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‘A romance?’ il Conte asked.

‘No, a psychological thriller…’

‘Really?’ Geo was delighted to hear all about it, especially when she told him that the wife was the killer. ‘When does the husband find out?’

‘During the ballroom scene, although he doesn’t confront her till the next day.’

‘Tomorrow, Stella is heading for Vellascura to check out the villa there,’ Gabe told him. ‘We flew over it today.’

Stella nodded. ‘I think it might work. Gabe said they have a ballroom.’

But il Conte screwed up his nose. ‘Ours is better.’

‘Yours has the views,’ Stella sighed. ‘I saw it from the sky.’

‘We’ve held many parties and balls…’ He looked over to Gabe. ‘Fetch the albums from my reading room.’

‘Not now.’ Gabe dismissed the notion. He was not one for nostalgia, and also knew the photos would soon reduce his grandfather to tears.

Not quite the night he’d had in mind!

But then Geo made a suggestion. ‘Stella, why don’t you go and look at the Rinaldi ballroom?’

‘Are you sure?’ Stella checked.

‘Of course,’ Geo said, directing her down the magnificent terrace.

Gabe was taken aback. His grandfather was incredibly private and the thought of a location scout, with a camera around her neck, being invited to wander was unheard of, but he seemed quite taken with her.

‘Is that how you met?’ Geo asked, ‘at one of Sir Charles’s parties?’

‘What? No, you’ve got it wrong. Stella and I…’ He gave in a little then. He could hardly deny there was something between them, though his grandfather might drop dead there and then if he attempted to explain the definitely one-off terms he and Stella had agreed on. ‘We met through her work,’ he said, a touch startled that it was just yesterday he’d noticed the flash of her camera. ‘I’ve made it clear that they can’t use the palazzo.’

‘Perhaps it would be better that than turning it into a wedding venue, or hotel. That would turn this place into another Positano.’

‘God, you’re contrary,’ Gabe said.

‘Well, you don’t want it.’ He glared at his grandson, not quite the sweet old gentleman with Stella gone. ‘Get the albums,’ he told him. ‘I can show Stella some of the balls we held here.’

‘I don’t think that’s necessary,’ Gabe said. ‘Anyway, it’s rather late for you…’

‘Gabriel, I have slept all day. As well as that, I’m a bit old to be sent to bed.’ As Gabe headed off, Geo called out, ‘Actually, bring all the albums. I am quite sure I have some photos of Sir Charles and Lady Atherton.’

Damn.

His grandfather was smitten and clearly knew him well enough to know that Gabe would not have brought Stella back here if he wasn’t a touch smitten too.

And he was.

She stood beneath a chandelier, glittering in the moonlight, and she smiled as he stepped into the room.

‘It’s as if the stars have been let inside.’ She smiled over to him. ‘I took a few photos, but only for me.’

‘No problem.’

* * *

Such a problem, Stella thought.