"I did not spend the night with him – not the way you mean, anyway."

"Well, you came home with the dawn."

"I bet you were all hanging out of the windows," Justine said wrathfully.

Dulcie chuckled. "Let's just say it's not a secret."

"So he'll be coming here to talk to Liza?" Justine asked, trying to sound indifferent.

"I'll tell Liza you want him," Dulcie said mischievously.

"You do and you're dead!" Justine said quickly.

Her own heart was hidden from her. Did she want to see Riccardo or not? He was dangerous because he wouldn't be pigeonholed, and he wouldn't let her take control of their relationship. But that was the only way that she felt safe.

That day she took her camera and went to explore Venice, thinking that when she returned he would be gone. But suddenly she felt distressed at the thought of missing him, and ran all the way back.

Then, disgusted with herself for shilly-shallying over a man, she refused to go anywhere near the kitchen, where he probably was, and sought the garden.

And there he was, talking and laughing with Guido, Marco and Leo. Worst of all, when the three Calvanis saw her, they immediately vanished with a speed that told her what the palazzo gossip was.

"I had hoped to find you here," he said, when they were alone.

"I have a lot of pictures to take," she said. "I'm hurrying to get everything done before the wedding."

"Of course. I, too, have much work to do, but I couldn't leave without seeing you. Does that make you angry?"

"Of course not. Why should it make me angry?"

He gave his wry smile with the wicked hint of mischief, and she had to work hard not to be melted by it.

"So much that I do seems to annoy you," he said. "I've learned to tread carefully. I'm really very scared of you."

"Don't be absurd," she said, laughing despite herself.