Bride Fit for a Prince

by Rebecca Winters

  “How’s the dog faring?”

  “He’s fine so far.”

  “Was there any doubt in your mind?”

  “You never know anything positively.” Her voice shook.

  “Nicco has total trust in you. Coming from that head-strong son of mine, it’s the highest compliment you could be paid. We’re very happy he married such a wonderful and accomplished woman. Welcome to the family, Callie. May I call you that?”

  “O-of course.”

  His father’s sincerity felt so genuine, she winced in pain. When it came time for her to leave Italy, she was going to feel the wrench.

  Today shouldn’t have happened! Everything was getting much too complicated.

  She knew that deep down Nicco had been worried his parents would take their marriage too much to heart. Now she was worried too. Petrified.

  “My son tells me you lost your father and mother a long time ago.”

  Callie started to shake and couldn’t stop. “Yes.”

  “Maybe one day soon you’ll be able to look on me as a true father and call me Papo. Perhaps when you and Nicco make a baby?”

  By now Callie was dying inside. There wasn’t going to be a baby! A month from now she and Nicco would no longer be a married couple. The whole thing had been a mistake from start to finish.

  “Callie?” His mother appeared at her other side, preventing her from having to answer his father’s impossible questions. “Please will you use your influence with our son and come to dinner at the palace this evening? He says you have other plans, but surely you could drop by for an hour?”

  All she could do was take her cue from Nicco. “We’d love to come, b-but I don’t dare leave Valentino for a while. Could we postpone it for another time?”

  Maybe as long as she and Nicco had promised those journalists they could come by the apartment for a story, it might be wise to get everything over with on the same day. Then never again!

  “That would be lovely. We’ll call later and make the arrangements.” She patted Callie’s arm before stroking the dog’s head. “You’re invited, too, Valentino, so mind your new mommy and get better.”

  New mommy—

  “Remember what I said,” Nicco’s father whispered. He gave her a warm hug. Then he bent to Valentino’s level.

  “You’re in the best of hands.” He kissed the dog behind his ears.

  The whole attractive Tescotti family were animal lovers. Callie would have liked them anyway of course…

  By nine-thirty that night, Valentino was awake and wanted to leave the surgery. Callie removed the IV and pronounced him recovered enough to go home.

  Throughout the rest of the day she’d spent a lot of the time discussing other cases with Dr. Donatti while they kept a professional eye on the dog. As for Nicco, he paced the floor so often, they told him to go for a horseback ride. Thankfully he took their advice and rode for several hours.

  While he was gone, Callie had time to ponder his kiss of gratitude. Like the lovesick fool she was, she’d turned it into something else. Her response probably had everything to do with his restlessness.

  How foolish she’d been to let it go to her head like that. Nicco had to be regretting his own impetuosity. If she left Italy tomorrow, there would be no more incidents of that kind. Unfortunately the news of her departure would create fresh trauma in the Tescotti household, especially for Enzo and his wife.

  But maybe while Nicco was out riding, he’d decided he preferred risking that kind of turmoil to being forced to live another twenty-four hours with a besotted wife he didn’t love. He hadn’t planned on her caring for him when he’d drawn up that awful marriage contract.

  If he were counting the hours until he was free from bondage, Callie would oblige him by leaving as soon as possible. Though she’d lost her heart, she still had her pride. It would see her through until she could be alone to grieve.

  Yet the idea of a permanent separation was unthinkable. She couldn’t fathom putting thousands of miles between them now.

  Try to imagine how you’ll feel if you stay the whole month and then leave, a little voice inside her cried.

  While she was still in the throes of turmoil, Nicco returned to the lodge. He seemed in much better spirits than when he’d left. Signora Donatti, a charming woman Callie had taken to at once, didn’t have to urge Nicco to eat the home-cooked meal she’d prepared for everyone.

  He managed to put away several helpings of her delicious linguini and clams and then ask for more chocolate cheesecake. Obviously he’d worked out a solution to his problem. Callie feared it didn’t bode well for her.

  “You’re still the best cook in Torino, Bianca. I will always consider it a privilege to eat at your table. Now it’s growing late. We need to get Valentino home so you and the good doctor can retire for the night.”

  He focused his gaze on Callie. “If you’ll go out to the truck, I’ll bring the dog. He can rest his head on your lap.”

  “All right.”

  After thanking their hosts, she hurried outside and got situated. It had grown dark in the last hour. Soon Nicco appeared carrying the dog in his arms. He laid him carefully on the seat. Valentino automatically rested his head on top of her thigh where she could hold and protect him.

  Dr. Donatti handed her a bottle of painkillers. Callie grabbed his hand and shook it. “Thank you for everything.”

  He smiled. “You sound like we’re never going to see each other again. I expect you to drop by with Valentino in a few days.”

  “We’ll try.”

  Nicco’s lack of commitment made Callie want to break down and sob. It had been such a wonderful day, but it wasn’t real. None of it was real because their marriage was based on a lie that was going to blow up in her face before the night was out.

  He started up the engine. In a minute they drove away from the lodge without saying anything. They’d been driving for a while before she noticed that they were headed away from the city.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To the farmhouse.”

  She blinked in surprise. “Why?”

  “Valentino loves it there. He can lie in front of the fire, roam wherever he wants inside or out. The apartment is too cramped. I want him to be comfortable while he’s convalescing.” After a brief silence, “Do you have a problem with that?”

  Her breath caught. “There’s only one bedroom.”

  “We managed before without problem.”

  “You and I aren’t really married—” she blurted.

  “We’ve been over this ground already.”

  “You know what I mean. The longer we go on with this charade, the more other people are going to get hurt, namely your parents. Their appearance at the surgery has made this all too real.”

  He pressed harder on the throttle. “If this is your way of telling me you want out of this marriage early, you can forget it.”

  “Please. Just listen to me. I could visit your parents tomorrow and tell them everything. When they understand how far you were willing to go to help your brother, they’ll only have cause to love you more than they already do.”

  “Have you finished?”

  “No! Your parents seem very happy together. They wouldn’t want to see you condemned to a loveless marriage. I know they wouldn’t!”

  He turned in her direction. “When did you get this sudden, burning desire to go back to California? After I kissed you?” he demanded.

  Even in the semidarkness, he could probably see the red staining her cheeks.

  “I thought so,” he bit out in what sounded like utter disgust. “If my intention had been to sleep with you, I’d have crawled under the sheets with you that first night like you were daring me to do.”

  Her eyes closed tightly remembering what a botch she’d made of that failed ploy.

  He geared down to pass another car. “Never fear. Surely after surviving our honeymoon, you realize you’re safe with me. When I want that kind of pleasure, there are
women I know who—”

  “You’ve made your point!” she blurted in fresh agony. Every word from his mouth was like the plunge of a dagger to her heart.

  “Now that we have that out of the way, why don’t you tell me what my father said to tie you up in little knots.”

  Her mouth was so dry, she couldn’t swallow. “He hoped I would call him Papo by the time we had a baby.”

  Nicco burst into deep-bellied laughter. “Did you tell him we have Valentino who’s enough baby for both of us?”

  “Laugh all you want, Nicco, but your father meant every word. Both your parents are going to be crushed when they find out we’re divorcing. In the beginning you were worried about it, too, so don’t try to deny it.”

  “Who’s denying it? But remember there are no guarantees that two people will stay together, not even when they have the kind of marriage that’s based on a deep, abiding love.

  “In my parents’ case, I’ve decided to give them credit for being mature adults who will deal with their pain when the time comes. At this point I’m much more concerned about your mental state.”

  “Mine?”

  “That’s right. What’s your hurry to be gone? Or is there something you haven’t told me…”

  When he got that frigid tone, it made her jittery. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I think you do. Is there a man in your life you’ve been keeping a secret from me?”

  Yes! she cried inwardly. It’s you, Nicco. Only you.

  “Your silence speaks loudly. Who’s the man? Dr. Wood?”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake, no! He was married with children when I was just a little girl.”

  “Then it’s the guy the who sold you his Strada 100. Jerry, I think you said.”

  Nicco had a memory like a computer. She tossed her head. “This is an absurd conversation. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  “I thought you told me he was married.”

  “He is!”

  “But he still comes to see you every once in a while.”

  “To see his family!”

  “It’ll serve him right to learn you’re married and living out of the country where you no longer worship at his feet.”

  “He taught me how to ride, Nicco. That’s not something I’ll ever forget.”

  “You’re too old a woman to continue nursing a crush you should have outgrown by high school.”

  His comment caused her mind to reel. Filled with jealousy, she eyed him intently. “You’ve already passed the third of a century mark. How many girls did you teach to ride in your time?”

  He slowed down to negotiate the turn onto the farmhouse road. “The only woman who ever got near one of my bikes taught me a lesson I’ll never forget.”

  She felt prickly heat invade her body. “Does that mean you have an extra bike I could ride?”

  “Make up your mind if you’re staying or leaving.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Nicco! You know I’m not going to do anything that will rebound on your brother.”

  He pulled up to the farmhouse door and shut off the motor. “I didn’t think so, but I had to be sure. Valentino wouldn’t understand if you walked away from him now.”

  “As if I could,” she whispered to the beautiful dog who lay there with his eyes half closed.

  “Give me a moment to go inside and spread a blanket for him in front of the fire.”

  When he opened the driver’s door, cold mountain air filled the cab. It was a lot nippier than a few nights ago. Her eyes searched the darkness for his tall, powerful silhouette, but he’d disappeared inside the farmhouse.

  If he loved her, everything she could ever want was right here. Since he didn’t, she would have to pretend he was a friend, nothing more.

  “Surely I can handle it for a few more weeks, Valentino. When the pain is unbearable, I’ll burden you. How does that sound?”

  Deep in thought she let out a small cry of surprise when her door opened. She hadn’t heard Nicco’s approach.

  “Everything’s ready. Come on, boy.”

  The dog lifted his head and tried to get up, but he was pretty unsteady. Nicco caught him in a secure hold and carried him inside the farmhouse. Callie followed with the pills.

  The caretaker must have started a grate fire long before they arrived. It crackled and spit, illuminating the two mattresses Nicco had placed on either side of a blanket. Valentino already lay on top of it in front of the hearth.

  “Stay with him while I bring everything in from the back of the truck.”

  She nodded. As soon as he’d gone out, she found a knife in the kitchen drawer and used the end of it to crush one of the pills in a bowl. In the fridge were several bottles of orange juice. She opened one and added a little to the pill which she swirled with her pinky. Next she walked over to the dog and set it by him.

  “Come on and drink, Valentino. Your throat hurts, but I know you’re thirsty.”

  As she’d done with the Loti’s cat, she dipped her fingers in the liquid, then put them in the dog’s mouth. Valentino licked them. When he discovered it was sweet, he drank from the bowl she held for him.

  “That’s it. Good boy.”

  Thrilled to see it disappear, she poured in more juice.

  Nicco entered the room with his arms full of sacks and put them on the kitchen counter. His gaze darted to the near-empty bottle.

  “He’s already swallowed his medicine,” she was happy to announce.

  “You have strong magic,” he murmured in a husky tone.

  “No. Just common sense. When my tonsils came out, I ate a lot of frozen juice on a stick. A dog is no different.”

  “If you want to get ready for bed, I’ll see that he finishes it.”

  Pleased to have something new of her own to wear, she left the two of them alone and went into the bedroom with the wardrobe she’d purchased earlier in the day.

  After a quick shower she put on a nightgown and robe. When she returned to the fireplace, she noticed Nicco had brought in more firewood. He’d also supplied them with blankets and pillows.

  Anxious to be of help, she rinsed out Valentino’s bowl and filled it with fresh water for him. When there was nothing else to be done, she got down on the mattress and undid her braid. She started to brush her hair. It felt good.

  Soon Nicco joined her. He’d dressed in a clean pair of navy sweats. Between that color and black, she didn’t know which looked best on him. His gorgeous olive complexion combined with black hair and eyes set his extraordinary looks apart from other men. She could feast her eyes on him forever.

  He lounged on top of his mattress and talked to Valentino in Italian. Whatever he said caused the dog to wag his short tail.

  She smiled. “I have to know what you said to him.”

  Nicco smiled back, turning her heart over and over. “I told him we’d play ball in the courtyard tomorrow. He loves it when I hide it and he has to look for it. I tell him if he’s hot or cold.”

  “Valentino? You’re so smart it’s scary!”

  He made a funny rumbling sound deep in his throat.

  While she sat there, she became aware of the horrible itch on her hands she got from scrubbing. It reminded her to pull out the cream Dr. Donatti had suggested she try. She opened the tube and rubbed it into her skin, but she didn’t hold out much hope. Still, it had been kind of him to offer a remedy.

  She felt Nicco’s intense gaze. “Are you allergic to something?”

  “Yes. It’s the soap I have to use before an operation.”

  He frowned and sat up. “I noticed the rash on your hands when I put the betrothal ring on you.”

  “I’ll bet you did. Most women have soft, beautiful skin. I’m the furthest thing from the Princess and the Pea you’ll ever find. Kind of ironic, isn’t it?”

  “Most women don’t have your gifts.”

  “Thank you, Nicco. I’ll accept that as a compliment.”

  “It was meant as one.”

&n
bsp; “Nicco—” She put the cap back on the ointment and pocketed it. “What am I going to do for the next three weeks? Naturally I’ll watch after Valentino until he’s well, but he’ll be healed in a few days. The thing is, I’m used to being busy.”

  His eyes narrowed on her features. “For one thing, I planned to take you to work with me.”

  Finally! “What is it you do?”

  “Why not tell me.”

  “After that ironclad contract you drew up, I should imagine you’re an attorney.”

  “I’m afraid she’s cold, Valentino.”

  “A seaman then?” He loved the water.

  “Colder still. If you’ll be patient for a few more days, then I’ll indulge your curiosity.”

  “Is it so mysterious you can’t tell me now?”

  “No. I simply want the satisfaction of watching your reaction.”

  “Now I am intrigued.”

  “Good. Intrigue is the spice of life.”

  She cocked one expressive brow. “With those Borgia genes, you come by it naturally.”

  Their eyes held in the firelight.

  “What happened to my Machiavellian genes?”

  “Those, too.”

  “You’re not nervous of me?”

  Nervous.

  Excited.

  In awe of you.

  In love with you.

  I’m all of those things.

  Callie took a deep breath. “Should I be?”

  “Maybe.”

  A frisson of delight chased across her skin. “Don’t tell me you turn into something else at the stroke of midnight—”

  “It might be better if we don’t find out,” came the cryptic comment.

  He got to his feet in one lithe move. With the flames casting shadows, he looked larger than life and infinitely more dangerous than he had at the airport when she’d first seen him.

  Valentino wasn’t the only one who gazed up at him in worship. Once again he’d caught her making a fool of herself. She turned her head to the side.

  “Before it gets any later, I need to talk to the Cozzas.”

  “Are they the caretakers?”

  “That’s right. I won’t be long. Don’t be nervous. I’ll lock the door when I go out.”