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As for her apartment, she would phone her landlord and arrange through him to get her belongings packed and shipped to Castelmare. Her used car could be dealt with through the car dealership where she’d purchased it.
Her last call would be to Mr. Watkins who’d be shocked about the faux diamonds. For the moment, all he needed to know was that she wouldn’t be returning to California for a while.
Later on she would tell him the truth. He alone would understand why she was ready to do anything to pay off her mother’s debt, even to being a stand-in consort for an equally desperate prince. But kind as Mr. Watkins was, he wouldn’t fail to remind her that two wrongs still made a wrong.
Deep in her psyche Alex knew what she was doing was wrong, but it was far too late to back out now. She was more her mother’s daughter than she wanted to admit.
CHAPTER FIVE
AT QUARTER to five Alex stood in front of the bathroom mirror wearing the newly cleaned and pressed outfit she’d worn to the jewelry store yesterday. The maid who’d taken her lunch tray away had seen to it. Naturally it had to have been on Lucca’s suggestion since he knew Alex only had two outfits with her.
She brushed her freshly washed hair into some semblance of order. It would cooperate for all of five minutes, then the natural curl would take on a life of its own and become unruly once more. In deference to meeting his parents, she applied a soft pink lipstick.
Since talking with her boss and Mr. Watkins, both of whom had been surprisingly understanding and supportive of her plans, she’d tried to sleep, but it never came. No matter how much she rationalized it, her conscience wouldn’t allow her to forget she and Lucca were about to perpetrate a great fraud on his family.
When she heard a knock on the door of the suite, she jumped. Her nerves were frayed to the point she wanted to hide.
“Alexandra? I’m coming in.” The next thing she knew Lucca was striding over the threshold, his hard-muscled legs covered in casual stone-colored trousers.
Her stunned gaze lifted to the navy cotton crew-neck pullover stretched across his powerful frame with the sleeves pushed up to the elbows. With his black wavy hair and striking aquiline features, his looks transcended every known superlative in her vocabulary.
He’d purposely worn an outfit that would make her comfortable in hers. Everything he did was for her welfare, causing her to care a little more for him when she didn’t want to.
They met halfway across the sitting room. To her dismay she was out of breath. His dark eyes searched hers with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. “Only one thing is missing. Stand still while I pin this on you.”
He reached in his trouser pocket and pulled something out. She assumed it was a family heirloom of some kind, but almost fainted when she glimpsed the unmistakable Ligurian diamond suspended beneath a small gold crown. In one deft move he’d attached it to the draped part of her blouse covering her right shoulder.
How could he have had the jewel fashioned into a pin this fast?
She pressed her hand against it, as shaken by the brush of his fingers against her skin through the thin material as anything else. “What have you done?” she cried in panic. “I can’t wear this!”
“Why not?” came his mellow query. “It’s mine to give and was meant to be worn by a woman of your height and looks. No one else could carry it off.”
Heat scorched her cheeks. “I’m not my mother!”
“That’s true. You’re your own self with a little of her thrown in.”
“You know what I meant. This is a mockery.”
“Only in your mind.”
She tried to remove it, but Lucca prevented it, shaking his dark head with a determination that sent shivers down her spine. “This is my signature. The sight of it will convince my father I’m happy with my choice of bride and am ready at last to relieve him of his burdens.”
He had an answer for everything. It stopped her every time. “You should have given this to the woman you love.” Her voice trembled. “She alone has the right.”
Lucca gave an unconscious shrug of his broad shoulders. “You’re going to be my wife. It’s expected that you wear a family jewel. Nothing in the museum would suit you better than this. Are you ready?”
No, she wanted to scream, but she didn’t dare. On the ride to the airport a century ago she’d agreed to marry him and she had no right to question what he felt was necessary to make his parents happy.
After reaching for her purse, she followed him to the door of her suite. As she moved past him their bodies touched. She might as well have come in contact with a current of electricity and rushed into the hall ahead of him.
Carlo stood a short distance away. He probably saw her reaction. Great. Lucca never went anywhere without him. His permanent shadow. The bodyguard probably pitied Alex who was going to be nothing more than a token wife. Alex didn’t want his pity. The thought sickened her.
“Is everything all right?” Lucca asked with concern. “My parents are waiting for me in the sitting room of their apartment, but if you need more time …”
Me, he’d said. Not us. She shuddered.
She flashed him a little smile. “Not time, just courage.”
“I promise you they’re wonderful people.”
“They would have to be in order to raise a man like you … and Regina,” she added as an afterthought so he wouldn’t get the wrong idea. Already she was letting things slip he could misinterpret.
“She likes you, Alexandra, not simply for my sake.” When Alex shook her head he said, “Believe it or not, that’s what she told me a little while ago. My sister’s a good judge of character. I’m glad you’re going to get along.”
If he was glad, she was, too. He dictated their pace down the hall toward the west end. He had to know she’d never been this nervous in her life. Though he pointed out various murals from his family history in an effort to put her at ease, she wasn’t in a mood to appreciate his anecdotes, amusing as they were.
They could have been out for a leisurely stroll on the palace grounds instead of inside its walls walking the plank. That’s what it felt like to Alex.
When they neared the double doors where more palace personnel were on guard, Lucca reached for her hand. His hooded eyes flicked to hers. “Your presence is going to add a year, maybe even several to my father’s life. For that you have my undying gratitude.” With another disturbing kiss to her palm, he opened both doors.
By tacit agreement they moved inside the sumptuously decorated room, yet it showed signs of modernization with several comfortable-looking couches and chairs with ottomans. Lucca left her side long enough to kiss his parents, who were casually dressed in pants and shirts. Both sat in front of a television set.
While they conversed in Italian, she hung back where she could study his attractive mother. She was small-framed with stylishly short dark hair, an older version of Regina both in coloring and features. Alex sobered, however, at the sight of his thin father, who shut off the TV with the remote. It sounded as if they’d been watching a golf match.
No doubt the recent loss of weight and hair was due to his chemo treatments, but she could tell he’d been a very handsome man when he’d been healthy, just like his son. An oxygen tank with tubes rested against the side of his chair. This was a sight the public would never be allowed to see. The significance of it weighed on her.
Lucca stood up and turned to her, motioning her forward. In English he said, “Mama? Papa? I brought someone home from America with me. Please speak in English until she learns our language.”
“Don’t get up,” Alex begged when they both started to rise.
His mother’s brown eyes caught sight of the diamond pin, and she let out a surprised cry. “Look, Rudy!”
“I see it, Betta,” her husband’s voice shook. He sounded shocked and upset. “What does this mean, figlio mio?”
In a lightning move Lucca reached for Alex and put his arm around her waist, drawing her breathtakingly close to his side. “It means there’s going to be a wedding.” He smiled down at her, kissing the side of her cheek. “Who knew my gorgeous bride-to-be has been waiting in the States all this time for me to find her. If I’d known about her sooner, we would have been married ages ago and would probably have had a child or two by now.”
Oh, please don’t make the lie any worse than it is, Lucca.
“May I introduce you to your future daughter-in-law, Princess Alexandra Carlisle Grigory.”
“Grigory?” His father’s hazel eyes rounded. By now he’d gotten to his feet with some difficulty. Now she knew where Lucca’s height had come from. His wife joined him. Both were nonplussed.
“Alexandra, these are my parents Rudolfo and Isabetta.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you at last,” Alex whispered shakily. Lucca held on to her and hugged her tighter. “Her mother was the American film star Kathryn Carlisle, who tragically passed away this last Christmas Day. Her father, Prince Oleg, died when she was only nine months old. She never knew her grandfather, Prince Nicholas. However, her great-uncle Yuri is still alive and will be giving her away.
“The three of us spent a very enjoyable afternoon together at the Russian Federation in New York while he helped Alexandra become better acquainted with her Grigory heritage. He’ll be sending you and Mama formal greetings right away.”
His mother’s brown eyes brimmed with tears before she hurried around the low table to clap her hands on Lucca’s cheeks. “You’ve made me the happiest mother in the world,” she said in English before switching to Italian. The muttered endearments needed no translation. After hugging him hard, she turned to embrace Alex.
“Welcome to the family, Alexandra. Except for when the children were born, this is the most joyful day of our married lives.”
“It certainly is,” Lucca’s father concurred, and leaned closer to kiss Alex on both cheeks. She could detect his shallow breathing. “However, I know half a dozen young women who’ll want to scratch your eyes out, as my little Regina would say.”
“Rudy,” his wife scolded him with mock feeling. “Lucca’s made his choice. Let that be the end of it.”
Lucca caught Alex from behind and pulled her against his chest where she could feel the strong solid beat of his heart. “The truth is, from the moment she and I met in New York, it was love at first sight for both of us.”
Alex swallowed a groan. How gallantly he played the part when he knew his parents were aware he’d chosen her out of duty. But being nobles themselves, they would pretend this was a love match and treat her accordingly. Only one person would be able to intervene for Lucca’s personal happiness. That would be his arranged wife, Alex.
His father’s eyes flicked from the diamond to his son’s face. He nodded solemnly. “I can tell. There’s a light in your eyes that was never there before.”
The king’s playacting was beyond comprehension.
“I see it, too, Rudy. Have you told your sister?”
“Si, Mama.”
All three of them should be given the Oscar that had always eluded Alex’s mother.
Lucca let go of Alex long enough to help his father be seated once more, then he pulled Alex down next to him on the opposite couch and grasped her hand in a gesture of ownership his parents couldn’t fail to notice. “They met this morning after the plane landed in Nice. Alexandra will be staying in the blue suite next to Regina’s until our wedding.”
“That’s as it should be,” his mother emoted. “Now we’ll all have time to get acquainted before the ceremony.”
“Regina’s wonderful,” Alex interjected, knowing something was expected of her. In this case she’d told the truth. Lucca’s sister had the same charisma as her brother. Already Alex liked them all too much.
Lucca’s thumb started making lazy circles against her palm, sending sensations like shooting stars through her veins. “Alexandra is everything I could ever want. With her at my side, I look forward to taking over from you, Papa. In fact, I wish the wedding could be moved up a week. Not only for your sake, but for mine,” his voice ended on a husky inflection. The next thing Alex knew he’d brushed his lips against hers.
Ohh.
His father cleared his throat. “What do you think, Betta?”
“You’re still the king. It’s for you to say. Why not?”
He slapped his hand against his knee. “Then so be it. A little Russian blood in our grandchildren will be an exciting addition.” Help! “You want children?” His father eyed Alex frankly.
Since she knew it wouldn’t happen, she said, “Of course. Having been an only child I’d love three or four.”
The king’s face lit up. “That settles it. We’ll have a wedding here in three weeks.” His wife nodded in obvious delight.
“Grazie, Papa.” Lucca stated as his hand slid up Alex’s back and around her shoulders. “Because we can’t wait any longer.”
“He always was in a hurry,” his father confided to Alex. “If I’m going to hold one of them on my lap before the end, that’s probably a good thing.”
“You’ll hold more than one, Papa!” his son vowed, forgetting that theirs was a marriage in name only, but Alex understood that he’d blurted the declaration out of fear over his father’s fragile state of health.
“Yuri gave Alexandra an envelope with Grigory family memorabilia. I’ve been working with my secretary on it since we arrived. He’s already delivered a list to yours so the invitations can be finished and sent out immediately.”
If that was true, then Lucca hadn’t had an opportunity to see his lover yet.
To Alex’s surprise he rose to his feet and drew her with him. As they started to leave, his father called out, “Wait … we’ve barely visited yet. Where are you going?” The longing in his voice was a beautiful thing to witness. Lucca had a father’s love. Alex envied him that.
“Out,” Lucca said in that commanding voice. “After this news you need to rest while Mama and Regina get the ball rolling.”
“He’s right, Rudy,” his mother said, patting her husband’s arm.
“There are things I want to show my bride-to-be, but we’ll be back,” Lucca said from the double doors. “I’m home to stay, Papa. Every day until the wedding you and I will spend a little time going over your affairs. I’ll never be able to fill your shoes, but when the time comes, I promise to be ready to take on your cares.”
Alex felt his avowal to the depths of her soul. Before he shut the doors behind them, she saw his father weep against his wife’s shoulder.
Outside in the hall Lucca turned to her, grasping both her hands. His dark eyes traveled over her features with such intensity she was witless. “How do I thank you for what you did in there? They love you already.” He kissed her fingertips.
She’d said too much, but she’d had no choice. “I was never given the opportunity to do anything for my parents, but I felt your parents’ happiness, Lucca. This is the next best thing.” Alex cleared her throat. “Besides, I haven’t forgotten the pact we made. With your help I’m going after a career that will pay off all my debts including the one to you. So you don’t need to thank me for anything.”
His chest rose and fell with visible emotion. Not wanting to prolong the moment, for fear he could see into the deepest corners of her psyche, she said, “And now if you don’t mind, I’d like to take a walk around Capriccio before dark by myself. I’m in the mood to explore. Is that permitted?”
Though his facial expression didn’t change, she felt a stillness steal through him. Slowly he released her hands. “Of course. You’ve been assigned bodyguards, but they’ll be unobtrusive. Always come and go through the north doors of the palace. Follow the road out to the west gate.”
“I’ll remember.”
After another sweep of his eyes he said, “Do you have enough money in case you need to buy something?”
“Yes.”
The fact that he didn’t put up an argument or insist that they be together on their first night in Castelmare underlined the depth of his eagerness to be somewhere else, with someone else. She wasn’t about to deny him that joy. The sooner she and Lucca began leading their separate lives the way it had been decided on the plane, the better. To accept the status quo with grace would be her motto starting now.
He stayed with her until they reached the grand staircase. “Have a pleasant evening, Alexandra.”
Suddenly there was an aloofness emanating from him. It was a feeling foreign to her. “Thank you, Your Highness. I’d better get used to saying it.”
Lines marred his arresting features. “You’ve never called me that before. Please never do it again.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry. I meant n—”
“My name is Lucca,” he broke in on a terse note. “Except for our wedding day where you’ll have to address me as Your Majesty when you pledge your loyalty to your sovereign king and husband, I never want to hear anything else. Capisci?”
Her heart slammed against her ribs. She understood that word well enough. Alex had angered him. “Capisci.”
“Lucca,” he corrected her.
Alex repeated the words aloud, then continued on to her bedroom. With every step she felt his piercing gaze on her retreating back. He really disliked being reminded he was royalty. In retrospect she realized it came from years of knowing he would have to put his personal happiness aside to follow in his father’s footsteps.
But now that had all changed for him. By getting engaged to Alex, he’d become a free man. Ironically it now appeared she was the one in bondage. Her hand moved instinctively to the diamond pin. Before she went anywhere else, she needed to take it off.
The loss of her mother’s real diamonds hadn’t been Alex’s fault, but heaven help her if something happened to Lucca’s prized possession. On the plane she’d sensed it had a significance for him beyond its monetary value.
Once she’d removed it she felt better. After putting it away she reached for her purse and left the suite. She was glad she didn’t bump into Regina. His sister would ask questions. Alex dreaded having to explain why she and Lucca weren’t together on his first night home.
