Red Carpet Romeo

by Jenny Gardiner

  The train rolled into the exquisite Belle Époque-style station, its row of monumental arches with doorways opening to the interior just as the sun was setting. Between each arch were marble sculptures, and hovering above was a wide band of windows. A massive clock tower hovered rose above it all. When the train came to a stop, Valentina grabbed her large suitcase and garment bag with the many dresses she’d brought for the next week’s worth of celebrations and clambered down the steps into the station, which was bustling with activity. It smelled of fresh pine and mulled wine, and she wanted to just stop to take in the excitement of the season.

  Next to Florence, Porto Castello was one of Valentina’s favorite European cities, with its blending of city and seaside and spectacular mountain views in the distance. It was a city that felt both deeply historic yet always ready to reinvent itself with the times. But steeped most in the tradition was the royal family—her cousins—the Eastons of Monaforte. It had been ages since she’d seen any of them; their summers spent holidaying at the seaside compound in Northern Italy had long since passed, and now that all the cousins were grown, their lives had taken on more responsibility and hence allowed for less free time for gathering. This wedding would be a wonderful chance to reconnect.

  Valentina made her way through the terminal and out the main entrance, down the wide steps to where she saw Jerome awaiting her.

  “Jerome!” she said as she raced down the steps. “It’s been too long!”

  He smiled. “Miss Valentina, so lovely to have you back.”

  “I hear you’ve been a busy man.”

  He blushed. “Another one on the way, in fact.”

  She patted his back. “So happy for you. And I hope someday you’ll have a good night’s sleep again.”

  He smiled, handing Valentina an envelope. “Orders to deliver upon your arrival, a schedule for the week for all those who are wedding attendants.”

  She clapped her hands with excitement. “It’s not every day you get to be in a royal wedding. Even if it is for my cousin who hardly seems royal to me anyway.”

  He nodded. “It is going to be quite a memorable event. I know Luca would be devastated if you weren’t a part of it.”

  He ushered her into the car for the short ride to the palace, and before she knew it, the palace gates were looming.

  “I dunno,” she said. “There is just something about Monaforte. I can’t put my finger on it. But magic happens here. I love this place.”

  He winked at her. “It is a place of wonder. And even more perfect with you here.”

  Once through the palace gates, he parked and helped her out of the car.

  “I feel like I’m home again.”

  ~*~

  Lady Sarah, lady-in-waiting to Queen Ariana, greeted Valentina as she entered the Grande Foyer, which was filled with works of art from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, priceless paintings and sculptures and tapestries that would have otherwise found their way to museums were they not the treasures of the family.

  Valentina was used to opulence. After all, her family’s palazzo was the stuff of royalty from the days when Italy was divided into various principalities, all run by royal entities. Her ancestors were powerful men—because of course back then it was the men who ruled with an iron fist—who held sway over the people, and while most often they were benevolent leaders, nevertheless, they benefited from the power and wealth with vast tracts of property and a number of palazzos that belonged exclusively to the Romeo family.

  Of course there was the main home, but they also owned swaths of land in other regions of Tuscany. But nothing, despite the grandeur of her own home, could compare to the Grande Palace of Monaforte. Especially because somehow this massive structure of architectural genius also managed to convey a feeling of home. Though perhaps that was because she’d spent so much time visiting during her childhood, so the place was overrun with memories of holidays and family events, the kids running roughshod throughout the place. And now she was back for Luca’s wedding. It was hard to believe they were all grown-up enough for this!

  “Darling, it’s been ages,” Sarah said, enveloping Valentina in a hug.

  “Auntie Sarah, so wonderful to see you!” She referred to Sarah as an aunt, even though in reality it was Ariana who was her aunt. But Sarah served as the queen’s surrogate because, well, the queen was a busy woman. And Sarah was a perfect substitute for Ariana as she shared her calm demeanor and could anticipate the queen’s intents long before she even expressed them.

  “Your cousin has planned a busy several days, so you best make sure you are well rested for things. That said, there’s a reception that begins in an hour, and Luca has requested your presence. All the wedding attendants will be there so you can all meet and become friendly.”

  Valentina’s family would arrive later in the week; she was needed here by this evening to participate in the pre-wedding events that would involve the attendants, so for now she would be on her own. Which was fine by her.

  “Perfect,” she said. “If I can have an hour to refresh myself, I’ll be totally ready to go.”

  “Wonderful.” Sarah motioned for a footman to retrieve Valentina’s luggage. “Let me get you situated and maybe you’ll even have a chance to close your eyes.”

  Valentina lifted a brow. “Are you kidding?” She pointed at her face. “It takes ages to achieve this look. Roma wasn’t built in a day, after all.” She giggled. This was going to be such a wonderful week. She couldn’t wait for the festivities to begin.

  Chapter Four

  Parker flattened his hands down his suit jacket and turned sideways to assess himself in the mirror. “How do I look?” he asked his sister.

  Gisele reached for a blue can from the bathroom counter, shook it hard, then squirted some foam into her hand. After spreading it over her palms, she started working it through Parker’s blond hair as he tried to bat her hands away.

  “What are you trying to do to me?”

  “Relax,” she said, running her fingers through his hair, positioning the strands just so. She held up the can to read the label. “It’s called salt-infused surf foam spray blow-dry.”

  He rolled his eyes as he grabbed the can from her, inspecting the label. “So am I supposed to eat this or wear it? Or surf while eating and wearing it? And were they trying to fit as many adjectives as possible into the name of that product?”

  She pressed her hands to his lapel and gave his tie a final tug to tighten it. “Be glad I didn’t use the Cityswept finish spray—I think it’s almost like applying real pollution-particulate grit to your hair!” She laughed. “Besides, don’t be uptight! You just seemed a little too buttoned-up. I wanted to make you look a bit more chill. Relaxed. The way you used to be, before you got your knickers in a wad after Amanda. By the way, you look handsome as always, brother dearest. If I wasn’t your sister, I’d do you.”

  He shook his head. “I know you say that for shock effect, but it’s probably best if you keep those comments to yourself over the next week. Somehow I don’t think the queen will quite understand the translational humor in that.”

  She shook her head. “Lighten up, Park. You know I’m just trying to get you in the right frame of mind for this weekend. I want you to have fun. And maybe actually find some gorgeous young woman who will do you. Because honestly, you’ve been sort of a pain in the ass since that whole Amanda debacle. I mean, I know she wasn’t ‘the one’ and stuff, but still, she didn’t do you any favors. When someone cheats on you, it just can’t do wonders for your self-esteem, and I feel like you’ve been in a trough since then. So tonight I’ll be your cheer squad with my pretend megaphone, saying ‘go team go.’” She pounded her fists in the air, rah-rah style.

  “Thanks, G.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Not sure I’m ready to take that plunge again though.” He splashed on some cologne, then took a quick slug of his bottled water.

  “So then don’t plunge.” She waved her hand in dismissal. �
�You aren’t obligated to marry anyone. Just sleep with them.”

  He spewed his water on that comment. “Honestly, I don’t know where your bold frankness comes from.”

  She shook her head. “How quickly we forget. Mom was just as brazen as I am. And you loved that about her. I’m just trying to keep the torch alive. Now go, my favorite brother. Go forth and multiply.”

  “Um, first, I’m your only brother.” He lifted one finger then another as he enumerated his thoughts. “And second, trust me, you do not want me multiplying.”

  “Au contraire,” she said. “I cannot wait to be an auntie to your sweet little babies.”

  His eyes grew wide. “You’re scaring me, G. The last thing on my mind is babies.”

  “Okay, fine,” she said. “But how about at least get your mind back to the practice that leads to babies. I’d be happy if you would just go back there again. Not that I’m actually concerned about your sex life, but I am worried about your overall well-being, and it seems that with the end of that dingdong Amanda came the entrance of the somber-sided Parker who stopped being cheerful and having a good time. And lest we forget, all work and no play makes my brother a very cranky boy. So go find yourself some gorgeous princessy type to bang. And have fun!”

  He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ll totally pretend you didn’t just say that,” he said as he stuck the apartment key in his pocket. “In the meantime, sorry you can’t join me tonight, but it seems it’s just the wedding attendants, so you’re on your own for the evening. Your dinner is going to be delivered shortly, and there’s plenty available on Netflix to keep you busy for the night.”

  She walked around her brother, her hands behind her back, setting one foot slowly in front of the other, feigning innocence. “I suppose this means it’s not okay for me to go exploring the palace on my own then?”

  “Suffice it to say I will banish you to the dungeon if I learn you have done anything other than stay right here in our lovely, comfortably appointed, and spacious palace guest apartment, got it?”

  She wrinkled her brow. “Okay, fine. But I can only be a prisoner in the tower for so long.”

  He tapped her nose. “Remind me again why you didn’t pursue a career in acting? You’d have made a great drama queen.”

  “My second act is sure to follow. In the meantime, ta-ta!” she said, blowing kisses as Parker opened the door to leave. “I expect to not see you here the rest of the night. Because that’ll mean you’ve found someone to cozy up to. Good night!” She waved her hands as he walked out the doorway.

  Once the door closed behind him, he leaned back, pressing himself against the outside of it, knowing as he did that his irrepressible sister might well find herself getting into all sorts of mischief in this massive land of hide-and-seek where they were guests for the next week.

  ~*~

  The reception was just getting underway when Parker arrived in the Blue Ballroom, one of the smaller public spaces in the palace, although small was relative since even this room could comfortably hold more than a hundred guests. The dramatic space—with windows hung with heavy, plush, royal-blue velvet draperies corded in gold—was aglow with candles. Matching gilt-trimmed blue velvet settees were arranged throughout the room to allow for intimate mingling amongst guests.

  Mahogany floors gleamed with a high-polish finish, and the coordinating paneled walls with carved friezes lent the room an almost clubby feel in its opulence. A long table stood in the middle of the room, formally set with candelabras, crystal goblets, and crystal wineglasses, along with official palace china. This event was intended to include just the bride, groom, and their twenty attendants. Luca had told Parker that not even the queen or Prince Enrico would be in attendance; he and Larkin wanted this to be a comfortable evening in which all their friends were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company without the formality attendant in most royal events.

  In the far corner stood a twenty-foot-tall pine Christmas tree and, on the tips of the branches, actual candles burned. Parker couldn’t help but think that back home in the States the fire marshal would stand guard with a hose at the ready. It was sort of charming that here in Monaforte they took it on good faith that a Christmas tree wouldn’t ignite into a conflagration. Something about Monaforte was all about trusting that things would be okay. He liked that about the place. In his business he spent his life working with contracts and agreements and signing paperwork till his fingers practically bled. In triplicate. There was little that happened on a handshake and with basic trust in the end result. Everything was about ensuring a nonlitigious outcomes. Sometimes that became tiresome. There was such charm to this Old World way of life.

  “Parker,” he heard a voice say to him as he turned around. It was Luca, who was standing hand in hand with Larkin.

  “Ahhh, the two lovebirds,” Parker said, greeting them both with the customary two-cheek kiss he’d grown used to during his visits here. “Hard to believe this day has arrived already. I’m so honored to be a part of your marriage celebration. And Larkin, darling, you look positively sumptuous.”

  “You flatter me too much.” She fluttered her eyelashes in pretend flirtation. “Believe me, Parker, your absence would have been a glaring presence. We’d miss your beautiful smile and your generous spirit too much if you weren’t here, so thank you for making the long trip!”

  “I think you know most of the attendants, so please, make yourself at home. But first be sure to get a drink.” Luca motioned for him to grab a glass off a passing butler’s tray. “I made sure they’d be serving the thirty-year-old scotch you love so much.”

  “And they wonder why I keep coming back here,” Parker said, cocking his eyebrow conspiratorially at Larkin.

  “Right?” She winked.

  “Of course.” Luca grinned. “Wine, women, and the pursuit of happiness.”

  “The wine and happiness parts sound fine, but as far as the women go, well, I think I’m on a hiatus from them for a while.” Parker made a motion with his hands as if pushing away from a table after a too-filling meal.

  “A hiatus from women?” Larkin said. “That’s unheard of. Certainly not the Parker I’ve grown to know.”

  Luca lifted a brow. “Seriously? All this because of that Amanda?” He shook his head. “I don’t get it. It’s not like you two were really serious or anything.”

  Parker frowned. “Everyone says that! But it’s not a matter of serious or not. It just comes down to trust, and like it or not, she hit me in the solar plexus with that betrayal.”

  “Fair enough,” Luca said. “In that case, it’s probably a good thing I stuck you with my cousin for the week then.”

  “Cousin?”

  “Yes. You remember Valentina?”

  “Little Valentina? From all those years ago?”

  His friend nodded his head. “One and the same. Only not so little anymore. I thought you might get a kick out of seeing her after such a long time.”

  “Perfect,” Parker said. “Maybe we can find a place for a little game of pickup football. She was always the best damned soccer player, what with that left foot of hers.”

  “You might be surprised at our ‘little’ Valentina. She’s not the teen tomboy you once knew.”

  “Well, at least I won’t have to worry about some predatory woman clinging to me all week long,” he said. “It’ll be good to have your sweet cousin to talk with. We’ll have fun reminiscing.”

  “Well, speak of the devil,” Larkin said. “Here she comes.” She pointed to a tall brunette wearing a form-fitting fuchsia sleeveless V-neck sheath, her hair in soft waves to below her shoulders.

  Parker took one look at the woman—whose long, slender legs didn’t seem to quit—and he about tripped on his tongue. “Where’s Valentina?” He looked around. “Is she standing behind that stunning woman in the pink dress? I can’t seem to find her.”

  Larkin shook her head. “The woman in the pink dress is Valentina, silly.”
>
  Parker’s eyes grew wide. That was “little” Valentina? The girl who crushed on him that summer back when he was in college? The one he finally had to break it off a bit rudely with so that she would finally stop hanging on him as if he was her boyfriend?

  Ch-rist on a stick. “Little” Valentina had certainly gotten past that awkward teenaged stage and then some. His eyes surveyed the woman standing not twenty feet from him. The hot-pink dress fit her stunning figure like a glove: it clung to her magnificent breasts, skirted down her narrow waist, and clutched her near-perfect ass like a hand. Like he suddenly wished his own hand could do.

  As she turned so that her back was to him, he could see that her dress had a full-length back zipper that started at the hem and extended to her shoulders. And suddenly all he could think about was how amazing—and easy—it would be to just reach down and slide that zipper all the way up. He could flick that dress off her in two seconds, tops. And then he could get a look at that gorgeous rack of hers teasing him from beneath that fabric.

  But ugh. He couldn’t think that way. This was Valentina—Luca’s little cousin. Luca’s little cousin who’d grown into a young woman who was making a hard-on stir to life in his suit pants for the first time in forever. He needed to tamp that down pronto, or this was going to be a long damned night.

  Amanda, he thought. Amanda, Amanda, Amanda. If ever there was a cock-blocking thought out there, she was it. All he had to do was think back to discovering her in that shadowy corner, her leg wrapped around William’s hip, their lower bodies pressed together in a tight grind, the two of them completely unaware of his presence so engrossed were they in the business at hand.

  Thank goodness he had that thought to stop him from focusing on the most beautiful woman he’d laid eyes on in ages. Sadly it seemed he was going to have to invoke his ex’s name a lot over the next week, otherwise he’d need to make like a schoolboy and walk around the palace with textbooks covering his crotch every time Valentina was near.