How To Propose To A Princess

If he weren’t paying off a debt while he hired people to search for his parents, he would make a donation. “I suspect you’re anxious to get busy, so I’ll leave you to your work and see you tomorrow at the end of the day.”

“I’ll look forward to it, dottore.”

He hoped she meant that because the last thing he wanted to do was put distance between them. “Buona sera, Princess.”

Thursday evening Fausta’s pulse was racing as she left her last patient and walked down the corridor toward the nursing station. But the doctor wasn’t there waiting for her and her heart plummeted to her feet. She couldn’t believe how disappointed she was as she approached the charge nurse. How could she care about him this fast? What was wrong with her?

“Do you still have the stuffed dog I left here when I came on duty?”

“No. Dr. Barsotti took it and said he would meet you in the cafeteria.”

After struggling to recover, she thanked the nurse and left for the cloakroom. Once she’d hung up her lab coat and pulled out the laptop from her locker, she was so eager to see him, she could hardly catch her breath.

A chuckle escaped her lips when she saw him seated in a stone colored summer suit at the same table as yesterday drinking coffee. What a gorgeous man! He’d propped the dog on its backside in the chair next to him, like he was a diner too. Her eyes met the deep blue of the doctor’s and they both laughed. He had an imp inside him that played havoc with her emotions.

“You were amazing to find this terrier for Tommaso, Princess. He looks like the dog painted on the book cover.”

“I think he does too.” She left her computer on the other chair. “I’ll be right back. What are they serving tonight?”

“I hear it’s chicken and rice, but I think we should give it a miss.” He took a deep breath. “If I asked if you’d consider having dinner with me elsewhere, what would you say?”

She cocked her head, causing that golden mesh to swish against her shoulders. “Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Asking me out to dinner?”

His adrenaline surged. “Yes.” Why not. This would probably be the only chance in his whole life to spend an evening away from the hospital with this stunning princess. Naturally she would have to be free of any commitments in order to accept.

“I’d love it” came the response, which astonished him again. She really wasn’t involved with someone? Earlier she’d told him there was no one, but he had to be sure.

“Are you honestly telling me there’s no prince in your future?”

“Nico—it’s true I’m under constant pressure to marry a prince on my parents’ short list, especially now that both of my sisters are married.” He knew it! “And of course, there’s continual speculation about my marrying a prince in the media. There will always be gossip. But in all honesty, I swear to you there’s no prince in my life and there never will be!” she said with such emotion, he knew she’d meant it.

Before he could say anything else, she blurted, “What about a woman in yours? How come you’re not going home to someone important this evening?”

“I date on occasion, but so far there’s been no one special.”

She smiled. “I’m going to take you at your word. Thank you for being truthful with me. Now that we have that settled, where shall we go? I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

“How about Babbo’s?”

Her heart leaped. He’d just invited her on a date. “I’d love it.”

“Then let’s go.”

As she reached for her laptop, he picked up the dog and they left the hospital.

Fausta couldn’t believe he’d asked her out and was literally floating as they walked the short distance to the trattoria. For a while she could be the commoner she’d always wanted to be, going out to dinner with a fabulous man who wanted to be with her.

This was the normal life she’d always wanted! The way the women stared at him during their walk, she knew they’d give anything to be in her place.

When they reached Babbo’s, Nico found them a booth and they both ordered lasagna. After they began eating, she asked, “How was your day?”

“Busy. A fifty-year-old male patient of mine had his gall bladder removed this morning. His surgeon didn’t want to release him until tomorrow. Though he should do well, I need to know if there are any complications before I go home.”

“Where would our world be without doctors like you? I know my father relies on his. We’re all indebted to him.”

Nico blinked. “What’s wrong with him?”

“A bad heart. These days my brother-in-law Prince Stefano is helping him more and more with the load.”

“I’m sorry he’s not well.”

She sighed. “I am too and shouldn’t have said anything. No one outside the family knows.”

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

Fausta finished her coffee. “I believe you.” She’d lost her trust in men four years ago, but somehow she felt she could trust this doctor who took her breath away and had a bedside manner that instilled confidence in his patients.

One dark brow lifted. “Did you find any new benefactors this morning?”

She welcomed the change of subject. “Not today. Maybe tomorrow. Fund-raising takes time, but I had such a wonderful afternoon with the children, I can’t complain about anything.”

“Nor I.”

Suddenly his phone rang and he answered. When he hung up, he said, “I was afraid of this and need to check on my patient now. Tell me something. How do you get home at night?”

“Don’t worry about me. I call for the limo. The driver will pick me up here.”

“I’m sorry I have to go.” He got to his feet and picked up the dog. “Do you work tomorrow?”

Her pulse picked up speed. “Yes. Tuesday through Friday.”

“Unfortunately I have a two day seminar that will prevent me from meeting you. If you’re free Sunday evening, I’d like to see you again.”

“I want that too.” Her swift response thrilled him. “When you come to the palace, drive around to the left entrance and I’ll be there waiting for you. Just name the time.”

“Six thirty?”

“That sounds perfect. Thank you for dinner this evening.”

“I’m the one wanting to thank you for coming with me.” After reaching for the dog, he glanced at her. “I don’t want to leave, but work calls.”

“Don’t apologize. I bet your patient can’t wait to see you walk in his room. I know that’s how I would feel.”

If she didn’t miss her guess, she sensed he would rather stay with her. Heaven help her but she hated that the evening had to end so fast. Sunday sounded so far away.

“I’ll see you soon, Princess. And I’ll make certain Tommaso receives his gift when he comes in for his checkup.”

“Grazie. A presto, dottore.”

CHAPTER TWO

NICO LAY AWAKE half the night. He kept seeing the princess’s incredible light blue eyes staring into his, holding him spellbound. The words that she wanted to be with him too haunted him throughout the two days of meetings. But his insecurity over not knowing who his parents were made him feel less worthy of her interest. It was hard for him to believe she wanted to be with him.

The women he dated on occasion didn’t come close to her kind of compassion or understanding, let alone her beauty. She was unique in ways that made him hunger to know her better. Much better.

On Sunday evening he drove to the fifteenth century palace and followed her instructions that led him to the side entrance. She stood outside the doors next to a guard waiting for him, dressed in a wispy blouse and skirt in a heavenly shade of hyacinth.

Her flowery fragrance filled the interior of his car as he helped her inside. Within seconds he drove his car out of the parking area and the estate onto the street.

“Fasten your seat belt, Princess.”

“I will if you’ll do me a favor and start calling me Fausta.”

“You’re sure?”

She let out a gentle laugh he loved hearing. “Since we’re going to be seeing each other more often from now on at the hospital, it sounds too formal. Do you mind if I call you Nico?”

“Do you have to ask?” It didn’t seem possible that they were on a first name basis. Excitement shouldn’t have rippled through him.

“What do you ask the patients to call you? That is if they don’t recognize you.”

“Even if they do, I introduce myself as Fausta, as I did with Tommaso. My full name is Vittoria Eugenia Fausta Rossiano, but I prefer Fausta.”

He filed that information away for future reference and turned onto another boulevard, but the traffic was heavy everywhere. “With your many responsibilities as a princess and fund-raiser, how do you have time to volunteer too?”

She turned to him. “Mamma has always said that charity never fails. By balancing my priorities raising funds for the homeless shelters Lanza is in charge of, I have time to volunteer. I envy my friend Mia for working at the hospital. When she mentioned a new volunteer program being started a few months ago, I jumped at the opportunity to indulge myself if there was an opening.”

“Indulge?” he asked, full of admiration for her willingness to serve.

“Yes. You don’t know how much fun it is to listen to older people talk about their past or read stories to the children when they’re too sick to do anything else but listen. Lanza has an adorable baby boy, Ridolfo. He’s eight months now and I already read to him. As you know, she married Prince Stefano of the Kingdom of Umbriano. Luckily they live here.

“As for my eldest sister, Donetta, she’s married to King Enrico of the country of Vallefiore and is expecting. I’m excited about another niece or nephew coming along.”

He smiled. “I remember reading in the news about their marriages.”

She nodded. “Maybe they’ll have a cute little girl or a boy like Ridolfo or Tommaso.”

“You made his day. I listened while you finished reading to him.”

“I’m the one who loved it. He asked a lot of questions about Pompeii, especially when I told him I’d been there and described some of the things I’d seen. He said he wanted to go there. He’s a bright boy.”

“I agree. In the beginning, did he recognize you as Princess Fausta?”

“If he did, he never let on. Children are wonderful. They don’t set up boundaries.”

Like you have, Barsotti. The fact that he’d even asked the question revealed his amazement that she continued to want to be with him. “I think most every adult has that problem who meets a royal like you.”

“It shouldn’t be that way. From the first time I realized I was born a royal, I fought against it and wanted to be a commoner. Though I can’t change my heritage, I live my life like an ordinary person as much as possible.”

That revelation came as a surprise to him. “Why do you feel that way?”

“You don’t know how difficult it is to grow up not having your father around when you need to talk to him. It’s not natural to have to make appointments to see him. If you want to know the truth, I wouldn’t wish my royal life on anyone.”

“I had no idea.” She sounded so completely serious, he had to believe her. Yet it still didn’t change his wonderment that she wanted to be with him.

“I guess you’ve already noticed I’m always ready for a meal.”

He grinned. “By the lovely look of you, no one would guess. I’m starving too. What do you like?”

“Anything. Surprise me. I’d like to see where the renowned Dr. Nico Barsotti goes for a meal after an exhausting day.” Renowned? “I’m always looking for a good spot to eat.”

“That doesn’t sound like you spend much time at the palace.”

He felt her eyes on him as he headed for the old part of the city with its narrow cobblestoned streets. “How many hours a day do you stay in the place where you live?”

Nico knew where this conversation was going. Once again he’d left himself wide open with a statement that showed how off the mark he was over the life of a royal. “I sleep there. That’s about it.”

“You’ve just described my life.”

Except that her world was full of activity he knew nothing about and wished he didn’t want to know. There was no way he could ever have a romantic relationship with her. Though she insisted there was no one and she was free to be with him, he believed her parents would eventually prevail on her to marry some important prince. Again, he reminded himself that her sisters had married royalty. Why would it be different for her?

“There’s a small restaurant around the next corner that serves one of my favorite dishes. Have you ever eaten maialino allo spiedo?”

Her eyes sparkled like blue diamonds. “Roast pig? I’m sure I have.”

“But this recipe is different and you’re in for a real treat.”

After a minute he found a parking space along the ancient street, but it turned out to be a tight squeeze between cars smaller than his. He slid from the car and hurried around to help her.

Soon people were staring at her, but she seemed oblivious. He noticed that men couldn’t take their eyes off her. No doubt they wished they were in Nico’s shoes as he ushered her inside Prospero’s, a small dimly lit cantina over two hundred years old.

The owner saw Nico and hurried toward him with a wide smile. He couldn’t take his gaze off Fausta. “Dottore—are my eyes deceiving me?” he whispered.

Nico chuckled. “No, amico mio. Prospero Gallo? May I introduce Princess Fausta Rossiano?”

“I knew it! Benvenuto, Your Highness!” He beamed. “I’ve never been so honored.”

“Just call me Fausta, Signor Gallo, and I’m the one who feels privileged. Nico tells me you make the best roast pig in Domodossola.”

Nico could tell by the way the owner seemed at a sudden loss for words that her compliment had thrilled Prospero. But after a moment he recovered and led them past several other diners to the best table of the house in the corner, where they were seated.

“We don’t need a menu, Prospero. Just some white wine and your wife’s rigotoni alla carbanara to go with the maialino allo spiedo followed by coffee.”

“Al vostro servizio, Nico.” His gaze switched to Fausta. “Princess,” he murmured before hurrying to the kitchen, unable to call her by her first name.

By now the staff had to be aware of their illustrious visitor. Nico knew that a visit from a member of the royal family had made Prospero’s night. Being with her had made Nico’s night and he intended to enjoy it to the fullest.

“The owner is charming. Has he been a patient of yours?”

“No. We met in an entirely different way. When I moved to Domodossola eighteen months ago and joined the hospital staff, I asked around to find out what restaurants served roast pig. I tried several places, but they were a disappointment. Then I came to Prospero’s and now I never go anywhere else when I’m in the mood for it.”

“Why is that dish so special to you?” She’d just sipped the wine one of the waiters had brought to their table. Her lips glistened from the liquid, causing him to think thoughts he shouldn’t be having, like how she would taste right now if he were to kiss her. His instant attraction to her was growing in leaps.

He drank some of his. “They use an old recipe that reminds me of the years I lived in Biella.”

Her eyes searched his. “You mean Biella, Italy?”

“Have you been there?”

“Once years ago, with my mother and sisters. Mamma loved it because it was hilly with old castellos she’d visited as a child. As I recall, we had lunch there with a friend of my father’s cousin. I remember walking up the steep, narrow streets to the citadel.”

“I did it many times myself.”

“So you’re Italian! You must be here on a visa. Now that you’re a doctor here, do you think in time you might apply for Domodossolan citizenship? Quite a few people from other countries hold dual citizenship.”

“That’s true—”

But before he could answer her question, Prospero brought their food to the table. He nodded to Nico then said, “Buon appetito, Princess.”

“Grazie, signor. It looks delicious. So does the rigotoni alla carbanara.”

Nico eyed her after Prospero walked away. “He cooks the meat. His wife makes the pasta with guaciale.”

She looked surprised. “Doesn’t that mean ‘cheeks’?”

He chuckled. “In this case pig’s cheeks. Normally the pasta is made with pancetta, but the meat is too crisp. Guaciale melts in your mouth.” All the time they talked, he couldn’t stop admiring the mold of her face and the way her eyes danced. There wasn’t another woman like her in existence and he didn’t want this evening to end.

The waiter brought coffee as they started eating. After a few minutes she leaned toward Nico. “This food is divine. How do you know all this? Were you a five-star chef before you became a doctor?”

“Not exactly. From the age of twelve to eighteen I was a pig farmer on an estate on the outskirts of Biella before and after school.”

“You’re kidding!” she cried with excitement. “You got to play with all the little piglets?”

Her comment tickled him. “You like pigs?”

She smiled. “Yes! Sometimes my sisters and I would visit a pig farm on the palatial estate and I always wanted to take one home and turn it into a pet like my rabbit. My parents forbade it, but—Oh, they’re so adorable!”

So was she. Already Nico realized he was falling hard for her. “For the most part they’re well behaved as long as you don’t separate them from the sow. There were times when I had to help a runt so it would thrive, and the vet would come. They have to be given antibiotics to prevent infection, and you have to put iodine on their navels. But sometimes the runts died. That was the hard part.”

“How sad that must have been for you. When the wild rabbit I found and nursed back to health eventually died, it took me a long time to get over it. I’m surprised you didn’t become a vet.”

Nico finished his wine. “There was another experience earlier in my life that influenced me to go into a different kind of medicine, but I’ll never regret my time on that farm.”

“I think you were lucky.”

“For many reasons I agree.” Right now I’m the luckiest man on the planet. “The family I lived with were good to me and cooked roast pig at least twice a week. We ate well, which was a blessing because I was always hungry. Whenever I get homesick for those days, I come here to eat.”

“I can see why. Do you ever go back to Biella?”

He was flattered and humbled by her interest in his life, as if she really wanted to know. “About every two months since I moved here. I enjoy the trip and visit friends, some of whom need medical help.”

“How fortunate for them to have you looking after them.” After she’d finished her meal, she swallowed the rest of her wine. “Where is your family?”

The inevitable question, reminding him of the separation between them. For a little while he’d forgotten. After sitting back, he studied her through narrowed lids. “I’ve been wanting to know the answer to that question since my first remembrance of life.”

She studied him. “I don’t understand.”

“Someone like you whose royal pedigree goes back thousands of years would have a hard time relating.”

“Please can’t you forget my background and just talk to me like I’m a normal woman?” she persisted. Her endearing sincerity got to him.

Nico slowly drank his hot coffee. “I’m here on a temporary visa that has to be renewed on a regular basis. I have no idea of my true nationality, which is why I couldn’t answer your question about citizenship.”

A slight frown marred her brow. “But your parents—”

He lowered his cup. “I think around five years of age I must have asked someone where my mamma was because there was a painting of the bambino Gesu with his mamma in the big room.

“Apparently I understood some Italian and remember a lady in black patting my head. ‘Only God knows, figlio mio. While you are here, we shall call you Nico.’ Later I learned I’d been placed there with the nuns at the age of two, but I have no memory of it. The orphanage is in a village near Biella.”

A look of compassion and other emotions less definable pooled in the celestial blue eyes of the princess.

“Now I’ve told you more than I’ve told anyone else in years. You have that rare quality of being a good listener. I’m not surprised you were hired as a volunteer. The sick children won’t mind being in the hospital with you there for comfort. Would you like dessert before we leave?”

“No, thank you,” she whispered, clearly moved by what he’d told her.

Already he’d learned she had a sensitive nature that made her even more desirable to him. It set off warnings that he’d be a fool to get any more involved, even if she were amenable, but it was too late. She’d already walked right into his heart. But even if he dared to imagine a future with her, how could there be one? She was the daughter of a king and queen. No matter what she’d claimed, he was convinced her future would be settled by them when the time was right.

“Then I’ll drive you back to the palace so your bodyguard seated near the entrance to the restaurant can go off duty and stop worrying that I’m going to whisk you away.”

An orphan.

To think she’d been complaining about waiting for her father’s attention growing up when Nico had been raised in an orphanage!

Already crazy about him, her heart went out to him. She wished the handsome, hard-muscled man who was so much more than a doctor would drive her to a place where they could be completely alone to talk some more.

Nico had stunned her by what he’d revealed of his life so far, but she’d only scratched the surface. After he’d taken her into his confidence, there were endless questions she wanted to ask.

Instead he’d reverted to treating her like a princess, which put distance between them when it was the last thing she wanted. Tonight had been magical. Having to go home was the part she hated.

After paying for their delicious meal, he said goodbye to the owner and walked her to his car, clinging to her hand. The small intimacy filled her with longing to get closer to him. Soon they would reach the palace and this glorious evening together would be over. She couldn’t bear it.

If she invited him in to her apartment so they could talk further, would he turn her down flat because he couldn’t allow himself to cross that line? She’d told him there was no other man in her life.

As they entered the estate, she guessed she’d find out because she didn’t want to say good-night. Already he’d become of vital importance to her in every way. He followed the road around the palace to the side entrance. Another minute and he pulled to a stop. “Home safe and sound.”

Fausta prayed he would want to stay in the car to talk with her for a little while, but no such luck. He got right out and walked around to her side to open the door. Their arms brushed as she alighted, sending darts of awareness through her body.

“Would you like to come inside, Nico?” Her heart was pounding so hard it had made her voice throb. Please say yes.

“Thank you, but I’m afraid I still have to return several calls after I get home.”

Don’t react, Fausta.

“I forgot about that. Thank you so much for the ride and a dinner I’ll never forget.”

“Neither will I, believe me. Before you go in, I wondered if you would like to go to a film with me Tuesday evening after work? We’ll grab a bite on the way.”