Free Seduced by Innocence by Lucy Gordon

once,” Francisco said. “I found Englishwomen intriguing. They say one thing, look another and mean something entirely different.”
    “That’s the only way to keep men on their toes,” Terri responded lightly.
    He gave her an amused flirtatious smile. “How right you are. And what would life be if women always said what they thought?”
    “Are you on that subject again?” a musical voice asked behind them. Countess Elena had detached herself from the crowd and swayed gracefully onto the terrace to join them. “Don’t let him bore you, signorina. Francisco never believes that anyone means what they say or says what they mean.”
    “I’ve found very few people who can be relied on,” her husband replied, his eyes fixed on his wife.
    The words were spoken lightly enough, but again Terri sensed the tension between husband and wife. The next moment, she’d forgotten Francisco as Elena turned the full beam of her charm on her. “So you’ve never gambled before tonight? Then you must gamble with me. I’m lucky. Everybody says so.”
    Brooking no refusal, she took Terri’s hand and led her firmly to the nearest roulette table. Several men cheered and made way for her as she approached, but some of them had curious eyes for Terri, too.
    Elena played according to what she called her method, but as far as Terri could make out, it was simply chance dressed up to look like logic. Elena would stake a number because the fancy took her and invent a multitude of reasons for her choice afterward. Once, she actually won, then proceeded to lose every chip trying to repeat the trick. She greeted triumph and disaster with the same merry laugh. “I don’t think you really care whether you win or lose,” Terri said.
    Elena shrugged. “True. What difference does it make? In fact,” she added, looking around her at the noisy throng, “what difference does anything make?” She sighed. “I envy you for being English.”
    “Envy me? Why?”
    “The English are serious. They know what matters and what doesn’t. I used to think it was terrible to be serious, but now—” She shrugged.
    Terri was intrigued by her. Elena seemed to have a different mood for every moment. If only she could get her alone for a real talk!
    But there seemed no chance of it. Terri began to feel apprehensive as the night slipped away without her achieving anything.
    Elena gave a brittle laugh. “Now I don’t know what I think, or why I’m talking like this.”
    “You’re tired, my dear,” Francisco said, appearing at her side.
    “Yes,” Elena agreed. “And I’m even more tired when I think of all I have to do tomorrow. So many letters to write and phone calls to make.”
    “Perhaps you need a secretary,” Terri suggested.
    “I have one—or rather I had. Denise is French and very efficient, but a few weeks ago she had to go and nurse her sick mother. I promised to keep the job open, but while she’s gone I don’t know what to do.”
    “Employ someone for a short time only,” Francisco said. To Terri he added, “As well as having an—interesting—social life, my wife is involved in many charity works, plus the art gallery. Some form of organization is imperative.”
    Terri’s heart was hammering. Out of the blue it seemed she was being offered the chance of her dreams. “I wonder if I might be allowed to help,” she ventured. “I need to do some work when I’m in Venice, and I’m very organized.”
    Maurizio had appeared in time to hear the last part of the conversation. He was standing strangely still, as though his life depended on the words he was hearing. To Terri’s surprise, he frowned. “I don’t think you should rush to do this,” he said. “The contessa ‘s work covers a wide area. It needs someone who’s familiar with this country, and especially with Venice.”
    “I disagree,” Francisco said. “I believe Signorina Wainright would be an excellent choice, and so does my wife.”
    “Of course,” Elena said.