The dreamy white A-line gown in chiffon and alençon lace featured cap sleeves under lacy short sleeves and a scalloped scoop neckline. Bands of lace appliques adorned the skirt that swept the floor. On her head she would wear a shoulder length alençon lace mantilla.
Lia had picked a dress without a long train. It was the perfect choice. Donetta hadn’t wanted anything extravagant like Lanza’s gown. She wasn’t getting married in the cathedral with the whole country her audience. There’d be no press release, no fanfare, no family in attendance.
Once she’d hung the dress in the closet, she undid all the packages including the hose and white shoes. Lia had excellent taste. Donetta loved everything the princess had bought for her.
After getting ready for bed she climbed under the covers, recalling her father’s words. I’ll be damned. I didn’t think there was a man alive who could win my daughter’s love to the point she would do anything to be with him.
That was exactly what Donetta had done, because Enrico was her heart’s desire, even if he didn’t love her back in the same way.
Tears trickled out of the corners of her eyes.
You can’t have everything you want, Donetta. But half a loaf is better than marrying the wrong man.
* * *
When Enrico knocked on Donetta’s door at eight in the morning, he was stunned by the sight of her in the white wedding dress that fit her so well it could have been made for her. He kissed her cheek. She smelled like roses. Beneath her lace mantilla, those light green eyes seemed illuminated. Frosted pink lipstick glistened on her beautiful mouth.
“Whether you know it or not, you’re the most gorgeous princess on the planet.”
“Thank you,” she answered, sounding slightly breathless.
“Are you ready to become my bride?”
The smile he remembered from years ago answered his question. “What do you think? You’re very handsome in that white dress suit and blue sash. The personification of a perfect prince.”
“Grazie, but no one cares about the groom. This is your day. I intend to be the best husband I can be to you.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to be the queen you’re hoping for.”
“You’ll be exceptional. Shall we leave for the chapel?”
“Yes, unless you’re hungry and need to eat first. There are rolls and fruit on the table.”
“I can’t eat. I’m too excited to marry you. The limo is waiting out in the back to take us to the chapel.”
She reached for the white satin clutch bag that Lia had thoughtfully bought to go with the gown and left the room with him. They descended the staircase and walked down a hall past some shocked guests to the rear entrance, where he helped her into the limo.
During the drive to the chapel they sat across from each other. The smoky glass prevented onlookers from seeing them seated on the inside.
He smiled at her. “Everyone recognizes the hood ornament’s royal crest. By the time we drive back to the hotel, our wedding will no longer be a secret.”
She nodded. “I’m tired of secrets.”
“We were partners in crime and got away with it for years. Once we’re married, we’ll never have to worry about it again.”
“Except that we’re committing the worst crime of all by merging a modern-day Montague with a Capulet.”
“It won’t be a crime once I’m king, bellissima. I’ve already laid the groundwork to investigate what really happened two hundred years ago. When I have evidence, I’ll show it to your father. It’ll be my gift to him for allowing me to marry his daughter.”
Donetta’s eyes misted over. “I’m only sorry your father doesn’t realize his son is being married this morning.”
“Maybe when we have brunch with him and announce our news, he’ll know somehow. One look at you and he’ll wonder why it took me so long.”
“I’m still worried about your mother’s reaction, Enrico.”
“She’ll recover. We just have to give her time. Right now I’m ready to take the biggest step of my life with the woman who caught my eye all those years ago.”
The limo slowed to a stop. “We’ve arrived outside the private entrance to the chapel. Once we walk inside, there’s no going back. Any second thoughts?”
She stared into his eyes. “None.”
CHAPTER SIX
DONETTA WAS STUNNED by the the palace chapel, a a beautiful creation of Moorish design. The interior glowed with lighted candles as they walked arm in arm on ancient tiled floors of fantastic colors and intricate motifs toward the priest in his black robes. In these surroundings that hinted at both the Moorish and Ottoman Empires, she felt transported to the Ottoman Empire.
Holding on to Enrico’s arm, she passed under one ornately designed arch after another. Each one was covered with lacelike patterns leading to stained glass windows of mosaic artisanship set in flower shapes.
Chairs with velvet cushions were placed on either side of the aisle. The two witnesses sat on the front seats.
Like everything he did, Enrico had sidestepped the rules. He explained he’d asked the elderly priest to keep the ceremony short for secrecy until they could announce their news to both sets of parents.
The priest didn’t give a long sermon about marriage. What he told them was to be honest with each other, trust and love each other. Those were vows Donetta could keep with all her heart.
She was excited beyond belief when the priest came to the last part. Enrico slid the Montedoro-crested gold wedding band on her finger. To her chagrin she had no ring for him, but that was her next priority.
“I now pronounce you, Enrico da Francesca di Montedoro, and you, Louisa Regina Donetta Rossiano, husband and wife, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. You may kiss your bride, Enrico.”
It was the most natural thing in the world to melt into his arms after taking her vows and lift her mouth to his the way she’d done in the mountains. Donetta had to restrain her passion from here on out since he’d said their marriage would be in name only. But he’d said he loved her and she knew he’d chosen her for his bride. Now she was married to the man she loved. No more separations. Together forever.
They thanked the priest and signed the marriage document before walking back out to the waiting limo. This time when they sat opposite each other, he grasped her hands. “We’ve done it, Signora Montedoro. It’s what I’ve wanted for so long.”
“I confess that I hoped to become your wife while you were away at university, but never thought I’d see this day, Signor Montedoro.”
From his pocket he pulled out a three-carat blue-white diamond set in white gold and put the ring on her finger next to the wedding band. She gasped. “I bought this diamond after college, planning to give it to you. I didn’t want to present you with one of the family jewels. You need to have your own.”
“Enrico.”
“After I saw you in Madrid, I had it set in white gold to match your hair.”
She held up her hand. “I adore it!”
The limo pulled up to the rear entrance of the hotel. “It’s vital Mamma sees evidence of our ceremony and knows how important you are to me. Hopefully, when my father looks at these rings, something will register in his brain.”
“I could pray for that. He has to be an outstanding father to have raised a son like you.”
“You’re very sweet, Donetta. We were always in lockstep. He would welcome you with open arms if it were possible. Let’s hurry inside so you can change, and then we’ll make that phone call to your parents.”
Within a few minutes they reached her hotel room and she changed out of her wedding finery into a silky white blouse and print skirt of white and café-au-lait. When she came out of the bedroom, she found him eating.
They walked over to the couch and sat down while she reached for her phone.
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“It’s going to be all right.” Enrico could probably tell she was trembling.
She nodded and pushed the speed dial. “It’s ringing. I’ve put it on speaker.”
“Donetta, darling?” came her mother’s voice after the first ring. “The girls told us you would be calling this morning. Your father is right here.”
Donetta clutched his hand. “Enrico is with me, too. We’re on speaker.”
“So are we.”
“I don’t know where to start except to tell you both I love you and always will. What I did yesterday has hurt everyone and I don’t expect forgiveness. But when I came to Vallefiore and spent time with Enrico, I knew I couldn’t marry Arnaud because it was Enrico I loved.”
“As I love Donetta,” Enrico broke in. “We’ve been in love for years, but my father has been plagued with Alzheimer’s since I was at university.” His voice rang with the truth, thrilling her. “I had to fully support him and couldn’t go after Donetta until very recently. Once we saw each other again, we knew how we felt, but she was already promised to Prince Arnaud.
“I know Prince Arnaud must be disappointed. I hope that he recovers soon. We’re calling you this morning to let you know that Donetta and I were just married in the palace chapel by our family priest. Later today we’ll be meeting with my mother to get her blessing. I hope we have yours.”
“You have it,” Donetta’s father interjected in a choked voice. “Only a woman madly in love would do what you did, Donetta. We want your happiness.”
By now she was in tears. “Thank you.”
“Donetta?” her mother chimed in. “We love you, and welcome you to the family, Enrico.”
Enrico swallowed hard. “That means more to me than you will ever know. Before long the coronation will take place and we’ll want your whole family here with us.”
“We’ll be waiting with excitement for that day. Thank you for giving us this marvelous news.”
“I love you and Papà,” Donetta said before they both heard the click. She buried her face in her hands.
Enrico put his arm around her shoulders. “Your parents are remarkable, bellissima.”
“They are.” She lifted her head. “So are you. The things you said to them reassured them as nothing else could.”
Enrico kissed the side of her wet face. “Let’s go to the palace. We’ll have brunch in the small dining room with my parents. My father will have been wheeled in, but he never talks, so Mamma will preside. I love her and can only hope she’ll be as gracious as your parents. Shall we go?”
Donetta reached for her handbag and he walked her out to the waiting limo with its tinted glass. After telling the driver to take them to the palace, he slid in next to her and put his arm around her again.
“After you left, I was in the depths of despair. I drove out of the city not knowing whether to work or go crazy. I couldn’t have dreamed my cousin would phone and tell me your jet had arrived in Saracene. For a moment I thought I was hallucinating, but you’re here and real.”
“I can hardly believe it myself. It was like a dream yesterday when I heard you say you wanted to marry me. So much has happened since then that I’m still trying to take it all in.”
“After we meet with my parents, we’ll have all the time we want and need to get used to the idea that we belong to each other at last.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
DONETTA REALLY DID belong to him now! The boy she’d been attracted to years ago had grown up to become the man she’d just married. But this was no fairy tale. They were on their way to tell his parents. Enrico’s mother wouldn’t react the way Donetta’s parents had done. She needed to be prepared for fireworks.
The trip to the palace didn’t take long. He helped her out of the limo and escorted her up the steps to the area reserved for the business of the king. The official flag of the country hung outside the throne room. Soon, this was where she would start to govern the affairs of the country with him. The feeling was surreal.
Further down the hall he led her up a staircase to the second floor, where they came to the small dining room. According to Enrico, the man who stood outside the opened double doors was his father’s caregiver. Enrico patted his arm as they entered.
The king, impeccably dressed and groomed in a gray suit and white shirt, sat in a wheelchair at the head of the oval table, with his head slightly drooped. His black hair was peppered with a lot of gray.
Enrico drew Donetta with him and leaned over. “Papà? This is my wife, Princess Donetta Rossiano of Domodossola.” He turned to her. “Donetta? Please meet my father, King Nuncio.”
Donetta was so moved to witness the love Enrico showed his father that she had to clear her throat to speak. “It’s one of the greatest honors of my life to meet you, Your Majesty. I’ve heard great things about you and know they’re all true because I see those same wonderful qualities in your son, whom I love.”
She’d never said those words to Enrico, but they’d slipped out now.
Of course there was no response from his father, but like Enrico, she hoped that something about this moment had reached a part of him that knew what was going on.
When she lifted her head, she saw the queen in the doorway, wearing a rose-colored two-piece suit. Again Donetta was reminded that Enrico had inherited attractive traits from both parents. “Your Majesty.” She curtsied to her.
“Princess Rossiano.” Just like that day at the concorso, Donetta saw no smile in the queen’s eyes. This woman was her new mother-in-law.
Enrico accompanied his mother to the table, where he seated her on her husband’s left side. Then he cupped Donetta’s elbow, took her around and helped her into a chair before he took his place between her and the king.
Two kitchen staff waited on them, pouring coffee and serving an elaborate brunch that included a variety of mouthwatering cut melons. Donetta made the effort to eat, but her nerves had taken away her appetite.
“Papà? Mamma? I asked the two of you to join with Donetta and me to celebrate our marriage.”
An audible gasp came out of his mother. Her face lost color, but Enrico kept going. “I’ve loved Donetta for years and now she has done me the honor of marrying me.”
He’d said the same thing to her parents, convincing her he loved her as fiercely as she loved him.
His mother’s brown eyes pierced Donetta. “You were promised to Prince Arnaud.” Her voice sounded totally shaken.
Knowing this moment had to come, Donetta girded up her courage. Enrico gripped her hand to give her his support. “I realized at the last moment that I couldn’t marry Arnaud when I knew I loved Enrico.”
“Have you always been this dishonorable to your parents?”
Enrico squeezed her hand harder to give her courage. “To have married Arnaud would have been wrong, Your Majesty. But I know I’ve put everyone through agony and will suffer for it for a long time. All I can hope is that the day will come when you’ll be able to be happy about what has happened and accept me.”
“Mamma—” Enrico broke in. “I spoke to the priest yesterday. Because of Papà’s illness, he understood the urgency and agreed to marry us this morning. We had a private ceremony in the palace chapel with only two witnesses chosen by the priest.”
The queen’s eyes narrowed. “In other words, he dispensed with protocol and waived the banns so you could have your heart’s desire.”
Donetta trembled.
“We’ve waited too long as it is, Mamma.”
“Of course you knew you would never have our permission, Enrico. Have you no decency toward Valentina and her family? They’ll be shattered when they hear this news.”
“Valentina knows I’ve never loved her. If anything she’ll be relieved and now have a chance to meet a man who will love her as she deserves.”
“She loves you!”
; “Love has to be reciprocated. You know that. I could never have married her when I’ve been in love with Donetta for years. We should have been man and wife long ago, but circumstances prevented it before now.”
“How easily you say that when you realize this marriage of yours is forbidden!”
“Only if you decide it is. Something that happened two hundred years ago should have been fixed long before now. I’ve already started to rectify the situation as we speak.”
“Well, I intend to do something about it now. Since you didn’t choose Princess Valentina for your bride, I won’t allow the cabinet to let you be crowned king. There’ll be no coronation!”
Donetta shuddered. The queen’s words couldn’t have been more cruel, but Enrico didn’t act fazed. His father made no sound or motion.
“Thank you for meeting us for brunch, Mamma. I’ll have to thank the chef for outdoing herself. Now Donetta and I ask to be excused so we can leave on our honeymoon. If you need anything while we’re gone, Lia and Catarina will be on hand. In case of an emergency, Giovanni will let us know in an instant.”
Another strange sound escaped his mother’s lips. A part of Donetta felt horribly sorry for his mother. The queen was in so much pain and needed the king, who was helpless at this point.
“Before we go, may I help you push Father into the sunroom first?”
“No thank you,” came his mother’s comment. “I’ll do it myself when I’ve finished my coffee.”
Donetta could see where Enrico had inherited his spine. Both of them were major forces. The whole situation was a nightmare.
Enrico helped Donetta from the table. When they reached the doorway, he left her side long enough to go back and kiss both parents on the cheek. After returning, he grabbed Donetta’s hand and they left the dining room.
He walked her to the main floor of the palace and down a hall to one of the entrances. “We’ll take my Land Rover.”
After they got in, she put a hand on his arm before he could start the engine.
The Prince's Forbidden Bride (The Princess Brides Book 2) Page 9