But she couldn’t let Leo or Giselle see her insecurities. She stilled her rambling thoughts. She focused her gaze on her newest client.
“This way.” Giselle’s sweet voice drew Bianca from her wandering thoughts.
Bianca glanced around for her luggage but didn’t see it.
“Don’t worry. Your bags are already in your room. Come on.” She headed for the grand staircase in the middle of the great foyer.
As they climbed the staircase with a royal red runner up the center, the princess said, “You must be very good at your job for my brother to hire you.”
“I am.” The admission might sound like bragging. It wasn’t. It was the truth.
Bianca might be a train wreck in other areas of her life, but when it came to planning weddings and looking after the details, she was in her zone. Lists were her friends. Her digital calendar ran her life, from a reminder to get up in the morning to the reminder to wind down for the night.
At the top of the steps, the princess paused and turned to her. “I don’t know if you know this, but my brother does not make spur of the moment decisions often.” The princess’s expression was quite serious. Her gaze searched Bianca as though hunting for answers to unspoken questions. “When he does, it has to be for a very special reason.”
She didn’t want Giselle to think ill of her. “I can assure you that I did nothing to sway your brother’s decision. I didn’t even know of your wedding until he brought it to my attention.”
For a long tenuous moment, Giselle didn’t react. Then as though mulling over Bianca’s response, she smiled. “I’m glad he hired you because this wedding needs help.” She turned and began walking once more. “And if my brother believes in your skills, then so will I.”
“Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
Giselle led her down a wide carpeted hallway with so much expensive artwork that it felt as though they were visiting a museum. They stopped before an open door and Giselle turned to her.
“Here we are. Your things should already be in your room.”
Bianca glanced in the sunny room. It was no less stunning than the other parts of the palace. “Would you like to come in? We could start going over details for the wedding.”
Giselle shook her head. “I have to meet with William, my fiancé. But we can speak after dinner.” She turned to walk away but then turned back. “Did my brother tell you about dinner?”
“No.” She had to wonder what was special about dinner.
“It’s sharply at seven. Don’t be late. It will be in the formal dining room and dress appropriately. There will be guests.”
She was hoping for something more casual, more conducive to work. But when in the palace, do as they do. “I’ll see you then.”
“One more thing. Did my brother mention our mother?”
“The queen? No.” Bianca had a feeling he’d left a lot out and she couldn’t wait to speak with him.
“You should know that my mother has very definite ideas of how the wedding should go.”
Bianca relaxed a bit. “Most mothers do.”
“But my mother is different. She’s used to getting her way. But this is my wedding—my day. I want some say in it.”
“I’m sure compromises can be made. I’ll do my best to incorporate both of your ideas, if that’s what you’d like.”
“It is. As long as it’s more my ideas and less hers.”
Bianca smiled. “I understand. I will keep that in mind.”
Just then a phone buzzed, and it wasn’t Bianca’s.
“That’s William.” Giselle’s face lit up. “I must go. I’ll see you later,” she called over her shoulder as she rushed away.
Bianca smiled at the young woman’s excitement over seeing her fiancé. A deep, abiding love was something special to witness. And that meant Bianca didn’t have time to rest before dinner. She stepped into her spacious room and the first thing to draw her attention was a crystal chandelier. It caught the sun’s rays shining in through the French doors and sent a cascade of colors across the walls. She’d never stayed in a place so fancy that chandeliers were placed in bedrooms.
But this was far from a bedroom. The beige-and-cream room had a spacious bed with a quilted velvet headboard and footboard, but it also had a full-size couch, two chairs and a fireplace. Her gaze moved slowly around the room. There was just so much to take in, from the intricacies on the ceiling and wall, all the way down to the oriental rug.
Next to the French doors was a small table and chairs. She had a feeling she would be spending countless hours sitting there strategizing particulars for the wedding. She knew that the prince had assured her of having an office, but her working hours never fit into a normal business day. Ideas would strike at all hours of the day and night. And with the high importance of this wedding, she knew her mind would be on business 24/7.
And then there was the prince. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pictured him. She definitely wanted to impress him—for more than one reason.
CHAPTER FIVE
“I WON’T STAND for this!”
The queen’s harsh words echoed in Leo’s mind. He knew she wasn’t going to take well to his interference in the royal wedding plans, but it was time his mother realized her time as regent—of steamrolling over everyone—was almost at an end. By the end of the year he would be king.
As his mother glared at him, he couldn’t help but wonder if part of her hostility was due to the part he played in his father’s death. Ever since that horrific day, his relationship with his mother had been strained.
Or it could be that she resented having to step in as regent. Though if that were the case, why had she given him so much freedom up until now? If it weren’t for public pressure, would she have pushed him to marry—to step into his birthright?
He had a lot of questions, but he couldn’t bring himself to dredge up the past—the most painful period of his life. Because even though he and his father disagreed on certain things, Leo had looked up to his father like some kids idolized sports figures and actors. His father had been his role model.
“Mother, I know you love Giselle, but if you keep interfering with her wedding, you’re going to drive a permanent wedge between the two of you.”
The queen’s eyes flared with anger. “And you think bringing in some stranger that knows nothing of our customs is the solution?”
“I do.” He made sure to keep his voice calm. “Bianca is quite capable—”
“Bianca?” His mother crossed her arms as she continued to frown at him. “You’re on a first name basis with this woman?”
There was no point in denying it. “Yes, we are on a first name basis. It is not uncommon to call people by their first names.”
“And this woman, is she beautiful?”
His jaw tightened in frustration, but he immediately released the tension. He didn’t want his very astute mother to get a whiff of his discomfort. She would take it and turn it on him.
“She’s a wedding planner. I did not notice her looks.” He was lying, but his mother didn’t need to know everything.
The queen arched a penciled brow. “I do not believe you.”
“This isn’t about me or for that matter Bianca. This is about stopping the fighting between you and Giselle. Her wedding is supposed to be a happy time for her—”
“Her wedding is a duty—an obligation—just as yours will be. It’s about forging an alliance with another country. It’s about the future of Patazonia.”
Leave it to his mother to remove the emotions and go straight for business. Many outsiders thought being part of the royal family was all about sitting back and letting everyone wait on them. But there were things that an outsider didn’t know or stop to consider.
As a prince, he was raised to consider how his choices would affect the future of Patazonia. Eve
rything he did was scrutinized by the press—most of the time their headlines were erroneous. But it didn’t diminish his need to make careful decisions.
Just like now when there was a growing divide between the royal family and its citizens. The woman he married needed to bridge the gap between the palace and the commoners. It was imperative.
His mother had picked up right where the king had left off with the old-school philosophies. She preferred to remain on her side of the palace wall and rule while the citizens were to remain disconnected on the other side.
When he became king, things were going to change. He wanted to be a king of the people, not a distant, cold ruler. He could do better. This whole dynasty could step up their game by being more interactive and breaking down some of the traditions that had kept them locked in their ivy tower.
He met his mother’s angry gaze. “Does the future of this country include fighting?”
His mother gasped. “We were not fighting. We do not fight.”
“Then what would you call the slamming of doors and the yelling that has disrupted the entire household?”
His mother’s gaze lowered. “Your sister might have gotten a bit emotional over some points with the wedding.”
“Some?”
“She wants to throw away everything traditional. But she’s a princess. A princess must adhere to certain protocols.”
“And was that how it was for you?”
“I don’t know what you mean?” His mother glanced away.
This was his opportunity to ask her a question he’d wondered about for a long time. “Did you love my father? Or was it all about obligation?”
The queen, who always prided herself on maintaining her composure, looked at him slack-jawed. Was what he’d asked really that out of line? He supposed. Still, he needed to know the truth.
“This isn’t about me or your father.” The queen’s voice was strained. Her face had noticeably paled.
“It might not have been but it is now—”
“No. It’s not.” Her firm tone let him know that he’d most definitely crossed a line. “Mrs. Schmidt knows what’s best for your sister’s wedding. After all, she’s been planning royal weddings for nearly fifty years. She helped plan your father’s and mine.”
“And therein lies the problem, Mother. Giselle is young and times have changed. She doesn’t want the same things that a bride of fifty years ago would want.” When his mother went to argue, he held up a hand stopping her. “And, as the soon-to-be king, I believe the bride should have a say in her wedding.”
“But she’ll ruin everything.”
“I highly doubt it. I believe a compromise can be reached, marrying some of the old traditions with some of the current trends. And before you resist, remember your future relationship with your daughter is at stake.”
His mother huffed. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Am I?” He’d soothed his sister’s tears. He’d listened to her vent about moving away from Patazonia—away from his mother—and moving to her groom’s country. Leo knew it wasn’t all talk. There was some serious consideration going on.
His mother didn’t speak for a moment. At last he’d gotten through to her. “You really believe she’s that upset over this?”
“I do. And you need to be careful how you handle things going forward.”
“And you just want me to trust this stranger—this outsider?”
“I do. I think if you give Bianca a chance, you’ll like her. She’s a people person and well organized. Giselle has already met her and they’ve hit it off.” Now that he was finally getting through to his mother, he didn’t want to walk away without an understanding. “So will you give this a chance? Let Bianca try to bring peace to this family?”
His mother stirred her tea and then removed the silver spoon, setting it on the fine bone chine saucer. Even standing halfway across the room, he could see the wheels of her mind turning. This wasn’t going to be the easy agreement that he’d been hoping for.
Oh, well. So be it. He’d been negotiating with his mother since his father had died. He told himself it was just training for his future as king.
The queen took a sip of tea. Returning the cup to the saucer, she turned her full attention to him. “I’ll give your wedding planner a chance, if you’ll do something in return.”
And there she went with her negotiations, just as he’d predicted. At this point, he was willing to do most anything for some peace in his own home. And most of all, he wanted his younger sister to have the wedding of her dreams with the man she loved.
But he’d been down this road before. To have a party with his friends after graduation, it had cost him. He’d had to wear a suit and tie all summer as he’d visited country after country throughout Europe as part of a goodwill campaign. He couldn’t even imagine what this wedding would cost him.
He stifled the resigned sigh. “What do you want?”
A slight smile lifted the queen’s lips ever so briefly. “I want you to announce your engagement the day after your sister’s wedding.”
The day after? As in just a matter of a couple months? Seven weeks, give or take a day?
Leo swallowed hard. He struggled to maintain his composure. His gaze never wavered from his mother’s. He didn’t want her to detect any weakness. He knew his engagement must be announced soon if he were to be king by the New Year, but this felt so sudden—so final.
The queen held up a finger. “There’s one more caveat.”
Acid swirled in the pit of his stomach. “I’m listening.”
“If you don’t choose an appropriate wife by your sister’s reception, I’ll choose one for you.”
He schooled his features as he’d practiced since he was a child. Because a future king could not be emotional. His tutors had drilled that into him since he was just out of diapers.
He intended to tell his mother that horses would fly before he’d allow her to pick his wife, but instead he uttered, “It’s a deal.”
That little smile on his mother’s face bloomed into a full-fledged grin. She got to her feet and approached him. “This is for the best. You’ll see.”
He highly doubted it. “And you will play nice with the wedding planner?”
It was his mother’s turn to sigh. “I will do my best—”
“Mother?”
Her lips pressed into a firm line. “I will hear her out.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I will receive regular updates and I’ll hear everything. I will also have the final decision on the details of the wedding.”
“What?” His mother looked horrified. “But you know nothing about weddings.”
“I guess it’s my caveat. Now, do we have an agreement?”
“You drive a hard bargain.” His mother gave him an appraising look. “You’re so much like your father. He would be proud of you.”
“No one can ever replace him, but I try to do what I think he’d want of me.”
“Like the wedding.” The queen glanced away. “He would not approve of the bickering. Therefore, I will agree to your plan. However, you must keep in mind that this will be a state wedding with dignitaries in attendance.”
“Yes, Mother. But it’s also a personal, deeply touching moment for Giselle.”
“Agreed. Since we’re speaking of your father, you should know that he would not approve of you putting off your destiny for so long.”
“I know.” The weight of her words had been pressing on him for some time. It’s why he was willing to go along with his mother’s bargain. At least Giselle would end up happy. “I will take the throne by the New Year.”
His mother turned back to the table. “I have a list of appropriate women for you to consider for your queen.”
He’d already been introduced to some women his mother deemed “appropriate.”
His mother’s ideal woman was quiet, meek and dare he say it—boring. He needed a strong woman who spoke her own mind and had a sense of humor so he wouldn’t bore of her too quickly.
Sadly, he’d squandered his time to find a wife on his own terms. Now he was left to choose from his mother’s preapproved candidates. And his mother knew she had the upper hand. If he had any doubts, the Cheshire smile on her face said it all.
He needed a bit of time to accept what was about to happen—he was going to marry a woman of his mother’s choosing. “I must go check on our guest and make sure she has settled in.”
His mother turned back to him. “But I’ll see you at dinner?”
“I would not miss the kickoff to your birthday celebrations.” This was a milestone for his mother. She would turn sixty and a lengthy celebration would ensue over the next few weeks. “We’ll both be there.”
“Very well.”
And with their agreement in place, he departed. His mother wasn’t quite herself. Sure, she was one to cling to traditions, but behind closed doors she normally relaxed a bit. That was not the case lately. This wedding had everyone on edge. He was really hoping Bianca would help bring his family back together again.
Speaking of Bianca, he should check on her before dinner, just to make sure she’d settled in without any problems. At least that’s what he told himself. Because the truth was that the flight home hadn’t gone the way he’d planned. One problem after another kept creeping up and stealing away his time.
But no more. He took the steps two at a time, anxious to see Bianca once more. He wanted to show her around the palace and help her get her bearings as she launched into the wedding preparations.
He stopped outside her door and knocked. “Bianca? It’s Leo.”
The Prince and the Wedding Planner Page 5
