His eyes narrowed in incredulous question. She smiled a little. "Whatever this is that happens between us has never happened for me before."

"Carissima," Lorenzo seized her in his arms and kissed her again, but this time with such protective tenderness Jess relaxed against him like a tired child, suddenly exhausted. "Come," he said, and stood up, holding out his hand. "You must sleep." He smiled at her. "Is your brother's room close to yours?" "Next door," she said, turning out lights. Lorenzo sighed heavily. "Then I will probably not sleep at all."

Jess was up early the following morning, but Lorenzo was before her. She went into the kitchen to find him eating breakfast with her family, looking very much at home.

"Buongiorno," he said, jumping up to pull out a chair. "How are you this morning, Jessamy?"

"Tired." She flushed as she met interested looks on all sides.

"Lorenzo told us about Emily's pleurisy, Jess," said Kate. "How awful for her! Mother says you're going out to join her as soon as you can."

"You'd better get on the phone straight after breakfast," said her father. "Could be tricky getting a flight this time of year."

"Have no fear. Signer Dysart, I shall arrange all that," said Lorenzo at once, and passed a jug of orange juice to Jess. "Drink a little of this, cara. It will revive you."

Jess sipped obediently, feeling her colour deepen under Kate's fascinated gaze.

"Lorenzo lives in Italy, Jess," announced Fenny, impressed. "Just like Leo did."

"I know, poppet"

"Is that a long way?"

"Two hours only in an aeroplane," Lorenzo informed her, smiling.

"Is your house big?"

"Big enough, piccolo. You must come and visit me there one day."

"Yes, please!" Fenny nodded with enthusiasm. "Kate and Adam, too?"

"Of course," he assured her gravely.

"Honestly, Fen," said Kate, embarrassed. "Come on, we'll be late. Are you ready. Dad?"

Tom Dysart downed the last of his coffee and stood up. Lorenzo followed suit to shake hands. Thanks were exchanged and there was a round of hugs and kisses-Penny not at all pleased when she heard Jess might not be there when she got back from school.

"Fenny thinks we should all live here all the time, with no going away to college and jobs and so on," explained Prances, after her husband had taken his daughters off.

"And who can blame her?" said Lorenzo. "This is a beautiful part of the world."

"So is yours," said Jess.

"You have eaten nothing, cara," he accused.

"Come on, Jess, this isn't like you," said her mother. "Have some toast, at least"

"And while you eat your breakfast signora, with your permission I shall make use of the telephone," said Lorenzo.

"Of course. Use the one in the study." When he'd gone Frances looked at her daughter in wry amusement as she passed the toast. "You're very quiet."

"Just tired," said Jess, with a yawn.

"Were you late getting to bed?"

"Very. It took ages for Lorenzo to get things sorted out."

"He told us. Poor Emily. What a thing to happen alone on holiday!"

"Do you think I should ring her mother?" asked Jess, frowning.

Frances thought for a moment. "I should wait until you see Emily. Let her decide. If Mrs Shaw is involved with the chicken pox she has more than enough to cope with already, poor dear."

Breakfast had been cleared away, and Frances had gone over to the Stables to rouse Adam by the time Lorenzo returned to the kitchen to report.

"It took some time to get through this morning, Jessamy. But eventually I spoke to the nurse, who said your friend is improving."

"Thank heavens for that," said Jess in relief. "I'll ring through in a minute and speak to Emily myself."

"She is now sleeping, therefore I told the nurse you would be with your friend later today," he informed her.

"Have you arranged a flight, then?" she said, surprised.

Lorenzo smiled. "But of course. Your plane leaves Heathrow this afternoon. Do you need much time to pack, cara?"

"No, I did that last night" Jess smiled a little. "One way and another I just couldn't get to sleep. I should imagine you did better after all that telephoning."

Lorenzo shook his head, and touched a finger to the curve of her bottom lip. "How could I sleep? When you were so close, but not close enough!" He frowned suddenly. "But I regret that I have added much to your father's phone bill."

"Don't offer to pay! Not if you want to come here again-" She baited, flushing, and he smiled indulgently.

"You know very well that I do."

"I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you any time during your stay," said Jess forlornly.

He stared at her in amazement. "But I am not staying, Jessamy. What possible reason could I have for remaining here if you are in Rrenze? I travel with you."

Travel with Lorenzo Forii was very different from anything Jess had experienced before. After Lorenzo's farewells she had submitted to Adam's bear hug, reminded him to fetch her car, then kissed her mother goodbye and rushed out to the car with Lorenzo to drive to Pennington for his luggage before going on to Heathrow to catch the plane.

In a remarkably short time, it seemed to Jess, they were in the sky, bound for Italy. Air travel was normally an evil she endured as the quickest way to get from one point to another. But travelling first class with Lorenzo had a magic carpet quality about it. Sitting close to him, her hand in his, Jess found herself enjoying the entire process for the first time, so absorbed in his company she had no attention to spare for the food they were served.

"It is my ambition to see you eat something one day," he observed, resigned, after the trays were removed.

"Normally I eat like a horse," she assured him. "The last few days have been a bit hectic, that's all, with the wedding straight on top of my jury duty, and now this with poor Emily."

"Try not to worry-you will soon be with her. Instead tell me more about your jury service. Did you enjoy this?" he asked, reaching for her hand again.

"Not enjoy, exactly. But I'm glad, now, that I did it."