Читать книгу Becoming The Prince's Wife - Rebecca Winters - Страница 9
ОглавлениеCHAPTER TWO
BY TEN-THIRTY A.M., Valentino could see that Vincenzo wasn’t able to concentrate. “Let’s call it a day. I can see you want to be with Abby and Max. When I’ve finished with some other business, we’ll meet for dinner.”
Vincenzo nodded. “Sorry, Valentino.”
“You can’t help this. Family has to come first.” He walked his brother-in-law out of his suite where they’d had breakfast while they talked. When they’d said goodbye, he closed the door, realizing he had a free day on his hands if he wanted it.
In truth, he’d never wanted anything more and walked over to the house phone to call Carolena Baretti’s room, but there was no answer. He buzzed his assistant. “Paolo? Did Signorina Baretti go into town?”
“No. She had breakfast at the pool and is still there.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Within minutes he’d changed into trunks and made his way to the pool with a beach towel and his phone. He spotted her sitting alone reading a book under the shade of the table’s umbrella. She’d put her hair in a braid and was wearing a lacy cover-up, but he could see a spring-green bikini beneath it.
“I guess it was too much to hope you were wearing that purple swimsuit I found you in last evening.”
She looked up. Maybe it was a trick of light, but he thought she looked nervous to see him. Why?
Carolena put her book down. “You’ve finished your work with Vincenzo already?”
He tossed the towel on one of the other chairs. “Between you and me, I think he wanted to take a nap with his wife.”
A smile appeared. “They deserve some vacation time away from deadlines.”
“Amen. We’ll do more work tomorrow when Max is feeling better. Come swim with me.”
She shook her head. “I’ve already been in.”
“There’s no law that says you can’t swim again, is there?” He put his phone on the table.
“No. Please—just forget I’m here.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible,” he said over his shoulder before plunging in at the deep end to do some laps. When he eventually lifted his head, he was shocked to discover she’d left the patio and was walking back to her wing of the palace on those long shapely legs.
Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. Propelled into action, he grabbed his things and caught up to her as she was entering the door of her apartment. Valentino stood in the aperture so she couldn’t close it on him.
“Did you go away because I’d disturbed you with my presence? Or was it because you have an aversion to me, signorina?”
Color swept into her cheeks. “Neither one.”
His adrenaline surged. “Why didn’t you tell me you preferred to be alone?”
“I’m just a guest. You’re the prince doing your own thing. This is your home. But I had no intention of offending you by leaving the pool.”
He frowned. “Yesterday I asked if you were afraid of me. You said no, but I think you are and I want to know why. It’s true that though I’ve been betrothed to Princess Alexandra for years, I’ve had a love life of sorts. In that way I’m no different than Vincenzo before he married Michelina. But I’ve the feeling Abby has painted me as such a bad boy to you, you’re half terrified to be alone with me.”
“Nothing of the sort, Your Highness!” She’d backed away from him. “Don’t ever blame her for anything. She thinks the world of you!”
That sounded heartfelt. “Then invite me in so we can talk without the staff hearing every word of our conversation.”
She bit her lip before standing aside so he could enter. “I’ll get you a dry towel so you can sit down.” He closed the door and watched her race through the suite. She soon came hurrying back with a towel and folded it on one of the chairs placed around the coffee table.
“Thank you,” he said as she took a seat at the end of the couch.
He sat down with his hands clasped between his legs and stared at her. “What’s wrong with you? Though I’ve told you I find you attractive, it doesn’t mean I’m ready to pounce on you.” She averted her eyes. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“I wasn’t going to, and I didn’t mean to be rude. You have to believe me.”
She sounded sincere enough, but Valentino wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “What else am I to think? Last night I thought we were enjoying each other’s company while we talked, but today you act like a frightened schoolgirl. Has some man attacked you before? Is that the reason you like to be alone and ran the minute I dived into the water?”
Her head lifted. “No! You don’t understand.”
“Since you’re a special guest, help me so I don’t feel like some pariah.”
“Forgive me if I made you feel that way.” Her green orbs pleaded with him. “This has to do with me, not you.”
“Are you this way on principle with every man you meet? Or am I the only one to receive that honor?”
She stood up. “I—I’m going through a difficult time right now.” Her voice faltered. “It’s something I really can’t talk about. Could we start over again, as if this never happened?”
Much as he’d like to explore her problem further, he decided to let it rest for now. “That all depends.” On impulse he said, “Do you like to ride horses?”
“I love it. I used to ride all the time on my grandparents’ farm.”
Good. “Then I’ll have lunch sent to your room, and I’ll collect you in an hour. We’ll ride around the grounds. It’s someplace safe and close to Abby, who’s hoping you’re having a good time. But if you’re afraid of what happened to my sister while she was riding, we could play tennis.”
“I’m not afraid, but to go riding must be a painful reminder to you.”
“I’ve worked my way through it. Accidents can happen anytime. To worry about it unnecessarily takes away from the quality of life. Don’t you think?”
Her eyes suddenly glistened. “Yes,” she whispered with such deep emotion he was more curious than ever to know what was going on inside her, and found himself wanting to comfort her. Instead he had to tear himself away.
“I’ll be back in an hour.” Reaching for his towel and phone, he left the apartment and hurried through the palace to his suite. Maybe by the end of their ride today, he’d have answers...
* * *
Carolena stood in the living room surprised and touched by his decency. He’d thought she’d been assaulted by a man and wanted to show her she didn’t need to be afraid of him while he entertained her. No doubt he felt an obligation to her with Vincenzo and Abby indisposed.
He was sensitive, too. How many men would have worried she might be afraid to ride after what had happened to his sister? She’d gotten killed out riding, but he didn’t let that stop him from living his normal life. His concern for Carolena’s feelings increased her admiration for him.
So far she’d been a perfectly horrid guest, while he was going out of his way to make this trip eventful for her when he didn’t have to. This wasn’t the behavior of a playboy. The crown prince was proving to be the perfect host, increasing her guilt for having offended him.
Within the hour he came for her in a limo and they drove to the stables across the vast estate. Once he’d picked the right mare for her, they headed out to enjoy the scenery. In time, he led them through a heavily wooded area to a lake. They dismounted and walked down to the water’s edge.
“What a beautiful setting.”
“We open it to the public on certain days of the month.”
“Abby used to tell me she felt like a princess in a fairy tale growing up on the palace grounds in Arancia. If I lived here, I’d feel exactly the same way. You and your siblings must have spent hours here when you were young.” On impulse she asked, “Were they interested in volcanology, too?”
His eyes swerved to hers. She had the feeling she’d surprised him by her question. “Quite the opposite.”
That sounded cryptic. “What’s the real reason you developed such a keen interest? It isn’t just because Etna is there.”
“It’s a long story.” There was that nuance of sadness in his voice again.
“We’ve got the rest of the afternoon.” She sank onto her knees in the lush grass facing the water where an abundance of waterfowl bobbed around. “Humor me. Last night I was up until one o’clock looking at video clips of Etna and other volcanoes. They were incredible. I really want to know what drove you to become so interested.”
He got down on the grass next to her. “My father had a sibling, my uncle Stefano. He was the elder son and the crown prince, but he never wanted to be king. He fought with my grandfather who was then King of Gemelli.
“Uncle Stefano hated the idea of being betrothed and having to marry a woman picked out for him. Our country has never had a sovereign who wasn’t married by the time he ascended the throne. It’s the law. But Stefano didn’t ever want to be king and left home at eighteen to travel the world. I knew he had various girlfriends, so he didn’t lead a celibate life, but he never married.
“In time, volcanoes fascinated him and he decided he wanted to study them. To appease my grandparents, he came home occasionally to touch base. I was young and loved him because he was so intelligent and a wonderful teacher. He used to take me up on Etna.
“The day came when I decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps and announced I was going to attend the university to become a geologist. My parents could see my mind was made up.
“While I was at school, the family got word he’d been killed on the Galeras volcano in the Colombian Andes.”
“Valentino—” she gasped. “I read about it on the website last night. One of the people killed was your uncle?”
Pain marred his striking male features. “He got too close. The ash and gas overpowered him and he died.”
She shuddered. “That’s horrible. I should have thought it would have put you off wanting anything more to do with your studies.”
“You might think it, but I loved what I was doing. Statistics prove that on average only one volcanologist dies on the job each year or so.”
“That’s one too many!”
“For our family it was traumatic because of the consequences that followed. His body was shipped home for the funeral. A few weeks later my grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack, no doubt from the shock. His death meant my father took over as king with my mother at his side.
“While we were still grieving, they called me into their bedroom and told me they were all right with my desire to be a volcanologist. But they prayed I wouldn’t disappoint them the way my uncle had disappointed my grandfather. They said my uncle Stefano had disgraced the family by not taking up his royal duties and marrying.
“I was torn apart because I’d loved him and knew he’d suffered because he’d turned his back on his royal heritage. But when I heard my parents’ sorrow, I promised I would fulfill my princely obligation to the crown and marry when the time was right. They wouldn’t have to worry about me. Michelina and I made a pact that we’d always do our duty.”
“You mean that if she’d wanted to marry someone else other than Vincenzo, she would still have done her duty.”
He nodded. “I asked her about that, knowing Vincenzo didn’t love her in the way she loved him. She said it didn’t matter. She was committed and was hoping he’d fall in love with her one day.”
“Did you resent him for not being able to love your sister?”
“How could I do that when I don’t love Alexandra? When I saw how hard he tried to make Michelina happy by agreeing to go through the surrogacy process, my affection for him grew. He was willing to do anything to make their marriage better. Vincenzo is one of the finest men I’ve ever known. When he ended up marrying Abby, I was happy for him.”
“You’re a remarkable person. So was your sister.”
“I loved her. She could have told our parents she refused to enter into a loveless marriage, but she didn’t. Uncle Stefano’s death had affected all of us, including our brother, Vito. One day after his military service is over, he, too, will have to marry royalty because he’s second in line to the throne.”
“The public has no idea of the anguish that goes on behind locked royal doors.”
“We’re just people who’ve been born to a strange destiny. I didn’t want to disappoint my parents or be haunted with regrets like my uncle. Fortunately, Mother is still capable of ruling, and my time to fulfill my obligation hasn’t come yet.”
“But it will one day.”
“Yes.”
“It’s hard to comprehend a life like yours. May I be blunt and ask you if you have a girlfriend right now?”
“I’ve been seeing someone in town.”
She had to suppress a moan. Did you hear that, Carolena? “And she’s all right with the situation?”
“Probably not, but from the beginning she’s known we couldn’t possibly have a future. In case you’re wondering, I haven’t slept with her.”
Carolena shook her head. “You don’t owe me any explanation.”
“Nevertheless, I can see the next question in your eyes and so I’ll answer it. Contrary to what the media says about me, there have been only a few women with whom I’ve had an intimate relationship, but they live outside the country.”
“Yet knowing you are betrothed has never stopped any of them from wanting to spend time with you?”
“No. The women I’ve known haven’t been looking for permanency, either.” He smiled. “We’re like those ships passing in the night.”
It sounded awful. Yet, since Berto, she hadn’t been looking for permanency, either, and could relate more than he knew.
“I’ve warned my latest girlfriend our relationship could end at any time. You’re within your rights to condemn me, Carolena.”
“I could never condemn you,” she whispered, too consumed by guilt over how she’d accidentally brought out Berto’s death to find fault with anyone. “You’ve had every right to live your life like any ordinary man. But like your uncle, it must have been brutal for you to have grown up knowing your bride was already chosen for you.”
“I’ve tried not to think about it.”
Her mind reeled from the revelations. “Does your betrothed know and understand?”
“I’m quite sure Princess Alexandra has had relationships, too. It’s possible she’s involved with someone she cares about right now. Her parents’ expectations for her haven’t spared her anguish, either.”
“No,” she murmured, but it was hard to understand. How could any man measure up to Valentino? If Princess Alexandra was like his sister, she’d been in love with Valentino for years. “Does she support your work as a volcanologist?”
“I haven’t asked her.”
“Why not?”
“Up to now we’ve been living our own lives apart as much as possible.”
“But this is an integral part of your life!”
He sat up, chewing on the end of a blade of grass. “Our two families have spent occasional time together over the years. But the last time my brother was home on leave and went to Cyprus with me and my mother, he told me that Alexandra admitted she never liked the idea that I was a volcanologist.”
“And that doesn’t worry you?”
He studied her for a long moment. “It’s an issue we’ll have to deal with one day after we’re married.”
“By then it will be too late to work things out between you,” she cried. “How often do you fly to Catania?”
“Four times a week.”
“She’s not going to like that, not if she hates the idea of it.”
He gave her a compassionate smile. “Our marriage won’t be taking place for a long time, so I choose not to worry about it.”
“I don’t see how you can stand it.”
“You learn to stand it when you’ve been born into a royal family. Why fate put me in line for the throne instead of you, for example, I don’t know.”
“You mean a woman can rule?”
“If there are no other males. Under those circumstances, she must marry another royal so she can reign. But my grandparents didn’t have a daughter. Uncle Stefano should have been king, but he rebelled, so it fell to my father to rule.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks. “How sad for your uncle.”
“A double sadness, because though he’d abdicated in order to choose his own life, he was burdened with the pain of disappointing his parents.”
“There’s been so much pain for all of you. And now your own sister and father have passed on.”
He nodded. “It’s life.”
“But it’s so much to handle.” Her voice trembled. Carolena wanted to comfort him but realized no one could erase all that sadness. She wiped the moisture off her cheeks. “You didn’t have to tell me anything. I feel honored that you did.”
His gaze roved over her. “Your flattering interest in what I do prompted me to talk about something I’ve kept to myself for a long time. It felt good to talk about it. Why don’t you try it out on me by telling me what’s bothering you.”
Her eyes closed tightly for a moment. “Let’s just say someone that I loved died and it was my fault. Unlike you, I can’t seem to move on from the past.”
“Maybe you haven’t had enough time to grieve.”
Carolena could tell him seven years had been more than enough time to grieve. At this point, grief wasn’t her problem. Guilt was the culprit. But all she said to him was, “Maybe.”
“It might be therapeutic to confide in someone. Even me.”
His sincerity warmed her heart, but confiding in him would be the worst thing she could do. To remain objective around him, she needed to keep some barriers between them. “You have enough problems.”
“None right this minute.”
He stared hard at her. “Was his death intentional?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think it was. Have you gone for counseling?”
“No. It wouldn’t help.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.” In a panic, she started to get up. He helped her the rest of the way. “Thank you for being willing to listen.” It was time to change the subject. “Your uncle would be so happy to see how he guided you on your particular path, and more especially on how you’re putting that knowledge to exceptional use. If I’d had such an uncle, I would have made him take me with him, too. What you do can be dangerous, but it is thrilling.”
“You’re right about that,” he said, still eyeing her speculatively. “Shall we head out? By the time we reach the palace, hopefully Vincenzo will have good news for us about Max and we can all eat dinner together.”
“I hope so.”
They mounted their horses and took a different route to the stable. A limo was waiting to take them back to her wing of the palace. When they arrived, she opened the car door before he could. “You don’t need to see me inside. Thank you for a wonderful day.”
He studied her through veiled eyes. “It was my pleasure. I’ll call you when I’ve spoken with Vincenzo.”
She nodded before getting out of the limo. After hurrying inside, she took a quick shower, applied her makeup and arranged her hair in a loose knot on top of her head. For the first time in years her thoughts hadn’t been on Berto. They’d been full of the prince, who’d brought her alive from the moment he’d appeared at the side of the pool.
No matter that he had a girlfriend at the moment, it was hard to breathe every time Carolena thought of the way he’d looked at her. She could understand why any woman lucky enough to catch his eye would be willing to stay in a relationship as long as possible to be with him. There was no one like him.
Needing to do something with all this energy he’d generated through no fault of his own, she got dressed, deciding to wear a short-sleeved crocheted lace top in the same egg shell color as her linen pants. The outfit was light and airy. She toned it with beige ankle-strap crisscross espadrilles.
While she was waiting for a phone call, she heard a knock on the door and wondered if it might be the prince. With a pounding heart she reached for her straw bag and opened it, but it was the maid, and Carolena was furious at herself for being disappointed.
“Signorina? His Highness has asked me to accompany you to dinner. He’s waiting on the terrace.”
What about Abby and Vincenzo? “Thank you for coming to get me.”
No shortcuts through the grounds this time, but it gave Carolena the opportunity to see more of the ornate palace. By the time she arrived at the terrace, Vincenzo had already joined the prince, but there was no sign of Abby or Max. The two men stood together chatting quietly.
She had the impression this terrace was a recent addition. It was a masterpiece of black-and-white marble checkerboard flooring, Moorish elements and cream-colored lattice furniture in Italian provincial. A collection of exotic trees and flowering plants gave the impression they were in a garden.
Valentino’s dark blue gaze saw her first. He broke from Vincenzo and moved toward her wearing jeans and a sand-colored polo shirt. “Buonasera, Carolena. You look beautiful.”
Don’t say that. “Thank you.”
His quick smile was a killer. “I hope you’re hungry. I told the kitchen to prepare chicken the way Abby tells me you like it.”
“You’re very kind.” Too kind. She flashed him a smile as he helped her get seated. Valentino had no equal as a host. She decided he had no equal, period.
Vincenzo walked over and kissed her cheek before sitting down at the round table opposite her. A sumptuous-looking meal had been laid out for them. A maid came out on the terrace just then and told Valentino his mother wanted to speak to him when he had a minute. He nodded before she left.
“Where’s Abby, Vincenzo?”
“Max fussed all day and is still feverish, so we’re taking turns.”
“The poor little thing. Do you think it’s serious?”
“We don’t know. Our doctor said it could be a virus, but Max isn’t holding down his food. That has me worried.”
“I don’t blame you. Is there something I can do to help?”
“Yes,” Valentino inserted. “If Max is still sick tomorrow, you can keep me company, since Vincenzo will be tied up taking care of his family.”
He actually sounded happy about it, but the news filled Carolena with consternation. She’d been with him too much already and her attraction to him was growing. She flicked him a glance. “You don’t have to worry about entertaining me. I brought my laptop and always have work to do.”
“Not while you’re here.” Valentino’s underlying tone of authority quieted any more of her excuses. “No doubt you and Abby had intended to visit some of the shops and museums in Gemelli while on holiday, but I can think of something more exciting for tomorrow if you’re up to it.”
Vincenzo shot her a glance she couldn’t decipher. “Be careful.”
She chuckled. “Is that a warning?”
After finishing his coffee, a glimmer of a smile appeared. “On my first business visit here years ago, Valentino dangled the same option in front of me.”
“What happened?”
He studied her for a moment. “That’s for you to find out.”
“Now you’ve made me nervous.”
“Maybe you should be.” She couldn’t tell if Vincenzo’s cryptic response was made in jest or not.
“You’ve frightened her,” Valentino muttered. Again, Carolena was confused by the more serious undertone of their conversation.
“Then I’m sorry and I apologize.” Vincenzo put down his napkin and got to his feet. “Enjoy your evening. We’ll talk again in the morning. Please don’t get up.”
“Kiss that baby for me and give Abby my love.”
“I will.”
She’d never seen Vincenzo so preoccupied. Being a new father wasn’t easy, but she sensed something else was on his mind, as well.
“What went on just now?” she asked as soon as he left the terrace.
Valentino had been watching her through narrowed eyes. “I’m afraid he thinks my idea of a good time could backfire.” Carolena believed there was more to it than that, but she let it go for now.
“You mean it might be one of those surprises that’s the wrong kind for me?”
“Possibly.”
“Well, if you don’t tell me pretty soon, I might expire on the spot from curiosity.”
She thought he’d laugh, but for once he didn’t. “I’d like to take you sailing to Taormina. It’s an island Goethe called ‘a part of paradise.’ The medieval streets have tiny passages with secrets I can guarantee you’ll love.”
“It sounds wonderful, but that wasn’t the place you had in mind when you were talking with Vincenzo.”
“I’ve had time to think the better of it.”
A rare flare of temper brought blood to her cheeks. “Vincenzo is Abby’s husband, not mine.”
“And he enjoys her confidence.”
“In other words, he’s trying to protect me from something he thinks wouldn’t be good for me.”
“Maybe.”
Carolena’s grandmother used to try to protect her the same way. But if she got into it with the prince, she’d be acting like the willful child her grandparent used to accuse her of being. Averting her eyes, she forced herself to calm down and said, “It’s possible Max will be better, but in case he isn’t, I’d love a chance to go sailing. It’s very kind of you.”
She heard his sharp intake of breath. “Now you’re patronizing me.”
“What do you expect me to do? Have a tantrum?” The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it. She was mortified to realize she was out of control. Something had gotten into her. She didn’t feel at all herself.
“At least it would be better than your pretense to mollify me,” came the benign response.
What? “If you weren’t the prince—”
“I asked you to forget my title.”
“That’s kind of hard to do.”
“Why don’t you finish what you were about to say. If I weren’t the prince...”
“Bene.” She sucked in her breath. “If neither of you were princes, I’d tell you I’ve been taking care of myself for twenty-seven years and don’t need a couple of guys I hardly know to decide what’s best for me. If that sounds ungracious, I didn’t mean for it to offend you, but you did ask.”
A look of satisfaction entered his eyes. “I was hoping you would say that. How would you like to fly up on Etna with me in a helicopter? We’ll put down in one spot and I’ll show you some sights no visitor gets to see otherwise.”
Gulp. She clung to the edge of the table from sheer unadulterated excitement. Valentino intended to show her that ten-thousand-foot volcano up close? After seeing that movie, what person in the world wouldn’t want the opportunity? She couldn’t understand why Vincenzo thought it might not be a good experience for her.
“You love your work so much you’d go up there on your day off?”
“You can ask that after what I revealed to you today? Didn’t you tell me you thought it sounded thrilling?”
“Yes.” She stood up and gazed into those intelligent, dark blue eyes. Ignoring the warning flags telling her to be prudent, she said, “I’d absolutely love it.”
A stillness surrounded them. “Never let it be said I didn’t give you an out.”
“I don’t want one, even if Vincenzo thought I did.”
A tiny nerve throbbed at the side of his hard jaw. “If Max is still sick in the morning, we’ll leave around eight-thirty. You’ll need to wear jeans and a T-shirt if you brought one. If not, you can wear one of mine.”
“I have one.”
“Good, but you can’t go in sandals.”
“I brought my walking boots.”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll see you in the morning then.”
As she started to leave, he said, “Don’t go yet.”
Valentino—I can’t spend any more time with you tonight. I just can’t! “Your mother is waiting for you and I have things to do. I know the way back to my room.”
“Carolena?”
With a pounding heart, she paused at the entrance. “Yes?”
“I enjoyed today more than you know.”
Oh, but I do, her heart cried.
“The horseback ride was wonderful. Thank you again.” In the next breath she took off for the other wing of the palace. Her efforts to stay away from him weren’t working. To see where he spent his time and share it with him was too great a temptation to turn down, but she recognized that the thing she’d prayed would never happen was happening!
She was starting to care about him, way too much. Forget the guilt over Berto’s death that had prevented her from getting close to another man. Her feelings were way too strong for Valentino. Already she was terrified at the thought of handling another loss when she had to fly back to Arancia with Abby and Vincenzo.
But if she said she wasn’t feeling well now and begged off going with him tomorrow, he’d never believe her. Though she knew she was walking into emotional danger by getting more involved, she didn’t have the strength to say no to him. Help.
