“Gotcha.”
“Thank you. Now when we met last I mentioned a surprise was coming to town.” Her eyes had that mischievous look that was absent when they talked at the cheetah sanctuary. “Come with me.” She took his hand.
They passed two open grills emitting heat from the charcoal embers and stepped up to the bar, behind which sat stacks of game meat ready for cooking.
“You better have a stiff one,” she motioned to the bartender. “An Irish whiskey for this gentleman.” Her eyes softened. “Heard about the incident on the road. You okay?”
“Yes. Thanks for asking, and thanks for remembering my drink of choice. I can use it.”
Handing him his drink, she said, “Save your thanks for the time being. Let’s walk over there.”
As they walked toward a group of four people, Stone’s attention was directed to a woman whose back was turned. Dressed in a stylish gray pants suit, with a beige cashmere ruana draped over her shoulders, something about the way she stood looked familiar. The woman’s auburn hair was identical to—
“Hayden,” Patience said. “May I introduce a friend of yours?”
The woman turned. Stone froze.
Contessa Lucinda Avoscani.
Patience tugged at his sleeve. “Hayden? Say something.”
With his face flushed, and now tongue-tied, he knew he looked foolish in front of the other guests. Before him stood his former lover, whose last words to him were she never wanted to see, nor speak to him again. Ever. What was she about to do?
The answer came when Lucinda took his face in both hands and kissed him gently, not on the cheek, but full on the mouth. She stepped back. No look of hate that he’d expected. Her emerald green eyes had a touch of mystery he’d never seen before.
She broke the silence. “Hello, Hayden. I have missed you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Standing in front of the ambassador’s guests, Hayden Stone remained speechless. Contessa Lucinda stood next to him with her hand on his sleeve. Patience was enjoying her little game. She hugged Lucinda and babbled about how wonderful it was to play a surprise on two old friends.
Ambassador Bunting’s sudden appearance gave Stone time to regroup. “Time to eat,” Bunting said. The chefs are taking orders.” He gave Stone a curious look. “Don’t believe we’ve met socially.”
“Marshall, this is Hayden Stone, an old friend of Lucinda’s. We’ve gotten these two together after some absence.”
“A pleasure, Ambassador.” Bunting had a strong handshake. Did he suspect about Patience and his past relationship?
Bunting held the handshake a second too long. “Ready for your trip tomorrow?”
Both women said, “Oh!” simultaneously.
“Just for a few days,” Stone said.
“We’d better give you two some time together.” As Patience led Bunting away, she threw a glance back. “Don’t forget to give your orders to the chefs.”
Stone and Lucinda faced each other. Her eyes searched his. He sensed an awkward pause coming, so he began telling Lucinda how nice it was to see her again, but stopped. “Lucinda. I’m sorry about what happened on the Riviera last May. Your palace being wrecked. And about us.” He stopped when he realized she wanted to speak.
“Hayden. A lot has happened in the last three months since we last spoke.” She adjusted the cashmere ruana, revealing a diamond broach on her jacket. “The prince from Saudi Arabia has proved himself a perfect gentleman. He has taken all responsibility for the damage done to my home. After all, it was his man Abdul Wahab who arranged for those terrorists to lease it. The prince is not only making restitution, but is contributing to its renovation.”
“The plumbing could use an upgrade.”
Lucinda didn’t smile. In fact, her expression announced that he was on thin ice. Just as quickly, the warmth returned. She moved close and continued, speaking in that husky voice he had missed. “You knew I was in a financial bind. That is why I rented out the palace for two months.” She sighed. “Thanks to the prince’s largesse, I have a few extra euros, and while my palace is being repaired I decided to come down here and look at real estate.”
“How do you know Patience? I don’t recall you ever mentioning her.”
“In Villefranche we didn’t have that much time to talk about things.” She looked over at the guests gathered around the sizzling meats. “Shall we?” She motioned. “What do you suggest we have?”
The grills were lined close to the residence’s brick wall. Other guests formed a queue, and the couple ahead asked the chef to identify the meats. He pointed out bratwursts, gazelle on skewers, rock lobster, and kudu steaks. On a side table he had placed creamy potatoes and an assortment of salads to accompany the meats.
“The braai is a tradition in southern Africa,” Stone explained. “Men do the cooking, and in the bush it’s done over an open fire.” He pointed to the steaks on the left side. “That kudu is very lean. One of the tastiest game meats I’ve had. I suggest asking for it cooked medium rare.”
“My, Hayden, you seem to know your way around Africa.” She removed her ruana and handed it to him. “I don’t recall you mentioning that you spent time here.”
Both said simultaneously, “But we didn’t have that much time.” They laughed.
Their plates holding kudu and lobster, they took seats at a table set with white linen and silverware with Patience, Ambassador Bunting, and Gus Frederick. Stone introduced Lucinda to Colonel Frederick.
“Oh. Colonel,” said Lucinda. “I do recall a friend back home speaking about you recently. A French gentleman who is with the French police, or he is with the security service. No matter.”
Frederick squirmed. “Ah yes. I miss the South of France.”
Stone smiled. You certainly do, Gus Frederick, and will for a while before the French allow you back. Lucinda was still the contessa, at ease in the international social circuit and well aware of Frederick’s predicament with the French authorities.
She then asked Stone when he was departing on his trip.
Colonel Frederick frowned and answered for him. “He and Sandra will be leaving early tomorrow morning.” He shot a look toward Ambassador Bunting.
Sensing the ambassador had spoken out of turn in revealing the secret trip to Namibia and could use some help, Stone offered, “We have some people to meet on business. Like I told you, we’ll return in a few days.” He asked Lucinda, “How long will you be here?”
“I have business also. Looking at some properties. A week, perhaps.”
“I’ll take care of her until you get back,” Patience said.
Ambassador Bunting remained quiet but at the same time listened intently to the conversation. Then he excused himself, saying he had to check on the other guests. Patience followed.
“Hosts and hostesses on the diplomatic circuit rarely get to finish their meals.” Frederick looked at his watch. “Excuse me. I have to make a phone call.”
Stone and Lucinda remained seated. A slight breeze whispered through the tall gum trees. Stars peeked behind the leaves. He refreshed her wine glass, and before he could ask again how she knew Patience, Lucinda placed her hand on his arm.
“I met Patience about two, three years ago at a Canadian Embassy function in Rome. We just, as you Americans say, clicked. We’ve been friends ever since.”
“She and the ambassador get along quite well, don’t they?”
“Are you jealous?” Lucinda said with a laugh.
“So you know about our past. I’m not jealous, especially with you here.” Stone took a deep breath while studying her face. He had missed her more than he thought. “I’m really glad to see you again. Happier that you’re not angry with me.”