Emily swallowed the water, then waved a peremptory arm at the other bed. "Right then, Jess Dysart," she ordered. "You can't stop there. Curl up on that and tell me everything. Right from the beginning."

Jess was only too happy to oblige, from the fall at the Chesterton, which had resulted in the drive home to Friars Wood with Lorenzo, to the flight he'd arranged to bring her rushing to Emily's aid. "And as the icing on the cake," she added with satisfaction, "the moment you're well enough for a car ride, Em, he's taking us to stay at his home in the country. I'll keep you company there while you get yourself better."

"How kind of him!" Emily shook her head in wonder. "He must be some man, this Lorenzo."

"He is." Jess swung her legs over the edge of the bed and leaned forward, suddenly serious. "Now then, Em. Have you rung your mother?"

"I spoke to her as soon as I arrived, but didn't let on I was feeling rough-told her the flight had made my voice dry." She eyed Jess guiltily. "The thing is, love, when Celia had to cancel I knew perfectly well I should have done the same. I'd been feeling a bit off for a day or two before I left."

"Which is why you were home early that day!" Jess bit her lip in remorse. "And I was too wrapped up in my own concerns to notice."

"I didn't feel so bad then, Jess. I just thought I had a cold coming on. But I was utterly determined to get to Florence. Serves me right, I suppose, because I just wanted to crawl into bed and die by the time I finally got to the hotel."

When the nurse returned she had a message from Lorenzo. "Signer Forii wishes to speak to you. Miss Dysart. He awaits you downstairs."

"On your mark, get set, then, Jess," said Emily, grinning. "Don't keep the man waiting."

Jess flushed, her eyes like stars as she flew to the bathroom to tidy up. "Shan't be long," she said breathlessly, as she hurried from the room.

When the lift doors opened into the lobby Lorenzo was waiting for her. Aware of rapt attention from everyone behind the reception desk, Jess returned his greeting sedately, then accompanied him to a large lounge, where they sat on a brocade sofa screened by a vast palm, with coffee on a silver tray on the table in front of them.

"Allora, how is your friend?" asked Lorenzo.

"She's not very well at all," Jess handed him his cup. "In fact she looks terrible. But Emily assures me she's much better than she was."

"I have been speaking to Bruno Tosti, and he confirms this, but he thinks it best your friend remains here for tonight Tomorrow I will drive you both to the Villa Fortuna." Lorenzo smiled at her. "I have sent word for everything to be made ready."

"Where exactly is the house?" asked Jess.

"A short journey from Firenze-it should not be too exhausting for your friend."

"Do you commute into the city every day, then?"

"No. I have an apartment here. I use the villa only at weekends." He lowered his voice. "But while you are there, tesoro, I shall remain there also. Roberto will return tomorrow, or the next day. He can take my place for a while." He moved closer, and touched her hand fleetingly. "What is it, Jessamy? Something troubles you."

She shook her head. "Not troubles, exactly. It's just that I'm totally overwhelmed by your kindness, Lorenzo-Emily, too."

He shrugged negligently. "It is no great thing. Later this evening, when I collect you for dinner, you shall present me to your friend."

Jess raised a mocking eyebrow. "So I'm having dinner with you, am I?"

Lorenzo smiled indulgently. "But of course. When you return to your friend, Anna can take time to herself for an hour or two. She will return at eight. You look doubtful," he added, eyes narrowed. "You do not wish this?"

"You know I do," she assured him. "But I'd rather not go too far, Lorenzo, just in case Emily wants me."

"Of course. We shall dine here in the hotel, cara. You could be with your friend in minutes, should this be necessary, I shall come for you at eight." Lorenzo escorted her to the lift, bowing very formally as the doors closed on her.

When Jess got back to the room Emily was sitting in a chair, looking tired, but a lot more like herself in a fresh nightgown, with her hair brushed into something more like its normal shine.

"Anna's given me a sponge bath and changed the bed," she said cheerfully. "Then she's going off for an hour or so."

The nurse helped Emily back into bed, and straightened the bedclothes with precision. "I have ordered a light meal, cara, and your friend must make sure you eat it," she said firmly, and gathered up the discarded linen. "I shall return at eight. A presto!"

Jess saw the nurse out, then returned to sit on the other bed. "Lorenzo wants me to have dinner with him, Em."

"I know. Anna told me."

"Do you mind terribly?" Jess pulled a face. "I feel a bit guilty flying to your side and all that, then leaving you alone for the evening."

"Of course I don't mind," said Emily, chuckling. "Besides, I won't be alone. I'll have Anna. She can snooze on your bed while I read."

"Which reminds me." Jess dived for her luggage, and produced two paperback novels. "I bought these at the airport. One thriller, one sexy romance."

Emily beamed. "Wonderful! So what are you wearing for your romantic dinner for two, then?"

"We're on the move tomorrow, so there's no point in unpacking." Jess took out a dress and held it up, eyeing it critically. "This knitted silky stuff travels well. I packed in such a terrible hurry nothing else is fit to be seen. I'll hang it on the bathroom door to get the creases out. But first I'm going out on that balcony to look at the view!"

Outside the full moon was just rising over the Amo. All the traffic noise and bustle and scents of Florence came rising up on the balmy evening air, and Jess breathed in deeply, savouring it as she craned her neck to get a glimpse of the Ponte Vecchio in the distance.

"Fantastic," she said, going inside. "Shall I leave the doors open?"

"Yes, please." Emily smiled ruefully. "At last I can listen to Florence, even though I can't explore the city just yet. Hurry up, Jess. I want a blow-by-blow description of the wedding."

Jess showered quickly, dried her hair and brushed it into shape, then curled up on the other bed and settled down to take Emily through the wedding day from start to finish. "I know brides arc supposed to look beautiful, but you needed sunglasses just to look at Leo. Jonah couldn't take his eyes off her. Neither," she added ruefully, "could Roberta Forli."

"I'm amazed he was there!"

"So was I-but I'm very glad he was, because in the end it meant Lorenzo came to the wedding, too." Jess was silent for a moment. "Do you realise, Em," she said at last, "that this time last week I'd never even heard of Lorenzo Forli, let alone set eyes on him? And now-"

"And now?"

"I feel as though I've known him for ever." Jess leapt off the bed. "Right Enough of me. Let's think about you. What are you having for supper?"

When a tempting herb omelette arrived Emily managed to eat some of it, under her friend's watchful eye, but asked for mercy eventually, and Jess removed the tray and plumped up the pillows.

"I'll help you tidy up, shall I?"

"If you like. Do I look so awful, then?"

"No. But Lorenzo's coming to meet you before he takes me to dinner."

This piece of news threw the invalid into a panic. She demanded help to me bathroom, managed to wash her own face afterwards, then brushed her own hair while Jess remade the bed.

"Right then, Em. In you go."

When Emily was sitting up against the pillows with her new book she napped a hand at Jess. "Shoo! Go and gild the lily. It's you Lorenzo wants, not me."

A little before eight Jess was ready, in a sleeveless, V-necked jersey dress, the lustrous bitter chocolate shade a perfect match for eyes which gleamed with anticipation beneath the gleaming fall of hair across her forehead.