The Sphere Chronicles: A Holding Kate Series Book (7 page)

“It wasn’t the Village. It was Corey.” Mel sauntered into an adjoining room. “Um, I think I just found what I want to do with my time.”

Donnie stepped through the curtained enclosure and whistled. A large sunken pool reflected sunlight from an enormous wall of windows that overlooked the back lawn. Steam billowed from the surface of the rose petal dotted pool. Plush towels and robes were stacked on a bamboo bench beside it.

“I think we can kill some time in here, Mrs. Dudgeon.” Donnie reached around from behind Mel and began unbuttoning her blouse. She leaned into him and hooked her arm around his neck, turning for a kiss.

A knock sounded on the door. Donnie grumbled as he went to answer it. Three porters carried in their baggage and began unpacking, placing their clothes in the drawers. They steamed the hanging items and placed them in the armoire. It took them all of five minutes, working in tandem. Donnie offered them a tip, but they declined and took their leave.

Donnie returned to the bathing room to find his wife up to her chin in bubbles. A maid in gray stood nearby holding a towel. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know…” The maid turned and walked through a curtain on the far side of the room without speaking.

Mel opened her eyes and gave a lazy smile. She wiggled her finger at Donnie. “The water is perfect.”

He looked at the curtain the maid passed through. “Are we going to have any privacy? Servants are everywhere.”

“They will leave us alone now. I’m sure.”

Donnie shrugged and joined his wife in the luxurious bath.

Donnie studied a mammoth oil painting hung over the marble fireplace in the sitting room while Mel played Pachebel’s Cannon in D on the grand piano a few feet away in the sunroom. The maid in gray stood beside the round pillar and watched intently as Mel completed the piece.

Euphemia entered through the French doors and stood silently while Mel added the last chord. “
Bello
,
bello
.” She pressed her hand to her heart.

Mel stood. “Thank you.”

“Dinner is served,
miei cari ospiti
.” She beckoned them into the formal dining room, but bypassed the enormous dining table and ushered them to a small, round table set between arched windows overlooking the pool and gardens. “I thought you would be more comfortable in this intimate setting.”

“Yes, thank you. That is very thoughtful, Euphemia.” Donnie held Mel’s chair for her. “Will you join us? We have so many questions.”

“Oh,
mi caro
, no, no. But I will make myself available in the library when you are finished with your meal. I will have the cook serve your gelato there, with your permission.”

“Thank you.”

The chef and two waiters whisked in with covered platters and flourished them in front of the couple. “Tonight we serve pheasant in lemon glaze, hazelnut greens, and garlic mashed potatoes with gooseberry gravy. All of the fruits and vegetables are organic and harvested right here on the property. Even the bird is one of ours.” He clapped his hands, and the waiters removed the covers. “
Buon appetito
!”

Mel and Donnie savored every bite of the meal while they watched peacocks strut across the lawn under the magnificent display of foliage. As twilight neared, the lights on the grounds illuminated the marble statues in the formal garden.

“I still can’t believe this place.” Donnie gawked at the mural on the ceiling, elaborate detail framed a chariot scene. His eyes fell to the mirrored windows on the far side of the room, and the lady in gray stood with her back to them, gazing out of the window.

“She is always near. Do you think she is our own personal maid or something?” Donnie pitched his voice low, but she turned to look at him as though she heard, then slowly walked into the library out of sight.

Mel, eyes closed savoring the garlic potatoes, peeped through her lashes. “Mmm.” She opened her eyes, but no one was there. “Who?”

He shook his head. “She went into the library. I think she heard me. I hope I didn’t offend her.”

They finished their meal and were escorted into the library. Books were encased behind glass doors around the room and a billiards table took up the center of it. Two waiters rolled in a tray of liqueurs and gelato, and served them in tiny crystal dishes. Mel, gelato in hand, sauntered around the room and peered through the glass, reading the book titles. Donnie poured a glass of dark amber liquid and moved to the billiards table.

Euphemia entered the room. “Would you like
caffe’
to complete your
palatte
?”

Mel waved her off, patting her belly. “Not tonight. Compliments to the chef, the meal was delicious.”

“Only the best for Torre Di Pila.” Euphemia swelled a bit. “Please, join me.” She moved to a sitting area and gracefully lowered herself onto a cream settee. Donnie and Mel lounged on the sofa across from her.

“I want to give you some options for your stay here. Signore Chastain has scheduled a few days of tours, Florence, Rome, a quick
elicottero
ride to Venice and Athens. But most of the days are unscheduled.” She produced a folder and offered it to Mel. “This contains maps of the grounds and nearby village of Pila. Your itinerary for tour days is also included.”

“This is wonderful.” Mel fingered through the brochures.

“We have stables for horseback riding, tennis courts, and boating on the premises. If you enjoy hunting, we have a game preserve that is needing some thinning. Roberto will be your grounds specialist. He will schedule any activities that you desire. Giles will be your tour guide for all off-grounds activities and tours. There is no place that is off limits to you. You should feel free to visit the greenhouses, wine cellars, stables, carriage house. Our instructions are to make you feel as if this were your own home.”

“Thank you. This is too kind.” Donnie leaned over Mel’s shoulder to see the contents of the folder. “Euphemia, I wanted to check with you. I may have offended one of the servants unintentionally. I was curious that she was always with us and wondered aloud if she was personally assigned to us. I think she heard me, though. She left the room as soon as I said it.”

“A staff member has been with you?”

Donnie nodded.

“Other than myself?”

“Yes, a young maid in a long gray dress.”

“No
mi caro
, our servants all wear black. There should be no one in gray. Perhaps you saw Antonio’s wife. She brings milk and cheese from the village.”

“Perhaps.” Donnie glanced at Mel. She chewed her thumbnail, deep in thought.

“If you have no other questions?” Euphemia stood.

Donnie rose from the chair. “No, thank you for your time.”

Euphemia exited the room.

“Rack ‘em!” Mel jumped up and claimed a cue stick from the billiards cupboard. Donnie obliged.

They lay on cushioned lounge chairs by the pool watching the stars. After a full day of sightseeing in Rome, and a midnight swim, they were exhausted but content.

“What was your favorite today?” Donnie kissed the back of Mel’s hand.

“Well, I loved the sphere outside the Vatican grounds, for obvious reasons.” Mel giggled. “The Sistine Chapel was surreal. I couldn’t believe I was standing there. The catacombs were amazing. Oh, the Coliseum! No, the Vespa fountain tour. I don’t know! I loved them all.” Mel lazily reached up to finger Donnie’s hair. “What was your favorite?”

“Easy.” He pulled her lounger close and gathered her under his arm. “Watching you.”

She poked his rib. “Har, har! Seriously.”

Donnie chuckled. “Other than watching you, I think St. Peter’s Basilica.” He rubbed her arm. “The way the sunlight filtered through the dome windows was magical. No…sacred, that’s the word. It was a sacred place.”

“I love you, Donnie.” Mel climbed onto his lap and ran her hands along his abs. She trailed them up into his hair and kissed him with fervent adoration.

He lost himself in the scent of her hair and skin, until she drew back for a breath. Something caught Donnie’s attention, and he diverted his eyes to the far corner of the pool. The lady in the gray dress stood on the edge of the pool watching them.

He leaned down to kiss the corner of Mel’s lip and whispered, “She’s here.”

Mel followed his gaze and gasped. “Hello? Can we help you?” The woman turned and disappeared into the hedge, looking over her shoulder. “That is so creepy!” Mel grabbed her towel and slipped her feet into her flip-flops. “Let’s get inside.”

Donnie tucked her safely under his arm, and they hurried back to the veranda adjacent to their suite. When they got to the door, Donnie glanced back to the pool. At the edge of the line of hedges, he saw a flash of fabric as it ducked behind a tree.

“That is not Antonio’s wife,” Donnie murmured.

“Corey would know if there was an unstable person lurking on the grounds.”

“Not if she’s new to the area.”

“True, I don’t think he’s been here in a while.” Donnie took his espresso to the edge of the veranda and stared toward the pool area.

“Besides, I don’t want to disturb him and Kate. They need some solitude just like the rest of us.” Mel dipped her
fette biscottate
into her cappuccino, then nibbled at the cookie. “She’s not harming anyone. She just seems curious.”