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face.
    ‘Sorry, Miss Lowell, what did you say?’ he asked, looking perplexed.
    ‘Oh, nothing, I sometimes think aloud that’s all. Please just ignore me. It’s just a little quirk of mine.’ She cringed.
    ‘I shall never ignore you, Miss Lowell; I think I should find that very difficult indeed.’ He grinned. She felt light-headed. Her mind raced with heady thoughts. Oh, my God, is he coming on to me? She stared at him, unsure of what to say.
    He snapped his briefcase shut and pulled on his corduroy jacket.
    ‘Righty ho, I’m off. Enjoy the rest of your day.’ And with that, he was gone, leaving her feeling restless and disappointed.
    She watched him stride across the gravelled yard towards his car, her heart beating fast, her head in turmoil. She rang her sister.
    ‘I’m falling for him, Melanie. What shall I do?’
    ‘Stop it, that’s what you should do!’ Melanie said, stunned.
    ‘I can’t. You should see him. He’s unbelievably hot, and he’s so gentle and kind!’
    ‘Oh, God, I sense trouble, maybe you should quit and come home. You’re obviously on the rebound from Mike.’
    ‘I am not quitting. I’ve only been here a day, and I’m not rebounding, just appreciating the eye candy, that’s all. I like it here.’
    ‘Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to pursue anything with this guy. He’s your boss, and you only just got there, don’t forget that.’
    ‘I’m not going to do anything. I just like him, that’s all, you know, unless he made a move on me.’
    ‘Marisa, get a grip!’
    ‘Oh, God, you’re right. I still haven’t found out what happened to the PA before me. For all I know, he has this effect on everyone. I wonder if they had a relationship.’
    ‘Oh, I doubt that, hon. Take my advice, and forget about romance. Just do your job, enjoy England, and when you’re ready, come home.’
    ‘Okay, okay. I know you’re right. I love you, sis. I better go.’
    Marisa hung up, feeling confused. She decided to take a walk in the grounds as she had an hour before the impending tea with Felicity.
    She went out the back door and crossed over to the lawns, following the gravel path towards the rose gardens. She shivered as the chilly air hit her. Wrapping her coat tightly around her, she wished she had worn trousers. The gardens were expansive and beautiful, and she strolled slowly for a while, admiring the exquisite roses, wondering what skill must be needed to keep them blooming so late into the autumn.
    She continued exploring, inhaling the fresh air and relishing the peace and quiet. After New York City, it was like living in a different world, and she loved it. She didn’t want to wander too far, but as the gardens opened up onto the magnificent maze, she couldn’t resist going in.
    She had read about the maze before arriving at Highcroft. She knew it was a complicated labyrinth leading to the center, where a gazebo with love seats waited for earnest explorers. She felt a pang of sadness, wishing she had someone who would love her and respect her, someone to share lovely things like this with. She thought of Mike and the two years they had spent together. She had been so happy. What had gone wrong? Why hadn’t she been enough for him?
    Brushing sad thoughts aside, she entered the maze, checking her mobile for a strong signal, just in case she couldn’t find her way out again.
    She wandered around the thick hedgerows, admiring the topiary and wishing it was summer. As she neared the middle, she stopped dead. There in the clearing was Marcus and a woman who was clearly not Felicity.
    He was kissing her fervently, his hands under her coat, feeling her breasts. Marisa retreated behind the nearest hedge and watched. Marcus pushed the blonde back against a statue and pulled open her shirt, revealing her small, pert breasts. He kissed them all over and fondled them, then his hand went up under her skirt, and she parted her legs and moaned.
    ‘You like that, don’t you? What else