As the next morning dawned, Nicoletta indulged in a leisurely bath, the warm water a soothing balm after the previous night's unexpected detour to her friend's home in Amalfi. She washed her hair, feeling the stress and fatigue of the previous day melt away. Fortunately, her friend's generosity had rescued her from a wardrobe crisis, providing her with a stylish outfit: a heavy cream wool sweater, brown wool trousers, and flat leather shoes, complemented by an amber fleece jacket that added a warm and stylish touch.
After getting dressed, Nicoletta enjoyed the freshly squeezed orange juice and delicate, flaky croissants prepared by her friend. The breakfast was a lovely way to start the day, and she felt revitalized and ready to tackle the challenge ahead. With her hair styled in a sleek knot and secured with pins, Nicoletta added a touch of elegance with her amber earrings. She collected her handbag and keys, took a deep breath, and set off to Castello dei Fiori, determined to charm Signor De La Roche into buying the property.
As she drove through the morning light, the rain-washed streets sparkling like diamonds, she felt a sense of purpose and focus. The scenic route wound its way through the picturesque towns, and Nicoletta's thoughts turned to the task at hand. She was ready to showcase Castello dei Fiori's unique charm and convince Signor De La Roche that it was the perfect investment opportunity. With a sense of confidence and determination, she drove on, ready to give it her all.
"Such French punctuality would be a miracle," she thought, smiling wryly as she saw Signor De La Roche waiting for her, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle. You slept well?" he asked, his voice low and smooth. He was dressed casually in a roll-neck sweater and cords but still managed to exude an air of sophistication and elegance.
"Good morning. I slept very well indeed," she replied, her voice sincere. Which was a surprise, considering the unexpected turn of events the previous night.
As they exchanged greetings, Nicoletta was aware of the discreet interest from him. Nicoletta was well aware of her physical attributes, knowing that fortune had blessed her with a face, hair, and figure that many of her female friends envied. When they'd first met, her hat and long coat had concealed her shape and hair from Signor De La Roche's view. However, his initial impatience had dissipated the moment he'd laid eyes on her face and hair now and his gaze had lingered on her with a different kind of intensity. Nicoletta's brow furrowed in thought. She was certain that Signor De La Roche, a man of refinement and subtlety, wouldn't typically blur the lines between business and pleasure. She resolved to maintain her composure and professionalism from now on.
"Grazie," she said, smiling, as he led her out into the morning light.
The sunlight cast a warm glow over the brick facade, making it look more welcoming than it had the night before. "It looks more inviting today than last night," Julien commented, his eyes scanning the exterior. "Sunlight is kinder to it than... twilight, I suppose?"
Nicoletta smiled and unlocked the front door, ushering him inside. As they entered the hall, the sunlight streaming through the windows created a colorful pattern on the tiled floor, an effect that seemed to please Julien. "Most picturesque," he said, his lips curving into a wry smile. "But I shouldn't be too complimentary – I don't want to give you the upper hand in negotiations."
Nicoletta's smile remained neutral as she accompanied him through the ground-floor rooms, relieved that the daylight revealed no major flaws. Julien paused in each room, making notes and asking insightful questions that kept her on her toes. When they reached the door to the ground-floor sitting room in the tower, however, Nicoletta's composure began to falter. A familiar dread crept in, making her hesitate. Julien noticed her hesitation and offered a reassuring glance. "You don't have to go all the way to the top floor again if you'd rather not," he said, his green eyes questioning hers in the bright morning light.
Nicoletta shook her head, exerting iron control over her reactions. "I'm fine, really." She ran swiftly up the spiral stairs to prove it, and went straight across the top room to the windows. "As I told you, the view from up here is breathtaking."
Julien studied her profile for a moment, then looked out at the tiered lawns and shrubberies of the garden, with its belt of woodland, and beyond that the cliff-edge and a glimpse of sandy cove below, and the sea glittering under the blue winter sky. He nodded slowly.
"You were right, mademoiselle. For this, on such a day, one can almost forgive the excesses of the Castello dei Fiori architect."
Almost, Nicoletta noted. "You mentioned going down to the cove," she reminded him. "Do you have time for that?"
He nodded. "Yes. I was able to postpone my departure until tomorrow. We can explore this cove at our leisure, then later we'll lunch together to discuss the transaction."
Nicoletta, not altogether pleased by his high-handed rearrangement of her day, opened the door into the lift and went in. Julien followed her, frowning as he pressed the button to go down.
"You feel I'm monopolizing too much of your time?" he asked.
"No." He's the client, she reminded herself. "If you want a discussion over lunch, then of course I'll delay my return to Naples. But I'll pay for the meal." She stepped out of the lift into the hall and made for the door.
"Since lunch was my suggestion, I'll pay," he said loftily, following her.
She shook her head. "I'll charge it to my expense account. And," she added with emphasis, "I suggest we lunch in a pub somewhere, not at the hotel."
He stood outside on the terrace, arms folded, watching as she locked the door. "You don't like the food at the hotel?"
"Of course, it's superb," Nicoletta said, leading the way down a series of stone steps towards the bottom of the garden. "But Matteo says the meals are good at the La Zagara, a couple of miles away, so I thought you might like some plain Italian fare for a change."
Nicoletta's laughter was like music as she teased Julien about his obvious dismay. Julien's smile flashed in response, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Nicoletta's smile lingered for a moment before she turned away, her practical side taking over. "Take care down here," she cautioned, "it's pretty steep." With that, she led the way down the treacherous path, her feet sure and agile as she navigated the sharp bends and loose shale that threatened to send them tumbling. Julien followed closely, his eyes fixed on Nicoletta's slender figure as she picked her way down to the cove below.
As Nicoletta led Julien down the winding steps carved into the cliffside, the sound of the waves grew louder and the scent of saltwater filled the air. The cove of Castello dei Fiori unfolded before them, a marvelous haven of turquoise water lapping gently against the shore. The sand was a warm golden hue, and seashells scattered along the beach sparkled in the sunlight.
The cliff faces, rugged and weathered, were dotted with bursts of vibrant greenery and colorful flowers, their petals swaying in the sea breeze. Julien's eyes widened as he took in the secluded paradise, the waves crashing against the rocks at the cove's edges creating a soothing melody.
As they descended further, the view expanded, revealing the cove's tranquil beauty. Nicoletta smiled, watching Julien's reaction, his face alight with wonder. The air was filled with the cries of seagulls wheeling overhead, adding to the cove's enchanting atmosphere.
The steps finally led them onto the sand, the warm sun on their skin and the sea's gentle lapping at their feet. The cove's magic was palpable, a sense of seclusion and wonder that seemed to transport a person to a world of their own.
Julien gazed about him, his eyes approving the rugged beauty of the rocks edging the sand in the secluded, V-shaped inlet. "But this is charming," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Is there any other access?"
Nicoletta shook her head. "No, the path is Castello dei Fiori property."
Julien turned up the collar of his suede jacket, a gesture that seemed almost instinctive. "In summer, this must be delightful," he mused. "A great asset to the house."
Nicoletta's practical eye surveyed the path. "The path could do with some work," she admitted. "But if it's reinforced in places, with a few steps cut in the cliff here and there, and maybe a handrail on the steepest bit, it could be a very attractive feature. Not many houses boast a private cove."
Julien nodded in agreement, his gaze drifting to the clouds gathering on the horizon. "Come, Mademoiselle," he said, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "We must go back before it rains."
The climb up the cliff proved a more arduous task for Nicoletta, her breathless ascent a stark contrast to her earlier, reckless descent.
As she reached the top, she panted, "As I said yesterday, I'm out of condition."
Julien's gaze swept over her, leaving her even more breathless. "Your condition looks flawless to me," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Come, it's early yet for lunch, but perhaps your Italian pub will give us coffee."
Nicoletta shot him a look, still catching her breath. "If I'd known you weren't going back today, I would have asked for a later start this morning," she said, her curiosity getting the better of her as they walked back through the garden.
Julien shrugged, his expression unreadable. "My change of plan took much effort to rearrange. I wasn't sure until this morning that it could be done." he said as they got to their cars. "Alors, you will go first so I can follow you."