Flood Tide Read Online Free PDF Page B

be able to get more work done.”
    “Thank you for the use of your bathroom,” said Reah, swinging her slim legs off the side of the bed. “I’m going.”
    “You’re staying here,” he said, pulling open drawers and piling socks onto a chair. “It’s all been arranged.”
    “Who asked you to interfere in my life?” Reah said, pulling the towel round her with as much dignity as she could muster. “Who do you think you are? My guardian or something?”
    “Stop fussing,” he said, his eyes glittering. “Accept your good fortune. Most girls would give their eye teeth to stay at the Palazzo Excelsior.”
    “Well, not me,” Reah snapped. “It’s a ridiculous idea. For a start, I could never afford it. This place must cost a fortune.”
    “If you want to,” he said, a sardonic gleam in his granite eyes. “You can repay me in kind,” he added.
    “No, thank you,” said Reah, outraged. “Never, and I mean absolutely never. I’m going.”
    “I’m afraid I must overrule you for your own sake. It would be very foolish to start wandering about Florence now looking for this hostel. It’ll be dark soon. As to repaying me…amusing how Englishwomen always jump to one conclusion. I said nothing about rape or seduction. I merely meant that you might sew on a few buttons, run a few errands…and I might think of something else.”
    “For all this…you’re joking?” Reah waved her arm to encompass the luxurious room, then clutched at the slipping towel. She edged towards the bathroom. She would feel happier with her clothes on.
    “I really can’t understand why you are making such a fuss. Anyone would think I was carting you off to Siberia, instead of seeing that you have a civilised roof over your head for the night.”
    “Funny you should say that…the atmosphere is pure Siberia. I can’t think when I’ve ever been in a situation I’ve liked less. You’re constantly interfering, and I can manage very well without you.”
    Ewart shot her an impatient glance. “I’ve noticed how well you manage. I insist that you stay.”
    “Then I insist that I pay for myself.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “As you will. I’ll waste no more time arguing with you. Get some clothes on and I’ll see you in the bar in half an hour.”
    Reah sat on the edge of the bed and gazed in disbelief at these luxurious surroundings in the heart of a medieval Florentine palace. She ran her hand lightly over the silken cover; it was very beautiful.
    There was a rap on the door. She knew Ewart would not knock.
    Reah put on a thin cotton robe. She peered round the door. It was a uniformed page boy carrying a large, flat, white box tied with striped red ribbon.
    “ Signorina Lawrence?”
    “For me? I haven’t ordered anything.”
    “It is delivered by order of Signore Morgan.”
    “I see. Grazie .”
    The box was from a famous Roman fashion house. Reah felt a small spurt of anger. Anger that Ewart Morgan dared to think that she had nothing suitable to wear at the Palazzo Excelsior; that he had the impudence to buy clothes for her; that he should tempt her by buying from one of the most exclusive Roman designers.
    She untied the ribbon and lifting off the lid, removed swathes of tissue paper from round the dress.
    She caught her breath and held it up. Her heart fell. She had to admit he had the most perfect taste.
    It was a soft silk chiffon dress, silvery mink in colour, a straight and simple dress falling in tiny pleats from narrow shoulders. It looked like a shaft of moonlight warmed by the glow of candles. The subtle colouring and the pure simplicity of the design appealed to Reah most strongly. She could not resist trying it on.
    She put on a lacy bra and brief pants and slipped the dress over her head. It was sheer magic. She would never have chosen such a strange colour, but the contrast with her red hair and lightly tanned skin was unbelievable. She slipped her feet into strappy sandals.
    Reah rarely wore make-up but she