On cue the cameramen and reporters started to exit the room. While the president of the cabinet engaged Lucca in conversation, Regina came running up to Alex. “You were wonderful,” she whispered, catching hold of her arm.
Alex hadn’t seen her leave her seat. “Thanks, Regina, but I’m afraid I said too much.”
“No. It was perfect!” she argued. “I’ve been dying to learn how you met, but you know my close-mouthed brother. I saw everyone’s reaction, Alexandra. They love you. I love you for loving my brother so much. He badly needs to be loved by a woman like you.”
Lucca was already badly loved by a woman, but Regina didn’t know that. However, the sincerity of her words made Alex realize she’d pulled off her part of the agreement with Lucca. If Regina could accept they were a love match, then she wasn’t worried about other people.
“Come on,” Regina urged. “Papa and Mama asked me to bring you to their suite after the news conference. Lucca will be tied up all day.”
That’s what Alex feared. The hours dragged when she wasn’t with him. “All right.”
“Lucca?” she called to her brother who was busy talking to several men by now. He turned his head in their direction. “We’re going upstairs.”
“I’ll join you later.” His glance swerved to Alex. She saw a nerve throbbing at the corner of his jaw. “You had them eating out of your hand, Alexandra.”
Then why aren’t you happy about it? Alex didn’t understand his unexpected change of mood, but she couldn’t ask him about it. At this juncture the press of dignitaries surrounding him had grown.
Averting her eyes, she turned her attention back to Regina. They left through a private door at the rear of the room. “After we’ve checked in with my parents, I thought you might like a tour of the grounds.”
“I’d love it, but I have another Italian lesson at two with Professor Morelli.”
“There’ll be time for both.” She gave Alex a sideways glance. “I saw him on the stairs after he left the schoolroom yesterday. Apparently Professor Emilio is ill.”
“That’s what I understand.”
“He’s very nice looking.”
Alex smiled. “I agree. He’s a terrific teacher, too.”
One of Regina’s brows lifted. “Does Lucca know about the change?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, that explains it.”
“Explains what?” Alex prodded.
“Lucca’s mood at breakfast after Mama asked if you’d begun your Italian lessons. He didn’t seem to want to talk about it.”
“You know he did seem a little offish after I introduced him to Tomaso. I assumed he was disappointed Professor Emilio couldn’t make it.”
A knowing smile broke out on Regina’s face. “My brother’s jealous.”
“Don’t be silly, Regina. I’ve done nothing to make him feel that way.”
“You don’t have to. It’s an emotion completely new to him. I love seeing him out of control for once.”
Alex couldn’t afford to protest too much. “I think you’re wrong.”
“Better not refer to Professor Morelli as Tomaso in front of him,” she said.
“Does that mean I’m breaking some kind of royal protocol to address him by his first name?”
“Of course not, but you don’t know my brother like I do. At least not yet. He has a possessive streak about certain things he considers his.”
“I am his,” she blurted. Sort of. Come to think of it, he was pretty obsessed over her wearing his pin all the time.
“You and I both know that. However, to be safe I implore you to be formal with Tomaso in front of Lucca and whatever you do, don’t praise your teacher. Lucca would never be able to handle it.”
Alex broke into laughter. She couldn’t help it, but Regina remained serious. “Laugh if you want, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
At quarter to three that afternoon Alex was reminded of their conversation when Lucca came striding into the schoolroom unannounced. He was still dressed in the stunning gray suit he’d worn for the press conference. Her breath caught at the magnificent sight of him.
She’d been working on the next chapter in her Italian book while she waited for Tomaso. Evidently he’d been held up at the university and was running late.
“Hi,” was all she could get out.
“Hi, yourself.” He removed his elegant suit jacket and flung it over a chair. Then he removed his tie and rolled up the sleeves of his immaculate white shirt to the elbow, revealing bronzed arms.
“P-Professor Morelli’s late,” she tripped over the word because she almost said Tomaso. “So I’ve just been studying.”
Lucca sat down at the desk facing her. He flashed her a look of male admiration. She’d changed clothes and was wearing a soft orange linen wraparound dress he’d admired on her at the boutique. Her only adornment was the pin. “He won’t be coming anymore. I’ll instruct you every day until Professor Emilio is well enough to do it.”
Joy.
Remembering Regina’s warning, she said, “I’m glad because I’d rather be taught by you.” Her comment seemed to smooth the waters a little. She took advantage of the silence. “How did the cabinet meeting go?”
“Fine,” he answered, but she could tell his mind wasn’t on government affairs. “Every man in the room envied me today.”
“They can envy you all they want, but could any of them make as good a king?”
“You know damn well I wasn’t referring to the title,” his voice rasped.
Adrenaline gushed through her veins. “How do you say damn in Italian? I think I should learn some curse words. In the States all the foreigners can swear in English before they say anything else.”
A quick smile transformed his chiseled features. “Like English, Italian has many subtleties,” he said in a more relaxed tone. “You can say managgia. The slang for it is accidenti. A politer version is diavolo.”
Her head flew back. “I heard you say that word the other day.”
“So I did.” He suddenly shoved himself away from the desk and stood up. “Let’s get out of here. You can work on those words while we take a drive.”
She rolled her eyes. “Something tells me they’re going to come in handy.”
He let out a bark of laughter before reaching for his coat and tie. “Have you ever ridden on the back of a motorcycle before?”
A thrill of excitement ran through her body. “No.”
“You said you liked speed. I’m going to take you at your word.”
Almost jumping out of her skin in anticipation, she hurried over to the door ahead of him. “I’ll need to change first.”
“Meet me in the north portico in ten minutes. Wear those blue jeans you bought yesterday. On our way out of town, we’ll pick up the rest of the items you’ll need.”
“All right.”
She reached her room breathless over their plans, but when she discovered all the phone messages waiting for her from the States, they brought her back to the grim reality that every gesture on Lucca’s part was meant for show.
Outwardly he was carrying on his role as the ardent fiancé but she’d be a much greater fool than her mother if she allowed herself to stay in denial about his deepest feelings. There was another woman. He’d told her in the car on the way to airport.
In order not to displease his parents, Alex was beginning to think he intended to stay away from his lover until the honeymoon was over. When Lucca had talked about his work schedule, he’d told Alex that after he performed his royal duties each day, he would indulge his other interests. She’d known what he’d meant, but it was getting harder and harder to accept.
Deflated by the unpalatable truth about her deepest feelings, she checked each message. All of them could wait except the one from Manny. SOS, Alex. Must talk to you immediately! Call me no matter what time it is! This could settle all your mother’s debts and then some!
Her heart thudded in her chest. How was that possib
le?
She quickly returned the call. He picked up on the second ring. “You’re a good girl for calling me back so fast, Alex. How would you like to be a very, very rich one in no time at all?”
“Were mother’s real diamonds found?” she cried.
“No, no, honey. Those are long gone.”
Her brief elation dissipated. She sank down on the side of the bed. “Then I don’t understand.”
“Listen to me and don’t interrupt. Can you do that?”
If she didn’t get downstairs soon, Lucca would come looking for her. “Yes—if you make it quick. I’m on my way out the door.”
“I’ve got the part of the century for you!”
She frowned. “What are you talking about, Manny?”
“Oh, honey, after seeing your beautiful face splashed all over the news and the Internet this morning, you’re the only one who can play it.”
“Play what?”
“Garbo! I’ve got the script in my hand. Every actress in Hollywood wants the part. None of them can do it. They don’t have what it takes. You do! Come home, Alex. I’ve already got the audition arranged for you.”
She shot to her feet. “Manny, I’m not an actress!”
“Ah, honey … you’ve been around it all your life.”
It was hard to breathe. “If you saw me on TV, then you’d know I’m getting married.”
“You can work around that. The point is, you can carry off the role so people will believe you’re Garbo. I just talked to Michelle. She agrees with that me you’ve got those great bones—everything it takes including her sad eyes.
“Between your portrayal, plus the fact that you’re Kathryn’s daughter and the consort of Prince Vittorio of Castelmare, the box-office take will be in the millions. One film of the definitive Garbo, honey. Just one and you’ll be on easy street for the rest of your life!”
And you’ll get paid what mother owed you within the year instead of ten or twelve years from now.
For the first time in all these years, she was beginning to realize the kind of pressure her mother had lived under. Manny said and did all the right things. He was a master manipulator.
Alex’s mind went back to the conversation with her Uncle Yuri:
“My mother was married six times,” she’d said.
“I can understand why you’re frightened. But think about this. Maybe part of it’s because she lost Oleg, and maybe the other part is because she didn’t have parents to teach her what a good marriage is all about. Hmm?” Yuri had told her.
There was a familiar rap on the door. “Alexandra?”
“I’ll be right there, Lucca,” she called out, then put the phone back to her ear. “Listen, Manny. I have to go.”
“No way. Whatever else you have to do can wait.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m afraid it can’t, Manny. I’ll have to call you later.”
“When? This thing is big, honey. An opportunity like this only comes knocking once in a lifetime.”
Manny never gave up!
Oh, Mother, he must have had you bound up so tightly, is it any wonder you tried to find escape with other men?
Her hand gripped the phone tighter. She could hardly concentrate for the knocking on the outer door, which was growing louder. “I realize that. Give me some time to think about it.” She didn’t want to hurt Manny, after all he was still waiting for his money. On the other hand she had to consider Lucca and the agreement she’d entered into with him. “I have to hang up now.”
She dropped the phone on the receiver and ran through the suite. “Lucca? I need two more minutes.”
“Are you all right?” he demanded.
“Y-yes.”
“You don’t sound it. Do you need help?”
“No … I’ll be right there.”
Alex half hopped out of her dress as she hurried to the dresser for the jeans and top she planned to wear. She’d barely slipped on her separates when Lucca entered her bedroom wearing jeans, a blue T-shirt beneath a black bomber-type leather jacket and riding boots. He looked fantastic.
“I’m not going to apologize for invading your privacy,” he said worriedly, breathing hard. “You’re as pale as parchment. After what you had to face this morning, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re sick to your stomach. There’s no way I’m taking you out on my motorcycle when you’re ill.”
Brushing a lock of hair off her forehead, she brazened out his intimate scrutiny. “I … I had a personal phone call I couldn’t ignore,” her voice faltered.
He folded his strong arms. His eyes glittered ominously. “Personal? From whom?”
“It was Manny, but it doesn’t concern you. Like I said, it was personal.”
“And might I ask who this Manny is who demands your attention but who is of no concern to me? Is he perhaps a former lover who saw you on the early-morning news in Los Angeles?”
“What?”
“Come on, Alexandra. You don’t have to continue to lie to me. Clearly there is someone important in your life back home … a love interest—”
“I told you before there is no one. Thank you for having so much faith in me.” She let the sarcasm fly.
He stared her down. “Today we told the whole world we’re going to be married. I have a right to know who the man is who could change your entire countenance in an instant.”
“Why is it you have to know his name when you haven’t felt inclined to divulge your lover’s name to me? I thought you trusted me, or isn’t our marriage going to be on an equal footing after all? Wasn’t it you who said no secrets?”
When his gaze slid away from hers, Alex knew she had him, but it gave her no joy. She sat down in the nearest upholstered chair. “I thought we could be friends, Lucca. The last thing I want to do is fight with you.”
The tension between them was combustible. “How long have you known him?”
“A long time, but it’s not what you think.” She didn’t want to tell him about this. Not today of all days.
“It never is,” he ground out.
She shook her head in bewilderment. “For the sake of argument, isn’t that what you wanted? To present a united front in public, but live private lives behind the scenes?”
He raked a bronzed hand through his black hair. “That was your invention, not mine.”
“Invention—” Too shaken to talk, she got to her feet. “I … I think you’d better leave and we’ll talk later when we’ve both had a chance to cool down.”
“If you think that’s going to happen, then you haven’t got a clue about me.”
She had every intention of going to her bedroom, but he blocked the way. “We’ll sort this out now.” He’d closed in on her.
“Lucca—”Alex had this suffocating feeling in her chest.
He reached for her. “I love the way you say my name in that husky voice,” he murmured against her lips. Then his mouth closed over hers with a hunger she would never have imagined. This wasn’t like the other times. Not anything like the other times.
He clamped her hard against him, eliminating any air between them. The feel of his powerful legs against hers was so erotic they almost buckled. She clung helplessly to him.
“Kiss me back, Alexandra. I need to taste your mouth. It was agony to have to walk away from you this morning and face a crowd when it was the last thing I wanted to do.”
His confession was a revelation that broke down her defenses. She found herself melting against him, giving him a response not even she was prepared for. Their kisses turned molten. Like rivers of fire they merged in an explosion of flame, consuming everything in their path. She lost track of time and surroundings.
When he finally allowed her to breathe, she was delirious with yearnings he’d brought to life, exposing her to herself. She’d never slept with a man, but she was precariously close to begging Lucca to make love to her. Once that happened she would despise herself for the same weakness that had driven her mother into so many men’s a
rms.
“Tell me something my sweet, vulnerable Alexandra—” he nibbled her neck and throat, deepening her desire “—is your relationship with Manny this passionate? Do you give yourself so completely to him, too, when he reaches for you?”
His questions penetrated her consciousness.
Lucca was jealous!
Despite Regina’s insistence, Alex hadn’t believed he was capable of that emotion. Yet the way he was acting now made her wonder.
Lucca was a man and could separate his emotions. Italian men particularly were noted for having a wife who bore their children and a lover who fulfilled their fantasies. Being his fiancée, she didn’t fit in either category yet, and he was sexually frustrated. As Regina had told her, Lucca was a possessive man. After he learned the truth about Manny, his ardor would cool.
Her hands slid from the back of his neck. “Lucca, Manny Horowitz is in his fifties. He’s probably the most sought-after agent in Hollywood and one of the nicest.
“When my mother was eighteen, he discovered her singing in a nightclub. After pulling her out of obscurity, he built her career and stuck with her until the very end. She repaid him by still owing him two million dollars when she died. He’s never asked me for one dime of it.”
Lucca kneaded her shoulders while he stared into her eyes. “Until today. Is that what made you ill? Was he hoping you would ask me for the money and you were afraid to approach me? I’ll send it to him right now.”
No. Her head moved from side to side in a drugged-like state.
“You know I’d give it to you in an instant.”
Tears stung her eyelids. “I know, but his request had nothing to do with you.”
“After the news conference, you expect me to believe that?”
“Yes,” she answered soberly.
“Why are you so reluctant to tell me what his phone call was all about?”
Moisture bathed her cheeks. “Because I’m tempted to do what he wants, but it would mean asking something of you that wouldn’t be fair.”
“Is it illegal or immoral?” He was being perfectly serious.
“Worse. Do you remember saying that ours wouldn’t be an orthodox marriage?”
Diamonds Are Forever: The Royal Marriage ArrangementThe Diamond BrideThe Diamond Dad Page 11
