“Oh, could we take a gondola?” she asked as they exited the station, her voice laced with excitement. He glanced down at her; their arms were still entwined, and her face turned up to his, so beautiful, so full of hope. To any casual observer they probably did look like a newly married couple. His chest ached even more than it had in the train cabin. How easy it was to pretend with her.

Their pace slowed to nearly a crawl as the crowds swelled around them. Alec drew a little closer to her, and Lottie didn’t protest. Her lips parted, but she simply gazed into his face, so he continued until the curve of her hip pressed against his side. Her soft, feminine form warmed his own, while her light rosewater scent slowly sank into his skin. Something even deeper in his chest twisted and wrenched like a sapling branch in a rough spring storm, but it did not break. The heart could survive unimaginable loss. It was designed to do so. But could Alec’s survive losing her again?

Lottie shivered against the light breeze and leaned toward him. “Not even a quick trip to Saint Mark’s?”

A lock of hair fell across her eyes. Alec had to fight against the urge to brush it away.

The square would be mobbed with tourists now. Perhaps…perhaps it would be all right. He hated to disappoint her more than he already had. Alec forced himself to turn away from her, lest they stand on the street until sundown. “Fine, but we must—”

“Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise!”

An all-too-familiar voice boomed from behind them. Alec squeezed his eyes shut and silently let out a string of curses that would make the Virgin Mary weep. His damned distraction had cost him. He turned around with a scowl, but Signore Cardinelli was too busy eyeing Lottie to spare him a glance. “Alec, you devil! Of course you would keep this alluring creature all to yourself,” he said with a laugh and placed a kiss on Lottie’s hand. Only then did he meet Alec’s eyes. They narrowed slightly. “Not that I blame you.”

Lottie gave him a polite smile and glanced back at Alec. He caught the flash of unease in her expression, though she hid it well. She had worn the very same look when he found her with Mrs. Huntington, but he would again take care of this. They were in his world now. He rubbed a small circle against her inner arm with his thumb.

Trust me.

She still didn’t look at him but relaxed slightly against his grip. It was a start.

“Signore Cardinelli, allow me to introduce my cousin,” he said. “Miss Gresham is visiting from England.” The signore knew full well that Alec was a bachelor, but Lottie would catch on quickly. “The signore has an interest in antiques. I have provided him with appraisals on several occasions.”