‘All right?’ he asked softly.
‘Mi sento male,’ Melinda muttered. I feel sick.
His heart missed a beat. ‘The baby?’
She shook her head. ‘La mia famiglia.’
So she was sick with nerves at facing her family? He
noticed that she’d slipped back into her own tongue. He smiled reassuringly at her and squeezed her hand. ‘Va bene, bella mia. It will be all right.’
She sighed. ‘I’m not so sure.’
‘Your sister is on your side. And I am here. Trust me.’
Finally they landed. ‘I booked a taxi. It was supposed to meet us here,’ Melinda said when they’d gone through customs. She shook her head in annoyance. ‘Maybe they’re running late. I’ll check.’
But before she could take her mobile phone out of her handbag, a woman sashayed towards them. She was slightly taller and thinner than Melinda, Dragan noticed, and her hair was worn back in a smooth Grace Kelly-type style rather than loose and wild, the way Melinda wore it—but the family resemblance was unmistakeable.
This had to be Melinda’s younger sister.
‘Did I hear someone asking for a taxi?’ she said with a smile.
‘Rena?’ Melinda stared at her in obvious surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Meeting you, of course.’
‘But—I had a taxi booked.’
‘I know. I cancelled it. Carlo’s outside.’
Melinda blinked. ‘You brought the limo?’
‘It makes life less complicated. Welcome home, carissima.’ The woman hugged her, then stood back and looked at Dragan.
He gave her a tiny formal bow. ‘Your Royal Highness.’
She made a small impatient gesture and hugged him. ‘Don’t be so formal. You’re going to be mio cognato, my brother-in-law. So there’s no need for any of this “Your Royal Highness” business. My name is Serena. Or Rena, for short.’ She grinned. ‘I must say, you’re dishier than your photograph.’
‘Rena!’ Melinda said, sounding shocked.
Serena laughed. ‘And you look a million times happier than the last time I saw you, Lini. Let me see the ring.’ She held Melinda’s left hand and peered at the stone. ‘Now, that’s pretty,’ she said, her voice full of approval.
‘Not quite in the league of your family jewels,’ Dragan said dryly.
‘But this was given with love. Which makes it sparkle an awful lot more,’ Serena said, her voice utterly sincere.
He smiled at her. ‘I think I’m going to like having a sister-in-law.’
‘Pity you have the demon mother-in-law to go with it,’ Serena said.
‘Rena!’ Melinda said again.
Serena laughed. ‘I’m only saying what you’re thinking, sorella mia. Dragan versus the dragon…’
‘Stop it. I’m worried enough about this.’
‘Chill. It will be fine.’ Serena gave an exaggerated wink. ‘If Mamma misbehaves, the second I am queen I can chuck her in the dungeons.’
‘You’d never believe she was always the demure one, would you?’ Melinda asked Dragan as they followed Serena to the limousine. ‘This queen business is going right to her head.’
‘The phrase, sorella mia, is “Off with her head”,’ Serena corrected, laughing.
The journey was an easy one, and then Carlo drove through the gates to the palace. It was a huge mellow stone building, clearly several hundred years old. When they went inside, Dragan noted that the carpets were so thick he sank into them as he walked, and the curtains were of heavy velvet and brocade. Portraits hung close together on the walls: generation after generation of people who’d lived there.
Old money.
Breeding.
Tradition.
Royalty.
A million miles away from his little cottage in Penhally. This wasn’t the kind of place where he belonged.
It wasn’t where Melinda belonged either. And all of a sudden he began to understand how she’d felt on the plane. Because he was feeling exactly the same way right now—with adrenalin tingling through him.
Alessandro and Viviana were seated on couches in one of the formal rooms. And Dragan suddenly wished he’d thought to ask Melinda about etiquette. How did you behave around royalty? Both Melinda and Serena were down to earth and didn’t stand on ceremony—but he knew their parents wouldn’t be the same.
‘Mamma. Papà.’ Serena curtseyed before them both, and kissed both of them on the backs of their left hands.
Lord. He’d never, ever been anywhere so formal. Didn’t these people greet their children with a hug and a kiss, like normal parents?
Then again, they weren’t normal people. They were the king and queen of Contarini.
‘Mamma. Papà.’ Melinda also made a small curtsey, but there was no kiss.
And then all eyes were trained on him.
OK. He could do this. If Melinda and Serena had to curtsey, it followed that he would have to bow. ‘Your Majesties,’ he said, first bowing to Melinda’s father and then to her mother.
They nodded graciously.
And then it was the most awkward pause he’d ever experienced in his life.
‘Be seated,’ Viviana said, giving an imperious gesture towards one of the sofas.
No wonder Melinda had wanted to escape all this. It was stifling. Like going back in time a hundred and fifty years.
Alessandro looked at Dragan, his arms folded. ‘So you are the man who wishes to ask for my permission to marry my daughter.’
What now? Was he supposed to say certain things in a certain way?
He didn’t have a clue what the traditions were.
But the one thing he could do was to speak from his heart.
He stood up. ‘Your Majesty, I love your daughter,’ Dragan said quietly. ‘She is the sunshine in my life. And I asked her to marry me before I found out she was a princess—before I discovered that she was expecting our child.’
Viviana gave a sharp intake of breath. ‘You—’
Alessandro lifted one hand. ‘Allow him to speak without interruptions.’
Viviana glowered, but to Dragan’s relief she fell silent.
Dragan took a deep breath. Melinda’s mother definitely wasn’t going to like this next bit. But it had to be said. ‘Thank you, Your Majesty.’ He paused. ‘I’m not asking for your permission to marry your daughter. I’m asking for your blessing.’
‘My blessing?’
‘It would mean a lot to Melinda—and to me. But if you choose to withhold your blessing, I will still marry her. Because we are meant to be together.’
Alessandro looked thoughtful. ‘She is a princess. She is used to the finer things in life. Can you afford that?’
Dragan smiled. ‘She has royal blood, but at heart Melinda is a country vet. I admit that I wouldn’t be able to keep her in the kind of thing you have in mind—jewels and haute couture—but that’s not what she wants anyway.’
‘No?’
‘No,’ Dragan affirmed. ‘I would have paid a year’s salary for her engagement ring, if that’s what she’d wanted—but I know Melinda. She’d have taken it back to the shop the next day, picked something much smaller, got a refund for the difference and given the money to an animal charity.’
Alessandro raised an eyebrow.
OK. So this was where he would be thrown out of the palace.
And then, to his surprise, Alessandro burst out laughing. ‘That sounds like exactly what she would do. You know my daughter’s heart, then.’
‘Yes. And I can tell you now I will be a good husband. I’ll love her and cherish her—and our children—for the rest of my days. Sometimes my hours are long but, then, so are Melinda’s.’
‘You expect her to work after your marriage—after the baby arrives?’ Viviana asked sharply.
Dragan met her stare without flinching. ‘I expect Melinda to do what makes her happy. She loves her job and she’s very, very good at it. If she chooses to work full time or part time, she
has my support. We’ll work out what’s best for us as a family.’ He paused. ‘And that’s the most important thing—family. Without that, all the property in the world means nothing. You can’t put a price on love.’
There was a long, long silence.
And then Alessandro nodded. ‘My daughter says you are a good man. And we had you investigated.’
‘You did what?’ Melinda asked, sounding appalled.
‘I did what any father would do. I found out just who the man was who wanted to take my daughter—to see if he will make her happy.’ He inclined his head towards Dragan. ‘You worked to make sure your family’s honour remained intact before you left Croatia. And you went to England with nothing—took nothing, expected nothing, and you have worked hard to make a good life. You are a man of honour. And I know you love my daughter. So, yes, you have my blessing.’
Melinda stood up and took Dragan’s hand, then looked at her mother. ‘And yours, Mamma?’
‘You should have been queen,’ Viviana said, shaking her head. ‘But you have always known what you wanted to do. And if your father is happy to give his blessing, I will not stand in your way.’
‘Families are important,’ Dragan said softly again. ‘And we have something for you.’ He glanced at Melinda, who took three small envelopes from her handbag and handed one to each of her parents and her sister.
‘What is this?’ Viviana asked.
‘I think I know,’ Serena said with a broad smile. ‘Open yours first, Mamma.’
Viviana frowned, but did so. Opened the card. And her eyes widened as she took in exactly what was inside the card.
The picture from Melinda’s scan.
‘The first photograph of your grandchild,’ Dragan said. ‘And I would like very much to know that our son or daughter will have a nonno and nonna who will come to visit.’ He smiled at Serena. ‘I know already our children will have an aunt in a million.’
Serena turned bright pink, stood up and hugged him. ‘Grazie, Dragan. And welcome to our family.’
Then Viviana shocked him completely by doing the same. ‘My daughter is right. Welcome to our family. I know you have no family, Dragan, so il bambino may only have one set of grandparents—but we will do our best to be as good as two.’
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BACK in Penhally, Dragan brought a tray of cold drinks and biscuits through to the living room, where Melinda, Lauren and Chloe were talking non-stop.
‘I’m leaving you lot to it,’ he said. ‘I’m taking Bramble out—but I’ll have my phone on if you need me.’ He gave Melinda a lingering kiss. ‘Ciao, tesoro.’ He whistled to Bramble, and a few moments later Melinda heard the front door close.
‘I asked you both over tonight for a reason,’ she said to Lauren and Chloe. ‘You know I’m getting married at the end of the month…well, I need bridesmaids. Which is where you come in.’
‘You want us as your bridesmaids?’ Chloe asked, looking shocked.
Melinda rolled her eyes. ‘I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t.’
Lauren looked worried. ‘I don’t know, Melinda. I’d hate it if I tripped over your train or something and fell flat on my face in the middle of the aisle. You know how clumsy I am. I don’t want to spoil your wedding.’
‘And you’re a princess, Melinda. It’s a royal wedding.’ Chloe bit her lip. ‘I can’t be a royal bridesmaid.’
‘Yes, you can. Because it’s not a royal wedding, it’s my wedding,’ Melinda reminded them. ‘We need to get a few things straight here. Lauren, you won’t fall flat on your face in the aisle. You can wear flat shoes and the dress can be ballerina-length if that’ll make you feel more comfortable. Look, you two are my best friends. I really want you as my bridesmaids, along with my sister. And my wedding day just won’t be the same if you’re not.’
Chloe and Lauren eyed each other doubtfully.
‘If you’re sure…’ Lauren began.
She hugged them each in turn. ‘Of course I’m sure. And I hope you realise you’re top of our godmother list, too. Along with my sister Serena, or she’ll have us thrown in the dungeons.’ As her friends’ eyes widened, she laughed. ‘Figuratively speaking. I think it’s actually against the law for her to chuck anyone in the dungeons. She just likes saying it. Anyway, I’m under instructions to measure you tonight for the dresses.’
‘So we’re not going shopping?’ Lauren asked.
‘Yes and no,’ Melinda said. ‘Serena has this friend who’s a brilliant dressmaker. She’s emailed me half a dozen designs—we pick the ones we like and her friend makes them, then comes over for the fitting. We get to choose colours, too.’
‘I’ve never had a dress made just for me,’ Chloe said quietly.
‘Nor me,’ Lauren said.
‘Well, now’s your chance. And it’ll be by someone who Serena reckons is going to be one of the hottest designers in Milan by next summer.’
‘You’re really sure about this?’ Lauren asked.
‘Absolutely.’ Melinda fetched her laptop from her briefcase. ‘Let’s sort out our dresses.’
Later that evening, Melinda was aware that Dragan had gone really quiet. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘I was thinking about the wedding.’
She went cold. ‘Have you changed your mind?’
‘No, of course not.’ He hugged her. ‘It’s just that tonight you were sorting out bridesmaid stuff. And that reminded me, it’s traditional for the groom to have a best man.’ He looked away. ‘I always thought I’d be my brother’s best man at his wedding, and he would be mine.’
Melinda stroked the hair back from his face. ‘Oh, zlato. I’m sorry.’
‘Not your fault.’ He sighed. ‘But it leaves me with a problem. I have no family. And I don’t know who to ask.’
‘What about Nick Tremayne?’
‘Nick?’ Dragan looked surprised.
‘He’s your friend as well as your colleague, isn’t he?’
‘We’re not that close…but you’re probably right. Nick would be a good choice.’
‘Then ask him, caro.’
The following morning, before surgery, Dragan knocked on Nick’s door, opened it and leant against the jamb. ‘A word?’
The senior partner looked up from his desk. ‘That’s my line.’
‘I know.’ Dragan coughed. ‘Nick, I need a favour.’
‘What sort of favour?’
‘I’m getting married. And I need someone I can trust to hold
the ring for me and make a half-decent speech at the reception.’
Nick’s brown eyes widened. ‘Hang on. You’re asking me to be your best man?’
‘Got it in one.’
‘Good lord.’ Nick smiled, and suddenly looked younger than Dragan had seen him for a long, long time. ‘I’d be delighted. Thank you.’
‘Good. Oh, there is one tiny little thing.’
Nick’s voice was full of suspicion. ‘What?’
‘I’d rather you didn’t bring Cruella as your wedding guest.’
Nick’s frown deepened. ‘Why?’
‘She’s upset half the people in the practice—Kate, Alison, Hazel. She’s rude about my dog. And she was rude to Melinda before she realised that she was speaking to Princess Melinda Fortesque—since then, she’s been driving Melinda crazy, trying to be pally with her and swapping fashion tips. I can’t get through to her that Melinda hates all this royal stuff.’
‘Ah.’ Nick grimaced.
‘I don’t want an atmosphere at the wedding. Melinda’s mother is, um…’ Dragan searched for a diplomatic expression ‘…a strong character. And if someone wasn’t particularly careful about what she said or who might overhear her, it could make life difficult.’
‘Point taken,’ Nick said. ‘I’ll come on my own. Actually, I think Natasha’s planning on going back to Rock anyway.’
Dragan knew a few people who’d correct that to ‘crawling back under the rock she came from’, but held his tongue. ‘Thank
you.’
The last days of the month sped by. Serena came over from Contarini to help with the wedding plans, and Dragan was impressed by how quickly and easily the future queen of Contarini managed to organise everything and took all the stress off Melinda—and at the same time she still managed to make the bride feel that she was completely in control. Melinda simply said what she wanted and Serena organised it.
Serena also had things to say about the press.
‘If we have a deal with syndicated rights, we get a wedding photographer who’s desperate to take the best pictures of his life, and you’ll get a measure of privacy—well, as much as any royal wedding will. The papers will be happy because they get brilliant pictures, and the paparazzi won’t hassle us because the deal is done and dusted. Everybody wins.’
‘And for syndicated rights, we get money,’ Melinda said thoughtfully. ‘Which I’d like to donate to charity.’
‘You took the words out of my mouth,’ Serena said. ‘Do you have anything special in mind?’
‘Local ones who do animal rescue, plus something towards church funds,’ Melinda said.
‘And the primary school and village nursery,’ Dragan added. ‘They could do with some new play equipment.’
‘And something to the lifeboats,’ Melinda said.
‘Good idea,’ Dragan said. ‘Kate, one of the midwives at our practice, was married to the man who ran the lifeboat station. He died in a rescue at sea—and Nick, the senior partner at my practice, lost his father and brother in the rescue too.’
‘I read about that. Such a tragedy.’ Serena looked serious. ‘Right. Give me a list of contacts and I’ll sort it out.’
‘You’re going to be an excellent head of state,’ Dragan told her. ‘You’ve got the right touch with people.’
‘Melinda’s good with people, too,’ Serena pointed out.
‘But her heart wouldn’t have been in the job, so it wouldn’t have been right for her. Whereas you—you’ll make an excellent queen because your heart is in it.’
Brides of Penhally Bay - Vol 2 Page 16