The Secret Heiress (16 page)

She and Alistair left her doctor’s office on that Monday armed with a prescription for birth control pills and an admonishment for her to slow down and get some rest. A blood test had confirmed that she was not pregnant, but for some reason, she was disappointed. She was barely in a relationship and should be relieved. Alistair would have no interest in a surprise pregnancy.

He turned to her and said, “I’d like you to meet my mother before the event this weekend. Can you drive down to the vineyard on Wednesday?”

“There are so many details that I should check on this week. Can I meet her when she comes to London?”

He pulled her into an embrace on the sidewalk and kissed her forehead. “My staff can help.”

She shook her head. “This is my first solo event. It’s important that it comes together flawlessly. Going away for a day or two will just add pressure.”

He drove her back to her office. He had shown up when she needed him instead of letting her deal with the appointment alone.

He double parked so he could let her off close to her office. “Do you want me to pick you up tonight after the art opening?”

She kissed him and he pulled her towards him for another lingering kiss. “Olivia is coming to the opening and I made plans to go home with her. I haven’t spent much time with my nieces.”

Anna climbed out of the car, but before she closed the door, he said, “If you are sure then I’ll head down to the vineyard today. I’ve been neglecting the place since my obsession with you has taken over.”

She smiled. “Go ahead. I’ll see you at the end of the week.”

“Don’t let your guard down. Sebastian hasn’t done anything, but I want you to use the car service I hired and not go back to your flat alone.”

Closing the door, she wanted to change her mind and go with him but made herself go into her office building. Too much time with him was turning her into a clinging girlfriend. She didn’t even want to go to work.

Anna made herself go through the motions of her day. Returning messages, checking email and then taking a new client to lunch. Frances came in with the baby in the afternoon and the entire office took a break. Anna and Frances decided to take a drive out to the venue for Martin Enterprises and Katie promised to watch over her napping baby.

Frances drove and reminded Anna that the planning had been extensive, much more than most of their events.

“Yes, but Alistair is also our investor and the event is different. Martin Enterprises hosted it in the past in hotels or breweries.”

Frances looked at her. “He seems hooked on you. You could probably serve old cheese and wine in paper cups and he would be satisfied.”

Her partner’s flippant attitude added to her stress. “No, he wouldn’t. He can be insane about work. This needs to reflect well on Gala & More.”

They walked through the elaborate gardens and Frances looked at the spot for the tent.

“It’s going to be magnificent. You need to stop worrying.”

Anna didn’t sleep the night before the event. It didn’t help that Olivia had convinced her to stay the week at her house and Beatrice insisted on sleeping in the guest room with her. She adored her little niece but woke up with a stiff neck from hanging off the bed.

She got out of the house before anyone was awake. Stopping for a coffee at her new favorite café, she was the first person at the office.

Elyse came in an hour later and stopped in her office. “So are you ready? Today is the big day.”

Anna placed a few files in her bag. “I can’t wait until it comes together. I’m going to head out soon and watch the tent get put up.”

Elyse raised her eyebrows. “You should probably go to the spa for the day and let us handle it.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think I could relax. I’m on edge. I got my period today and feel like hibernating with a hot mug of tea.”

“Have you heard from Alistair?” Elyse leaned against the doorframe.

Anna leaned back in her chair. “He is returning from the vineyard today. Apparently he had a few unexpected guests this week and couldn’t get back.”

They talked for a few more minutes about other clients and Anna gathered her phone and bag.

“Wish me luck.”

“You won’t need it. I’ll come around four o’clock. Just text if you need anything before then.”

Anna took the rental van that had been stocked the day before with everything that was needed and headed to the public garden. The executive director was on site and looked happy to see her.

She climbed out of the van and went over to the older gentleman.

His eyes sparkled. “Anna, I’m so thrilled all of this worked out. From this one night, we have closed our budget gap for the year. And with so many people attending, I’m hoping for another event here soon.”

Smiling, she said, “I’m thrilled as well. I think everyone will enjoy the evening.”

The day passed in a blur of activity as numerous vendors came in and got the space ready for two hundred guests. The temporary lighting that was hung throughout the gardens was spectacular. The only worry Anna had was the caterer. Even though they specialized in outdoor affairs, she was worried that the food wouldn’t be delicious. They had to contend with limited water and electricity, not to mention insects and flies.

The head chef had calmed her down several times, so now she had to take it on faith that they knew what they were doing.

Alistair appeared an hour before the guests began arriving. She was kept busy but caught sight of him several times.

She had asked him to keep their relationship low key in front of her staff, but she felt slighted. They hadn’t seen each other all week and now he seemed to be distracted.

Alistair’s sales team arrived and they asked for her to make a few slight changes.

Just before the event was set to start, she made her way over to the public bathroom and changed into a dress and heels. Her sister had opened up her showroom and allowed her to pick whatever she wanted. She chose a black lace cocktail dress with an unlined yoke at the neckline and exquisitely detailed sheer embroidered tulle in small stripes throughout the skirt. It fit perfectly and was both striking and stylish.

Alistair pulled her into an embrace on her walk back to the event area.

“You are gorgeous tonight.” He kissed her neck.

Stepping back, she noticed he had put on his bow tie and jacket. “You look amazing yourself.”

“Congratulations are in order. This event will reflect well on my company as well as yours.”

She kept her tone light. “That is the goal.”

His eyes searched her face. “I need to talk with you about something, but we can leave it for later.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Not exactly, but it is complicated. It’s not worth discussing right now. We should begin greeting guests and making sure everything is ready.”

Anna went in search of the servers and attendants. She had thought about her typical role at an event, staying behind the scenes and making it all work. But with dating Alistair, it was more complicated. She should be at his side greeting guests and meeting his friends.

The sun had started to set and many of the well-dressed guests had arrived. She watched the women walk along the fabric-covered path in heels and everything seemed fine. The tent had been set up by the grape vines on an old foundation. The stone work along with the lanterns made guests feel that they were both out in nature and in an old dwelling.

Fionn and Olivia had arrived and were speaking with Alistair and a group of wine fanatics. Many of the people who were attending tonight bought large quantities of wine for their restaurants and hotel chains.

There was a well-coordinated effort to encourage everyone to sample different varieties of wine while the wait staff walked around with trays of hors d’oeuvres. She could hear laughter and snatches of conversations coming from many directions.

A tall redhead arrived and Anna instantly recognized her. Brenda Waterman. Why would she be invited? Her long, straight red hair hung down to her waist and her skimpy dress barely concealed her small breasts.

She made her way to Alistair and hung on his arm. Anna felt her stomach clench. Why was Brenda acting as if she was still dating Alistair?

The event moved to speeches and the dinner. The tables looked spectacular with rustic floral arrangements and specialty lighting. Anna joined Olivia and Fionn at their table and listened to Alistair start the evening with a prediction for the coming harvest. He spoke about the international pressures on vineyards and the reputation of the U.K. in the burgeoning marketplace. His speech was polished and entertaining and Anna had a difficult time remembering that she was irritated with him.

When he turned over the microphone to his marketing vice president, Olivia whispered, “Is everything all right with you and Alistair?”

“I haven’t seen him this week. He had something unexpected come up at the vineyard.”

Olivia nodded. “His mother visited and she is here tonight. Have you met her?”

Anna shook her head. The next speech began and she lost the opportunity to speak with Olivia.

The dinner was divine. The caterer had been a good choice. She watched the guests for signs of discomfort, but everyone was drinking and socializing. The quintet she’d hired played classical music on a small terrace above the tent and added just enough interest to the evening.

Anna decided to go in search of Alistair. He wasn’t in the tent any longer and she explored the area where the wine tasting had been set up. She caught sight of him having a conversation with Brenda. He didn’t look pleased but listened intently to whatever the woman was saying to him.

She felt nauseous and retraced her steps. She came across a woman who reminded her a little of Alistair. She wasn’t tall but had the same blue eyes.

“You must be the Bolles girl.”

She held her hand out politely and said, “Anna Bolles.”

The woman shook her hand and smiled. “I’m Deirdre, Alistair’s mother.”

Anna kept her tone friendly. “It’s quite nice to meet you.”

Her lips pinched together. “I’m afraid I don’t share the same good feeling. You see, I’m rather fond of Brenda and was sorry to hear that you have come between her and Alistair. They were to be married later this year.”

Anna thought she might faint. The tabloids had speculated about a possible engagement, but Alistair had said nothing. He’d made it sound as if he barely dated the woman.

“I guess it’s somewhat natural because you grew up with an odd arrangement. But I had hoped for more for Alistair. He has found so much success in the business world, I couldn’t wait for him to have a wife and family.”

She tried to keep her voice neutral as an intense pain swept through her body. “He wasn’t seeing anyone when we started dating.”

“I just spoke with him last week and he told me that he planned on proposing tonight.”

Anna stepped back. “That can’t be true. You must have misunderstood.”

Her voice became shrill. “There is no misunderstanding. He told me.”

Brenda came up the walkway alone and greeted Deirdre.

Anna nodded at the two of them and walked back to where she had seen Alistair. He was looking out at the view over the gardens.

“I met your mother.”

He turned towards her and he looked pensive. “I’m sorry. I should have introduced you, but she has been acting a little odd tonight.”

Anna folded her arms across her chest. “Yes. She seemed to think that you were about to propose to Brenda.”

He met her gaze. “I think the two of them have encouraged each other’s fantasies.”

She bit her lower lip. “Why is she even here?”

He stepped closer to her. “Brenda is a model and has an account with a large lobby for the wine growers association. In fact, they were filming at my vineyard this week.”

Anna shook her head to clear her thoughts. A painful lump in her throat formed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Alistair held up his hands. “I had forgotten that a shoot was scheduled. If you remember, I invited you down to meet my mother this week.”

Her mind was trying to make sense of the events over the last week. Why did his mother think they were going to get engaged?. “Brenda Waterman is rather close to your mother.”

He touched her shoulders. “She has been modeling for the association for a number of years. Everyone within the industry knows her.”

She stepped away from him. “I can see why your mother is keen on the association. You are the most sought after vineyard owner in the U.K. and she is the representation of all that is good about the industry.”

“You are making too much of this. I’ve known Brenda for a long time.”

“You spent the week with her at your vineyard.” Pain engulfed her.

Alistair stepped closer to her. “There was filming, but I barely had any interaction with her. As far as I’m concerned, I let her have her say at the dinner weeks ago and have moved on.”