“The school wanted to make sure the girls were suitably chaperoned and safe.”

“Which convent is this?”

“Mater Domino in Santa Croce.”

He shook his head again. “I pity you. Even the Pensione Regina would have been an improvement. But no matter. I can come for you?”

“I can meet you somewhere,” I said, not wanting Miss Frobisher or the girls to witness our meeting. “There is no need. It is off the beaten path.”

“Which path?” He looked confused.

“I only meant that it is out of the way. Inconvenient to get to. I can take the vaporetto easily.”

“Very well. It may be a little rushed for me to make my way over to Santa Croce by seven thirty. Let us eat at the Danieli, then. You know it, of course. Just to the right of San Marco on the waterfront. Easy to get to. The San Zaccaria stop?”

I nodded. “Yes. That’s no problem.”

“I will see you in the lobby. Seven thirty then?”

“Yes. Lovely. Thank you.” I could hear myself babbling.

He held out his hand, and when he took mine he squeezed it.

“Until this evening then.” And he strode back to the waiting men.

“Your face is awfully red, miss,” Sheila pointed out.

“It’s rather hot today, isn’t it?” I said. “I expect we could all do with a cool drink.”

CHAPTER 10

Juliet, Venice, July 1938

When I prepared to dress for dinner that night, I realized I had nothing suitable to wear at an important restaurant. I had not brought a long dress with me, and in truth the only long dresses I possessed were from the time when it was hoped I’d go to balls and parties and meet a young man. The time before everything in my world changed. I had brought a royal-blue tea dress that once belonged to my mother, and a fringed silk shawl. The tea dress was mid-calf and had a lowish neck, so it would have to do. The shawl was cream coloured with a gold fleck, and the beads I had bought in Murano were blue and gold—perfect.

“This man is a friend of your family, then, Miss Browning?” Miss Frobisher asked as I sat putting on my one good pair of stockings.

“I met him when I was staying in Venice with my aunt,” I replied, not looking up and not exactly answering the question. “He is from a most distinguished family. In fact his family home is one of those palaces we saw from the vaporetto.”

“My word. Quite a catch, then.”

I tried not to blush again, ignoring this statement. “You don’t mind being left alone with the girls for an evening?”

Miss Frobisher smiled. “I think I can say that we are quite safe within these austere walls. No, please go and enjoy yourself. The Lord knows we don’t have much opportunity for excitement these days. Especially a young woman like you deserves a night out.”

“Thank you.” I gave her a grateful smile. I hadn’t realized she had a softer side.