by Holly Hart
“If it was just me, I’d be okay with taking the risk,” I say, even though I wouldn’t be. Not really. “But it’s not just me. Oriana and Vito are innocent bystanders in all this. How hard would it be on them if I were to just walk out after being an integral part of their lives for a year? How hard would it be on me? No amount of money is worth that kind of pain.”
Hot tears stream down my cheeks. I’ve been holding this in for days now.
Maria pulls my head onto her shoulder.
“As I said, no marriage is ever guaranteed to work. And I think the fact that you even asked that question means you’re ready to do whatever it takes to make sure you don’t go down that road.”
“But when royal marriages go wrong, they really go wrong,” I say. “Look at Charles and Diana.”
“Dante is not Charles,” she soothes. “And you’re not Diana.”
“Yeah, and he didn’t buy her virginity at the last minute to fulfill some insane decree, either.”
That came out meaner than I wanted it to. But the truth is the truth.
We sit there in silence for a few moments, Maria stroking my hair, me snuffling back the last of my tears.
“If it’s any consolation,” she says, “I’ve never seen Dante act around a woman the way he acts around you.”
“Really? Even skinny-legs Giselle?”
Maria rolls her eyes. “Especially her. The less said about her, the better. She was little more than window dressing for the tabloids.”
“Too bad she didn’t figure that out before she came over to our table.”
“Giselle Ranette is an ignorant, entitled sow who deserved what she got and more.”
“And yet she was his girlfriend,” I point out.
“Yes,” she says. “You have to understand the circles that Dante moves in. These people all have wealth, status and privilege, and they’re surrounded by people who never tell them ‘no.’ It doesn’t excuse their behavior, but perhaps it explains it.”
“I guess you’re right. I saw enough of it on the farm. Once we had a beaver wander up from the river near our place and right into a herd of heifers.”
“I’m sorry,” Maria says. “What’s a heifer?”
“It’s a female that hasn’t been bred yet.” I know what that’s like. “Anyway, the cows followed it everywhere, sniffing it and pestering it. Dozens of them, all following the leader. It’s just their nature.”
I look up at her and she cocks an eyebrow.
“Are you comparing Giselle to a heifer?” she asks.
“Hey, if the moo fits…”
She chuckles, which helps lift the mood of the moment.
“Neither of us has time for this kind of nonsense,” she says, giving me a peck on the forehead. “There’s a royal wedding happening in a couple of days, in case you haven’t heard.”
We both get up and gather our things to leave.
“Thank you, Maria,” I say. “I would literally be insane if I didn’t have you to get me through this stuff.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness,” she says with a curtsy. “But any more episodes like this and I’m going to demand Dante give me a raise.”
“You never know,” I say with an evil grin. “Maybe I’ll be your boss after the wedding.”
She rolls her eyes. “What is it you Americans say? Shoot me now?”
Our giggles echo through the huge granite hallway as we join arms and head out into the palace.
Chapter Thirty-Four
33. DANTE
“The first payment has been arranged, sir,” Carlo says. “The annuity will be deposited in Mr. Sparks’ account in the morning.”
The sun is warm on my face as I smell the herbs that grow in a special box channel near the main courtyard of the south garden. It’s one of the rare occasions when Carlo’s ever joined me outside of the palace. Our relationship over the past twenty years has taken place almost entirely in offices.
“What does it work out to with exchange?” I ask.
“Approximately $2.4 million US at today’s rate, though it’s expected to rise slightly by wedding day.”
Amanda wasn’t specific as to how much her father’s operation was in debt, but I’m sure a lump sum payment of this magnitude should go a long way to easing her and Ike’s minds.
Carlo sidles up to me, leaning his tall frame forward to get a whiff of the herbs himself. Basil, rosemary, sage, lavender: it all combines into a heady scent that I’ve loved since I was a child.
I wanted to get some private time in the gardens before they’re overrun with people tomorrow.
“What do you think of Amanda’s idea for the gardens tomorrow?” I ask. “Are we risking too much? Is it better just to play it safe?”
“I think your father would be very proud of you, sir,” Carlo says. “And he would have loved the idea. He valued people over possessions, more than any nobleman I’ve ever met before or since. Except for you.”
“Thank you, Carlo. Coming from you, that means a great deal.”
“If that’s all, sir, I’ll retire to my office. I’ve tarried in the gardens long enough.”
“You really need to get out of your office more, my friend.”
“Some day,” he says with a smile. “But not today. Ciao.”
He strides off down the path from the courtyard to the entrance to the palace. As I watch him go, it occurs to me yet again that Carlo has sacrificed a family of his own to help keep mine from flying off the rails. In many ways, he’s more my family than Isabella ever was.
“He’s got us! Help, he’s got us!”
I turn to see Ike ambling towards me, carrying a twin under each beefy arm. He’s back in his usual clothes today: a short-sleeved blue plaid shirt and jeans.
“You should keep better track of your calves,” he says, plopping the giggling duo on the grass next to us. “I caught these two tryin’ to jump the fence.”
Vito jumps into my lap. “Uncle! Mr. Sparks says he’s going to take us to his ranch in Montana! Can we go?”
Ike shades his eyes and scans the gardens. “Where’s that Mr. Sparks?” he says. “I don’t see ‘im anywhere.”
“We’re supposed to call him Ike,” says Oriana. “Pay attention, Vito.”
Vito sticks his tongue out at her, so, of course, she sticks hers out at him.
Ike looks down at them. “You two need a salt lick?”
“What’s a salt lick?” asks Vito.
Ike sighs. “You got a lot to learn if you’re gonna be cowboys.” He tilts his head towards Oriana. “Pardon me, ma’am, I meant cowpersons.”
I smile down at the twins. “And what are you going to see when you’re there?”
Oriana starts ticking off items on her fingers.
“Disneyland, the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains…”
Ike holds up his hands in surrender.
“Whoa, there, girl, that’s a lot to see. America’s a big country.”
“How big?” asks Vito.
“California alone is over 100,000 times bigger than Morova,” I say.
Vito’s eyes pop. I never really gave much thought to how isolated they’ve been here. They’ve traveled on the continent a few times, but most of their lives have been spent right here on this island.
I always thought it was good enough for me, so it was good enough for them. Now I’m beginning to discover a whole new world.
“Heck, my ranch is almost as big as Morova,” Ike says.
“Speaking of Montana,” I say, “I wanted you to know the first annuity will be deposited in the account you provided us in the morning. Approximately midnight tonight Montana time, I believe.”
Ike’s reaction is more emotional than I expected. I see a shimmer of tears in his eyes as he reaches out a hand to shake mine.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Ike says, his voice cracking.
“Think nothing of it,” I say. “It’s just a formality.”
�
��It’s no formality to me, son. It’s life-changin’ is what it is. This whole thing – ” He waves a hand at the gardens, the palace, the children. “It’s like I walked into a storybook. A tiny brain like mine just can’t take it all in, y’know?”
Tiny brain, my ass. Ike Sparks is one of the smartest men I’ve ever met.
“Ike, I wouldn’t know the first thing about running a cattle ranch,” I say. “If you dropped me into the middle of yours all by myself, the cows would probably be dead from my incompetence within a week.”
Ike claps a hand on Vito’s shoulder, all but covering it with his palm.
“Best get these kids trained on ranch life soon, just in case that ever happens,” he says.
“Yesss!” Vito shouts, pumping his little fist.
“Well then,” I say. “I suppose we’d better arrange a visit to Montana after the wedding.”
“Really?” Oriana asks, eyes wide.
“Of course.”
“YAYYYY!” they cry. Ike joins in with a “Ya-HOO!”
The children head to a spot on the grass to discuss their impending voyage to America. As they do, Ike leans close to me.
“By the way,” he says with a chuckle. “You finally shake that bachelor party hangover?”
Ugh. I barely remember anything that happened after Ike and I talked that night. We got to our hotel suite and I passed out. Woke up still woozy and with the worst headache of my life. I vaguely remember someone coming into my room.
“I did,” I say. “But it took a couple of days. I swear I’m not normally that bad after I drink.”
“If I hadn’t seen you partyin’ on the cover of all those supermarket papers, I woulda worried that you were a lightweight, the way you were the next mornin.’” He grins. “’Course, I don’t get hangovers. Stick to beer, never fear.”
More sage advice from the Buddhist master.
Suddenly Ike snaps his fingers and reaches into the front pocket of his jeans.
“Almost forgot,” he says, rummaging around before emerging with a small box. “I got somethin’ for you.”
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Aw, it’s nothin,’ really. Just somethin’ I thought you might be able to use.”
He opens the box to reveal a pair of cufflinks. They’re sterling silver, engraved with a series of six intersecting lines that form a star-like shape.
“That’s our brand there,” he says, running his finger over the star. “It’s supposed to look like a spark, since we’re Sparks Land and Cattle, though there’s not as much land now as there was.”
He runs his thumb along the jewelry, as if lost in his memories.
“My grandpa had ‘em made up for his wedding back in 1935, and then my dad wore ‘em when he married my ma. I wore ‘em when I married Amanda’s mom. If I’d had a son, I woulda passed ‘em on to him, but I didn’t, so…”
I stare down at them, avoiding his eyes for fear that I might not be able to keep myself in check. People rarely give me things without expecting something in return.
“I understand if you don’t want ‘em,” he says. “They’re not worth anythin.’ I saw the rock you gave Amanda for her engagement ring, and I know these don’t come close to measurin’ up to that.”
“On the contrary,” I say, grinning stoically. “That ring was my mother’s before she died. It’s only fitting that I wear your father’s cufflinks for the ceremony. I’m sure Amanda has told you about the importance of tradition in the Trentini family. This and her ring are symbols of our two families joining together.”
“Well, all right, then,” he says with a wide grin. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Thank you, Ike.”
“You’re welcome, Your Highness,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “I’m glad to finally have a son to carry on the tradition.”
The twins choose that moment to come running back to us.
“I don’t suppose there are any children around here who would like to go to the lagoon?” I say, trying to head off any uncomfortable questions.
Their eyes light up. “Can Ike take us?” Oriana asks.
“Yes, please,” says Vito, ever the gentleman.
“You’ll have to ask him,” I say.
“Please, Ike,” they beg in unison, sounding like Oliver Twist asking for more gruel in the classic movie.
“Sounds like a plan,” he says, hoisting them up over his shoulders as if they weighed nothing at all. “You two need a good bath, anyway. You’re startin’ to smell like my cows.”
The children giggle as he turns to head back to the palace. Before he leaves, he glances back at me.
“Good talkin’ to you, son,” he says.
“The pleasure was all mine,” I say. Truer words were never spoken. “Now move along and get those cows down to the watering hole.”
The man who will be my father-in-law tomorrow retreats to the palace with the children, leaving me alone to contemplate whether I’m about to make a colossal mistake.
Chapter Thirty-Five
34. WEDDING BROADCAST, LIVE ON 4ROMA AND STREAMED WORLDWIDE
SERGIO: Valentina, I’m being told that we have cameras on Amanda right now. Let’s go to that feed from the hallway outside the nave of the cathedral.
VALENTINA: Oh, my, Sergio, look at that dress! It’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s Andreas Fortuna at his finest!
SERGIO: Rumor has it the gown cost over 200,000 euros.
VALENTINA: Well, it’s worth every cent and more. Look at her, she’s absolutely radiant. This American lady has come out of nowhere and stolen the hearts of continental Europe overnight.
SERGIO: Can we get a close-up? Yes, there we go. Stunning. Just stunning. Maybe a little too stunning for some of those stuffy Morovans. What do you think?
VALENTINA: If the prudes on the National Council have a problem with that dress, then they need to have their heads examined. Why can’t a royal bride be sexy? Where is it written?
SERGIO: Simmer down, you’re preaching to the choir.
VALENTINA: I can’t simmer down, Sergio, because we’re looking at Prince Dante now. Drink him in, ladies, because this is the last time you’ll see him as a single man.
SERGIO: His outfit, of course, is the traditional Morovan military uniform. It was originally worn by his father, Prince Nero, when he wed the commoner Lia. Obviously Dante had to have it altered to accommodate his frame and height…
VALENTINA (sighing): Ah, his frame. His height. So serious looking, like a commander on the battlefield. Even though he has to be nervous, you’d never know it from those steely gray eyes.
SERGIO: On his hip, of course, is the legendary Trentini sword, carried into battle by his ancestor, Prince Valerio the Bold.
VALENTINA: I think all of us ladies would like a closer look at the prince’s sword…
SERGIO: Ahem. Anyway, as you can see, the palace cathedral is one of the most intricate and ornate in Europe. The Trentini family were patrons of a number of Renaissance masters, who paid them back with some of the world’s finest masterpieces. The building itself was designed by none other than Leon Battista Alberti.
VALENTINA: Well, I personally think the bride and groom are the greatest works of art in this building right now. Such a beautiful couple. With genes like that, their children will be magnificent.
SERGIO: Speaking of children, there are Vito and Oriana, looking equally gorgeous in their formal wear. This is a rare glimpse at the royal twins, who spend most of their time far away from the public eye.
VALENTINA: Perhaps that will change now that the prince is finally settling down and leaving that playboy lifestyle behind, Sergio.
SERGIO: One can only hope. Excuse me, I’m being told the procession is about to begin. And yes, there it is, the opening strains of the traditional Morovan bridal march.
VALENTINA: Amanda’s showing just a touch of nerves as things start to proceed. I can’t imagine what’s going through her head. Less than a month ago, she wa
s a simple graduate student studying Renaissance texts in Malta. Today, she’s about to become princess of the richest principality on Earth.
SEEGIO: Yes, and only a handful of days ago, she was punching out a supermodel in Cannes.
VALENTINA: Let it go, Sergio, that was self-defense.
SERGIO: Possibly taught to her by this man, Isaac Sparks of Montana, USA, standing by his daughter’s side, ready to walk her down the aisle. Signore Sparks is a true cowboy, running the family cattle ranch.
VALENTINA: Look at him, he could be a gunslinger in an old Sergio Leone Western movie.
SERGIO: He actually looks more nervous than any of them. And is he – Arturo, can we get a close-up of his feet? There. Yes, it’s true. He’s actually wearing cowboy boots under his formal wear.
VALENTINA: Grrrowwrr. He can ride my range any time.
SERGIO: There are children watching, Valentina.
VALENTINA: Shh! It’s starting!
Chapter Thirty-Six
35. AMANDA
Dad isn’t so much walking me down the aisle as he is holding me up so I don’t fall over. The pipe organ drones in my ears like white noise.
This is insane. I’m in one of the most famous cathedrals in the world, walking towards a handsome prince who’s waiting to take my hand in marriage. And the whole world is watching.
Don’t look at the kids or you’ll lose it. Shit! Too late. Their smiles are so sweet. Oriana waves at me. Should I wave back? Is that a serious breach of protocol?
I wave back anyway and return her smile. Dad does, too. I’m sure there are plenty of people clucking their tongues right now – if not for the wave then for the dress – and I don’t care. I may be in a golden cage from now on, but that doesn’t mean I have to jump through hoops.
Why are we stopping? Oh my God, we’re here already. Dante is so gorgeous close up. His uniform and that sword make him look so dignified. Suddenly my dress seems almost slutty in comparison.