Marco covered his lips though Antonio knew he held back a laugh. "You like her. Well that is an improvement. I hope she says yes then. Maybe Mom won’t demand you marry Sophia."
Her name alone made him want to curl up and run, which was exactly what he'd done when they were thirteen and his mother had introduced her. "Sophia?"
Marco nodded. "Didn't they tell you? She's in the castle, staying with us and still available."
Those sounded like his mother's words. There was no way he'd marry Sophia Venko, even if her own mother had been tossed aside because his father chose to marry Anna Camilla. Antonio was not the one to fix a wrong in the past with his own hand. "I'm sure she's hanging out with your friend Victor Amadeus. They seem friends now, and besides, she's the last person I’d ever marry."
"They are still friends." Marco continued, "She's been a possibility since you were thirteen. You must have realized that Mother would bring her here now in desperate times."
It was terrifying that his mother didn't realize that he’d never tie the knot with Sophia. His pulse quickened when he thought about Kristin's lips. It was past time he saw her and spent the day convincing her to be with him. "I'm going to see Kristin and tell her about this dinner, and then I'm going to keep her out for the rest of the day."
"Have fun. I'll entertain her friend." Marco nodded. "Because I'm the good brother."
“It doesn’t hurt that Renee is very pretty.” Marco still had two years until he would be forced to wed. He had time to have fun and sow his oats. Antonio did not, but it no longer felt like an executioner’s blade aimed for his throat. If he married Kristin on his terms, he'd have everything he ever wanted plus more. He had a mission and nothing was going to stop him.
Chapter 7
Kristin placed her pocketbook on a table near the huge bed and twirled around the bedroom. The crystal chandelier’s prisms shone brightly from the sunlight outside the huge balcony windows. The white comforter kept the bedroom simple though the gold encrusted paint shimmered in the sun.
This room was made for a princess. She swallowed and stared at the huge bathroom, which might be bigger than the old farmhouse she’d grown up in.
This was how the other one percent lived. She hugged herself and slipped onto the balcony then went to the door that the maid said connected to Renee’s room. She knocked and Renee said, "Come in."
Without a hello, Kristin pushed inside and studied the elegant pale gold and pink room her friend was in with her own private balcony as well. Kristin felt a moment of panic. "Renee, these rooms are huge."
Renee came over and pointed to the green trees and small brook outside their balcony doors. "Kristin, stop comparing. This rich, hot prince who trots the globe and can have anyone he wants has asked you to marry him. You are good enough and you deserve to be happy."
Only her best friend could sum up all her doubts and faults like that. They had clearly had too many bottles of wine between them. All her life she'd existed, but here she was in a fantasy. "I've never had anything like this."
Renee dragged her toward the balcony and pointed out the river in the distance. "Then it's time to start imagining that this life is possible and that you can have so much more than what you settled for. Adjusting insurance claims from your desk with the partisan walls was draining your soul."
Settled was a good word for how she’d been living, afraid to take a risk. Alone, determined to take care of herself. She was too young to be as bitter as her mother. With Antonio, she had a chance to share passion, which might grow into something more, but first she had to be happy with herself. "You’re right, I was settling—I had to pay the bills, though. But you know what? Even if I don’t get fired, I’m not going back. I’d rather take my chances doing something unexpected and exciting."
"It is if it steals your dreams then it's horrible." Renee swung open the balcony doors and pointed to the green hills, rolling river and birds in the sky.
It was a perfect day. “What if I don’t have any dreams?”
“Everyone has dreams.”
“I don’t. I don’t even really believe in love.”
“Dreams and love both exist if you just listen.” Renee then smiled and leaned against the rails. "Kristin, when is the last time you did anything for yourself?"
She crossed her arms and tried to think. She couldn't even remember the last time she had a haircut, to be honest. "I don't know."
Before Renee could say anything else, there was a knock on Renee’s bedroom door. They both went in and saw the young, dark-haired maid with her head down. "His Royal Highness has requested an audience with you."
"We're coming!" Renee shouted with excitement and waved at the maid, who nodded and left. Renee raced forward, but then called behind her, "Kristin, are you ready?"
Antonio. He was such a mystery. She wasn't sure what to say or think. The contract burned in her brain. If she thought for one minute he might fall in love with her then she needed to say yes. Despite her mother’s many warnings, perhaps Renee was right, and love existed. All the books she’d read made her think so. Today she had to find out. She sped up her step and joined her friend. "Yeah, let's go."
They ran down the hall and chased after the maid who kept walking faster to guide them. Soon they had the maid in a race, until they made it to a huge wooden door. The maid opened the door as she panted for breath, but Kristin swore the maid was laughing.
The moment she and Renee stepped inside, Kristin felt like she was in the ballroom of a royal palace. The chandelier was massive and the polished wood floors were made for dancing. The huge room held little furniture though there was a section behind a curtain where she spied chairs and tables. If the curtain was pulled back, the room might double in size to hold a few hundred people.
When she’d met Antonio at the hotel for her interview, she'd thought that place was perfect for a wedding. She had clearly been wrong. Antonio and his brother walked in the door opposite them that showed a large patio area closer to the river. Her heart sped up as she met Antonio’s deep brown gaze.
The instant he was near her, Antonio placed his hand on the small of her back. He nodded at his brother and another man with them. "Kristin, Ms. Brown, first this is my brother, Marco. And this is his friend, Victor Amadeus."
Kristin and Renee bowed their heads in unison. "Your Highness."
Marco stepped closer to Renee. "None of that. I'm the spare of the spare and my title is just a formality." He assessed Kristin with a smile. "You are both royal guests of our house and I expect you to call me Marco."
Antonio massaged her back so she turned toward him.She immediately asked, “How is your father?”
“Getting better,” Antonio said.
Kristin placed her hand on his heart and smiled. Good.
He pulled her a little closer to him. "Kristin, I was hoping you were free for lunch?"
"She's free!" Renee answered before Kristin could form a sentence.
"Renee..." She said automatically, but her gaze never left Antonio. He truly was handsome and she was lost in her desire to know him better. She nodded. "Yes, I'd love to go."
Antonio's sexy smile showed off his signature dimple. Unlike in the pictures she’d studied, this time it felt like that dimple was just for her. Her pulse quickened as he kept her close. He then nodded. "My mother has invited you both for a formal family dinner. She’s offered her assistance in ensuring that you're properly attired."
She blinked and swallowed. "What?"
Antonio widened his stance, as if bracing for impact. "When we get back, my mother wants to have a selection of clothes available in your room so that you may choose what to wear for dinner."
So he must know it was not polite to assume—how thoughtful. She'd have to work on winning his mother over if she stood any chance here. Kristin turned, shared a quick look with Renee, and then smiled at Antonio. "Please tell her thank you. I'm sure that will be very helpful."
She had worn her nicest clothes t
he day of her interview, and wasn’t sure royals ever wore the same outfit more than once. She hadn’t changed from her blue dress because she wasn’t sure what to wear next.
His shoulders slumped in relief and he gently patted her back. "Are you ready?"
Marco and Renee walked toward the patio area. Victor walked out of the side door without a goodbye.
Kristin stayed beside Antonio, their steps in sync, but she stopped at the door when she heard Renee laugh. Her friend leaned against one door while conversing with the youngest prince, who was doing the same thing on the other panel-style door. She swallowed guilt. "I feel bad about leaving Renee."
He kept his hand on her back. "My brother promised to take Renee on a personalized tour of Avce."
"Ohh. Wow. Really?" So they were both going to spend the rest of the day with a prince. Good, though she had the better end of the bargain. Antonio made her feel stronger, as if anything was possible, just from being next to him.
Antonio walked her to a huge door that must be the front entrance of the palace. Servants held it open for them. "This way."
"We're walking?" They went down a flight of stairs but she didn't see a car, a horse or even bicycles in front of the palace.
He pointed down the small green hill. "We'll be fine, and your sandals are flat. The village is still enclosed in walls that once protected it over a thousand years ago. I don't know about you but I need a little exercise after being cramped on the plane. They never make those pods big enough for comfort."
Good point. Two men in livery of gold and blue opened the black-railed gates for them and they walked down a small cobblestoned path. "Let's see this village."
He let go of her back, but offered his hand. She took it and they walked side-by-side with trees lining the road without any cars on it. A quarter of the way down he told her, "Tomorrow, we'll tour the gardens and plan a nice dinner on the terrace."
At some point she'd talk about that contract again. Right now, she let the sun warming the top of her head keep her calm and collected. "That sounds lovely." She glanced at him and he seemed quiet. She pressed her lips together. "So, how is your dad? Did he wake?"
“Yes.” His brown eyes had those flecks of green when he stared at her. "He woke."
Flirting was easier if the stress of his father’s health wasn't on his mind. "Oh wow, good. No wonder you seem lighter. Are you usually the quiet one in the family?"
“I wasn’t always brooding.” He traced her arm and stopped their walk halfway down the path. "I'm happier because you're here."
"You don't have to say that." If he kissed her again, she'd accept. She was ready to accept more if she was honest, but first she needed to know everything was okay with him and his family. "Is your dad going to recover?"
"I think so." He stopped smiling. "The doctors are still worried but more optimistic because he came out of his coma. We’re not to put undue stress on him until he’s fully recovered."
"You won’t. I'm sure you’re right that he has a real chance of being fine." He led her down the hill again. Her heart raced. "Can I ask a question? I thought you had two brothers?"
He tilted his head and slowed his pace. "Lucio is out of town at the moment."
"Where is he?" Her gaze narrowed and it wasn't because the sun was in her eyes, not completely. Something sounded off when it came to his brother’s whereabouts—but perhaps with the marriage decree, Lucio was out finding his own wife.
Without giving her a chance to really feel her surroundings, Antonio led her down a narrow cobblestone path. She slowed and took it all in anyway, because the ancient buildings from the village reminded her of a movie from the medieval time period, but people walked around in modern clothes as they talked to each other and on their phones.
Antonio’s voice caught her attention as he said, "Lucio’s birthday is nine months after mine and he doesn't want to wait until the last month and then worry he won't find anyone to marry."
Now that this was the topic, she’d ask more about why he chose her. Her pulse spiked, but she pushed forward. "Why did you wait until the last minute?"
"I didn’t know about the law until two months ago, when we came back to power. I certainly never met anyone I wanted to spend my life with." He settled his hands on her hips. The path to the village was dark, covered with trees that blocked the sun, though she knew people must be around. He continued to speak as it he didn't care the paparazzi might snap a picture. "My birthday is fast approaching and the law says I must marry to produce heirs."
Her lips tingled, and her heartbeat grew as she swung their hands in the air. "Which is why you advertised for a secretary—to see if there was anyone out there that might be a good fit."
He tugged her closer. "Kristin, about that..."
"It's okay," she interrupted but stayed near his massive wall of muscles. She couldn't meet his gaze as she said, "If I'd have known the position was to be your wife, I'd have probably filled it out as some sort of joke."
"So would most." It sounded like ice laced his words. He'd not kiss her here, not in this mood. Instead he led her inside the village.
They passed a bakery that made the street smell sweet as sugar cookies and people talked to their families or carried packages, like any town.
She then stopped and stared at a huge church she recognized from online, but the pictures hadn't done the place justice. In Avce, the church was supposedly built on the spot where the Virgin Mary made it snow in the middle of summer as a miraculous sign. Now stood a medieval steeple, but the walls were older and columns gave away the roman architectural style of the base. She touched the cold marble wall. "This cathedral is beautiful."
He brushed his hand on the stone next to hers. "This is the place where Mary blessed my family and told us to build a cathedral by making it snow only on this holy ground."
She had read that online, but she wanted him to tell her more. Kristin had read that the church was called Our Lady of the Snow. The article claimed that in the middle of summer the Roman couple who wanted a baby asked Mary for help and she made it snow to show where to build a cathedral. Antonio's use of the word “us” made her wonder…but nobody could trace their ancestry that far back!
"I read about the history online when I applied for your job, since working for you meant I’d be spending time here. I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. Are you related to the Roman couple?"
“Yes. They are direct ancestors.” He slid his hands over the silky fabric of her dress, settling his firm grip on her hips and brought her close, almost nose-to-nose. Her heart was steady and sure. "You can see all of that and more, as my wife."
"I am tempted." She closed her eyes and let the feel of being in his arms sway her.
He then whispered, "Good, because I haven't started my persuasion yet."
His lips met hers and she melted. He was everything she dared dream of as perfect. Once he ended the kiss, she stayed in his arms. "Isn't marrying a commoner forbidden?"
“No, but if it was,” he kissed her cheek, "So what? I like forbidden fruit."
“But wouldn’t you have to marry a royal first?”
“My ancestors made no rules about that. In fact, a few of the supposed nobles got the girl pregnant first and if she had a son then they’d marry her.”
On the street behind them she heard people whisper and one of them called her a capitalist. At home, if someone insulted her, she generally avoided the person, but here she felt the conversation meant something else. She lowered her head. "I don't want to interfere with your local politics."
* * *
Antonio’s face was red, but he stepped away and led her into a market street where people were buying from shops on a cobblestone street. "I think you being an American will increase my standing in our local politics—but don't worry about it. What would you like to do or see next?"
If she was with Renee, they'd dash into the quaint shops to see what treasures were to be discovered. With Antonio, s
he wished they were locked in a room together. She wanted to intimately know all of him. But suddenly, she was unsure what to say so she patted her stomach. "Okay, I'd rather worry about lunch. I'm famished."
"This way then." He led her into a small restaurant. “This is Jaka’s. Don’t be shocked but we put dandelion in our salads here.”
That didn’t sound very extreme, but comfortingly familiar.
He opened the door for her. “And perhaps you’ll want to try something with chestnuts too.”
Fruits and berries would be staples of the past. Somehow she had to turn the conversation to their marriage in the here and now. It was time she took a chance—starting with something new for lunch.
Chapter 8
Kristin placed her blue cloth napkin on the table and smiled at the waitress who took away the empty dessert plate. Antonio had been attentive and sweet the entire meal. Through salad, pasta and chocolate cake—now she was hungry for more than food.
She ignored the buzz in her veins that begged for alone time where he might kiss her. The problem with a restaurant was they were in public and people stared at both of them. “I’m surprised no one is asking for your autograph or trying to get a picture with you.”
The server came to refill their waters. “The village is quite used to me at this point and my people respect my privacy as I respect theirs. Being royal is around-the-clock lifestyle, but then Jaka, the owner, of this restaurant also has around the clock responsibilities.”
Antonio stopped the server and asked, “Before you go, do you like working here?”
The waitress kept her head down but nodded at the same time. “Your Highness, Jaka has trained me in service, paying me so that I can support my family in the village. We are all voting for you to continue your reign.” She held the water pitcher tight in her hands. “Under the communist regime, I was stuck in the countryside, unable to support myself or my family on the allotted land no matter how hard I worked.”
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