Midnight in Monterra

by Caroline Mickelson

  "So royal?" he supplied.

  "Exactly." Madison smiled with relief. Of course, he understood. As an employee of the Fiorelli family, he probably understood better than anyone would. "There's reality and then there's royalty, right?"

  Luis watched her for a long moment before he shrugged. "I suppose they are both very relative terms, no?" He motioned toward the open car door. "Shall we?"

  "With pleasure." Madison settled into the passenger seat with a sigh of contentment. The tan leather seats were supple and one quick glance at the dashboard told her what she'd already guessed. Every single upgrade known to mankind had been added. This certainly wasn't her grandaddy's ride. He'd taught her how to drive his battered old Ford pick-up truck on the bumpy back roads of his ranch. If she hadn't completely understood it before, she did now. Monterra was a world away from North Texas.

  A gentle breeze surrounded them as Luis smoothly guided the car down the narrow hairpin turns that led from the Royal Lodge into the village. It didn't take her long to appreciate that he was a skilled driver. She relaxed back against the seat.

  Spring had not only arrived in Monterra, it had made itself fully at home. Trellises of fragrant roses graced the front of many homes. Many of the residences featured diamond cut window panes with quaint window boxes, each seemingly vying to spill forth the most colorful and profuse offerings of flowers. With no obtrusive satellite dishes or cars parked in the street, the surroundings seemed timeless. She sighed with pleasure.

  Luis glanced over at her. "I take it that you are pleased with what you see?"

  She grinned. "More than. Monterra is every bit as lovely as Kat assured me it was."

  "You didn't attend their wedding." His words came out more as a statement than a question.

  Madison shook her head. "Unfortunately not, and believe you me, it about tore my sister and me apart to have to miss it. But it was the grand opening of our new restaurant that same weekend. We'd pretty much poured our savings into the launch, and rescheduling it would have been a big financial hit, so it came down to choosing between attending the wedding or opening the restaurant."

  Luis nodded. "A difficult position to be in."

  It could have been. But Kat had been her usual understanding self. She'd also been gracious enough to keep both Madison and Mackenzie updated on all the wedding plans and fun through texts and emails. This way they'd felt as if they'd been able to vicariously experience just a bit of the royal wedding. But now that she was actually here in Monterra, she realized just how much she'd missed. "The wedding must have been fabulous."

  "It was," Luis agreed. "Your friend radiated happiness and her groom was every bit as in love. I'm sorry you had to miss it."

  Madison shifted in her seat so that she could better see him. "You were at the wedding? I mean, actually in the cathedral itself?"

  Luis shot her a quick glance but didn't say anything. She started to ask another question but stopped herself. Maybe his comment had been an inadvertent slip. If he'd snuck into the cathedral to witness the Monterran wedding of the decade, she wasn't one to judge.

  "Have you lived in Monterra long?" she asked.

  "I haven't been here long at all," he said. "Has Nico told you much about his family's kingdom?"

  Nico? How odd that he'd address the prince on a first name basis. But Madison knew she was hardly an expert on the etiquette of addressing nobility. Just yesterday, she'd had to ask the prince what she should call him. Still, she doubted that palace staff directly addressed the royal family by their first names. However, maybe they referred to them that way below stairs.

  Below stairs? Good grief. Listen to her. Clearly she'd been watching too much BBC.

  "Did I say something wrong?" Luis asked.

  "Oh, no. I was just wondering if it was normal for everyone at the palace to call the prince 'Nico'?"

  He looked over at her, his expression puzzled. "Why do you ask?"

  She opened her mouth to tell him that he'd just done so but the sound of a woman's scream filled the air. Luis slammed on the brakes.

  A tiny white dog stood in the middle of the road. It looked up at them, it's expression dazed. An elderly woman rushed over and scooped the dog up, tears of relief running down her cheeks.

  Luis twisted to place his arm along the back of her seat. He touched her shoulder lightly and he leaned toward her. "Forgive me, Madison. Are you hurt?" His voice was solicitous, his eyes concerned.

  To save her life, Madison couldn't force herself to speak. She'd been startled, not hurt. She stared into the concerned warmth of Luis' brown eyes, unable to find her voice.

  "Madison?" His hand dropped to her arm, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm so sorry. Can you tell me if you're hurt?"

  She shook her head. "I'm fine, really." She forced herself to look away. "And the dog wasn't hit, so if you're okay, we can call it no harm, no foul."

  "Would you like me to take you home? Back to the lodge, I mean?"

  Again, she shook her head. This was ridiculous. She was acting like a love-struck teenage girl out with the coolest guy on the football team instead of the twenty-five-year-old woman she was. Fortune had conspired to bring her to a charming European principality. She needed to make the most of it. "No need, I'm fine. I swear." She glanced at the woman holding the dog. She still stood in the middle of the narrow street. "But don't you think we should check on her?"

  "Sí, of course, you are right. I'll be right back." With one last concerned glance at her, Luis slid out of the convertible and approached the woman.

  Although she wasn't able to understand their conversation because she didn't speak Italian, Madison watched with interest as Luis reached out to stroke the dog's head. He appeared to listen attentively and nod his head as the woman spoke rapidly. After a few moments, he shook her hand and returned to the car.

  "Are you certain that you're not hurt?" Luis asked as he rejoined her.

  "Positively sure," she assured him.

  He shifted the Mercedes into drive and continued through the village.

  Madison watched her surroundings with great interest as they entered the village. Several dozen people wandered along the sidewalks at a leisurely pace, many carrying handheld baskets for their shopping. The architecture couldn't be described as anything other than quaint. It reminded her of a movie set in the Swiss Alps that she and Mackenzie had loved watching as little girls. What she loved most were the brightly colored flowers everywhere. She sighed.

  Luis slid the car into an open spot and came around to open her door, a luxury she certainly wasn't used to. She smiled up at him as he helped her alight.

  "What do you think of Monterra thus far?"

  Much to her surprise, she felt extremely comfortable considering that Monterra couldn't be more different than the plains of Texas that she called home. "I think it's utterly charming."

  Luis' gaze trailed slowly over her features, leaving her feeling slightly breathless. But she didn't move. Didn't say anything. She couldn't. It was as if she was mesmerized. Heaven help her, she'd made fun of girlfriends for acting star struck around attractive men. No such thing as chemistry, she'd said over and over. Oh, how wrong she'd been.

  ***

  Prince Luis watched the lovely American closely. She'd gone suddenly quiet, and he struggled to think of what he could have said that might have offended her. Or what he might have said that had given away his true identity. His wisest move would be to do what he had set out to do, show her the sights. "Would you like to visit the cathedral where your friend was married?"

  "I'd love to. It looked so beautiful in all the photos." She looked around before turning back to him. "It's a lovely day and I'd enjoy a walk. Is it close enough that we can?"

  He offered her his arm. "This is the beauty of living in such a small principality. We can walk anywhere."

  As they walked along the street, Madison's arm tucked in the crook of his elbow, Luis shared with her everything he knew about Nico's homeland. L
ike many royals, he'd been carefully schooled in the history of neighboring countries so he knew enough to sound somewhat knowledgeable. He enjoyed the wonder and delight on Madison's face as they stopped in front of Monterra's grand cathedral.

  "Oh, Luis," Madison put a hand to her throat and turned to look up at him. "It's breathtaking."

  "Sí, it is." The fact that she appreciated Monterra's architectural gem pleased him. When she turned her attention back to the centuries-old architecture, he took the opportunity to study her features. Her manner was confident, her voice strong and self-assured, but her facial features were delicate. She was a contradiction, a most beautiful one. "Shall we go inside?"

  To Luis' relief, the cathedral was virtually empty when they entered. A few tourists glanced their way but he saw no flash of recognition when their eyes passed over him. As incomprehensible as it might be to anyone else, he was relishing spending time with Madison without her knowing his true identity. Rare was the chance for him to simply be Luis. Eventually, he might have to tell Madison his true identity, but not now. Not until he had to.

  Chapter Three

  "I've never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life." Madison stared up at the stained glassed windows. Sunlight spilled through them, creating the effect of colored jewels strewn on the marble floor. Reverently, she ran her fingers along the intricately carved design on the pew in front of her. "This is magnificent. There's no other word."

  "I'm glad you find it so." Luis stood by her side.

  She turned to look up at him. "Thank you for bringing me here, but even more, thank you for so patiently giving me the time to savor everything."

  A slow smile stretched across his face. "Believe me, there is no place I'd rather be right now."

  "Me too. So I take it that we're not in a hurry?"

  Luis shook his head. "My time is yours."

  "It was generous of Nico to spare you for the day." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. An expression she didn't understand flashed across Luis' face. Clearly she'd offended him, but that hadn't been her intent."I'm sorry, that didn't sound the way I meant it to."

  With only the briefest hesitation, he waved his hand as if to dismiss her concern. "It is not a problem." He motioned toward the front of the cathedral. "May I show you the altar? It was made from a rare variety of marble that is considered to be the very finest in Italy. Shall we?"

  "Lead the way, I'd love to see it." But as she followed him, Madison realized that although she was impressed with the cathedral, she was even more intrigued by the man who was showing it to her.

  When they reached the front of the cathedral, she listened attentively as Luis shared with her the history of its design. The scene carved into a creamy alabaster colored marble depicted the Last Supper. By no means did Madison consider herself well versed in art history, but she spent several moments lost in the wonder of centuries-old craftsmanship.

  Luis leaned ever so slightly toward her. "I would like to know what you think when you view this."

  Madison kept her eyes focused on the altar. "I can certainly see why this is the jewel of the cathedral."

  "But?"

  Startled, she glanced up at him. How astute of him to realize how much she was leaving unsaid.

  "Tell me," he urged her.

  "I don't think you'll understand."

  "Try me."

  "Well, when I look at the altar, I wonder who the man was who must have spent years of his life creating this. Who was this man who so painstakingly brought this scene to life from a marble slab?"

  "The artist was a gentleman by the name of Giovanni Marchegiano."

  "Yes, but who was Giovanni? When he finished his work for the day, did he go home to a wife and children who waited for him every night? Or was he an artist so devoted to his creations that his whole existence centered around his work?"

  "Which would you prefer to be true?"

  Madison didn't need time to think. "I much prefer the idea that he was a simple man, a man who was more devoted to his family than to what his patrons thought of his work. Someone who considered himself a laborer rather than an elite or entitled artesian."

  Luis nodded. "Your Giovanni would be a simple, humble man without pretense, yes?"

  "Exactly. He would be a man with no title, and with no sense of importance bestowed upon him by someone else. I'm not sure if that makes much sense."

  He was quiet for so long, she wasn't sure if he'd heard her. "I understand better than you think," he finally said.

  "I imagine you do. Your life is far more like our version of Giovanni's life than Nico's could ever be."

  Luis frowned. "That is quite a leap, Madison. What makes you think this?"

  "Well, how can Nico ever really know if someone values him for himself or for his position in the royal family? I don't think he can." She shuddered. "It must be a terrible way to live."

  "What about your friend Kat? She apparently was able to separate the man from his title. She didn't hold his birthright against him any more than he did her status as a commoner. From what I understand, she wasn't born into nobility."

  "Not even close, Luis. I assure you that her origins were humble indeed."

  He held his hands out, palms up. "You see? She will one day be the Queen of Monterra. Isn't that a true testament to love?"

  "I hope so."

  Luis' eyes widened. "You only hope so? You can't see it for yourself? You've spent time with them together."

  "I have, and trust me when I say that I wish them both every happiness in the world." She laid a hand over her heart. "Truly, it's my greatest wish that they can build a life together despite all of this."

  His brows drew together, his confusion clear. "This what?"

  Again, Madison saw some emotion she couldn't identify flash across Luis' face. What was his story? Was he a man satisfied with his life? Perhaps working for titled nobility was difficult for him. What were his dreams for his future?

  "This what?" Luis repeated, his words breaking through her reverie. "What is your concern for the prince and princess?"

  "Nothing about this life feels real to me. The titles, the palace, the traditions, the protocol, not any of it. How can they build a life together based on such a-" she broke off, trying to think of just the right word.

  "Stage?" he supplied.

  "Exactly, yes. That's the perfect word." She was strangely pleased that he understood her. "Kat and Nico will live their life on display. Perhaps not all of it, but enough to make me worry that the lines are so blurred between royal life and real life that they'll lose their way." She laid a hand on his arm. "I'm sure you understand what my concerns are. You're not from their world."

  "Madison, there's something I need to tell you. I-" but he broke off speaking, his eyes suddenly focused on something behind her.

  Madison looked over her shoulder. A priest in a long, black cassock was walking toward them. His hands were folded at his waist, and as best she could tell, his gentle smile was welcoming. She turned back to Luis. "What's wrong? Aren't you supposed to be here?"

  His only answer was a quiet groan.

  ***

  "Your Highness, what a pleasure to have you visit us again."

  Luis acknowledged the priest's greeting with a nod. He watched as Madison looked around to see whom the priest was addressing. But there was no one around. Her confused gaze locked in on him.

  "Luis? What's going on?"

  "I can explain, Madison. If you'll just give me the chance." But Luis wasn't able to say anything else before the priest was beside them. If he hadn't been in a house of worship he would have cursed his luck for running into the one priest who enjoyed practicing his English. It served him right, he should have gently set Madison straight this morning when she'd mistaken him for a palace driver. But it was too late for regrets. His only hope now was damage control.

  He shook the priest's outstretched hand. "Good morning, Father Bruno."

  "W
elcome, Your Highness. It's such a pleasure to see you, as always." He clasped Luis' hand between his own for a brief moment before turning to Madison, his smile wide and his sparkling blue eyes curious. "And whom do we have here?"

  Madison cocked her head and looked at Luis. Nico's driver. Correction, the man who said he was Nico's driver. She lifted an eyebrow. "Yes, introductions all around would be nice."

  This time, Luis did silently curse an unmerciful fate who just couldn't, wouldn't, let him spend even half a day as a civilian. Had it been too much to hope for a few hours with the lovely American before he had to confess his royal status as a Prince of Santa Rosa? Apparently so.

  "Father Bruno, allow me to present Miss Madison-" but he broke off when he realized he didn't know her last name. Which was fair enough considering that Madison hadn't known he was a member of the European aristocracy. "She is an American friend of Monterra's new princess."

  Madison favored him with a look that could most diplomatically be described as challenging before she turned her attention to the other man. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Father."

  "I assure you the pleasure is mine. Perhaps you would allow me to give you a tour?"

  Luis spoke first. "Thank you, Father. But we wouldn't want to take up any of your valuable time."

  The priest waved his hand as if to brush aside Luis' objection. "Nonsense. Welcoming a first time visitor to Monterra's National Cathedral is by far the best way I can spend my time." His smile was benevolent. "Now Miss Madison, tell me where in America are you from?"

  "Amarillo, Texas. Have you ever been to the United States?"

  The priest laughed. "No, but as a boy, I loved to watch John Wayne movies if that counts."

  Madison laughed. "It's a start. Texas certainly seems a world away from here."

  "Well, Texas' loss is certainly Monterra's gain." He motioned for Madison to precede him toward one of the side altars. "Come, let me show you my favorite sculptures." Almost as an afterthought, he turned back to Luis. "If Your Highness has other business to attend to, I would be happy to send Miss Madison home in one of our cars."