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“You don’t know my parents. Everything’s been arranged. It’s only a matter of adding one detail … the name of the woman I’ve chosen. They’ve been living for this day.”
“That’s nice. I can’t say the same thing about mine. Now I’m afraid I have to go. My job is waiting for me back in Los Angeles and I have a plane to catch.” She started for the outer door once more.
“Is it your chosen career?”
When she reached it, she looked over her shoulder at him. “What? Putting makeup on movie stars? No. The job chose me and has kept me alive.”
He moved closer. Her heart did a funny kick. “What job would you choose if you could?”
That gave her pause. “You mean, in my wildest dreams?”
It was his turn to chuckle. “Is it that out of the ordinary?”
“For me, yes.”
“You want to be an astronaut?”
“No.” Her mouth curved upward once more. “This is something very down-to-earth.”
“What would that be?”
“It’s as improbable as my meeting a real prince today.”
“Why?”
“In the first place, I have to find a job where I can earn a lot of money in order to pay off mother’s debts before I do anything else.”
“And in the second place?” he queried.
“I don’t know if I could make the grade.”
“Doing what? Humor me,” he prodded.
“Plastic surgery.”
His intelligent gaze grew thoughtful. “Why that particular profession?”
“My mother was labeled the most beautiful woman in the world. Her love affair with herself was obscene. There are people out there born with facial problems who’d give everything they possessed to be able to look in the mirror and not cringe or grieve at the sight.
“If I could change one person’s looks enough to make life more bearable for them, I’d give anything to do it.”
A marked stillness pervaded the atmosphere before he spread his hands in a typical Italian gesture. “A noble aspiration. If that’s your raison d’être, then make it a reality once we’re married.”
Maybe she was hallucinating.
“Why not?” He read her mind. “Castelmare University in Capriccio has a medical school linked with the University of Genoa.”
The man was starting to get to her and that was frightening.
“Look—I was talking about my wildest dreams. The point is, not even I would want to be married to me. And lest you forget, one has to speak Italian to go to your university. For your information, I can only say one word in your language. It’s ciao.”
She opened the door to leave, but it was blocked by the same person as before. Another bodybuilder type was standing behind him. In the next breath she shut it again and turned on the man whose charisma was positively lethal. “Will you please tell Salvatore and his brother out there to let me pass?”
He let out a hearty laugh at her reference to the famous Italian bodyguard Salvatore Bartolotta, who lost his life trying to protect an antimafia prosecutor during the 1930s. While admiring his quick mind, Alex tried hard not to react to his full-bodied response. It made him appear younger and even more appealing. She hadn’t thought it was possible.
“Carlo will be flattered when I tell him. You’re obsessed by the mafia. Why is that, Alexandra? More than likely it was the mob that targeted your father because of his title and financial affluence. When he wouldn’t cooperate, they rubbed him out. I believe that’s the American term.”
The prince knew it was. He was too intelligent by far.
“Wherever the truth lies, anyone linked to the mafia eventually dies like the father I never knew.” She looked down. “I don’t know why we’re having this conversation. You’ve picked the wrong woman to help you out of your nightmare. I need to go home and face mine.”
“I’m not prepared to let you go yet,” he whispered silkily. “A little while ago you accused me of being hard up. That’s putting it mildly. My back’s up against the proverbial wall and my time has run out. I can’t fly home and face my parents without producing the name of my intended bride. As I’ve told you, I’ve been overdue in that department for the past ten years.”
She couldn’t believe she was still standing here listening to him instead of banging on the door to demand her freedom.
“And you honestly believe they’ll be overjoyed you’ve chosen the most unsuitable female on the planet to parade before your kingdom? Marriage to Kathryn Carlisle’s daughter will make you the laughingstock of the civilized world.”
“Let me worry about it.”
“I’ll do better than that. You won’t have to be concerned about anything because my answer is no! Can you imagine what the media would make of it?
“In a shocking palace exclusive today, the bachelor crown prince of Castelmare has bypassed many a royal swan to choose the ugly duckling of the deceased, washed-up American film goddess Kathryn Carlisle for his bride.
“Rumors at court say the prince hasn’t been himself since a golf ball hit him in the temple in Pebble Beach, California, where he was on hand for the U.S. Open with international supermodel Germaine.”
His grin disarmed her. “You, of all people, should know better than to believe the tabloids. That ball hit one of my bodyguards in the knee. Any photo of a model was superimposed for effect.”
Her jaw hardened. “Where my mother was concerned, I do believe them. Don’t forget they wrote the truth about her. Marrying you will give them enough fodder to start a whole new feeding frenzy.
“The headlines will read, ‘With the promise of a twelve-million-dollar wedding present, it appears the daughter is following in the footsteps of the mother. Time will tell if this is the first of her many marriages destined to fail. Bets in the Las Vegas underworld are already running high that the marriage will fall apart within months.’”
Something flickered in the dark recesses of his eyes. “Then prove them wrong, Alexandra.”
There he went again saying her name in that unusual way, making her nerve endings tingle. While blood surged into her cheeks, her hands formed fists. “Enough is enough! I could never take your money.”
Lucca liked tangling with her. He’d finally met a woman who set off exhilarating sparks when they were together. He couldn’t remember the last time this had happened.
“Fine. Then become a surgeon and pay back the debt with your hard-earned money. A few operations for those who can afford it and you’ll have wiped your mother’s slate clean as you indicated earlier.”
Her chin lifted. “Even if by some miracle I did get in medical school, I wouldn’t be able to start practicing for another eight years!”
“I’ll pay for your medical school for as long as it takes. Once you do your residency, you’ll receive a salary and can start paying me back like you would a school loan. It’s a good bargain. I guarantee you couldn’t do better with anyone else.”
She stared at him through glazed eyes. “Attending medical school isn’t one of the duties of a king’s consort.”
“My consort will do what she wants because I won’t be a normal sort of king.” He flashed her a self-satisfied smile. “Your only royal duties will be to accompany me on certain occasions that will come up from time to time.”
“I see.”
“I’ll arrange for you to start Italian lessons tomorrow after we arrive at the palace. By the time we’ve returned from our honeymoon six weeks from now, the fall semester will be starting. With the help of a tutor, you’ll be able to keep up with your fellow medical students.”
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me. I’m terrible at languages and I’m not going anywhere with you.” Least of all on a honeymoon.
“When I explain your predicament with the American press, my parents will insist you live at the palace for the next month. Being sequestered with the family will protect you from the worst of the media for a while.”
She felt like stomping both feet. “Aside from the fact that you’re speaking pure nonsense, I can’t just quit my job and leave my apartment!”
“We’ll talk about that later.” He checked his watch. “Right now we’re going to meet your great-uncle. He’s the deputy consul at the Russian Federation here in New York. When he finds out you’re his brother’s granddaughter, he’ll be overjoyed and insist we meet to get acquainted.”
The prince moved past her and opened the door where both his bodyguards were still standing on alert. With a hand cupping her elbow he said, “While you visit the ladies’ room on your right, I’ll make the arrangements.
“Don’t take too long. There’s a lot to accomplish before we board my private jet this evening. And one more thing. My name is Lucca. I’d like you to use it.”
CHAPTER THREE
“YURI Pavlovich Grigory? May I present your grand-niece, Princess Alexandra Carlisle Grigory.”
“Alexandra, my child.” The tall, eighty-year-old widower with his strong Russian accent kissed her on both cheeks. “Welcome to the family.”
“I can’t believe I have living family,” Alex whispered shakily, touched by his unexpected warmth. She was still incredulous any of this was happening. If it weren’t for Lucca, she would never have been united with her father’s family, let alone known of their existence.
Though she was indebted to him, she was also terrified because this reunion had come about at a price. There was only one way Lucca wanted repayment, but she couldn’t do what he asked.
“There are quite a few of us Grigorys so you’ll have to believe it.” He chuckled. “Call me Uncle Yuri.”
She blinked back the tears. “If you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” He shook his gray head. “I’d be hurt if you called me anything else. This is a great day. Do you know you’re the living image of my nephew, except you’re much prettier?” He squeezed her hand. “That’s because of your mother. She and Oleg created a beautiful daughter.” His eyes misted over. “If only your father and grandfather could see you.”
“Thank you, Uncle Yuri. I’d give anything to have known them.”
“Well—” He wiped his eyes. “I’ll do my best to tell you all about them. Come into the conference room and we’ll talk over lunch.”
Lucca escorted her through the double doors to the other room where a meal was waiting for them. Over the next few hours her Uncle Yuri told her so many wonderful stories, the time flew by and she never wanted the afternoon to end. Between the pictures and anecdotes, she felt as if she really did belong to a great family.
Yuri’s kindness about her mother made it easy for Alex to love him. So far he’d said nothing disparaging about her parent. It was like a balm to her scarred heart.
“First Vladmila, then Nicholas got pneumonia and died. Oleg left New York to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. Once he reached Las Vegas, I’m afraid he didn’t keep in touch. We didn’t hear until after the fact that he’d died in a plane crash. Such a young age to lose his life. I wish I’d known he had a daughter. To think you grew up in Los Angeles without him.”
While she fought to control her tears, his moist gray eyes swerved in Lucca’s direction. “My children and grandchildren will be surprised and thrilled to learn of Alexandra’s existence. I have you to thank for uniting us, Lucca.”
The prince sat there at ease, the quintessential picture of royal sophistication. “It was my pleasure, believe me.”
“Whatever I can do to repay you, name it.”
Alex felt Lucca’s dark eyes on her and shivered, wondering what he was thinking. She didn’t have to wait long to find out.
“I’m glad you said that because I’ve asked Alexandra to marry me.” She gasped. “We hope to gain your blessing and would request that you do us the honor of giving her away at our wedding next month.”
“Is this true?” Yuri cried. He looked delighted.
Her breath caught. “I … I haven’t said yes yet, Uncle,” she stumbled over the words.
“Why ever not?”
Alex wanted to blurt that they’d only met six hours ago, but she was too embarrassed to tell him the truth. Instead she said, “We haven’t known each other very long.”
Her great-uncle stared into her eyes. “That’s what marriage is for, to get to know each other, my child. You’ll have years of togetherness while you learn more and more how to make each other happy.”
She moistened her lips nervously. “You don’t understand, Uncle Yuri. My mother was married six times.” Not to mention that before today Alex and Lucca had been total strangers. Marriages like this simply didn’t happen.
“I can understand why you’re frightened. But think about this.” He lifted his forefinger as if he was giving a speech. “Maybe part of it’s because she lost Oleg, and maybe the other part is because she didn’t have parents to teach her what a good marriage is all about. Hmm?”
“Maybe,” she answered in a tiny voice. He’d confounded her thoughts with his reasoning, and it didn’t help that Lucca sat there looking pleased and impossibly confident.
“Don’t forget you’ve got me now. My marriage to your great-aunt Natasha lasted sixty years. There’s no reason yours won’t last that long or longer!”
He was very sweet. She squeezed his hand back. Already a bond had developed, but he didn’t have the faintest clue what was going on here. Alex felt as though she’d been caught up in a tornado and had no idea where it was carrying her.
“If Lucca has the good sense to choose a Grigory when there are other eligible royals who’ve had their eye on him for years, then I can guarantee a happy union. Our family stays faithful to each other.”
Lucca sat forward, capturing her gaze. “For my part I intend to do everything to make you happy.”
“There,” her uncle cried out. “You see?”
Yes … she saw. What her uncle didn’t know was that the most vital ingredient in their marriage would be missing, but she held back in deference to her newly found relative who was beaming. Too agitated to sit still, she reached for her coffee and drank it.
“Alexandra?” he said excitedly. “You’re the loveliest of all the Grigory women. I noticed it when you walked in with Lucca. You two make a splendid match.”
“I thought the same thing the first time I laid eyes on her,” Lucca concurred with an unmistakable tone of sensuality.
Alex choked on the hot liquid and put the cup back on the saucer. He’d gauged it just right to convince her great-uncle he was in love. The crown prince of Castelmare was a sensational actor.
While she wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin, Lucca got to his feet and went around to her chair. “I dislike cutting this meeting short, Yuri, but Alexandra and I have to leave for the airport.”
This was Alex’s cue to get up from the table. As she stood, their arms brushed. The contact sent a shockwave through her body. She hurried ahead while her great-uncle, who was as tall as Lucca, followed suit. He moved to the outer door of his office like a person ten years younger and kissed her on both cheeks.
“Lucca has my number. Let me know you’ve arrived safely in Castelmare. Now that we’ve met, I want the two of you to be part of my life, Alexandra.”
Tears smarted her eyes. “I want that, too!” She gave him a big hug. “You’ll never know what this day has meant to me.”
“I think I do.” He sniffed before handing her a manila envelope full of family pictures. His gaze shifted to Lucca. “Take good care of her. She’s very precious to me.”
To her shock Lucca put his arm around her shoulders. Dazzling her with his white smile, he said, “I intend to.” It sounded more like a fierce avowal. “When the time comes, I’ll send the jet for you and your family.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“I insist,” Lucca stated in a tone of finality.
