Reunited with Her Italian Ex by Lucy Gordon Page A

approval. ‘Lovely. You’ll make their heads spin. Let’s go.’
    As they walked to the car Mario said, ‘Aren’t you making too much of her appearance? Surely it’s her efficiency we need to promote?’
    â€˜Efficiency alone isn’t enough. She’s got that extra “something” special, and it’s going to make all the difference.’
    â€˜I’ll take your word for it,’ Mario said coldly.
    At the hotel Amadore was waiting for them. ‘Everyone’s here,’ he said. ‘They’re longing to meet you.’
    He led her into a room filled with tables at which sat crowds of men and women, who broke into applause at the sight of her.
    There could be no doubt that she was the star of the evening. Amadore introduced her to each guest, one by one, giving the name of the person and of their hotel.
    â€˜Ah, yes,’ she said to one elderly man. ‘That’s the place where—’
    He listened, open-mouthed, as she revealed her in-depth research. She did the same thing with several of the other hotel owners and was rewarded by looks of admiration.
    â€˜You see what I mean?’ Giorgio murmured to Mario. ‘A brilliant lady, clever and hard-working. We’ve struck gold.’
    Mario didn’t reply.
    When she’d met all the guests she sat down at the head table for the meal, which turned out to be a glorious banquet, adorned with the finest wines.
    â€˜Mmm, lovely,’ she said, sipping from her glass.
    â€˜Everyone thinks of Verona as the site of the love story,’ Giorgio told her. ‘But it’s also surrounded by vineyards. Most of the hotel owners have some sort of investment in vineyards.’
    â€˜The wine you’re drinking now was produced in my own vineyard,’ Amadore said.
    â€˜It’s delicious,’ she said, sipping again.
    â€˜Thank you,
signorina
.’
    They clinked glasses.
    Soon she saw that everyone was looking at her expectantly.
    â€˜They’re waiting for your speech,’ Mario murmured.
    â€˜But I can only speak English,’ she protested. ‘Will they understand?’
    â€˜Hotel owners tend to speak English because your country sends us many tourists.’
    Mario got to his feet.
    â€˜My friends,’ he said, ‘it has been our pleasure tonight to meet the lady we’ve employed to promote us to the world. Now let us hear her plans.’
    There was applause as Natasha rose. For a few moments she was nervous but the warm, friendly atmosphere enveloped her and she began to enjoy herself as she laid out the ideas that had been forming in her mind.
    â€˜Every hotel has something to connect it to the story,’ she said. ‘Some are near Juliet’s house, some near Romeo’s house, some are near the tomb.’
    â€˜Some of us aren’t so lucky,’ a man called. ‘Our hotels aren’t near anywhere significant.’
    â€˜Don’t be so sure,’ she said. ‘Remember the scene where Romeo’s friend Mercutio is stabbed to death by Juliet’s kinsman? That happens outdoors in the street. But which street? Nobody knows for sure, but perhaps some of your hotels are nearby.’
    Natasha looked out at her audience, smiling and nodding appreciatively as she spoke. She was fulfilling all their highest expectations. Applause rang in her ears.

CHAPTER FOUR
    â€˜N OW FOR THE next stage,’ Natasha said. ‘I’ll want to talk to you all individually, and then I’m going to write my first piece explaining how “Romeo and Juliet” are still alive in Verona if people know how to find them. We’ll invite them to come here, and stay in your hotels. By that time I’ll have produced several more texts.’
    â€˜But who will publish these?’ called a voice from the floor.
    â€˜Anyone she sends it to,’ Giorgio called back. ‘This lady is a very notable journalist with many