"I've been very fortunate to come here to get better, signora."

''Isabella, per favore.

"Will you have some lemonade?" said Jess, wondering if she should offer coffee instead, but reluctant to sound too territorial in the house that had once been Isabella's home. And still was, in some ways.

Isabella was very happy to drink lemonade. She tossed her fabulously beautiful handbag on the table and took a chair next to Jess, leaving the sofa to Emily. "Lie there and rest, cara," she advised. "You look pale."

"We had rather a lively evening," Jess informed her, and smiled at Emily. "Dr Tosti came to visit the invalid, then stayed on to dinner-"

"And Roberto joined you, of course." Isabella laughed. "He told me he would. But you, of course, Jessamy-" She paused. "Does everyone call you that?"

"No," said Emily. "Only Lorenzo. To the rest of the world she's known as Jess."

Isabella plainly found this bit of information fascination. "Then I shall call you this, also, and leave your special name to my brother. But, Jess, you know Roberto already, of course. Before you met Lorenzo."

"My sister and I had dinner with him when he came to England earlier in the year," agreed Jess.

Isabella cast her eyes skywards. "I know this! He was unbearable when he came home." She leaned nearer confidentially. "I was amazed when Roberto decided to attend her wedding. And now I find Lorenzo was there also. Is your sister happy, Jess?"

"Very. She's on her honeymoon, probably in the South of France by now."

"You approve of her husband?"

"Very much indeed." Jess smiled. "I've always been fond of Jonah."

"Bene. Tell Leonie I wish her well," said Isabella, and turned to Emily. "And you, cara, do you have a special man?"

Emily looked startled. "Er-no. No, I don't. Not at the moment."

Caria came hurrying out before there were more questions. Isabella jumped to her feet to embrace her, and embarked on a long, affectionate exchange before turning to the others in apology.

"Forgive me, but Caria always desires information about my sons. Also she says lunch is ready inside. Andiamo."

Over a lunch of salad and frittata, Carla's perfect asparagus omelette, Isabella was only too happy to talk about Antonio and Claudio.

"They are enchanting, also, exhausting," she said, chuckling, "but I have a very good girl who helps with them, and now they are in school life is easier." She looked at her watch. "I must return in time for them to come home today, because I was away all last week with my friend Angelica, listening to her woes. She is a lawyer, and very clever, but unlucky in love!" Isabella rolled her eyes. "I was very happy to return to Andrea. He also is a lawyer, but when it comes to love-" She smiled engagingly. "He says he is a fortunate man."

Jess could well believe it. Isabella Moretti was a young woman of great charm and vivacity, and after an entire week without her Andrea Moretti had no doubt welcomed his wife home with open arms.

The three of them spent a very pleasant time together over lunch, but when it was over Emily got to her feet.

"Please excuse me, Isabella. I'd better go up for a rest, or Anna will scold. I'm so glad to have met you."

Isabella professed herself equally pleased, invited Emily to visit her in Lucca whenever she wished, then went out to the courtyard with Jess to drink coffee under the trees.

"How long do you stay, Jess?" she said, as she filled their cups, automatically taking on the role of hostess.

"Until Sunday, if Lorenzo can arrange it. I should be flying back on Saturday, but I don't start work until Monday, so-"

"So Lorenzo persuaded you to spend every minute you could with him before leaving him," said Isabella, nodding. "What is this work, cara?"

Jess described her job at the agency, finding it very easy to talk to someone so fascinated by insight into the life of the successful model.

At last, with much regret, Isabella announced it was time for her to drive home. "But before I go," she added, her vivid face suddenly sober, "there is something I must say to you."

Jess braced herself. "Yes?"

Isabella fiddled with her watch. "You know that Lorenzo has not had a-a real relationship with any woman since his wife died?"

"Yes. He told me." Jess smiled a little. "Roberto told me, too."

Isabella made a face. "And now I am repeating it." She threw out her hands in appeal. "I have no wish to intrude on private feelings, cara, but after the tragedy of Renata I so want Lorenzo to be happy. I love him very much, you understand."

"So do I," Jess assured her. "And to set your mind at rest, Isabella, I never, ever intend to cause him any hurt. In fact," she added, smiling radiantly, "Lorenzo has asked me to marry him and I've said yes."

Isabella gave a squeal of excitement and jumped up to kiss Jess with wild enthusiasm. "Meravigliso! I am so glad. I must hurry home right away to call Andrea. Lorenzo must bring you to dine with us tomorrow. I shall ring him tonight. Dio, I am so happy for him. And for you, cara. She rushed into the house to say goodbye to Caria, then ran back out again to embrace Jess once again, gave good wishes for Emily's recovery, and drove away, waving until she was out of sight.

Jess sat alone for a long time afterwards, her eyes on the rolling vine-clad hills. Isabella's reaction to her announcement had been gratifying in the extreme, Roberta's, too. But now it was time to ask for Dysart approval, which was something new for her parents. Jess had never taken any man home to Friars Wood, something they had found rather strange, she knew only too well. But they had taken very quickly to Lorenzo, which was a good start. Though perhaps they'd feel sad at losing another daughter to Italy, when the first had just returned home for good from Florence. But Jess was confident they would give her their blessing.

"You look very serious," teased a familiar voice, and Jess sprang to her feet and into Lorenzo's arms.

"You're early!" she exclaimed.

"Of course I am early," said Lorenzo at last, smiling down into her eyes. "This is a very special day."

"Every day since I've known you has been special." Jess rubbed her cheek against his. "What's different about today?"

Lorenzo held her away from him, frowning in mock indignation. "You have forgotten? This is our anniversary, innamorata, a whole week since I first saw you in the flesh!"

Chapter Eleven.

"Ah, such beautiful flesh," he murmured in her ear, and kissed her again, then frowned when he discovered she was crying. "Tears, Jessamy. Why?"

"Because you're so wonderful and I'm so happy," she said thickly, and smiled at him through the tears clinging to her lashes. "I can hardly believe it's only a week since I first saw you. Everything in life before then seems unimportant."

Lorenzo drew her down to the couch and put his arm round her. "Those are very rewarding words for a man to hear, carissima."

"But the truth," she assured him, sniffing inelegantly.

He reached in his pocket. "I have a present for you to mark the occasion."

Jess gazed in awe at the ring he produced. It was modern, a heavy gold band with a plain shank widening into a raised mound encrusted with small diamonds. Lorenzo slid it on her ring finger, and kissed it.

"This is just a token, not an anello di fidanwto, because we are not yet officially engaged. You can wear it on the other hand, if you wish. When I have your father's approval I shall buy you another, which we shall choose together. Do you like it? Dio, you are crying again!"

Jess flung her arms round his neck and kissed him, careless of the tears streaming down her face. "Darling, I love it. And I love you. I've missed you so much today. Lorenzo, I wish you could fly back with me."