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‘No,’ she said, her voice constricted. ‘No, of course not.’ She hesitated, ‘Does he—have to be told?’
    ‘I think so,’ said the Contessa. ‘Before the story reaches him from another source.’ She paused. ‘It is unfortunate that Carlo Barzado witnessed what had happened, because he will tell his wife, and she will immediately tell the whole world.’
    Ellie’s lips parted in a soundless gasp. ‘Oh—surely not.’
    The Contessa shrugged. ‘It is inevitable.’
    The Principessa sat down beside Ellie, and took her hand. She said more gently, ‘We must suppose that Count Manzini gave some indication—at dinner, perhaps—that he found you attractive, my child, and you were flattered by his attention. Gave him reason to think that you would welcome him later. Is that how it was?’
    Ellie bit her lip. The truth was impossible, she told herself, so she would have to rely on prevarication.
    She said quietly, ‘If I did, it was—unintentional.’
    ‘But I think we must accept that was the case and act accordingly.’ Her godmother’s tone was firm. She looked towards the door. ‘I am sure Count Manzini will agree.’
    Coming into rooms silently must be one of his talents, Ellie thought bitterly because she’d been totally unaware of his arrival—yet again. But there he was, leaning against the doorframe, the lean body apparently relaxed, his dark face impassive as he listened to what was being said.
    But Ellie wasn’t fooled. The anger in him might be dammed back, but she could still sense it. Feel it reaching her across the room.
    But why, she demanded silently, when I’m the innocent party in all this? And you know it.
    Angelo walked slowly forward. ‘I deeply regret, Signorina Blake, that I completely misunderstood the invitation I thought I had received.’ His mouth twisted harshly. ‘It was an unforgivable error, and
naturalmente,
I wish to make amends for my behaviour in any way that is suggested.’
    ‘My dear Angelo,’ said his grandmother. ‘In view of Prince Damiano’s known moral stance, you have only one course of action. Tomorrow,
mio caro,
to prevent further scandal, you will announce that you and Signorina Blake are engaged to be married.’

CHAPTER THREE
    E LLIE’S HAND JERKED and the remains of her brandy splashed down the skirt of her robe.
    She said in a voice she hardly recognised, ‘No. I can’t—I won’t do it. It—it’s crazy. I tell you—nothing happened.’
    ‘I believe you.’ Lucrezia Damiano took the glass from her hand. ‘And if only you had been seen by no-one but the Contessa and myself, there would be no problem.’ She sighed. ‘But my dear Cesare, I fear, will adopt a very different attitude.
    ‘Promised lovers carried away by their feelings, he might accept, although he would certainly not approve. But a casual encounter based on a passing attraction, and conducted in his house?’ She shuddered. ‘That he would find intolerable.’ And paused, adding, ‘Unforgivable.’
    Ellie could feel the tension in the room crackling around her like an electrical storm.
    ‘I’ll talk to him,’ she said wildly. ‘Somehow make him understand.’
    ‘But, dear girl,’ said the Principessa. ‘What could you possibly say?’
    And in one thunderstruck moment, Ellie realised that both her godmother and the Contessa knew perfectly well exactly where and with whom Angelo had really planned to spend the night.
    That they’d probably been aware of the situation for some time.
    But that, even if it was not a secret, it would still not bespoken of openly, because discretion had to be observed at all costs.
    Which, in the short term, she was being called upon to pay. And her silence was only the first instalment.
    She bent her head. ‘Nothing,’ she said wearily. ‘I suppose.’
    ‘You show good sense,’ the Contessa remarked. She looked calmly at her grandson. ‘You have not spoken, Angelo
mio.’
    His tone was icy. ‘Perhaps I am lost for