallion with a knight, at least once in her lifetime? You’ve been reading too many Victorian novels, she told herself, smiling.

What’s so funny? asked Jessica, as they walked on towards the newspaper building.

Oh, I was just daydreaming about something.

From the smile on your face, I’d guess it to be pleasant. Jessica said as they entered the building. See you at lunch tomorrow. She waved as she went down the corridor to her office.

––––––––

Marian reached her office on the second floor by way of the elevator. Once there, she stood by the window, seeing only the red-bricked wall of another building. So much for the local scenery, she sighed.

She loved her job at the paper, but still caught herself, at times, cursing under her breath for not having held on to the position she once had occupied. It was a decision she had made from fear, and years of silent suffering, that had caused her to take a desk job instead of holding on to the position that Jessica now held. Perhaps in time she might regain enough courage to once again climb the ladder to a more fulfilling stature in life. For now...she was content with her work as it was. The evening was soon gone. Five o’clock came around, and it was time to call it a day. She was ready to go home.

Outside, the sky was darkening. In the distance she could hear the clap of thunder as she made her way to her car. It looked as though a heavy storm might be threatening. The air felt strangely cool and still. The semi-darkness cause by an overcast sky gave everything an eerie look. She became aware of a few drops of rain descending upon her and knew the impending storm would soon break.

Fumbling for the car keys in her purse, she ran for the safety of the car. Just in time too, as she seated herself beneath the steering wheel, the deluge began.

It was not uncommon in springtime for such sudden showers to develop, but this was turning in to a drencher. Lightning illuminated the sky for a few seconds.

Pushing the key into the ignition, she turned it, expecting the motor to respond. A short groan emerged from under the hood. She tried again without success.

Oh no, not here in the middle of this storm! She scolded her car as if it was a misbehaving child. Getting out into the storm wasn’t going to be in the least enjoyable, but she knew there wasn’t much of a choice. At least she had acquired some knowledge of the mechanics of a car in all the years she lived alone.

Outside, the storm grew even more fierce by the moment. As usual, her head was unprotected because of her neglect to have an umbrella available. Again. That was partially because she loved being in the rain at times, but this was not one of those times.

The rain was pouring down. Her feet felt its coldness as rainwater seeped into her shoes. A good-sized puddle had formed in front of her car.

She raised the hood and commenced to check the posts attached to the battery. Once before they had been loose, causing a similar situation with her car. She was right, they were loose again. She would tighten them, hoping to solve the problem. Now where was the wrench she used from time to time? She walked around to the passenger’s side of the car, reached inside the glove compartment, and retrieved the wrench.

As she was doing so, a stranger approached the car. The realization of his presence frightened her. So much so that she dropped the wrench.

What a storm, the man said. Don’t be afraid of me. I saw you were in distress, and I only want to help you. Here, hold this umbrella over your head, you’re getting drenched.

She accepted the umbrella gratefully and watched as he bent down to pick up the wrench.

What seems to be the problem? he asked.

She explained, her voice quivering because of the cold rain which had soaked her clothing.

He looked at her in such a pleasant way that it caused her to move closer, to shelter him with the umbrella. After all, she would still be getting rained on if not for his generosity.

She wondered who he might be as he proceeded to tighten the cables. He was wearing a very expensive looking trench coat and a very nice matching hat. A businessman, perhaps. Right now, to her he was a knight in shining armor, who had unexpectedly come to her rescue. Me and my fantasies, she mumbled under her breath.

He looked up at her and smiled, a pleasant smile, revealing a startling set of vivid, cornflower blue eyes. They were the most startling eyes she’d ever seen. It wasn’t the unusual shading that made her stare much too long, but a feeling now engulfing her as if his eyes were penetrating deep into her thoughts. She withdrew her stare, for something about his gaze disturbed her.

Would you try to start the engine now? He asked politely.

She handed him the umbrella. Dashing around to the door, she seated herself beneath the steering wheel once again. As she turned the key, a familiar humming of the engine starting filled her with relief.

As soon as he latched the hood back into its place, she proceeded to roll down the window so she could thank him for his help.

He didn’t approach the driver’s side of the car, but he entered, much to her surprise, on the passenger’s side. He seated himself beside her, which gave her a start. Now what was to happen, she thought to herself.

Here’s your wrench, Miss...? His words trailed off in mid-air. By that she concluded that he’d like an introduction. She was curious as to whom he might be also.

Marian Grayson, she told him, thanking him for his help.

I’m glad to have been of service to you, Miss ... Grayson, I presume. I trust you will be alright?

Yes, Miss Grayson is correct. She hoped he would introduce himself, but once again, he only stared at her with those eyes. At length.

Finally, he broke his gaze and spoke. I’m glad to have met you, even under such dire circumstances. Perhaps we will meet again. He exited too quickly for her to say anything more. How strange, she thought, locking the doors behind him.

She watched him walk hurriedly toward his waiting car. A tall man dressed in a black suit stepped to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for him. He folded his umbrella and got inside.

The other man, undoubtedly a chauffeur, returned to the driver’s side and entered the car. Why had he gotten out into the rain when he could have had his chauffeur do it for him, she wondered.

They waited until she began to drive away. As she drove past, she waved to him. To her surprise, a hand raised in response.

––––––––

All the way home, her thoughts were of their strange encounter. It had only been a gesture of helpfulness, but when he’d stared at her with his penetrating eyes, that overwhelming feeling which she could not explain, still filled her mind with wonder.