The Heir: A Contemporary Royal Romance

by Georgia Le Carre

  She giggles. “I heard you’re the new editor of Fashion Rome. It is one of my favorite magazines.”

  “I’m afraid I’ve been the editor for such a short time, I haven’t done a single thing yet.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do a great job … that is, if you continue.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She looks surprised. “Surely, you won’t continue with the magazine after you and Dante get married, will you?”

  “Yes, I will. I want to work and Dante is fine with that.”

  Her eyebrows rise. “Oh.” Then she smiles suddenly. “We need to sit down and have a good gossip session.”

  Slightly taken aback, I stare at her. This is a princess, and she wants to gossip. She carries on looking at me expectantly so I motion in the direction of a nest of sofas and chairs, not really expecting her to take up my offer, but she immediately crosses in front of me and floats down into one of the winged chairs. I follow her and sit at one end of the sofa.

  “So tell me all about how you met,” she invites.

  My eyes widen at her directness.

  “You’ll get used to me. Everyone eventually does, though it takes some people a lot of time.”

  I laugh. “Yes, Dante told me about you.”

  She leans forward eagerly. “What did he say?”

  “Well, for one thing, he said you bring a breath of fresh air to the palace.”

  “He said that, did he? That’s very nice of him. And what else did he tell you about me?”

  “That you’re sassy.”

  She throws back her head and laughs. “An apt description, I must say.” Then she becomes serious. “So come on. Tell me about how you met Dante, but most of all how you managed to tame him when no other woman could.”

  “Well, I don’t know that I’ve tamed him.”

  She gives me a meaningful look. “I watched you arriving from my window and he looked pretty tame to me.”

  “He did?”

  She nods. “It is common knowledge that Dante sowed a lot of wild oats in his time and you’ve put an end to all of it.” She glances at me more closely. “In the beginning, I had a choice between the two brothers, but I couldn’t be hacked with someone as wild as Dante. I mean, I would never be able to relax. What if he went back to his old ways? No, Linnus is much more my speed. Besides I wasn’t that special person to make a man like Dante stop whoring and settle down.”

  I touch my stomach. “Well, I don’t think I am either, but he really wants to make this work for the sake of the child.”

  “It doesn’t matter why, I’m just so glad you’re going to be a part of the family.” Even though we are the only people in the room she leans forward and whispers conspiratorially. “Linnus’s parents are so stuffy. It’s like they are caught in a time warp.”

  “But I read they are one of the most progressive royal families in Europe.”

  “No, that is not a word I would use on them. Not that I dislike either one of them. Far from it. I like them very much, but they wouldn’t know what progressive was if it sat up and slapped them with a wet fish.”

  “Oh! Can you tell me about them? What they’re like?”

  Her eyes run down my body. “They’ll like you; I’m certain of it, though neither of them likes to show any emotion in public. When I first got here I wondered if they had sex with all their clothes on.”

  My eyes widen. I definitely did not want to gossip about Dante’s parents in this way. “I suppose they have their traditions and responsibilities to live up to.”

  “You can say that again. They certainly keep their traditions going.” She laughs. “Just promise me something.”

  “What?”

  “Once you’re married to my brother-in-law, please don’t change and become like everyone else in this palace.”

  “I’ll certainly try.” I look into her eyes. “Seems you managed that just fine.”

  “I’d like to think so. I’ll kill myself before I become one of the walking dead around here.”

  I laugh. “If you don’t mind my asking are you also from a royal background?”

  “I don’t mind at all.” She sighs. “My father is a Count.”

  “A Count?”

  “Minor royalty, I suppose. But my father never much considered that important.” She raises her eyes to meet mine. “I hope you don’t hold it against me.”

  I gaze at her surprised. “Why would I do such a thing?”

  “Inverse snobbery is very fashionable these days. Talking about fashion, how would you like to go shopping tomorrow afternoon?”

  “Shopping?”

  “Why not? Avanti is a tiny country, but we have excellent stores. Nearly anything you’d ever want is right here.”

  “Uh … it’s just I don’t know what plans Dante has made.”

  She laughs as if I have said something really funny. “Dante wouldn’t have made any plans for tomorrow afternoon. He knows that you have to get ready for the ball.” She frowns. “Did you bring something for the ball?”

  “Yes, I brought a dress.”

  She springs up. “Show me.”

  I go to the walk-in closet with her following closely behind. I open the cupboard and take out my dress. It’s made of black lace, with floral appliqués across the bodice.

  She frowns. “Well, it’s very nice, but I’m afraid it won’t be grand enough. You’re the guest of honor.”

  I look at the dress that I had thought would be perfect because of its simplicity.

  “Don’t worry. I know just the place we can get something awesome for you.”

  I take my time hanging the dress back in the closet while I decide what is the best way to handle the situation. Judging by the fact that she is wearing the latest Gucci dress while she is technically at home, a shopping expedition with her will definitely be more expensive than I can afford. I turn back. “I … er … ”

  “What?” she asks, her bright eyes round with curiosity.

  To my relief, I am saved by a knock at the door. “Rosa, are you there?” Dante calls.

  We walk back into the bedroom. “Yes, come on in.”

  “Hey, Cassandra,” Dante says as he walks in.

  “It is good to see you again, Dante.”

  “Likewise.” He turns to me. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Cassandra and I are just becoming acquainted”

  “I’m trying to persuade your fiancée to take a shopping trip with me tomorrow afternoon. We need to get her a suitable ball gown, but she is reluctant because she doesn’t know what you have planned for her.”

  He turns to look at me. “Yes, go get something lovely for yourself. Just put everything on my account.”

  Cassandra winks at me. “See how easy that was. Right. I’ll see you at 2 p.m. tomorrow?”

  Chapter 27

  Rosa

  “How’s your horse?” I ask as soon as the door closes.

  “I didn’t know if he would be distant with me because I haven’t seen him in two years, but he was ecstatic to see me again.” He takes my hand, and sitting on the sofa, tugs me into his lap.

  I snuggle my face between his neck and shoulder, amazed at how perfect it feels to be so close to him. “So tell me how he reacted.”

  His arms circle my waist. “Even though he is sick, he was so excited to see me he was like a damn puppy. He kept pawing the ground, neighing, and trying to get up on his hind legs.”

  I look up into his eyes. “Will he get better?”

  He nods. “I think so.”

  “Good.” I wriggle to get comfortable.

  “Are you looking for trouble, young lady?” he asks lazily.

  I stop wriggling. “No. I was trying to get comfortable. You are too hard.”

  “Damn right. I’m hard. I’ve got your delicious bottom on my dick.”

  I look up at him from beneath my lashes. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I’m with Dante. “You know we can’t do it now. Anyone could walk in on us.”
<
br />   He sighs. “Yeah, it’s one of the worst things about living in the palace. Staff every-fucking-where you look.”

  I shrug. “The staff thing doesn’t bother me, but the way people treat you is different than I expected.”

  “In what way?”

  “Captain Anderson, for instance. His attitude towards you back in Rome was that of a pilot addressing his employer, but once we landed here, I noticed he was much more subservient to you.”

  He shrugs. “It didn’t really occur to me, but I suppose it’s because they refuse to accept that I have given up the title of Crown Prince.”

  I let my finger slide down his throat. “You gave up being a Prince to become a playboy in Rome?”

  “Not exactly. I guess I was rebelling. I wanted to get away from all of it.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “Can we talk about this later? It’s almost time for dinner and dinner is always formal so we’ll have to get dressed.”

  “I brought something formal.”

  “Good. There are a couple of other things I need to tell you.”

  “Like what?”

  “Dinner time protocol.”

  “You mean I won’t be able to eat my peas with my knife?”

  He grins. “I would have loved to have seen that, but since peas are never served except as a cream soup …”

  I nod. “And even I know better than to eat my soup with a knife.”

  “You will be meeting my parents over aperitifs. I will introduce you to my stepmother first. Give her a small curtsy, she likes that, but don’t make it theatrical. Cassandra calls her Linny, but do not use that nickname, unless she asks you to. Address her as Her Majesty.”

  “What’s your stepmother like?”

  He doesn’t have to think. “Cold. She’s a very cold woman.”

  “Oh.” I look at him surprised. “You don’t like her?”

  “I don’t know her. Less than a year after my father married her, I was sent off to live with my uncle.”

  “Why were you sent to live with your uncle?”

  “Because my father didn’t want the trouble. When he married Linnea she was already pregnant with Linnus and I guess he just wanted a new start. He didn’t want reminders of his old life and I was a big reminder. I have her eyes and hair color.”

  “How old were you then?”

  “Seven.” There is no sadness, no expression at all in his face, but in my mind’s eyes I can see him as a small child. How confusing it must have been for him to lose his mother and then be abandoned by his father. All the wealth and splendor must have seemed like a mockery.

  “I see,” I say thoughtfully. Looks like there may be undercurrents of resentment running deep in this family.

  “When you are first introduced to my father,” Dante continues, “just bow from the neck. I’m not sure if he will or not, but he may shake your hand. At any rate let them make the first move.”

  “I can do that.”

  “You’ll also meet my brother, Linnus, who is about your age. No need for formalities there. He’s not a stickler for tradition and will probably shake hands. You’ve already met Cassandra.”

  I nod. “I liked her.”

  “After this a servant will escort you to your chair and seat you. Thank him with a nod, nothing more.”

  “Sounds simple, so far.”

  “Usually, there is little conversation during the meal. However, my parents may ask you a few questions. Answer them directly and simply. Once the final plate has been cleared we will head to the drawing room where coffee will be served. There could be some lively discussions, often led, as you probably guess, by Cassandra.”

  “All right.”

  “Anything you want to ask?”

  “Nope, I will most probably keep my head down and say little.”

  “If you forget to do some of the things I told you it’s no big deal, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  There is a knock on the door and Dante sighs. “God, I remember now how much I hate palace life. There is simply no privacy at all.”

  “Yes?” I say.

  “It’s Elsa. I came to help you dress for dinner … if that’s satisfactory.”

  “Someone is going to help me to dress?” I whisper.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll help you undress,” he says with a wicked smile.

  I scramble out of his lap. “Er … of course, Elsa. Come on in.”

  She opens the door and enters holding aloft my freshly pressed clothes. She curtsys and bows her head respectfully when she spots Dante. “I’ll just hang these clothes up.” Head bent she makes for the closet.

  Dante unfurls himself from the sofa. “I’ll come by a few minutes before 8 p.m. to escort you to the dining room.”

  “Okay, see you then.”

  He gives me a kiss on the cheek and walks to the door. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

  “May I ask you something, Elsa?” I say when she comes back into the room.

  “Of course, Miss Winchester.”

  “How on earth do you plan to help a twenty-six-year old adult dress?”

  Elsa giggles then covers her mouth in mortification at her own lack of decorum. “I’m sorry.”

  “Elsa. I’m not a Princess. Please can you relax and just be normal around me.”

  “My job is to fetch things and help you with your hair,” she says primly.

  I sigh. I’m not going to get through to her.

  “Which dress would you like to wear tonight?” she asks.

  “The blue one.”

  “It is the nicest one,” she says softly.

  I smile at her. “Thank you. I spent a long time choosing it, and I love it.”

  Certainly, I have never bought something so expensive. It is even more expensive than the ball gown since I didn’t know how much use I would get out of that, but I knew I’d use this one many times. I so blew two months of salary on it. The floor-length, sleeveless, structured Alexander McQueen has a slit in the back, which means the velvet dress could follow the shape of my body from neck to toe.

  Elsa carefully removes the dress from the wooden hanger and helps me pull it over my head. She straightens it here and there before sliding up the hidden zipper in the back.

  “You look very beautiful in it,” she says sincerely.

  I turn and look at my side profile in the mirror and decide I am happy with what I see. Elsa helps me put my hair up. Then I paint my face and don a pair of dark blue velvet heels. Once Elsa leaves, I realize I still have half-an-hour to kill before Dante comes to take me down to dinner. Instead of sitting around stewing I call Star.

  “Guess what?” she cries excitedly.

  “What?”

  “We’ll be flying into Switzerland tomorrow. Nikolai has a business meeting. I’ll just be across the border from you. Shall we meet up on Sunday?”

  “Yes, absolutely. I’d love to see you again.”

  “Great. I’ll talk to Nikolai and find out what his schedule is like. Even if he can’t join us we can still meet up. I am dying to hear everything that is happening with you. Besides, I want to see how much your belly has grown.”

  I laugh. “You’ll be very disappointed. It has not grown at all.”

  “No?”

  “Sorry. Although, wearing the dress I am in tonight I am glad it hasn’t.”

  “Oh, are you in your Alexander McQueen?”

  “Just about. It is a bit tight around the belly, but if I don’t eat too much and suck it in all night it’ll be all right.”

  She laughs. “Oh, Rosa. I just can’t wait to see your baby.”

  “You’ll laugh, but I’ve started to really want it too. I mean like really want it. The other day I even thought of taking a year off and just enjoying being a mother.”

  “Well, quite frankly. You can be an editor anytime, but that first year in a baby’s life is so precious. If you miss something it will be gone forever.”

  “Let’s se
e what happens. I won’t decide anything right now.”

  “Hang on, someone is calling me.”

  “Listen just go, because I have to call Cindy, or she has sworn never to speak to me again.”

  I ring off and FaceTime Cindy. It’s her day off so she kicks off her shoes, and orders me to tell her everything, which I gladly do. The time flies while I regale her with all my news. Before I know it, Dante is knocking lightly on the door. “Got to go. I’ll call you when I get back to Rome. Mwaaaah.”

  “Bye baby. Have a wonderful time,” she sings before I ring off.

  Chapter 28

  Rosa

  So it’s time to meet the parents. The butterflies take residence once more in my tummy. “Come in,” I call.

  Dante opens the door, then stops in his tracks. My mouth dries at the sight of him. If Dante is not the most beautiful man on earth, I don’t know who is. In a dark suit he is enigmatic and mysterious.

  “Jesus, Rosa. You expect me to sit through dinner while you look like that?”

  “What are you talking about? I am totally covered.”

  “Oh fuck! You have no idea. That dress just screams fuck me.”

  “Stop being such a pervert. This dress does not scream fuck me.”

  “Everything you wear screams fuck me.”

  I lick my lips. “Well, if you come around after dinner I could do something about your affliction.”

  “You could?”

  “I’m sure I could prescribe something that could take away the pain.”

  His smile is very wicked. “Thank you, Doctor Winchester.”

  “You’re welcome, Your Royal Highness.”

  He holds his arm out. “Ready?”

  I slip my arm through his.

  Rather than turning left as we come out the door and retracing the steps we’d taken to reach my room, Dante leads me to the right, down a hallway with carpeting so thick I feel like I’m sinking into it. It’s a dark blue while the walls are more the color of a morning sky. Various official-looking portraits hang on the walls, all beautifully painted and displayed in elaborately carved and gilded frames.

  Dante turns to look at me. “Nervous?”

  “A little, well, a lot.”