Chapter Two
Two hours later, we came thundering through the stables, the horses’ hooves pounding the ground at a speed to match my elevated heart rate.
She was an accomplished rider, successfully beating me back to the stables.
As my horse rounded up behind her, she swung her leg over Storm, the gray Arabian horse she had taken to riding, and dismounted.
She paused to give him an affectionate pat before leading him to the water trough.
I followed her lead, my eyes not once leaving her captivating figure.
“Sorry to have kept you from your plans. I hadn’t realized how late it was,” she said, glancing up at me as I joined her; she looked more beautiful than ever. Her cheeks flushed from the exertion, her eyes glittering brightly. “I had such a great time.”
“Me too,” I said easily. And I had. More fun than I’d had in ages.
She was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise glamorous yet downright boring existence.
Added to that, the sexual awareness she evoked in me was like a drug that I couldn’t get enough of.
Her carefree manner with the horses, her knowledge of the animal, her willingness to get down and dirty, all served to intensify her appeal.
“Can we ride again soon?” she asked, eagerly.
“Sure.”
Our gazes locked, the unspoken chemistry passing between us once again, her eyes scanned my face and tentatively she moved toward me. My hands itched to reach for her but then she froze, her eyes flicking away to focus behind me.
“Darling,” she called, her English accent perfectly apparent once again.
“There you are!” came my stepfather’s unmistakable voice, his tone mildly admonishing.
Turning around, I watched him approach. Sunglasses masking his expression, he was every bit the mature playboy in his dark, designer suit and crisp, white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar.
His deep brown hair, overlong for his age, was slicked back, the hint of gray at his temples the only real sign of his advancing years.
“Daddy,” I said dutifully in greeting.
He threw me a derisive glare. “What is the point in having you schooled in dressage to have you turn out like some tramp?”
I opened my mouth to deliver a sharp retort but promptly shut it again, Emma’s apologetic gaze stopping me in my tracks. She needn’t have bothered feeling bad on my behalf. I’d given up on a kind word from him long ago.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he said, his focus returning to Emma. “I have some friends that are eager to meet you.”
“Sorry, darling,” she said, closing the distance between them and giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek. “I totally lost track of time, Abi has done a wonderful job looking after me.”
“I should hope so, it’s the least she could do since this lot costs me a fortune to run. Speaking of which” — he gestured to my straw-covered clothing in disgust — “have you been mucking out again?”
I shrugged. “I like doing it.”
“For God’s sake, Abi, that’s what I pay people for! Do you always have to be such an embarrassment?” He threw his hand in the air in exasperation and turned to Emma. “Come, they’re waiting for us.”
Taking Emma by the elbow, he flicked his gaze back to me just long enough to state, “Dinner’s at seven and make an effort!”
I scowled at his retreating form, angrier than I can remember, the realization dawning that it was down to how he had belittled me in front of Emma that had upset me most.
Well, make an effort I would. But not for his benefit...
· · ·
Six-thirty came and I was pacing the floor. Having spent the last two hours fussing over my appearance, I was now early and a bag of nerves. Striding to the bedroom mirror for the umpteenth time, I assessed my reflection.
I’d opted for a black, sleeveless jumpsuit with a deep plunging neckline.
It was borderline indecent really, but the exquisite cut and fabric screamed designer and made it perfect for tonight’s affair.
I’d curled my hair and pinned it in a tousled up-do.
My face, tanned from being outdoors so much, had a healthy-looking glow, the blue depths of my eyes popping amidst the smoky effect of the eye shadow I’d applied and my lips glistening with a baby pink gloss that matched Emma’s cute, if impractical shoes from earlier in the day.
Just the thought of her sent butterflies through my tummy.
I was anxious, yet beyond excited about seeing her again.
A knock at the door drew my attention.
“Come in.”
Lily, the housekeeper, entered, her step faltering slightly as she took in my appearance. “Why, Miss Sawyer, you’re simply stunning!”
I smiled at her genuine compliment. “Thank you, Lily.”
“Your father is asking for you to join him and Miss Jones for pre-dinner drinks.”
“Sounds lovely,” I said, trying to ignore the surge of nerves that gnawed away at my insides. “I’ll just get some shoes.”
“Very well, Miss Sawyer.” She turned on her heel and left the room.
I slipped on a pair of sparkly flats and followed closely behind her, checking my appearance at every opportunity on the way, trying to reassure myself that I looked good.
No amount of mental encouragement could have prepared me for my encounter with Emma though.
As I entered the room and caught sight of her before the fireplace, a rush of desire flooded me along with a feeling of total inadequacy.
Even from behind she was breathtaking. She wore a full-length red dress, the back to which was practically non-existent as it dipped to form a curve just above her pert behind before dropping gracefully to the floor.
Her hair fell in loose waves across her back, teasing me with flashes of her bare skin and sending my mouth dry.
As she turned to greet me, my inner turmoil heightened at the appreciation I could see mirrored in her eyes. What must have been a second passed, yet it felt like an eternity as our eyes openly enjoyed one another.
“Abi,” she said eventually, placing her drink on the mantle and sweeping toward me.
I smiled in response but my legs refused to budge.
As she came to stand before me, she took hold of my arms and leaned in to kiss my cheek.
Her touch ricocheted through me like a fire bolt, her perfume filling my senses, intoxicating me and drawing my head inwards to bring her lips closer to my own.
The move was so subtle it was doubtful that anyone else would notice, but as my gaze locked with hers, I could see she had.
“Seems you can look halfway decent after all, Abi.”
My stepfather’s words shattered the moment and I almost leapt from Emma’s embrace.
“Daddy,” I said turning in his direction and grabbing an untouched glass of bubbles from the awaiting tray, knocking back a great, big gulp.
He followed the move but didn’t reproach me for it.
“To what do I owe this pre-dinner drink?” I asked, trying to sound normal and failing miserably.
He eyed me, his gaze probing as he took in my flustered demeanor. “I have a boy coming tonight, his name’s Daniel Scott.”
My mood sunk as his words hit home and I realized the true purpose of my presence this evening.
“I’d like the two of you to get to know each other better,” he continued, his eyes still coldly assessing. “However, you seem out of sorts this evening, perhaps you should go—”
“No!” I blurted out, too quickly. There was no way he was excluding me this evening, regardless of his opportunistic matchmaking. Taking a breath to calm my elevated heart rate, I tried to explain away my behavior. “I’m fine, Daddy, I just got dressed in rather a hurry and feel flustered.”
He didn’t look convinced and I realized for the first time that it was more than simply displeasure with me that had him concerned, he was on edge in general. Was tonight really such a big deal?
I gestured to the glass in my hand and assured him, “I will be fine after a couple of these.”
“You’d better,” he said, the words and the vehemence with which he spoke answering my unspoken question. Something major hung in the balance...
“Daniel’s father is also coming,” he continued, “and not only is the man influential in his own right but he moves in circles that we have yet to venture into. A personal tie to his family is a crucial move for us.”
I could sense Emma’s gaze on me, concern radiating from her. I really didn’t need her sympathy; this was just the way my life was. I would always be a pawn in my stepfather’s constant quest to succeed.
“Sure thing,” I said, taking another large swig to quash my mounting nerves.
“I also have my lawyer, James, who you know, and his wife coming. All you need to do is make sure Daniel is well tended to and we will take care of the rest.”
My skin crawled at the reference to James; the sleazebag really gave me the creeps with his wandering eye.
The man thought his looks and wealth meant that he could leer at whomever he chose, whenever he chose.
Maybe my presence wasn’t such a great idea after all.
But giving my stepfather the satisfaction of admitting to being out of my depth didn’t appeal in the slightest. So I nodded my agreement and instead focused on downing the remainder of my drink.
Spying the empty glass, my stepfather took the bottle from the ice bucket and began topping it up, using the opportunity to give me a warning glare that clearly said “Do not fuck this up for me ... or else”.
Fear prickled down my spine as our eyes locked, just how big a deal could this be? I mean really, what was the worst that could happen?
The sensation of something cold trickling over my hand cut short my thoughts and I lowered my gaze, mortified to see that the glass shook in my unsteady grip, making it impossible for Dad to pour the drink cleanly.
Forcing my hand still, I lifted my eyes to face off the ferocity of his and tried to smile. “Thank you.”
“Darling?” Emma’s soft voice broke through the tension, her hand moving to rest on my father’s arm. “Perhaps you can take me through your plans for the evening? I want to make sure I do all I can to assist.”
Her attempt to draw the focus away from me was a godsend and I flashed her an appreciative smile. She returned it, concern evident in her beautiful green eyes before she looked back to my stepfather and coaxed him away.
I felt uneasy watching them. The sight of Emma’s hand on him made me feel queasy and I realized that I was jealous.
I studied her as they chatted, her face one of adoration as she listened intently to what he was saying.
How could a person of her beauty and quality fall for a man like him?
She had to be in it for the lifestyle he could offer.
The idea of her having genuine feelings for him was too preposterous to believe and only incited further jealousy.
I downed my drink and picked up the bottle for another. This was going to be one long night...