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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 Gesuwith 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.”
His question caught her off guard so completely, she almost fainted with happiness. “I can’t wait and haven’t been to a movie in ages.”
“Neither have I. We’ll leave after your shift. In case an emergency crops up, let’s exchange cell phone numbers.”
When that was accomplished, he said, “Buona notte,Fausta.”
She smiled. “Alla prossima, Nico.”
Fausta headed for the entrance where a palace guard opened the door for her. Without looking behind her, she went inside and dashed up the staircase to her apartment.
Her gambit to prolong their time together tonight had failed, but he wanted to see her again on Tuesday evening. When he’d first turned her down, she’d feared he’d decided she wasn’t that interesting after all. But his next question had sent her spirits soaring. He did want to be with her, hopefully as much as she craved to spend time with him.
She found herself dancing around as she got ready for bed. When she came out of the bathroom, her cell phone was ringing. She reached for it and checked the caller ID. It could be any one of her friends who worked on fund-raisers with her. Seeing who it was, she clicked on. “Mia!”
“Wow! Do you ever sound happy.”
“I am. Nico and I went to dinner tonight, and Tuesday night we’re going to see a film.”
“Wait. Tell me all that again. Go slowly.”
She clutched the phone tighter. For the next few minutes she explained how things had happened at the hospital, their meal in the cafeteria and Babbo’s, plus their subsequent dinner at Prospero’s. Remembering that Nico had said he hadn’t told anyone else about his past in years, she kept that information to herself.
“The dinner was over too soon, and he drove me home. I asked him if he’d like to come in, but he said he still had work. I was afraid I’d ruined things by pushing too hard, but then he asked me to go to a movie with him.”
Mia chuckled. “What did I tell you? The guy’s smitten.”
So was Fausta. So smitten she knew she’d never get to sleep. “Tonight he found out how much I wanted to be with him, like I was a desperate woman.”
“If anything he probably couldn’t believe that you, Princess Fausta, would actually ask a nonroyal man to spend private time with you inside the palace. In most people’s minds, it just isn’t done because it’s such a great privilege.”
“I don’t want to hear that. He’s such an incredible man, Mia.” Her voice shook.
With the background he’d come from, he was even more remarkable than anyone knew. “Being with him tonight has let me know I’ve lived a very sheltered, uninteresting life as a royal.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m being honest. The woman who wins his heart will be the luckiest woman alive.”
“Fausta—”
“Sorry, Mia. It’s late. I’ll see you on Monday. If you can make it, let’s meet in the cafeteria on your lunch hour before we both go on duty and we’ll talk.”
“That sounds good. But do yourself a favor. Don’t assume anything. To him you have to be the most fascinating female on earth.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
If only that were true. Tonight he’d revealed he didn’t have a clue about his origins. But there was one thing she understood above all else. Whoever his parents were, he’d inherited qualities and genes that put him head and shoulders above other men. She adored him.
“Ciao,Mia.”
“Ciao.”
Fausta hung up. Tuesday evening couldn’t come fast enough for her.
CHAPTER THREE (#ufd94c3b9-e1be-5d4e-9530-d7ca1c388418)
SINCE THE DINNER with Fausta on Sunday evening, Nico had been out of sorts. She had everything to do with his restlessness, but it wasn’t something he wanted to talk about with anyone, not even Felipe.
The women he dated knew nothing concerning his background. When or if the right one came along, that would be different. However, Fausta had been such a good listener, she’d drawn him out.
Their conversation at Prospero’s had caused him to open up about his life in a way he’d never done since moving to Domodossola. He decided it was because in the end, nothing could come of his association with her. That’s why he’d felt comfortable telling her certain facts. Maybe he even enjoyed shocking her a little about his work on a pig farm, but she didn’t act shocked.
In truth, he was the one who’d been stunned when she’d invited him in to her apartment at the palace. There was nothing he’d wanted more than to get closer to her. He knew she wouldn’t have asked him inside if she hadn’t wanted it too. But it wouldn’t have been a good idea because he desired her in all the ways a man could want a woman.
It was one thing to enjoy a few meals at or near the hospital with her. But to take her to Prospero’s before returning her to the palace had opened the floodgates for him. Now he’d invited her to a movie.
Little by little he was fanning the flames with a royal princess whose life had been mapped out from birth. Though she wished she were a commoner and insisted she would never marry a prince, Fausta had admitted that her parents were constantly pressuring her. Of course he believed her, but Nico didn’t feel…worthy of her.
He was a child who’d grown up abandoned by his parents and had become a realist. Though Fausta might not be in a relationship right now, she’d just told him her parents had royal plans for her. All he could imagine would be an affair with her, which would be impossible to hush up, something he couldn’t let happen.
There was another factor too. It wouldn’t be fair to go on seeing her when he might not stay in Domodossola much longer. That all depended on finding his parents, and he was expecting some news of them soon. For that reason, he hadn’t bought a home and settled down here.
The small Italian-speaking country of Domodossola was only two hours away from Biella on the northwestern Italian border. His parents could have lived within that radius before he was taken to the orphanage. But so far a thorough investigation here in this country as well as the region around Biella hadn’t turned up any information. At this point he’d been investigating elsewhere.
When or if he did find his parents, or discover his origins or where he belonged, and he discovered it was in another country, hopefully one or both his parents would want to get acquainted with him. It might be that he’d make a permanent move to be with them.
Then again, they might not want anything to do with him. Though he was taking a huge risk, he’d nursed the hope of a reunion for years. Certainly he wouldn’t expect a woman he was involved with, especially the princess, to deal with a future as uncertain as his.
All this was on his mind as he and Fausta exited the theatre. She looked gorgeous in a summery print dress. “Let’s get some gelato around the corner before I take you home.”
Their bodies brushed as they made their way through the crowds. The warm, beautiful early summer night brought out his longing to find a private place and kiss her into oblivion. So far he hadn’t touched her. He didn’t dare, or he wouldn’t want to stop.
They both chose strawberry gelato and made their way back to his car. On the drive to the palace his mind flew ahead to the next time they would be together. Right now, he couldn’t imagine his life without seeing her every day. He decided it would be safer to continue to be with her in public places where they would be around other people.
Nico drew the car around to the side entrance before turning to her. “I enjoyed being with you tonight more than you know. Thanks for sitting through that action film. It wasn’t as good as it was purported to be.” He took her empty gelato cup and put it in the bag.
“I agree, but I didn’t care because I had a wonderful time. Since you probably have to go, will you wait long enough for me to run inside? I have something I want to give you.”
She had something for him? He couldn’t imagine. “Of course I’ll wait.”
“Be right back.”
Within five minutes she’d returned carrying a white Lagotto hunting dog, the same kind she’d given Gina. After opening the passenger door, she placed it on its backside and put the seat belt around it.
She grinned. “You said you’d like one. His name is Giorgio. He works on a local pig farm. Now you won’t be lonesome on your drive home because you’ll both have a lot to talk about. Buona notte, Nico.”
He burst into deep laughter as she shut the door and disappeared inside the palace. No one had a personality like Fausta’s. Everything about her had enamored him to the point he wanted to take her home with him and throw away the key.
Barsotti? You’re in huge trouble.
After he reached his apartment, he phoned her, hoping she’d pick up.
“Nico? Is Giorgio giving you problems already?” she teased.
He closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m calling because you ran inside the palace before I could thank you. Your gift has special meaning for me.
“When I first started working on the farm, people came who didn’t know me and just called me Giorgio. I asked Angelo about it and he said it meant ‘farmer.’ Trust you to know that. Thank you again. See you tomorrow after your shift is over?”
“Absolutely.”
When Wednesday evening rolled around, Nico didn’t have a patient in the hospital, so he had no excuse to visit the pediatric ward. But that didn’t stop him from racing over there after hours to find Fausta. The long overnight wait to see her again had been deadly.
She came walking down the hall ten minutes later and broke into a smile to see him by the nursing station. “Ehi—how’s Giorgio?” Her hair shone like a pot of gold in the sunlight.
“We’ve become best friends. I’ve made him my guard dog while I’m at work.”
“I’m glad you like him.”
“I hope you realize I like the woman who gave him to me.” He heard her breath catch. “Shall we head for the cafeteria for dinner?”
“I have a better idea. I brought a picnic for us and thought we could eat it on the grass behind the hospital.”
She’d planned a picnic?
Today she was dressed in a yellow top and print skirt beneath her lab coat. He loved the way she looked. He loved everything about her. “I love the way you think.”
“Give me a second. I put the bag in the fridge of the nurses’ lounge.”
