The Serenade: The Prince and the Siren
Page 1
The Serenade
The Prince and the Siren
Suzette Hollingsworth
The Serenade: The Prince and the Siren
Daughters of the Empire 2
Love finds him, in the most devastating manner possible.
In the terror and shock of being abandoned by his beloved family, the young Prince Alejandro denies his feelings and his very being, bonding irrevocably to the only thing he has left—España. As he was born and bred to do, Alejandro gives his life to Spain. Now grown, Prince Alejandro is charming, handsome, the most powerful man in his country—and unable to connect to either himself or anyone else.
It’s the clash of the titan egos between a Parisian diva opera singer and the crown prince of Spain. The prince cannot tolerate Nicolette when she speaks, but he must confront the bizarre truth that when she sings, this prima donna is the miraculous key to his transformation.
Praise for Suzette Hollingsworth’s Novels
“The Great Detective in Love” series is a finalist in the Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem awards, Goethe Awards for Historical Fiction, International Book Awards, and Readers’ Choice Book Awards.
“This is an excellent, gifted writer, with a true future ahead of her.” – Charlotte Maclay
Also by Suzette Hollingsworth
“Daughters of the Empire” historical romance:
THE DESTINY CODE: the Soldier and the Mystic
THE SERENADE: the Prince and the Siren
To be released in 2019:
THE RESISTANCE: The Contessa and the Shadow Knight (a World War II spy novel)
“The Great Detective in Love” romantic historical mystery:
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sword Princess
Sherlock Holmes and the Dance of the Tiger
Sherlock Holmes and the Chocolate Menace
Sherlock Holmes and the Vampire Invasion
To be released in 2020:
Sherlock Holmes and the Confirmed Bachelor
Copyright © 2019 by Suzette Hollingsworth
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
ISBN: 9781732150850
Cover design by Karri Klawiter of “Art by Karri”.
First publication July 2019
Imprint: Historical Romance
“Daughters of the Empire” series
“The Serenade: the Prince and the Siren” is an extensive revision of “The Serenade” published by Bookstrand, and though I appreciate the opportunity, it sold so few copies it can barely be considered published. For all intents and purposes, “The Serenade” is a newly published novel.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE:
This is a work of historical fiction. As such, there are historical figures who actually lived contained within the pages of the book. The author has done extensive research and attempted to represent these people honestly, but some leeway must be given as she has never met them in person. For all the remaining characters, names, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This novel is a blend of historic and imaginary figures and alternate and actual plots. I hope to take you on an amazing journey. So what is real and what is not? And what could we make real?
This is the gift of historical fiction.
Printed in U.S.A.
Publisher: Icicle Ridge Graphics
Created with Vellum
Acknowledgments
Thanks to the Seattle Opera for many hours of heavenly music and transcendence, which is where this book began.
I am so grateful to Katharine Ashe, Charlotte Maclay, and Trisza LeAnn Ray (winner of the 2019 Daphne) in the Orange Rose Contest who first encouraged me to think I had something special. I don’t know that anyone else in the writing business helped me to the degree these remarkable authors did. It is so important to have someone believe in you.
There are many sources for the research which is necessary in writing an historical novel. Especially enjoyable and fascinating books were Juan Carlos: Steering Spain from Dictatorship to Democracy by Paul Preston, a biography of the remarkable King of Spain 1975-2014 and easily one of the most engaging books I have ever read; The Extraordinary Operatic Adventures of Blanche Arral by Blanche Arral and Ira Glackens, a delight and a really fun read; Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria by Julia P. Gelardi, The Spy Went Dancing and The Spy Wore Red by Aline, Countess of Romanones (all fun reads with plenty of romance and adventure); and Death and the Sun: A Matador’s Season in the Heart of Spain by Edward Lewine, biography of a matador.
Enjoying Opera with Dale Harris recordings (audio) are marvelous: witty, informative, and delightful to anyone interested in opera. I can’t recommend these enough, they are pure pleasure.
Katie Hickman’s Daughters of Britannia: The Lives and Times of Diplomatic Wives is a highly readable, fascinating biography of traveling diplomats over the centuries. An Unwanted War: The Diplomacy of the United States & Spain over Cuba, 1895-1898 by John L. Offner is illuminating, offering the motivations for entering into war and fleshing out one-dimensional historical figures we learned about in grade school. Wow, there were some surprises there.
Alejandro’s dream is inspired by Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds by Flora Slosson Wuellner, who provides wonderful guided meditations for healing and spiritual connection.
Charlsie Allen Sterry was the only positive voice in my writer’s head for a long time. She has been my true friend all my life. Charlsie is one of my angels.
This book would not be possible without my wonderful husband, Clint Hollingsworth, who is an exceptional editor/artist/writer and an award-winning angel. I mean author.
I am indebted to the Beaumonde for technical assistance and a smile or two along the way. I’m blessed by the writers in the Beaumonde who are so knowledgeable on historical research and generous with their expertise. A special thanks to Nancy Mayer, Allison Lane, Shannon Donnelly, and Cheryl Bolen among many fabulous authors and historians. I must naturally thank those authors who started me on this journey of loving beautifully written books: Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Mary Jo Putney, Amanda Quick, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Jo Beverley.
Thanks to Marine Boyer, Director of Communications at Le Meurice for information on that illustrious hotel, “The Hotel of Kings” in Paris, France.
And to Harvey Gover, faculty librarian at W.S.U. and U.S. Long-Distance Librarian of the Year, 2008, for nurturing the spirit and soul as well as the mind.
My readers provide so much inspiration! I particularly want to thank Nicole, Shelly Tyler, SueAnn, and Patsy. Rex, Rena, Charlsie, and Carol Daniel encouraged me when I was starting out (and even before I got a proper editor). This type of encouragement is necessary and invaluable.
I miss Rena Kohr everyday, another of my angels. I knew her such a short time, but Rena could fill a world with her love. Thanks to all the Beach Girls who have transformed my life.
I want to thank Jolene Kelly, Mary Jo Dugaw, Mary Denison, and Charlsie Sterry, sopranos who once gave me a magical day. I was married when I was forty-five, and I never thought to have anything as magical as the day I actually did have. I came down a hillside to a live trumpet performance (by Mark!) in the beautiful Ohme Gardens. I had an actual opera singer, Mary Jo Dugaw, who sang Susannah’s song from Moza
rt’s “The Marriage of Figaro”. And the incomparable Jolene Kelly transported everyone to the degree they began blowing bubbles during the ceremony (not in the program!).
And to all true friends everywhere who keep our dreams alive when they falter in our hearts.
To Charlsie Sterry, Jolene Kelly, Mary Jo Dugaw, and Mary Denison, sopranos who once gave me a magical day
To Harvey Gover, who truly was my “Esteban”
And To King Juan Carlos, who saved a country and returned Spain to her people
Contents
Quote
1. Love is a rebellious bird
2. She is dangerous
3. In Vain One Calls
4. My life is Music
5. Death or Frosting
6. The Bonds of Nature
7. I prefer my incognito
8. Debut
9. A tiny breath of evil
10. Love is offered
11. A miracle
12. Love before Duty
13. Free I was born
14. I simply have to see her!
15. I Forgot every other
16. Something Lost
17. I’ll make you regret it
18. Start a rumor
19. What’s your answer?
20. I’ll Get my own sweet way
21. Viper in Ruffles
22. A Match Made in Purgatory
23. Child of the Bohemian
24. Destiny
25. Your intentions?
26. The harmony of friendship
27. Isn’t she a darling?
28. Watch out
29. The Gamble
30. The Gods protect them
31. Two Thieves
32. I’m rich and you’re beautiful
33. Claiming His Power
34. Act as a Man
35. I’ll do whatever I like!
36. Love that I never knew
37. The Dream
38. A woman makes her mind up
39. Love Trembles
40. Consumed
41. It’s Over
42. Last Rites
43. En Guard, Diablo!
44. Music is Life
45. Infinite as the Sea
46. Palacio Real
47. A Life of Sterile Pleasure
48. Meet Me at Midnight
49. A lover’s voice
50. Coquette
51. Full of Spirits
52. Finito. Say Goodbye.
53. A World Without You
54. Mi Vida. My Life.
55. Day and Night
56. How Shall I Answer?
57. A Souvenir
58. Only For You
59. Coronation
60. Royal Wedding
61. Death and Despair
62. May I present your Queen
63. Hope
64. Annulment
65. Seductress
66. To the Devil
67. Illuminated
68. Royal Honeymoon
69. Darkness turns to Day
70. Sophia
Magical Amulet
Also by Suzette Hollingsworth
Author’s Notes
About the Author
“Dorothy, have me taken into the sun”
- Enrico Caruso
1
Love is a rebellious bird
“Love is a rebellious bird
That nothing can tame”
—CARMEN by Georges Bizet
Palais Garnier
The Paris Opera House
March 21, 1903
Anticipation permeated the air like a sweet frosting drizzled across a warm cake. It was in the tinkling of champagne glasses, the shimmer of satin, and the nervous chatter among the social elite of Paris. It was in the sparkle of a thousand candelabras and the exhibitionist tendencies of the fashionable. It was woven into the heavy red velvet curtain which began to rise and, with it, the impatient murmurs of expectancy.
“Ay, Caray!” Prince Alejandro cursed under his breath. The woman in black in the grand foyer had him far more agitated than he wished to admit.
“Is this your opinion of the new opera, my prince?” Le Comte de Saint-Cyr asked.
Alejandro de Bonifácio, the crown prince of Spain, had his back to a magnificent stage framed by four stories of private opera boxes affordable only to the very rich—and available to an even smaller clientele. Seated with the prince in the private box were his few select friends, for the most part sons of high-ranking Parisian officials.
“Carmen, I believe it is called.” Le Comte de Saint-Cyr added, waving a ruby-laden finger towards the stage, his bobbing blonde curls adding redundant twinkle to vividly blue eyes. “Please, your highness, grace us with the royal pronouncement.”
“I believe his excellency already has.” Le Duc de Valentinois winked at Saint-Cyr, evidencing their long-standing friendship.
“I’m sure I’m barely listening,” Prince Alejandro said. He was grateful for the card game, a welcome diversion, as well as for his capacity for focus.
She refused to give me her name. The heir to Spain’s throne. No one has ever dared to treat me with such condescension.
“You don’t find the music inspiring?” asked Gaston Leroux with uncontained curiosity.
“Exceptionally so.”
It inspires me to want to leave.
Leroux was a writer friend of Saint-Cyr’s. Not being high born, Leroux was a fairly new addition to the trio. As a relative outsider, he lacked the teasing, confident manner of the others.
Praise the gods for small favors.
“And yet, it is apparent even from the overture this music is unlike anything we have heard before,” Saint-Cyr considered.
“Undoubtedly there is a good reason for that,” Alejandro murmured.
“I wonder how many royal navy men are such arts aficionados as our dear prince?” Valentinois considered.
“As many as are crown princes, I suspect.” Saint-Cyr shrugged.
And where I do not wish fawning and toad-eating, I have it. Where I might wish the courtesy one owes a washer woman, I have it not. Alejandro discarded a card with gusto. Inconceivable! The daughters of noble families are tripping over their own feet to gain an introduction with me, and the mystery woman in the Grand Foyer cannot be troubled to treat me with a minimum of civility and provide her name.
I wish I might return the insult and refuse my identity to her.
An impossibility. Who could escape knowing who I am? I am not allowed such privacy. I am hounded wherever I go. As evidenced by this insipid conversation which inexplicably demands my attention.
Saint-Cyr chattered on, depriving Alejandro of private contemplation as well as meaningful discourse. “I must confess I find this music sinfully alluring.”
His royal highness looked up, inwardly refusing to participate. Being in one of the choice box seats, Prince Alejandro and his party were on the first level, so close to the stage they might have leaned over the balcony and touched the singers.
Alejandro detested being so close—but it was Saint-Cyr's box and the Count of Saint-Cyr had always to be at the height of fashion.
It appeared no one would continue on with the card game, or even their trifling chatter, until he deigned to answer. Prince Alejandro finally offered, “The opera has a certain musical novelty.”
Studying his cards with the boredom born of distraction, Prince Alejandro took another sip of fine champagne which he mentally assessed as flat despite its price tag of one hundred francs per bottle.
He glanced momentarily at his exquisitely ornate surroundings: the Louis XVI card table, plush chairs, fresh flowers, chilling champagne, and h'or d'oeuvres created less than an hour ago by Le Meurice's top chefs.
Alejandro did not need to look further to see that which he already knew: everything in the Palais Garnier Opera House sparkled to excess. The three-tier crystal chandelier, the blaze of lit candles, the glistening diamonds on the straining white necks of the
over-curious upper classes.
“Ah, the voices join the orchestra,” Valentinois remarked as the overture concluded and the chorus entered the stage singing. “This will turn your head, Alejandro.”
“That would require an act of God with this musical score,” Alejandro replied without so much as a glance to the stage.
“What is your specific objection my friend?” Saint-Cyr asked.