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She shuddered. “That’s horrible. I should have thought it would have put you off wanting anything more to do with your studies.”
“You might think it, but I loved what I was doing. Statistics prove that on average only one volcanologist dies on the job each year or so.”
“That’s one too many!”
“For our family it was traumatic because of the consequences that followed. His body was shipped home for the funeral. A few weeks later my grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack, no doubt from the shock. His death meant my father took over as king with my mother at his side.
“While we were still grieving, they called me into their bedroom and told me they were all right with my desire to be a volcanologist. But they prayed I wouldn’t disappoint them the way my uncle had disappointed my grandfather. They said my uncle Stefano had disgraced the family by not taking up his royal duties and marrying.
“I was torn apart because I’d loved him and knew he’d suffered because he’d turned his back on his royal heritage. But when I heard my parents’ sorrow, I promised I would fulfill my princely obligation to the crown and marry when the time was right. They wouldn’t have to worry about me. Michelina and I made a pact that we’d always do our duty.”
“You mean that if she’d wanted to marry someone else other than Vincenzo, she would still have done her duty.”
He nodded. “I asked her about that, knowing Vincenzo didn’t love her in the way she loved him. She said it didn’t matter. She was committed and was hoping he’d fall in love with her one day.”
“Did you resent him for not being able to love your sister?”
“How could I do that when I don’t love Alexandra? When I saw how hard he tried to make Michelina happy by agreeing to go through the surrogacy process, my affection for him grew. He was willing to do anything to make their marriage better. Vincenzo is one of the finest men I’ve ever known. When he ended up marrying Abby, I was happy for him.”
“You’re a remarkable person. So was your sister.”
“I loved her. She could have told our parents she refused to enter into a loveless marriage, but she didn’t. Uncle Stefano’s death had affected all of us, including our brother, Vito. One day after his military service is over, he, too, will have to marry royalty because he’s second in line to the throne.”
“The public has no idea of the anguish that goes on behind locked royal doors.”
“We’re just people who’ve been born to a strange destiny. I didn’t want to disappoint my parents or be haunted with regrets like my uncle. Fortunately, Mother is still capable of ruling, and my time to fulfill my obligation hasn’t come yet.”
“But it will one day.”
“Yes.”
“It’s hard to comprehend a life like yours. May I be blunt and ask you if you have a girlfriend right now?”
“I’ve been seeing someone in town.”
She had to suppress a moan. Did you hear that, Carolena? “And she’s all right with the situation?”
“Probably not, but from the beginning she’s known we couldn’t possibly have a future. In case you’re wondering, I haven’t slept with her.”
Carolena shook her head. “You don’t owe me any explanation.”
“Nevertheless, I can see the next question in your eyes and so I’ll answer it. Contrary to what the media says about me, there have been only a few women with whom I’ve had an intimate relationship, but they live outside the country.”
“Yet knowing you are betrothed has never stopped any of them from wanting to spend time with you?”
“No. The women I’ve known haven’t been looking for permanency, either.” He smiled. “We’re like those ships passing in the night.”
It sounded awful. Yet, since Berto, she hadn’t been looking for permanency, either, and could relate more than he knew.
“I’ve warned my latest girlfriend our relationship could end at any time. You’re within your rights to condemn me, Carolena.”
“I could never condemn you,” she whispered, too consumed by guilt over how she’d accidentally brought out Berto’s death to find fault with anyone. “You’ve had every right to live your life like any ordinary man. But like your uncle, it must have been brutal for you to have grown up knowing your bride was already chosen for you.”
“I’ve tried not to think about it.”
Her mind reeled from the revelations. “Does your betrothed know and understand?”
“I’m quite sure Princess Alexandra has had relationships, too. It’s possible she’s involved with someone she cares about right now. Her parents’ expectations for her haven’t spared her anguish, either.”
“No,” she murmured, but it was hard to understand. How could any man measure up to Valentino? If Princess Alexandra was like his sister, she’d been in love with Valentino for years. “Does she support your work as a volcanologist?”
“I haven’t asked her.”
“Why not?”
“Up to now we’ve been living our own lives apart as much as possible.”
“But this is an integral part of your life!”
He sat up, chewing on the end of a blade of grass. “Our two families have spent occasional time together over the years. But the last time my brother was home on leave and went to Cyprus with me and my mother, he told me that Alexandra admitted she never liked the idea that I was a volcanologist.”
“And that doesn’t worry you?”
He studied her for a long moment. “It’s an issue we’ll have to deal with one day after we’re married.”
“By then it will be too late to work things out between you,” she cried. “How often do you fly to Catania?”
“Four times a week.”
“She’s not going to like that, not if she hates the idea of it.”
He gave her a compassionate smile. “Our marriage won’t be taking place for a long time, so I choose not to worry about it.”
“I don’t see how you can stand it.”
“You learn to stand it when you’ve been born into a royal family. Why fate put me in line for the throne instead of you, for example, I don’t know.”
“You mean a woman can rule?”
“If there are no other males. Under those circumstances, she must marry another royal so she can reign. But my grandparents didn’t have a daughter. Uncle Stefano should have been king, but he rebelled, so it fell to my father to rule.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks. “How sad for your uncle.”
“A double sadness, because though he’d abdicated in order to choose his own life, he was burdened with the pain of disappointing his parents.”
“There’s been so much pain for all of you. And now your own sister and father have passed on.”
He nodded. “It’s life.”
“But it’s so much to handle.” Her voice trembled. Carolena wanted to comfort him but realized no one could erase all that sadness. She wiped the moisture off her cheeks. “You didn’t have to tell me anything. I feel honored that you did.”
His gaze roved over her. “Your flattering interest in what I do prompted me to talk about something I’ve kept to myself for a long time. It felt good to talk about it. Why don’t you try it out on me by telling me what’s bothering you.”
Her eyes closed tightly for a moment. “Let’s just say someone that I loved died and it was my fault. Unlike you, I can’t seem to move on from the past.”
“Maybe you haven’t had enough time to grieve.”
Carolena could tell him seven years had been more than enough time to grieve. At this point, grief wasn’t her problem. Guilt was the culprit. But all she said to him was, “Maybe.”
“It might be therapeutic to confide in someone. Even me.”
His sincerity warmed her heart, but confiding in him would be the worst thing she could do. To remain objective around him, she needed to keep some barriers between them. “You have enough problems.”
“None right this minute.”
He stared hard at her. “Was his death intentional?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think it was. Have you gone for counseling?”
“No. It wouldn’t help.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.” In a panic, she started to get up. He helped her the rest of the way. “Thank you for being willing to listen.” It was time to change the subject. “Your uncle would be so happy to see how he guided you on your particular path, and more especially on how you’re putting that knowledge to exceptional use. If I’d had such an uncle, I would have made him take me with him, too. What you do can be dangerous, but it is thrilling.”
“You’re right about that,” he said, still eyeing her speculatively. “Shall we head out? By the time we reach the palace, hopefully Vincenzo will have good news for us about Max and we can all eat dinner together.”
“I hope so.”
They mounted their horses and took a different route to the stable. A limo was waiting to take them back to her wing of the palace. When they arrived, she opened the car door before he could. “You don’t need to see me inside. Thank you for a wonderful day.”
He studied her through veiled eyes. “It was my pleasure. I’ll call you when I’ve spoken with Vincenzo.”
She nodded before getting out of the limo. After hurrying inside, she took a quick shower, applied her makeup and arranged her hair in a loose knot on top of her head. For the first time in years her thoughts hadn’t been on Berto. They’d been full of the prince, who’d brought her alive from the moment he’d appeared at the side of the pool.
No matter that he had a girlfriend at the moment, it was hard to breathe every time Carolena thought of the way he’d looked at her. She could understand why any woman lucky enough to catch his eye would be willing to stay in a relationship as long as possible to be with him. There was no one like him.
Needing to do something with all this energy he’d generated through no fault of his own, she got dressed, deciding to wear a short-sleeved crocheted lace top in the same egg shell color as her linen pants. The outfit was light and airy. She toned it with beige ankle-strap crisscross espadrilles.
While she was waiting for a phone call, she heard a knock on the door and wondered if it might be the prince. With a pounding heart she reached for her straw bag and opened it, but it was the maid, and Carolena was furious at herself for being disappointed.
“Signorina? His Highness has asked me to accompany you to dinner. He’s waiting on the terrace.”
What about Abby and Vincenzo? “Thank you for coming to get me.”
No shortcuts through the grounds this time, but it gave Carolena the opportunity to see more of the ornate palace. By the time she arrived at the terrace, Vincenzo had already joined the prince, but there was no sign of Abby or Max. The two men stood together chatting quietly.
She had the impression this terrace was a recent addition. It was a masterpiece of black-and-white marble checkerboard flooring, Moorish elements and cream-colored lattice furniture in Italian provincial. A collection of exotic trees and flowering plants gave the impression they were in a garden.
Valentino’s dark blue gaze saw her first. He broke from Vincenzo and moved toward her wearing jeans and a sand-colored polo shirt. “Buonasera, Carolena. You look beautiful.”
Don’t say that. “Thank you.”
His quick smile was a killer. “I hope you’re hungry. I told the kitchen to prepare chicken the way Abby tells me you like it.”
“You’re very kind.” Too kind. She flashed him a smile as he helped her get seated. Valentino had no equal as a host. She decided he had no equal, period.
Vincenzo walked over and kissed her cheek before sitting down at the round table opposite her. A sumptuous-looking meal had been laid out for them. A maid came out on the terrace just then and told Valentino his mother wanted to speak to him when he had a minute. He nodded before she left.
“Where’s Abby, Vincenzo?”
“Max fussed all day and is still feverish, so we’re taking turns.”
“The poor little thing. Do you think it’s serious?”
“We don’t know. Our doctor said it could be a virus, but Max isn’t holding down his food. That has me worried.”
“I don’t blame you. Is there something I can do to help?”
“Yes,” Valentino inserted. “If Max is still sick tomorrow, you can keep me company, since Vincenzo will be tied up taking care of his family.”
He actually sounded happy about it, but the news filled Carolena with consternation. She’d been with him too much already and her attraction to him was growing. She flicked him a glance. “You don’t have to worry about entertaining me. I brought my laptop and always have work to do.”
“Not while you’re here.” Valentino’s underlying tone of authority quieted any more of her excuses. “No doubt you and Abby had intended to visit some of the shops and museums in Gemelli while on holiday, but I can think of something more exciting for tomorrow if you’re up to it.”
Vincenzo shot her a glance she couldn’t decipher. “Be careful.”
She chuckled. “Is that a warning?”
After finishing his coffee, a glimmer of a smile appeared. “On my first business visit here years ago, Valentino dangled the same option in front of me.”
“What happened?”
He studied her for a moment. “That’s for you to find out.”
“Now you’ve made me nervous.”
“Maybe you should be.” She couldn’t tell if Vincenzo’s cryptic response was made in jest or not.
“You’ve frightened her,” Valentino muttered. Again, Carolena was confused by the more serious undertone of their conversation.
“Then I’m sorry and I apologize.” Vincenzo put down his napkin and got to his feet. “Enjoy your evening. We’ll talk again in the morning. Please don’t get up.”
“Kiss that baby for me and give Abby my love.”
“I will.”
