* * *
She dressed for boating in dark blue trousers and a white silk top.
Riccardo was waiting for her in Guido's motorboat, borrowed for the occasion.
He was dressed in black shorts and shirt, the black stark against the brown of his skin.
He reached up to help her into the boat.
"Steady, careful," he said.
"I'm not breakable." She laughed. "I could simply jump in. Or fall in. I've done it before."
"Yes, twice," he agreed with comical gravity. "It's causing talk. If you do it a third time you'll have to marry me."
She shook her head, her eyes dancing. "A terrible fate."
"Do you think so?"
"I meant for you. Imagine having to marry me for a reason like that."
"I'd marry you for any reason if I thought I could talk you into it."
Chapter Sixteen
For a while Justine concentrated on enjoying the day out as Riccardo gently urged the motorboat down the Grand Canal and out into the lagoon where there were miles of open water, bounded on the far side by the long islands of the Lido.
"Where are we going?" she asked, standing beside him at the wheel.
"We're going nowhere," he replied, putting his arm about her and drawing her tightly against him.
"Where's nowhere?"
"Wait and see."
That was fine with her. Who could ask for more than to drift across the water, going nowhere with him?
"There's some champagne below," he said.
She went down and found the boat less cramped than she had expected. There was a large cushioned space, almost as big as a double bed. In the picnic hamper she found champagne and glasses, and took them up.
He stopped the boat within sight of some of the smaller islands, and they drank contentedly.
"If this is nowhere, I love it," she said.