His eyes held hers. "But if I return later tonight, would your family spare you for a little while afterwards? I shall ask them myself, if you permit"

Jess nodded. "If you want to."

"You know very well that I do. Let us join your parents." Lorenzo walked with Jess to thank the Dysarts, and stood talking to them for a while, complimenting them on the perfection of the day. When Tom Dysart was called away, Lorenzo turned to Prances. "It was most kind of you to welcome a stranger to your celebration, Signora Dysart."

"It's always a pleasure to welcome my family's friends," she assured him. "I gather you're returning to London tonight?"

He shook his head. "Roberto is travelling there with our good friends the Ravellos, but I shall stay for a while, and explore this beautiful part of your country."

"Then you must come and visit us again," she said promptly.

"You are most kind. I should be delighted." Lorenzo cast a look at Jess before turning again to her mother. "Signora, I was just asking your daughter if you would spare her to me for a while later tonight after you have dined."

"I explained that it was difficult, because of the family supper," said Jess hastily.

Frances Dysart, rarely slow on the uptake, smiled on them both. "That won't take long, darling. Jonah's family will probably leave early, after all the excitement. Kate and Adam are having some friends over at the Stables to party for a while later, as you know, but you won't fancy that, Jess. If Lorenzo's on his own, by all means keep him company for a while."

After Frances left them to see departing guests on their way Lorenzo looked at Jess urgently. "How soon may I come for you? Is there some quiet place nearby where we can drink a glass of wine together and talk for a while?"

Jess nodded. "But I can't leave before eight-thirty at the earliest. Is that too late?"

"Yes," he said promptly. "Much too late. So when I come you will not keep me waiting, perfavore"

She gave him a wry, considering look. "I'll try. Now I really must help my parents with the remaining wedding guests. And by his body language I think Roberto wants to leave."

"I have no doubt that he does, now Leonie has departed for her honeymoon. Also he must catch the train for London." Lorenzo raised her hand to his lips. "While I must wait with what patience I can until I see you tonight, Jessamy Dysart. I shall count the minutes. Arrivederci."

Chapter Four.

All evening while Jess helped her mother and Kate serve their guests, she found it difficult to concentrate on the buzz of animated post wedding conversation going on around her. She managed to contribute the odd remark now and then, but otherwise she functioned on auto-pilot, hoping her excitement wasn't too obvious as the time drew nearer to Lorenzo's arrival.

"Everything went like a dream today, Frances," said Flora Savage with satisfaction. "You did a fantastic job. Even the weather was perfect."

"Thank God," said Tom Dysart with feeling. "Otherwise everyone would have been crammed into the house."

"Leo was determined to have the reception at home, rain or shine," said Frances serenely. "Which was just as well. The good hotels in these parts need a year's notice for a June wedding."

James Savage chuckled. "Jonah found it hard enough to wait until this June once he got Leo back. I don't blame him, either. Your turn next, Jess?"

"Not me," she assured him.

"Leo's Italian friend was very attentive," said Helen casually. "Have you known him long, Jess?"

"She only met him last night," said Adam, grinning.

"Really, dear?" Flora Savage stared in surprise. "I thought you were old friends."

"They soon will be at this rate," said Kate mischievously. "He's taking her out again tonight."

"You mean you're not gracing the Stables with your presence?" demanded Adam.

"And spoil your fun, children? Not a chance." Jess grinned at him, then noticed that Penny's eyelids were beginning to droop. "Come on, bridesmaid," she coaxed. "Time for bath and bed. I'll take you up tonight"

"But I was going to read Aunt Helen a story," objected Fenny.

"And so you shall," promised Frances. "When you're in your dressing gown you can read to her in the study for a little while."

Once Jess had delivered a clean and shining Fenny into the care of Helen Savage, she raced back upstairs and rushed through a shower, then rummaged frantically through her wardrobe, rattling hangers and discarding one thing after another in a frenzy. Nothing too clingy or sexy, no trousers tonight, something feminine... Suddenly she laughed at herself. Practically anything she'd packed would do for a trip to a country pub, even with Lorenzo Forli.

Eventually, in sleeveless indigo lawn, the skirt of the dress drifting just above her ankles, Jess went downstairs to find that Fenny had fallen fast asleep on the sofa.

"She's had a very exciting day," whispered Helen. "I didn't like to leave her to call someone."

Jess smiled warmly. "I expect you enjoyed a little lull with her on your own."

"I did, indeed." Helen brushed a gentle hand over the dark, shining hair. "She's such a darling."

Also a little enigma that had very plainly disturbed Lorenzo Forli, Jess reminded herself, and went off to get Adam and Kate. "Will you two take Fenny off to bed, while I wheel Helen back to the others?"

"Of course," said Kate, eyeing her sister. "Wow! You look terrific, Jess."

"Flat shoes?" said Adam with awe, eyeing his sister's linen sling-backs.

"Only because they match the dress," she assured him.

"You be careful tonight," he said sternly, only half joking.

"I'm careful every night!"

Jess wheeled Helen back to the others, to face a chorus of approval on her appearance, and much kindly teasing from Jonah's parents. Eventually she was rescued by the doorbell, and hurried back along the hall, her heart thumping at the sight of Lorenzo's tall silhouette through the stained glass panels of the inner door. She threw it open, smiling, feeling a rush of reaction at the sight of him. He was less formal tonight, in a lightweight jacket and a shirt open at the throat. And so much everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man she had to swallow before she could speak.

"Hello," she said at last. "You're very punctual."

Lorenzo said nothing for a moment, surveying her with such undisguised pleasure Jess found it hard to stand still.

"Bellissima," he said at last. "But why do you look so small tonight?"

She held up a foot. "Different shoes. Now you see why I like high heels. Would you care to come in for a while?"

"I would like that very much," he said, rather to her surprise. Jess had assumed he would decline politely and whisk her off the first moment he could, as eager to be alone with her as she was with him.

"Would you like a drink?" she asked as she led him to the drawing room.

"Alas, no." He smiled down at her. "I shall wait until later."

The visitor was given a warm welcome. He sat very much at his ease, adding his own comments about the wedding, stressing how privileged he felt to have been a guest. Then, just when Jess thought they could decently take their leave, Kate and Adam joined them, and it was more than half an hour later before Lorenzo got up to go.