by Jewel Allen
“We’re the only passengers,” I reminded her.
“Oh dear. You’re right, Prince. In that case, take your time.”
I rolled my eyes. Brigid could be quite sassy.
“Maybe if we procrastinate long enough,” Gemma whispered, “I won’t have to meet your mom.”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “Too late. You’re going. At least give it a shot.”
She flashed me a brave smile. “Okay.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gemma
Holy private jet.
The Mondragón royal jet was nicer than most houses. It was like an in-air five-star hotel. Diego said since six to ten people could travel on it at a time, this custom-fitted airplane had ten suites.
“You get your own,” Diego pointed out.
“I expect no less, Prince,” I retorted.
But when I finally got to see the inside of one, I turned right around. “I can’t stay here. This is just positively sinful.”
His brows came together. “Wait. Is that a good or a bad thing, ‘positively sinful’?”
“It’s decadence.” I walked back in, letting my fingers trail along the crisp white sheets under a “turned down” duvet, the little bar of all sorts of soda imaginable, the elegant in-wall dresser, the large TV screen above the computer and media console. “How does the plane carry all of this weight?”
Diego winked. “Everything is made of strong but lightweight metal.”
“Did you have this custom-built?”
He surveyed the room. “A couple of years ago, one of Mother’s friends was getting rid of it at a great price, so Mother snapped it up…after some hard bargaining.”
I walked farther in to discover a little private bathroom with a shower. There were his and hers bathrobes and expensive-looking toiletries. A little soap carved like a swan. A caviar face mask. It was mind-boggling.
“How long is the flight to Mondragón?” I asked.
“Eighteen hours.”
“I think I’ll start sleeping now so I can make the most of this,” I joked.
He gestured out to the hallway with his head. “How about some dinner first?”
My stomach growled, and I laughed. I’d been so busy all day that I’d just grabbed a banana for breakfast. “Good idea.”
We walked hand in hand to a dining room with a long table. Everything was top-of-the-line, luxurious, and bolted down.
“We usually have dinner here if ever we fly as a family. Which has gotten more infrequent lately. There’s a cozier little table farther down.”
I stopped short and breathed out an oh. The little round table with a white tablecloth was set for two with gleaming silverware, real china, and stem goblets.
I sat in one of the leather swivel chairs. Diego sat across from me and covered my hand, stroking it. He gazed out the window by the table, and I followed his gaze to the clouds.
“This is all pretty amazing,” I murmured.
“I’m glad you like it.” He picked up my hand, kissed it, and set it down again.
“I feel like I’m living in a fairy tale. Are you for real?”
He stood and walked around, kissing me. “Well?”
“Yeah, I would say so.”
He laughed and sat back down.
I looked around. “Where’s Brigid?”
“She’s probably hanging out with the crew. She likes to give me privacy.”
“I don’t know if I’m ever going to get used to having staff who’s with you twenty-four seven.”
Speaking of which…
A female attendant came out and brought a beautiful pumpkin soup sprinkled with smoked paprika. After that wonderful starter, we had fish, which I thought was the main course. But no. Steak followed. And then she served a pretty crème brûlée.
I probably moaned with pleasure a dozen times while eating the delicate sugar top and the custard. “You should make this your national dessert if it isn’t yet. Have it made every night.”
He dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “If that’s your heart’s desire.”
“Do you really have that much clout?”
“As much clout as the fifth prince in line could be. Which means very little politically. Sorry.” He grinned. “But I get an equal amount of money in my trust fund, so I’m not complaining.”
“On that.” I set down my napkin and searched for the words. “I don’t want to take money from you unless it’s a loan.”
“But if I’m a partner…”
“I just don’t want to take a handout. If you truly want to be my partner, then that’s a different story, I suppose.”
“Then it’s a deal, yes?”
“What about your family? Won’t they think I’m taking advantage of you?”
“It might look like that to some, but we know the truth.”
I considered his words. “Let me sleep on it.”
I woke like a new woman. Sleeping on a private jet in an actual bed was the way to go.
With a rush of excitement, I tried the caviar face mask before stepping into the rain-like shower. I was normally a get-in-get-out kind of person when it came to the shower, but I indulged today. I even used the blow dryer until my hair went from so-so to shiny.
Why was it so important for me to impress Diego’s mother?
Because if things worked out between the two of us, this could be my mother-in-law. I wished there was some royal-family-meeting playbook. I sure needed it right now.
I almost chickened out, again, when I put on my black dress and saw my reflection in the mirror along the wall. I didn’t recognize the elegant woman looking back at me.
There was a knock. I studied my reflection one last time in the mirror, my fingers shaking as I patted my hair in place, then went to open the door.
“Good morning, love.” His eyes took me in. “Wow.”
“Thanks.”
Today he was wearing a black dress shirt unbuttoned at the neck, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. As I had hoped, before he carted me off through plane, he gave me a few good-morning kisses.
We walked hand in hand through the plane and into the dining area where a buffet of cheeses, pastries, and fruit was laid out for us to enjoy. We fed each other playfully, watching the plane descend over the ocean and down onto a small airstrip.
Diego donned sunglasses, which made my pulse race. He looked so…prince-like.
Brigid greeted us at the open door leading to the plane steps. Beyond, everything looked so green. The air distinctly smelled fresh as pine. “Welcome to Mondragón.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Diego
Gemma was quiet in the limo as we drove past Mondragón’s countryside on the way to the castle. Brigid was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Gemma’s head was turned away from me, and I wondered what she was thinking.
“This is so beautiful,” she finally said.
I looked past her to the passing landscape, and I couldn’t agree more. The landscape came straight from the pages of a medieval storybook—farmland, little cottages, orchards, and towering mountains.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.” She turned to me. “How do you keep everything so green here?”
“We get a lot of rainfall. We’re lucky that way.”
“Funny how the mountains are so bare compared to the fields.”
“A while back we had a volcanic explosion, and the lava razed everything in its path.”
“Oh no.” She turned to me with a concerned glance. “That’s terrible.”
I nodded. “It wasn’t good for the wild horses on the mountain, but in the end, it worked out. Nature sometimes needs to recharge, and this was her way of doing that. I’m sure all the trees and foliage we lost will come back even stronger, especially with volcanic ash as fertilizer.”
“That’s a nice way of looking at both sides of the coin.”
As we approached the long road leading the eye to the castl
e, Gemma’s eyes widened. “Wow, Diego. Disneyland’s castle has nothing on yours.”
I chuckled. “I would hope so.”
“What kind of industry did you say your family is in?”
“Diamond mining.”
Her eyes twinkled. “That explains a lot. I almost expect a ten-sword salute or something grand when we get to the entrance.”
“Now why didn’t I think of that?”
Despite her joking, I could tell she was nervous. She started chewing her nails and smoothed her skirt several times. I reached over and squeezed her hand. She turned her hand so our fingers were linked, squeezing mine back. As the limo stopped, I let her go.
“Hello, Gervais,” I greeted our family’s long-time butler, Mother’s right-hand man. “This is my girlfriend, Gemma.”
Gervais, the consummate professional, smiled. “It’s so good to see you again, Your Highness. And a pleasure to meet you, miss.”
I glanced at the graceful curved staircase. “Which room will she be staying in?”
“Your mother deigned to have her stay in the peach room.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
Gervais motioned to the limo. “Would you like me to get the rest of your things from the car, sir?”
“Sure. Brigid would probably appreciate the help.” I turned to Gemma. “Would you like to see your room?”
“Yes, please. Unless…”
“Unless?”
She bit her lip. “Unless you want to see your mother first.”
“We won’t keep her waiting, but we have some time.”
She took my arm, and I gave her the grand tour. No one was about—not any of my four older siblings. They either lived somewhere else on the grounds or lived half of their time in their spouses’ native country. In the past five years, they had each, with the exception of Mateo, found the love of their lives.
My hand closed over Gemma’s tightly.
She glanced at me with a question in her eyes, and I simply said, “I love you.”
Again, that adorable blush. “I love you too.”
The peach room was ready for her. Immaculate. Gemma ran from piece of furniture to piece of furniture, examining the décor, and then threw the French doors open.
“I’ve always wanted to do that,” she admitted.
She was standing at the rail when I joined her. I wrapped my arms around her, and she leaned against me. It was a peaceful scene—horses at pasture, rolling hills that abutted to the mountains that rivaled the Swiss Alps. I couldn’t be prouder of my little country than at that moment.
“Do you have some sort of a city center around here?” she asked in a wonder-filled voice.
“We have a town square around the church with little shops, but that’s about it. A lot of families grow their own food and raise their own cattle. We’ve taken steps to make sure growth here is limited. It helps that our family owns most of this land.”
“Ah, that makes a difference, then.”
My phone rang, and I saw it was Mother. “Excuse me,” I said, kissing Gemma’s cheek.
“Hello, Mother,” I said into the phone, and Gemma gave me an anxious glance as I walked off to the side.
“Why haven’t you brought her to see me yet?”
“We’re admiring the view from the peach room balcony. Thank you for hosting her, Mother.”
“Of course. I can’t wait to see her. Come soon.”
I clicked my phone shut and reached for her hand. “Mother is ready for us. Are you?”
Gemma smoothed her dress and nodded, but her eyes were wide with worry.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Gemma
Hand in hand, we walked down the hallway to what Diego called the receiving room. More and more, this was feeling like a royal ceremony of epic proportions. My poor metal knees knocked together. It was a good thing I loved Diego, or I’d have run back into the pretty peach room.
We reached a set of double doors painted with intricate designs on the front. Scenes of hunting, dogs, life in the country, and farming.
No one announced us like in the movies. Instead, Diego turned a knob and pulled the door open. Nina Assante sat on a couch-like piece of furniture on a low, two-step stage. In Denver, she was elegant and classy. Here she was magnificent.
“Darling Diego,” she purred.
He came forward and kissed her cheeks. The little white toy dog on her lap wagged her tail frantically and tried to lick his face.
“Now, Chi-Chi,” she said. “Behave yourself. I know you’re happy to see Diego.”
But is she happy to see me?
I waited for Princess Nina to acknowledge me, and now she did. “Welcome to our home, Gemma.”
Her warmth caught me off guard. I’d come prepared to engage with shin guards on, but this lady was actually smiling at me. Gone was the impatient attitude she’d brought with her to Denver the first time we met.
“Hello.” I curtsied. Wasn’t that what people were supposed to do when they met royalty?
“Tut-tut,” she said, gesturing for me to sit on a nearby chair. “No need for that. But I’m flattered, nonetheless. And how did you find your trip on the plane?”
“It’s an amazing plane. Thank you for the experience.”
Diego pulled up a chair and sat next to me, putting his arm around my shoulders. His touch bolstered my confidence.
“Glad it can be of use to someone,” Princess Nina said, stroking her dog’s fur. “I don’t like to travel as much anymore.” She eyed me from head to toe. “You are a beautiful woman, Gemma. I can see why my son would fall head over heels in love with you.”
I glanced at Diego for moral support. He gave me an encouraging smile.
“I’m so glad we can get to know each other better,” Princess Nina purred. “Perhaps you could make time for me so we could enjoy tea later this afternoon? Just me and you. Can you spare me her company, Diego?”
“Of course, Mother,” he said. “What time would be good for you?”
“How about three?”
“Three it is.”
As we moved to leave, she called out after Diego. “Oh, and I’m hosting a little party tonight.”
Diego smirked. “How little is this party, Mother?”
“Oh, two, three hundred people,” she said airily. “I doubt everyone I invited will be able to come, being that some are coming from out of the country.” She paused. “Like Bavaria.”
Diego stiffened. “I see. Well, I hope you get the guest attendance you would like.”
In the hallway, I turned to him. “You seemed bothered by something she said.”
“You know how she mentioned Bavaria?”
“Yes?”
“That’s where Princess Adele is from.”
My heart sank. “Oh.”
“Sorry. I hope I’m mistaken, but this little party makes me wonder if she’s being sincere.”
I gaped at him. “You’re actually questioning your mother?”
“I love her; don’t get me wrong. And she has her wonderful qualities. But she’s had a history of interfering with all our love lives. I admit as each of my brothers has gotten married, she seems more resigned to the fact that we don’t seem to like picking fellow royalty.”
“I can see why she’d be concerned.”
“Do you? But love is love. I don’t see why we should have to marry into royalty. This isn’t the Middle Ages.”
I couldn’t agree more, but what did I know?
We were out on the grounds now, turning into a garden that tantalized the senses. Everywhere was beauty and color and profusion. Fat bumblebees buzzed around heavily, as though sated with nectar. There were rows of marble troughs tiled with a mosaic that sparkled in the sun like diamonds. I wouldn’t doubt they did have actual diamonds. There were pockets of wild randomness in a crazily planned way.
I trailed my hand in the water in one of the marble troughs. The sound of running water calmed me. “I can see why marrying into other roy
al families could be good. You could all monopolize Europe’s wealth.”
“Sure, that sounds fun.” He rested a foot on the trough rim and smirked.
I studied the profile of this handsome down-to-earth man. “Of course, you wouldn’t need to. You’re already a billionaire.”
“I’ve been blessed with good fortune, yes.” His gaze caressed my face. “But what good are billions if you can’t spend the rest of your life with someone you love?” He studied my face. “You look skeptical.”
“I belong to a culture where people say it’s just as easy to fall in love with a poor man as a rich man.”
“Is that what you did, then?” he teased. “Fell in love with me because I’m rich?”
I frowned. “That’s not funny.”.
“Sorry,” he tried to soothe me. “It was a joke made in poor taste.”
“You’ve seen my home. We aren’t poor, but we’re not wealthy by any means. To tease me like that—”
“Darling,” he whispered as he pulled me into his arms. “I shouldn’t have teased you. It wasn’t funny.”
“No, it’s not.” That familiar knot of uncertainty returned to me. “I don’t want you to ask for that money from your trust, Diego. Loaned or not. I don’t want your mom to think the only reason I wanted to be with you was because of money.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I replied in a firm voice.
He rubbed his stubble. “But how will you raise the money?”
“I don’t know. But I’ll figure it out.”
“Very well.” He gazed into my eyes. “Does that mean I can’t be a partner anymore?”
“In that sense, probably not.”
He smiled. “But in another sense…?”
I turned away, my heart thudding. “I’m in love with you, Diego, but I don’t think I’m prepared to talk promises of the future. Not until after I talk to your mother.” I winced. “Or get through this weekend alive.”
“Fair enough. There will be plenty of time for that. Speaking of time…” He glanced at his watch. “Do we need to take you shopping?”