The Price of Desire (15 page)

 

After a few more hours of broken sleep she decided to give in and get up. She felt awful, like she had a hangover.

Downstairs she made herself a coffee and took it outside to the summerhouse. The sun had barely come up and the morning dew was still glistening on the lawn. Ordinarily it would have been too chilly to sit outside in only her nightie, and although she shivered a little she felt she needed it to wake her up and focus her mind.

A little later Bunnie appeared, in one of Georgie's nighties and also with a cup of coffee, and they sat together for a few minutes in silence, appreciating the tranquillity of the early morning.

‘Richard's up,' said Bunnie, after taking a sip of her hot drink. ‘Well technically, he's still up, I don't think he's been to bed yet. He'll be out in a moment.' She paused, looking troubled, and Georgie could see she was still tired too.

‘I think you should tell Richard about what you heard last night,' she said at last. ‘After all, this is what we wanted, isn't it? The whole point of going to the party was to try and get some information about Lily.'

‘Yes, but what did we actually learn?' said Georgie. It had been going round and round her head all night. ‘All I heard was a vague reference to a flower which could possibly, maybe, be alluding to Lily.'

‘But what about Gideon not needing that Sapphire woman tonight, and clearly inviting you in her place?' Bunnie countered.

‘We don't know the two are connected,' said Georgie, more confidently than she felt. She too had been weighing up Gideon's invitation. If she accepted she could be walking straight into a trap. It all came down to proof. They had none, and she pointed this out to Bunnie. All they had was a very brief conversation at a swingers' party, and she could hardly go to the police with that. They needed hard evidence.

Richard appeared as the girls were still discussing what Georgie had heard.

‘What are you doing out here?' he asked, shivering, still in the same clothes he'd been wearing the night before. He also had bloodshot eyes and his five o'clock shadow looked more like designer stubble.

‘Good night?' Georgie asked sarcastically.

‘The best,' Richard replied, taking her cup out of her hand and draining the last of her coffee. ‘You both slipped out early,' he continued, ‘but you certainly made an impression on our host. Gideon was very impressed and kept saying he was disappointed he didn't get a chance to say goodbye properly.'

Georgie felt both of them staring at her. The cold morning air did nothing to hide her blushes. Her stomach did a flip at the mention of Gideon, and she felt something close to pride that he had been talking about her after she had left. She could still feel where he'd been, she ached in muscles she didn't even know she had, and her pussy and bottom were tender and sensitive from the vigorous fucking he'd given her.

‘We were just talking about him,' Bunnie said, and they filled Richard in on what Georgie had heard.

Richard didn't answer immediately, dwelling on what they'd told him. ‘Can we go inside?' he said at last. ‘I'm freezing.'

The girls agreed and headed back inside the house. Georgie couldn't face any breakfast so she sat drinking more coffee while watching Richard devour a full English of three sausages, two fried eggs, rashers of bacon, baked beans, fried tomatoes and countless rounds of buttered toast. Just watching him eat all that made her feel queasy.

‘Do you think I should go tonight?' she asked her cousin.

He laid his knife and fork down on the empty plate. ‘I don't think we have a choice. It sounds suspicious to me, but we need more to go on.'

‘It could be dangerous,' said Bunnie. ‘I think we should go too, to watch out for you.'

‘We can't all three of us turn up,' Georgie said, shaking her head. ‘He only invited me, so I need to do this alone.'

‘Bunnie's right,' said Richard. ‘It could be dangerous. If they have got something to do with Lily's disappearance and they're on to us, who knows what they're capable of. Bunnie and I will follow you in her car, and we can wait for you in the lane outside. There's no way I'm going to let you walk in there on your own with no backup.'

Bunnie nodded vigorously and Georgie was secretly thankful for her friends' support. She would have gone regardless of what Richard thought - she had to for her sister's sake - but the knowledge that they would both be nearby filled her with the courage to do what was needed.

Bunnie went home to get some rest and a change of clothes, while Georgie went upstairs and back to bed. She was exhausted from a restless night and her brain felt fuzzy from the lack of sleep. Lying on her bed she didn't even have the energy to get under the sheets, and fell asleep thinking of Lily and where she could be.

 

 

 

When Georgie awoke hours later it was already starting to get dark outside. Although she had slept for most of the day, instead of feeling refreshed she still felt drained and out of synch with the rest of the world.

Her limbs were heavy as she dragged herself to the shower. Hot jets of water pummelled her skin, her flesh turning pink from the pressurised stream. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about the last few days. She needed to clear her mind and keep focused. ‘What's happening to me?' she groaned, leaning her forehead against the glass shower screen.

The shame of what she had done, how she had behaved and how it could ruin her family if the press found out nearly crushed her. Her recent actions were so out of character, she needed to regain control of the situation. Tonight things would change. She had another chance with Gideon and this time she'd be properly prepared. She would do whatever it took to get to the bottom of Lily's disappearance, and the more she thought about it the more she thought Gideon would be the key.

Feeling more alert she dressed in a simple yet classy black skirt and fitted shirt. She was still unclear of Gideon's intentions for her; there was always a chance she had misread the situation. All the same she chose her underwear carefully, a white lacy bra and panties.

Richard was waiting downstairs, looking as handsome as ever in jeans and a black shirt. But there was something else, a strained look behind his usual easy smile, and this slight chink in his armour unnerved her more than any of the events leading up to this. She needed Richard to be strong for her, to be strong for Lily. She couldn't do this without him.

‘Is Bunnie here yet?' she asked.

‘She won't be long. I just got a call from her saying she's about to leave her place.'

Georgie paced the reception hall, the clicking of her stiletto heels echoing off the marble floor. She was agitated, unable to settle. Patience was not one of her virtues.

Doubts flooded her mind. She must be crazy going back to that house, back to a man who she believed to be linked to Lily's disappearance, and worse, could possibly be on to her.

The thought of her sister made the knot in her stomach tighten. What had happened to her little sister? To find and bring her home was Georgie's sole objective at the moment. That was the only reason she was walking back into the lion's den. At least that was what she was telling herself.

Although she was not at all happy about going back there, a small part of her was shamefully keen to be with Gideon again. She remembered the ecstasy on his face as he filled her with his spunk and it sent an electric current through her that had nothing to do with fear. Her sex was still sensitive from the onslaught of the night before and she longed for a repeat of the virgin sensations of being buggered.

She stopped pacing and went to the study, where Richard was sitting watching a golf tournament on television. She turned off the set as she walked past to pour herself come Dutch courage. Richard didn't say anything but turned his attention to her.

‘So, how do I look?' she asked, trying to sound light-hearted.

He looked her up and down deliberately, half smiling, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. ‘Very nice,' he said simply.

‘Very nice? Is that all you can say? Not, a vision of beauty that blinds you with radiance?' Georgie teased.

Richard cracked a smile and Georgie pictured him, aged eight years old, the same mischievous grin on his face, and something about the innocent memory of a simpler time made her want to cry. Seeing her change of expression he stood up and took her in his arms in a bone-crushing hug.

‘Lady Georgina, you are always the most beautiful woman in any room,' he whispered in her ear. His warm breath on her neck brought her out in goose bumps. She buried her head into his shoulder and slowly he stroked her hair. ‘I promise we'll find Lily,' he said.

‘I hope I'm not interrupting anything,' said Bunnie abruptly from the open door. Georgie sprung away from Richard, not sure why she felt as if she'd been caught doing something naughty.

‘Sorry I'm late,' Bunnie ventured sulkily when neither of them spoke to her. ‘Are we still on for tonight?'

‘Yep, all systems go,' said Richard. ‘Ready?' he asked Georgie.

‘Ready,' she replied.

The evening outside was chilly, and as she said goodbye to them both she wished with all her heart that she could stay with them. She drove away alone, the other two following in Bunnie's black sports convertible. Not very inconspicuous in the circumstances, Georgie thought, but Richard could be very persuasive. Her escorts pulled over just before she turned into Gideon's driveway and she suddenly felt very alone. They would wait, and if she hadn't reappeared by 2 a.m. they would come in looking for her.

But a lot could happen between now and then.

 

As Georgie stood alone at the front door she realised what a risky plan it was, and it seemed immeasurably more dangerous than when they discussed it in the safety of the Manor. Nevertheless she reached out and knocked, and Gideon himself answered looking immaculate but conservative in a black suit and tie.

‘Right on time,' he said. ‘I must admit, after you disappeared last night I wasn't sure I'd be seeing you again.'

Georgie hated how controlled he looked, always that amused look in his eye, like he was laughing at some private joke. But she smiled politely. It was all part of the game and she intended to win this round.

‘I'm sorry I had to leave without saying goodbye, or thanking you for your kind hospitality,' she said warmly. ‘I really didn't mean to be rude but my friend wasn't feeling very well, so I drove her home. I hope I'm still welcome this evening?'

‘Well of course, my dear young lady,' he said, opening the door wider to grant her entry. ‘Come in, come in. I'm delighted you accepted my invitation, as I feel like I barely got to know you last night.'

As Georgie followed him down the hallway she thought how oddly formal the conversation was considering he'd had is cock up her arse just the night before, but she was prepared to play along for now.

She hadn't seen his wife Mary yet, and kind of hoped she was out. She'd barely been introduced to the woman before fucking her husband, so she couldn't face making small talk with her.

They entered a room Georgie hadn't seen before, and she found it to her liking. It was a comfortable den with two brown leather sofas facing each other, separated by a low mahogany coffee table. A television was discreetly hidden in a cabinet in the corner, giving the impression that this was a more frequently used living space.

The man sitting on one of the sofas stood up when she walked into the room. He was classically handsome and looked very distinguished in a grey three-piece suit. Georgie guessed he was in his late thirties.

‘My dear, I would like you to meet James Dowding,' Gideon said from behind her.

‘Pleased to meet you,' Georgie offered. She shook his hand and noticed well manicured nails.

‘Likewise,' James responded with a wry smile. ‘Gideon's been telling me all about you.'

‘All good I hope,' she said, a blush creeping into her cheeks. In her mind there was only one thing he could have told James about her.

‘Of course,' said Gideon, taking her arm, guiding her to sit. He poured them all drinks and sat next to James, both men facing her on the opposite sofa, making her feel very self-conscious.

‘James is a government minister,' Gideon began. ‘He had to pass this way on party matters.' He turned to his friend. ‘What was it this time, James? Some hearts and minds campaign?' Before allowing him to respond he turned his attention back to Georgie. ‘Anyway, I invited him to stay here rather than a hotel. Mary's at her sister's for a few nights, so at least I won't be rattling around in this big old place alone.'

Georgie was relieved Mary wouldn't be getting in the way, and relaxed with a large sip of wine. They spent an enjoyable spell talking and drinking, James entertaining them with stories of what some colleagues got up to behind closed doors, almost making Georgie wish she had taken politics instead of law!

Gideon apologised for being a bad host and explained that with Mary away he couldn't even find his way around an egg timer, so they opted for a takeaway. By eleven o'clock Georgie was pleasantly tipsy and content to sit and listen to the boys arguing politics. Gideon was championing the local councils while James, in his position, could only see the bigger picture.