Toxic - Zoe Blake Page 0,17

of University, he had arranged for countless lessons and short internships with some of the most famous designers in the world. Even during our game, I still met with seamstresses to create my Victorian gowns. The fact was, I was getting more of an education now than I ever would have sitting in class making peasant blouses!

Jumping out of bed, I headed straight to my walk-in dressing room. Hanging on a brass hook to the right was a garment bag with the simple font logo of Ellen Wise. That must be the floral hand-embroidered gown from her spring collection Richard had ordered from her San Francisco atelier. I would look at it later. For now, I needed to decide what I would wear for my first bespoke jewelry lesson.

Adjusting the pussycat bow on my Michael Kors emerald dress, I turned to the driver.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be, John.”

He nodded as he closed the door he had held open for me. “That’s no problem, Miss Elizabeth. I’ll just be right here when you’re ready.”

While I was still getting used to having servants always about, I had to admit having a driver and no longer having to rely on the tube was definitely nice.

Nervously holding my new Dolce & Gabbana bag close, keenly aware of the exorbitant fortune in jewels contained inside, I took a deep breath and swung open the heavy glass door.

Several hours later, clutching the leather portfolio that contained the true-to-size artist rendering of the cascade necklace I had designed, I emerged from the jeweler’s shop. I couldn’t wait to show Richard. I would have to return the drawing so they could make the necklace. I didn’t feel confident giving them permission to move forward without Richard’s approval first. It was after all several million pounds’ worth of loose jewels. It felt too presumptuous to spend Richard’s money like that, even though Mr. Morris assured me Richard had said to move forward with whatever I had designed regardless of cost. I did however let him keep the jewels in their safe, which was a relief. Spying John in the driver’s seat, I gave a slight wave to get his attention as I waited for a group of people to pass me on the sidewalk.

Just then, I spotted Richard walking away from the car.

“Richard! Richard!” I called out, rising on my toes to see over their heads.

I could see his tall frame and ebony hair as he moved down the street away from me.

The man didn’t even turn at my call.

I went after him, but a tall blonde on her mobile shouldered me as she quickly passed, making me drop my portfolio. By the time I retrieved it and looked about me again, he was gone.

Maybe it wasn’t him?

I felt sure I recognized the suede jacket he had been wearing earlier.

“Is something wrong, miss?” asked John as he opened the back passenger side door for me.

Not willing to admit that Richard had possibly ignored me, I shook my head no as I got into the car. Turning to reach for the seat belt as John took his place behind the wheel, I swiveled to buckle it and let out a shrill scream.

Alarmed, John turned to face me. “What is it?”

With both hands covering my mouth in horror, I just stared.

Following my gaze, he saw the dead bird on the seat beside me. Its brightly colored wings were spread wide, its head cocked at an unnatural angle.

The door across from me opened. John, with a wad of tissues in his hand, swooped up its small body. “I’m so sorry, Miss Elizabeth. I have no idea how this got in here!”

Turning away, he slammed the door shut before running around the back of the car in search of a trash can.

Looking down, I could see small drops of still-wet blood on the tan leather seat.

Returning to the car, John once more took his place behind the wheel, but turned to face me.

“Are you all right?”

I didn’t respond.

“I’m very sorry, miss. The bird must have flown inside unnoticed when I opened the door.”

“Yes. Yes, John. That must be what happened,” I answered weakly. I continued to stare at the drops of blood as the car pulled away from the curb.

I was absolutely certain that was not what had happened.

“Please, miss. I’ll be sacked for sure if His Grace finds out about this.”

He must not have seen Richard put the bird inside.

Unwilling to give a staff member a glimpse into the sordid