Free Regency Romance: An Intriguing Invitation (Historical Billionaire Military Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance) by Sarah Thorn Page A

said. She was standing in the middle of a huge lounge that overlooked Kensington Park. She loved the highly polished antique parquet and the sash windows.
    ''I'll rent it out after you've gone back to the States. For now, I hope you enjoy it. I promised your father I'd look after you.''
    ''Well thanks, it's beautiful.'' Amber wandered into the bedroom and noticed that the bed was already made . She looked in the en-suite bathroom and imagined herself soaking in the huge bath after a hard day's work.''
    Amber was more than pleased Joe had thought about her welfare. She'd been expecting to stay in some grotty student apartment, the sort of place she'd become accustomed to over the last four years while at Yale.
    On the way to Joe's apartment in Belgravia, Amber closed her eyes, at least, three times and waited for the worst to happen. As her heart pounded, she told herself to darn well get used to the traffic because she was making a fool of herself.
    Amber remembered Alison as being tall and slender, and the most elegant of her parents’ female friends. When Alison opened the door, Amber thought she was even more glamorous than she remembered.
    ''Amber, hi. It's so nice to see you. Wow, you've  grown into a really pretty young lady.''
    ''Thanks. Great to see you, Alison.''
    ''Drink?'' Joe asked when they reached the lounge. Alison sat down next to Amber and crossed her shapely legs.
    ''Yes please darling. Amber?''
    ''I think I will, it's been a long journey.''
    ''We're very pleased your here,'' Joe said. Alison patted Amber's hand and clutched it to her.
    Alison and Joe made Amber feel at home, and she began to really look forward to her stay in England. She'd learned so much about the tiny islands and was eager to find out more.
    Amber had to scramble the next morning to be ready on time. She'd slept incredibly well and pressed snooze more times than she cared to remember. Eventually, though, there were only thirty minutes left before Joe was to pick her up.
    Joe's eyes opened wider than usual when he saw Amber in her business suit. She wore a skirt just above the knee, and a matching jacket with an elegant white blouse. He looked at her never ending legs and began to think vulgar thoughts.
    The office was a collection of rooms in a very smart building in Piccadilly. Joe handed Amber over to a young woman called Josephine, a leggy blonde with a thick northern accent.
    ''Josephine graduated from Cambridge last year. She works with one of our most important clients, Rushmore United, England's premier soccer team,'' Joe said. Amber was pleased to see Josephine give her a welcoming smile. From that moment, she knew they would get on well.  ''By the way, they call soccer, football here. So please refer to it as football or they'll think you're a stupid yank,'' Joe said. He strode to the door and left the two ladies to get on with it.
    ''Hi Amber, it's nice to meet you. You've started on just the right day. This evening we're going to a party.''
    ''Oh, perhaps I should have worn a dress,'' Amber said.
    ''Don't worry, we'll get you kitted out this afternoon. I thought we could spend the morning chatting about what we do here, and perhaps nip out for a coffee and get to know each other.''
    ''Sound's great. You know, I think I'm really going to enjoy myself here. Everyone has made me feel so welcome.''
    Amber learned that Joe's company had a contract to do all the PR work for Rushmore United. Josephine was the key account manager, and Amber was to be her assistant. Over coffee in a small cafe, in a side street just off Piccadilly Circus, Josephine explained about the function they were going to attend that evening.
    ''It's the fiftieth anniversary of Rushmore winning their first European Cup, and tonight there will be a reception and a dinner for ex-players, current players, management, and some carefully selected members of the press.''
    ''Sounds interesting, but I don't know anything about soccer, sorry football.''
    ''You don't