The Secret Heiress by Susie Warren

fell asleep. Too many late nights.”
    Alistair led her up to the front door and opened it. Stepping inside, she enjoyed the rustic charm of the house.
    “Do your grandparents live here?”
    He turned to her. “They lived most of their married life here. But now they have a modern, smaller residence on the other side of the vineyard overlooking a lake. I turned this mansion into a guest house for the vineyard and we host several events a year here.”
    A housekeeper greeted them and offered to help her with the bags. Alistair told her he would see her on the terrace in an hour for dinner.
    The efficient housekeeper showed her to a guest suite on the second floor and explained how to find the terrace.
    “Do you have any food allergies I should let the cook know about?”
    She shook her head. “I’m fine with anything.”
    The woman smiled and left the room. Anna looked out the old-fashioned windows and could see acres and acres of vines on the rolling hills. The sun cast a magnificent haze over the entire valley.
    Finding her phone, she took several photographs and texted a few to Katie and Elyse. Katie asked how the drive went with Alistair. She responded that she had fallen asleep.
    Her assistant’s obsession with Alistair’s hotness was beginning to bother her. It was even more annoying that he seemed to know that the opposite sex found him irresistible. She would need to be careful around him.
    After reading on Facebook that her nieces had a cold, she sent a message to her sister.
    She unpacked and hung up her clothing, then took a long, hot shower to relax. The bathroom was modern and sizeable, and she attempted to silence her worries.
    Was she expected to dress for dinner? She had brought a sleeveless black sheath dress that followed to her curves. It fell just above her knee and she added silver, strappy sandals. Deciding to leave her hair loose, she put on a long pendant necklace and carefully applied eyeliner and mascara. She wondered who else might join them.
    Her heels clicked on the stone floor when she stepped out onto the terrace. Alistair was on his phone but ended the call. He was dressed in worn jeans and a close fitting black T-shirt. His casual clothing adhered to his perfectly sculpted chest and arms.
    He glanced at her dress. “I should have mentioned that we keep it somewhat casual for dinner.”
    Anna held up her hands. “I didn’t know if the dinner would be more proper.”
    He pulled out a chair for her. “Dinner is usually a casserole with bread and wine.”
    Anna was at a loss. She was overdressed and couldn’t think of a topic for conversation. Alistair was watching her with a curious look.
    “Would you like me to change?”
    He smiled and she could feel her heart constrict. “No. You look stunning.”
    She would need to be careful. She worked for him and had to remember this was all about investing in the company.
    The housekeeper had prepared a delicious roast chicken with root vegetables. She served the plates hot and headed inside.
    Alistair poured her a glass of wine. “I created this wine. It can’t be sold in the UK because it includes grapes from Costa Rica.”
    “I didn’t realize that there is a restriction on imported wine.”
    He took a sip of his wine. “It can be given away. I had a thousand bottles produced. So the idea is to introduce it at the event and then send everyone home with a few bottles.”
    “How many people do you intend to invite?”
    “About two hundred.”
    Anna took a bite of the delicious dinner. She swirled the wine for a moment then took a sip. “I like it. The complex flavor enhances the meal.”
    “Have you always enjoyed wine?” Alistair continued eating his meal.
    “I’ve taken classes in wine tasting. It seemed important to know how to choose an appropriate wine. But in school and even now in the workplace, many men drink lager.”
    He nodded. “I enjoy lager as well but slowly I’ve become a connoisseur of wine.”
    She watched him