Dark Obsession Read Online Free Page A

he hadn’t met anyone who could excite him in the same way as she did, or who took such delicious delight in the more outlandish practices that enthralled him. He couldn’t imagine ever meeting anyone to match her.
    ‘You mean, you’ve told her?’ asked Annabel at the end of the day.
    David Crosbie nodded. ‘She took it very well. I explained that you would soon be in great demand and that this gave her the opportunity of being one step ahead of everyone else. She’d be able to boast that you’d done Leyton Hall long before you were famous. She’s probably planning to claim credit for having asked for you by the time you’ve finished.’
    ‘But what if she doesn’t like my ideas?’ protested Annabel.
    ‘She’ll like them. She’d probably like anyone’s ideas, but in your case she’s getting a genuine bargain, far more than she deserves.’
    Annabel sighed. ‘You don’t know what she deserves. She might be a very nice, knowledgeable lady.’
    ‘And pigs might fly.’
    ‘I’ve got a feeling I’m not going to enjoy myself very much,’ said Annabel. ‘I hope I’m not there long.’
    ‘It shouldn’t take more than three weeks at the outside,’ David assured her. ‘Martin and I will take you out for a meal tonight, to celebrate your first solo venture. How about that?’
    Annabel smiled. ‘It sounds more like a bribe to me, but a very nice one.’
    ‘Good, then that’s settled.’
    It was nearly midnight when the three of them returned from the promised meal, and Annabel felt pleasantly cheerful after the delicious food and excellent wine. ‘I hope the food’s like that at Leyton Hall,’ she sighed. ‘Then the three weeks would fly by.’
    ‘It isn’t,’ said Martin, glancing at David, who busied himself pouring them all brandies. ‘Hasn’t David told you we spent a weekend there once ourselves?’
    ‘No,’ said Annabel in astonishment.
    ‘Well, it wasn’t a great success, that’s probably why he kept quiet. The food was dreadful, and the company even worse.’
    ‘David, is this why you won’t take on the commission?’ Annabel asked accusingly.
    For once David had the grace to blush. ‘Not exactly, darling. Let’s just say that the countryside and I are not entirely at ease with one another.’
    ‘But you do know Lord and Lady Corbett-Wynne?’
    ‘Yes,’ David admitted reluctantly. ‘That’s to say, I’ve talked with them. I wouldn’t for one moment suggest that I
know
them.’
    ‘Why didn’t you tell me that before?’
    ‘It wasn’t relevant,’ retorted David, beginning to sound irritable. ‘I really don’t know why Martin’s mentioned it now.’
    ‘Of course it’s relevant!’ she exclaimed. ‘For heaven’s sake, tell me what they’re like.’
    ‘Pretty typical of their kind. Lord Corbett-Wynne’s tall, heavy-set, with greying hair and one of those florid, rustic complexions. He manages to get to the House of Lords about once a month, the rest of the time he’s busy with Leyton Hall. At least he’s busy with the girl grooms at Leyton Hall!’
    ‘What about his wife?’ asked Annabel, intrigued. ‘Doesn’t she mind?’
    ‘She’s probably grateful!’ laughed Martin. ‘As I remember she’s one of those fine-boned, beautifully turned out women who seem totally asexual. It would be difficult to imagine her in the throes of any sexual passion, don’t you agree, David?’
    ‘Possibly, certainly not with that husband of hers anyway. Her daughter’s the exact opposite. According to her stepfather she’s quite a handful. Not that he went into any detail, but he certainly gave that impression.’
    ‘And the son?’ asked Annabel.
    ‘Gorgeous!’ declared Martin. ‘You’ll fall for him immediately, Annabel. He’s tall, fair-haired and tanned, with that deliciously languid air that’s so irresistible.’
    ‘I’m sure I’ll be able resist him,’ retorted Annabel. ‘Whose son is he then?’
    ‘Don’t you listen?’ asked David, clearly wanting