Lessons Learned

berth as the elevator stopped on their floor.
    “Did you want to grab something quick to eat at the airport or wait until we land?”
    “I’m not interested in food.”
    “An odd statement from a chef.” She breezed into the hall. “Take ten minutes to pack and I’ll call for a bellman.” The key was in her hand and into the lock before his fingers circled her wrist. When she looked up at him, she thought she’d never seen him truly frustrated before. Good. It was about time.
    “I pack nothing until this is settled.”
    “Until what’s settled?” she countered.
    “When I commit a crime or a sin, I do so with complete honesty.” It was the closest he’d come to an explosion. Juliet lifted a brow and listened attentively. “It was Lydia who had her arms around me.”
    Juliet smiled. “Yes, I saw quite clearly how you were struggling. A woman should be locked up for taking advantage of a man that way.”
    His eyes, already dark, went nearly black. “You’re sarcastic. But you don’t understand the circumstances.”
    “On the contrary.” She leaned against the door. “Carlo, I believe I understood the circumstances perfectly. I don’t believe I’ve asked you to explain anything. Now, you’d better pack if we’re going to catch that early plane.” For the second time, she shut the door in his face.
    He stood where he was for a moment, torn. A man expected a certain amount of jealousy from a woman he was involved with. He even, well, enjoyed it to a point. What he didn’t expect was a smile, a pat on the head and breezy understanding when he’d been caught in another woman’s arms. However innocently.
    No, he didn’t expect it, Carlo decided. He wouldn’t tolerate it.
    When the sharp knock came on the door, Juliet was still standing with a hand on the knob. Wisely, she counted to ten before she opened it.
    “Did you need something?”
    Carefully, he studied her face for a trap. “You’re not angry.”
    She lifted her brows. “No, why?”
    “Lydia’s very beautiful.”
    “She certainly is.”
    He stepped inside. “You’re not jealous?”
    “Don’t be absurd.” She brushed a speck of lint from her sleeve. “If you found me with another man, under similar circumstances, you’d understand, I’m sure.”
    “No.” He closed the door behind him. “I’d break his face.”
    “Oh?” Rather pleased, she turned away to gather a few things from her dresser. “That’s the Italian temperament, I suppose. Most of my ancestors were rather staid. Hand me that brush, will you?”
    Carlo picked it up and dropped it into her hand. “Staid—this means?”
    “Calm and sturdy, I suppose. Though there was one—my great-great-grandmother, I think. She found her husbandtickling the scullery maid. In her staid sort of way, she knocked him flat with a cast-iron skillet. I don’t think he ever tickled any of the other servants.” Securing the brush in a plastic case, she arranged it in the bag. “I’m said to take after her.”
    Taking her by the shoulders, he turned her to face him. “There were no skillets available.”
    “True enough, but I’m inventive. Carlo…” Still smiling, she slipped her arms around his neck. “If I hadn’t understood exactly what was going on, the coffee I’d fetched for you would’ve been dumped over your head. Capice? ”
    “Sì.” He grinned as he rubbed his nose against hers. But he didn’t really understand her. Perhaps that was why he was enchanted by her. Lowering his mouth to hers, he let the enchantment grow. “Juliet,” he murmured. “There’s a later plane for Detroit, yes?”
    She had wondered if he would ever think of it. “Yes, this afternoon.”
    “Did you know it’s unhealthy for the system to rush.” As he spoke, he slipped the jacket from her arms so that it slid to the floor.
    “I’ve heard something about that.”
    “Very true. It’s much better, medically speaking, to take one’s time. To keep a steady pace, but not a fast one. And, of course, to give the system time to relax at regular intervals. It could be very unhealthy for us to pack now and race to the airport.” He unhooked her skirt so that it followed her jacket.
    “You’re probably right.”
    “Of course I’m right,” he murmured in her ear. “It would never do for either of us to be ill on the tour.”
    “Disastrous,” she agreed. “In fact, it might be best if we both just lay down for a little while.”
    “The very best. One must guard