"I mustn't kiss you too much," he said at last, huskily, drawing back. "It's dangerous."

She laughed recklessly. "What's wrong with a little danger? I thought you were the kind of man who enjoyed it."

"Don't provoke me, Justine, I'm almost at the end of my control already."

"Then let's be sedate and well behaved," she said, forcing herself to back away from him. It was hard because she was as fired up as he.

She went to the stone wall and looked out over the water.

"Look there," Riccardo said. "Do you recognize them?"

A solitary gondola was gliding out from the palazzo. Justine could see Dulcie reclining in her wedding gown, while Guido took the oar.

"He's got a tiny apartment tucked away somewhere," she said. "Dulcie said they're spending their honeymoon there, away from the world. What an incredibly romantic way to end a wedding!"

"Romantic. Meaning that you disapprove?"

"I wish them well. I hope they'll be the one couple in the world to prove that it can work the way it's supposed to.

"Don't forget the promise you made me, not to leave without seeing me again," he reminded her.

"I've seen you twice since then."

"Not the way I meant. I'll call for you in the boat tomorrow morning and take you – well, wait and see."

"I may have other things to do tomorrow."

His answer was to wrap his arms tightly about her, taking her prisoner.

"No," he said firmly. "You haven't."

"Oh, yes, I have," she retorted playfully.

"Oh, no, you haven't," he assured her just as playfully.

"Well then, I guess I haven't." She smiled.

He kissed her briefly and released her.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

He slipped away before anyone could see them together, and Justine wandered back to the wedding, where everyone was toasting Marco and Harriet.