Royal Affairs

“Thank you for all you’ve done.”

“It has been my pleasure.”

He kissed her cheek before reaching for his wife. Christina’s gaze flicked to his. “What is it?”

“We have one more ritual to perform.” He picked up the bridal bouquet. After putting it in her hands, he slid an arm around her slender waist. Her lovely body was a perfect fit for him.

“I already know where I’m going to throw it,” she whispered as they left the terrace and walked around to the front entrance of the palazzo.

“So do I,” he drawled.

“Antonio?” She eyed him with surprising tenderness. “Thank you for dancing with Marusha. To dance with the future king had to be one of the big highlights of her life.”

“I wanted a chance to thank her for coming. She’s been your true friend all these years. I have a feeling you two are going to miss each other.”

“That’s something I want to talk to you about, but we’ll discuss it later.”

An alarm bell went off in Antonio’s head. Did Christina want to go back to Africa? She’d lived a whole period of her life there that he knew nothing about. In fairness, she didn’t know details about his former life either. While he stood there filled with new questions that needed answers, the guests had congregated in the courtyard.

Before he knew what she was doing, his wife cleared her throat and faced the crowd. “Antonio and I want to thank you all for coming to share in our beautiful wedding day. I’m one of the lucky girls in the world who actually got to marry a real prince. His kindness to his sister, Princess Elena, my dearest friend, proved his princely worth to me years ago. I can honestly say there’s not another man like him, prince or otherwise. So this is for you, Elena. May you find your own wonderful prince too!”

Christina turned her back to the crowd and threw the bouquet in a southeasterly direction that was no mistake with Elena standing there. It was no accident that everyone made room around his sister so she could catch it. Then a roar of approval and clapping burst from the crowd. Antonio’s breath caught. With that speech she’d ensured her place in everyone’s heart as their queen-to-be.

Filled with emotion, he put his arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her lips. She kissed him back and it felt convincing, but was this a show for the camera? He’d felt a distinct spark when they kissed at the altar. But if it had only been on his part, he didn’t want to believe it right now. Was she nervous too?

Without asking her permission, he grasped her hand and drew her along with him to the inside of the palazzo. He leaned back against the closed door, still holding her hand. Now that the moment was here to be alone with her, he felt slightly breathless. The wedding night was upon them.

“Are you up to climbing to the third floor?”

* * *

The bridal suite.

Their bridal suite now. The kiss Antonio had given her in front of the palazzo felt...hungry. In that moment she’d experienced an answering rush of desire that took her by storm. Her fantasy had taken on a new dimension. What was going on with her?

“I think I can about make it,” she teased, and started her ascent. But after a few steps she picked up her gown to give her the freedom to hurry the rest of the way. His footsteps followed, keeping pace with the thundering of her heart.

She almost ran down the hallway to the bridal suite. Before she reached the doors, he caught up to her and picked her up in his arms. “Oh—” she half squealed, surprised her gown didn’t hinder him. She knew her husband was strong, but being held close to him like this made her realize what a rock-hard physique he possessed, and he smelled wonderful.

Their faces were only inches apart. He smiled into her eyes. The blue of his irises had a depth of brilliance that ignited every pulse point in her body. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to this all day.” He slowly lowered his mouth to hers and began kissing her.

A burst of desire swept through her. Things were moving much faster than she’d anticipated and she found herself kissing him back with an urgency she couldn’t seem to suppress. What was happening was perfectly natural for a grown man and woman on their wedding night, but they had come to this marriage as friends from a long time ago. He’d never held her, or danced with her or kissed her, in Switzerland.

When she could take a breath she said, “If you keep this up, our dinner will get cold.”

“What dinner?” His gaze was focused on her mouth.

“The one we didn’t eat. It’s waiting for us out on the terrace of our suite.”

“Was that what you were whispering to Lindsay about?”

She nodded.

“I must say I’d much prefer eating with you alone up here. I like the way my wife thinks.”

Christina was glad he felt that way, because she needed time to get used to him. A meal would give both of them a chance to unwind while they anticipated their wedding night. Now that the moment was here, she didn’t know what to do and felt so awkward she hoped he couldn’t sense it.

* * *

Antonio gave her another swift kiss on the lips and managed to open the door. He walked through the foyer of the semidark suite and made it as far as the bedchamber before putting her down. She eased away far enough to remove the veil and tiara.

He knew she needed some privacy before they did anything else. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Don’t start dinner without me.”

“I won’t. Your bags should be in the sitting room.”

“I’ll find them.”

Much as he was reluctant to let her go, he needed to make her more comfortable. After giving her upper arms a quick squeeze, he left the bridal chamber for the other part of the suite. Spotting his bags, he went into the bathroom down the hall to freshen up. It was a relief to discard his sash and ceremonial dress jacket. This was a brand-new experience for both of them. Tonight he wanted to do everything right for her.

Hoping he’d given her enough time, he left the bathroom and started back to the bridal suite. He’d undone his shirt at the neck and rolled his sleeves up to the elbows.

Against the darkened sky, the candles flickering from the terrace table bathed Christina in soft light. As she leaned over in her exquisite wedding dress to pour their wine, he noticed the glory of her midlength hair where the strands of gold gleamed among the red. It looked so thick and sleek he longed to run his hands through it.

She must have sensed his presence and gave him a sideward glance. Again the candles flickered, turning her eyes to a shimmery silver. His bride had come to this earth with her own unique color scheme, one that resonated with him in ways he hadn’t noticed at the age of eighteen. His fifteen-year-old sister and her friend had been too young for him to appreciate the sight he was being treated to tonight.

Between her classic features with those high cheekbones and passionate red mouth, the blood was pounding in his veins. His gaze fell lower to the feminine outline of her body in her gown. While they’d danced, she filled his arms in all the right places and was the perfect height for him.

Her choice of wedding gown had pleased him immensely. She looked demure, but her coloring added the dash of sensuality he’d noticed the first moment he saw her in the chapel.

Christina might not have been aware of it, but he’d watched the males in the crowd admiring her all evening long.

For the first time he wondered how many men she’d known who’d more than admired her. Though it was a little late to question what her love life had been like prior to the actual preparations for their wedding, he couldn’t help but wonder. He felt as if he were swimming in waters over his head.

Her eyes played over him as he moved toward her. He liked the way she was looking at him. When she reached for her wineglass, he picked up his. “This wine comes from the Brunello grapes grown in this vineyard.”

Antonio swirled it around in his glass. “That’s very fitting. I’m sure it will be delicious. A toast to my wife, who has already made my life infinitely richer by simply agreeing to marry me. Salud!” He touched his glass to hers before they both drank some.

She unexpectedly raised her glass again and touched his. “To my husband. You never let your sister down or betrayed her trust. Because of that you’ve won mine. To you, Antonio. Salud! You’ll make the finest king our country has ever known.”

“If that happens, it’s because you’re at my side.” His throat swelled with emotion, making it difficult to swallow his second taste of the fruity wine.

“Shall we sit down to eat? I’m sure you’re as ravenous as I am.” She seated herself before he could help her.

They both tucked in to the heavenly food. She ate with an appetite. He liked that. Most women of his acquaintance ate rabbit food—whether to impress him or not—but not Christina. There was nothing fake about her. That was what impressed him.

When she lifted her eyes to him he said, “The little speech you gave in front of the palazzo blew me away.”

“It did?”

“How could it not? I thought no other man could be luckier than I am to have you for my wife.”

“I feel the same way about you.”

“Christina—I know I’ve put you in an impossible situation.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Antonio. I understand. That’s behind us now.”

“No, it isn’t. Not until I tell you why.”

She had hold of her wineglass stem, but she didn’t lift it to her lips while she waited for his explanation. Looking at her right now, he didn’t think he’d ever seen so beautiful a woman.

“In a word, I was afraid.”

Her delicate eyebrows frowned. “Of what?”

“That once I was in Africa where we could really be alone, you might tell me the engagement was off and send me packing.”

She sounded aghast and let go of the glass to put a hand to her throat. “I would never have done that to you.”

“Then you’re a woman in a million. Who else would have sacrificed her personal happiness for the greater good of someone, something else?”

“Our circumstances were very unusual, but I am happy.”

He shook his head. “You don’t need to pretend with me. This is truth time. I did something terribly selfish to ask you to marry me.”

A pained look entered her eyes. “Is this your way of telling me you wish we hadn’t gone through with the wedding?”

“No, Christina, no—” He reached across the table and grasped both her hands. “I’m just thankful you consented to be my bride. If you’ll let me, I’d like us to start over again. Through Elena we’ve been friends for years, but you and I don’t know each other. I want to get to know all about you. What are the things you love to do? What are the things you hope to do?”

Her silvery gaze enveloped him. “Besides grow old with you?”

“Yes. I’d like to learn it all.”

“I’m a pretty normal woman, Antonio. I like reading books and eating chocolate. I like spending time with my friends, especially your sister. I love Africa and the time I spent there helping others. But I suppose my greatest wish would be to have a family of my own. When I first visited the Kikuyu villages with all the adorable children, I hungered for a child of my own. How do you feel about children?”

“I want them too, Christina.”

“But I want to take care of them myself. Even if I’ll be queen, I want to be their mother in the truest sense of the word.”

“So you don’t want to send them away to boarding school?”

“Why? It doesn’t make sense to me that if you have a child, you would send it away as soon as possible.”

He released her hands. “You’re talking about yourself.”

“Yes.”

He saw her eyes glaze over.

“I wanted my mother and father during my growing-up years. If you and I have a baby, would you want it to leave us before it was time to let him or her go? Did you like being sent away to boarding school?”

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“But did you like it?”

“No. I’ve never admitted that out loud.”

“Neither did Elena.”

“I know.”

“But we’ll be the parents,” Christina said, then added in an anxious tone, “Will our son have a choice? You say you want to know all about me. If you tell me our children will have to leave home before I’m ready to see them go, I couldn’t bear it. Why have them at all?”

Antonio got out of the chair and went around to hunker down beside her. He grasped the hand closest to him. “Look at me.” She finally did his bidding. “I was wrong not to come to Africa. We did need time to talk about all these things so I could reassure you.”

He heard her heavy sigh before she spoke. “I’m sorry I’ve turned this beautiful night into something else. Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. You have my word that we’ll keep any children we have with us for as long as they want to be with us. The only time they’ll have a nanny is if you need to attend a royal function with me.”

Her eyes lit up again. “Honest? Is that a promise?”

He could deny her nothing. “I swear it.”

“Oh, Antonio. You’ve made me so happy.”

To crush her in his arms was all he had on his mind, but he wanted to give her time and feel comfortable with him. “I was afraid you were going to tell me that you wanted to live in Africa part of the year.”

“My life is with you, but I’d love it if we took some trips there together one day. Maybe when our children are old enough to enjoy the animal life? But we’ve been talking about me. What is one of your dreams?”

“I’m a pretty normal man too. I want a family. I want to be a success at what I do. Because I’ll be king, I want to change the country’s impression of a monarchy that has shown a breakdown in the old values.”

“Like what for instance?”

“The excess spending for one. There are so many areas that need change. But I’m boring you.”

“Never.”

“Spoken like my queen already.” He got to his feet and drew her over to the terrace railing with him. He looked out over the peaceful Tuscan landscape. His pulse throbbed with new life. He wasn’t the same man who’d slipped the brooch into the bedchamber earlier in the day.

If he had to describe his feelings at this minute, he was excited for what was to come. When he’d anticipated his wedding weeks ago, he didn’t count on being thrilled by this woman who surprised him at every turn. He no longer felt trapped.

Things were going so well he didn’t dare make the wrong move until she was ready for the physical side of their marriage. For them to get through the wedding without problems when they were virtual strangers led him to believe they could turn their marriage into something strong, maybe even wonderful given enough time.

He already felt strong feelings for her, which surprised him. They’d discussed one crucial element concerning their marriage by talking about the children they would have. But as near to each other as they were physically right now, they were still worlds apart.

“Christina?” He turned to her and cupped her face in his hands. “Tonight I’m happier than any man has a right to be.” He lowered his head and closed his mouth over hers. The taste and feel of her set his pulse racing. “You’re the most wonderful thing to come into my life.”

Antonio pressed kisses over every feature. “I need to get closer to you. Would you like me to undo the buttons at the back of your wedding dress before I change?”

He saw a little nerve jump at the base of her throat. His bride was nervous. That was his fault for not visiting her and letting her get comfortable with him.

“Yes, please.”

She turned, reminding him of a modest young maiden. It brought out his tenderest feelings as he began undoing them from the top of her neckline to the bottom, which ran below her waistline. His fingers brushed her warm skin as he set about freeing her trembling body. Never had he enjoyed a task more.

“A-are you finished?” she stammered.

He smiled to himself. “Not quite.” When he was done, he lifted her hair and kissed the nape of her neck. Her mane felt like silk. “There. You’re free,” he whispered, and turned her around. The sleeves and bodice of her gown were loose. All he had to do...

But he didn’t dare. “I don’t think you have any idea how lovely you are. I want to kiss you, esposa mia. Really kiss you.” He found her trembling mouth and began to devour her. The few kisses they’d shared up to now bore little resemblance to the desire he felt for her as she responded with growing hunger.

He clasped her against him, feeling her heart thundering into his. Antonio had an almost primitive need to make love to her, but not this stand-up kind of loving. He wanted her in his bed and was so enthralled by her he moaned when she unexpectedly tore her lips from his and eased away from him.

“Christina?” He had to catch his breath. “Have I frightened you?”

“No.” She shook her head, clutching her gown to her.

He could tell she was as shocked as he was by what had just happened. He needed to reassure her. “This has been a huge day, especially for you. I’m going to let you go right now. Since we have to be up early to leave on our honeymoon, I’ll bid you buonanotte, bellissima, and make myself a bed on the couch in the sitting room.”

CHAPTER FOUR

CHRISTINA STARED AFTER her new husband, so startled by his sudden departure she could weep. She’d been on fire for him and had been ready to go wherever he led. But in the moment that she’d tried to catch a breath, Antonio left her in a dissatisfied condition.

Was it possible a groom could have nerves like the bride? Confused over what had happened, she blew out the candles and walked to the bedroom. After stepping out of her wedding dress, she laid it over a chair with the veil on top. She put her satin slippers on the floor and placed the tiara on the dresser. They were remnants of the happiest day of her life.

She slipped on a nightgown before brushing her teeth. Then she turned out the lights and got into bed. How could she possibly sleep when her body was throbbing with needs she’d never felt before? He’d awakened a fire in her, but she hadn’t known how to handle it when he told her he’d make a bed on the couch for the night. She hadn’t had the temerity to go after him.

Sleep must have come, but she awakened early and finished her packing. Making use of the time until Antonio joined her, she’d touched up her pedicure and manicure. Her nails were done in a two-toned nude shade that matched everything and did justice to her royal antique-gold wedding band and diamond ring.

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.