He cleared his throat. ‘The door opened as I knocked. I didn’t mean to … intrude.’

Zia was busy blushing like a furnace so Ursula was the one to uncoil from her place on the sofa and answer. ‘That’s OK. I expect Signor Roscini didn’t quite shut the door when he left. Come on in.’

He seemed to remember the wine bottle he was clutching and held it out. ‘I brought an apology for being grouchy earlier. It’s from my family vineyard, Tenuta Domenicali. Orvieto Classico is one of the white wines of our region.’

Collecting herself, Zia rose too. ‘That’s kind but we didn’t expect anything. Is your family vineyard the one we can see below? The vines look beautiful, swooping down the hillside.’

He nodded. ‘My father owns half and my brother and I inherited the other half from our mother. Papà and Emiliano manage the vineyard and the winery and I sell the wine.’

Ursula scrutinised him. ‘You sound as much American as Italian.’

His sudden grin chased away the lines from his forehead and brought light into dark eyes. Somehow it looked more at home on his face than his earlier frowns. ‘We lived in California when I was a kid. I got a year in England in my twenties, too, working with a wine importer.’ His gaze moved to Zia. ‘Tu parli italiano.’

‘Sì, ne ho imparato un po’. Vorrei migliorare,’ she answered. Yes, I’ve learned some. I’d like to be better. ‘I’m not fluent. I’m afraid that on our side of the channel we’re lazy. Lucia and Durante speak English well, too,’ she added, thinking she might as well gain a little background if she could. Piero seemed on easy terms with them.

He nodded. ‘Lucia particularly. She owned a ceramics factory that exported all over Europe and speaking English is an advantage in business. Durante managed a car hire place and Montelibertà is a tourist town.’

‘Are there other homes up here?’ Zia already knew there weren’t from the satellite view on her map app.

He shook his head. ‘Just us. The properties used to belong to the vineyard and Lucia, Durante and I bought them to modernise. I think there are guests at the other cottages but otherwise we’re pretty quiet up here.’ He stepped back towards the door. ‘I hope you enjoy your stay. Arrivederci per ora.’ Then, to Ursula, ‘Goodbye for now.’

Moving to the open doorway they watched him stride away across the paving and up the slope, arms swinging easily beneath his white shirt. ‘He’s hot,’ Ursula murmured.

‘Hey, you’re a married woman!’ Zia teased, giving Ursula a small shove and choosing not to admit that she’d noted his back view in well-cut trousers, too.