Page 15 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“Welcome to The Beach House Hotel,” I said, stepping forward to shake hands.
“Enjoy your stay here,” Rhonda added, smiling at them.“I’m Rhonda Grayson, and this is my business partner, Ann Sanders.”
The Ambassador introduced himself and his wife, Catarina, and they both indicated a beautiful young woman exiting the limo.“This is our daughter, Philippa.”
Blond like her mother, tall, and with an alluring figure in a short, blue sleeveless sundress that complimented her, Philippa said hello as if it were a duty, nothing more.
I saw a frown cross her mother’s face, but nothing was said about her daughter’s lack of excitement.
Without missing a beat, Enrico said, “Your hotel comes with a high recommendation from the vice-president.I look forward to our visit, though it’s shorter than I would wish.”
“We’re delighted to have you and your family,” I said.“We’ve placed you in the Presidential Suite.”
“Excellent,” Enrico said.“I’m sure we’ll find it very suitable.”He held out his hand.“Come, Catarina.”
Rhonda led them up the stairs.
I turned to Philippa.“Let me show you to where to go.”
Philippa made a face.“Thanks.My parents made me come with them.I was supposed to stay in New York with friends.”
“I understand the visit here will be a short one.Perhaps you’ll be back with your friends soon,” I said.
Philippa shook her head.“They want me to return to Italy with them in a couple of weeks to take care of some family business.An old-fashioned marriage idea.”
From the top of the stairs, Enrico turned to us.“Philippa, are you coming?”
“Be right there, Papa,” said Philippa and emitted a long sigh.
I walked with her up the stairs, wondering how Liz would’ve acted if I’d tried to arrange a marriage for her.No, I didn’t need to wonder, I knew she’d be furious.
Next to me, Philippa moved with grace, though I could tell by the thrust of her chin she was still feeling defiant.
At the top of the stairs, we entered the hotel, and I led Philippa across the lobby to the staircase leading to the private Presidential Suite.
She turned to me.“Can you show me to your beach?”
“Of course,” I said.“If you come this way, you’ll see the pool area and beyond it the beach.The hotel provides chairs and offers some sports equipment.”
“Thank you,” said Phillippa.“I’m supposed to meet a friend from New York there shortly.No worries.I can find my way around from here.I appreciate your time.”
Satisfied that she seemed happier, I left her and went to the office to talk to Rhonda.She needed to be warned of the situation between Philippa and her parents.I had a feeling that family problems would end up in our lap.
In the office, Rhonda told me that Enrico had requested space for two more dinner guests, making it ten instead of eight.“I told him no problem.We have plenty of food.”
“I had an interesting talk with their daughter,” I said, filling her in on the details of my conversation with Philippa.
“It does seem strange,” said Rhonda.Her eyes lit.“Unless it’s something dictated by one of the mafia families in Italy.”
“Maybe so,” I said, uneasy about the idea.Every time we did something for Amelia Swanson, we ended up in trouble.
As if she’d read my mind, Rhonda said, “I hope we don’t end up in another mess caused by our dear vice-president.”
“Me, too.Vaughn is very understanding of my time commitment to the hotel, but he doesn’t like it when Amelia pulls us into situations that could put us at risk in any way.”
“Thank God, the Ambassador’s family is here for just a couple of nights,” said Rhonda.“You’ll have to pay close attention at dinner, though, and listen for any details that might help us understand the situation.”
“Private dinners at our hotel are known for our being discreet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be listening to what’s being said.”
