A Secret in Salem by Sheri Anderson

Author:Sheri Anderson [Anderson, Sheri]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2011-06-30T16:49:08+00:00

THE NIGHT WAS SUPERB AND THE VIEW YET AGAIN BEAUTIFUL AS Marlena sat alone having room service on her terrace , which overlooked the Mediterranean. While she truly loved Maison du Noir, with its views of Lake Geneva, there was nothing like the sound of the ocean waves in the distance and the freshness of salt air.

She understood the unmatched appeal of the city carved out of the rocky hillsides of Italy and France. The host to royalty and the brightest stars of painting, music, film, and dance, Monte Carlo was like a fairy tale. It was Disneyland for fabulously wealthy adults.

Shawn and Belle had taken Claire back to the boat. Marlena had wanted them to spend the night, but they hadn’t brought extra clothes, so she understood. Besides, she could get a good night’s sleep, which she hadn’t truly experienced for years, when there was always a chance that John would need her in the middle of the night.

The city was coming alive, and Marlena was antsy.

She opened the leather-bound folder on the desk and perused the city guide that listed, in several languages, all the festivities Monte Carlo had in August.

She had missed Elton John’s summer concert performance at the Prince’s Palace, which she would have loved. She was a huge fan of the fabulous work he’d done for over forty years with his writing partner, Bernie Taupin. OMG’s styles were a bit tame for the flamboyant performer, but she wondered if he’d return for the funeral.

There was a jazz concert at Square Théodore Gastaud, which was less than a ten-minute walk from the hotel. With the security cameras scouring the city, plus the size of the police force, she felt safe walking there alone.

After slipping on her linen jacket and throwing the cashmere sweater over her shoulders, Marlena headed out of her room.

In the lobby, there he was again. Blake Masters.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this.” He smiled.

It was a good smile, a warm smile, and the lines around his eyes crinkled just a bit. So many plastic surgeons Marlena knew were victims of their own profession, but not Blake.

“How old are you?”

“Forty-five,” he said.

“Did I say that out loud?” She grimaced, embarrassed.

“No, I read your mind,” he joked.

“I’m sorry I never called you back,” she apologized.

“That’s okay, I assumed you made other plans for dinner,” he added casually.

“I, um, I did,” Marlena stammered. “I had room service.”

“Well, you missed a terrific dinner,” he said. “Le Grill? Don’t miss it.”

“You didn’t try Le Louis XV?”

“Not the place for a meal solo,” he admitted. “You want to share that kind of experience with someone.”

“Well, nice to see you again,” she said in a tone she hoped he could only interpret as friendly.

“You too,” he said.

After an awkward moment, they each headed for the hotel exit. They stopped. Shared a look.

“The jazz concert?” Blake said.

Marlena could only nod, chuckling.

The doorman stepped forward. “I’m sorry for eavesdropping, but there are no more tickets for tonight’s concert.”

So much for that.

“You up for a walk?” Blake asked.

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