Guido's cousin Marco arrived from Rome, bringing his English fiancée, Harriet.

Marco was one of the most handsome men Justine had ever seen, but, while perfectly civil, he had a distant air.

"Harriet and Marco are rather cool for an engaged couple," Justine observed to Dulcie. "They're not like you and Guido."

"It's not precisely a love match," Dulcie said. "Harriet is the granddaughter of his mother's oldest friend."

"You mean they're not in love?"

Dulcie chuckled. "They think they aren't."

The last one to arrive was Leo, Guido's half brother, an amiable young giant whom Justine liked immediately. He arrived in Venice direct from Texas, where he'd been visiting a ranching friend, enjoying himself riding and "fooling around" as he put it.

Justine gathered that he'd also met Selena, a rodeo rider who'd made more of an impression on him than he wanted to admit. Dulcie and Harriet promptly settled down to grill him about her, until he grinned sheepishly and escaped.

"I'll swear he was blushing," Justine chuckled.

Dulcie nodded. "I don't think we've heard the last of Selena."

She seemed to be floating to her wedding on a tide of serene happiness. Liza, by contrast, was in a state of nerves, suddenly declaring that she needed help with the food.

"But she wouldn't hear of it the first time," Justine protested.

"I know," said Dulcie, "but she liked Riccardo, so I think it's an excuse to send some more work his way. Also," she added with a significant glance at Justine, "I think she may be doing some matchmaking."

"I can't imagine why," Justine said stiffly.

"Well it's your own fault. If you will hurl yourself into a boat driven by a ludicrously attractive man, spend the night with him -"