Desire (#2) by Carrie Cox Read Free Book Online

car traveling down a narrow, bumpy country lane.
    I peered out into the darkness, but I saw nothing but hedgerows and fields. The driver noticed I was awake and caught my eye in his rear-view mirror.
    “Nearly there now,” he said.
    I straightened in my seat and patted down my hair, hoping my clothes weren’t too dishevelled. I didn’t want to give Lady Vastor any more reasons to look down on me. I’d ordered oil paints, canvas and pallet knives to be delivered to the Vastor’s country house. Tomorrow, I would just sketch Lady Vastor, but I would need the supplies in the next day or two.
    “This is it,” the driver said, and I leaned forward to get my first glimpse of the Vastors’ Hampshire home.
    The drive was lined by a tall hedge, hiding the house until we turned the next corner. When it finally came into view, the driver gave a low whistle.
    I agreed with him. The place was huge. I didn’t know much about English houses, but knew enough to guess the house was over a hundred years old, probably older. Tall columns stood at the entrance, and at least fifty stone steps led up to the front door. Huge stone lions stood proudly guarding either side of the entrance.
    As the driver opened my door, I shivered.
    An external light flashed on as the driver carried my case up the steps. A moment later the front door opened, and a young Filipina maid beckoned me to come in. She wore a light blue uniform and a white apron.
    I turned to the driver, flustered. Was I supposed to give him a tip? As I fumbled in my bag for my purse, he waved me away and headed back down the steps to his car.
    “Would you like to go to your room?” the maid asked me and grabbed my suitcase.
    “Oh, um, yes. Should I see Lady Vastor first?” I asked her, but she was already heading for the stairs.
    “Later,” the maid said bobbing her head. “Lord and Lady Vastor will not be home until ten o’clock, I think.”
    I blinked at her. “They’ve gone out?”
    The maid bobbed her head again. “A village function. Lady Vastor said she’d see you when she got back.”
    I bit down on the side of my mouth. If they weren’t even going to be here this evening, why was it so imperative I arrive today?
    Was it Benjamin’s doing? Was he trying to get me out of the way?
    The maid showed me to my room, which was at the far end of the hall. The room was pleasant, but had surprisingly understated décor compared the entrance and hallway.
    I thanked the maid, and she left me to unpack. I dumped the suitcase on the floor, sat down on the bed and typed out an angry message to Benjamin.
    Arrived at Vastors’ house, but Vastors are not here.
    I stared dawn at the phone, willing him to respond, but he didn’t. I glanced down at my watch. Nine pm. I still had an hour to kill before the Vastors came home. I thought about exploring the house, but I thought that might be rude.
    Perhaps I should call Benjamin. I had been acting like a spoiled brat. He didn’t promise me a long-term commitment. I reached for my phone and pulled up his number from my contacts. I could have called and apologised, but that was a bad idea. I dropped my phone back on the bed and kicked off my shoes. I needed to make a clean break. The last thing I needed was to hear his deep voice.
    It was almost eleven before the Vastors returned. The young maid knocked on my bedroom door, informing me Lady Vastor would like to see me.
    Fuming, I followed the maid downstairs. Why would they keep me waiting like this?
    Lord Vastor was pouring himself a large measure of whiskey from a crystal decanter as I entered the room. Lady Vastor looked up but didn’t stand to greet me.
    “Hello again, Kate,” she said smoothly. “I’m sorry we kept you waiting tonight.”
    “That’s okay,” I said, even though it wasn’t really. I tried very hard to smile and be polite. She was my new client after all.
    “I’m eager to make a start on the portrait tomorrow,” she said. “I won’t have to sit still