by Douglas, Michelle; Gordon, Lucy; Pembroke, Sophie; Hardy, Kate
‘No, I like that you were spontaneous. It’s sweet,’ she said.
‘Just so you know, I wanted to meet you at the airport,’ he said softly.
‘It’s fine. Bruno was there.’ Though it warmed her that he had wanted to be with her. ‘Besides, I’m here as a consultant, so people would think it strange if you met me at the airport.’
He shrugged. ‘I guess.’
‘Come and sit down—can I make you a drink or something?’ She’d checked out the kitchenette and seen that there was a selection of tea and coffee, plus a supply of fresh milk in the small fridge.
He smiled. ‘How come you manage to be a good hostess when you’ve only been here a few hours?’
She shrugged. ‘It’s just how I was brought up. You always offer someone a hot drink the second they walk through your door. Well, strictly speaking this is your door, not mine,’ she amended, ‘but you know what I mean.’
‘Do you know what I want more than coffee, right now?’ he asked.
‘Mind-reading isn’t one of my special skills,’ she said.
‘I know.’ He laughed. ‘OK. I’ll tell you. I just want to hold you.’
‘That isn’t such a good idea,’ she said. ‘I’m here on business.’
‘You’re here because I wanted to see you, and right now I can’t come to England, so bringing you here seemed like the best solution.’
‘You sent a plane for me, Lorenzo. Don’t you think that’s a little bit flashy?’ she asked.
‘Probably,’ he admitted, ‘and it’s bad for the environment as well. But, given that you’re a mere mortal and don’t possess wings...’
When he was like this, it would be so easy to give in and just be with him. He was adorable—sweet and funny, Lorenzo the man and not Lorenzo the Crown Prince.
‘Hello, Indi,’ he said softly, and kissed her.
She managed to stand her ground. Just. ‘We can’t do this, Lorenzo. We’re not in England any more. You’re about to become king.’
‘And you’re putting obstacles in the way. Why are you so scared?’
‘Because,’ she said, ‘you’re not going to be allowed to be with me. No matter what our personal views on the matter might be, you have to think as a king first and a man second. You can’t just do what you want.’
‘You,’ he said with a sigh, ‘sound like my grandfather.’
‘And he won’t think I’m remotely suitable for you. So it’s better not to start something we can’t finish.’
‘What if the barriers were all taken away?’ he asked.
If only, she thought. ‘And how are you going to do that? There isn’t anyone else who can take over from you, is there?’
‘No,’ he admitted. ‘But I think you could be suitable, Indi, if you give yourself a chance.’
‘If I change, you mean?’
He shook his head. ‘Don’t ever change. You’re warm and honest and a breath of fresh air. You make things sparkle.’
She stroked his face. ‘Lorenzo, don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.’
He moved his head so he could press a kiss into her palm. ‘You’re so stubborn.’
‘If the press drag up my past...’
‘Then it’ll be a two-day wonder, they’ll find someone else to gossip about pretty soon after, and nobody’s going to judge you on your parents’ mistakes.’
‘Not just my parents,’ she said softly. ‘I made a really bad mistake myself.’
Maybe telling him would go some way to making him understand why this couldn’t ever work. And it would make him agree with her decision when she found the right words to tell him about the baby.
‘Three years ago, my grandfather died.’
‘Meaning you were on your own in the world?’ Lorenzo asked. ‘Well, except your father, and he doesn’t count.’
She gave him a wry smile. ‘Pretty much, on both counts. Anyway, not long after that I was dragged off to some party. I didn’t really want to be there.’ She sighed. ‘And I met Nigel. He asked me out. I said no, but he was persistent, and I guess... It’s weak of me, but...’ She stopped, unable to frame the words.
‘You were still grieving for someone you loved very much,’ Lorenzo said softly. ‘It’s only natural that you wanted to try and fill some of the hole your grandfather’s death had left in your life.’
‘I guess.’ She stared miserably at the table. ‘So I started seeing him. And I was busy sorting out my grandfather’s estate and finding a new studio and somewhere else to live, so that kind of distracted me from the things I should’ve noticed.’
‘Why did you have to move?’ he asked.
‘Because my deal with the earl was that the cottage was my grandparents’ for life. After they died, it reverted to him.’
‘And he didn’t offer to let you stay, at least until you’d found your feet?’ Lorenzo looked shocked. ‘How mean can you get?’
‘That’s possibly a bit unfair. I didn’t actually give him the chance to offer,’ she admitted. ‘I moved straight out.’
‘Stubborn.’
‘Too much so for my own good, sometimes.’ She gave him a wry smile. ‘So I guess I had enough going on in my life not to notice that Nigel was sometimes a bit cagey when he answered his mobile phone. Or that he only ever visited me—he never invited me back to his place. When we went out, it was always to obscure places—the kind of places I like, because I’d prefer to go somewhere for dinner because the food is amazing rather than because it’s trendy. I thought that was why he chose the restaurants.’ She shook her head in frustration. ‘But I guess he picked them because he wouldn’t know anyone there. I never met any of his friends, and he didn’t seem interested in meeting mine. It never occurred to me that he might be married. I mean, when I look at it now, the signs were all there and it’s blindingly obvious, but I was too stupid and naive to read them at the time.’
‘It’s easy to see things in hindsight. No, you were busy and you were grieving and you put your trust in the wrong person,’ Lorenzo said.
‘Yeah.’ She couldn’t quite bring herself to tell him about the miscarriage. ‘Anyway, then I found out he was married. And that he had a baby. He cheated on his wife when she was pregnant, Lorenzo. And he cheated on her with me. I can’t forgive myself for that.’
He frowned. ‘If you’d known he was married, you would’ve kept turning him down.’
She stared at him. ‘Of course I would. I’d seen the damage my mother did. I didn’t want to follow in her footsteps.’
‘You don’t have to tell me that, Indi,’ he said softly. ‘I already know that you’re not your mother.’
‘But don’t you see? If the press find out...’ She bit her lip.
‘You met Nigel when you were vulnerable, and he took advantage of that. It isn’t your fault.’
‘I could have said no.’
‘You were grieving and lonely. Anyone else would’ve done the same, in your shoes.’
‘Lorenzo, I’ve just told you that I had an affair with a married man. Doesn’t that...?’ She shook her head, frustrated that she couldn’t find the right words to make him see her point.
‘No, it doesn’t make any difference. And if the press does manage to drag it up, then my press team will make sure they’re aware of your side of the story to balance things out. You’re human, Indi.’
‘And you need someone who’s perfect.’
‘No. Right now,’ he said softly, ‘I just need you.’
And she could see in his eyes that he meant it.
Even though her common sense knew that this was a huge mistake, how could she push him away when he’d let his barriers down with her like this?
She opened her arms; he held her close, then picked her up and carried her to the sofa
in her living room. He settled down with her half lying across his lap. ‘Right now,’ he whispered, ‘I just want to be with you. No talking, no nothing—I just want to be.’
That was just fine by her. Back in their bubble, where they had the chance to be together. Warm and comfortable and cosy and...
Indigo had no idea when she fell asleep—or when he did—but she woke when Lorenzo carried her into her bedroom and laid her on the bed, then tucked a duvet round her.
‘Lorenzo?’ she asked sleepily. ‘What time is it?’
‘Three in the morning. I’m sorry. I guess I relaxed with you so much that I dozed off,’ he said softly. ‘I’d better go.’
‘You could stay,’ she said.
He shook his head. ‘I can’t. But I’ll see you in the morning.’ He kissed her lightly. ‘I’ll take you round the cathedral.’
‘And I promise not to be late. Or sleep through the meeting.’
* * *
The next morning, Indigo was in Salvatore’s office ten minutes before she was due to meet Lorenzo.
‘You look up to your eyes in work, Signor Pozzi,’ she said.
He shrugged. ‘It’s a busy time, Signorina Moran. It’s the same for everyone.’
‘Can I fetch you a cup of coffee or something?’ she asked.
He looked at her in surprise. ‘Why would you do that?’
‘Because you’re very busy, and I have ten minutes before His Royal Highness is expecting me, so I have the time to make you some coffee,’ she said. ‘Do you take milk or sugar?’
‘I...’ And then he gave her the first real smile she’d seen since she’d come to the castle. ‘Thank you very much. That would be lovely. No milk or sugar, thank you.’
‘Just very strong, the way His Royal Highness drinks it?’ she asked dryly.
Salvatore spread his hands. ‘What can I say?’
‘You’re from Melvante. Which isn’t quite Italian, but pretty near it,’ she said with a smile.
She made coffee in the small kitchen next to the office—just about managing not to gag at the scent—and took the mug through to Lorenzo’s assistant along with a glass of water. He was on the phone when she got back, so she just placed the mug and glass on a coaster within his reach, and sat quietly in the corner of the office, sketching out some ideas for the window.
Dead on time, Lorenzo came through into his assistant’s office. ‘Good morning, Signorina Moran. Are you ready to go to the cathedral?’
She put her sketchbook away. ‘Of course, Your Royal Highness.’
‘You’ll like the glass,’ Salvatore said. ‘Don’t let the prince rush you past the rose window.’
‘I won’t,’ she said with a smile.
‘What did you do to Salvatore?’ Lorenzo asked when they’d left the office.
She shrugged. ‘Nothing. Why?’
‘Because his job is to be a dragon and protect my time, and there he was telling you not to rush.’
‘I made him a mug of coffee, that’s all.’
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. ‘I don’t think anyone due in a meeting with me has ever done that before.’
‘The poor man’s up to his eyes, fielding calls and organising things for you. It was the least I could do.’
‘Typical you,’ Lorenzo said, but his gaze was warm rather than full of censure.
Even from the outside, the cathedral was stunning, all white stone and Gothic arches. Inside, it was even more grand, with soaring arches everywhere and tall, narrow windows—and then a window that made Indigo stop and gasp in pleasure.
‘It’s beautiful. Like the rose window at York Minster. Why didn’t you tell me it was this good?’
He smiled. ‘I did tell you to come and see the glass for yourself.’ He added softly, ‘Remember when you took me to see your angel and the centaur?’
And they’d talked about weddings.
This was where Lorenzo would get married.
Not to her, because she wasn’t suitable. But Indigo hoped that Lorenzo would find a royal bride who really loved him—a woman who felt the same way about him that she did.
And then it hit her that she really was in love with him. Bone deep in love with the father of her unborn child. The one man she knew had integrity and she could trust with her heart. Except...they came from different worlds, and she just couldn’t see how they’d ever get past that.
‘It’s beautiful,’ she said, forcing herself to focus on the glass.
She enjoyed the rest of the tour of the building, and seeing the ancient throne on which Lorenzo would be seated during the coronation; but all the time she was aware of the widening gulf between them. Just how was she going to be able to tell him about the baby?
They were walking back down the aisle when a small girl came running towards them, tripped on one of the flagstones and fell flat on her face. Indigo scanned the area quickly but couldn’t immediately see anyone who looked like a concerned parent or nanny rushing to the child’s aid.
The little girl was crying and holding her knee. Indigo went over to her. ‘It’s all right, we’ll find your mummy for you.’
She was rewarded with a blank stare and more tears.
Of course—the little girl didn’t speak English. And Indigo knew that her Italian was too scrappy to be useful right now. ‘Lorenzo, can you translate for me?’ she asked swiftly. ‘Tell her that it’s OK, and we’ll find her mummy for her.’
The little girl was still crying, but she listened to Lorenzo and nodded.
‘I’ve got something in my bag that will stop her knee feeling sore,’ Indigo said, taking the small first aid kit out of her bag and finding the antiseptic wipes and a sticking plaster. ‘Can you distract her—get her to find something in one of the windows?’
* * *
If Lorenzo had been faced with a crying child on his own, he wouldn’t have been quite sure what to do or say. But, with Indigo by his side, it was surprisingly easy. ‘It’s all right, little one. We’ll make your knee better and find your mummy,’ he said. ‘Can you see all the pretty colours in the windows?’
She nodded.
‘What’s your favourite colour?’ he asked as Indigo wiped her knee clean.
‘Pink,’ she said, and he couldn’t help smiling.
He kept her talking while Indigo ministered to her knee and put a sticking plaster over the cut. They’d just finished when a woman ran up to them.
‘Melissa! What happened? Are you all right?’ She scooped the little girl into her arms. ‘I looked round, and you’d gone.’ And then she looked at Lorenzo and did a double-take. ‘Your Royal Highness! I’m—oh—um...’
‘It’s all right,’ he said, smiling at her to put her at her ease. ‘Your little girl fell over and cut her knee. My friend’s just cleaned the cut and put a sticking plaster on it. I hope that’s OK.’
‘I—oh, yes, thank you so much. But you’re...you’re...Your Royal Highness,’ she blurted out, clearly still flustered.
‘We just did what anyone else would’ve done,’ he said.
‘Thank you so much, Your Royal Highness. Melissa, you must always hold Mummy’s hand when we’re out and never, ever go off without Mummy,’ the woman said to her little girl. ‘Now, curtsey to the prince and say thank you.’
‘Mille grazie,’ the little girl said, her lower lip wobbling slightly as she tried to do a graceful curtsey.
‘Very nice to meet you, Melissa,’ Lorenzo said solemnly.
She looked almost as overawed as her mother.
‘I’m afraid I’m expected elsewhere now, but do enjoy the rest of your time here,’ Lorenzo said.
‘Thank you, Your Royal Highness.’
The woman was about to curtsey, but he placed his hand lightly on her arm. ‘You really don’t need
to curtsey to me.’ He smiled. ‘Have a nice day.’
‘I think you just made a hit,’ Indigo said as they left the cathedral.
‘Only because you were with me. I wouldn’t have had a clue what to say otherwise,’ he said.
‘You would’ve improvised,’ she said, giving him a cheeky wink. ‘And you would’ve been fine.’
Funny how her belief in him warmed him so much.
All he needed now was to get her to believe in them.
Ha. All.
* * *
Back at the castle, Lorenzo had a swift conversation with Salvatore, then checked his schedule. ‘I’m doing a photo shoot with Indigo for the window, so she can see the state robes,’ he said. ‘We’ll be in my apartment if there’s anything urgent, but I’m going to switch my mobile off during the shoot so we don’t get constant interruptions.’
‘Very good, Your Royal Highness,’ Salvatore said. ‘Did you enjoy the cathedral, Signorina Moran?’
‘I did, Signor Pozzi—the rose window is stunning,’ Indigo said. ‘And please call me Indi. I prefer being on first-name terms with my clients and their colleagues.’
‘Then you shall call me Sal,’ he said with a smile.
Lorenzo led her off to his apartment. ‘Salvatore has really taken a shine to you,’ he said. ‘I wish I could make people warm to me so quickly.’
‘You can,’ she said. ‘Just be yourself, and don’t put all the formal barriers up.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Though I guess that’s easier said than done, when you have to deal with protocol all the time.’
‘Protocol,’ he said, ‘maybe needs to learn to change with the times.’
‘Dat’s ma boy,’ she said with a grin. ‘You’re learning.’
‘Give me ten minutes to change. Be as nosey as you like,’ he invited.
‘Thank you. I will.’
Lorenzo’s apartment was at the opposite end of the castle to hers. It had a view of what looked like a format knot garden; but the interior was lovely, with simple furnishings rather than the ornate Louis XIV tables and chairs she’d seen in the rest of the castle. And she loved the artwork on the walls.