The Secret Heiress (15 page)

The conversation moved from his vineyard to road biking. He described the different routes in Spain and Ireland that he wanted to try.

“I’ll have more flexibility in the fall when Frances comes back part-time.”

“Sounds like she is enjoying motherhood. You may need a back-up plan.”

The housekeeper cleared the plates and offered dessert.

Anna shook her head and he thanked Helen for the lovely meal.

“It’s true. She wants to be involved, but she is enjoying her daughter.”

She was brilliant and talented. “Are you losing interest in Gala & More now that the challenge is behind you?” Her energy and drive would push the company forward.

She laughed. “I don’t think the challenge is behind me yet. Have you seen the balance sheet for this month?”

“True. I guess we will see when you hit the one year mark.”

She was twenty-five and fully immersed in her second career. He wondered what she would decide to take on next. He asked her, “Do you want to take a walk in the garden?”

“No.” Anna stood and waited for him.

He smiled at her. She had read his mind. He had every intention of wearing her out. He couldn’t wait to strip her dress off of her and take her in the shower and then again on the bed.

Anna smiled at the head librarian and motioned for the caterer to begin serving tea. The formal event was being held outside and the weather was cooperating. The large London library was celebrating a hundred years of service with poetry readings, classical music and children’s activities.

She watched a pregnant woman accept a cup of tea. The woman was glowing with happiness and an inkling of worry skittered over Anna’s composure. Her period was nearly a week late. She had purposely put it out of her mind but now, seeing a woman about to go into labor, made her think about scheduling a doctor’s appointment.

Katie interrupted her thoughts. “This came together well.”

“It’s a nice community event.” She had mentioned the celebration to her sister, but they planned to be out of town for the weekend.

“I can handle the tear down if you want to go. I know you have some things to finish for the Martin event.”

Looking at her assistant, she smiled and said, “Perfect. Text me if anything comes up.”

She thought about checking on Elyse and Sam, who were overseeing another perfume launch, but decided to head back to the office to go over Alistair’s event for next weekend. She had already confirmed the details with his staff but decided to go through everything again. She wanted it to be perfect.

The office was quiet and she was able to fully concentrate. She had made two trips that week to the venue and everything had been flawless.

Hearing the buzzer ring at the main door, Anna walked into the foyer and noticed that a delivery person was waiting with a bouquet of flowers. Opening the door, she accepted the pink roses and signed the electronic delivery slip.

Alistair was traveling, but he must have had his assistant send her flowers. She thanked the delivery person and practically floated back into the reception area. Opening the small white card, she read,
Meet me at five o’clock at Tack & Tavern
.

They hadn’t spent much time at Alistair’s microbreweries. He preferred to spend time at home or go to sporting events. She had assumed that it felt too much like work. But why did he want to meet her there tonight? It was odd, but she placed the card down and went back to work.

In some ways, she wanted to visit her doctor before seeing Alistair. Why worry him if she was just late? She had been under a considerable amount of stress launching the company; couldn’t that have put off her cycle? But she did need to go on birth control instead of just relying on condoms.

Heading out at nearly five o’clock, she decided to share her concerns with Alistair instead of keeping the worry to herself. He wouldn’t be happy, but at least he would know what was happening. Deciding to get a taxi, she gave the name of the brewery, Tack & Tavern, to the driver.

Stepping onto the curb, she realized she was dressed more for a fancy library event than a pub. Her sleeveless blue linen A-line dress was slightly creased but fit her perfectly. She removed her small, white sweater and tucked it into her leather handbag.

A man opened the door for her and she stepped into the brewery. It was a large open space with brick walls and, behind a glass divide, there were large brewery tanks. Her gaze swept the bar area, but she didn’t see Alistair.

“So you came,” a male voice said from behind her, and a chill ran up her spine.

Turning around, she saw Sebastian smirking at her. She had caught sight of him at Blackly Simonson a few months ago but hadn’t spoken to him in years. He made her skin crawl.

Anna narrowed her eyes. “You had flowers sent to my office?”

Sebastian stepped off to the side. “It seemed the easiest way for us to have a chat.”

She stayed in the middle of the foyer. “I have nothing to say to you.”

He raised his voice fractionally. “Your boyfriend seemed to think that you still thought about our association.”

“He is wrong. I’m not interested in the slightest.” There was no way that she would show fear or anxiety in front of him.

He crossed his arms. “Tsk, tsk. You are afraid to have a conversation with me?”

“I’m not afraid, just unwilling.” She looked around the space and considered her next move. She didn’t want to go back out onto the street in case he followed her, but staying in the same place with Sebastian was also not an option.

“I’ll make it brief.”

Did he have an accomplice here? She pulled out her phone and texted Alistair. She hoped he was in the country or at the very least that his manager would come to her aid.

She moved out of the flow of patrons and stood next to the table, waiting for him to say something.

“I’ll make you a deal.” His aristocratic looks were still intact. It probably helped him deceive others.

She glared at him, “I don’t negotiate with criminals, Sebastian. You should know that by now.”

His smirk widened. “Yes, but you have become rather cozy with Frances Casey as of late. Even going as far as going into partnership.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t see how that can be any concern of yours.”

His hand gestured dismissively. “She was desperate to get her hands on the video of her sister.” He had no regard for anyone but himself.

Anna crossed her arms. “What can you possibly gain from approaching me?”

Worry crossed over his features but was quickly replaced with arrogance. “I need my position with Blackly Simonson. A positive word from you would go a long way.”

She took a slight step backwards. “I’ll not help you. You’ve broken the law countless times. I was surprised that they hired you.”

He turned his hands over and faced his palms towards her. “I was just a college kid when that happened. I’ve left those activities behind.”

She shook her head. “Then why would Blackly Simonson dismiss you? There are plenty of other men who have taken advantage of women who are employed there. Something more sinister must have come up.”

He kept his voice low and menacing. “If you help me, I’ll make sure that the Casey girl gets all of her original photographs back.”

“Unless it is evidence that the Casey family can use to press charges, I’m not interested.”

His lips tightened. “There are plenty of photographs of us together. Do you want your name dragged down with mine?”

Anna shrugged. “Put them out there, Sebastian. So I dated a sleazy guy when I was young and didn’t know better.”

Sebastian pointed at her and leaned closer. “I doubt your boyfriend would want the bad press. He would probably end the relationship. Is it really that difficult to make one call?”

She needed to find an exit strategy. The pub was getting more crowded and he probably had an accomplice with him.

She let her voice rise. “You are a creep. I hope you get what you deserve.”

Sebastian grabbed her arm painfully. “Lower your voice. This doesn’t have to get nasty.”

He let her go and his face paled. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Alistair, who immediately wrapped his arms around her. “If you come into this establishment again or approach Anna for any reason, I’ll have you arrested,” he said to Sebastian.

She watched in fascination as Sebastian took money out of his wallet, put it on the table, and left the pub.

Alistair turned her to face him and gathered her closer, whispering, “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Yes. Surprisingly, I am. He wasn’t able to push me around the way he could when I was nineteen.”

Alistair held her tightly. “I don’t trust him. I’m relieved that you are okay, but we need to think about security for a period of time.”

“Did you call the police?”

“Yes.” At that moment, two officers walked in and Alistair brought them back to his manager’s office.

The detective asked her a few questions and let her know that they were building a case. He recommended that she stay on heightened alert but reminded her that the case they were bringing to trial involved another woman. The police thought Sebastian’s aggression would be directed at the person who filed the charges. The woman was from a wealthy family who could provide a safe haven for their daughter.

Leaving the pub, Alistair said, “I don’t want you to return to your flat. It’s in a sketchy neighborhood and Sebastian could easily approach you there.”

Anna ran her hands up and down her upper arms. “I’m moving to my new flat next week and I can stay with Olivia until then.”

He put his arms around her. “I want you to stay with me. I need to know that you’re safe.”

“I can’t let Sebastian rattle me; then he will have won. I can’t imagine he would try anything desperate.”

“Never underestimate a man who is cornered. Especially one who is lacking in any moral fiber.”

Anna was deep in thought on the drive out of London. He needed to find a way to protect her. Sebastian was a criminal and the less he had to lose the more dangerous he became. How could he make her understand that it wasn’t weak to take precautions?

He kept his tone neutral. “Why did you agree to meet him?”

Her voice was quiet. “I was at work this afternoon and a florist delivered flowers with a note to meet at your brewery.”

He glanced at her. “You thought the message was from me?”

She twisted a ring on her finger. “Yes. I can’t imagine how Sebastian could think that I would help him after everything he did.”

Alistair shifted the car and pulled over. “He must be a narcissist. And it’s a sign that he is feeling desperate.” He turned to her, “Please. You need to stay with me so I know that you are safe.”

She met his gaze. “As an events person, I’m constantly out in public. It can’t be that hard to figure out where Gala & More will be.”

He decided to hold his ground and not back down. He couldn’t imagine letting someone hurt her.

Touching her cheek, he said, “Let me protect you.”

Anna nodded and looked down. “I have something that I need to talk about with you. Can we go back to your place?”

Alistair merged back into traffic and put on the radio for the remainder of the drive.

He watched her pale considerably as he poured them a glass of wine. Whatever was on her mind, it worried her and she was reluctant to disclose it.

Her hands clenched into fists and then straightened out. He had a sense that he wouldn’t like what she had to say.

He handed her a glass of merlot. “This is a new blend.” He sat next to her on the sofa.

Anna wet her lips and placed the glass of wine on the cocktail table. “I don’t want to make a huge deal of this, but my period is a week late and I plan on seeing my doctor on Monday or Tuesday. Whenever they can squeeze me in.”

He doubted she was pregnant. They had been careful and had only been together for a few weeks.

He placed his glass down. “You’ve had the week from hell. Moving your business, dealing with Sebastian and now this.”

Her expression was pained. “I’m hoping that it’s nothing and then I’ll go on birth control.”

“Whatever it is, love, we’ll make it work.” He gathered her into his arms and could feel her heart beating excessively.

“I’m worried.” She relaxed into his embrace.

“I see that. There is no sense in worrying until we have all the facts. There are probably a million reasons for your period to be late.” He was waiting for a feeling of panic to overtake him, but nothing happened. He was excited about the prospect of her being pregnant. How was that possible?

She moved away slightly to look into his eyes. “I can’t believe that you aren’t more freaked out.”

“I’m an adult. I’m aware that there are potential consequences to having sex.”

In fact his body was craving her right now. Would it be insensitive to encourage her to have sex right now? He had been rock hard for days and exercising had barely taken the edge off. He had missed her. This was all new for him and he preferred not to dwell on it.

Standing up, he looked for a distraction. Maybe he should work for a couple of hours and suggest that she relax in the tub and rest? She had been through the mill today.

“You seem distracted.”

“Maybe you should relax and take a bath. I’ll do some work.”

She stood up and came over to him. She stroked her hands down his arms while pushing against him and kissing his neck. “I’d rather you offer me a distraction.”

He gently distanced himself. “You’ve had a difficult day. Are you sure?”

“I need you, Alistair.”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He was ready to strip her naked in the formal living room, but instead he led her upstairs. With each passing day, he was becoming more and more besotted with her. He couldn’t wait to see her and when he did, his heart constricted. He was losing control. But it didn’t matter. Only having her mattered.