Her Heart's Desire by Lauren Wilder Read Free Book Online

was wrong. Felicity poked her head out from behind the curtain.
    ‘Be a darling and ask her for a size seven in the Prada sandals, the ones with the three-inch heel, in black.’
    ‘Oh, okay, will do.’ Marisa was beginning to feel like she worked there herself.
    The pretty assistant came back, holding another dress.
    ‘Here we are. I’ll take it through.’
    Oh, that’s okay, I’ll take it, and can you get her a size seven in the three-inch Prada heel?’ Marisa said.
    ‘Very well,’ said the assistant, handing Marisa the dress. She went off to get the shoes.
    ‘Felicity, here’s your dress.’ Marisa handed it through the curtain.
    ‘Oh, thank you, you are a doll.’ She reached through and grabbed it.
    ‘Did you get the shoes, darling?’
    ‘The assistant is bringing them,’ Marisa said. She was starting to feel bored and just a little bit agitated that Felicity was treating her like her lady’s maid.
    ‘Look, Felicity, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to have a look in the newsagents. I will be back in five minutes. I don’t expect you will be done by then.’
    ‘No, dear, off you go. I will see you back here.’
    Gee, thanks , thought Marisa.
    She left the shop and went next door to the newsagents, hoping to find something interesting to read. She browsed the magazines and picked out a Country Life magazine. On the cover was a beautiful, stately home, and as she read the article, Marisa learned it belonged to the Duke of Marlborough, no less, and it was called Blenheim Palace. She decided she would go and see it on her day off. Maybe she could use the staff car if it was available.
    She bought the magazine and returned to the boutique just as Felicity was paying for her dress and shoes. Marisa was shocked to see the total rang up on the till. She couldn’t believe Felicity had just spent so much money on one outfit.
    ‘Oh, look here, Marisa,’ Felicity said, picking up a pair of gloves from a rail on the desk.
    ‘Why don’t you get these? I noticed you weren’t wearing any.’ Felicity handed the soft leather gloves to Marisa.
    Marisa balked at the price tag and handed them straight back to her.
    ‘No, thanks, I have gloves at the house. I don’t need new ones.’
    ‘Oh, okay, that’s a shame. They are on sale and so pretty.’
    Marisa smiled and shook her head. I’m not spending a week’s wages on a pair of ridiculously overpriced mitts, she thought.
    She would never admit it to Felicity, of course, but she would never spend so much money on clothes, even if she was rich. There were children starving in the world, for God’s sake.
    They took a break in the chocolate house tea rooms, and Marisa allowed herself a slice of mouthwatering chocolate gâteau.
    ‘Wow, that was delicious,’ she said, patting her stomach, feeling stuffed.
    ‘I know, they have the best cakes and pastries in Buckinghamshire,’ Felicity said between mouthfuls of chocolate fudge cake. Marisa was surprised to see her eating such a huge, calorie-laden treat. She wondered how she kept her figure so slim.
    Every time she looked at Felicity, she cringed as she remembered the erotic show by the fire and Marcus’s most recent flagrant display in the maze. She wondered if Felicity knew he had a lover.
    Upon returning to Highcroft, Marisa excused herself and decided to take a nap before dinner, figuring she had seen enough excitement for one day.
    ‘Phew,’ Marisa let out a long sigh and made for the sanctuary of her room. Once inside, she lay down on the beautiful bed and swept her arm across the delicate silk quilt, relishing the softness of the plump feather pillows and the luxurious Egyptian cotton pillowcases against her cheek. She drifted off with thoughts of Lord St. John, cakes, and sex on her mind—a heady concoction.
     
    * * * *
     
    ‘Please, kiss me, kiss me now,’ she said breathlessly as James St. John gazed into her eyes, his blue eyes dancing as though mocking her, as though he knew the strength of