He could hardly breathe. “Remind me of the question.”
“You asked me to be your wife.” The tremor in her voice made its way to his heart.
“I remember. But you had an irreconcilable conflict that prevented you from answering.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Since then I’ve un-conflicted it.”
His breath caught in his lungs. “How was that possible?”
“Two days ago I flew to Rome and had the conversation with Dea we’ve needed to have since she visited me in Catania. It was the heart-to-heart kind that immersed two sisters in tears. It was a time of love and forgiveness for all past hurts and misunderstandings. In the end she told me something I needed desperately to hear. So do you.
“She said, ‘I wanted Rini Montanari to want me, so I made a play for him and kissed him good-night right on the mouth. He didn’t bite.’”
Rini’s head reared. “She admitted that to you?”
“Oh, yes. There’s more. She said she invited you to dinner but you turned her down flat.”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing.”
“I do. That’s because you’re an honorable man, my darling. Not only for turning her down because you didn’t have those kinds of feelings for her, but for keeping that secret to yourself in order not to hurt her or me. She thinks I’m the luckiest woman alive. I am! She said to tell you that she welcomes you to the Caracciolo family with open arms. That’s a good thing because I plan to be your wife. I can’t live without you!”
She ran into his arms, almost knocking him over while she covered his face and mouth with kisses. “Ti amo, Rini. Ti amo.”
“Hey, bro?”
Rini’s eyes swerved to the door. Carlo had just walked in on them, but he came to an abrupt standstill and a huge smile broke out on his face. “Well, look what my fratello snagged on his last fishing trip! I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Looks like Guido’s the only living bachelor left in Naples. I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”
He closed the door. By now Rini had sat down in his chair with Alessandra in his lap. They kissed long and hard until he started to believe this was really happening. She looked and smelled divine.
“How soon can we get married, bellissima?”
“Whenever you want. I think the chapel in the castle would be the perfect place. Dea and I had a chapel in our play castle. We always planned elaborate weddings with our dolls. We even had a doll priest. Did you know Queen Joanna married one of her husbands there?”
Rini hugged her hard. “I can’t think of a place more fitting for you.”
“And you, because you’re my prince. We’ll invite all our friends and family. We have room for everyone. The cook will plan a wedding feast with all the fish you can eat.” He started chuckling. “Dea will help me find the perfect wedding dress and Fulvia will help Mamma do everything else. We’ll ask your sister to bring her babies and we’ll dress them up like little princes. Alfredo will walk around excited because there’s going to be food. And Papà will play the host with a twinkle in his eye.”
By now his chuckling had turned to deep laughter. “There’s one thing I want to do. Plan the honeymoon,” he whispered against the side of her neck.
“I was hoping you’d say that. Can we leave now and go somewhere private where I can kiss you as long and wickedly as I want?”
“What a ridiculous question to ask the man who’s headlong in love with the most gorgeous woman alive.”
“I hope you’ll always feel that way.”
It took them a while to stop kissing long enough to make it to the roof. Rini told his pilot to fly them to Positano. “We’re getting married, Lucca.”
He grinned. “Tonight?”
“Don’t I wish. It’ll be soon.”
With a background of Vesuvius, the helicopter rose into the evening sky. Rini was so full of emotion, he couldn’t talk. While they were in the air, he pulled a ring out of his breast pocket. He’d bought it a month ago and had been carrying it around, keeping it close to him like a talisman.
“Give me your left hand, adorata.”
Her whole countenance beamed as she did his bidding. He slid the ring on her finger. “It’s fabulous, Rini!” She held it up close to inspect it. “The diamond and setting—this is like the one on Queen Joanna’s hand in the foyer of the castle!”
“The foyer was the place I fell in love with you. She’s the reason you and I met. In a way I owe her my life. I’m glad you noticed.”
Her beautiful eyes rounded. “You silly man. How could I not notice? Just wait till you see the ring I have planned for you.”
Joy was a new emotion for him. So new, he clung to her hand, unable to find words.
CHAPTER NINE
ALESSANDRA STOOD OUTSIDE the closed chapel doors with her father, where they could hear the organ playing. After waiting a month for her wedding day, she was so anxious to be Rini’s wife, she’d started to feel feverish in anticipation.
“Papà? Why are we waiting?” Everyone was inside including her husband-to-be, whom she knew was equally impatient to be married at this point.
Her distinguished-looking father, outfitted in wedding finery and a blue sash befitting the Count of Caracciolo, turned to her with a gleam in his eyes. “Your aunt has worked her magic.”
“What do you mean?”
“As you are a princess of the Houses of Taranto and Caraciolla, the Archbishop of Taranto is going to preside. We’re giving him time to enter the nave through the side entrance.”
A quiet gasp escaped her. “Rini’s not going to believe it.”
“He’s going to have to get used to a lot of surprises being married to my darling piccola.”
She smiled at him. “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Almost as much as you. After all the weddings performed in your playhouse castle, you’re going to be the star in your very own. You look like an angel in all that white fluff and lace.”
“Dea found it for me.”
“Of course. That explains the long train.”
“It’s spectacular.”
“So are you. I see your mother gave you her tiara to wear.”
“Something old and borrowed. Papà? Do you like Rini? I mean really like him?”
“I think he’s an exceptional man who has met his match in you.”
While they stood there, Dea came around the corner toward them. She looked a vision in pale lavender carrying two bouquets. She handed the one made of white roses to Alessandra. “I outdid myself when I picked out this wedding dress for you.”
“I love it. I love you.”
“Do you know where you’re going on your honeymoon yet?”
“Rini’s lips are sealed.”
“Lucky you.” Dea kissed her. “It’s time.”
The doors suddenly opened and Dea took her place behind Alessandra and her father. Together they entered the ornate chapel with its stained glass windows, where a lot of history had been made. Every single person she loved was assembled. The archbishop added a solemnity to the occasion in his ceremonial robes. But she only had eyes for the tall, dark-haired man turned out in dove-gray wedding clothes standing near the altar.
The dazzling white of his dress shirt set off his olive skin coloring to perfection. He was her prince in every sense of the word. She prayed her heart wouldn’t give out before she reached his side. His dark eyes seemed to leap to hers as she reached his side. While the archbishop addressed the congregation, Rini didn’t remove his gaze from her.
“Surely heaven is shining down on these two people this day while they are joined together in the most holy ordinance of the church,” the archbishop began.
Rini’s hand
held hers. He rubbed his thumb over her palm and wrist. She was trying to concentrate on the sacredness of the occasion, but his touch sent fire through her entire body. By the time they came to exchanging vows, he’d reduced her to a weakened state. Thank heaven the words were finally pronounced.
“I now pronounce you, Rinieri di Brazzano Montanari, and you, Alessandra Taranto Caracciolo, man and wife in front of God and this congregation. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”
Her clear conscience over Dea had freed her from bondage. They both kissed with restrained passion, forcing themselves to hold back. But she was bursting inside with love for him. When she turned to face her family, her joy was so great she could hardly contain it.
“It won’t be long now,” Rini whispered in an aside. He squeezed her hand as he led them down the aisle and out the doors to the great dining hall that had once seen the courtiers of kings and queens. He reached around her waist and pressed her against his hip while they greeted their parents and guests. She saw her father hand something to Rini before they took their places at the head table.
Guido and his parents sat together before he took over the emcee job. “One good thing about this marriage. Alessandra has taken him off the market. Now I’m the most famous bachelor of Naples.” He ended with a wonderful trail of anecdotes about Rini that had people bursting with laughter.
Dea took her turn. “Alessandra and I were joined at the hip in the womb. It feels strange to be on my own at last, but I couldn’t be happier for her.” She shared more nuggets of personal moments with Alessandra to delight their audience. Alessandra turned beet-red.
One by one, the members of both families paid tribute. Valentina brought tears to everyone’s eyes in her tribute to Rini, who’d been so wonderful to her after their mother had died. Carlo reminisced over his own touching memories of Rini when their mother was alive.
There were more speeches, but she could tell Rini was restless. In a move that appeared to surprise him, she rose to her feet with some difficulty considering the length of her train. “Rini and I want to thank everyone for making our wedding day unforgettable. Zia Fulvia? What would we do without you? In fact, what would we do without our marvelous staff, my darling Liona and her cat Alfredo and the families we cherish.”
Rini got to his feet. “I couldn’t have said it better, but I hope you’ll understand that we need to leave.”
“Sure you do,” Guido quipped loud enough for everyone to hear. Dea laughed at his remark. Alessandra hid her head against Rini’s shoulder as they left the hall on a run. He led her through the hallway to the foyer. They raced out the doors to the Land Rover. He stuffed her inside and ran around to drive them to the helipad.
Their pilot was all smiles as he helped her on board. Once they were strapped in, they took off with Rini seated in the copilot’s seat. “Complimenti, Signora Montanari.”
“Grazie, Lucca. My husband won’t tell me where we’re going.”
“We’ll be there soon, bellissima.”
“It was a beautiful wedding, don’t you think?”
“Yes, but I thought it would never be over.”
“Mamma said the wedding is for the bride. She was right.”
The pilot flew east to the Adriatic, then dropped to a luxury yacht making its way through the water. Her eyes darted to Rini’s in question.
“Guido’s parents insisted on providing their yacht for our honeymoon. We can stop anywhere we want and scuba dive in Croatian waters. There are caves you’ll love to explore.”
“It sounds wonderful, but as you once told me, I don’t care where we go as long as we’re together.”
Lucca set them down on the yacht’s helipad with remarkable expertise. Rini jumped out and reached for her, carrying her across the deck to a stairway with the master bedroom on the next level down. She could see everything had been prepared for them ahead of time. Flowers overflowed the living area of the suite, creating a heavenly perfume.
“At last.” The way he was looking at her caused her limbs to quiver. He wrapped his arms around her and undid the buttons of her wedding dress, while he gave her a husband’s kiss that never ended.
Somehow they gravitated to the bedroom, leaving a trail of wedding clothes and a tiara. The covers had been turned down. He followed her on to the mattress, burying his face in her throat. “Alessandra, I can’t believe you’re my wife. I’ve been lonely for you for years.”
“You don’t know the half of it. I love you so terribly. Make love to me, darling, and never ever stop,” she murmured feverishly until they were devouring each other and conversation ceased.
For the rest of the night they communicated with their bodies, trying to show each other how they felt in ways that words couldn’t. Rini took her to another world, where she felt transformed. When morning came she couldn’t bear for the night to be over. Even though he’d finally fallen asleep, she started kissing him again to wake him up. His eyes opened.
“You’ve married a wanton. Forgive me.”
In a surprise move he rolled her over so he was looking down at her. “I wouldn’t have you any other way. You’re perfect.” Another long, deep kiss ensued.
“But was it...good for you?”
He moaned. “What a question to ask me? Can’t you tell what you’ve done? I’ll never want to go to work again.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to let you go.”
“Then our problem is solved. Buongiorno, moglie mia. Welcome to my world.”
She pressed another avid kiss to his compelling mouth. “We’re not dreaming this, are we? This is real. You really are my husband.”
“You’d better believe it, but in case you’re in any doubt, let me prove it.”
To her joy he proved it over and over. Except for taking the time to eat, she drowned in her husband’s love. They didn’t surface for three days.
At the end of that time they planned to go up on deck. But before they left their room, Alessandra rushed around in her robe to pick up their wedding attire still all over the room. It would be too embarrassing for any of the ship’s staff to see the hurry they’d been in after arriving in the helicopter after the ceremony.
“Darling? I found this in the pocket of your suit.” He’d just come out of the bathroom with a towel hitched around his hips. She handed him an envelope.
“Your father slipped this to me at the castle.”
“I wondered what it was.”
Rini opened it and pulled out a letter.
“What does it say?
“‘Alessandra’s mother and I wanted to give you a wedding present, but it’s for selfish reasons on our part. If you want to drill on our land, you have our permission. That way we know we’ll see you part of the time when you have to be at the castle to supervise everything.’”
He looked shocked. Alessandra slid her arms up his chest and around his neck. “Now you know how much they love and trust you.”
“I never expected this.”
“That’s one of the reasons why they did it. But my guess is, Fulvia helped Mother see that your vision can help our country.”
“Is that what you think, too? Your opinion is the one that matters to me.”
“You know I do. Otherwise I would never have taken you to see my aunt.”
“We can thank providence you did. She proved to be the catalyst that helped you and your sister put away your demons.”
She nodded. “One problem solved and one to go.”
He kissed her with almost primitive desire. “We don’t have another one.”
“You’re almost thirty-three and not getting any younger. Neither am I. If we’re going to adopt children, we need to do something about it soon. These things can take time.”
His brow dipped. “Are you desperate for a chi
ld already? Or tired of me already?”
“Rini... I’m not going to dignify either of those questions with a response. I’m simply looking ahead to our future. When I saw you playing with Ric and Vito a couple of days ago, I could picture you playing with our own children.
“I’m not saying we’re ready now. Maybe the day will come when you’ll want to consult one of the attorneys who work for you and we’ll make an application to begin the process. But if it upsets you, I promise I’ll never bring it up again.”
He let out a ragged sigh and crushed her in his arms. “I’m sorry I got so defensive. It’s different when you know you can’t have your own baby. I don’t know if I could be a good father.”
“No one knows if they’re going to be able to handle it. I bet if you ask Carlo, he’ll tell you he was nervous before their daughter was born.”
“But he knew it was his.”
“But he didn’t see the baby until she was born. If we adopt, we won’t see the baby until it’s born. What difference will it make?”
He smiled. “You’re right. It won’t.”
“Come on. Let’s go on deck and soak up a little sun.”
“I have a better idea. How would you like to fly to Montenegro for dinner? We’ve been away from the ship for three days. Wear that gorgeous outfit you showed up in at my office.”
“You liked that one? I’ll start getting ready right now.”
“I like you in anything when you have to wear clothes, but if I had my way...”
“That works for me where you’re concerned too.” She giggled and ran into the bathroom, but he caught up to her before she could lock the door.
EPILOGUE
Eight months later
RINI WAS AT the drilling site when his cell rang. Hopefully it was Alessandra telling him she was back at the castle after her visit to her editor in Rome. Her book on Queen Joanna would be coming out shortly and the publisher wanted to set up some book signings.
The Billionaire Who Saw Her Beauty Page 14