by Cat Schield
After polishing off a second glass of wine and taking the edge off her hunger, she stared at the coastline as it passed. Ninety minutes on the water brought them to another harbor, this one shaped like a horseshoe with three windmills on one side of its mouth.
“Kioni,” Thasos explained with another wide grin.
Olivia sighed, wondering who was going to meet her here. Could she expect another taxi ride? Perhaps the plan was to keep her moving until she cried uncle. While Thasos maneuvered the boat toward the cement seawall that circled the harbor, Olivia gazed at this town. Smaller and less busy than Fiskardo, it nevertheless had the same charm. A few houses clustered close to the waterfront, but most clung to the side of the mountain that rose above this scenic harbor.
Everywhere she looked vivid purple and magenta bougainvillea vines brightened the whitewashed buildings or arched over the steps that led to the homes perched on the hillside. Silence descended as Thasos killed the motor and the light breeze brought the clank of cowbells to her ears. But she doubted the steep terrain was suitable for cows. More likely the bells she heard belonged to goats.
She stepped off the boat, helped by Thasos and another man, who claimed her bag for the next part of her journey. Olivia followed him for about thirty steps before she spied a tall, familiar figure coming down the street toward her.
Gabriel.
His white pants, pale blue shirt and navy blazer gave him the look of casual elegance. Her heart jumped in her chest as the wind tousled his hair. He slid his sunglasses up on his head as he approached and gave her a gentle smile.
He wasn’t in Italy proposing to the daughter of an Italian count. He was here and from the expression on his face, he was very glad to see her.
Thirteen
The unguarded expression on Olivia’s face when she spotted him made Gabriel the happiest man on earth. He was her white knight come to rescue her from the dragons. The fact that he was towing a donkey instead of a black charger hadn’t made an impact on her yet.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. “You’re supposed to be in Italy.”
He shook his head. “Italy? Where did you get that idea?”
“Stewart said you had gone to do something that would impact future generations of Alessandros. I assumed you meant to...propose to the daughter of Count Verreos.” She touched the corner of her eye where a trace of moisture had gathered and a ragged exhale escaped her.
“No. I came straight here.”
“Does Stewart know where you are?”
“No. I knew he wouldn’t approve of what I intended to do.”
“That’s why I don’t understand what are you doing here and why you dragged me all the way to Greece by plane, across an island by car and now here by boat.”
“I needed some time to prepare.” He grinned. “And I thought you might be less likely to argue with me if you were tired.”
“Argue about what?” she demanded, her gaze drawn toward the small donkey that stood beside him, ears flickering lazily forward and back. “And what are you doing with that?”
Gabriel patted the donkey’s neck. “It’s traditional for Greek brides to ride donkeys to their weddings.”
“Bride? What are you talking about...?” Her voice trailed off as she noticed the donkey came equipped with a riding pad covered with flowers. “You can’t be serious.”
She sounded aghast, but hope glowed in her blue eyes.
“I’m utterly serious. The church and the priest are waiting for us. All you need to do is hop on.” Seeing she wasn’t fully on board with his plan, he caught her around the waist and pulled her body flush with his, taking care to treat her gently. “Marry me.” He drew his knuckles down her cheek. “Please. I can’t live without you.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “You love me?”
“I love you. I adore you. You’re my world.” He peered down at her in surprise. “Haven’t you figured that out by now?”
She took his hand and drew it away from her skin. Her grip was tight enough to make him wince.
“What of your parents’ wishes? Have you considered the barrage of negative opinions you’ll face when we return home?”
“None of that matters. No one matters but us. I have two brothers, both of whom are capable of getting married and having children. There’s no reason why I have to be the one who fathers the next generation of Sherdana royalty. It was different when my father became king. He was the only direct male descendant. And besides, I think it’s time my brothers took on a little royal responsibility.”
A crowd of townspeople and tourists were gathering on the narrow street, drawn by the novelty of a decked out donkey and the argument between Gabriel and Olivia. The late-afternoon sun bathed the town in golden light, softening the scenery. The breeze off the harbor was gentle against Olivia’s skin, soothing her anxiety.
“Neither one of them is going to be happy.”
“I don’t care. It’s my turn to be a little selfish. We’re getting married. Now. Today. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
That he was ready to marry her despite her inability to give him children thrilled her, and she could no longer wait to share her news.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
“That you love me?”
“No.”
“You don’t?” he teased.
“Of course I do. But that’s not what I need to tell you.”
“But don’t you think it’s an appropriate thing to tell your groom on your wedding day?”
“Very well. I love you.”
“When you say it like that, I’m not sure I believe you.”
She leaned forward and slid her fingers into his hair, drawing him close for a slow, deep kiss. “I love you.”
His response was almost a purr. “Much better.”
“Now are you ready to hear what I have to say?”
“Yes.”
Their impending nuptials had certainly brought out the mischief maker in Gabriel. Or perhaps it was getting away from the palace and all his responsibility. Olivia made a note to kidnap him at least once a year and bring him somewhere with no cell phones and no television so they could get reacquainted.
“When I spoke with the doctor yesterday—” she gathered a deep breath “—he gave me some rather startling news.”
The wicked light died in Gabriel’s eyes. He grew somber. He caught her fingers in a tight grip. “Is something wrong?”
“No. In fact, I think everything might be okay in time.”
“How so?”
“He thinks that a fertility specialist might be able to harvest eggs from my ovaries.” She watched Gabriel carefully, hoping he was open to what she had in mind. “It would require finding a woman willing to be a surrogate, but it’s possible that you and I could still make babies together.”
“This is the most amazing news.”
Gabriel caught her around the waist and pulled her against his body. Dipping his head, he captured her lips with his for a long, slow kiss.
* * *
By the time he released her mouth they were both breathing heavily. Gabriel’s eyes sparkled like the sun on the water behind them. Joy sped through her as she realized she was about to marry the man she adored.
“Come on, let’s get you up on the donkey and get to the church.”
“Are you sure it’s tradition?” she protested, eyeing the creature doubtfully.
“Positive.”
Their parade up the steep street to the church was not the formal affair it
would have been in Sherdana. There was no gilded carriage pulled by six perfectly matched white horses. No thousands of people lining the streets to wave and throw rose petals at them. But there were smiles and hearty cheers as Gabriel lead the donkey through the heart of the town.
When they reached the church, Gabriel introduced his housekeeper, Elena, who took Olivia aside to help her into the modest knee-length wedding dress with cap sleeves and a large bow at the waist. A note from Noelle accompanied the dress, explaining that Libby had come to her a few days after Olivia went into the hospital because Gabriel was planning on marrying Olivia in a small island wedding and wanted a dress to suit the occasion.
So, despite his lack of contact during her hospital stay, Gabriel hadn’t accepted that their engagement was at an end. He’d still wanted her as his wife, even though his family and political advisers would counsel him to move on.
Awash with joy, Olivia clutched the note to her chest and stared at her reflection. Although the design was much simpler than the lace-and-crystal-embellished gown she’d have worn to marry Gabriel in Sherdana, it was perfect. As was the man who awaited her at the front of the beautiful Greek church.
Gabriel’s gaze never once wavered as she walked toward him, accompanied by the song of a single violin. There was no doubt, no restraint in his golden eyes, only possessiveness, and she reveled in his love.
He took her hand as she came to stand beside him and she tingled in delight. Elena and her husband were the only witnesses. The intimacy of the empty church allowed them the privacy to focus completely on each other and they exchanged vows in reverent tones. When they returned to Sherdana, there would be celebrations with family and friends. Until then, all they wanted was each other.
After the ceremony, they exited the church and encountered a small crowd. Apparently Gabriel and his brothers were well liked in the coastal town and when word got out that he had come to the island to get married, many had turned out to wish him and Olivia well.
They lingered for several minutes, greeting people and accepting congratulations until Gabriel insisted it was time he took his bride home. Laughing and shaking his head at good-natured invitations to stay in town and celebrate their wedding, Gabriel slipped his arm around her waist and began to edge out of the circle of people.
“My car is this way.” He took her hand and began to lead her down the road.
“Oh, thank goodness, I was afraid you’d make me ride the donkey back to your house.”
Gabriel laughed heartily. “It would take him too long to carry you that far and I can’t wait that long to have you all to myself.”
Once he got her settled in the passenger seat and slid behind the wheel, he sat sideways in his seat and regarded her intently.
After several seconds of his attentive silence, Olivia grew restless. “What are you doing?”
“Appreciating our first private moment as husband and wife. The circumstances of the last few weeks haven’t given us any time together and when we leave here, there will be public appearances and meetings demanding our time. I intend to spend every possible moment until then showing my beautiful wife how much I adore her.”
Being his wife was her dream come true. Olivia smiled. “If I’m beautiful, you have Noelle to thank for that.” She gestured to her wedding dress. “Have you really been planning this romantic elopement since before I left the hospital?”
“It was your secretary’s idea. She knows how stubborn you can be and came to me with a crazy plan that I should steal you away to someplace exotic and marry you.”
“Libby?” Olivia considered her secretary’s encouragement anytime Olivia had doubted her future with Gabriel.
“She helped me with the dress and arranged the church and the flowers.”
“How were you planning to get me to agree to run off with you?”
“By offering you a ride home in our jet and then bringing you here. You made things a lot easier by asking to see me.”
“Did Stewart have any idea what you were planning?”
Gabriel shook his head. “Stewart’s loyalty is to Sherdana. Libby’s loyalty is to you.” He leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss on her lips. “And so is mine.”
Olivia contemplated her new husband during the short drive to his villa, a two-mile journey around the horseshoe-shaped harbor. Never again would she underestimate his determination or his loyalty to her. He’d been willing to go against his family for her. She couldn’t ask for a better partner or soul mate.
Because they’d been delayed in town Elena had already arrived and was in the process of arranging a romantic table for them on the terrace high above the harbor. At Olivia’s prompting, Gabriel gave her a brief tour of the villa. In the spacious bedroom they would share, Gabriel drew her toward the window and they stared out at Kioni, its lights glowing bright as dusk descended. With his arms wrapped around Olivia’s waist and his chin resting on her head, he sighed.
Olivia chuckled. “Was that weariness or contentment?”
“Contentment. You will be hearing many more such sighs in the coming days while we enjoy some much-needed privacy.”
“We will have to go back eventually.”
His arms tightened around her. “I prefer not to think about that moment until it arrives.”
“Won’t the media come here looking for us?”
“In the past we’ve kept a low profile and the people who live on the island respect our privacy.” His lips trailed of fire down her neck. “Now, let’s go downstairs and enjoy our first dinner as man and wife.”
They returned to the first floor and accepted glasses of champagne from Elena. She gestured them out onto the terrace and retreated to fetch the first course.
“This is beautiful,” Olivia commented, admiring the simple but elegant scene.
With the sunset long past, the sky had deepened to indigo. A row of white candles stretched along the low terrace wall, pushing back the darkness, their flames protected by glass containers. More candles had been placed in the center of the table, their flickering glow making shadows dance over the fine white tablecloth, beautiful china and colorful flower arrangements.
Gabriel led her to the table and helped her into a linen-clad chair before taking his own seat beside her. The romantic lighting softened his strong bone structure and brought out the sensual curve of his lips as he smiled. “Here’s to following our hearts.”
Olivia smiled as she clinked her glass to his and marveled at her good fortune. She never would have guessed that she had to lose everything in order to gain the one thing she needed most.
Setting her glass down, Olivia reached for Gabriel’s hand.
“A few weeks ago your sister told me to ask you something. I never did.”
“Ask now.”
“She said we’d met before six months ago. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“But I don’t recall meeting you. And I assure you I would. Were we young children? Is that why I don’t remember?”
“It was almost seven years ago at a masquerade party. Given the host’s reputation I was a little surprised to discover the young woman I rescued was none other than Lady Olivia Darcy.”
Gabriel had been her savior. The man whose kiss had set the bar for every other romantic encounter she’d had since. “You knew who I was?”
“Not until after you’d left and Christian informed me who I’d been kissing.” Gabriel’s fingertips grazed her cheek. �
��When I kissed you that night, something sparked between us. I wasn’t ready to get married and you were far too young, but something told me you were the woman I was destined to marry.”
“But that was one kiss seven years ago.” She couldn’t imagine how a single moment in time could impact him so strongly. And yet hadn’t she felt the magic between them? Compared his kiss to those that came after? “And my father approached you about building a plant in Sherdana.”
“That’s true, but Christian put the idea in his head. My brother is very clever when it comes to business dealings and had an inkling of how much you interested me.”
“But you loved Marissa. You would have married her if Sherdanian law had allowed it.”
“I never wanted to marry Marissa. She was my way of rebelling against duty and responsibility. I loved being with her, but I know now that I didn’t love her. Not the way I love you.”
His lips found hers and delivered a kiss that managed to be both incredibly arousing and spiritually satisfying at the same time. Olivia was weak with delight when he set her free.
“I can’t quite believe all that has happened today,” she murmured as his fingertips worked their way along her shoulder. “When I woke up this morning I was cautiously optimistic. Now I’m happier than I ever imagined I could be.”
Gabriel gifted her with a smile of resolute tenderness. “And it’s my intention to do whatever it takes to ensure you stay that way.”
* * *
After disappearing from the radar for a week, and then reappearing with a glowing bride in tow, Gabriel had anticipated a media frenzy, but he hadn’t expected the capital’s streets to be lined with people.
