Sebastian - Dark Bonds (18 page)

“She wasn’t well, Christina,” I say gently.  She straightens her back and regards me pitifully.

“He’s got you under his bloody spell already, hasn’t he?  I knew it.  Goddam that man to hell.”

“Now wait a minute,” I match her ramrod posture.  “I have seen nothing but kindness from Sebastian and am certainly not the sort of woman to put up with anything less than a mutually respectful and honest relationship.”  It’s almost true.  Dominance in itself does not a murderer
make. “The only person who is under a spell at Penmorrow is Scarlett.”

Christina nods in agreement.  “You’re right, that girl is besotted with him.  I’ve tried so hard, as I did with Libby, to warn her but she’s just like my daughter, she won’t be told.  That’s why I’ve kept in touch with Scarlett, so that I can keep trying, I couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to her and I hadn’t tried my best.”

“Did you know that Scarlett and Sebastian used to be lovers?”  I ask.  Christina takes a moment to consider what I have said.

“I’ve suspected it, Elizabeth.  The signs were the same, why do you stay with him?  What is it about him that enthrals and captivates women regardless of how he treats them?  Besides his charm and money of course.”

“I don’t want to discuss that with you.”  I feel uncomfortable now.  Something is gnawing at me and I can’t fathom what it is.  It’s something Christina has said and it’s bugging me.  “I’m going now, but I want to thank you for being so open with me.   It means a lot that I’ve been able to fit another piece of the jigsaw of Sebastian’s life.”  I stand to leave, picking up my bag and holding out my hand to Christina.

“If you want to add more pieces of his jigsaw, I suggest you talk to his friend, Marcus.  He’s known him since childhood and he can tell you about Sebastian’s childhood which does, in part, explain why he’s like he is.”

“Marcus?  Where can I find him?”  Sebastian has not mentioned Marcus, how strange that he should neglect to mention such an old friend.

“I’ve got his address somewhere, give me a moment.”  She returns to the dresser and takes a notebook from the drawer.  Thumbing through the pages she finds the information and scribbles it hurriedly on a blank page, which she rips out and hands to me.

“Thank you Christina.  I’ll talk to him and I promise all is well, nothing’s going to happen to Scarlett or to me so please try not to worry.”  She takes my outstretched hand and squeezes rather than shakes it.

“Take care, dear.  Remember what I’ve told you.  You’ve got a daughter, haven’t you?” 

“Yes, Bella.  She’s nearly eighteen,” I confirm, wondering where she’s going with this.

“Then be careful for her, if not for yourself.” 

“Thank you, I will.  Goodbye Christina.” 

“Goodbye sweet Elizabeth.”  She closes the door and I walk back to my car, closing her white picket gate behind me.  My phone rings again.  I hesitate before declining Sebastian’s call once more.  Then I dial the number for Marcus.

23

Marcus answers on the third ring.  I feel nervous and foolish calling a strange man that I’ve never met in order to question him covertly about my boyfriend.

“Hello …” His voice is very nice and that spurs me on.

“Oh, hello.  You don’t know me - my name is Elizabeth Dove.  Beth.  I understand that you are great friends of my partner, Sebastian De Montfort.”  I stammer and sound like a lunatic but he immediately puts me at ease.

“Beth, hi.  Sebastian’s told me all about you, it’s great that you’ve called.  Is this about your fantastic party?”  He serves up the perfect motive for my call and I’m grateful for that.

“Yes, that’s right.  I’m hoping you and err …”

“Becky.”

“Yes, Becky, can come?”

“We wouldn’t miss it.  We’re both itching to meet the woman who’s stolen Sebastian’s heart.”  Stolen his heart?  Oh how that lifts me.

“Great, well I look forward to meeting you both too.  I did wonder if I could perhaps meet up with you sometime?  I’d like to get to know Sebastian’s greatest friends and the party will be a blur … you know, champagne, masks, hardly a great way to get to know people,” I babble.

“Sure.  Tell you what, why don’t you and Sebastian come for dinner this Saturday night?  Becky’s a great cook, I’m sure she’ll rustle up a treat for you guys.”  Dammit, I want to talk to you alone.

“Perfect,” I say cheerily.  “We’d love to.  What time would you like us?”

“7.30pm would be good.  We’ll see you then.”  We say polite goodbyes and end the call. 
Shit
.  Now Sebastian will know I’ve called him plus I won’t be able to get him alone.

Driving home to Penmorrow, I reflect on my visit to Christina.  What was it that she said, that rings alarm bells in my mind?  Benzodiazepines.  With a rush of realisation, I remember what it was that was playing on my mind.  After Alan and Joe’s accident the police officer, DI Chambers, had said that the toxicology report showed this same drug in Alan’s blood.  Why would Alan and Libby have been taking the same tablet?  I tell myself that thousands of people must be on that same drug. It’s simply a co-incidence.  DI Chambers had told me that the drug would cause drowsiness and this, combined with alcohol, had caused Alan to crash the car.  I still don’t understand how he obtained the pills apparently without a doctor prescription.  If Libby was on the same medication, it’s possible that her lethargy and frailty were exacerbated with the tablets she was taking.  In essence, this may have been a circle of destruction for her.  Depressed and anxious – popped pills – they made her listless and this, in turn, made her more depressed.  Doctor Beth, psychiatrist extraordinaire, I muse.  It’s all starting to make sense to me now, and begins to exonerate Sebastian.

When I arrive home, Sebastian’s car is on the drive but he’s not in the house.  Bella is on her laptop in Sebastian’s study, chatting online to Chloe, she grunts when I say hello.  Ruth is in the morning room watching television and she looks up as I enter the room.

“Hey stranger.  I was worried about you, where have you been?” She mutes the sound and looks at me expectantly.

“Hi Ruth.  I’m really sorry to have left you alone this morning, I had something to attend to and you were still asleep when I left, I did push a note under your door.”  She looks as though she wants to push me as to what exactly I had to attend to, but then thinks better of it and pats the seat next to her.  I sit down, putting my arm around her shoulders.

“Yes I read it, rather cryptic, it just said you had errands to run.  Anyway I’ve been enjoying some ‘me’ time, it’s been so great to be here, Beth.  It’s such a shame I have to go back, it’s been a flying visit.”

“It’s been so wonderful having you here, Ruth.  Are you sure you have to leave today?” 

“Yup, someone has to run that business of ours.  Did you know Sebastian’s coming to the AGM, the week you’re back for Bella’s birthday?”  She cocks a perfectly sculpted brow when I shake my head.

“No, he didn’t tell me.  I didn’t think he had the right to attend.  Doesn’t he need to be invited?”  I ask, irritated at his intrusion.

“Beth, he’s every right to be there.  He’s a shareholder.   He has legal rights.  Why don’t you want him there?”

“He interferes Ruth.  He’s bloody annoying in the boardroom, as well you remember.” 

She laughs and gives me a hug.  “You two are hilarious.  It’s worth every minute of him being there for the entertainment value alone.”

I slap her knee playfully.  “Fine, but if he says one damn thing to irritate me, I’ll have his ass thrown out.  Agreed?”

“Agreed.”  We both laugh.

“Speaking of Sebastian, where is he?” I enquire, remembering the rejected calls.  No doubt he’s once again mad at me.

“He showered and changed after his ride, then said he was going to look at the deer enclosure.  He said something about the fencing.  Why don’t you go and find him?”

“Yes, I will in a moment.”

“Beth he’s divine isn’t he?  If you ever grow tired of that man, then cast him my way.  I’ll quite happily accept your sloppy seconds.  Those smouldering eyes, and the way he swaggers, it’s enough to make a girl’s toes curl.” 

“Ruth!” I exclaim in mock horror.  “He’s my boyfriend.  You can’t say things like that.”

“Girl, believe me, looks like his should be censored.”

With wellington boots on, I hike across the lawns and over the deer park in search of Sebastian.  It’s a glorious day, the sun is warm and I’ve changed into tight blue jeans and silver vest top.  I feel fit and sexy and hope to distract his inevitable bad mood by baring my flesh.  The sun beats down on my bare shoulders and, my hair clipped up, it kisses the skin on the back of my neck.  On a day like this, it feels good to be alive, especially in such a spectacular setting.  The deer chew at the lush grass until their awareness of my approach sees them spring away effortlessly across the grounds. 

I view Sebastian across the park, knocking a post into the ground with a mallet and decide to sneak up on him by skirting across the enclosure, behind him.  As I get nearer, the sight of him wearing only khaki combats, muscles bulging, sends a tremor to my sex, which instantly grows slick in anticipation.  I tiptoe the last five yards and place a gentle kiss on hi
s hot, sweaty back.  He jumps, dropping the mallet on his foot.

“For fucks sake!”  He hops from foot to foot and snarls at me. 
Oh fuck.
  That’s really improved his mood, Beth.

“Shit, I’m so sorry Sebastian.  I wanted to surprise you.  Fuck it, are you ok?”

“Mind your mouth,” he shouts, pulling off his work boot as he hops to keep his balance, but falls straight on his ass. 
Oh fuck
.

“Oh God.  I’m so sorry,” I can’t help laughing at the sight.  As much as I know this will make him madder, the hilarity of the situation tickles me.

“Funny is it?” He barks.  “I’ll show you funny, lady.”  He staggers to his feet, wincing as he puts his injured foot to the ground, and hobbles in my direction.

“Sebastian, you’re injured,” the laughter won’t stop, much as I want it to, knowing it’s inappropriate.

“Come here.”  He lunges for me and catches hold of my belt, pulling me sharply by the waist until I’m pressed against him.  His muscular arms wrap firmly around me, his chest, misted with sweat, pressing against my breasts causing my nipples to instantly harden at the contact.

“Still funny?” he purrs, his nostrils flaring, dirt smeared across his rugged jaw.   I kiss him, my lips hungry for his, my tongue forcing entry to his mouth licks at his tongue.  His hands move down to my ass and squeeze hard enough to make me thrust forward against his erection, which presses against my navel.  My arms encircle his strong frame and my nails dig into the bare, moist flesh of his back.  We kiss passionately, our tongues battling, our teeth catching each other’s lips.  His right hand moves down further, his fingers sliding down the central seam of my jeans until they reach the apex where they push against the constraints of the denim, making me wet with desire.

“Are you wet for me, Elizabeth?” he whispers in my ear.

“Dripping,” I rasp.  “Are you going to do anything about it?”  I challenge.

“Topping from the bottom, as ever, Mrs. Dove.”                He looks so hot, his breath comes fast and heavy, his eyes looking roguishly at me through long inky lashes.

“No Sir.  I wouldn’t dream of it,” I gasp as innocently as I can.

“Hmm, you don’t seem too contrite Elizabeth.  Kiss my toe.”  He releases me, to the annoyance of my voracious pussy.  He points to his bare foot, the big toe now red and swollen.

“Kiss your toe?” I echo, incredulously. 

“She can hear but she clearly doesn’t understand,” he quips, still pointing at his wounded foot.  Evidently irritated by my reticence, he clicks his fingers in front of my face and cocks a brow, a smile playing on his lips. 

“You’re so hot, De Montfort, do you know that?”
              The attempt at distraction holds no sway with the man who cocks his brow higher still.  I kneel before him but maintain eye contact.

“Don’t look me in the eyes, I’m not happy with you.  Kiss it better.”  He clicks his fingers again and points once more to his toe.  I gingerly lean down and place a light kiss on his inflamed toe. 

“Good girl.  Now take it in your mouth,” he instructs.  I do as I’m told for once and take the sore tip of his toe between my lips tenderly, afraid to hurt him more.

“Suck it gently.”  Following instruction, I take the entire toe in my mouth and gently suck - his hand on the back of my head pushes me down further.  He groans and I’m unsure if with pleasure or pain, or most likely both.  It’s so demeaning and yet so erotic, my arousal causing a river between my legs and my nipples to struggle against the confines of my bra.  He tugs at my hair clip, raising my head.  His toe, wet from my saliva, slips from my mouth.

“Put that mouth to better use now, my little slut.”                He unzips his fly and his heavy penis flops forward, standing proud from his combats, inches away from my mouth.

“Suck me,” he commands.  “Make me come and take all of it in your mouth.  Do not spill a single drop, do you understand?”