“And my son helps at the moment too...keeps him out of trouble”, she declared in a voice which held a laugh, Sara instinctively knowing that Edith Clark was a happy person as she smiled back, relieved that she and Darius would not be the only ones in the huge home.
“Oh...Miss Balfour...your clothes arrived today and I put them in your closet” Sara bit back the small groan; what must the older woman think of her, a shaky smile rising to her mouth. “Thank you Mrs Clark”, she managed as the woman tutted softly, waving away the words. “Edith...nobody calls me Mrs Clark”, she smiled cheerily as Sara nodded back. “Only if you call me Sara”, she grinned back as the housekeeper nodded approvingly. “Well in that case Darius and Sara, dinner is in one hour” He made an appreciative sound as he took her hand. “We will be there...Edith is the best cook around...would never miss one of her dinners”
Sara thought how easy it was for Darius to charm any woman, seeing how Edith gave an almost girly giggle, shaking her head happily as she returned to her work. As she was pulled out of the kitchen she thought about how he always had been able to get his own way with any woman. Six years ago she was nervous of the builder, never quite knowing what to say to him, his ability to flirt so effectively with the other girls in the office clear to her. Her sister took great delight in telling the many rumours of the women he was allegedly involved with, Sara only too aware how Angela longed to be one of them, her lips curling contemptuously.
When he would appear in the office, his paperwork always done to a high standard, she had been aware of the way her stomach would flip seeing him. His insistence on dealing with her confused her. Sara told herself that it was because having her do the actual paperwork on their side left him free to flirt with the only-too-willing staff in the office.
Pushing the thoughts to the back of her head she followed as he moved into each of the downstairs rooms giving her a tour. He explained the routine of the household and as they entered the large study he moved to his computer as she tentatively requested internet access. Sara watched as Darius set up the account for her, not surprised that he would be so proficient with computers, his ability to learn new skills evident in the time that he worked for her father’s company.
Biting down on her bottom lip, her brow furrowed. “I...I was wondering what your expectations are for me while I am here?” His head rose in surprise asking, “In what way?”, before a small smile played on his mouth. “I thought that we already determined that” Darius once more enjoyed seeing the way her cheeks flushed slightly at his obvious reference to sex. “I...I meant during the day”
His shoulders shrugged softly. “I work in the city most days...don’t come back till late...so do what you like”, his smile once more becoming playful, “so long as you are where I say, when I say...you are free to do what you want”
“Like a well trained puppy”, she bit out, before she could stop herself. The large smile which spread over his mouth made her want to move over and smack it from him, “That a girl...so long as we understand each other” His fingers made one last pass on the keyboard before he stood again handing her a sheet of paper with logon details. “House is wireless, so you can access from anywhere”
Sara gave a short nod, the anger still visible in her blue eyes. “I will ask Edith if she has a bus route” Darius gave another frown, his tone so matter-of-fact “Just take one of the estate cars if you want to go out. I will clear it with John” “Thank you”, her curt reply made him smile even wider as he leant against the desk “You really hate being reliant on anybody don’t you Sara?”, his tone full of curiosity as she regarded him back, eyes scoffing.
“No...I just don’t like to be pushed around by some bully with some perceived vendetta” His eyes grew harder once more as he straightened, moving towards the door. “Let me show you our room” The mention of the reason she was there knocked the fight out of Sara, as silently she followed him up the sweeping grand staircase. There were many rooms along the corridor they walked, but he moved to the corner one, stepping aside to let her in.
The room could have swallowed up the last flat she shared it was so big. A small sitting area was at one end of the room beside floor-to-ceiling doors which she could see led out to a veranda. Silently, she moved inside as he strode to one of two doors. Behind the first she gave a soft gasp at the most beautiful bathroom she had ever seen. Marble and glass, it retained a vintage feeling while offering all of the modern conveniences. The huge tub with what appeared to be Jacuzzi jets; the large walk-in shower, bigger than her last family bathroom, the room was wonderful.