House of Acerbi by John Lyman

Author:John Lyman [Lyman, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction, Usernet, C429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9781467996426
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 32

The castle’s thick walls had prevented Leo from hearing the chopper come and go throughout the night. He had slept soundly without waking, which was unusual, especially when he travelled.

After lying still for a moment, he slipped over the edge of an ornate canopy bed and walked across the stone floor to a tall window. Tossing open a pair of blue shutters, he blinked in the bright sunlight and squinted out at the stunningly beautiful river valley below. Sunflowers were everywhere, with trees planted in perfectly straight rows separating rolling vineyards from fields planted with everything from lavender to fruit trees to vegetables. Beyond the agricultural patchwork, he caught shimmering glimpses of rushing water through the thick foliage, announcing the presence of a river that wound its way toward tall limestone cliffs in the distance.

Turning away from the window, Leo noticed that, except for his bed and a red Persian carpet in front of a gigantic fireplace, the décor was rather sparse. After a year spent in the gilded atmosphere of the Vatican, he actually found the simplicity of the space refreshing. Grabbing his shaving kit, he headed for the shower and waited for the water temperature to rise to a level just below scalding, but it was not to be, for hot water in the castle had been temporarily turned off for repairs to the system. Damn. Leo hated cold showers.

Taking a deep breath, he immersed himself just long enough to lather up, then braced for a quick rinse before stepping out on the equally cold stone floor and reaching for a towel that wasn’t there. Shivering, he skipped the shave and ran into the bedroom where he dried off with a bed sheet before dressing in a black polo shirt and white shorts. All he could think about at that moment was hot coffee as he opened the door to his room and ran straight into Evita Vargas.

“Good morning, Cardinal.”

Leo took a step back. “Excuse me, Dr. Vargas. I didn’t see you. Are you on your way down to breakfast?”

“No, actually I was waiting for you.” She eyed his wet hair and bare feet. “Do you need a towel?”

“They forgot to put one in my bathroom. How long have you been waiting for me?”

“Only a few minutes ... and please, call me Evita.” She looked up and down the hall. “Can I have a word with you ... alone?”

Leo’s green eyes flashed instinctively for a fraction of a second. “Why, of course. Where would you like to talk?”

“Your room.”

“My room?”

“Come now, Cardinal,” Evita smiled as she studied his reaction. “My intentions are strictly honorable. Besides, you forgot your shoes.”

Leo tried to adopt a neutral expression, but his eyes had already given him away.

So, this man, this Prince of the Church, had normal desires like any other man.

Evita folded her arms across her chest. “Of course, we could walk outside if you prefer.”

“Uh, yes ... let me get my shoes.” Leo darted back inside his room and quickly

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