‘That’s very thoughtful of you, but despite your concern I’m quite sure I’ll be in safe hands with this Jerry person. You’re always telling me that we have the most skilled stable staff in the country.’ At this her husband’s face went an even darker shade of red and he mumbled a token agreement before taking a large bite out of a rather small sandwich.
Marina turned her attention to Annabel. ‘I’m so sorry I’ve been busy this afternoon, my dear. Tell me, have you come to any conclusion about this room yet?’
Annabel nodded, trying to swallow the remains of her sandwich in a hurry and ending up coughing as a result. Lord Corbett-Wynne was quickly at her side, patting her enthusiastically on the back, his fingers lingering there a little longer than was necessary after she’d recovered.
‘I tried to visualise the room as you suggested, Lady Corbett-Wynne,’ she said at last, ‘but to be perfectly honest I don’t think it would look right. Everything needs to be lightened, and Regency-stripe wallpaper gives an extremely heavy look to a room. I thought that if the walls were painted a very soft blue-grey colour it would be possible to incorporate your brocade curtains, but only if they were looped right back off the windows. A carpet of naturally faded blues and pinks would look wonderful. You’d then have considerable choice for your furnishings because there’d be so many colours in the walls and carpet. Also, I don’t think it’s a good idea to have everything matching. In a house like this it just doesn’t look right. Part of the charm of the Hall is –’
‘It’s no good talking to my wife about the charm of this house,’ exploded Lord Corbett-Wynne. ‘She hates the place. If she had her way she’d tear it apart and fill every room with spindly bits of French furniture and lace curtains. She should live in a harem, except she wouldn’t like the life!’ Laughing heartily at his own joke, he subsided into silence again.
His wife raised her eyebrows. ‘Have you quite finished, James?’
He wiped his eyes on his handkerchief, remembered wiping his hands on it earlier in the day before Sandra punished him and to his astonishment felt his penis stir. ‘Quite finished,’ he said hastily.
‘Good. Well, Annabel, it isn’t really how I’d imagined it, but I can see what you mean and it is difficult to imagine my husband looking at home in a tidy room. So your suggestion about odds and ends of furniture is probably a sensible one.’
Annabel leant forward in her chair. ‘I didn’t mean odds and ends, Lady Corbett-Wynne, I simply meant that …’
To her amazement her employer waved a hand in the air dismissively. ‘As you like, Annabel. I’ve been assured that you’re very talented and, considering the amount I’m paying you, I hope that’s true. Tomorrow afternoon we can discuss the dining room. I trust you’re in favour of modernising that?’
‘I think that different lighting and …’
‘I want the entire room changed,’ Lady Corbett-Wynne said firmly. ‘I hate eating there at the moment, such a dark depressing place. Perhaps a little Italian influence wouldn’t come amiss.’
Annabel was so shocked she couldn’t think of a reply. She knew it would be sacrilege to attempt any major changes to such a beautiful room, but now was clearly not the moment to say as much so she nodded, hoping that by the next day she could think of some kind of compromise, although she had no idea what it would be.
‘Talking of the dining room,’ continued Marina, ‘I thought we might have a dinner party on Saturday week.’
‘A dinner party? How big?’ demanded her husband.
Marina shrugged elegantly. ‘I thought twenty to twenty-four. It’s been such a long time since we entertained properly.’
‘That’s because you said you hated all my friends!’ James pointed out.
Marina smiled absent-mindedly at him. ‘Nonsense, I’m sure I never said that. Anyway, they won’t all be your friends this time. Annabel will be here, and we can invite Matthew again; he was an excellent guest, very entertaining.’
‘I noticed you liked him,’ Tania said casually.
Marina turned her head sharply towards her daughter. ‘Is there anything wrong in that?’
‘No, it’s unusual, that’s all.’
‘Saw him when I was out riding,’ announced James. ‘He said you’d been down to look at those puppies of his. Find one you wanted?’
‘Well, no,’ admitted Marina, ‘but I’m going to have another look in a few days. It will be easier to choose when they’re a bit older.’
‘I didn’t think you liked dogs,’ said Tania.
‘I don’t like the dogs we’ve got because they’re all badly behaved and noisy. If I have one I shall train it myself.’
‘You’ll be exhausted if this goes on,’ muttered her husband. ‘Riding lessons, dog training and interior decorating; I hope there are enough hours in the day for you.’
Tania giggled; Marina looked irritated and Annabel sat in awkward silence, wondering exactly what was going on. A tap at the door interrupted them.
‘Come in,’ called Lord Corbett-Wynne.
Susan, the maid, entered. ‘Mr Jerry’s waiting for you in your study, sir. He was told you wanted a word with him,’ she explained.
Marina’s eyes widened. ‘Don’t tell me you’re psychic, James! Did you know I wanted to ride again?’
‘Of course not; I want to see him about another groom.’
‘Haven’t you got enough?’ asked Tania in apparent innocence.
‘Well, please mention my riding lessons to him at the same time,’ said Marina. She put down her cup and swept out of the room, to be followed a few seconds later by her husband.
‘I wonder what they’re both up to,’ mused Tania, ‘clearly Step-papa’s on the lookout for new excitement, but I can’t imagine what’s got into Mother. She hasn’t been near a horse for years, neither does she like dogs. I can only assume she likes Sir Matthew, but as she hasn’t shown any interest in a man for years it’s a bit surprising. What do you think, Annabel?’
Annabel, who was quite certain that Lady Corbett-Wynne liked Sir Matthew, decided to keep quiet. ‘I’ve really no idea,’ she said firmly.
‘Well, I thought he was a bit of a dish, far too experienced for Mother. What did you think of him?’
‘He’s very attractive,’ admitted Annabel. ‘Handsome and extremely masculine. I’m not too keen on delicate types.’
‘He mentioned wanting you to go and look at his place, didn’t he?’ asked Tania. ‘I’d go if I were you. Who knows what he might show you!’
Annabel, who felt that she’d like nothing better than to have Sir Matthew show her a thing or two inside the Mill House, tried to look disinterested. ‘I might not have time,’ she said.
‘I’d find time if I were you. You are going to join Crispian and me again tonight, aren’t you? We’ve got such a good idea, it would be a shame to waste it.’
Annabel flushed. ‘I’m not sure. I don’t usually …’
‘Come on, you loved it last night. I’m an expert; I can tell when someone’s faking and when they’re not, and you most definitely were not. We really turned you on, so why not enjoy yourself again? Crispian and I enjoy threesomes.’
‘We enjoy what?’ demanded Crispian, walking silently into the room as his sister spoke.
‘Threesomes! I was inviting Annabel to join us tonight. Remember what you suggested?’
Crispian smiled. ‘I certainly do. If you decide to join us, Annabel, come along to my room after dinner. We’ll be there, and we’ll wait until ten o’clock. If you’re not there by then we’ll start without you!’
Annabel felt tendrils of excitement deep within her stomach and found herself gripping her thighs together tightly to increase the pleasurable sensations.
‘How was Amanda?’ asked Tania, pouring her stepbrother a cup of half-cold tea.
He groaned, pushing his long fair hair back off his face. ‘Exactly how I’d imagined – ghastly! We spent most of the afternoon looking at her latest litter of pigs. Well, not her li
tter, although nothing would surprise me with that family, but her favourite sow’s latest litter. It made the romance and sweet talk a bit tricky. Still, Pa will be delighted; she’s agreed to come to the Winterbrooks’ summer ball with me. She said it would be “a bit of a lark”!’
‘Mother wants to learn to ride again,’ said Tania, suddenly anxious to change the subject.
‘Ride? Good lord, what brought that on?’
‘I’ve no idea, although I suspect that a visit to Sir Matthew Stevens’ place this morning might have something to do with it.’
‘Really?’ Crispian glanced at Annabel. ‘Looks as though you’ve got competition there, Annie!’
‘My name’s Annabel and I’m not particularly interested in Sir Matthew,’ said Annabel. She got quickly to her feet. ‘If you’ll excuse me I must get back to my room. I need to bring my notes up to date.’
‘She fancies him like mad,’ said Crispian after Annabel had gone. ‘I think we ought to make sure they have a chance to get to know each other better, don’t you, Tania?’
His stepsister smiled at him. ‘That sounds like fun. Perhaps we could arrange something after the dinner party.’
‘What dinner party?’
‘I forgot, you missed that bombshell as well. Mother wants to have a large dinner party on Saturday week, with Sir Matthew as one of the guests.’
‘In that case,’ Crispian said slowly, ‘we must certainly make the most of the opportunity, for Annabel’s sake.’
‘And if we get some pleasure from it too?’ queried Tania.
‘Well, that’s just a bonus, for being such helpful people!’ he replied.
They both laughed.
Chapter Six
DINNER THAT EVENING was once again formal, with the men in dinner jackets. Annabel wore a calf-length blue and grey sleeveless silk dress with a matching jacket, while Tania opted for a bright, multicoloured strapless, knee-length dress that clung to her curves like a second skin.
‘Aren’t you a little cold, dear?’ asked Marina, her voice sharp.
Tania laughed. ‘Not me, I’m naturally hot-blooded!’
Her stepfather cleared his throat and let his gaze linger appreciatively on Annabel. ‘Fancy a ride while you’re here, young lady? Some of our horses are very well behaved.’
‘Unlike the children!’ joked Crispian, winking at Annabel.
Before she could reply, Lady Corbett-Wynne interrupted. ‘Did you speak to that man of yours about my riding lessons, James?’
He nodded. ‘Jerry said he’d be delighted to start lessons any time you liked, but he couldn’t say much else. If you ask me …’
‘I am not asking you,’ his wife said firmly, and Tania kicked her stepbrother under the table. They exchanged amused glances.
‘How was Sir Matthew?’ asked Crispian. His tone was casual.
To his surprise his stepmother smiled dreamily. ‘Most helpful; in fact, he was the one who suggested I learnt to ride again.’
‘Interfering idiot,’ muttered her husband.
‘Annabel rather fancies him, don’t you, Annie?’ said Crispian.
Lady Corbett-Wynne turned her head sharply towards Annabel. ‘I’d have thought he was a little old for you.’
Annabel, furious with Crispian, tried to look amused by his remark. ‘Your stepson’s talking nonsense, Lady Corbett-Wynne. I’ve scarcely spoken to Sir Matthew.’
‘Nor will you have time to in the future,’ her employer pointed out decisively. ‘So far you seem to have accomplished very little during your stay here.’
This unfair criticism brought a flush to Annabel’s cheeks but she lowered her eyes and resumed eating her saddle of lamb, well aware that the older woman felt threatened by what Crispian had said. If she felt threatened, reasoned Annabel, then Crispian had clearly been right about his stepmother and Sir Matthew. Whether the attraction was mutual or not she had no way of knowing, but she had to admit to herself that he’d seemed interested in her hostess the previous evening.
After the meal, when coffee was served in the library, Tania and Crispian disappeared. Lady Corbett-Wynne discussed her ideas for the dining room with Annabel, but in a somewhat desultory fashion, and after half an hour she too made her excuses and retired to her rooms.
Alone with Annabel, Lord Corbett-Wynne became more animated. ‘No steady boyfriend, then?’ he mused, his right hand touching Annabel’s thigh as she sat next to him on the sofa.
Annabel moved her legs. ‘Not at this moment, no.’
‘Sex is good for you; it keeps you fit and active. Marina would be a far happier, healthier woman if she understood that.’
‘She seemed happy last night,’ murmured Annabel.
His lordship nodded. ‘Damned odd that! If I didn’t know her better I’d have thought she was smitten by Sir Matthew, but men don’t interest her in that way any more, as I know to my cost.’
Thinking of Sir Matthew made Annabel remember the previous night, and also the fact that Crispian and Tania were at this moment waiting for her in Crispian’s room. She glanced at her watch and saw that it was nine-fifty. In ten minutes’ time they’d begin their evening’s entertainment without her, and suddenly she knew that she didn’t want that. She wanted to join them, to wallow in sheer physical pleasure again, letting her sensuality take over.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said abruptly, getting to her feet. ‘I’m really tired and there’s a lot to be done tomorrow. If you’ll excuse me, Lord Corbett-Wynne, I think I’ll go to bed now. Good night.’
Her sudden movement scarcely registered with James. After drinking a great deal of wine with his meal, he’d worked his way through a bottle of whisky since coffee. His thoughts had returned to Sandra, or, more precisely, the prospect of Sandra accompanied by her sister. When consulted, Jerry had protested, claiming they didn’t need another groom, but he’d overruled him and with any luck the girl would be with them within a week. Despite his strenuous activities in the copse his penis stirred at the prospect.
‘Good night,’ repeated Annabel.
Lord Corbett-Wynne glanced up, his eyes vague. ‘Good night, Sandra,’ he murmured, and Annabel left him to his thoughts.
In Crispian’s room the stepbrother and sister heard Annabel’s footsteps approaching along the corridor and smiled at each other, delighted that she was as keen as they’d thought.
‘Lucky I had two costumes,’ said Crispian. ‘The pair of you will make an interesting contrast.’
Annabel tapped lightly on the door and immediately Crispian let her in. He smiled engagingly, and she was struck anew by how attractive he was with his white, even teeth and clear blue eyes. As he pushed his fair hair back off his forehead she felt a stirring of desire which was reflected in her eyes.
‘Time for some fun!’ he said. ‘I hope you like dressing up.’
‘Dressing up?’
‘Yes, I’m on a power trip tonight. You and Tania are going to be my maids; the uniforms are on the bed. You both have to obey my every command. Should be exciting, don’t you think?’
‘What happens if we don’t obey you?’ asked Annabel, her desire increasing.
‘In that case you have to be chastised, but somehow I don’t think you’ll be difficult. You seem a very well-behaved employee as far as my stepmother’s concerned!’
While he was speaking Tania was peeling off her ball-gown and dressing herself in one of the two outfits on the bed. Annabel watched as the auburn-haired girl pulled on a pair of frilly white lace knickers that peeped beneath the hemline of the short black skirt. The tight-fitting, basque-style top was also black, tightly laced and with a trimming of white lace above the breasts. A small white pinafore and black fishnet stockings almost completed the outfit, which was given the finishing touch when Tania fastened a scrap of lace on the top of her head. She then posed provocatively for the other two, pointing her left foot in its stiletto heel so that her buttocks curved out even more below the skirt. She pouted at her stepbrother.
&n
bsp; ‘There’s too much work for me, sir. I need help.’
Crispian’s eyes gleamed. ‘Help is right here! Quickly, Annabel, get changed.’
For a moment she hesitated, but then warm memories of the previous night’s pleasure started to creep into her mind. She remembered the way the two of them had licked and teased her straining body, the tiny metal ring that had encircled her clitoris enabling them to tantalise her almost beyond endurance. At the memory she grew damp between her thighs and without further thought peeled off her evening dress and quickly donned the second costume.
Crispian eyed her approvingly once she was dressed. ‘It suits you. Tell me, Annabel, are you used to being in service?’
To her surprise it proved easy for Annabel to slip into the role she’d been allocated. It was as though when she’d pulled on the blatantly erotic outfit she’d become a different person. ‘No, sir,’ she said demurely, ‘but I’ve always wanted to try my hand at it.’
‘Good. Stand in front of me. I want to make sure you’re correctly dressed.’
She moved to stand a few inches in front of him and, although she lowered her eyes as he examined her, she pushed her shoulders back to emphasise her breasts, which felt tight in the constricting basque.
Very slowly, Crispian let the fingers of one hand run round the lace edging at the top of the basque, his fingers cool against her hot skin. ‘Is this too tight?’ he asked with apparent concern.
‘No, sir, it’s just right,’ she responded.
‘I think it’s a little tight. I’ll unlace the top two holes I think,’ he murmured, and she felt his hands brush the undersides of her tightly covered breasts for a moment as he unlaced her. The tightness of the basque meant that by releasing the top Crispian had ensured that Annabel’s breasts were pushed upwards so that the top halves of the round globes were clearly visible. Bending his head he let his tongue flicker across the newly exposed area for a moment before straightening up again.
A shiver of desire ran through Annabel as she waited in front of him.
‘Point your toe, like Tania did,’ he said curtly, his eyes suddenly cold. As she obeyed her hip moved closer to his body until they were almost touching and she had a burning desire to grind herself against him. To be instructed on exactly how to move, to have her clothing adjusted and her limbs positioned, was incredibly arousing and her breathing quickened.
Dark Obsession Page 11
