Up Close and Personal Read Free

‘She was naked from the waist down.’
    Behind him, Dante stifled a laugh.
    ‘Ah,’ Juliet said. ‘In that case you did the right thing.’ Shebegan flicking through the pages of a ledger. ‘What’s our occupancy?’ she asked.
    ‘Only two guests at the moment, I’m afraid.’
    Juliet looked at the general manager in horror. ‘You’re kidding.’
    Nathan raised an eyebrow. ‘Last week we didn’t have any.’
    Juliet sighed and slammed the ledger shut.
    ‘Don’t worry, Mrs Fisher, the winter season’s always tough,’ Nathan added. ‘I’m sure things will pick up now the weather’s warmer.’
    ‘I hope so,’ Juliet said wearily. She stepped out from behind the desk. ‘We’ve had a very long journey. Would you be able to rustle up some tea and biscuits for us?’
    ‘Of course,’ Nathan said. ‘Why don’t you go through to the drawing room and take the weight off your feet?’
    ‘Good idea. Thank you, Nathan.’
    As the manager disappeared through a vaulted stone archway, Juliet walked over to Dante. ‘I’m sorry about all this. It wasn’t the sort of homecoming I’d imagined for you.’
    Dante smiled. ‘No problem. I’m just glad to be here.’
    Juliet pointed towards one of the corridors that led off the hall. ‘The drawing room’s the last door on the left. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable while I pop upstairs to freshen up? I won’t be long.’
    As she turned to go, Dante caught her arm and drew her towards him. It was the first moment they’d had any privacy since boarding the plane in Aspen. ‘Haven’t you forgotten something, Mrs Fisher?’ he asked.
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘A hug for your husband.’
    Grinning, Juliet stood on tiptoes and threw her arms round his neck. She was a petite woman – only five feet three, and very slender. Dante always felt as if he might crush her if he held her too tightly.
    ‘I can’t wait to show you the bedroom,’ Juliet murmured into his neck.
    Dante grinned. ‘There’s no time like the present,’ he whispered back.
    ‘Let’s have some tea first, shall we? It’s been three months since I’ve had a decent cup.’
    ‘Hey, there’s nothing wrong with American tea,’ Dante replied.
    Juliet wrinkled her nose. ‘You’ve got to be joking.’
    ‘Are we having our first row, Mrs Fisher?’
    ‘Absolutely not,’ said Juliet with mock indignation. ‘It’s a difference of opinion, that’s all.’ She patted Dante’s bottom playfully. ‘Now get that gorgeous arse of yours into the drawing room; I won’t be long.’ She twisted away from him and walked towards the stairs, turning to add over her shoulder: ‘And take that mutt with you.’
    Dante looked down at Jess, who was lying on the floor, head between her front paws. ‘Come on, girl,’ he said, patting his thigh. The pointer rose to her feet obligingly and together they set off down the corridor.
    When Dante pushed open the door of the drawing room, he found himself in a well-proportioned room, lavishly decorated in shades of green and purple. The furniture looked expensive and the walls were lined with more paintings – these ones in a softer Renaissance style. With Jess at his heels, he wandered around, pausing every now and then to admire some objet d’art – an antique globe,a tiny hand-painted Limoges, a lead crystal paperweight. On the mantelpiece was a porcelain heron with a struggling fish clamped in its beak. Dante picked it up and turned it over in his hand, marvelling at the detail.
    ‘I’d be careful with that if I were you.’
    Dante looked towards the door. Nathan was standing on the threshold with a tea tray in his hands.
    ‘It’s Minton,’ the manager continued. ‘It’s been in Mr Ingram’s family for the best part of a hundred and fifty years.’
    Feeling like a schoolboy caught shoplifting, Dante returned the ornament to the mantelpiece. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I was just looking.’
    ‘There’s no need to apologize.’ Nathan entered the