Читать книгу Italian Groom, Princess Bride - Rebecca Winters - Страница 6

CHAPTER TWO

REGINA was on her way home from a town council meeting when she saw that her secretary was trying to reach her. She answered the call. “Si?”

“Your Highness? Dinozzo Fornese is in the greenhouse awaiting your instructions about the trees you want planted at your father’s grave. What shall I tell him?”

At last!

Her pulse raced so fast she went weak from excitement. “Tell him not to leave yet. I’ll join him within five minutes.”

“Very well.”

After hanging up, Regina told her chauffeur to drive her straight to the greenhouse at the northwest end of the palace grounds. Dizo wouldn’t have asked her to meet him there if his father and brothers were still around. This summons meant he’d arranged it so they would be alone. Good. No Guido to interfere.

She smiled. No matter how angry Dizo might be with her, he hadn’t been able to forget memories of last night and this morning—those moments of unleashed passion they’d shared even in his highly inebriated state. His desire had brought him back on the first plane leaving for Nice.

Regina had never seen him drunk. Her tall, intelligent, fiercely proud, disciplined Dizo with those aquiline features and piercing black eyes of his Sardinian race didn’t make mistakes. Except for last night.

To realize his secret flight from Castelmare to Sardinia had to be shorn up by emptying a bottle of alcohol lent him the vulnerability she’d been waiting years to discover. He would have slept in the truck for the rest of the night if she hadn’t opened the door and coaxed him into her arms.

Caught with his guard down, he’d succumbed to her kisses. By the time they reached the back room he hadn’t fought her as she helped him get ready for bed. Once her jacket came off, he pulled her down almost savagely and began kissing the daylights out of her.

She moaned when the alcohol he’d consumed finally took over and he fell asleep first. Regina slept a little, but toward morning she awakened to study the beautiful man who held her so possessively even in sleep. The hair on his chest matched the darkness of his wavy hair he wore longer most of the time because he was too busy to get it cut.

Though she had olive skin, his was darker. Such a strong, powerful man could have no idea how safe she’d felt cocooned in his arms. She’d pressed her face into his neck, loving the male scent of him. For so many years she’d only been able to look, not touch. To suddenly have him all to herself where she could show him what he meant to her made her euphoric. How could she possibly marry Nic after this?

Breathless for the sight of Dizo, she jumped out of the limo the moment it stopped in front of the greenhouse and told the chauffeur she wouldn’t need him anymore. She noticed Dizo’s rental car parked to the side. It took every ounce of composure to walk inside as if she really were going into the office to consult with one of the gardeners on a legitimate landscaping matter.

Her feet stilled the second she saw Dizo standing in front of a window looking out over the grounds. In a navy crew neck shirt and dark trousers, he took her breath. He was half-turned, giving her a glimpse of his chiseled profile. His thoughts had to be dark for lines to bracket the mouth that had driven her mad with desire during the night. It sent a frisson of nervousness down her spine.

“Dizo?”

His dark head whipped around giving her the full brunt of his scrutiny. With no alcohol left in his system he was totally in charge. Gone was the lover who’d cried her name over and over before morning, begging her never to leave him. Her joy dissipated as she sensed his quiet fury and was shaken by it, but she didn’t dare let him know it.

His sharp intake of breath reverberated in the enclosed space. “The fairy tale came to an end when I woke up and found you in my bed this morning.” His voice grated. “I only have one question.”

She’d anticipated it. “We didn’t cross the forbidden line.”

“Whose fault was that?” His eyes held an ominous glitter.

“I flew to Sardinia to talk to you and find out why you left without telling me, but you were too drunk to do more than kiss me before you fell asleep.”

“Grazie a Dio.” His hands formed fists. “Will you please get your brother on the line and ask him to come down to the greenhouse?”

The blood pounded in her ears. “No, Dizo—”

“Yes, Principessa—” he fired back. “If you don’t, I’ll call him myself right now.”

Regina had never seen Dizo this forbidding in her life. She didn’t know him like this. His mouth had gone a bluish-white around the edges.

“W-what are you going to say to him?” she stammered.

He moved closer to her. “That’s my business.”

She shook her head in terror. “Don’t make me do this.”

“Hand me your cell phone, or do I have to take it from you.”

Her eyes filled with liquid despite all her efforts to maintain control. “Dizo—”

“Tears won’t work. You’re about to be married to another man. End of story!” He grabbed her purse and felt inside for her phone. “Do I surprise your brother who might not be in the right circumstances to hear my voice coming from the other end? Or do you find a way to get your brother down here without causing him any more stress than necessary? The decision is up to you.”

He meant it—every word of it. She hadn’t expected him to go this far. Once Lucca knew…

“Time’s up.” He pressed button one, her private line to her brother.

In the last second she took the phone from him and put it to her ear. She could hear Lucca talking. “Regina? What are you doing? Where are you? Alexandra’s about to give Catarina her bath. Come and join the fun.”

Her brother sounded so happy she couldn’t bear for that to change, but it was going to.

“I-I’d love to—” she stumbled over the words “—but right now I’m at the greenhouse trying to decide on the trees to plant at Papa’s grave. Dinozzo is here.” She could feel his eyes impaling her, forcing her to carry out his demand. “If you could come f-for just a minute and help me make the final decision before he has to leave?”

After a definite pause Lucca said, “You don’t sound yourself. Something’s wrong. I’ll be right there.” He clicked off. Her brother’s uncanny radar picked up on anything and everything. It was in full force tonight.

Regina averted her eyes. “He’s coming,” she whispered shakily.

Like a drowning victim she saw her life flash before her eyes. The one with Dizo. To imagine the rest of it without him was incomprehensible to her. How could she marry Nic?

While she stood there in agony, her body started to ice up and she felt sick to her stomach. Then she heard a strange ringing in her ears. The next thing she knew Dizo had lowered her into a chair.

“Put your head between your legs.”

Dizo’s hand had gone to the back of her neck giving her no choice. For a minute her head swam. He leaned over. “Princess?” he whispered anxiously. She hadn’t thought there was a particle of concern for her left in him, but she was too light-headed to analyze it.

When the world finally righted itself again she lifted her head. “I’m all right.”

Lucca chose that moment to walk in on them. After one look at her he muttered, “You’re as white as a ghost.” He hunkered down next to her and grabbed her hand. “What’s wrong, piccina?”

Regina didn’t know where to start. Her brother’s worried gaze shot to Dizo for an explanation.

“Your sister has something to tell you, but before you arrived she came close to fainting. I’ll get her some water.”

She shook her head at Dizo, unable to believe he could be this cruel. He pulled a bottle of water from the minifridge. After removing the top he handed it to her. Needing the sustenance she drank thirstily. “Thank you.”

“I’m sending for the doctor.” As Lucca pulled his phone out of his trousers, she put a hand on his arm.

“I don’t need medical help.”

She must have convinced him because he ended up lounging against the edge of a table with his arms folded and waited. Dizo stood a few feet away with his legs slightly apart, his hands on his hips in the ultimate male stance.

Regina was too devastated by his betrayal to speak. Somehow she’d believed he’d loved her enough that he would risk everything for her the way she had him. Not true. By summoning her brother, he’d caused her to question the belief system she’d clung to all her life.

In flying to Sardinia to let him know how much she loved him and couldn’t live without him, she’d totally humiliated herself for nothing!

Dizo was marking time until she made her little speech. She’d already shown weakness by losing it in front of him a few minutes ago, but that was the last time it would ever happen.

She took a deep breath and stood up. Without giving Dizo a glance she faced her brother. “I did something foolish and went to visit Dizo in Sassari last night without being invited. Kind of a twist on the droit de seigneur thing, but he didn’t appreciate it. Have no fear. He sent me on my way so fast my head is still spinning. It’s clear he’s terrified I compromised him and his family.

“Since it’s evident he’s afraid I won’t leave him alone, he flew here this evening and demanded that you be told about it. Actually I’m glad he insisted you come down to the greenhouse. That way I can swear on the love of our dead father that Dizo has no more reason to fear me embarrassing him or his family again. After sixteen years he’s free of me, so help me God.”

Regina’s head jerked around in Dizo’s direction. “Does that satisfy you, or were you hoping I would give him chapter and verse? Before tonight I could have sworn you were my friend at least. However, all that has changed now that I’ve found out I made an earthshaking error in judgment by placing any faith in you.

“That’s what’s so sad about growing up in one night. You discover you can’t depend on anyone but yourself. Papa gave me that warning more than once, but I thought he was talking about his own life as king.

“Arrivederci, Dinozzo Fornese.”

To her joy his face had gone as pale as hers beneath his tan. The bleak expression in those black slits was cause for celebration. While she was still energized by excruciating pain, she left the greenhouse on her own power.

* * *

Gina’s footsteps faded on the gravel outside, leaving an emptiness inside Dizo he couldn’t begin to describe.

“You were right to come to me about this,” Lucca spoke at last. “I’m not unaware my sister has always done the chasing where you’re concerned. This was a lesson she’s been needing for a long, long time.”

Dizo had gone numb.

“My father often talked about his admiration for your family, for you. Before he died, Regina told him you passed at the head of your class. It made Papa very proud.”

He couldn’t take much more of this. “Thank you. I felt the same way about him. He was a wonderful man. We’re all sorry for your loss.”

Lucca nodded. “It’s been hard, but he’s out of his misery now for which our family is grateful.”

“Of course.”

He felt Lucca’s eyes on him. “You’re a fine man, too. There’s none better. If I know my sister, and I do, with her marriage to Nic soon to take place, she’ll never come near you or embarrass you again.”

A shudder racked his body. Though Lucca had spoken the truth, Dizo already knew she’d keep her promise. He’d done the unforgivable to ensure she stayed away permanently. Now that she was out of his life for good, the feeling had left him beyond desolate.

“Tell me your plans, Dottore Fornese.”

Dizo took a steadying breath. “There are several veterinary practices in Sassari I can join, but I’m looking into other locales, too. In the meantime I’ll stay with my uncle and grandmother. When I’ve found the situation that seems right, I’ll get a place of my own.”

Lucca extended his hand. “Congratulations on becoming a vet. Your father hides his feelings well, but he makes little comments here and there that let me know he’s bursting his seams with pride over your accomplishment.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“I’m Lucca. Surely after all these years of reminding you, you can finally bring yourself to call me by my first name.”

Dizo liked and respected Gina’s brother more than any man alive except his own father. “Grazie, Lucca.”

“Prego, Dizo. I know that’s Regina’s name for you. It’s a good one. Clever, just like my incorrigible sister.” He stared directly into Dizo’s eyes. “You have my undying respect for the way you’ve handled her attention to you all these years. Any other man would have taken advantage long before now.”

“I’ve hurt her by coming to you,” he muttered, “but I didn’t know any other way to protect her.”

“I thank you for what you’ve done for her, Dizo. One day when she’s married with children of her own, she’ll thank you, too.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Let’s not deceive ourselves about that.”

Lucca put a hand on his shoulder. “If there’s anything I can do for you, all you have to do is ask.” The man’s sincerity resonated deep inside. “Castelmare needs more vets.”

Not this one. When Gina married Nic and went to Pedrosa to live, there would still be too many memories of her for him to stay on in Castelmare. “I’ll think about it,” Dizo lied.

“That’s good because there’s a new vacancy in Savono. As you know, my father was a great animal lover. One of his best friends ran the practice there, but he had to retire because of health problems. Another vet is temping until a permanent replacement can be found. Before father passed away, he asked me to tell you about it. Frankly he hoped you would take the position.

“The animal clinic is on the main street across from the civic center. Before you leave Castelmare, will you look into it as a personal favor to him and me? I understand you specialize in small animals, the clinic’s specialty.”

Under the circumstances Dizo couldn’t very well turn him down. “I appreciate the suggestion. I’ll drive up there in the morning.” Before I leave the country for good. “Thank you.”

“Thank you. Ciao, Dizo.”

Dizo went out to his rental car and took off for his father’s house, staggered by events that had plunged him from one inferno into another. No matter what decision he made, he was going to be scorched alive.

If he were totally honest with himself, Sardinia held no attraction for him anymore. He’d found that out last night when it had taken a whole bottle to help him bear the thought of being back for good. Though he would always go there for family visits, his old roots didn’t tug at him. He’d made a life in Castlemare and had become entrenched ages ago.

Tonight while he was driving along the coast road and saw the white renaissance palace in the distance, his heart burned within him…because he knew Gina was there. Sixteen years of memories couldn’t be torn out of his soul.

Her brother didn’t know he’d opened up a new can of worms by mentioning the job opportunity in Savono. Dizo was touched by King Rudolfo’s interest in him. He could picture the town in his mind’s eye. It was only a mile above Capriccio to the west. Not far enough away from her at the moment, but then neither was Sardinia.

After her avowal tonight, he knew she’d leave him alone. With her wedding imminent, there was nothing more to fear on that score. They’d be living in Pedrosa. If he never ventured on the palace grounds again, the chances of meeting up with her were one in a billion. She would function with Nic in their privileged world, sealed off and protected from the average citizen. That’s what was destroying him now.

With emotions eating him alive, he found himself taking the hairpin turns up the steep mountain road past pink and ochre villas whose gardens hugged the cliffs. Soon he reached his destination and drove through Savono, one of the most charming locales on the Ligurian coast.

Nighttime brought out the tourists. They strolled in and out of shops and ate on the café terraces while enjoying the view of the yachts in the bay far below. The jewelry stores with their displays of diamonds for which Castlemare was famous stayed open for business until late, drawing in the crowds.

He slowed down in front of a cluster of buildings across from the civic center. The plaque on the middle door read Savono Veterinary Clinic And Boarding Kennel. Dizo pulled to a stop, drinking in the perfumed air.

He could easily imagine himself living here, except that everything reminded him of her.

If he lived in Sardinia, nothing would remind him of her, but that wouldn’t stop him from thinking and aching. His pain would probably be worse.

There was no question where Guido would like him to settle. His father loved Castelmare. He’d stayed on after Dizo’s mother had died and his brothers weren’t going anywhere.

Dizo stared at the clinic. A referral from Lucca and his father were as good as a guaranteed job offer. His dream to make something of his life was coming true, but without Gina, there would be no joy. This was worse than death. If she’d been the one to die, he would have been forced to accept it and go on living.

Unfortunately his beautiful Giannina was very much alive and going to be married to someone else!

Not unfortunately—

Dio mio, he didn’t mean that. He didn’t know what he meant anymore. An abyss had swallowed him whole. Everywhere he turned he bumped into terrifying darkness.

As soon as Regina reached her suite in the palace, she kicked off her shoes and phoned her secretary.

“Will you please fax a note to Nicolas in the morning? Tell him I’m sorry it has taken me this long to respond to his invitation, but my father’s passing prevented me from doing so until now. Let him know I’d love to spend the weekend with him.”

Regina didn’t care how it looked. She’d done all the mourning for two men there was to do in one life. Enough of that. If Nic wanted to make final wedding plans, so be it!

“Yes, Your Highness.”

No sooner had she hung up than she heard her brother’s rap on the outer door of her suite. She’d been expecting him. If he thought he would find her convulsed on the bed, he was in for a shock.

She grabbed a nail file out of the drawer in her bedside table and sat in the middle of her bed cross-legged against the silky duvet. “Come in, Lucca!”

When he walked in her bedroom furnished in shades of cream and pale green, she looked up at him. “If you’ve come to check on me, I’m fine. Go home to your wife and child.”

He stood at the end of her king-size bed without saying anything. She could tell he was really angry with her. It shook her. He’d always been her sibling, but now he was a lot more than that. Somehow she hadn’t fully realized it until now.

“You do understand why Dizo reacted the way he did—”

“Of course. I went too far and he called my bluff because he’s the iron man. I thought I’d test him to see if he had an Achilles’ heel.” She flashed her brother a broad smile. “He doesn’t, at least not where I’m concerned. I get it.”

She started filing the nail of her index finger.

“It’s called decency, Regina. Respect for the crown. What shocks me is that you thought you had the right to cross the line with him.” Her brother was truly upset with her. Now that their father had passed away, he was feeling the weight of his responsibilities and she was one of them. While she waited for him to speak, she didn’t realize she’d filed her nail down to the skin.

“From the age of sixteen when Dizo first came here, he has known that any romantic association with you was out of the question. Taken to its furthest degree, he could never marry you. When he left for Sardinia, it was to start a new life as a vet. He never once made a wrong move with you.”

“You’re right! He’s got a stone where his heart is.” Fire filled her cheeks. “How come you managed to get away with enjoying all the off-limits-women in your life?”

“They didn’t work at the palace,” her unflappable brother came back with his indisputable logic. “Their fathers didn’t have the kind of friendship Guido enjoyed with our father.

“Dizo is the product of his own strict upbringing. The Forneses have an enviable code of ethics handed down from their ancestry and are the finest people I know. Would that Alexandra and I can instill that kind of character in Catarina. He did the honorable thing so you could preserve your reputation. Think what you did by flying to Sardinia—”

“Honor be damned. When all’s said and done, he didn’t want me.” A brittle laugh escaped her throat. “Saving my reputation,” she mocked.

“Yes. And his family’s. And Nic’s.” He stared her down. “In the end that’s all any of us has.”

Guilt smote her.

“I guess it’s as good an excuse as any for admitting I don’t have what it takes to turn him on.” She tossed her head back. “Well, he did a superb job of it. Never mind those hours we were in bed together where he couldn’t stop telling me how much he wanted me. That was only the alcohol talking in the heat of the moment. As soon as he was sober, he couldn’t get rid of me fast enough.

“You should have seen his eyes light up once I told him he didn’t need to worry about becoming a father. Would you believe he was so drunk he fell asleep before anything major could happen? Even out of control, Dinozzo Fornese was in control.” Her voice shook. “The joke’s on me.

“Even if Guido lied about Dizo’s forthcoming wedding, he was being prophetic. One day soon I’ll learn that Dizo married a local girl from Sassari. They’ll help take care of his grandmother and everything will be just as it should be in the Fornese corner of the world.”

She tossed her file on the table. “Just so you know, I’ve accepted Nic’s invitation for this coming weekend. He wants to talk over wedding plans. I think it’s time. Let’s agree that miracles only happen once. You got yours when Alexandra swept into your life at the midnight hour setting you ablaze.

“As Dizo informed me in his doomsday voice a little while ago, the fairy tale is over for us. I’m ready to marry Nic. The sooner the better. Unlike you, I want a life and children before I reach my thirties. By then I’ll be too old to get down in the dirt and make mud pies with them.”

There would be no fire with Nic. Nothing could equal what had taken place in the privacy of Dizo’s bedroom where Regina had known rapture of a kind she had no idea existed. She looked away from her brother’s all-seeing gaze.

“By now Catarina will be waiting for her papa to kiss her good-night. You’d better go or Alexandra will start to worry.”

“I’m going, but I want you to call me if you need me.”

“Thank you, but I won’t.”

The brother she loved had become even more protective now that their father had passed away, but there was only one man she needed and he was permanently unavailable.