Dead By Dusk Read Online Free Page B

the waves against the shore.
    She turned to Arturo. “Wow!”
    He nodded, very satisfied. “Brilliant, yes? Not so much money into development as you might think, either! Of course, unlike the great structures in Rome, these little places will probably not stand for several thousand years. But! They are new, clean, clever, and very nice, yes?”
    â€œVery, very nice.” Stephanie made a mental note to quit damning Reggie in her mind. Her living quarters were beautiful.
    â€œYou must go up to the loft. You will like it even better,” he told her.
    â€œI’m pretty happy right now,” she told him.
    With a broad gesture, he indicated the stairs. “I’ll leave you to that exploration alone,” he told her. “Giovanni will bring your things, and I will certainly be here first thing in the morning. The kitchen has a few basic needs, but if you wake and wish to have a truly fine espresso, the morning room with its little coffee bar is open from six a.m.” He gave her a modest shrug. “Your actors may not be together by then, but you need only ask, and I will be happy to join you.”
    â€œThank you, Arturo. You are very kind.”
    â€œ Buonasera, e buonanotte !” he told her, and with a deep smile and low bow, he left her.
    Stephanie looked up at the painted wrought-iron steps that led to the loft, then hurried up them. The area was even better than the downstairs. The same light tones and decor had been used throughout the entire cottage, but here, there were more of the sea blues used in the carpet and bedspread. There were ample pine dresser drawers, the bed itself was queen-sized, a half-wall looked down to the living area below, and huge sliding glass doors opened to a wide, railed balcony that looked directly over the sea.
    For several moments, she stood by the little whitewashed rail that surrounded the porch, just staring at the sea at night, hearing the lulling crash of the waves. Then she turned. To the west, she could also see the rise of the cliffs and hills and jagged, mountainous tors inland. The summer sky was not truly dark, but a deep, beautiful blue. The moon and stars cast the night into a magnificent frame around the darker rise of those cliffs, and the towns that sat upon the jagged, surreal landscape. Breathtaking. Here, the sea, and there, the mountains.
    Haunting.
    She was a beach person, herself. She loved water, and everything to do with it. Sun and sand, sailing, diving, fishing. All of it.
    And yet . . .
    As she stood there, just staring at the darkness and mystery of the inland area, she was surprised to feel a yearning to go toward the mountains. So lovely and fascinating. She knew that the towns upon the cliffs were old, very old, and charming. The history of the area went back . . . well, probably forever.
    It was Italy.
    Stephanie closed her eyes. The trials of the long day seemed to slip from her shoulders like a discarded cloak. The air seemed to stir around her, warm enough, yet pleasant and cooling. She looked to the mountains once again and smiled. How odd.
    In the night, they seemed to beckon.
    She gave herself a shake. Giovanni would be bringing her things. And she needed to get some sleep.
    But still . . .
    She found it difficult to tear herself away from the night, from the view, from the comfortable, encompassing touch of the sea breeze.
    She wouldn’t have to leave it, she reminded herself. After Giovanni brought her baggage, she’d take a quick shower, slide beneath the cool sheets, and sleep with the vast glass doors open to the night breeze.
    She couldn’t wait to rest, to fall deeply asleep in the soft bed, caressed by the gentle and lulling breeze.
    Strange. She had been feeling so tired, frustrated, and aggravated. Then . . .
    Well, now . . .
    She felt almost seduced.
    Â 
    Â 
    The night sky was magnificent. Since they were far from a town, much less a city, there were no lights, other than the dimly