Page 11 of Mayfair Madame (Mayfair Heights #1)

Chapter Eleven

Naomi

T hree a.m., the supposed witching hour. And what was I doing? Lying in my bed, eyes wide open, watching the city lights of London dancing on my bedroom wall.

I’d been visited by visions of Ellie on her knees, fucking me with her fingers, her talented tongue bringing me to orgasm.

But that wasn’t what concerned me. Had I coerced her into undressing tonight? Had I forced her? The thought bothered me no end.

She was clearly uncomfortable with her figure, as I’d always been with mine. I’d seen the signs at the bar. The way she fiddled with her clothes, but I thought she was into it, else I wouldn’t have asked.

But it was done now, and there was nothing I could do about it, but a feeling of unease sat in my gut.

Her story was unfinished. I knew that, knew there was more she had to tell, but I didn’t want our relationship to be just about that. Did we even have a relationship?

I’d successfully dodged the questions about my past, but if we were to continue whatever this was, I’d need to come clean.

Relationships weren’t built on lies. They were built on trust and honesty, something that had been sorely lacking in any of my previous ones.

I’d shot off a text to her, letting her know I was thinking about her. I’d been sorry to see her go, but in hindsight, it had been for the best. We both needed space.

The next morning, while I lay in bed debating getting up, Melinda called.

“Sooo, how was your evening? You looked mighty cosy strolling away hand in hand.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

“You should know I never kiss and tell, but it didn’t go quite to plan.”

“What happened? Did she hurt you?”

“No, nothing like that. We talked…mostly.”

“Hmm, sounds like it didn’t go as well as you’d hoped. Will you be seeing her again?”

“I think so. We said we’d meet up for coffee at some point.” I just didn’t know when.

“Are you okay? You sound a little down. I thought you’d be full of the joys of spring.”

“I’m happy enough. I didn’t sleep particularly well, so today I intend to do nothing at all. Snuggle on the sofa, watch a movie, eat junk food.”

“Sounds divine. I’m thinking she didn’t stay over?”

“No, she didn’t. She went home around midnight.” I sighed. Where I’d usually tell Melinda everything, I wanted to keep Ellie to myself for a while longer. The secrets she’d shared with me last night needed to remain just that. A secret.

“I hope you don’t mind my saying, but she did seem a little out of her depth last night. I’m not saying she didn’t fit in….” Ellie had admitted she felt out of place, but why did it irk me for Melinda to point it out?

“Remember, she barely knows us. I’ve only met her twice.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything, but it’s just…”

“Just what, Melinda.” My patience with her was wearing thin.

“I know what you’re like. You take people on and try to fix them.”

“What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?” My heart thudded.

“Well, look at the people you have around you. One or more of them has had issues in the past, and you’ve always been the one to put them back together again. Not all have stuck around. I just don’t want the same thing to happen with Ellie.”

“You think she’s a project?” What the fuck was she trying to say?

“No, no. That’s not what I meant.”

“Really? Because that’s how it sounds.”

“Okay, maybe that is what I mean. You take on other people’s problems and try to make things better, then you move on to the next thing.” I bristled at her tone.

“It’s called being a fucking friend, Melinda. Remember when I did it with you? I helped you when you needed a friend. I sat for hours talking to you, often into the early morning, helping you get through your darkest times.”

“That’s uncalled for, Naomi.”

“Is it? I was there for you when you needed me. Not as your employer but as your friend. So don’t come telling me who I can do that for. Ellie is not a project. She’s someone I want to get to know better. Is that so wrong?”

I was about done with this conversation. A day on the sofa with no interruptions sounded better by the minute.

“This is all coming out wrong. I care for you and don’t want you to be falling for her for all the wrong reasons.”

I cared for her too, but she’d overstepped.

“I care for you too, Melinda, but I think that’s up to me. I appreciate you have concerns, but I’m a grown-ass woman, and I can do what the hell I want to, mistake or not.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything, but this came from a place of love for my friend. Nothing more.”

“I’m sorry too, but you have to trust that I know what I’m doing. I’m not a na?ve little girl, Melinda. I’ve lived a more difficult life than most, which is why I choose to help those I care about. Not out of duty or boredom. I care for each of you regardless of whether I’ve helped you.”

This wasn’t how I wanted to spend my Sunday — arguing with one of my best friends — but I was done talking about it.

“Look, I’m tired, irritable, and hungry. I’ll see you tomorrow, and we’ll go over any matters arising for the week.”

Neither of us was in the right frame of mind to continue this conversation. Best to call an end to it now before one of us said something we’d regret, and that was usually me.

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Naomi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said softly. I knew she was upset, but hell, I was too.

Fuck it. I hadn’t planned for the conversation to go that way, but what was I supposed to say when she compared Ellie to a fucking project?

She was far more than that. Yes, she had her issues, but didn’t we all?

I settled down with a chamomile tea and stared out the window. It promised to be another hot, sunny day. I should be out there, not inside. Hyde Park wasn’t very far away. I could grab breakfast at a little place I knew and spend the day outside.

Better still, I could visit Rupert.

I finished my tea, showered, and dressed in a long sundress with a pair of flat sandals. I stuffed my phone into my pocket, put my sunglasses on my head, and called the lift.

Within a few minutes, I stood on the pavement; the sun warming my skin.

“Where are you off to?” Oscar approached, wearing the same clothes as last night.

“A day in the sun. Looks like someone didn’t make it home last night.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes an opportunity arises, and you have to take it. You know how it is?”

“Anyone I know? Please say it wasn’t Marco.”

“God no, honey, we’re just friends, and anyway, he has his eye on someone else.”

He nodded towards Sam’s bar.

Just as I thought. “I will kill him if he messes with Sam.”

“I’m saying nothing.” He zipped his mouth closed, then smirked. “It’s not as bad as you think. Don’t be such a worrywart.”

I didn’t mind the escorts having a life of their own. What they did in their personal time was up to them, but we all lived in this building, and the slightest bit of drama could bring it all down like a house of cards.

Bad enough Melinda and I’d had words, but I knew by tomorrow we’d hug it out and be back to normal.

“I like to keep the peace. Do you want to join me for coffee? I wouldn’t mind the company.”

“I’d love to, but I’d best go home and shower. Cheap aftershave doesn’t smell great the following morning.” He wrinkled his nose and sniffed his jacket. “Seems a dry clean is needed too. Have fun, darling, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

He flounced off, the offending jacket slung casually over his shoulder. He could have made it as a model but had chosen fashion design instead. I laughed as he walked away, swinging his hips. Yep, that was my Oscar.

I called ahead, hoping to find Rupert at home, but his assistant said he’d flown to Paris for a business meeting and wouldn’t be back for a couple of days.

Well, there went that plan, but instead of going back home, I continued my walk to Hyde Park.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating shadows on the ground. Joggers and dog walkers passed me by. Families with children in pushchairs and prams ambled along the path. Cyclists and a group of Nordic walkers raced past, and I quickly moved out of the way.

Who knew it would be so busy? But it wasn’t often we got such a nice long spell of weather.

I strolled through the park and stopped for a coffee at one of the many kiosks. I took it down to the Serpentine and sat on a bench to watch as rowers made their way across the lake.

A lightness filled me. The worry and anxiety from the past week slowly ebbed away. All thoughts of Lord Godfrey were forgotten, leaving the memory of last night fresh in my mind.

It was so peaceful here. Why didn’t I do this more often? I bet Ellie would love this. Was it too soon to call her?

It couldn’t hurt to ask.

I dialled her number and waited.

“Hey, it’s Naomi,” I said when she answered.

“I can see that. Is everything okay?”

“Of course. Why would there be anything wrong?”

“It’s ten a.m. on a Sunday?”

“Is it?” I’d been up for hours and had given no thought to the time. “Oh, I’m sorry. I can call back later.”

“I was up. About to have some breakfast.” What would that be? Last night, she’d said she survived on coffee, but that wasn’t good for her.

“I’m in Hyde Park. Come join me for breakfast. I’ve not eaten yet. I mean, only if you’ve nothing else to do.”

“No, I’d like that. Whereabouts are you? I’ll come to meet you.”

“Do you know the one by the Serpentine Bridge?”

“I don’t, but I’ll find it. Shall we say half an hour?”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll have a coffee waiting for you.”

Twenty minutes later, Ellie walked towards me, her soft curls flowing freely and a pair of dark sunglasses on her face. The jeans and shirt from last night had been replaced by a baggy white T-shirt, another pair of dark jeans, and red Converse.

“Hey.” She took off her glasses, her brilliant blue eyes twinkling in the sunlight. “You look amazing. I’ll admit I honestly didn’t think you’d call after last night.”