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much the photo that drew her attention, but the teasing caption speculating her identity, and if she was his latest romantic interest. Concluding with watch this space .
    It angered her that innuendo and supposition combined with clever angle photography lent evidence to there being a grain of truth to the gossip.
    â€˜Where do they get this stuff?’ Lily demanded over a second cup of coffee.
    â€˜ Cara , don’t allow it to distress you,’ Sophia attempted to soothe. ‘It’s how the media makes a living, and Alessandro has a propensity to attract attention.’
    â€˜Which I don’t choose to share.’
    Sophia commiserated in silence, all too aware Lily had captured Alessandro’s interest. She knew him so well, better than most…enough to recognize the occasions when he merely played the social game. Somehow she very much doubted this was one of them.
    â€˜Have something to eat, then we shall attempt to duplicate pasta sauce, hmn?’
    As a distraction ploy, it worked, as they combined experience, instinct and flair to create what promised to be ambrosia.
    â€˜What do you think?’ Sophia queried as she dipped a spoon into the simmering sauce and held it out for Lily to taste.
    â€˜Close.’ So very close, but something was missing. She made a sudden decision. ‘Another pinch of brown sugar, and I’m going to add a bay leaf. Maybe that’ll do it.’
    â€˜This is so much fun. I remember Mamma would make her own pasta and teach your mother and me how to make panini. Her kitchen was always the focal point of our house, filled with different aromas. She had the most comprehensive herb garden…and her vegetables were the best tended in the village.’
    â€˜I’ve heard some of the stories…how the chickens each had names,’ Lily declared with a warm laugh.
    â€˜There were a few ducks, turkeys, and a pig you named Mirabella.’
    Sophia chuckled. ‘Poor Mirabella. She didn’t realize she was a pig. I woke one morning and she wasn’t there.’ She shook her head. ‘ Papa explained, Mamma consoled…but I haven’t been able to eat pork since.’
    While the sauce continued to simmer they took out fine flour, eggs and made pasta, which they ate for lunch with fresh crusty bread.
    â€˜Hmm, this is so good,’ Sophia complimented, while Lily lifted a hand and tilted it back and forth.
    â€˜But not quite right .’ Her forehead creased a little. ‘Next time I’ll ditch the bay leaf and add a pinch of paprika.’
    â€˜Lily, this dish would draw genuine praise in the finestrestaurant.’ Sophia’s eyes lit with a mischievous sparkle. ‘You are bent on a mission.’
    â€˜Uh-huh.’
    â€˜But not today,’ her aunt said firmly. ‘This afternoon Alessandro is taking you on a scenic tour of the lakes. There is much to see.’
    Alessandro ? ‘I’m sure he’s much too busy,’ Lily protested, only to see Sophia shake her head.
    â€˜If that were so, he would not have offered.’
    The fact that he had disturbed her more than she was prepared to admit. Why seemed a logical query, for which she had no sensible answer.
    Lily was ready at the appointed time, attired in tailored black trousers, a fine red cashmere sweater beneath a tailored black jacket, with comfortable black flats on her feet.
    Alessandro’s sleek black car slid to a halt adjacent the entrance, and it appeared he’d chosen comfort over formality, given the absence of a tie, the few top buttons of his shirt open, to which he’d added a butter-soft leather black jacket.
    It gave him a rakish look, one he wore with remarkable ease, she perceived as he greeted Sophia before turning towards Lily.
    â€˜Shall we leave?’
    Sophia was right, Lily determined as Alessandro drove into the hills to a vantage point where the splendid vista of lakes stretched north to the snow-capped