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

by Lauren Wilder

  ‘She was your predecessor. I told you before,’ Mrs. Reed said. ‘And in more ways than one,’ she added slyly.

  Marisa frowned, and her heart began to thump in panic.

  ‘What do you mean, more ways than one, she was just the PA, yes?’

  Mrs. Reed turned to face Marisa, and with an evil glint in her eye, she delivered her well-planned speech.

  ‘Oh, you silly girl, do you really believe you are the only one he has taken to his bed?’

  She laughed sharply; shaking her head, she resumed the polishing.

  Marisa stood openmouthed, in shock, feeling wounded. She didn’t know what to say.

  ‘It’s not true. You’re making it up!

  ‘No, dear, it’s true all right; he takes them all to his bed, sooner or later. Corinne didn’t wish to leave; he dismissed her when he grew tired of her, as he will of you.’

  ‘No!’ cried Marisa. ‘He loves me. We are in love. You are lying!’

  ‘Oh, that’s what he tells them all, dear. Mrs. Reed shook her head and raised her brows. ‘Why do you think Corinne was left heartbroken? She tutted then sighed heavily as Marisa struggled to stop the tears from flowing.

  ‘The poor girl, banished from the house with no notice. One day she thought they were getting married, the next…’

  ‘Married!’ Marisa gasped.

  ‘Oh, yes, they were engaged! She thought he loved her, too.’ Sarcasm dripped from her icy tone.

  Marisa fled from the living room, leaving Mrs. Reed grinning gleefully to herself.

  She ran blindly through the gardens, tears stinging her face as she thought of all the intimacies they had shared, how only the previous evening he had told her he loved her, now it seems he did the same with all his secretaries, and engaged, he was engaged to Corinne!

  She found herself in the maze, running blindly through the tight- hedged passages until she reached the center, exhausted. She sat on the love seat beside a statue of a former Lord St. John. I wonder if you were a dog as well, she thought bitterly.

  She remembered their maid and master fantasy he had so wanted to fulfil, and she felt a deep twinge of regret. I’ve been such a fool, she thought bitterly. No wonder they all fell for him. His routine must be so well-practiced, and oh, God, he was good at it. She had really believed him when he said he loved her.

  She recalled his ready supply of condoms in his London apartment. I bet he takes women there all the time. She cried into her hands. She felt devastated and humiliated. God he’s just like Mike, they’re all the fucking same! She stayed there for a while until she had calmed down and planned what she would do next. She returned to her rooms and wrote a short letter.

  James,

  I am leaving.

  I know about Corinne.

  I’ve been a fool, I can’t stay now.

  She folded it and sealed it in an envelope then went to his bedroom where she laid it on his pillow, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  She rushed back to her room and packed hastily. Throwing her clothes into her suitcase, she cleared her dressing room and snapped the lock shut. Her heart thundered, and she sobbed bitterly, despising herself for her stupidity. She felt like a used whore, no wonder Marcus had tried his luck. Obviously all the women in this house were fair game, there for the master’s pleasure and anyone else who wanted a go.

  She thought of Mike and the way he had betrayed her. She was not going to let any man use her and let her down again. She wasn’t hanging around until Lord St. John got bored with her. No way.

  A knock at the door startled her. She ignored it, anxious to get away, worried in case James had already gotten her note.

  ‘Miss Lowell, are you in there?’ asked Mrs. Reed through the door.

  Oh, Christ, that cold bitch. What does she want now? Marisa thought bitterly.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Mrs. Reed feigned concern.

  Marisa dried her tears and went to open the door.

  ‘I’m fine, Mrs. Reed; you will be pleased to hear I am leaving today.’

  ‘Leaving, oh dear, I hope it wasn’t anything I said,’ she replied sarcastically.

  ‘No not at all. I have had an urgent call from my sister, family matters. I must leave immediately.’

  ‘Very well, Miss Lowell. I will arrange a taxi and book the first available flight to New York.

  ‘Great, thanks,’ Marisa said begrudgingly, knowing the cow was delirious with happiness to see the back of her.

  ‘Please say good-bye to the children for me.’ Marisa had to stop the tears from flowing again. She had so enjoyed being with them. They had taken hold of her heart in a big way, and she would miss them so much.

  ‘Of course I shall,’ Mrs. Reed said, a twisted smirk playing on her lips.

  * * * *

  James sat in his London office looking out over the domes of St. Paul’s Cathedral, deep in thought.

  I’ll have to tell Marisa about Corinne. There’s nothing else for it. He pondered. He wished Clara hadn’t stirred things up, trust her, meddling bitch.

  He would explain everything to Marisa. He hadn’t loved Corinne, and she had left in a huff when he refused to be rushed into marriage, a marriage he didn‘t want.

  Whether she would believe him or not was another thing, but he couldn’t contemplate losing her, so he pushed that thought to the back of his mind and continued working.

  Marisa rang Melanie to tell her she was coming home.

  ‘Oh, God, what happened? I warned you not to get involved with him so quickly!’

  ‘I really don’t need to hear that right now, Melanie!’ Marisa shrieked into the phone.

  ‘I’m sorry, honey. I don’t mean to upset you, just come home. Everything will be all right.’

  ‘It won’t, Mel. I love him. I really love him, and he used me. He’s made a complete fool out of me!’

  ‘Then just get the hell out of there as fast as you can.’

  * * * *

  Marisa went to say good-bye to Mrs. Rose, hugging her fondly.

  ‘I’m so sorry you’re leaving, deary,’ Mrs. Rose said.

  ‘Me, too,’ Marisa said.

  Marcus was lurking in the lounge as she walked past with her case.

  ‘Hey, what’s going on? Where are you off to?’ he inquired.

  ‘Home,’ Marisa answered bluntly and continued walking towards the door. He followed, looking perplexed.

  ‘May I ask why? I hope it wasn’t anything I did or didn’t do.’ He grinned slyly.

  ‘Oh, for God’s sake, Marcus. It has nothing to do with you, but you are an insufferable prick, isn’t that how you English say it, insufferable?’

  He looked rattled at her rebuff.

  She was glad she had told him what she thought of him. Anyway, he was a prick.

  The taxicab pulled up, and the driver took her case as she got into the backseat and slumped low. She had been in England six months in total, two and a half of them as his lover. She sobbed quietly as the car pulled away. She looked back out of the rear window, watching solemnly as Highcroft shrunk into the distance behind her, until it finally vanished in the swirling mist.

  * * * *

  James was appalled to find Marisa’s note when he returned from London. He sat down, unable to take it in. She had gone, just like that. He felt utterly bereft. Anger rose in him as he realized who was to blame. There was only one person in the house who would have called Clara and told her about Marisa.

  ‘Mrs. Reed!’ he bellowed as he strode along the corridors. ‘Mrs. Reed,’ he shouted as he hammered her door.

  ‘Lord St. John. Whatever is the matter, sir?’ Mrs. Reed peeped around the door, and he pushed it open, striding in, waving Marisa’s note around.

  ‘Where has Miss Lowell gone?’ he demanded.

  ‘Oh, yes, sir. I was just about to come and inform you of Miss Lowell’s departure.’

  ‘Why are you so angry, sir? I’ve never seen you so upset.’

  ‘I believe you know quite well why
I am so upset! What did you say to make her leave, Mrs. Reed?’ He was fuming; he glowered at the woman who had been in his employ for over ten years, the woman who cared for his children. How could she betray him in this way, and why?’

  ‘Nothing, sir, she left because of personal reasons. She said she had to return to America immediately.’

  ‘Why would she leave without telling me? Why?’ he demanded.

  Mrs. Reed looked shaken. ‘Please don’t shout at me. I can’t bear it. My lord, please, I have done nothing wrong!’ she whined, taking a step towards him, reaching out, she stroked his face.

  ‘Mrs. Reed, have you lost your mind, woman?’ He jerked away from her touch.

  ‘No, I have not lost my mind. I have spoken it. I have gotten rid of her. She was no good for you, just like the others!’

  Mrs. Reed lunged at him, kissing his mouth before he had a chance to avoid her hungry lips. James jerked his head away, his eyes wide in astonishment.

  ‘Mrs. Reed, stop this!’ He stepped back, bewildered by her behavior.

  ‘No, no, don’t you see, I love you, my lord. I love you!’ she cried as she came at him again.

  ‘No!’ he growled as pushed her away. The woman was insane, clearly demented.

  She stumbled and fell. She pulled herself up and sat on the edge of the bed and opened her legs in a lewd display. James averted his eyes immediately ‘Yes, sir, take me if you want, take me and do what you will. I’m yours, and I will always be yours!’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. Cover yourself, madam!’ he shouted, repulsed and dismayed by her crazed behaviour.

  Without warning, she flew off the bed and lunged at him, screeching like a banshee.

  ‘How dare you, how dare you reject me!’ she screeched, beating his chest with her fists, slapping him on his face, head, and arms.

  He grabbed her and threw her back onto the bed.

  ‘Don’t touch me, you mad woman!’ He fled, leaving her there in her twisted state.

  He went to the living room and poured himself a large brandy. William looked up from his paper.

  ‘Good god, man, whatever’s going on?’ he inquired, concerned.

  ‘Mrs. Reed has gone mad, William. Please see to it that she leaves this house at the soonest opportunity.’

  ‘What do you mean, gone mad, and where’s Marisa?’ William asked.

  ‘Oh, our wonderful Mrs. Reed has seen to it that Marisa has gone back to America!

  ‘What?’ William sat up straight on the sofa.

  ‘Oh, yes, she has been quite creative. I don’t doubt she has told her some vicious lies…she has ruined everything!’

  James sat on the sofa, his head in his hands. He couldn’t believe what was happening, what had been happening under his own roof.

  ‘All this time, Mrs. Reed, plotting and scheming god knows what!’

  ‘But why?’ William asked.

  ‘Oh, this is the best bit, she has told me she is in love with me!’

  ‘That’s ridiculous, bloody outrageous, is she insane?’ William looked astonished.

  James cocked his brow. ‘Er...not that ridiculous!’

  William laughed lightly. James pushed his hands through his hair, his eyes wild.

  ‘Please, William, get rid of her. I don’t want that woman in my house!’

  ‘Of course. Yes of course! Leave it to me, what are you going to do about Marisa?’

  ‘What am I going to do, what can I do to make this right?’ James searched for the answer.

  ‘Have you tried ringing?’

  ‘Yes, of course, umpteen bloody times. Her phone is switched off.’

  He slammed his glass down on the table and made a call.

  ‘Who are you ringing?’ William asked.

  James held his hand over his phone.

  ‘British Airways. I need a flight to New York tonight. I’m going, William, I have to get her back.’

  ‘Okay, do what you have to do, and I shall hold the fort here until you return.’

  William patted his brother’s shoulder reassuringly.

  James took a deep breath, his mind whirling.

  ‘Thank you, William. Felicity will be back from Bath in the morning. I don’t know where Marcus is, please let them know I will be in the States for as long as it takes, and don’t forget to remove Mrs. Reed.’

  ‘No need, sir,’ Mrs. Reed said. James and William turned to look at her.

  She stood holding her coat and an overnight bag.

  ‘I’ve called for a taxi. I will send for my things as soon as I have a new position.’

  James looked at her with anger in his eyes and, she looked away quickly.

  ‘Very well, Mrs. Reed, I will see to it you have a month’s severance pay in your bank account. I’m afraid, due to your current mental state, I cannot possibly give you a reference. I would advise you to seek medical attention.’

  She looked down at the floor, and he almost felt sorry for her. The woman was clearly not right. Silence hung heavy in the air until she turned around and left without saying another word.

  The St. John brothers looked at each other with eyebrows raised.

  ‘Phew, well, that was easy,’ said William.

  ‘Yes, thankfully one less problem to sort out,’ James agreed.

  ‘Come on, I’ll drive you to the airport.’

  ‘Thanks, I’ll be staying at the Plaza, my usual suite. Any problems here, ring me there if you can’t get me on my mobile’

  ‘I shall, don’t worry, everything will be fine. Come on, let’s get you to Heathrow.’

  ‘What if she won’t come back, William?’ James looked forlorn.

  ‘She will. If she’s the one, she will.’

  * * * *

  Marisa lay in bed crying until she felt raw. Only one night had passed since she left England, and it felt like an eternity.

  Her heart was breaking, and yet, a glimmer of hope still flickered inside.

  A part of her just wouldn’t, just couldn’t believe he did not love her. The way they were together, their intense lovemaking, their friendship, was it all false, just to get her into bed?

  Melanie came in, holding a mug of steaming coffee. Placing it on the nightstand, she sat down beside her.

  ‘I thought you might like a hot drink, hon.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Marisa croaked.

  ‘Has he called?’ Melanie inquired tentatively.

  ‘I’ve switched my phone off. I’m too upset to speak to him, and it will just be lies, just like Mike all over again.’

  Marisa rolled over in the bed and reached for her coffee. She sipped it then she sighed wearily, fighting back fresh tears.

  ‘Hmm, but it might help, how do you know Mrs. Reed was telling the truth? He’s probably already tried ringing, don‘t you think you should switch your phone on now?’ Melanie suggested.

  ‘He must be really worried. After all, you did just sort of vanish,’ she said, stroking her sister’s hair.

  ‘I left a note.’ Marisa started crying again.

  ‘Ok, I have to admit it doesn’t look good. If you’re sure he’s a liar, I think you did the right thing leaving, honey. I really do.’

  Melanie patted her sister’s shoulder.

  ‘Come on, you can’t lie here all day! You know it only makes things worse.’

  Marisa didn’t move.

  ‘Okay then, I can see we need to call the doctor,’ Melanie said, sighing heavily.

  Marisa felt a small smile beginning to play on her lips as she heard her sister scuttle out of the bedroom and return quickly. She knew what she was up to, Melanie always used ‘the doctor,’ a song by Dr. Hook her mother used to play when heartbreak caused misery.

  Melanie put a CD on and started dancing. Marisa peeped over the quilt at her sister who was jigging around the room enthusiastically.

  ‘Stop it, you freak, you look mental.’Marisa sniffed and wiped her eyes.

  ‘Well, the doctor is in the room, and I’m feeling good, baby!�
��

  Melanie danced around the bed then reached under the covers. Grabbing her sister’s arm, she pulled her out of the bed. Marisa squealed and fought her off, but Melanie persisted and dragged her shrieking to the floor.

  ‘The one you love has let you down…’ Melanie sang along to the lyrics.

  ‘But you’ll have better love next time, baby!’ Melanie screeched as she sat on top of Marisa, pinning her sister’s arms to the carpet with her knees, as she tickled her mercilessly under her armpits.

  ‘Oh, my God, get off me, you loon. I can’t breathe!’ Marisa squealed.

  ‘Are you going to get dressed? Are you going to stay out of that bed?’ Melanie continued her torture.

  ‘Yes, yes, please…stop!’ Marisa wailed.

  Melanie released her victim. She pulled Marisa up off the carpet, and they flopped onto the bed, exhausted.

  ‘Phew, I hope you don’t meet anyone else this year. I couldn’t take it!’ Melanie laughed as her sister moaned.

  ‘Nope, that’s it. I’m finished with men!’ Marisa declared firmly.

  ‘Yeah, right, whatever.’ Melanie laughed.

  Marisa looked at her sister lovingly.

  ‘Thanks for always being there for me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be wet. Come on, let’s eat then we’re outta here. We have shopping to do, the cure-all activity for any woman!’ Melanie swept out of the room, pulling her sister with her.

  Chapter Ten

  James St. John arrived at JFK airport and hurried to get a cab. He realized he would have to track Marisa down as he didn’t even have her address; Mrs. Reed had all that information. He felt exasperated as he hailed a yellow cab and leapt in.

  ‘The Plaza, please,’ he told the driver. As the cab sped towards downtown Manhattan, James flicked through his BlackBerry, searching for William’s number. He called his brother.

  ‘Listen, do me a favor, William, and ring Mrs. Reed.’

  ’What? I’m a bit surprised to hear you ask that. We just got rid of her!’

  ‘I need Marisa’s home address, a phone number, anything, she knows it.’

  It’s four in the morning, James; I’ll have to wait a while. I’ll ring you back as soon as I can, okay?’