Wilder, Lauren - Her Heart's Desire [Highcroft Saga 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lauren Wilder

  ‘Oh, well, I don’t know. I expect to have quite a lot going on with my first day at work and everything.’

  ‘If you wish to go to town tomorrow, please do so, Marisa. You are free to do whatever you want in your own time; I won’t work you around the clock, you know,’ Lord St. John said.

  Marisa smiled at him politely. Damn, she thought. I’ll have to go now.

  ‘Well, if Felicity is sure she doesn’t mind.’

  Felicity folded her napkin and laid it on the plate in front of her.

  ‘Of course I don’t mind or I shan’t have offered,’ she said, smiling primly.

  ‘Okay, great!’ Marisa said, feigning enthusiasm.

  ‘Fabulous, that’s settled then. We shall take tea at the chocolate house, and I shall show you all the best shops.’

  Marisa did not cherish the thought of spending time alone with Felicity. Nothing could rid the image of the dastardly couple writhing naked in front of the fire, and now she would have to sit and drink tea with her and make small talk.

  Marisa excused herself straight after dinner, blaming jet lag. She was relieved to be alone in her room after the stifling dinner. She removed her makeup, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed, anxious for a good night’s sleep.

  * * * *

  She had a restless night filled with bad dreams and woke to her alarm clock at seven, feeling groggy and sore. The bed was really hard, and she missed her lovely bed at home.

  ‘Home,’ she murmured wistfully. ‘I don’t have a home anymore.’

  Thoughts of Mike invaded her mind, making her stomach churn. He’s probably sleeping in my bed with Adrianne right now. Feeling anxious, she decided to get up straight away. She refused to lie in bed and get upset thinking about him.

  She showered and dressed quickly to combat the cold, choosing a conservative gray pencil skirt and a soft blue turtleneck. She wore woollen tights and knee boots to keep her legs warm. She would have to ask Mrs. Reed about the heating. It would soon be getting even colder, and it was only early October. She was starving, so she headed straight down for breakfast, hoping she could finish before the in-laws arrived.

  She was relieved to see only Meryl in the room, busy setting the table. A buffet of cereals and croissants were laid out on the sideboard, along with an array of jams and marmalades, juices and coffee.

  ‘Just help yourself, my dear.’ Meryl busied past with a jug of cold milk, placing it on top of the crisp, white cloth. She patted Marisa’s arm gently.

  ‘If you want a full English, let me know.’

  ‘What’s a full English?’ she asked.

  ‘A cooked breakfast, dear. Bacon, sausage, and eggs. Do you like them fried, scrambled, or poached?’

  Marisa’s mouth watered. A hot breakfast would be wonderful to heat her up and revive her.

  ‘Scrambled eggs, please.’

  ‘With everything?’ Meryl asked.

  ‘Yes, please, that would be wonderful.’

  Meryl checked the dining table, making sure everything was in order.

  ‘How are you settling in, dear, everything go all right at dinner?’ She chatted as she busied around.

  ‘Yes, it was all right, thanks,’ Marisa mumbled as she poured a coffee. ‘Ooh, your syrup sponge cake and custard were so incredibly delicious. I’m going to have to be careful. You’ll make me fat.’

  ‘Nonsense, you have a beautiful figure. You can’t fatten a thoroughbred, my dear.’

  ‘Thank you, Meryl. I do try to look after myself.’

  Marisa smiled at her, thankful for a friendly soul in this big, cold house.

  Their conversation was halted by the arrival of Lord St. John. Jesus, he gets more handsome every day, Marisa thought.

  ‘Good morning, Meryl.’ He nodded and smiled, and the woman’s cheeks turned crimson red. Marisa smiled. She obviously wasn’t the only one in the house with a crush on the handsome Lord.

  He looked at Marisa, and she felt her heart boom.

  ‘Good morning, Miss Lowell, I trust you slept well?’ He looked at her intently; she felt as though his eyes were penetrating her very soul, and she wondered what it would feel like to have those eyes looking at her while he made love to her. Stop it, Marisa! She scolded herself and smiled at him, trying to act normally.

  ‘I didn’t sleep so well. I think I just have to get used to the bed, though.’

  ‘Oh dear, I am sorry to hear that. I hope it doesn’t cause you too much discomfort tonight. If it does, we shall have it changed for a more suitable one. I can’t have you worn out from lack of sleep.’

  I wouldn’t mind being worn out from lack of sleep if you were in the bed with me, she thought naughtily. He was causing havoc with her libido; no one had ever had such a powerful effect on her before. Thoughts of Mike were fading rapidly by the second.

  ‘Thank you, Lord St. John. That’s very kind.’

  ‘Not at all, it’s the least I can do. I will see to it you are shown the ropes after breakfast, then I’m afraid I must head into town, a meeting’s cropped up, but you’ll be pleased to know there’s no need for you to come with me today.’

  Marisa felt disappointed. She couldn’t wait to see London, and she would have loved to go with him.

  ‘When will you be back?’ Marisa bit her lip, realizing she shouldn’t question her boss.

  He looked surprised but smiled gently as he buttered his toast.

  ‘I shall return in the morning. I’m picking the children up, so you will meet them tomorrow.’

  ‘Brace yourself,’ he said, winking at her. She felt her heart miss a beat.

  After breakfast, she became immersed in work, finding her feet at the office and familiarizing herself with the booking system and the daily routine of maintaining the Highcroft estate.

  Lord St. John was a gentle and patient teacher, and Marisa delighted in listening to his charming and melodic voice, carefully telling her everything she needed to know about the business.

  ‘Okay, Miss Lowell, I will leave you to your own devices. If you can just finish typing up the quarterly reports and update the client files, I’ll sneak off and catch the train. I rather think I’m in for a boozy evening. A particularly demanding client from New York likes to be entertained before investing his millions.’

  Marisa laughed lightly and wished he was showing her the town. She couldn’t imagine anything nicer. She watched him pack his briefcase. She studied him from behind her PC. She liked his dark hair. It was neat and short with slightly longer bangs at the front. She liked his clothes, the crisp blue shirt and the smart chinos that looked fantastic on his long, manly legs. Everything about him was fabulous. He looked like a movie star from the fifties—elegant, handsome, and impeccably groomed.

  She felt herself wishing he would grab her and throw her onto the desk, pull her skirt up, and take her right there in the office.

  ‘Oh, my God, what’s happening to me?’ she murmured, thinking aloud.

  He turned and looked at her, a sexy smile lingering on his perfect face.

  ‘Sorry, Miss Lowell, what did you say?’ he asked, looking perplexed.

  ‘Oh, nothing, I sometimes think aloud that’s all. Please just ignore me. It’s just a little quirk of mine.’ She cringed.

  ‘I shall never ignore you, Miss Lowell; I think I should find that very difficult indeed.’ He grinned. She felt light-headed. Her mind raced with heady thoughts. Oh, my God, is he coming on to me? She stared at him, unsure of what to say.

  He snapped his briefcase shut and pulled on his corduroy jacket.

  ‘Righty ho, I’m off. Enjoy the rest of your day.’ And with that, he was gone, leaving her feeling restless and disappointed.

  She watched him stride across the gravelled yard towards his car, her heart beating fast, her head in turmoil. She rang her sister.

  ‘I’m falling for him, Melanie. What shall I do?’

  ‘Stop it, that’s what you should do!’ Melanie said, stunned.

  ‘I can’t. Y
ou should see him. He’s unbelievably hot, and he’s so gentle and kind!’

  ‘Oh, God, I sense trouble, maybe you should quit and come home. You’re obviously on the rebound from Mike.’

  ‘I am not quitting. I’ve only been here a day, and I’m not rebounding, just appreciating the eye candy, that’s all. I like it here.’

  ‘Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to pursue anything with this guy. He’s your boss, and you only just got there, don’t forget that.’

  ‘I’m not going to do anything. I just like him, that’s all, you know, unless he made a move on me.’

  ‘Marisa, get a grip!’

  ‘Oh, God, you’re right. I still haven’t found out what happened to the PA before me. For all I know, he has this effect on everyone. I wonder if they had a relationship.’

  ‘Oh, I doubt that, hon. Take my advice, and forget about romance. Just do your job, enjoy England, and when you’re ready, come home.’

  ‘Okay, okay. I know you’re right. I love you, sis. I better go.’

  Marisa hung up, feeling confused. She decided to take a walk in the grounds as she had an hour before the impending tea with Felicity.

  She went out the back door and crossed over to the lawns, following the gravel path towards the rose gardens. She shivered as the chilly air hit her. Wrapping her coat tightly around her, she wished she had worn trousers. The gardens were expansive and beautiful, and she strolled slowly for a while, admiring the exquisite roses, wondering what skill must be needed to keep them blooming so late into the autumn.

  She continued exploring, inhaling the fresh air and relishing the peace and quiet. After New York City, it was like living in a different world, and she loved it. She didn’t want to wander too far, but as the gardens opened up onto the magnificent maze, she couldn’t resist going in.

  She had read about the maze before arriving at Highcroft. She knew it was a complicated labyrinth leading to the center, where a gazebo with love seats waited for earnest explorers. She felt a pang of sadness, wishing she had someone who would love her and respect her, someone to share lovely things like this with. She thought of Mike and the two years they had spent together. She had been so happy. What had gone wrong? Why hadn’t she been enough for him?

  Brushing sad thoughts aside, she entered the maze, checking her mobile for a strong signal, just in case she couldn’t find her way out again.

  She wandered around the thick hedgerows, admiring the topiary and wishing it was summer. As she neared the middle, she stopped dead. There in the clearing was Marcus and a woman who was clearly not Felicity.

  He was kissing her fervently, his hands under her coat, feeling her breasts. Marisa retreated behind the nearest hedge and watched. Marcus pushed the blonde back against a statue and pulled open her shirt, revealing her small, pert breasts. He kissed them all over and fondled them, then his hand went up under her skirt, and she parted her legs and moaned.

  ‘You like that, don’t you? What else do you want? Do you want to feel me inside you?’ Marcus demanded, his voice almost a growl.

  ‘Yes, I want you to fuck me. Do it to me right here,’ the blonde said as she turned around and held on to the statue, using the figure’s stony arms as a support.

  Marcus pulled her skirt right up around her waist, exposing a peachy bum, and he tore her skimpy knickers down to her knees. She bent over, and he grabbed at her bum cheeks roughly. Going to his knees, he kissed the soft flesh before delving in between, and the blonde gasped and writhed as his tongue invaded her most secret places.

  Marisa was shocked. It was like being on the set of a porn movie. She couldn’t believe Marcus could be so blatant. Her dislike of him intensified, and she turned away, feeling her blood boil. Another cheating bastard—were all men so disloyal? Marisa hurried to escape the maze before they finished. If they caught her, that could be very embarrassing.

  She found her way out surprisingly fast, and she hurried to the house. She wondered who the blonde was and felt sorry for Felicity. She obviously loved Marcus. She would be devastated to know what her randy husband was up to in the maze. Well, Marisa sure wasn’t going to tell her. Some things are best kept to yourself.

  * * * *

  Marisa raced inside the house, darting for the stairs just as Felicity was making her way down.

  ‘Marisa, are you all right?’ Felicity asked as Marisa hurried past her.

  Marisa was unable to meet the woman’s eyes after what she had just witnessed.

  ‘Oh, yes, just lost track of the time. I’ll be with you in a moment. I’m just putting some trousers on, it’s a bit chilly out,’ she called behind her.

  ‘Righty ho, see you out front,’ Felicity said.

  They took Felicity’s Range Rover, and she chattered all the way to the village as she drove and chain-smoked. Marisa decided she was okay. Truth was she quite pitied her. Marcus was a real shit. She couldn’t believe he would screw someone else right there in the maze. Felicity could have seen them herself, how rotten.

  Thoughts of Mike crept in again, and she pushed them away, instead envisaging the handsome face of Lord St. John, or James, as she longed to call him.

  They reached Marlow, a pretty little village on the banks of the River Thames. Marisa thought it was charming with its stone cottages, Tudor-style buildings, and quaint town center lined with pretty shops and flower pots. There were several expensive-looking boutiques, and they spent over an hour going from shop to shop trying on different outfits. While in a particularly chic one, Felicity picked out a stunning blue dress embellished with Swarovski crystals. I’m going to try this one on. Do you fancy anything?’

  Marisa took a peep at one of the price tags and went weak at the knees. ‘Er, no, I’ll just wait here for you.’

  ‘Okay, see you in a moment,’ Felicity said, vanishing behind a heavy velvet curtain.

  Marisa took a seat feeling very self-conscious in her JCPenney coat and Barneys’ sale boots. She flicked through a fashion magazine as she waited.

  Felicity appeared, looking amazing. The dress hugged her slender curves. It was the perfect length for her, falling just on the calves, accentuating her long legs.

  ‘Marisa, be a dear and ask the assistant to bring me a size eight, this is gaping a little at the back.’

  ‘Oh, okay, just a min.’ Marisa walked over to the rail herself; she couldn’t find an eight, so she approached a pretty young woman who was busy arranging white roses in a crystal vase.

  ‘Excuse me. Can my friend have the blue dress in a size eight, please?’ Marisa asked.

  ‘I’ll just check the rail,’ she said.

  ‘I’ve already looked, there isn’t one there,’ Marisa said.

  ‘Oh, okay, I’ll just check in back if we have one in stock. I won’t be a moment.’

  ‘Marisa, Marisa!’ Felicity called out from the changing rooms.

  Marisa walked back towards her, wondering what was wrong. Felicity poked her head out from behind the curtain.

  ‘Be a darling and ask her for a size seven in the Prada sandals, the ones with the three-inch heel, in black.’

  ‘Oh, okay, will do.’ Marisa was beginning to feel like she worked there herself.

  The pretty assistant came back, holding another dress.

  ‘Here we are. I’ll take it through.’

  Oh, that’s okay, I’ll take it, and can you get her a size seven in the three-inch Prada heel?’ Marisa said.

  ‘Very well,’ said the assistant, handing Marisa the dress. She went off to get the shoes.

  ‘Felicity, here’s your dress.’ Marisa handed it through the curtain.

  ‘Oh, thank you, you are a doll.’ She reached through and grabbed it.

  ‘Did you get the shoes, darling?’

  ‘The assistant is bringing them,’ Marisa said. She was starting to feel bored and just a little bit agitated that Felicity was treating her like her lady’s maid.

  ‘Look, Felicity, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to hav
e a look in the newsagents. I will be back in five minutes. I don’t expect you will be done by then.’

  ‘No, dear, off you go. I will see you back here.’

  Gee, thanks, thought Marisa.

  She left the shop and went next door to the newsagents, hoping to find something interesting to read. She browsed the magazines and picked out a Country Life magazine. On the cover was a beautiful, stately home, and as she read the article, Marisa learned it belonged to the Duke of Marlborough, no less, and it was called Blenheim Palace. She decided she would go and see it on her day off. Maybe she could use the staff car if it was available.

  She bought the magazine and returned to the boutique just as Felicity was paying for her dress and shoes. Marisa was shocked to see the total rang up on the till. She couldn’t believe Felicity had just spent so much money on one outfit.

  ‘Oh, look here, Marisa,’ Felicity said, picking up a pair of gloves from a rail on the desk.

  ‘Why don’t you get these? I noticed you weren’t wearing any.’ Felicity handed the soft leather gloves to Marisa.

  Marisa balked at the price tag and handed them straight back to her.

  ‘No, thanks, I have gloves at the house. I don’t need new ones.’

  ‘Oh, okay, that’s a shame. They are on sale and so pretty.’

  Marisa smiled and shook her head. I’m not spending a week’s wages on a pair of ridiculously overpriced mitts, she thought.

  She would never admit it to Felicity, of course, but she would never spend so much money on clothes, even if she was rich. There were children starving in the world, for God’s sake.

  They took a break in the chocolate house tea rooms, and Marisa allowed herself a slice of mouthwatering chocolate gâteau.

  ‘Wow, that was delicious,’ she said, patting her stomach, feeling stuffed.

  ‘I know, they have the best cakes and pastries in Buckinghamshire,’ Felicity said between mouthfuls of chocolate fudge cake. Marisa was surprised to see her eating such a huge, calorie-laden treat. She wondered how she kept her figure so slim.