Dio mio.
“I’m the one who accepted Professor Morelli’s invitation for ice cream today. Alexandra wasn’t the slightest bit interested and tried to stop me, but I thought it was the least I could do after your fit of jealousy drove you to get rid of him. That was totally unlike you. However, I do understand.
“Lucca—” she sighed “—there’s only one answer for her willingness to throw herself on the pyre of public scrutiny and risk the ridicule that followed her mother around in order to be your wife.”
“She’s never once taken the initiative to be with me.”
Regina shook her head in exasperation. “Because you told her you were in love with someone else!”
He punched his fist into his palm. “Don’t you think I want to believe what you’re saying?”
“For someone so brilliant, there are times when you can be positively obtuse. You would never have approached Alexandra in New York if you hadn’t been halfway falling in love with her already. She had to have felt the same way. You’re a scientist. Show me proof that it can only happen once on a planet and that it only happened to you.”
Lucca tried to find fault with her logic. Regina got out of the chair and hugged him. “I knew you couldn’t.” His emotions in chaos, he hugged her back harder. It was time to confess all to Alexandra.
After kissing the top of her head, he let her go. “Do I dare ask one more favor of you?”
“That all depends.”
“Tonight when Alexandra comes back to her suite, use the excuse of some wedding detail to talk to her. I need the diamond pin, but I don’t want her to know why. Do whatever it takes and bring it to me without alarming her.”
He could hear her brain plotting. “I’ve got the perfect idea.”
“Thank you. Did I ever tell you you’re my favorite person?”
“I used to be,” she muttered, but she smiled as she said it.
Needing to be by himself, he left her room and went downstairs to his office to call Sofia. Thankfully she answered. After telling her everything, Sofia felt terrible she’d held him to their secret for so long and released him from it. They wished each other the very best and promised to keep in touch. When he hung up, he felt an enormous weight had been lifted.
Now he could get down to some business he’d left off doing after learning about Alexandra’s chance meeting with Professor Morelli. Regina was right. Lucca had behaved like an ass and needed to do something about it. Maybe an invitation to the wedding.
He lounged back in his swivel chair. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea that Tomaso would see his beautiful student pledge her life and love to her liege. Without hesitation he rang his secretary and told him to take care of it, then he got to work.
Two hours later Regina walked in his office and put the little jewel case on his desk. “Mission accomplished.”
He reached for it. “What did you tell her?”
“That the people making the wedding dress needed to arrange everything ahead of time so there’d be no fuss the morning she left for the cathedral. Naturally I explained that you had authorized it.”
“Perfetto. How did she respond?”
“She loves it more than anything, but I think she’s relieved not to have the responsibility of it for a few days. I noticed she kept touching it today as if to make sure it was still there. Every woman should have such a fear.”
“Is she in her room now?”
“Yes.” Regina came around his desk and pecked him on the cheek. “See you tomorrow at breakfast. It’ll be our last one before you’re a married man.”
Lucca detected a distinct wobble in her voice. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are. You’re going to a new place to start a new life with the woman you adore. That’s the way it should be.”
She dashed out of his office. He would have gone after her, but he knew she wouldn’t want to be caught. Up until three weeks ago he’d been where she was tonight and every night before that. Grief needed no onlookers.
He rubbed his temples, then phoned the palace jeweler. “I have the item we talked about. It’ll be in your hands shortly.”
Once he’d buzzed his secretary and everything was taken care of, he realized he couldn’t put off talking to Alexandra any longer. He rang her room. When she answered he said, “I’m coming up now.” Afraid she’d find some excuse why he shouldn’t, he hung up and left his office for his bedroom. He needed to change first.
Alex gripped the phone a little tighter before she put it back on the hook. Something was wrong. He’d sounded terse. She checked her watch. It was after eleven. Normally he would wait until tomorrow to talk to her.
Somewhat anxious, she went into the bathroom to freshen up, but he was at her door before she could run the brush through her hair. Sensing his impatience, she hurried to the entry and opened it. He was dressed in black bathing trunks and a dark T-shirt, the epitome of male beauty.
She felt the full battery of those brown eyes examining her. “I need to talk to you, but not here. Put on your suit and come swimming with me.”
Her pulse sped up. “You mean, the indoor pool?”
“No. The one in front of the palace.”
“But I thought it was only ornamental.”
“During the day it is. At night when the grounds are locked up and no one can see me, I do laps to work out. Tonight I prefer being in the open. We’ll slip out through the south entrance.”
Just the way he talked caused her insides to melt. Being alone with him tonight wouldn’t be a good idea. She’d left her terrace doors open. The air felt as if they were in the tropics.
She put a hand to her throat. “Would you mind if we do it tomorrow night instead? I’m afraid I’m still full from dinner with Uncle Yuri.”
His face closed up. “You don’t have to swim if you don’t want to.”
Without spelling it out, he was insisting she join him. Somehow she knew she wasn’t going to like what he had to say.
“Give me a minute to change.”
He moved inside the sitting room while she ran in the bathroom. After donning her cherry-red bikini, she put on a cotton wrap that hit her midthigh. She exchanged her heels for sandals, then met up with him at the entry.
Beneath his black-fringed lids his gaze swept over her, missing nothing. They walked down the hallway not quite touching. Her heart pounded in her throat with alternating waves of excitement and fear.
The palace grounds were a fairyland. Combined with the lights from the yachts in the bay, it was like something out of an enchanted dream complete with her own tall, dark prince. But she’d never seen him this brooding or remote. She ached to find some semblance of the man who’d worked his magic over her for the past three weeks.
Where had the man gone she’d given the ring to earlier? He’d acted pleased, even touched by her gift, but maybe it had been a mistake. A turnoff because he didn’t want any tokens from her. It wasn’t part of their pact and she’d overstepped the bounds. Was that it?
They reached the edge of the pool, but Lucca hadn’t said a word yet. That, more than anything, made her feel as though someone had just knocked the wind out of her. She stepped out of her sandals. Needing to channel her pain with something physical, she whipped off her wrap and dived in.
Alex didn’t care if the excuse that she was too full made a liar out of her. This silence between them was something new. She couldn’t deal with it. At the end of her first lap he caught up to her. Her intention to do a second was impeded by his hand. He caught her wrist in his strong grasp. “Stay here.”
As she lifted her dripping head she saw a flash of pain in his eyes. What in heaven’s name was wrong? She could be forgiven for thinking someone close to him had died.
The quiet stretched between them, causing her mind to imagine other unpalatable possibilities. Tomorrow was his last day of freedom. In thirty-six hours they’d be married. Had it suddenly caught up with him that he co
uldn’t go through with this? Was that what he needed to tell her?
She was supposed to be the one who’d decided that this was all too much. Any other woman with a modicum of pride would have fled a bogus engagement long before now. But not Alex Carlisle Grigory who’d willingly been swept off her feet into an arranged marriage.
It wasn’t his fault he’d grown on her second by second from the moment they’d met until she couldn’t draw another breath without him.
Alex slowly eased her arm out of his grasp. Any other time his touch would have turned her insides to mush. Not tonight. He was in the throes of unutterable pain and her body sensed it. She had the sick feeling that at this moment the very sight of her repulsed him.
His hardened features had taken on a sculpted appearance, as if he’d been cast in bronze.
“Obviously, you’re in hell, Lucca. Say whatever it is you have to say.”
CHAPTER TEN
“WHEN I do, there might not be a wedding.”
Alex clutched the rim of the pool. She had never fought so hard to remain in control. “From your demeanor I assumed as much.” She swallowed hard. “Under normal circumstances engagements are made to be broken. That’s what they’re for, to see if both parties are ready for the big commitment. But there’s nothing normal about your life, which has been in crisis for a very long time.”
His rigid body seemed to tauten more, if that was possible.
“The ring I gave you didn’t help. It reminded you of your duty and made everything all too real. Don’t you know I understand?” she cried softly.
He breathed heavily. “That’s the point. You don’t.” His voice was gruff.
She edged away from him a few inches. “Maybe not completely, but give me credit for realizing what this news will do to your father and mother. I’d do anything for you, Lucca, but I’m afraid in this case I don’t know how to help you. This is a situation that needs the wisdom of Solomon to sort out.”
“His wisdom would tell us a marriage based on a lie is no marriage.”
Alex treaded water for a moment while she gathered her thoughts. “I agree, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. We were totally honest with each other. Regina knows everything. You said your parents are aware of the relationship with your lover, so what you just said doesn’t make sense.”
“Take my word for it, it does.” His eyes closed tightly. “There’s something I didn’t tell you when I asked you to marry me.”
“Lucca—if you’re afraid to admit you have a child with this woman, don’t be. The possibility did cross my mind. Is she afraid I’ll keep you from recognizing it or some such crazy thing? I’d never do that to anyone. After growing up without my parents, I’d do everything in my power to help you make sure your son or daughter was welcomed and loved.”
She heard a strange sound come from his throat before he smoothed his black hair off his forehead. “What if I told you there isn’t another woman?”
Alex was pretty sure her face had gone a paste color, but she refused to fall apart now. “Do you mean you and Carlo? Sometimes I’ve felt he didn’t like me, and I wondered if it was jealousy on his part.”
“Santa Vergine! I’m almost afraid to hear what’s going to come out of your mouth next. Obviously, that database in your mind has run through every possible conclusion except for the one answer not programmed. There were two reasons I lied to you.
“The first was because I owed my loyalty to Princess Sofia.”
“Of San Marino?”
“So you know of her.”
“Yes.” Alex’s love for Lucca had caused her to learn everything she could from Regina about the women in his life. She wasn’t proud of her jealousy, which had driven her to look up their pictures on the Internet.
“We’ve been friends for many years and our parents wanted us to marry, but neither of us were inclined. Recently she confided that as soon as I got married she would forsake her title and live her life in Africa doing missionary work, but we’ve had to keep everything a secret for obvious reasons. Until she told me it was all right, I couldn’t tell you.”
Alexandra’s chin lifted. “Instead you let me think she was a love interest. Why bother?”
She heard him draw in a labored breath as if this was the last thing he wanted to confess. “I didn’t want you to think there was anything more to my proposal than a business transaction that would be beneficial to both of us.”
Everything went dead inside Alex. “And that’s what has caused all this needless suffering?” She laughed at him before getting out of the pool. Within seconds she’d slipped into her wrap and sandals.
“Don’t you realize I know I’m the last woman any man would want unless he needs a consort within six hours? I thought you understood that, when we made our pact on the way to the airport. You didn’t need to pretend Princess Sofia was your lover on my account.
“When I think of all the needless hours I’ve spent trying to figure out ways to help you …” Her eyes glittered like silver shards. “Well, now that you’ve gotten that off your chest, relax! Enjoy your swim! As for me, I’m going to bed and spend tomorrow with my family. If you’re smart, you’ll enjoy the bachelor party Regina told me your friends have planned for you.”
She gave him the benefit of her full-bodied smile. “The next time we see each other will be in church. Hopefully we’ll both stay upright throughout the ordeal. You’re going to make a splendid king. Ciao, Lucca.”
As soon as she reached her suite, she turned white-faced to her bodyguards trailing after her. “Would you two mind staying in here tonight as a special favor to me? One of you can lie on the lounger on the terrace, and the other on the couch in the sitting room. If anyone tries to come in either way, and I mean anyone, don’t let them. Especially Lucca. It’s bad luck for him to see me before the wedding.”
She was thankful they’d be around till morning. Their presence would ensure she didn’t sob her heart out all night. It would take her until the day after tomorrow to recover enough to get through the ceremony. Once she and Lucca went off on their honeymoon, he would learn the true meaning of a business transaction.
“You look so beautiful I can’t believe it. That dress … The eggshell silk is perfect with your eyes, and the simplicity of it is pure genius on your figure.”
Lucca’s sister had come into her room at the last minute to walk downstairs with her. Alex had to admit the dressmaker had outdone herself. The cap sleeves and rounded neck were the right style for her.
“You’re tall enough to wear something that flows and flows. At times like this I wish I could grow about four more inches.”
“You’re ravishing the way you are, Regina.” Today she was in a filmy gown of the softest shade of lavender.
“I still don’t understand why the dressmaker didn’t fasten your diamond pin on it.”
Alex could have told her why. Lucca had taken it back. No more pretense. “I’m not worried. I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation.”
Regina frowned. “I hope so. My brother was in such a bad way this morning, everyone ran clear of him.”
“It’s called the bachelor blues. After his party he’s feeling trapped.”
“No, Alexandra. Something terrible was bothering him. He wouldn’t talk to anybody.”
“Well, he has to give a speech today. I don’t suppose he’s looking forward to it.”
“He gives speeches all the time. That’s not what’s wrong. You really haven’t seen him since night before last?”
“No. We went swimming and then we said good-night.”
If Lucca had tried to come to her room in the last thirty-six hours, she didn’t know about it. She’d purposely turned off the phones so there’d be no chance for communication. Her bodyguards had done everything for her. They were great.
“You look a vision, Alexandra!” Lucca’s mother exclaimed. She swept into the room in a full-length gown of pale blue. In her arms she carried Alex’s
alençon lace veil. Behind her came the hairdresser holding a case.
“What’s inside?”
His mother smiled. “Your own tiara. Lucca had it specially made for you to wear when you entertain and go to official functions.”
He hadn’t said anything about entertaining when he’d asked her to marry him.
“It’s lightweight so your head won’t ache. I think what he’s had done with the diamond is stunning, don’t you?”
The diamond?
Alex watched as the hairdresser lifted it from the velvet lining. The entire piece was so delicate and lacy it looked like a fairy crown strung with golden spider webs. There was only one jewel. The green teardrop dominated the center. Alex gasped, because the tiara was the perfect setting for it.
Once it was placed on her head, everyone helped drape the veil while the hairdresser secured it.
Lucca’s mother kissed Alex’s forehead. “You’re a blessing to this family. We love you, my dear.”
“I love you, too,” Alex said with heartfelt emotion. Both of them wiped their tears away before Regina announced it was time.
“You’re right.” Her mother nodded. “My son went ahead half an hour ago. If I know him, and I do, he’s waiting most impatiently for the first sight of his bride.”
His very arranged bride.
The moment was bittersweet for so many reasons, not the least of them being the absence of both her parents. Yet no one could have been welcomed into a more wonderful family than the Vittorios.
Lucca’s father would attend the ceremony, but arrangements had been made for him to leave if he felt too weak. This was such a huge day for father and son, Alex hoped Rudy would be able to see all of it.
It took an army of people to help Alex down the palace steps to the limo where her uncle was waiting. There was a stream of limos lined up on the north drive to take everyone to the fifteenth-century cathedral in the upper part of the city.
“What a glorious sight you make, Alexandra. I’m proud to be your great-uncle.”
Diamonds Are Forever: The Royal Marriage ArrangementThe Diamond BrideThe Diamond Dad Page 15
