Her Heart's Desire Read Online Free PDF

about Highcroft—and Meryl Rose probably knew it all.
    Marisa wondered if it was Felicity and Marcus she had seen having sex. She felt her heart sink. Oh, God, she thought. How embarrassing to have to sit through an entire dinner with those two after what I saw them doing.
    ‘The children are with their mother until tomorrow, so I think that’s about it for tonight. Master William is staying in town. He’s the younger of the St John brothers. He should be gracing us with his presence sometime soon though; he enjoys city life, he does.
    ‘He likes the ladies as well, that one. Oh, Master James will be dining this evening, of course.’
    ‘Right, Master James,’ Marisa murmured.
    Oh no, another new version of his name. She wished she could cut out all the titles and just call him James—lovely, handsome James.
    ‘Yes, I know he’s a handsome devil, all right.’ Meryl winked mischievously as she carefully placed warm bread rolls in a basket lined with a white linen cloth.
    ‘Now don’t be nervous dear. Just grit your teeth and get through this first dinner. You will soon find your ground. Now off you go, I’m about to serve up.’
    Marisa walked back to the dining room and was greeted by Lord St. John’s handsome face.
    ‘Good evening, Miss Lowell,’ he said, smiling at her.
    ‘Good evening, Lord St. John,’ Marisa said, smiling back at him, feeling nervous.
    Lord St. John was at the head of the table; to the left of him was a striking brunette. Marisa recognized her immediately as the woman in front of the fire. Felicity, she thought. Sitting next to her was the blond man, clearly her husband, Marcus. They were seated at the far side of an impressive polished mahogany table, which had enough seats for thirty people. Marisa smiled at everyone, feeling very awkward.
    ‘This is Miss Lowell, my new PA,’ Lord St. John said.
    ‘Marisa, meet my sister, Felicity, and her husband, Marcus.’
    ‘Hello, Marisa, nice to meet you,’ Felicity said in a cut glass, high-pitched voice.
    Marcus stared openly at her, which she found very disconcerting. He stood, reaching over the table to offer his hand, and she accepted, shaking it gently. His grasp was really strong, and he looked her right in the eyes, and his pale blue gaze struck her as icily cold.
    ‘Hello, Miss Lowell, so nice to meet you,’ he said.
    ‘Oh, please call me Marisa,’ she replied as confidently as possible. She took an immediate dislike to him.
    Lord St. John caught her eye, and he seemed unsettled. Marisa hoped she hadn’t done anything to offend him. Could he tell she didn’t like Marcus? Was she that obvious?
    Lord St. John chatted merrily throughout the meal. He talked about Highcroft with great passion, and Marisa thought he was absolutely lovely. He looked smart and relaxed. He was wearing a pink shirt and chinos, his dark hair a little ruffled at the front as though he had been sleeping on it. How sweet, she thought. He must have had a nap . She knew the English upper class often ‘retired for the afternoon’ for a nap before a heavy dinner. She wondered where his bedroom was.
    ‘So, Marisa, how do you like the old house so far?’ He broke into her thoughts, and she was blushing again.
    ‘Oh, for God’s sake, James, leave the poor girl alone to eat dinner. You haven’t stopped since she sat down. Good Lord, she will think us terrible bores,’ Felicity chipped in with her clipped, plumy accent.
    Marisa thought Felicity was being bitchy. She was very attractive with her high cheekbones, glossy hair, and pretty blue eyes. Shame she didn’t have the personality to match. She felt awkward being in the same room as the frisky couple. She wished she hadn’t been so nosy earlier.
    ‘It’s great, thank you, so far so good,’ Marisa replied to Lord St. John’s question, choosing to ignore Felicity’s put-down.
    I’m pleased to hear it,’ he said, smiling.
    His eyes seemed to call her to him. Marisa felt light-headed.
    ‘You must