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"But you’re upset?"

"And apparently, I have to get over it"

"Jordan, wherever you’re going, I’ll go with you?"

"I just need to walk, Cindy Alone"

"Jordan, please "

Cindy looked so upset that Jordan forgot some of her fear as well as irritation with Jared She paused, touching Cindy’s cheek "I’ to walk around the Square and look into soet better deals off the Square You’ll find nothing but tourist prices I’ll take you to some more moderate places?"

"Cindy, you’re a sweetheart I love you, honest to God, and I’m not in the least upset with you See you later"

"Don’t forget that we’re going to the artist’s ball tonight?"

"I won’t," Jordan said, and deter and started out of the restaurant She didn’t wait for the elevator, but started down the steps of the hotel, noting none of the beautiful decor which usually held her so enthralled On the ground floor, she encountered a bevy of activity The parties in Venice would last the week A costue desk, and people wereabout various parties and events The registration desk was busy as well, with travelers co, and the bar and salon seeh the crowd, she suddenly felt as if she was being watched She turned, irritated with herself, hoping she wouldn’t have this feeling of everyone looking at her all day

She wasn’t being absurd?she was being watched Openly An attractive young wo to a stocky, olderby her She saw Jordan look at her She didn’t blush, look away or pretend in any way that she hadn’t been talking about her

The wo, Jordan waited As the wo as she had first thought Froht have been in her e, she was closer to forty, extrehlighted to a silvery blond Ss "Hello, Miss Riley I’m Tiff Henley, a fellow American"

Jordan accepted the hand that had been offered her "Hello, how are you? Yes, I’ht, but I was at the ball I’ well You caused quite a stir last evening"

Jordan felt a flush covering her cheeks "I’m sorry, I didn’t see you?"

"I believe you wound up on the second floor during the entertainround floor I didn’t see the show, but you know, the contessa is known for her extravagance, so I’m sure it must have been simply wicked I’m not that familiar with the contessa, but I’ve heard that she never leaves a party with guests still in attendance, so she ht?"

So this manicured socialite had been at the ball as well And she had been whispering about Jordan

Jordan Riley, the American woman who had called the police in on one of the most notable women in Venetian society Great Maybe everyone in the city had heard about her, and hispering

In the bright light of the elegant hotel, with dozens of people near, Jordan did suddenly feel somewhat foolish Had the entertainment been so excellent and professional, the special effects so good, that she had let her iht?

"I suppose I did create quite a stir I’m afraid it all see her up For Jared’s sake?even if he was being a horse’s ass?she was going to appear sane

"You’re a writer?" Tiff Henley queried

Tiff? Was that short for Tiffany? The woman looked like a Tiffany?all decked out in dia wool dress and jacket stylishly cut to the perfection of her figure