Since they’d be flying to Paris and would be the target of the paparazzi, Christina had chosen to wear an elegant-looking white two-piece suit from her new royal trousseau. The jacket with sleeves to the elbow fit at the waist. The high neck was half collared and there were pockets on the jacket as well as the skirt. She wore the brooch above the left pocket.
It was the perfect lightweight summery outfit to wear while walking around the City of Lights. Low-heeled off-white pumps and an off-white jacquard designed clutch bag with gloves completed her ensemble.
She’d worn her hair parted sideways into a high bun with one loose, hanging side longer than the other. Two white sticks for her hair with pearl tips matched her pearl stud earrings. Christina hadn’t worn perfume in Africa in order to avoid attracting insects. Back home now, she used a soap with a delicious flowery scent. Her makeup consisted of a tarte lip tint. She needed no other color.
When she was ready, she walked to the door of the sitting room and knocked. “Antonio? Our breakfast is waiting.”
“Grazie. I’ll be right out.” His deep-timbred male voice curled through her. It sounded an octave lower than usual. He must have barely awakened.
She wandered out to the terrace to wait for him. Her eyes filled with the beauty of the Tuscan countryside. The peaceful scene reminded her of a picture in a storybook where the rows of the vineyard formed perfect lines. All around it the gold and green of the landscape undulated off in the distance dotted with a farmhouse here and a red-roofed villa there.
Too bad she felt anything but peaceful inside.
All of a sudden she sensed she wasn’t alone and turned to discover a clean-shaven Antonio studying her from the doorway wearing a casual summer suit in a tan color with a cream sport shirt unbuttoned at the throat. With his olive skin and rugged features, he was so gorgeous she couldn’t believe she was married to him.
“Buongiorno, esposo mio,” she said softly.
His blue gaze roved over her body from her hair to her heels, missing nothing in between. She’d never felt him look at her that way before, as if she were truly desirable. Her legs went weak because she hadn’t expected that look after he decided not to sleep with her last night. She honestly didn’t know what to expect.
“How are you this morning?” he asked in a husky tone of voice. A small nerve throbbed at the corner of his mouth. What were his emotions after having gone to his own bed last night instead of spending it in hers?
“I’m fine, thank you. I’m excited that we’ll be walking along the Champs-Élysées later on today. Aren’t you?”
A strange smile broke the line of his mouth. “Shall we eat while we talk over our itinerary?” A question instead of an answer. Something was wrong.
He held out a chair for her. When she sat down, his hands molded to her shoulders for a moment. Warmth from his fingers coiled through her body. “As bewitching as you were to this man’s eyes last night, I find the sight of you right now even more beguiling.”
Because of the way he’d been looking at her when no one else was around, she believed he’d meant what he just said. But she hadn’t been beguiling enough to go to bed with her. She decided to accept the compliment graciously instead of throwing it back in his face.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His hands left her shoulders and he took his place across the table from her. They both started eating the rolls and fruit. After drinking some coffee he said, “How did you sleep?”
“The truth?”
“Always.”
“Probably as poorly as you. I doubt that couch was long enough to accommodate your feet.” She was glad to hear a chuckle come from him. His eyes lit up with amusement. “When everyone sees us, they’ll think we’re sleep-deprived because of a passion-filled wedding night and they’ll be happy to think that a new royal heir could be on the way already. You know that’s what’s on everyone’s mind.”
He flashed her a piercing glance through narrowed lids. “But our business is our own.”
“Of course.”
After eating another roll, he sat back in the chair. “My mother left it to my father to give me some last-minute advice.”
That didn’t surprise Christina. “What did he have to say?”
“It isn’t what they said. It’s what they did.”
“I’m not following you.”
“Read this.” He handed her a note from his suit jacket pocket.
She opened it.
Dear Antonio, your mother and I want you to have the perfect honeymoon. We know you wanted to spend a few days touring Paris and the environs before the coronation next week. But we’ve thought of something much better and it has all been arranged. All you have to do is be ready by eight in the morning. A helicopter will fly you to Genoa, where you’ll take the royal jet to a dream spot for your vacation. It’s a place neither you nor Christina has been to before. As always we remain your devoted parents.
They weren’t going to Paris?
Her pulse raced. She’d thought there would be so much to do there and they’d have time to get to know each other while seeing the sights. Just what kind of dream vacation did his parents have in mind?
To be gone for a whole week together alone— It worried her that in a week’s time he might find out she was unlovable. That old fear never quite went away.
What was Antonio’s reaction to the news? Christina’s first impulse was to tell him she didn’t want to go on any dream vacation. But she couldn’t refuse to do the first thing he was asking of her, especially when it was a wedding present from the king and queen themselves.
“I can hear every thought running through your head, Christina. The look in your eyes is all I need to see to know this is the last thing you expected or wanted. If it’s any help, it’s a surprise to me too. The idea of our honeymoon being scripted by my parents at the taxpayers’ expense is typical of the lavish way they’ve lived their lives and expected me to do the same. If you still want to go to Paris, that’s what we’ll do.”
“And hurt your parents?” It took a courageous man to say that to her. She was touched that he would put her feelings first. Her watch said it was almost eight now. “No, Antonio. We have the rest of our lives to plan our own vacations when we can get away. I don’t want us to start off our marriage by alienating your parents. What difference does it make where we go?”
Something flickered in the recesses of his eyes. “Thank you for saying that. I like it that my new bride is adaptable and sensitive enough not to hurt their feelings. Have you done all your packing?”
“Yes.” It was a good thing Elena had done some shopping with her and had insisted on her buying a couple of bikinis. “You never know when you need beachwear,” her friend had confided. Maybe Elena had known about the location of the vacation spot her parents had planned for them and wanted Christina prepared for any eventuality. “How about you, Antonio?”
“I’m ready as I ever will be.”
“Then I’ll freshen up and meet you downstairs.” She got up from the table and hurried into the bathroom for one last look in the mirror. After applying a new coat of lipstick, she walked into the bedroom and noticed her suitcase was missing. She could count on Lindsay and Louisa to make certain her wedding things were packed and returned to the royal palace in Voti.
All she needed was her purse and gloves. When she left the bridal suite and started down the stairs, she discovered Antonio waiting for her in the foyer of the palazzo.
He stood there looking tall and heartbreakingly handsome. His brilliant blue gaze swept over her in a way that sent her pulse racing. “Will you accuse me of using a platitude to tell you how beautiful you look this morning?”
“Even with bags under my eyes from lack of sleep?” But she smiled as she said it.
“Even then,” he
murmured. A tiny smile lifted one corner of his lips. “As you said earlier, any onlookers will speculate on the reason why and consider me the luckiest of men.”
She took the last step, bringing her closer. “You’re good, Antonio. I’ll give you that.”
He cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“I think you know. Aren’t you afraid all these compliments are going to turn my head?”
The smile disappeared. “If you want to know the truth, I’m afraid they won’t.”
While she stood there confused again and wondering how much truth was behind his statement, Guido, his father’s chief of staff, opened the doors. “Your Highness? Princess Christina?”
Guido had addressed her as Princess. She’d better get used to the title, but the appellation was still foreign to her.
“If you’re both ready, your cases are stowed in the limousine. Your helicopter is waiting in Monte Calanetti to fly you to Genoa.”
“Grazie, Guido. We’re coming.”
She preceded Antonio out to the smoked-glass black limousine with the royal crest on the hood ornament. Guido held the rear door open for her so she could climb in, then shut the door. Antonio went around the other side and got in, shutting the door behind him. He slid close to her while they both attached their seat belts.
“This is nice,” he murmured, and grasped her hand. “I’m excited to be going off on a trip with my new wife. I only wish I knew where.”
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Your sister may have given me a hint, but I didn’t realize it at the time.”
“What did she say?”
“She made sure I bought some bathing suits when we went shopping. Did you pack one?”
“I’m sure mine is in my case somewhere.”
“Do you think Hawaii or the Caribbean? I’ve never been to either destination.”
“I have.” He released her hand long enough to pull the note from his pocket. “According to this, it’s someplace where neither of us has been before.”
“That’s right. I forgot.”
“Our parents probably collaborated. It ought to be interesting.”
“I agree. From what Elena has told me, you’ve been all over the world.”
He smiled. “Let’s put it this way. I’ve traveled over many countries without ever landing.”
Christina returned his smile. She’d taken many helicopter trips with Marusha into the more inaccessible areas of Kenya’s forested interior, so she was no stranger to the sensation of liftoff or landing. Before she knew it, they’d arrived on the outskirts of the village where their helicopter was waiting.
Antonio helped her out of the limo into one of the rear seats of the helicopter. He climbed in next to her while Guido placed their cases inside, then got in the copilot’s seat for the short flight to Genoa. Passing over the Tuscan countryside was a constant delight.
Once they boarded the royal jet with its insignia in huge gold lettering, Christina was introduced to the pilot and copilot before being given a tour. She was struck by the staggering opulence inside and out. To her mind, the platinum curving couches, mirrored ceilings and ornate bathroom were out-of-this-world outrageous.
With an office, a gourmet kitchen and two bedrooms, all extravagant to the point of being ridiculous, she imagined the plane that contained a cockpit meant for the emperor of the universe must have cost in the region of millions upon millions of dollars.
Antonio must have been watching her, because he said in a quiet voice, “Is there any question in your mind why our country is outraged by the unnecessary spending of my own parents? Papa bought this off an oil-rich sheik. When I’m king, I have every intention of selling it to the highest bidder and using the money to bolster Halencia’s economy and put more funds in your charity foundation.”
When she thought of the relief that money could bring to the Kikuyu people, she wanted to throw her arms around his neck in joy, but she didn’t dare with Guido and the steward in hearing distance.
After they sat down on one of the couches, Guido made a surprising announcement. “This is where I leave you, Your Highnesses. When you reach your destination, you’ll be met and taken to your vacation paradise. After the plane lands, you’ll be flown in a helicopter to your own private paradise. There’ll be no phone, television or internet service there.”
What?
While she sat there stunned, she could tell by the lines around his mouth that Antonio wasn’t amused either. “Guido? You’ve gotten us this far, but I refuse to travel any farther until you tell me where we’re going.”
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt to say that you’ll be arriving on the other side of the world in approximately twenty-one hours from now.”
“That’s not much help,” Antonio said in a clipped voice.
“I’m only following the king’s orders. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”
Antonio turned to her. “How about you, Christina?”
She had compassion for Guido, who was loyal to his king first. “I don’t need anything. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy your honeymoon.” He bowed to Antonio before leaving the plane.
In a few minutes the engines screamed to life and the fasten-seat-belts sign flashed on. Before long the jet headed into the sun. Once they’d achieved cruising speed, they got up from the couch and moved to sit in the lavish dining area where the steward served them a fabulous lunch.
“Don’t be upset with Guido. It’s obvious your parents’ big surprise is important to him and to them.”
One eyebrow lifted. “Twenty-one hours one way takes a lot of fuel. Round-trip means thousands more dollars being paid out from the public coffers. It isn’t right.”
She sat back while she sipped her coffee. “I agree, and I admire your desire to change the dynamics of the L’Accardi family’s spending habits. But for now, why don’t we decide to be Jack and Jill, two normal people who got married on a whim, and have just been given a windfall from their oil-rich uncle in Texas who wants to make us happy.”
“Oil?”
“Why not? When we return to civilization, that’s the time to start trimming the budget.”
When she didn’t think it was possible, he chuckled. “Jack and Jill, eh?”
She nodded. “One of the American girls from Texas at the boarding school had the name Jill, and her brother’s name was Jack.”
By now his eyes were smiling. “I’ll go along with that idea. What do you say we go to one of the bedrooms and watch a movie where we can be comfortable?”
Each bedroom had a built-in theater. She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I’ll find my suitcase and change my clothes.”
He reached across the table and grasped her hand. “I’m sorry you’re not able to show off that lovely white outfit in Paris.”
A warm smile broke out on her face. “Don’t be.” She wouldn’t forget the way he’d stared at her when he walked out on the terrace earlier that morning. Christina had seen a glint of genuine male appreciation in his eyes that brought her great pleasure. “We’ll do Paris one of these days.”
Feeling his gaze on her retreating back, she walked through the compartment and found the bedroom where both their cases had been placed. She took hers and crossed the hall into the other bedroom.
After putting it on the queen-size bed, she found a pair of lightweight pants in dusky blue and a filmy long-sleeved shirt with a floral pattern of light and dark blues combined with pink. It draped beautifully against her body to the hips.
The white suit went in the closet before she slipped into her casual clothes and put on bone-colored leather sandals. After removing the pearl tipped sticks from her hair, she exchanged the pearl studs for gold earrings mounted with star-shaped b
lue sapphire stones. As she was applying a fresh coat of lipstick, she heard a knock on the door.
“Antonio?”
He opened it but didn’t enter. “Come on over to the other bedroom when you’re ready.”
Her heart started to thud. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
* * *
Antonio had changed into jeans and a sport shirt. Normally he would have put on the bottoms of a pair of sweats and nothing else for the twenty-one-hour flight. But out of consideration for Christina, he needed to make his way carefully for this journey into the unknown. Their honeymoon was in the process of becoming a fait accompli.
He’d experienced two heart attacks already: one at the altar when his fiancée appeared in her white wedding dress and lace veil. The other attack happened this morning when he first saw her on the terrace ready for their trip to Paris wearing a stunning white outfit. When he heard her call out his name just now, he should have known to brace himself for the third attack.
“Enter if you dare,” he teased. Antonio had stretched out on the bed with his head and back propped against the headboard using a pillow for a buffer.
“Ready or not,” she countered, and came into the room. The incredibly beautiful woman dressed in blue appeared, and the sight almost caused him to drop the remote. With her shiny hair, she lit up any room she entered. How could he have ignored her for so long? The few phone calls and visits to her had been made out of duty. The busy life he’d been leading in California had included hard work and one certain woman when he had the time.
Thoughts of his future marriage for the good of the country had only played on the edge of his consciousness, as did the woman who’d been thousands of miles away in Kenya. He couldn’t go back and fix things, but he could shower her with attention now. They didn’t know each other well yet, but had made a start last night when their passion ignited.
Antonio recognized that he needed to treat her the way he would any beautiful woman he’d just met and wanted to get to know much better. He patted her side of the bed. “Come and join me. We have a choice of five films without my having to move from this spot.”
His Princess of Convenience Page 6
