Page 27

‘How was it?’ he asked as she tried to remember to breathe.

‘Almost perfect. Of course it’s not Palazzo Rinaldi.’

‘I can’t wait to get rid of it.’

* * *

There. He had said it out loud.

‘You’ll sell it?’

He nodded. ‘It haemorrhages money…’ He had been over every argument in his mind. ‘I can’t keep staff on just because…’

‘Of course not.’

‘I should be able to get them a property on the estate.’

‘Perhaps your grandfather’s taken care of them in his will?’

‘I asked him to, but he’s leaving the whole lot to me to deal with.’

Merda.

She lay down beside him and stared up at the branches that didn’t quite touch and filtered the sun so that they lay in a soft green glow.

‘If I sell it, maybe you can use it some day. I’ll put in a word for you with the new owners. You might get to use it for another film.’

‘Let’s see how this proposal goes first.’

‘Think positive.’

‘Is that what you do?’

‘Never.’ He gave a half laugh and pulled her into him, and it was bliss to lie on the grass under the cool shade of the trees and just listen to the song of the birds.

‘I’m sure the upkeep must be hellish,’ Stella said.

‘What?’

‘The palazzo.’

‘Hmm.’

‘I was just thinking. Look, I’m not trying to persuade you, please don’t think that, but if you are struggling a bit…’ she swallowed ‘…you know, financially…’

He opened his mouth and then chose to stay silent, a smile spreading on his lips. Did she think he was broke and that was why he wanted rid of it?

He turned his head and looked at her. ‘Go on.’

‘You’d have to deal with Sir Charles and all the powers that be with the financials, but a palazzo on the Amalfi Coast… Your stunning grounds… It would more than help with the upkeep…’ Her voice trailed off. ‘Why are you laughing?’

‘Just…’ He closed his eyes, still smiling.

And at the most difficult time he’d found this odd peace, this beautiful place, and someone who liked him whether he was a bodyguard or not, whether he was broke or rich.

She brought him a certain peace, a moment where he could drop his perpetual guard, and just breathe in the air and…

Drift.