“There’s a small restaurant around the next corner that serves one of my favorite dishes. Have you ever eaten maialino allo spiedo?”
Her eyes sparkled like blue diamonds. “Roast pig? I’m sure I have.”
“But this recipe is different and you’re in for a real treat.”
After a minute he found a parking space along the ancient street, but it turned out to be a tight squeeze between cars smaller than his. He slid from the car and hurried around to help her.
Soon people were staring at her, but she seemed oblivious. He noticed that men couldn’t take their eyes off her. No doubt they wished they were in Nico’s shoes as he ushered her inside Prospero’s, a small dimly lit cantina over two hundred years old.
The owner saw Nico and hurried toward him with a wide smile. He couldn’t take his gaze off Fausta. “Dottore—are my eyes deceiving me?” he whispered.
Nico chuckled. “No, amico mio. Prospero Gallo? May I introduce Princess Fausta Rossiano?”
“I knew it! Benvenuto, Your Highness!” He beamed. “I’ve never been so honored.”
“Just call me Fausta, Signor Gallo, and I’m the one who feels privileged. Nico tells me you make the best roast pig in Domodossola.”
Nico could tell by the way the owner seemed at a sudden loss for words that her compliment had thrilled Prospero. But after a moment he recovered and led them past several other diners to the best table of the house in the corner, where they were seated.
“We don’t need a menu, Prospero. Just some white wine and your wife’s rigotoni alla carbanara to go with the maialino allo spiedo followed by coffee.”
“Al vostro servizio, Nico.” His gaze switched to Fausta. “Princess,” he murmured before hurrying to the kitchen, unable to call her by her first name.
By now the staff had to be aware of their illustrious visitor. Nico knew that a visit from a member of the royal family had made Prospero’s night. Being with her had made Nico’s night and he intended to enjoy it to the fullest.
“The owner is charming. Has he been a patient of yours?”
“No. We met in an entirely different way. When I moved to Domodossola eighteen months ago and joined the hospital staff, I asked around to find out what restaurants served roast pig. I tried several places, but they were a disappointment. Then I came to Prospero’s and now I never go anywhere else when I’m in the mood for it.”
“Why is that dish so special to you?” She’d just sipped the wine one of the waiters had brought to their table. Her lips glistened from the liquid, causing him to think thoughts he shouldn’t be having, like how she would taste right now if he were to kiss her. His instant attraction to her was growing in leaps.
He drank some of his. “They use an old recipe that reminds me of the years I lived in Biella.”
Her eyes searched his. “You mean Biella, Italy?”
“Have you been there?”
“Once years ago, with my mother and sisters. Mamma loved it because it was hilly with old castellos she’d visited as a child. As I recall, we had lunch there with a friend of my father’s cousin. I remember walking up the steep, narrow streets to the citadel.”
“I did it many times myself.”
“So you’re Italian! You must be here on a visa. Now that you’re a doctor here, do you think in time you might apply for Domodossolan citizenship? Quite a few people from other countries hold dual citizenship.”
“That’s true—”
But before he could answer her question, Prospero brought their food to the table. He nodded to Nico then said, “Buon appetito, Princess.”
“Grazie, signor. It looks delicious. So does the rigotoni alla carbanara.”
Nico eyed her after Prospero walked away. “He cooks the meat. His wife makes the pasta with guaciale.”
She looked surprised. “Doesn’t that mean ‘cheeks’?”
He chuckled. “In this case pig’s cheeks. Normally the pasta is made with pancetta, but the meat is too crisp. Guaciale melts in your mouth.” All the time they talked, he couldn’t stop admiring the mold of her face and the way her eyes danced. There wasn’t another woman like her in existence and he didn’t want this evening to end.
The waiter brought coffee as they started eating. After a few minutes she leaned toward Nico. “This food is divine. How do you know all this? Were you a five-star chef before you became a doctor?”
“Not exactly. From the age of twelve to eighteen I was a pig farmer on an estate on the outskirts of Biella before and after school.”
“You’re kidding!” she cried with excitement. “You got to play with all the little piglets?”
Her comment tickled him. “You like pigs?”
She smiled. “Yes! Sometimes my sisters and I would visit a pig farm on the palatial estate and I always wanted to take one home and turn it into a pet like my rabbit. My parents forbade it, but—Oh, they’re so adorable!”
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 Gesu with 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
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 i
n 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.”
How to Propose to a Princess Page 3