"But we're not moving," she said.

"That's because we've hit a traffic jam," he pointed out, indicating several other barges, bent on the same errand, that were blocking their way.

"Where's Dulcie?" she asked, looking around.

"Your friend is back there. We moved on for a bit after you fell."

Justine could just make out Dulcie standing by the water, at the place where she had gone in. She waved and caught her attention.

Dulcie doubled up with laughter, and indicated that she would walk along the canal's edge to join her, but Justine firmly waved her back for fear of damage to the lovely wedding dress. Dulcie nodded, agreeing to wait.

"I'm taking the pictures of Dulcie and Guido's wedding," Justine explained. "You know Guido, don't you?"

He grinned.

"Everyone knows Guido. He's crazy." Seeing her puzzled look he added, "In Venice, that is a compliment."

"I see – at least, I think I do."

He extended his hand again.

"I am Riccardo Gardini."

"I am Justine Bentley."

They shook hands.

"Will you remain in Venice for long?" he asked.

"I don't know. I've got a few days before the wedding, then I'll stay on to get some shots of the city, but I'm not sure just how long that will take."

"It will take a lifetime," he said at once. "You will never come to the end of Venice. There is always one more beauty to be seen, one more mystery to tease you. So you must stay here forever."

"Well, it's beautiful enough, I agree, and I really want to see it all."

"Then I shall arrange it so that you do."

The lordly way he said, "I shall arrange it," made her lift her eyebrows. Just who did he think he was? And what did he think she was? An easy pickup?

"Say that you will spend some time with me," he coaxed.

He was the most dangerously attractive male that she'd met in a long time. Did anything else matter?

And then she saw something that drove everything else out of her mind.