“Visiting a foreign country where you don’t speak the language is scary. I’m here to make sure you enjoy your trip. It’s truly my pleasure. Don’t forget if you have any trouble getting back to the hotel, call my cell. And go to one of those restaurants I recommended—they are good in price and have excellent food. Tell them Enzo sent you.”

Ray clapped him on the shoulder. “Grazie.”

“We’ll see you tomorrow for the Colosseum,” Mary said. “I can’t wait.”

They walked away and I faced him. “I didn’t think you really worked during our free time. You need to have some type of break, right?”

His white teeth flashed. “Mary and Ray needed a little extra care. And, no, I consider myself working twenty-four seven. It’s my job.”

“That’s very nice of you. And responsible.”

“What can I help you with? Have you visited everything you wanted today?”

My phone remained silent in my hand. Where were they? Guilt hit again. I’d managed to miss most of our early afternoon and now I was getting worried. “I had to stay in the hotel and work, so I’m supposed to meet Allegra and my mother here. But they’re not getting back to me.”

He frowned. “I’ll wait with you. If we don’t hear back soon, I’ll help you find them. Do not worry—I’m sure they just lost track of time. It’s easy to do here.”

I dragged in a breath. He was probably right. “I’ll be fine. No need to waste your time babysitting me.”

“Not a waste. I like spending time with you. Let me show you a few highlights.”

His words caught me by surprise, but he was already leading me toward the steps, launching into an easy commentary. “This is an early baroque fountain created by Petro Bernini. It is called Fontana della Barcaccia, or Fountain of the Old Boat, because it looks like a sinking ship. There is a legend about a fishing boat being lost in a flood of the Tiber River, and it was carried to this spot.”

“Was a lot of the art based on legends?” I asked curiously.

“The majority of art and sculpture during this period was based on religious tales and mythology. The greater and more colorful the story, the more the people embraced it.”

“Makes sense. How many steps are there?”

“One hundred and thirty-eight.”

“And why on earth aren’t they called the Italian Steps?”

He laughed. “Ah, a bit confusing, no? This square was named after the Spanish embassy, so it was considered Spanish territory. Francesco de Sanctis was hired to build steps to link the Trinità dei Monti church and the seat of the Catholic Church together, called the Holy See. But guess who the church belonged to?”

“I’m guessing not the Italians, either?”