by Kate Hardy
‘Luc, just go and do something useful,’ Elle said. ‘We want to talk to Kelly.’
‘No interrogation,’ Luc warned.
Elle rolled her eyes. ‘As if we’d interrogate someone who’s just promised to make us cookies.’
‘Susie grilled you. I’d expect nothing less,’ Kelly said. But she also knew she’d have to be really careful about what she said.
‘Cookies first,’ Giulia said.
‘In my kitchen,’ Luc said plaintively.
‘Ciao, Lukey. You don’t have enough X chromosomes to join us,’ Elle said, and together she and Giulia swept Kelly into the kitchen.
Luc’s sisters kept everything light until the cookies were out of the oven. Then Eleonora made a pot of coffee.
‘Right. We already worked out why he married you—you’re a cardiologist, and marrying you shows Babbo how committed Luc is to his job, because he’s chosen a partner in the same line of work.’ She looked at Kelly. ‘But what do you get out of marrying him? It’s clear you’re not a gold-digger.’
Kelly remembered how Luc had defined love, last night: physical attraction plus friendship. That worked for her, too. ‘I love him,’ she said.
Eleonora looked at her. ‘You’ve known each other for how long?’
‘Nearly two months. We met when he first came to work at the Muswell Hill Memorial Hospital,’ Kelly said. ‘Sanjay—our boss—asked me to show him round. And then we kind of fell for each other.’ Sticking to the truth as much as possible would mean less chance of slipping up.
‘You’re a widow,’ Giulia said.
Clearly she’d read the files on Kelly. Kelly nodded.
‘I’m sorry you lost your husband.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You must have loved him very much,’ Elle said.
‘I did.’
‘Two years. It’s a long time to be alone,’ Giulia said.
‘My friends and family felt it was time for me to move on.’
‘What about you?’ Elle asked. ‘How did you feel about it?’
‘Not ready,’ Kelly admitted. ‘But then I met Luc.’ And that was true. Since their ‘honeymoon’, they’d grown closer. A lot closer. To the point where they hadn’t quite gone back to being sensible.
‘So has your family met Luc? Or are you keeping this secret from them?’ Giulia asked.
‘They’ve met him,’ Kelly said. ‘They liked him. But we didn’t tell them about the wedding until last night, when we came back from New York.’
‘How upset were they?’ Elle asked.
‘They were upset at first,’ Kelly admitted. ‘And we both feel bad about that. But they understood why we wanted to keep everything low-key. I’m sorry if we’ve upset everyone in your family. That wasn’t the intention.’
‘Luc’s idea, was it?’ Giulia asked.
‘It was the least complicated option,’ Kelly said. ‘Except now I’m wondering if we should have told everyone first.’
‘Mamma is doing her Serene Swan bit and Babbo is frothing at the mouth,’ Giulia said.
‘I’m sorry,’ Kelly said again. ‘But I know how much Luc loves his job. And he’s really good at what he does. I sat in on some of his operations and he’s amazing to watch. He’s already made a difference to our department—he’s brought in new ideas and new training. He’s wonderful with patients and he even gives up his breaks to sit and reassure nervous patients. And he’s great with junior staff. He’s helping to train the surgeons of the future. That’s really important. And he wants to open a state-of-the-art cardiac unit in Bordimiglia in a couple of years’ time.’
‘But all his life he’s known that he was born to take over from my father,’ Elle said gently.
‘And he’s protested about it,’ Kelly said. ‘I believe your grandmother persuaded your father to let Luc go to medical school.’
‘She did,’ Giulia said.
‘And you, Elle, are already doing some of your father’s job—and Luc says you’re excellent. That you would make a much better ruler than he would. I trust his clinical judgement absolutely and I trust his judgement outside work.’
‘Even the elopement?’ Giulia asked.
Kelly winced. ‘We thought we were doing the right thing.’ She looked Elle in the eyes. ‘Do you think he’d make a better job than you would of running the country?’
‘No,’ Elle said.
‘So,’ Kelly said, ‘we agree on that. Giulia, do you think Elle would be a better ruler than Luc?’
‘Yes,’ Giulia said.
‘Then the way forward is obvious. I want to help Luc to follow his dreams and set up that cardiac centre,’ Kelly said. ‘I believe in him.’
‘So do we,’ Elle said.
‘I’m assuming your parents sent you to check me out,’ Kelly said. ‘So what are you going to tell them?’
‘That you’re a doctor,’ Elle said. ‘That you’re nice. That you believe in Luc.’ She paused. ‘But I do think Luc rushed into this—and that’s probably my fault, for telling him that Babbo has been talking about stepping down next year. It panicked Luc into making a rash decision.’
‘So you think he shouldn’t have married me?’
‘Not this quickly,’ Elle said. ‘He hasn’t given you a chance to see the other side of his world. You might find it too much to deal with.’
‘Like Rachel?’ Kelly asked.
Giulia looked surprised. ‘He told you about that?’
Kelly nodded. ‘I know he’s been hurt before. And I would never hurt him.’
‘I believe you,’ Elle said.
‘So will you support Luc?’ Kelly asked.
Elle spread her hands. ‘Right now I could happily punch him for being so impetuous and causing a row with our parents, but we all know his heart lies in medicine. Taking him away from that would be like ripping his soul out. He’d do his duty if he had to, I know. But I wouldn’t force him to do that.’
‘So where do we go from here? And what can I do to help?’ Kelly asked.
‘I think, just be yourself,’ Giulia said. ‘Our parents will calm down—as I’m sure your family will, too. We’ll get to know each other.’
‘But I’m satisfied that you care about my brother,’ Elle said. ‘You’re fighting his corner. And that’s what I want for Lukey. Someone who’ll back him but who’ll also see when you need to compromise and talk him round from being stubborn.’
‘Thank you.’ Kelly hugged them both. ‘Luc loves you. He talks about you with a great deal of affection and respect.’
‘We love him, too,’ Elle said. ‘So we’ll work on Babbo and make him think about the situation.’
‘Hopefully he’ll think it’s his idea to change things the way Luc wants. The way we all want it, really,’ Giulia said.
Elle smiled. ‘Welcome to the family.’
CHAPTER TEN
EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNING, Kelly’s mobile shrilled. She checked the screen, then answered swiftly. ‘Susie? What’s wrong?’ she asked. ‘Are the boys OK? Mum and Dad? Nick?’
‘It’s not us,’ Susie said. ‘It’s the news. Someone sent your wedding photo to the press.’
‘Luc’s family knows. His sisters are staying with us right now,’ Kelly said.
‘It’s not that, either. Kel, you need to talk to his press people. It’s what they’re saying about you.’ Susie gulped. ‘About Simon. How he died from heart disease and you’re a cardiologist.’
Kelly felt sick. The very thing she wasn’t able to forgive herself for. They’d homed straight in on it. And it wasn’t just her who’d be hurt by this—it would be her family and Simon’s family, too. ‘Do Mum and Dad know?’
‘Not yet. I’ll tell them,’ Susie said. ‘But you need Luc’s PR team to jump on it now. There’s no way you’re to blame for Simon’s death, and you kn
ow it.’
Kelly dragged in a breath. ‘I’d better call Jake, too. And I’ll call you back to let you know what’s going on.’
She flicked into the Internet on her phone, and the sick feeling increased. According to the news, ‘Dr Death’—meaning Kelly—married Prince Luciano in secret. And there was the picture of them outside the Clerk’s Office in Manhattan. Looking into each other’s eyes and laughing. How on earth had the press got hold of this? And where did they even begin to untangle this mess?
She knew Luc would be in the gym, where he worked out every morning with his security team. She showered and dressed swiftly, then went in search of him.
‘What’s wrong?’ Luc asked, putting down the barbell he’d been working with.
She opened her mouth to tell him, and to her horror all that came out were racking sobs.
‘Kelly?’
She held her phone out to him.
He read the story and wrapped his arms around her. ‘I’m so, so sorry. I never thought they’d stoop this low. I’ll get in touch with the PR team and get them to ask for a retraction.’
‘They’re calling me “Dr Death”.’ And how that description hurt.
‘That’s rubbish, and you know it. Think how many lives you’ve saved.’
‘My patients—if they see this, they’ll worry I’m not treating them properly, and the stress could trigger a full-blown CV event.’
‘Anyone who’s been treated by you will know how thorough you are and that this is utter rubbish,’ he reassured her. ‘I’ll sort this. Go and grab some coffee, and I’ll talk to my press team, Sanjay and the hospital press team.’
‘I need to ring Simon’s family. I never told them I got married to you.’
‘Call them, and if they want to talk to me that’s fine.’ He held her close. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll fix this. I’ll get Elle and Giu.’
‘Your family is going to hate me.’
‘No, they’re not. Elle and Giu will know immediately that this is all rubbish. So will my parents.’ He hugged her again. ‘We’ll fix this. Call Jake and make a coffee.’
It was one of the most horrible conversations she’d ever had. Jake reassured her that he and the rest of his family knew she wasn’t to blame for his brother’s death—and she was the one who had made him and Summer get checked out. But she still hated herself.
‘Congratulations on the wedding, Kelly. I hope you’ll be happy,’ Jake said. ‘Simon wouldn’t have wanted you to be alone.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, feeling guilty about lying to someone else. ‘And I’m sorry. I should’ve told you that I was seeing someone instead of letting you hear about it in the press.’
‘We’re not on his trial because of you, are we?’ he asked.
‘No. I asked him if he’d consider you, yes, but you met the requirements or you wouldn’t have been accepted,’ she said.
She called Simon’s parents next, feeling the same flood of guilt about not forewarning them. By the time she finished, Eleonora and Giulia had joined her in the kitchen.
‘Toast. Eat,’ Giulia demanded, putting a plate in front of her.
‘I can’t.’
‘You can and you will. The press can be vile. But none of this is your fault,’ Giulia said.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Kelly whispered. ‘It’s made trouble for your family.’
‘That doesn’t matter. We’re used to the press. You’re not,’ Eleonora said. ‘We’ll remind them of the laws of defamation and get your name cleared.’
‘How did they even know we’d got married?’ Kelly asked.
‘You sent the picture to the woman who sorted out your wedding dress. One of her colleagues saw it and recognised Luc—she’s a big fan of European royal families—and she leaked the news to the press,’ Eleonora said. ‘And they started digging for information about you. Unfortunately they decided to spin it a nasty way.’
‘That’s so unfair to Simon’s family,’ Kelly said.
‘And it’s grossly unfair to you, sweetie. Give it an hour and they’ll be singing a different tune,’ Giulia said.
Luc walked back into the kitchen. ‘The castle press team is already on it—they picked it up earlier but I didn’t see their messages. I’ve given a statement. Sanjay sends his best and says not to worry, Kelly—we’re all behind you on this. Though you and I are in a tiny bit of trouble with the department for sneaking off and getting married without telling them. We need to turn up with cake tomorrow.’
‘We can make cake,’ Eleonora said. ‘And you need to talk to our parents.’
‘I’ve already done that,’ Luc said. ‘Mamma was very definite about this being another good reason to get married properly instead of eloping. And that I don’t have the sense I was born with. And that I need to look after my wife more carefully.’
‘She doesn’t hate me for dragging your family’s name through the mud?’ Kelly asked.
‘You haven’t. It’s not your fault. It’s probably a slow news week,’ Giulia said. ‘Mamma doesn’t hate you. She’s not happy about the secret wedding, but she’s looking forward to meeting you.’
‘We need to make sure your family is protected, too,’ Eleonora said. ‘We should have everything cleared up today, but maybe they’d like to come and spend the day here, just in case anyone decides to doorstep them.’
‘I’ll arrange it,’ Luc said. ‘Elle, Kelly has two nephews around the same age as Alessio and Anna.’
‘I’ll call Riccardo and get him to bring them over. The flight’s only a couple of hours.’ She frowned. ‘Babbo’s meant to be in Paris. We might be able to get him and Mamma over. But if they can’t make it then the others will be here. And what better way to show the press that our families are united than to have a family party?’
Before Kelly knew quite what was going on, it was all arranged. As Eleonora had said, King Umberto and Queen Vittoria were due in Paris and couldn’t move their schedule, but Eleonora’s husband and children and Giulia’s husband would be there.
Luc was smiling as he told them, ‘Kelly, your dad is dying to practise his barbecue skills. I suggested everyone should bring their swimming things, so between us we can keep all the children amused. And you and I are going to take cake and bubbles to the paps.’
‘We’re facing them down?’ Kelly almost squeaked.
‘We’re charming them into seeing the truth.’ Luc looked at Eleonora. ‘I don’t suppose you can tell Ric to bring your best tiara?’
‘No,’ Eleonora said, rolling her eyes at him. ‘But yes to playing nice with the paps. Kelly, your father and I can join you as our family representatives, if you wish. And I’m sorry you’ve had such a baptism of fire.’ She patted Kelly’s shoulder. ‘Now, we have cake to make.’
This was surreal, Kelly thought, making cake in the kitchen with two princesses. But Eleonora and Giulia were down-to-earth, and by the time her family arrived she was a lot more relaxed. She introduced them all swiftly, and the women all bonded over making desserts and salads, while the men played with the children in the garden and sorted out the barbecue.
‘Do we call you “Your Highness” or “Your Majesty”?’ Susie asked Eleonora.
‘Neither. You’re family, so we stick with first names,’ Eleonora said. ‘Call me Elle.’
When Eleonora’s children arrived, it took all of five minutes for the children to become firm friends. Kelly’s new brothers-in-law were relaxed and charming.
‘You learn to grow a thick skin with the press,’ Eduardo said. ‘You can’t please everyone, and everyone on social media has an opinion. Unless you really are behaving badly and deserve what they say about you, take what they say with a pinch of salt.’
‘Though in this case they’re being unfair,’ Riccardo said. ‘So the press team will jump on them and put them straight. You’ll get an apology tomorrow.
’
‘Today would be better,’ Luc said. ‘And I think Kelly and I have a delivery to make.’
The photographers and journalists hanging round the far side of the gate on Luc’s road all seemed shocked at having cake, champagne and chilled sparkling water served to them by a prince.
‘Kelly’s family and mine are celebrating our good news,’ Luc said, ‘and we thought you might like some refreshments.’
‘That’s nice of you,’ one of the photographers said.
‘We eloped to try to get out of the speeches and hours of photographs,’ Luc said. ‘Which kind of backfired. But my wife is an excellent cardiologist. I’m sure you’ll all agree that if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, you won’t think there’s anything wrong with you or that there’s any need to see a doctor. And if it’s the sort of condition that only gets picked up by having electrodes attached to your chest and being hooked up to a monitor, it can’t possibly be diagnosed. There wasn’t anything for Kelly to miss. Just so you’re aware, the head of our cardiac unit has given a public statement saying exactly that.’
One or two of the journalists shuffled, looking guilty. ‘Sorry.’
‘I just hate to think that any of my patients have read the news and started getting worried about their own treatment. Stress isn’t a good combination with a heart condition,’ Kelly said.
‘I don’t think any of us thought about them,’ one of the photographers admitted.
‘You’re all trying to sell newspapers and make a living,’ Luc said. ‘I get that. But a lot of people have been hurt needlessly by the story. Yes, we eloped, and it hasn’t turned out to be the easy solution we thought it was going to be. But haven’t any of you been swept away in the heat of the moment?’
‘We all make mistakes,’ one of the journalists said.
‘Exactly. So enjoy cake and bubbles on us,’ Luc said.
‘Thank you, Your Highness. And we hope you’re very happy together,’ one of the other journalists said.
‘Give us a kiss?’ one of the photographers asked, holding up his camera.
Luc grinned. ‘We’re in the middle of a family party. We’ve been playing in the pool with all the kids and we’re not exactly dressed up for an official photograph.’
